An email from a stranger

This dropped into my ebox – I have no idea who Steve Cohen is, but I am clear that he is involved with Greenstein because of the CC. It is not addressed to the list. Greenstein has been sent links to the discussion taking place, has written several mails to the list- and now he appears to be getting strangers to target individuals. It seems that unless we do what Greenstein wants, when he wants, he will not stop piling the pressure on.- ftp

Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 17:51:56 -0000
From: steve cohen “raysteve@cohen70.freeserve.co.uk”
To: freethepeeps@aktivix.org
Cc: “Greenstein, Tony” tonygreenstein@yahoo.com;, DAVIDLANDAU9@aol.com
Subject: the anti semitism of indymedia

As a hitherto supporter of Indymedia I am writing in total support of Tony Greenstein’s attribution of anti-Semitism
Some political positions are so clear that they require no reflection to asceratain their meaning. Nazism is one such position. What you have published is another. To talk of “Judaic world view” (ie attributing to all Jews the same view – the conspiracy theory) and refering to the “unpopularity” of Jews in Nazified Europe (a form of holocaust minimisation which virtually coincides with denial) as well as “their holocaust”( the holocaust was perpetrated ON Jews – and others. The perpetrators were the Nazis)…all this is clear,unarguable anti-Semitism. Just as “kill the Yids” is clear,unarguable,anti-Semitism. But yet you claim a) it is open to interpretation b) even if it were anti-Semitic you need a “consensus” as to what to do if anything – a somewhat unique position on fighting racism c) in the meantime you feel quite prepared to print this junk (which incidenetally in identifying anti-Semitism with Palestinian liberation puts you in antagonism to all progressive Palestinian thought). Of course you can continue to use your energy going down this obnoxious path. Or else you can print an apology. stevecohen

Whilst Steve Cohen claims to be a hitherto supporter of Indymedia, he now labels it “anti-semitic”, and clearly has no understanding of, nor respect for its decision making process. He does not understand my point that if we accept every claim of anti-semitism without any reflection, that Greenstein’s words will also have to be expunged from the site. We will be in danger of  giving up editorial control to anyone who makes the claim.

Let there be no doubt that a post which  says “kill the Yids” would have been hidden without discussion. If Cohen is in total support of Greenstein’s attribution of anti-semitism to Atzmon’s words, is Greenstein in support of Cohen’s attribution of anti-semitism to the entire Indymedia network?  Does Cohen’s attribution ”require no reflection to asceratain its meaning“?