I really shouldn't get into this - seems to be a hot button emotional issue, but here goes anyway....

I wasn't offended by the Ferengi (though I found them annoying and overplayed) - but I did note the similarity between them and the way Jews were often portrayed in old anti-Semitic stereotypes. It's hard to miss the similarities between the portrayal of the Ferengis and the first minute or two of, for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZftD3gfW3g (And that clip is tame, portraying the gentiles as just as bad.)

I don't think this was because of any intention on Gene Roddenberry's part - his anti-racist, multicultural credentials are impeccable - but rather because the things in society he wanted to criticize also happened to be traits that at one time people laid at the feet of Jews. That doesn't make him or anyone on the Star Trek writing team an anti-Semite, but they probably could have been more sensitive to what some people would see and adjusted their direction accordingly.
Some of these stereotypes are VERY old - read The Merchant of Venice for a prime example.

As I say, I'm not offended, because I don't believe there was any real connection between idea of the Ferengi and the old stereotypes. Instead, I think that the list of traits Roddenberry and others wanted to condemn just happened to have much in common with those old stereotypes. It would be nice if those stereotypes had passed completely out of memory (and apparently for some, they have) but sadly, there are living people - some of my relatives included - who have had to face that kind of thinking.

On another, and far more interesting (to me) topic - I understand that Roddenberry wanted to go much further in his vision of a crew made up of a variety of cultures, with men and women both serving in roles of authority, but the networks wouldn't let him - especially as regards women. After a few early episodes with a strong women as second in command, the network forced them back to women in servile or secretarial roles, with short mini-skirts. Too bad.

I'm looking forward to the new movie.

Dan