[speeder]

Pat was vehemently anti-U.S. government and anti-Israel. And anti-neoconservative, a movement whose founders were mostly prominent American Jews who are outspoken and unapologetic defenders of Israel. Some would say defenders of Israel, "right or wrong", because in their eyes Israel is never wrong. Anything and everything the state of Israel does is justified, due to security concerns.

Making the leap from criticizing the neocon movement and Israel to being a bigot or anti-semitic, ie. a "jew hater", is at the very least the tactic of someone losing a debate and at worst a red herring. Reasonable people can question whether the U.S. government's support for Israel "right or wrong" is fair to others in the region and/or lends itself to being considered an honest broker in peace negotiations, for instance.

Pat held extreme but consistent views, he was vehemently opposed to the U.S. having any role at all in the affairs of ME countries, or any other countries. I never read anything from him that suggested personal bigotry towards Jews, or anyone else. In fact, I have seen countless examples of outright racism expressed here by members that are very much still with us. And I don't think that they should be banned. I like the uncensored version of humanity that is available on boards like this. But then, I'm a major free-speech advocate.

I'm a major fan of Noah as a thinker, a doer, a man of principle, (even when we do not agree), and a friend. But there is a marked difference in BBS temperament and objectivity between Noah and any other moderator. Noah should not be a moderator. It is like me being a moderator. A terrible choice. Noah should be free to throw combinations on here w/o the moderator badge around his neck. JMNSHO.