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Sunday, November 06, 2005
Justice? You're soaking in it!
scha·den·freu·de (shäd
n-froi
d
)
n.
Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. *
Like treppenwitz, shadenfreude has no perfect English equivalent... and as a word, is truly indispensable once you know what it means. For those of you who are new, you can find the definition of treppenwitz near the bottom of my sadly outdated 'about me' page.
So, why am I rolling out a fancy, shmancy word like shadenfreude today?
One word answer: FRANCE
Better informed folks than I have already written on what has been going on in France lately, so I won't burden you with my poor attempts to sound well informed. Go read them at your very first opportunity.
As for me, I'm just sitting here savoring my shadenfreude. This, my friends, is justice... and France is soaking in it.
The single murmur of discontent that France uttered during it's decades-long decline into 'self-dhimmitization' was the whole headscarf issue. For a fleeting moment it seemed as though they were on the verge of 'getting it'. But then the moment passed and the French went back to sleep allowing the 'Fifth Republic' to continue sailing blissfully towards the abyss.
Now France will have the honor of becoming the test case for much of Europe.
Denmark, the UK and Sweden, with their enormous Muslim immigrant populations, will be especially interested to see how this all plays out. France has bent over backwards to be accommodating to it's growing Muslim population, even playing to their sensitivities by wagging an accusatory finger at any country that dares to confront Muslim insurgency/terrorism or [gasp] invade a Muslim country.
A special dose of Gallic scorn has traditionally been reserved for Israel because of our audacious insistence upon remaining in a region from which France herself was unceremoniously booted in the twilight of her colonial aspirations.
The problem is that the French - the great egalitarians - have mostly ignored their Muslim underclass the way a proud family might ignore it's poorer relations. Well Jacques... guess who's coming to dinner?
While wagging her finger at the rest of the world, France didn't realize she was being invaded herself... and that an insurgency was taking place within the welcoming bosom of her 'enlightened' welfare state.
Most of all, France forgot that Muslim leaders have made no secret that Islam has been waiting patiently for 513 years (give or take) for the opportunity to reconquer Europe and avenge previous defeats with a more lasting conquest of the world.
Obviously I take no pleasure (personal or otherwise) from the individual loss of life or property in France. But after having listened for years to France telling one country after another (especially Israel) that the reason they are experiencing domestic unrest in their streets is that they are not as nationally evolved... nor as socially enlightened as the 'Republique Francaise'... well, let's just say it's good to see the French finally get an opportunity to soak in a little justice.
Unfortunately, as momentarily satisfying as it may be to indulge in some serious shadenfreude while the Citroens and Peugeots burn throughout France, I can't help but worry about who will really burn should a Muslim-controlled (assuming that, true to character, France capitulates to the mob), France casts about for a likely target for its arsenal of hydrogen bombs.
* Definition from Dictionary.com. (hint) if certain unnamed blood relations with high-level contacts within the upper hierarchy of 'The definitive record of the English language' would gift me an online subscription for Hanukkah, I wouldn't have to resort to such plebeian sources as Dictionary.com and Wikipedia. (/hint)
Posted by David Bogner on November 6, 2005 | Permalink
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Obligatory Simpsons post:
Lisa: Dad, do you know what Schadenfreude is?
Homer: No, I do not know what shaden-frawde is. [sarcasm] Please tell me, because I'm dying to know.
Lisa: It's a German term for `shameful joy', taking pleasure in the suffering of others.
Homer: Oh, come on Lisa. I'm just glad to see him fall flat on his butt!
[getting mad]
He's usually all happy and comfortable, and surrounded by loved ones, and it makes me feel... what's the opposite of that shameful joy thing of yours?
Lisa: [nastily] Sour grapes.
Homer: Boy, those Germans have a word for everything!
Posted by: Mike Miller | Nov 7, 2005 10:18:08 AM
And don't forget to add, as my French-born mother-in-law pointed out, how the authorities downplayed and wrote off the violence from the Muslim immigrant community when it was "just" anti-Semitic attacks aimed only at the French Jews.
