For some reason I have passed over the scandal caused by Larry Derfner publishing a vile and imbecilic post* justifying murder of Israelis by terrorists. In his later posted retraction cum stumbling and mumbling attempt at apology or, rather, explanation and self-justification, Mr Derfner has dug himself even a deeper hole.
Regarding the scandal, I warmly recommend the article Justifying murder – an abomination
by Isi Leibler, who does an excellent job of deconstruction.
Of course, being Jewish, I have to disagree with something in the article, so here is the sentence I wholeheartedly disagree with:
His obscene and callously insensitive remarks are likely to haunt him for the rest of his life.I am afraid that Derfner's article, obscene and callous as it may be, will not haunt him. I am even more afraid that the effect Derfner's article obtained was precisely what it was supposed to get. Let's call a spade a spade: Derfner behaves exactly as it is expected from him, raising his obscenity level another notch and thus increasing the potential scandal value of his articles in JP. And thus being completely satisfactory to his bosses in this esteemed media organ.
Too bad...
Update: Apparently the scandal value was a bit more than JP was able or willing to bear and Derfner was fired. His own post about this event shows (thanks to Pisa), though, that he still doesn't understand what's wrong with him.
(*) Since then, Mr Derfner has (unwisely) decided to remove the offending post, so I've linked to a copy, which contains some comments.
10 comments:
"I got fired by the Jerusalem Post today" is the title of a post published yesterday by Derfner on the israelleft site:
http://israelleft.com/2011/08/29/i-got-fired-by-the-jerusalem-post-today/
Ach, the smell of good news in the morning!
I also disagree with Leibler on that quote. It should read:
"His obscene and callously insensitive remarks are likely to win him a dream job with Haaretz for the rest of his life".
He was fired from his job and is complaining about being fired. He is lucky that there wasn't a lynch mob carrying torches ready to hang him by his balls.
Nah. If you look at his post on the subject, he has lots of supporters out there.
Yep. And thanks.
A piece of work, Mr. Derfner. As the Left's spokesman for the Post, he was always "out there" and it's not surprising he finally fell over the edge.
Frankly, I am surprised JP fired him. For these reasons I mentioned in the post. However, it was probably too much for them.
It doesn't speak well for Post management, but, IIRC, the guy who hired Derfner isn't there now.
Well, they will find another one in short time, I guess.
Most of Derfner's columns read like an attempt to prove he could be a Ha'aretz writer. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets his wish now - his cloying, smug, arrogant self-righteousness should fir right in with the outpourings of his Holiness Gidon Levy and the rest of the Ha'aretz "Blame Israel, it's easier than thinking" stable.
There might be a problem, exactly with the person you've mentioned. You see, Gideon Levy considers himself to be the sole conscience of Israel and wouldn't like to share what he considers his turf.
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