In a message dated 12/29/1998 10:12:28 PM EST, [log in to unmask] writes:

<<  I took it just as a story that did have relevance to
 this list >>

Folks, I was ready to let this go, but I just had to respond to Ilya.  What is
the revelance of the story?  What is the meaning behind it?  To inform us that
rabbis smuggle monkeys?  That rabbis are bribe-takers and give out their
kashruth labels based on that, or on whimsical termperment?  I was responding
to someone who asked about the lack or presence of antibiotics and hormones in
kosher meat, and get this absolute drivel about monkeys and bribes and one
rabbi.  EVEN IF the story were true (which is unlikely, as someone has
written), what the heck did this have to do with the topic at hand?  This
story was purely meant to imply that kashrus has no validity, and further
implied that many or all of these rabbis are crooks or unethical, and
attempted to tar the whole kosher process with a broad brush, based on one
crazy story.  HOW LUDICROUS.  And more ridiculous that any one defends it on
the basis of relevance, to paleo or anything else.    When we have a message
list for stories denigrating monkey-toting rabbis, then that message would be
appropriate.

As for taking offense, I will take offense at anything I see as spreading
ignorance.

Maurice