M. Andre's defense of Helen Thomas's anti-Semitism is tragic and misplaced. Ms. Thomas has a long history of such comments so, why now, is she entitled to “charity.”

Her statement that, “Jews in Israel should leave Israel and go back to Poland or Germany” is a well-known anti-Semitic stereotype straight out of the mouths of Israel's enemies and the Nazis (replace Israel with Germany and Poland with Madagascar).

M. Andre's comment about “Jews” being exempt from “derogatory or vocal stupidities that are offensive” missed the point twice: first, M. Andre forgot to include the adjective “evil” and second, just replace “Jews” with any other ethnic group, religion etc. and you'll understand the outrage against Ms. Thomas's comments. Stating that “Jews” are somehow “exempt” separates “Jews” from the rest of society, an action with well-understood historical consequences.

Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.

Grass Valley