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I Hadn't Planned on Saying This- But...
10/05/05 | vanity

Posted on 10/05/2005 5:47:46 PM PDT by genefromjersey

I Hadn’t Planned to Tell This Story – But :

Sometimes you have to speak out and be heard – even when you’re a Certified Old Fogey .

Long ago , but not too far away , I lived in a little country town, in upstate New York. Most of the people who lived there were small farmers, tradesmen, mechanics, or factory workers : “blue collar with pretensions” , I guess you’d call us.

The town was mostly what my Dad used to call “ Narrowback Protestants “ ( You’d have to show a girl your Sunday School pins before she’d neck in a parked car with you ) with a scattering of Roman Catholics (regarded with deep suspicion) and one or two Jews (routinely mocked and despised.)

One of the town Jews- an old grouch named Meyer- owned a United Cigar store : candy, newspapers,cigarettes, tobacco, pipes, magazines, and sundries.

On the 4th of July – if you were old enough , and hadn’t been kicked out of the store too many times , you might be allowed to buy (illegal, immoral, delightful) firecrackers.

When World War II ended , one of the soldiers who came home was a fellow named Sid. We’d always heard Jews got “ the soft spots” in the Army : places where they would never be in danger, and could probably turn a few bucks on the side ; so we didn’t quite know what to make of Sid – who had been a Ranger, and who had taken 6 machine gun bullets in the hedgerows of France.

Sid married Meyer’s very pretty daughter, and took over the store – As much as Meyer would let him, anyway; and, in the fullness of time,became the man to see if you wanted to buy cigarettes ( for your Dad,of course ), condoms ( to carry in your wallet –forever unused ) or those illegal, immoral ,delightful 4th of July firecrackers.

Our part-time Town Constable – as narrowback as they come – regarded the Cigar store as a den of iniquity , and kept a very close eye on it : the same way he kept a close eye on “the girls” who worked in the town’s little factory. He was the foreman there – and universally hated for his ability to sneak up behind workers and catch them if they paused to chat.

He sneaked up on me as I prepared to light the second firecracker from a pack I had just talked Sid into selling me . “I’ll take those firecrackers ,”he purred. “ You’re in big trouble !”

The Constable wasted no time in making his offer: I would not be prosecuted for possession of fireworks , but would have to identify the person who sold them to me…in front of a Jury.

When you are 12 years old and trying (well:sort of) to do the right thing, a Subpoena can make you feel pretty tense.

For one thing, I liked and respected Sid and his wife. I used to hang out in the store when I could , and talk about life , and values, and the turbulent world we lived in. They never “talked down” to me , and I had gotten to be on a first name basis with them.

On the other hand , Dad was part of the Town Board that paid the Constable’s salary , and I was expected to be reasonably upright and law-abiding. I knew – when summoned to testify in a case – one is supposed to tell the truth , the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I agonized for weeks over what to do in the matter of The State of New York - by Grace of God Free and Independent vs Sid : wounded war veteran , small town merchant ,and friend. Everyone I talked to had different advice – even Sid , who said : “ Whether it helps me or harms me - do what your conscience says is right.”

Suddenly it was time to appear in court. The Constable came to the house , and we began driving to the County seat.

We rode in silence for a while, and then he said : “ Don’t be nervous. All you have to do is tell the truth. “ He glanced over at me. “ Do you think you can do that ?”

“Yes sir”, I responded glumly.

“Good !”, he beamed. “ I’ve been trying to get something on that damn kike for a long time !”

Would it surprise you to learn I had a sudden loss of memory on the stand ? That Sid and his attorney sat there trying not to look surprised as the memory loss persisted ? That cross-examination by the prosecution and further direct questioning by an irate judge failed to restore my faculties ?

I hadn’t planned to tell this story –ever ; but today I ran across another anti-Semite on the Internet --- and I guess you could say it restored my memory !


