Sarah Palin: Anti-Abortion, Anti-Environment, and. . . Anti-Semite?

An email that you wrote to your future father-in-law on the front page?  Is this a joke?

And my father-in-law is a wonderful man but he's not much for irony.

 It's no joke.

I'm sure he's a great guy, but publishing your e-mail here seems like a hubristic waste of space .

Anyway, your suggestion that "if X listens (or 'listens intently,' whatever that means) to Y espouse anti-Semitism, then X is an anti-Semite" - is simply ridiculous.

The suggestion that Sarah Palin has a Jewish problem is a real joke and a sick one given the fact that Obama/Biden has a real problem.  The accusation is made simply as a cover for the real question and there are clearly serious questions with the two Dem con men seeking to convince Americans that they are something other than what they really are all about.

Obama has spoken (he does nothing but speak since he has never acted and neither has Biden--the lashon hora king of Sunday morning TV talk shows) often about the need for a more balanced approach in the Arab-Israeli conflict--implying that America has been way too soft on Israel.  Biden has a bad track record of putting his foot in his mouth about Israel and is not friendly to Israel.  Obama has incredible support from all of Israel's terror allies and the Arab states that surround the Jewish state.

Palin--is quite a contrast.  She is staunchly pro-Israel and does not need to explain herself.  She stands with other Christian evangelicals who support Israel  without qualification.  This kind of unconditional support makes liberal Jews anxious and this is an interesting psychological problem.

After McCain-Palin wins and saves the nation from the Obama con job, we can all treat the Jewish left to some counseling to understand their deep problem of hating their friends.  In the meantime, Israelis are incredbily nervous about turning over the American military to a man who is not only unpatriotic but also cozy with Israel's enemies.  These are not accusations--they are facts.  Obama's lack of patriotism has hurt him and even if America is reluctant to elect someone who lacks patriotism--this election could be close and Obama needs to give the case as to why an unpatriotic, inexperienced man should be elected at this time. 

The GOP has done its part.  McCain is both experienced and patriotic.  Palin is everything a Jewish and pro-Israel person could ask for.   There is a bigf difference between philo-semitic and antisemitic.  The antisemitic accusation is baseless.  Biden has a clear problem with Israel but I would not call him an antisemite--even though it is possible.  Obama's friends are certifyable antisemites and this is good enough to cause objective Jews who want the best for the Jewish people to run in the opposite direction.

Surely Joe Lieberman knows and Obama will get fewer Jewish votes than any Dem candidate in recent memory.  Any Jew who votes for Obama simply does not care about the Jewish people--in fact, as the Jewcy blog demonstrates, there are many hundreds of thousands of Jews who do not care about the Jewish people.  This is the problem.  The Jew who supports Obama is oftentimes a creature of a bad habit and supports a Democrat for reasons contrary to current evidence.  100 years ago, all Jews were Republican, now they are loyal Democrats.  Loyalty is nice but it is sad that Jews are so slow to come to understand that the Dem party has morphed into something very different than what it was 40 years ago. 

As a proud Jew, I am so pleased to support McCain-Palin. Obama wants to dodge and distort and he has many willing gossip mongers to do his dirty work. 

Let's have clean, honest government for a change and unite this country! 

I think the point Tahl makes is that if Barack Obama's listening to
Rev. Wright makes him espouse Wright's views, then we should apply the
same standard to Sarah Palin.

Obama's critics don't fault Obama for "listening" to Rev. Wright.  They fault him for being a member of his congregation for two decades, for identifying Wright as a friend/confidant/advisor over that span, and perhaps also for throwing Wright under the bus when Wright's beliefs were shared with (or exposed to) a larger audience.

To compare - much less equate - Obama's relationship with Wright to Palin's non-relationship with the Jews for Jesus guy is unconvincing and intellectually dishonest.

Btw, Tahl - it's "Jeremiah," not "Jeremy."

As a Jew, I find Jews for Jesus offensive. I also find offensive most left wing commentary that excuses violence against Jews as a legitimate Palestinian sport. There are more such people in Obamas immediate circles then Jews for Jesus in McCains immediate circles

What nonsense. These are right wing talking points, not actual facts about Obama's policy. I suggest people go to Obama's web site rather than buying this asinine drivel.

David,

I understand and respect your pride in your Jewish heritage.  While it goes without saying that Israel plays a huge role in today's foreign policy, I think it is difficult to believe, let alone level the claim that the Democratic candidates, or any candidate in the last 50 years of American elections, are our enemies' bedfellows.  I think many Israelis would agree (as I have heard them say so personally) that the actions taken in the past few years against Israel's neighbors were overblown and unnecessarily aggressive.  That is not to say Israel shouldn't defend itself.  But sadly, since the horrible assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, the balance between defense and dedication to peace has been seriously skewed.  Furthermore, since the departure of Clinton from office, America has not acted nearly as much as it could or should on its stated priority of fostering peace in the Middle East.  The latest attempts by the Bush administration, if you ask me, have been nothing but a half-hearted way saving face for this administration's failure to work toward achieving such a goal.