Because, of course, back then, it was viewed as being because they were angry about Israeli policies.
It will be interesting to see if this latest violence steps up French aliya even more than it's been increasing in the past few years.
Posted by: Allison | Nov 7, 2005 11:18:56 AM
When I saw the beginning of your post, I thought you were going to quote this article:
http://www.think-israel.org/frumkin.schadenfreude.html
Now lets see what other interesting German words you can post about:
zeitgeist
doppelgänger
weltschmerz
fahrvergnugen
Posted by: Dave | Nov 7, 2005 11:25:43 AM
On a serious note:
Regarding Aliyah for security reasons -- is there anyone out there who's done such a thing who can explain it to me? I realize that in '48 it might have been a reasonable idea, but I think the past few years (read: decades) have shown that physically speaking, we're no safer in our own country than in (for example) the US, or many other "civilized" nations.
Personally, we came for spiritual security, as well as to fulfill the mitzva of yishuv haaretz -- but I never once thought that this would be a justifiable conclusion from a security standpoint (which is not to say that I consider the US safer, just that the situation is comparable).
Perhaps the idea is that here, we have control, and our not at the mercy of a foreign government. I question whether or not that is really true, however, in light of recent (and not so recent) events.
Posted by: Mike Miller | Nov 7, 2005 11:37:03 AM
Dear Mike -
I am no way a rabbi, talmid chochom or anything, but I once heard a Rabbi answer your question very simply:
More people in Israel die from road crashes and car acdidents, then thru bombs, shootings and terrorist attacks. Hence, the reason not to do aliya because of bombs etc is no valid reason.
Posted by: yingele | Nov 7, 2005 1:01:59 PM
Yingele - I think you may have misunderstood what I was saying. First, I made Aliyah several years ago, so I'm obviously not staying away because of any physical threat danger / threats. What I was saying is that because of the "situation" + other, "normal" dangers (Israeli drivers, second-hand smoke, and other fun things), it doesn't appear that Israel necessarily a safer country.
Posted by: Mike Miller | Nov 7, 2005 1:10:53 PM
Mike Miller... Classic! Thanks. Although I must point out that most of the definitions I've seen for Shadenfreude make no mention of the 'guilty pleasure' (shameful) part of enjoying someone else's suffering. But like Lisa, I too am ashamed when I find pleasure in someone else's suffering.
Allison... Actually I've been amazed how even now some media outlets are downplaying the Muslim angle and making it seem as though this is a simple 'rich/poor' thing. Many that do mention the religious/cultural aspect often say "a predominantly Muslim mob" (again, as if to say that this is not just a Muslim issue). It would be nice if, as you said, French Jews finally abandoned the sinking ship. There are quite enough Jewish graves in Europe, thank-you-very-much!
Dave... Great article! Thanks for the link. Yes, there are some great words in German that have no English equivalent. Too bad they don't know where to place their verbs! [ducks and waits for the angry comments from my German readers]. :-)
Mike... You may or may not have read this already... but it outlines many of our reasons for moving to Israel. Safety/security was a strong factor... but it had nothing to do with terrorism. It was all about kids being able to be kids (something that has all but vanished from the US).
Yingele... See my reply to Mike. You make a wonderful point about the traffic statistics, but I'd still rather be in a place where I know where the dangers lie. Thanks for weighing in.
Posted by: David | Nov 7, 2005 1:33:37 PM
While the Washington Post has covered the story -- even on the front page -- it is interesting how UNwilling it seems to be to use any variation of the word "Muslim" in the headline. That word usually has not appeared until the third paragraph, as though it is mere happenstance.
I am not someone searching for bias in the news coverage, and I am a regular reader and subscriber, but I find it rather different from the Post's usual coverage of the clash of ISRAELIS, SETTLERS, and PALESTINIANS (always prominent in the headlines). Either this has far less to do with the rioters' affiliation and more to do with poverty and living conditions than you (and I) think, or the Post's coverage is very ... interesting.
