LALARRY

Dennis P Writes Back On Why He "Doesn't Have A Problem With" Segregation in Public Accommodations"

I prefer freedom to coercion. You don't.
I work to change those who dislike Jews into people who won't dislike Jews.And I don't believe that this is an antisemitic or racist country. So I will gamble on dropping anti-discrimination laws which have been wildly abused.

Once again, All the best,
Dennis Prager

My reply:

I hoped you would (deny) retract your statement instead of the reply you sent (above)

I don't believe in freedom to discriminate in an outrageous manner such as segregation or permission to put a group in the back of the bus or deny service at a lunch counter.

Thank god the courts of this country agree with me. And not with the policies of early Nazi Germany and South Africa under apartheid

And I think it was one of the proudest moments in American Jewish History when, out of all non -blacks groups,  jews were in the forefront of fighting against such discrimination often risking their lives. They weren't willing to gamble the laws might be "dropped" by those that had enacted and enforced them for the previous 100 years.

I guess you  think it is a prouder moment when Rabbi Daniel Lapin (and you ) assert that it is a Christian nation, contrary to history and legal precedent.

we agree to disagree

Mind if I send this dialogue to Rob Eshman editor of the Jewish Journal for publication ? I think it merits a wider audience given your large following in the Jewish community.

maybe to the head of continuing ed at the UJ where you teach bible as well

you're a man who has great conviction of beliefs, I'm sure you wouldn't mind

I didn't add the following and regret I didn't:

Your  remark sounded EXACTLY like the kind of remark my father told me that my Grandfather, a comfortable upper middle class Jew in Berlin, would make in the early years of the Third Reich. "He's a crazy man, the Germans won't tolerate him for more than a year or two" my grandfather would say," we can wait this out." Meanwhile, of course Jews were progressive excluded from German life.  In those early years no camps were established. In fact the final solution had not even been decided on.

My grandfather stayed in Germany untill it was too late for him to get out although in 1938, when even he could see the writing on the wall , he was able to arrange for his five children to leave Germany, doubtless with some strategic bribes . My father and his siblings built new lives in America. My Grandfather and Grandmother perished in Auschwitz.

My father taught me to be far less sanguine than you when a state tolerates blatant discrimination.

Dennis did send me another email:

I would be happy to write at length on this for the Jewish Journal. A few sentences in a quick e-mail is not meant for publication. And you know that. It reflects poorly on you to even consider it.

Dennis Prager

So you can guess what my next project will be. Hopefully Rob Eshman, editor of the LA Jewish Journal will ask Dennis to put his views on paper, in which case of course, I will post them here as well.

Someone suggested that I work with him on a "reply" to Dennis, in a point/ counterpoint style. I thought about it, and although I love to see my name in print (surprise !!) I don't think it is the right thing to do.

Deborah Lipstadt, renowned holocaust scholar refuses to "debate" holocaust deniers on whether the holocaust occurred. And eminent biologists refuse to "debate" believers in "intelligent design" on the scientific validity of the two theories. Their reason : merely to enter into such a "debate" is to give the impression that there is equal  intellectual validity to their opponents' position. It is just a "matter of opinion" which is correct. Like a debate between  political candidates.

You may disagree with me. But in my view, in 21st century America, to "debate" whether it should be legal for someone to operate a restaurant or other public establishment  that is segregated falls into the same category.

Personally, I would hope that the historical experiences at home and around the world in the 20th century would have made virtually every American feel the way I do. And the world would be a better place when, hopefully,  the entire world has that view. Unforunately, of course it is not the case.

 Dennis habitually says he is lucky to live in America because it is the greatest country in the  world. I would concur, and one of the reasons imho is that it has outlawed segregation and discrimination.

I'll let Dennis'  argument in his (hopefully) forthcoming column stand or fall on its own "merits."

I Couldn't Believe Even He Would Spout Such Idiocy

I couldn't believe my ears,but yes this outrageous remark came out of DPs mouth today:

"if someone wants to open a restaurant and not serve Jews, I don't have a problem with that"

so I wrote him this email (don't worry if he responds, I'll post it) :

...I've only listened to your show a few times, do you oftern make outrageous

ridiciulous staments like that ?

so I guess you wouldn't mind if:

• your radio station made all the restrooms "non jews only" and you had to

drive to a gas station when the need arose

• your wife asked you to pick up some groceries for dinner but when you got to

the store they said they have a policy of not selling food to jews

• when you got home your wife said "no problem let's eat in a restaurant." But

you couldn't find one that served Jews.

• When you travel to your next speaking arrangement you have to take a

midnight flight because the others are reserved  for non jews only. Lucky

you got a flight at all, only one airline takes Jewish passengers.

• somehow at the rental car counter you find a nice clerk that breaks the non

jews only policy and rents you a car

• when you arrive at the city you try 30 hotels but none take jews so you

sleep in your car. The only other choice was a hotel in the worst part of

town filled with hookers and drug addicts-but hey they were nice enough to

take Jews.

• And when it comes time for the next Dennis Prager cruise the organizer says

: new policy : no jewish guests (you and your family excepted) and you

announce that to your listeners and explain that "you have no problem with

that"

I guess in Germany in the early years after Hitler came to power and Jews

were banned from restaurants, places of entertainment, schools, swimming

pools etc , you would have told your fellow jews not to get upset because

"you don't have a problem" with those things.