Secondly, I think the question of patriotism ought to be seriously taken off the table now.  I say this mainly because I have yet to hear a substantive definition of what patriotism ought to mean.  We cannot limit it to supporting a certain set of "branded" patriotic beliefs, much less to serving in the armed forces. We must also not limit it to showing pride in the flag.  In my view, the highest form of patriotism is dedicating oneself to improving Americans' lives, and all four of the people in this election have certainly been stellar performers in this field, each of them in a unique way that provides us with a living example of the many ways ordinary Americans can serve their country.

Thirdly, on your statements regarding the Jewish vote, I am offended at your suggestion that American Jews ought to be so narrow-minded as to vote for a candidate based on one very specific policy.  While Israel is at the center (although less central now thanks to Russia) of foreign relations, it is just as important that non-Jewish Americans pay attention to how the candidates view Israel as it is important that Jews pay attention to the wealth of domestic issues being debated in this election.  Many Jews, including many Jewcy members (Jewcers, as we endearingly call them) prioritize domestic policy.  As a Jew, I am disheartened by the way in which non-Jews think the only issue we vote on is who supports Israel more.  Jews who vote for Obama/Biden do not hate their more conservative Jewish brethren, nor do they hate Israel; they simply feel that the issues we face here at home will best be handled by liberal economic and social policies.  They also feel that the Democratic candidates better understand that support for Israel includes advancing a peace process, as this is the only sure way to make our fellow Jews in Israel safe.  Those that voted for Bush based on his support for Israel should be discontent with the lack of progress that has been made on this front. 

Finally, I think a Jewish voter whose support for John McCain is based solely on McCain's record regarding Israel ought to ask him/herself whether "Country First" includes putting one's religious/ethnic heritage before one's citizenship.  If you feel John McCain's plan for America is in agreement with your core beliefs, then there is nothing but an ideological debate to be held.  But if you are abandoning your stance on domestic issues to support this one foreign policy issue because you feel you are a Jew first, and then an American, then I think you are doing a grave injustice to American Jews who prefer to be taken more seriously by their non-Jewish fellow citizens. 

Mateo,

I think the whole "spiritual advisor" relationship between Obama and Wright is a media creation.  Obama attended Wright's church for his desire to seek out links to his African heritage.  He had little one-on-one contact with Wright, and as many in the congregation have said, Wright has a small group of close friends and congregants whom he consults and "advises."  Obama was never one of them.  But let's be clear.  If I attended a synagogue in my neighborhood for two decades that I felt provided a strong connection to my family's heritage for whatever reasons and after September 11, 2001 my Rabbi expressed some anti-American sentiments, I would not simply cut all ties.  I would, as Obama did, express my disagreement but point out that I do not attend synagogue for political reasons.

The media absolutely took the ball and ran with it, but they didn't create the ball.  It's not a media creation, though Obama's team has certainly attempted to frame it as such.  You can run a Lexis-Nexis search, if you like.

I think it's a bit disingenuous to implicitly characterize Wright was a pastor who "expressed some anti-American statement."

Regardless, the point here is that Obama's ties with Wright are (or were, now that he's distanced himself from the man) far more significant than Palin's ties to the Jews for Jesus guy (which do not exist).  Fair?

I do know that Palin has been at our local Temple several times, including for our rabbi's installation.  She has always been very respectful, and she is welcome there any time.  In fact, the rabbi keeps a picture of himself with her right next to his office door. 

 Disagree with her political views.  Disagree with her pastor's views.  But don't call her something she isn't. 

Anti-abortion?  Why-- because she didn't have one?  Has she pushed legislation in Alaska that you find offensive?  Or didn't you bother to inform yourself on the topic?  Anti-environment?  Why, because she's not a follower of the hypocritical Al Gore and his collection of convenient lies?  And the Jewish problem-- that's nothing short of absurd.  This charge, apparently, is because she allegedly (I'm sure you didn't check) listened to a sermon you found theologically offensive?

People who start barking about Palin and the Jews (there's an Israeli flag in her office) are simply nervous about the extreme Jew-bashing and anti-Israel trash talking so popular among the pro-Obama crowd.

 McCain is a strong and long-standing supporter of Israel.  Obama is eager to have a more "balanced" policy.  Frankly, I want someone who doesn't feel the need to strike a balance between Israel and the terrorists.

She has been trying to ban abortion in Alaska, even in cases of rape and incest.

