The Jew-hater part of this discussion is more than tiresome. It is offensive, abusive and defamatory. The people who are targeted here are very far from being Jew haters. Jim can speak for himself, but I have worked for decades in multiracial communities and have confronted racism every single time I've come across it, often risking my own wellbeing to do so. Both Jim and I are staunch defenders of the right of Jewish people to live in peace without harassment, we abhor antisemitism and we know precisely what it is and what it isn't, unlike Keith, Teribus and bobad, who pursue a pro-Israeli regime agenda regardless of its behaviour. We have both stated these things many times. It's my view that the people who most threaten that aspiration for Jewish people are, by dint of their behaviour, the leaders of Israel and their supporters and lobbyists in western countries. Jim and I have been called Jew-haters for saying that. That is not "tiresome," Joe. That is plain wrong and the fact that the remark has been allowed to stand on this forum is a disgrace. A firm hand taken by moderators in stamping it out would see off most of the unpleasantness here. But you won't do it, oddly. Not often enough. Of course, this isn't my gig.

As for the US relationship with Franco, a murderous dictator, well the US always acts in what it perceives to be its own best interests. Nothing new about America-first Trumpism - it's just that he's decided to shout his version from the rooftops, that's all. There is a long and sorry history of the US propping up vicious dictators when it suits their cause, as well as their undermining democratically-elected left-wing governments. There is nothing unique or surprising in the relationship with Franco and you won't find any justification for his behaviour, either before, during or after the Civil War, by following that line of enquiry.