If you thought Krugman’s meltdown yesterday was something out of bizarro world, you weren’t the only one:
Letters to the Editor
The New York Times October 21, 2003To the Editor:
In his obsession with criticizing U.S. policy, Paul Krugman underestimates the significance of the anti-Semitic diatribe by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad before the Organization of the Islamic Conference (“Listening to Mahathir,” Oct. 21).
Mahathir’s comments cannot be explained away by themes of domestic politics. They come in the context of a surge of anti-Semitism in the Islamic world, and not only on the fringes. Conspiracy theories about blaming Jews for 9/11 are believed by tens of millions. Denial of the Holocaust is rampant in the media. Images of Jews in op-ed pieces, editorials, and cartoons reflect classic anti-Semitic stereotypes
Norbizness
I think it’s also shameful that Mahathir said what he did (Krugman called them “hateful” and “inexcusable”), and I agree with Tobias that it’s part of a disturbing trend in the Muslim world.
HOwever, I think Krugman and Tobias actually (subconsciously) agree– this is not buffoonery by the Malaysian leader, but a calculated political maneuver that highlights the disturbing worldwide trend.
And finally, throwing out Germany serves what purpose, again? Unless Mahathir annexes the Ukraine, he’s not going to have a Jewish constituency any time soon.
Dean
Coupla thoughts:
Mahathir has been playing this card a long time, suggesting that he must get SOME kind of mileage out of this (and pandering to it is precisely what separates politicians from statesmen).
Mahathir’s logical next card will be the ethnic Chinese, who have at times been called “the Jews of Southeast Asia.” Financially more successful, ethnically distinct, long-time victims of pogroms, accused of acting in the service of another state, no matter how many generations they’ve been there…, sound familiar?
Truly a case of Niemoller, if ever there was one.
Andrew Ian Dodge
Great letter, that one and never so true. I find it amazing that sane people can be defending that arsehat. But then again lots of sane intellectuals defended Hitler and Stalin before we all knew the truth.