 She is anti-environment because she came out publicly against a ballot measure that would have replaced strict regulations on mining which were removed by the Murkowski administration in order to clear the way for a mega-mine that has the potential to not only destroy a major river drainage, but could also destroy a major salmon fishery.  Additionally, she supports drilling in ANWR, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  

Todd, I thank you for your response and your civil tone.  Please take note concerning why I disagree with what you are saying.

In order,  Obama's support from a wide variety of unsavory characters is unprecendented and frankly very frightening.  He has garnered support from so many Middle Eastern people anyone should take pause, even as he has returned much of the money.  It is a huge scandal first because America's enemies love this man so much and second because of problems these kind of donations present with our nation's campaign laws. With clear blindness you find no problem with his 20 year association with his personal advisor who gave him his "spirituality" and Wright is so toxic to regular Americans because it is inconceivable that a candidate could have such a long and important relationship with such an unsavory character with strong ties with Farrakhan, Gahadafi and other antisemites.  His ties to US terrorist William Ayers is also off the charts and puts Obama in unique company so that the Dem Party's main pollster, Stanley Greenburg readily admits that Obama has a real problem with a perceived gap in his patriotism.  Obama thoughtlessly goes to foreign soil to rally leftist Germans with an axe to grind against America--unprecedented in US political history.  Israel has nothing to prove concerning its desire for peace; whether or not Israel's enemies have any seriousness remains the question and there does not appear to be peace on the horizon.  For the reality, one cannot blame Bush who gets blamed for anything and everything.

Patriotism is easily defined and if we even accept your definition dedcating oneself to improve the lives of others--note the utter failure of the Obama-Biden team.  Two self-centered brats, the #1 rated liberal and the #3 rated liberal--neither with any record at all of helping others.  Biden, in the tradition of the monstrous Al Gore, John Kerry and so many other liberal icons gave only $2025 to charity last year with an income double most Americans (by contrast, I think I gave almost $10,000).  Biden's speciality is speaking ill of the Republicans on TV shows.  He had a chance to join the majority to support George HW Bush to get Sadaam Hussein out of Kuwait and he said no.  He had a chance to support the troops and fund the surge in our war in Iraq and he said no.  Obama was literally given a platform to launch his political carrer and did not even lift a finger to win election the the Senate--it was sheer luck thatSen Ryan resigned close to his re-election bid.  Obama could have used his position to help others and help the country.  Instead, after a mere 143 days, he decided to promote himself and seek the Presidency.  "Country First" is McCain's calling but it also brings a huge contrast with Obama who has never put his country first.

Third, it would be petty to try to assess which party supports Israel more in normal times.  These are not normal times and Israel faces very grave threats.  If Obama and McCain were pretty close, it would be petty to find distinctions.  The fact remains McCain-Palin will fight for Israel and Obama-Biden will make nice at the United Nations and if Israel is screwed int he process, it will all be about how America looks to the world--that is how the wrong part of the world looks at Obama's image and whether or not Obama thinks that reflection is pleasing or not to him. Obama is a guy who can be shamed and as potential leader of the world, if the world does not Israel, Obama is precisely the kind of guy who will sell Israel out enough so that Israel loses its major benefactor in the world.  Ironically, this bothers the evangelicals more than it bothers your Jewish friends.

:Lastly, you are confused about "Country First."  I am ready and willing to put my allegiance to the GOP behind my allegiance to my country which needs to come first. As an individual, I am most fundamentally a Jew.  It is only because Israel's interests are consistent with America's interests in the eyes of McCain-Pailin that "Country First" in a foreign policy context includes strong support for Israel.  The liberal domestic agenda takes on the form of a religion and this is John McCain's complaint--and it is a good one. Separationist purity regarding the first amendment is not good for the country--it is only ctreates endless battles.  Refusing to drill anyone for 30 years or build a single nuclear power plant is strong and profoundly stupid public policy that honors radical ideology and fails to put the Country First.  Screaming that we need to leave Iraq before the enemy is defteated and Iraqis can control their turf honors ideological purity but does not put Country First.  Honoring the NEA while our schools suffer does not put Country First.  Allowing one million babies to be killed every year honors ideological purity but creates huge pain and does not honor the feelings of all Americans.

If the call is "less me and more we"--Obama-Biden have a whole heck of lot more of a deficit than the McCain-Pailin team.  These four are not at all similar. 

And the accusation that Sarah Pailin is somehow, beyond all rationality, antisemitic is another black eye to the Jewcy blog which has a delining reputation in the eyes of sensible people in the community.  Pailin is the toast of the nation by the merits--her leadership is consistent with the model established by Torah and Obama personifies the kind of arrogance associated with the worst kind of false prophets.

Sarah Pailin is a role model for America--Obama is a role model for the 'more me and less we' crowd. 

Yes, Mateo.  The argument as you frame it there is much more fair, though no one other than Obama and Wright themselves can know the truth to the extent of their relationship.  Just to clarify, when I said it was a media creation, I meant the term "spiritual advisor," which gives the false idea that Obama sought frequent, one-on-one advice.  However, as I said, in your rebuttal, you are in fact making a fair judgment.

