"You don't live here" isn't analysis--it's a conversation stopper

Submitted by Mike (United States), Jul 30, 2008 at 15:51

Agree entirely. When I have debates with people who are in Israel, or who lived through an episode I didn't, and they claim the privilege "you can't judge since you weren't/aren't there/here", my response is that their sense of what's what may be useful as a "data point" but their analysis is in no way improved by their existential situation.

Also, another useful snarky response to Israelis who make that claim: "Ah, so you willingly give up the right to make a public comment on which candidate for US President is 'best for Israel?'" The response "but that's different" usually dissolves into irritated incoherence.

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