ART: It is funny---have heard it years ago=--actually when I heard it the story involved an Israeli and just a "traveler" or "tourist" Either way it is a funny joke.

    That said, ethnic jokes should be told by a person of the same ethnicity to keep it in good taste---think about this--- Richard Pryor doing a "black" sketch or joke--funny. Not, however, when done by, say Jackie Mason (who's taste resides somewhere a few inches below curb level in any case).

    Now--as to Martin GIBBON---his idea of a debate or a discussion is more than just the few inches below curb level that is Mason's humor level.   Probably ---as the song says---down in the mines where the sun never shines.

Bill Hahn