The point I was making about Wright vs the Rabbi is that Barack Obama didn't attend Wright's church because of Wright's political views, he attended it because he felt it provided him with a connection to his heritage.  I know well that Wright is nonetheless an inconvenient mark on Obama's personal history, but I prefer to rely on his record, and Obama has never (barring those commonplace tumultuous teenage/college years) himself been unpatriotic, and has praised this country for giving him the opportunities he would never have had anywhere else.

David,

It has become clear that we are just on opposite ends of the spectrum here, so there is no point to clarifying or rebutting.  Let's agree to disagree, and instead find a more substantive way to solve issues in this country.  Even if McCain does win, he will have to confront sizeable Democratic majorities in both houses.  We, not meaning simply Democrats and Republicans, but YOU and ME, will have to learn to set our disagreements aside and find points on which we agree in order to move this country forward.  One thing that has truly disappointed me about the past eight years was the inflexibility.  Whoever wins, lets resolve to work through our disagreements, instead of working for them.

A previous Rosenberg, Julius, gave nuclear secrets to the USSR because he did not think that it was right that the US have sole possession of nuclear weapons. Today, the majority of Rosenbergs, who will vote for Obama, would like a nuclear Iran to pose a counterbalance to the US. A strong Russia and a Russian-Iranian alliance look pretty attractive to modern day Rosenbergs. If Israel gets nuked in the process, the Rosenbergs can parade their suffering to their fair weathered friends at the Guardian and garnish brownie points

A few observations and comments: "self-righteous-liberal-fascists": An interesting combination of buzz words... while you may or may not like Liberals.. to me liberals may have a sense of overstated social responsibility and may overvalue individual freedom, so I fail to see the connection for facism ! hey.. maybe I an just humourless :)"some ignorant hill-billy": Who Sarah ? I think this is true... Interestingly, if you notice the republican convention played hill billy music all night last night.... I guess thay are a key part of their target market. Hillybillies and the extream religious who would prefer to live in a religious state and can not seperate their religious laws and morality because for them religion = morality (much like George Bush who has pretty much said this many times). "no foreign policy positions" What ? I am offended after learning last night that Alaska is actually the part of the United States that is closest to the old Soviet Union. Hey.. if living closer to the old ruskies is not a qualifier for experience.. what is ? "Palin's church, the Wasilla Bible Church, turned its pulpit over on Aug. 17 to David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus, the vice presidential candidate apparently listened intently as Brickner declared terrorist murders of Jews represent God's judgment against them for not embracing Christianity.": Hey this beleif is not that differnent from the beleif held by many Jews who beleive an individual's death or suffering in life is g-d's punishment for them while they are here on earth and is almost a kind act by god as it saves them from hell later ! I for one am not sure why it matters where god chooses to make me suffer :).One item you did not bring up, that I know Republican's feel is none of our business is Palin's pregnant 17 year old duaughter. On one hand, it would not NORMALLY be our business, on the other hand, I can not help but wonder what the Republican's would say if the "liberal" and "radical" Obama's daughter was 5 months pregnant at 17 yrs old. Do the math, at 16 and a halfs years of age, this girl raised in a conservative and very christian home, was out there having sex without the sensibility or knowledge to even use protection ! I think we all know that this is exactly the kind of situation across America that infuriates the conservatives. It illustrates to them the "disintigration of morals in America". Now they select a woman (to win over Hillary supporters who value a woman in the whitehouse regardless of her views - not to smart in my book), and spin what THEY would towt as a failure in parenting as a win for morality. After all Brislte chose not to abort the baby ! Their logic appears to be that while they might normally see her as a floozy and her mom as a failure in transfering her morals, the decision not to abort makes her a rolemodel ! We all know how their logic would be different is the pregnant chih was a democrat. As an independent (not registered Dem or Republican) I find the entire republican campaign to be offensive and transparent "marketing and propaganda". Not a single rational argument... just mud slinging. If they could walk us through a set or rational logic, they might win a voter in me, but just saying obnoxious things, trying to frighten us and make accusations that rely on mis-information and the inflation of some perverted logic is not enough and builds my resentment.The saddest thing to me is to watch John McCain whom I think is a man of moral standing and general integrity change his approach for the party he claims to buck so often. He is clearly taking the Republican playbook and going down the dark path. In the end ,it looks to me like he decided the end (getting elected) justifies the means (misrepresentation of facts and the inappropriate use of fear). Just look at John hugging the President and standing at his side. If you remember the last election where McCain ran against Bush, then you remember he hates him and has little respect for him. The Bush campaign used an ex-military man to basically say "shame on you John, for misrepresenting your heroism in Vietnam, I (the military man) know, that John is exaggerating his bravery and selfless decision to stay a POW". In response, McCain want on Larry King, looked into the camera and told George Bush "Shame on you, you know these are lies and you stooped to hiring a man once hired to make your father look bad in an election. You hired a liar and you know it and you should be ashamed as he did the same thing to your dad". Now John McCain stands side by side with George ? how stupid do the Republicans think we are ? Pretty damn stupid I guess. Anyway, shame on America or any individual who votes based on such nonsensical arguments .That is not to say that John McCain has no positive attributes, its just that he is making compromises of the soul ! And Sarah is not a reason to vote for him unless the perverse kind of arguments being made are palatable to you…. Oh.. wait a minute.. they did say “she has EXECUTIVE experience, she MAKES decision”. I forgot that… now Ill have to re-evaluate, because they got Rudolf (who I voted for but find to be a sarcastic, mean spirited person) to actually say her experience as a mayor qualifies her for executive decisions as president – come on Rudolf…. Was that the red-nosed reindeer dressed up as you ? or do you actually believe that crap !

