[MarkL]

Oh, btw, I'm not, but as a former Machalnik and veteran of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, it's amusing how many liberal Jews despised me and did their best to sink my career.

Thank you for putting your life on the line for Israel. To be honest, I don't find it amusing in the least bit, and it happens far too often. I don't understand leftist Jews, either here in the US or in Israel, and some of the most liberal I know are my cousins who live in Jerusalem. I just don't get it, but they're foursquare against the fence and any military action that retaliates against muslim and arab aggression. I just don't get it.

But then it's people like yourself who allowed people like my cousins to have such crazy ideas (and their lives) and for that I thank you, though they would probably curse you.

Mark

[archy]

No problem. We disagree about the limits that property owners who purport to serve the public may place on others who visit their establishments, but we're certainly on the same side so far as the bigger issues go. It's hardly surprising that two individuals with differing experiences might hold different views on the same issue, both based on their own personal experience.

However, I would remind you of the observation of one very wise observer:

“Francesco Sforza became Duke of Milan from being a private citizen because he was armed; his sons, since they avoided the inconveniences of arms, became private citizens after having been duke. For, among the other bad effects it causes, being disarmed makes you despised; this is one of those infamies a prince should guard himself against”

--Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince [p.36, in my copy]