Re: Mary Rizzo – Hamas: They’re not bad, they’re just drawn that way
Scott B writes: While there most certainly is a “fear trigger”, this is largely Hamas’ own doing. The party name may also be an acronym, meaning “zeal” in Arabic, but it can’t have escaped notice of those selecting that name that in Hebrew (as transliterated) it means “violence”. (Cf. Gen. 6:11, etc.) …Though now at quite a late date, it would behoove them to rename (or at least retransliterate)
their party more appropriately.
My response:
Scott,
You missed the real problem with the name “Hamas.” In English, it sounds like “ham ass.” This is obscene, unkosher, and un-halal all at the same time!
Since English is the world’s dominant language, Arabs should select names for their groups based on the connotations of the English transliteration, not the Hebrew one. And of course they shouldn’t give a rat’s ass, or even a ham’s ass, about what the name means in the original Arabic.
Anyway, now I understand why the English-speaking governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia don’t support “Ham Ass.” As you suggest, the party needs to be renamed for the sake of Arab unity if nothing else.
Best,
Kevin
PS The name of the Jewish/Israeli language “Hebrew” sounds like “he brew” in English, meaning “he make beer.” While here in Wisconsin most folks don’t have a problem with that, the world’s anglophone Muslims are profoundly miffed. I suggest that you start a movement to change it to something less offensive. Imagine, the third Muslim holy land invaded and occupied by people whose language is named after beermaking! That’s probably the main cause of conflict in the Middle East, now that I think about it.
Kevin: just got done listening to your shouting match with Steve Alten and that guy is too far gone! What a dope! He was trying to portray you as anti-semitic and anyone with an ounce of sense can see that you aren't. He is obviously a closet Zionista even though he denies it. If there was a really independent investigation of 9/11 and it came out that Israel was involved in it, Alten would denounce the findings a "anti-semitic". Any criticism at all of Israel's warmongers and genocidal maniacs is taboo for Alten. That guy is a worthless scumbag. Don't let him hornswaggle you! He's the one who is spreading darkness! Anyone who defends Israeli/Zionista genocide isn't worth the powder to blow him to hell! I love the way he dismisses the low-level Mossad lackeys they arrested celebrating the attack on the WTC in New Jersey with a wave of his hand! What the F***! Then they go no Israeli TV to brag about how they were sent there to document the "event"! What a scumbag! I am sorry I ever bought Alten's book – which I haven't even read yet! I bought it hoping to drive up sales to get it more public exposure. I am not into fiction anyway and now after putting money in that goon's pocket, I refuse to even read that piece of trash. Good work, Kevin! Keep on keepin' on, Bro!
I agree that Steve wasn't very reasonable on that show. And I strongly disagree with him on the issue of Zionism. But he took a big risk to try to help the 9/11 truth movement, and his book, while it may not be the great 9/11 novel, is a worthy project. People like Steve who think 9/11 was more about oil and US "national security" than Israel might be right — part of the job might have just been contracted to Mossad. Scroll back a few blogs to "The Oil Card." So anyway, while I understand why Steve's performance on the show annoyed you, I think you're overreacting. Steve may be wrong on Zionism, but he could be right, or at least helpful, on 9/11. Pro-Zionists are not evil people, they're just wrong on one issue.