.

Sarah Palin, Bad GOP Punchline And Queen Esther Du Jour

Todd, it is fine to identify "inflexibility" and if we can actually agree about "Country First"--I would be pleasantly surprized.  As for agreeing to disagree--nope, either Jewcy is right and Palin is evil and an antisemite or she is not.

We have in George Bush a man of incredible moderation and a clear willingness to look for unity and bring America togaether.  He failed.  He failed due to a lack of political acumen and the ability of the Left to demonize Bush.  Bush sought and received broad support for our efforts in Iraq, he signed bills sponsored by Democrats, he refused to veto spending sponsored by the Dems and he lamely backed down on many of his policy initiatives that were needed for the nation including the reform of our horrid Social Security and Medicare system that will bankrupt the nation if not changed.

The Dems have grave inflexibility and this is why the party remains a party of interest groups with totally inflexible positions.  Our nation has been thrown into the hamper in service to the party line of so-called "environmentalists" who have lobbied for no drilling in Alaska or off-shore, the slowing of clean coal production, a total and irrational moratorium on nuclear power and a completely unscientific and crazed looked at carbon output that gives people the wrong impression that America is the greatest "polluter" in the world because we burn more carbon.This willingness to uphold "truths" of environmentalism at the expense of the prosperity of Americans is a grave error and just one example of the DEm's inflexibility as the "moral" framework of the Left that is killing this great nation.  To succeed, America under McCain-Palin needs your help in breaking this kind of inflexibility so I ask you--will you offer that help?

The Left is pushing poison on our country--if you feel for the pain of our nation at large--please agree that poison is not to be applauded.  

Obama made a blip of an appeal cince he loves focus-group polling.  Regarding "Gay-rights"--he lobbied for something we all agree upon and that is the legality of homosexuals writing wills and having normalized visitation rights, etc.  No one disputes this.  The problem is that there is no one in the gay-rights lobby that wants to back down on gay marriage and this tears our country apart.  Obama says what he says to not appear to be extreme and this is another example of his tendency to lie at every turn.  Similarly, in his speech, as a call for unity, he said that we should come together to lower the number of unwanted children.  Tame stuff and we all agree.  The fact remains that Obama has taken the most extreme pro-abortion position.

Therefore, if you want to attack inflexibility--please look at the inflexibility of the Left.

I wont take the time to dissect your nonsense point by point, though i had to laugh at the "clean coal" comment...truly hilarious... is that like 'Jumbo Shrimp?'

McCain's selection of Palin was truly offensive...a gimmic at best, and intellectually dishonest. I would have at least considered him choosing traitor to America Joe Lieberman (Z) Israel, to have at least been sincere.

  You guys are wacked.                                                                                   She is awful because (in no particular order nor an exhaustive list): She is a bully and a censor in her government office, her experience in national government and issues facing our country is non existant, she is intellectually a lightweight and a demagogue, her erstwhile "private life" issues (religion, family, sex/reproduction) are suspect and fair game for discussion because SHE and her political bedfellows made them, in an attempt to regulate mine and yours, an issue. She doesn't hide the fact that she is narrow minded and intolerant of those she disagrees with. People like that haven't historically been good for Jews, if that is even the issue. Policy on Israel? That drives itself in this country, is not germaine to my life here in the USA as a US citizen, and an Obama/Biden presidency would largely maintain the status quo. Didn't our current secretary of state say recently that new settlements "weren't helpful?" Isn't there some truth in that statement?  If Sarah Palin promised Israel's most intransigent supporters exactly what they wish to hear, does that nullify all the bad that this woman will bring to the national discourse?

      We Jews are supposed to be a bit smarter, and definitely more considerate of others than "the average bear." I don't want to be a part of the next "Cuban community." Get a grip on what's important to all America, or stay home on election day, please. I'm praying that her natural constiuency will do just that, but I'm scared. I think she's stirred the great unwashed, and that's not usually "good for the Jews" either.