Posted by: Drew | Nov 7, 2005 2:03:10 PM
Molly Moore used to cover Israel for the Post, so that makes today's coverage even more "interesting" than usual. Go ahead and play word search:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/07/AR2005110700295.html
Posted by: Drew | Nov 7, 2005 2:22:58 PM
I seem to remember that there is a Yiddish saying: As go the Jews, so goes the world.
Oh, well, too late for France.
Posted by: Rahel | Nov 7, 2005 2:26:35 PM
The rioting has spread to the old Jewish neighborhood in Paris and has already destroyed some historical buildings. In this case, I'm afraid Frances' misfortune is ours as well, and real sorrow will soon replace shameful joy.
On Sunday, a gaping hole exposed a charred wooden staircase of a smoke-blackened building in the historic Marais district of Paris, where a car was set ablaze the previous night. Florent Besnard, 24, said he and a friend had just turned into the quiet Rue Dupuis when they were passed by two running youths. Within seconds, a car farther up the street was engulfed in flames, its windows popping and tires exploding as the fire spread to the building and surrounding vehicles."I think it's going to continue," said Besnard, who is unemployed.
The attack angered people in the neighborhood, which includes the old Jewish quarter and is still a center of Jewish life in the city. "We escaped from Romania with nothing and came here and worked our fingers to the bone and never asked for anything, never complained," said Liliane Zump, a woman in her 70's, shaking with fury on the street outside the scarred building.
from: http://freeinternetpress.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4931
Posted by: mirty | Nov 7, 2005 3:06:29 PM
Note: I was incorrect. The buildings are "scarred" and partially burned, but not destroyed.
Posted by: mirty | Nov 7, 2005 3:07:28 PM
Naturally, there's a showtune that's already gotcha covered. From Avenue Q:
Right now you are down and out and feeling really c***py
And when I see how sad you are
It sort of makes me...
Happy!
Sorry, Nicky, human nature-
Nothing I can do!
It's...
Schadenfreude!
Making me feel glad that I'm not you!
...
NICKY:
Oh, Schadenfreude, huh?
What's that, some kinda Nazi word?
GARY COLEMAN:
Yup! It's German for "happiness at the misfortune of others!"
NICKY:
"Happiness at the misfortune of others." That *is* German!
Posted by: efrex | Nov 7, 2005 3:38:36 PM
Dave I see your getting in a little "I told you so"
action. Well all I can say is "everything will be fine, as long as they stay away from my wine."
Posted by: Jewish Blogmeister | Nov 7, 2005 3:51:48 PM
Dear David,
Interesting point of view and after having lived in France for a while I unfortunately have to say that there is a lot of truth in it. I was thinking about our "Schadenfreude". For me it does not mean "enjoying someone else's suffering" but "enjoying someone else's failure".
Posted by: Sandra | Nov 7, 2005 4:38:02 PM
As soon as I saw the first word of the post, I knew what it was going to be about. ;o)
I have to admit I've been smirking smugly about this too, but mostly I'm stunned that it didn't happen earlier. Even as a very young child, I remember the Muslim sector being the only area of Paris where we never went. It was the only place with a lot of graffiti, and the only english word among the squiggles was "f*ck." [which draws the eye of six-to-twelve year olds like a magnet, no matter how fast the car is going.]
There's been a whole lot of anger there for a long time. And somehow, ignoring it for twenty-some-odd years didn't get rid of it. Shocking.
Posted by: Tanya | Nov 7, 2005 5:12:18 PM
Steven Plaut on Arutz-7 has the solution:
Well, now that the French are experiencing their own intifada, we suggest that they resolve the problem using the very same plan that they have been trying for decades to impose upon Israel. Yes, comrades, it is time to implement the Land for Peace Plan, Paris-style.
Schadenfreude indeed.
Posted by: The Observer | Nov 7, 2005 5:26:36 PM
And now it has spread to Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, and Spain. What next?
Posted by: Irina | Nov 7, 2005 8:53:11 PM
Soaking in it? Hardly. That shameful land has maybe their left foot in it right now.
Would that they were soaking in it. We can hope.