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: antisemitism; new; old; smalltown
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1 posted on 10/05/2005 5:47:46 PM PDT by genefromjersey
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To: genefromjersey

Thank you for sharing that GFJ....

I think it is a great reminder in this day and age... that you cannot judge a book by its cover. you need to know the story inside too.


2 posted on 10/05/2005 5:51:17 PM PDT by Americanwolf (I Served proudly.... how dare you tell me I have no convictions...)
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To: genefromjersey

God bless you!!!


3 posted on 10/05/2005 5:54:35 PM PDT by Virginia Queen (Virginia Queen)
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To: genefromjersey

That's a great story Gene, I am glad you told it and glad you forgot who sold you those firecrackers. Where in NJ are you living?


4 posted on 10/05/2005 5:56:53 PM PDT by since1868 (GO YANKEES!!!)
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To: genefromjersey

Damn, You're Good.


5 posted on 10/05/2005 5:57:28 PM PDT by xcamel (No more RINOS - Not Now, Not Ever Again.)
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To: genefromjersey
with a scattering of Roman Catholics (regarded with deep suspicion)

LOL. I was one of those.

6 posted on 10/05/2005 5:57:35 PM PDT by Bahbah (Member of the Water Bucket Brigade)
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To: genefromjersey

Thank you.


7 posted on 10/05/2005 5:57:38 PM PDT by reformedliberal (Bless our troops and pray for our nation.)
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To: genefromjersey

Thanks for posting this story. Its too bad more of us can't learn this lesson. I'm afraid many will read this and say "not me" or "he's just a lefty". AWB


8 posted on 10/05/2005 5:58:06 PM PDT by Americanwolfsbrother (Don't hate on someone for using their mind.)
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To: genefromjersey

Great story.


9 posted on 10/05/2005 5:59:03 PM PDT by Talking_Mouse (Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just... Thomas Jefferson)
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To: genefromjersey

I went back and read the rest. I love you.


10 posted on 10/05/2005 6:00:04 PM PDT by Bahbah (Member of the Water Bucket Brigade)
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To: genefromjersey

Quite a story.


11 posted on 10/05/2005 6:00:13 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (Nagin Cried, People died.)
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To: genefromjersey

Nice story, it made me smile.


12 posted on 10/05/2005 6:03:47 PM PDT by advance_copy (Stand for life, or nothing at all)
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To: genefromjersey

Ya done good!

In this case the law was prejudiced!


13 posted on 10/05/2005 6:03:56 PM PDT by NYTexan
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To: genefromjersey

I take it he was found not guilty?


14 posted on 10/05/2005 6:04:17 PM PDT by rwfromkansas (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=rwfromkansas)
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To: genefromjersey

A well thought out plan, Sir! Nicely executed, too.

I have heard of jury nullificaion, but this is a first for witness nullification.


15 posted on 10/05/2005 6:05:36 PM PDT by GladesGuru ("In a society predicated upon liberty, it is essential to examine principles)
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To: genefromjersey

Thanks - great story. Funny - I will remember it for a long time.


16 posted on 10/05/2005 6:05:46 PM PDT by Mr. Rational (God gave me a brain and expects me to use it)
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To: genefromjersey

I'll bet you sleep better tonight.


17 posted on 10/05/2005 6:06:43 PM PDT by SmithL (There are a lot of people that hate Bush more than they hate terrorists)
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To: genefromjersey

May I join the other posters in saying great story!


18 posted on 10/05/2005 6:07:27 PM PDT by Theresawithanh (I support President Bush, the war on terror, and our brave men & women in the military!)
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To: genefromjersey

May I join the other posters in saying great story!


19 posted on 10/05/2005 6:07:31 PM PDT by Theresawithanh (I support President Bush, the war on terror, and our brave men & women in the military!)
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To: genefromjersey

Great story, Gene! At 12 you had a better spine than most folks at 40.


20 posted on 10/05/2005 6:08:04 PM PDT by Marie (After 6 years of planning and working for the goal, I am now a TEXAN!! Woo-hoo!)
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