Jews should be more worried who the clowns in Hollyweird are peddling for Prez, who the left wing anti-Israel crowd is peddling for Prez. There is more to a person then sitting around discussing dead gay Greeks and their philosophies. Besides, Jews should be more interested in what the Torah says as opposed to anything else.

Personally that has been the problem with Jews for years now, we pick the wrong ideas, the wrong ways of life and the wrong path. Most will brag to converts how little they know of Judaism as if it's a badge of honor to be absolutely ignorant of their own heritage.  Abortion? We should spend more time reproducing than reading about dead gay Greeks in bed! The environment? Yeah, look around you at the environment and tell me how many Jew haters live within 50 miles of you! Some are extremely dangerous but like some teen-ager Jews believe if they ignore the problem it will go away. Yeah, that worked really well in Europe 60 plus years ago didn't it?

 In other words, act like Jews and not pathetic fools with Gentile envy!

You aren't going to survive if you put the oxygen mask on the person next to you first.

 Makabit

A summary of Makabit's "argument" (with special director's cut commentary):

(1) We should be worried about the fact that Obama has 'anti-Israel' supporters and that he has backing amongst 'Hollyweird.'

Zeevico: So I guess this means vote McCain?

(2) The Torah is way better than Plato. Ner-ner!

(3) Secular Jews are going down the path to destruction.

(4) There are anti-semites everywhere. Be afraid.

Zeevico: Good plan. What next?

(5) Act 'like Jews'. Stop imitating gay Greek philosphers.

(6) Put the Jewish people before other peoples. Or put yourself before others. I'm not sure.

 I love the way this piece flows. At first you think Makabit is going to talk about Jews for Jesus. Then you realise that she's really talking about the presidential elections. Until she starts talking about how Jews are too secular, don't read the Torah and should stop learning about dead Greek (homosexual) philosophers. Apparently that's what's so bad about those Greeks and their books: they were all gay. And of course, what essay could be considered finished without a references to the Holocaust?

I must say, this is the most interesting piece I've read in years. Well done Makabit--An A+ effort. I invite you to expand on your ideas. Please, do your best to make them as incoherent as possible.

This over-40-Jew who is not afraid of black people is curiously finding myself aligning more and more with the Christian right.  I have no problem with Sarah Palin.  Just because she can field dress a moose doesn't make her an ignorant redneck. 

Now if you want to talk about anti-Semitic politicians, your buddy Barack has some associates that make me very uncomfortable.  I dont' need to name them - we know who they are.  

I shook in my shoes watching his speech in Berlin.  The last time someone there got that many people riled up about a New World Order, most of my family ended up in ovens.  History does repeat itself.

Obviously, the Sarah Palin-haters just don't understand. You've got to build an alliance with the talibangelicals! Their disdain for rational discourse is no reason to reject their leadership and wise counsel. Palin's belief that dinosaurs walked with men 4,000 years ago and her willingness to entertain the notion that Israelis die in terror attacks due to their rejection of Christ's love is obviously no impediment to correctly identifying our shared, real enemies, and that's the only thing that counts.

Understanding our enemies will yield no results in the coming apocalypse. We should try to misunderstand them, as we are told to obediently misunderstand everything else on the policy menu. Melt down the economy, arm yourselves, kill people you don't understand, and take the fast-track to heaven on a rocket of absolutist belief. Let's welcome in the end of human reason and a rational existence as we know it - (assuming there's any existence left to be a part of).

Americans had better get a clue pretty damn quick. The hubris born of never knowing the kind of self-destruction that other nations have inflicted on themselves is becoming more and more evident every day.  

Does anyone know where I can get my hands (or eyes) on a video of that SNL skit from 2000, where it shows the scenarios of Gore winning (and running the country with the help of a computer), Bush winning (and recoiling behind his desk as his office and D.C. are aflame), or Nader winning (with pigs flying in the background as he drones on)? Knew things could get bad, but not as bad as a comedy sketch hinted at.

I am another Jew who is definitely voting for Obama -- just like my many Jewish friends who are in the top law schools and business schools and will be the future Jewish leaders of this country. All of us think that Lieberman has betrayed the Jewish people by supporting a War that has only made times more difficult for Israel, and all of us would like to rescue Israel from the neo-cons who would look the other way while evangelical christians build theme-parks across our holy land.

Jewish youth, it is surely a scanadal that there is even one Jew who is vowing to vote for the con man Obama, you seem like a perfectly nice young woman (I assume you are a woman, forgive me if you are not) and I would enjoy to talk you out of it.  Posting comments on a blog is not ample to do this job but be assured I am hoping you will be a bit more fair-minded for the future.

