Shalom My Gantseh Megillah Family and Friends,

I have previously complained that I receive very few letters from our members reacting to our content. On a few occasions, I even wondered if anyone was actually reading my editorial comments. Arnold would reassure me by saying “no news is good news;” but I explained that “Jewish people never hesitate to voice their opinions.” Last month was different because several people wrote to me complaining about my naming Michael Mukasey as “Shmuck of the Month.”

I am always delighted to receive feedback from our readers. There is no hesitation on my part to publish letters disagreeing with my point of view. I welcome all reasonable responses, and even a few unreasonable ones, because I believe we all learn from one another. It is dangerous to shut our minds to contrary ideas, which we might find disagreeable. No one has all the answers, and we owe it to ourselves to consider other opinions.

I find it interesting, however, that no one wrote to me complaining when I named Jackie Mason “Shmuck of the Month,” in the previous issue. As a matter of fact, I received several letters agreeing with that decision. But when it came to my naming Mr. Mukasey, I was sent messages condemning me for naming a Jewish person, for discussing politics, and even for having used the word “shmuck.” Why was there no outrage over Mr. Mason? Is he less of a Jew than Michael Mukasey?

It appears to me that the outrage was based more on the politics of the situation, and not the fact that my choice was a Jew. The entire purpose of “Shmuck of the Month,” is to feature a Jewish person who does not reflect well on our community, or a non-Jew who causes us harm.

My choice of Mr. Mukasey is described in the original Shmuck of the Month entry. Essentially, his nomination was based on his refusal to refute an act of torture. Several people wrote to me expressing their support of water boarding as a means of interrogation. This is very disappointing to me. Jewish people, over almost everyone else, should be particularly sensitive to torture, and abuse, after what we experienced during the Inquisition, and the Holocaust. How can we decry the use of torture against us, and then support the use of this same inhumane activity against others?

Opposing torture does not indicate sympathy for terrorists, as some people suggested. There are many ways to get information we need from our prisoners that do not include torturing them. It has been proven, over and over again, that information garnered while using torture is generally unreliable. When someone is having their fingernails pulled out, or made to believe they are drowning, they will say anything to stop the pain. Most military, and investigative experts agree, that the use of torture accomplishes nothing positive, and only serves to destroy our moral credibility around the world. And remember, whatever we do to our prisoners, gives license to our enemies to act similarly to our soldiers; when they are in their hands.

I do not insist everyone agree with me. I was surprised though when people with opposing views tried to coerce me by threatening to withdraw their support from the Megillah, and to contact their friends, and insist they not send any contributions. Those kinds of threats are simply not fair.

I present many different points of view in the Megillah; many of the opinions are not ones I share. I make it my responsibility to provide information to my Megillah family that can generate thought and consideration, rather than head nodding agreement.

Threatening to harm our publication over a difference of opinion is exactly the kind of behaviour that has become so disturbing in our country. When did we become so thin-skinned that we cannot read an opinion, voice opposition, and then move on to other things? When did personal destruction become the first impulse of our nature when we discover others hold a different point of view?

I am asking my Megillah family to always feel free to write me about anything that is on your mind. If you agree, disagree, or just have a totally new idea, feel free to present your thoughts. They will always be welcome here. But please do so in a respectful, and intelligent manner, and do not threaten to harm the Megillah. This is my gift to the Jewish community, and our friends. All I ask is that it be treated as such.

Much love to all of you,
Michael