Touch not the unclean thing. Come out from amoung them my people.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 7, 2005 10:09:07 PM
Dave,
How bout weltanschauung? My favorite.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 7, 2005 10:13:00 PM
Schadenfreude in the face of justice is no vice. Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord ... and it is so satisfying to see Him wreck it upon the most deserving.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 7, 2005 10:22:24 PM
Drew... This has been going on for quite some time (both the unrest and the media bending over backwards in an attempt not to offend the Muslims). And yes... 'Interesting' is fairly accurate. The word Muslim is totally absent from the story you linked to.
Rahel... It looks like before this is over it may be too late for a lot of the European appeasers.
Mirty... As I said, it is impossible to ignore the individual suffering that is taking place as a result of these riots. But it doesn't stop me from enjoying the position the French government finds itself in. If they don't use overwhelming force soon they will never be able to get things under control. If they do use force, they will never be able to wag their finger at us again.
Efrex... Why am I not surprised? By the way, nice picture of you and the kid on your web site. Welcome to daddyhood.
Jewish Blogmiester... I could live very nicely and never drink another French wine. I'm not saying I'd boycott or anything, but there are a lot of wonderful wines from around the world that I don''t feel guilty drinking.
Sandra... I had always assumed failure and suffering go together... but I see your point. :-)
Tanya... I've been watching the European news all evening and they have had direct translation of the French Prime Minister's statements. He still either doesn't get it or is willfully ignoring the fact that he has a Muslim insurgency on his hands. He is talking as though a bunch of students have taken a prank too far!
Observer... I wouldn't be surprised if this 'unrest' spread throughout western Europe and led to the EU offering them some kind of Muslim enclave (which of course will become the launching pad for western terrorism. Only time will tell.
Irina... My guess would be the UK.
Scott.. Uh, Scott you're starting to scare the guests with the Old Testament 'fire and brimstone' talk. Let's make a deal... no quoting (or paraphrasing) scripture over here unless it is a happy message, mmmkay? :-)
Posted by: David | Nov 7, 2005 10:56:58 PM
if certain unnamed blood relations with high-level contacts within the upper hierarchy of 'The definitive record of the English language' would gift me an online subscription for Hanukkah, I wouldn't have to resort to such plebeian sources as Dictionary.com and Wikipedia.
I don't know about your blood relations, but did you know that a subscription to the British Council Library (it's in Malha, opposite the mall) includes online access to the OED and lots of other stuff?
Posted by: Simon | Nov 8, 2005 1:37:32 AM
Heavens forbid!
Wouldn't want to rock their weltanschauung.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 8, 2005 2:24:27 AM
Anyone interested in eating some Freedom Fries. Screw them. They couldn't be bothered to try and deal with the blatant antisemitic acts that were being committed there so now they can rot in it.
Posted by: Jack | Nov 8, 2005 8:18:50 AM
Simon... What is the annual membership fee... and doesn't one have to be a Brit to join?
Scott... Thanks.
Jack... Even more specifically, they have been telling the US for years that the reason militant Islam wants to hurt America so badly is because of its support for Israel. Well, nobody can accuse France of supporting Israel... so why does France suddenly have a big problem with its Muslims?
Posted by: David | Nov 8, 2005 1:40:47 PM
Living just over the border in Germany, I would caution you in your use of the world "Muslim." Most of these are angry young males who might or might not be students. Their parents certainly are of the Muslim faith. But practing Muslims, these youths? Hardly.
It is like putting Sabras and Mea Sharem in the same basket.
It is why the French Politicians are careful about the words they use. They are not about to condem a whole portion of their population who are law abiding, tax-paying citizens for the idiocy of some.
Anyone out there old enough to have lived through the student riots of the 1960s? The young, angry and violent are not necessarily representative of the whole community.
-Holly
Posted by: Holly | Nov 11, 2005 7:03:38 PM
Holly... It isn't really important what we call them... it is only important what the most basic common denominator of the mob is. Yes, they are mostly young males... but they are also overwhelmingly muslim (practicing or not).
Posted by: David | Nov 12, 2005 8:33:58 PM