Regarding your complaint that I have knocked the National Endowment for the Arts--I have not, although I do not support the Teachers Union which is interested in its own power at the expense of children. Regarding your contention that the Dems are a better fit for Jews and your allegation regarding "skinheads and Neo-Nazis"--I have not encountered in any part of the Republican party which is very senstive to the issue.  By Contrast, the Dems run candidates which are openly antisemitic at the very top of their tickets and among those who have expressed hostile stands to Israel and Jews include, just to name a few:  Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Gravel, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton--all have run for President on the Democratic ticket.

Your problem with Republicans seems to stand primarily upon the existence of evangelical Christians who make up about 15-20% of the GOP vote.  A Jewish quality is tolerance--why no tolerance for Christians?  Your argument seems to come down to one central thing--they lobby you to become Christian and Ann Coulter said to a liberal Jew that he might be perfected under Christianity.  First, I ask you:  have you ever read an ad in a magazine, TV or radio?  Do you feel pressured by any of these appeals?  Second, I have never been asked to convert to Christianity but I am an Orthodox Jew so they don't ask.  My question to you is that if you are asked to look at Christianity by evangelicals--perhaps you have said or done something that gave them a clue you might be interested.  If not, is there a big problem in simply saying no?  True, I was once approached by a prostitute--I said no.  I don't hate Democrats because prostitutes support the Democratic party--I just say no.  One might have some justification to whine that those strip clubs are everywhere, enticing good Republican men to become Democrats but this would be frivolous accusation.  Evangelicals exist for their own agenda and Jews should be ONLY very pleased that their agenda is the absolute closest to our own regarding social issues,  smaller government, fair taxes, support for the 1st amendment, etc.  More to the point, they worship anything Jewish, they read Torah, they buy Jewish stuff, they go to the Chabad.org site, the Aish.com site, they send millions of dollars to Israel, they visit Israel and  they hate the Islamicists mostly because jihad is aimed at Israel.  They are Jew-wannebees.  By contrast our enemies love Obama, see this link:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/why_islamists_cheer_for_obama.htm...

My time for the week is up, Good shabbos.

David Friedman ... you seem a perfectly nice old lady yourself. For you to say that Judaism resembles Evangelical Christianity is absolute lunacy unless you are a far right, fringe radical person, which I am assuming you are.

OK, you are male--thanks for clarifying.

I am pleased to hash out why I believe it is important that every Jew abandon the Democratic Party.  Speaking historically, there is good reason why Jews were DEms in the 1960's--indeed, I was one myself.  And there is reason that almost all Jews were Republicans about 100 years ago--it made sense then, too.  Therefore, Jews owe no allegiance to any particular party--we go and vote with good rationale.  It is my contention that there is no rationale for Jews to stick with the Democratic Party of today.  To your point--why will our community vote overwhelmingly for Obama and the Dems--they will do so with less of a majority than in the past and the community is clearly becoming more Republican since the Democratic party has forsaken Jewish values in favor of others.  The fact that there is even one Jew willing to vote for Obama is so shocking and so controversial, I feel animated to take my time and implore people to take a step away from the edge and take another look.

You find merit in the fact that Jews dominate Hollywood, liberal radio and TV, love labor unions, gay marriage, abortion rights--I find shame in all of these things since none of them reflect Jewish values.  Hollywood of the 1920's-1950's was also run by Jews and the movies were interesting and excellent--today we export TV and Hollywood productions which reflect our lowest nature instead of our better one.  Time and again I remind you that times have changed--many Jews simply have not listened.

A former President of AIPAC once readily admitted that he was a "genetic" Democrat--that is to say his allegiance to the DemParty stems from his father's and his grandfather's commitment.  Curiously, we have ceased to stay Jewish by the merit of our ancestors all the way back to Sinai but we will retain allegiance to a political party which has become hijacked by its most radical elements which scream values antithetical to our own and we don't seem to be listening.

Regarding racism and sexism, we are in agreement with the values but in total disagreement concerning which party stands for a color-blind society and values women. This campaign brings to light the utter hypocrisy of the left regarding these two matters as Obama has run a race-conscious campaign and is not at all a "post-racial candidate" while the left disparages Sarah Palin in the most grotesque and sexist terms, Bill Maher calling her a "stewardess" and the NYT bringing up every sexist phrase in an antique lexicon, including that she is a veritable cheap whore in high boots.  Sarah Palin stands as the most attractive and significant VP pick possible for a Presidential candidate to look at as a running mate--the perfect resume--she is self-made, she is a proven leader, she is a Governor with the highest approval ratings in the entire nation and most importantly--she did not seek the position.  In many ways, she is the perfect foil for not only Joe Biden--the model of a poor pick--but brings up all the reasons Obama should not be President.  The left's response has been complete and total derision and this is based in some significant measure in leftist hypocrisy concerning women.  Obama is supported because he is black and not without regard to the fact he is black and this would be called "racist."  His candidacy is supported by all the same black racists which doomed the candidacy of Jesse Jackson just a couple of decades ago--proving how fast the left is changing.   Here is a man who uses race as a weapon and is willing to throw his white grandmother under a bus to win a DemParty nomination and then in the general election--it is all about his white family.  Obama says that we are our brother's keeper while his real brother mired in a hut in Kenya, makes about $1/month with no help from his millionaire brother who wants to con us into being President.

