Norman Finkelstein

[SecretMethod70]

Well, I signed up for my next term of classes today and I am taking a class taught by Norman Finkelstein. To be honest, I know he's a controversial figure, but I'm not familiar with any more than the basics as to why. Since he's so well-known, however, I figured I'd start a thread about it. If you're unfamiliar with who he is, there is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Finkelstein">wikipedia article</a> on him (hehe, I'm taking a class taught by a guy with his own wikipedia article ) - of course, you probably won't have too much to say to the following questions though.

So, what is your opinion of this controversial figure, and why?

[lukethebandgeek]

Well, after reading that article, he really seems to belive that he is a bastion for truth. He really seems to believe that what he's doing is right. I personally support a zionist state, but what he says is easy to say because it is the quick fix to the mideast crisis. The Arabs hate the Zionists, so if the Isrealies leave, then everythings fixed. It's not that easy.

I can't agree with the his views on the Holocaust, even though the reason that that genocide was known about was because it happened in the civil world. I'm aware that in the third world, there have been, and still are, genocides that occur and are forgotton. No genocide should be taken lightly. No murder taken lightly.

[denim]

Sounds like the world would be better off w/o Mr. Finkelstein. He's a bit confused.

[maleficent]

He's in the Poly Sci department according to his resume, but what's he teaching?

One of the last articles I read about him, was in the Irish Times (I think), and he just came across as being a great big whiney baby... He's being persecuted for what he says, and the best part was that he was exiled to Chicago because he got tossed out of every university in NY - and that's where he really wanted to be... wah wah wah(but then again, It'd be just as easy to find articles that would nominate him for sainthood)

[SecretMethod70]

heh, yeah, precisely why I'm interested to hear others' opinions of him. Especially since I'm too young to really have much knowledge of him and his controversy beyond the fact that I know generally who he is.

The class I'm taking from him is "Political Ideas & Ideologies," but I know he teaches a few others. I figure, though, that a class on political ideologies taught by him ought to be fairly interesting

My roommate just loves the guy....but of course, my roommate is a philosopher and anti-capitalism. Likewise, I've read reviews of him as a professor that range from basically "whiny baby" to "great and funny teacher."

*shrug* I'm taking the class anyway barring some unforeseen occurance, but I would, nonetheless, like to be sure I'm prepared for such a ...... personality