Regarding small government, Obama's promise to expand the government under the pretext of empowering us is simple fraud.  McCain has the hopes of American Jews in mind when he seeks to reduce governmental power.  Obama wants the power, Jews and religious minorities require a small government and freedom means we are free to live as we wish--not as the government dictates.  

You are completely wrong about Israel and Obama.  In every case I can recall, the Israelis have been comfortable with either the Dem or Rep nominee.  This year, they are scared of Obama and what he might lead regarding Israel.  They might have preferred Bush over Gore and Kerry--they really prefer McCain-Palin over the twin anti-Israel team of Obama-Biden.  Biden has never been fond of Israel and as a result, Israel is not very fond of Biden.  Obama has shown his pro-Arab stand at every turn and his turn around on Jerusalem is revealing about where he will be when the demands against Israel get tough.  He will side with the Arabs and say he is being even-handed, proving only explicit pro-Israel support will help Israel survive.  McCain-Palin will not sell Israel down the river because they have principle, Obama-Biden are not sold on the merit of Israel in the first place.  Tony McPeak, Byszenski--whoever Obama chooses is likely to be very cool to Israel and as Jews--we cannot be pleased about this kind of "change."  IN the war against the Islamic terrorists, selling the GOP on the topic requires nothing--they are leading the fight and the argument.  But trying to get DEms to support a protest against Iran's dictator is tough going.  Getting Republicans to sign on to the threat is easy--the DEms would rather talk about global warming or see Islamic bombs as a nuisance and not a real threat.  This is a real problem.

Taxes are a huge issue.  The power to tax is the power to destroy.  Jews have lived in so many countries historically which levied special Jew taxes.  We heard them say to their people--we will tax this minority so the rest will not have to be taxed!  This is Obama's promise--increase the taxes on 5% so the rest he can shower with the splendor of his gifts!! Fairness demands that the top 5% which pays about 40% of taxes now should pay no more and if the idiot Biden thinks it is patriotic for the "rich" to pay even more--why deny the "opportunity" to all Americans?  Dems make such a point about "equity"--why do they demand such inequity regarding taxes? 10% pay about half of all taxes,  about 50% of the taxpayers effectively pay no income tax.  This is a problem and some irony given Biden's gaffe.

I am not here to make religious arguments except if you say that most Jews vote for the left, I will argue that the Orthodox world is stridently supportive of the more conservative candidate and the GOP.  The trouble for you is that the Jewish world is becoming demographically more Orthodox and therefore will be more Republican ignoring the general drift away from the DemParty which has become beholden to the anti-semites, Israel haters, pacifists, socialists and environmental wackos.

Obama, even to a greater degree than Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Kerry, Gore and Clinton and Carter--has less merit as a leader if leadership is to be measured in terms of success.  Obama has not run a business, or a city or a state.  He has not earned his standing in the party EXCEPT through an electoral process.  The DemParty has put the entire question of "who is good a leader" into the toilet with their recent string of really bad choices, one worse than the next.  This is because the modern DemParty has abandoned its former ideals and quickly found horrible substitutes. Obama-Biden are good at "elite-chat" that is to say they have speaking style that disguises their true intent.  They always speak better than the Republican.  I implore you to listen to the content.  I challenge you to decipher who is more straight-forward and honest.  Who is more interested in all the people and putting our nation first instead of catering to special interests?  Who is the con-man in this race?  Ignore your friends and ask who is better for the values most important to all Americans--growth of the economy, tax fairness, smaller government,freedom (except for the freedom to kill a child), winning against the terrorists--Obama is not to be damned because he is inexperienced (although his inexperience is not good)--he is to be damned because he is not a real leader that can unite the country.  Please give Republicans credit for always picking moderate people--Dole, Bush, Reagan, McCain--all all people with great credentials in holding unifying actions for all the people.  Obama is the #1 most liberal and Biden the #3 most liberal-- talk-miesters from the Senate.  Neither has any plan to unite this nation and no Republican has ever agreed with Biden or Obama on anything of significance.  McCain has a lot at stake in putting the country first and has sought the middle ground frequently--to the frustration of conservatives such as myself.  Sarah Palin is also a moderate person.  Biden agreed in his recent debate in his failed campaign for the Presidency that he would prefer to serve with McCain than Obama.  Ooops.

Mr. Friedman,