Ilhan Omar Kabuki Theater
Many progressive pundits have noted the irony: Congressional Democrats rush to condemn alleged anti-Semitic comments by Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, but they rarely protest some of their Republican colleagues canoodling with true anti-Semites. (Remember the deplorables chanting “Jews will not replace us!” in Charlottesville?) I see a much sharper irony, but I’ll get back to that.
The behavior by Chris Coons and his ilk is easy to understand if you look at it from their perspective: Actual Republican anti-Semitism helps Democrats, but the mere hint of it from a Democrat hurts the whole party. 
It’s not really about the money as much as it’s about the votes and the perceived view of the party among American Jews. Whatever the motivation, the result is the kind of Pasteurized politibabble in Chris Coons’ statement. (My favorite line: “We can have policy debates and disagreements without this type of hurtful language and innuendo.” Yeah, sure, we can — but why start here and now?)
Fortunately the vote on a resolution against anti-Semitism has been delayed after progressives, including AOC, squawked about the kneejerk reaction, the special attention to Israel and the attempt to conflate legitimate concern about Israel’s hold over Congress with anti-Semitism.
Even her defenders, however, point to examples from Republicans that I think any reasonable person would have to stretch to find offensive. The latest is an attack on monomaniacal billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, which someone texted as “$teyer.” This is being construed as anti-Semitic because of the dollar sign, which supposedly calls up the stereotype of the greedy Jew.
Truthfully, I had no idea Tom Steyer was Jewish, and even if he is, isn’t a dollar sign appropriate when you’re slagging a guy for his wealth, regardless of his religious upbringing? I get why Jewish people are sensitive to the possibility that such things are intended as slurs, but the acquisitive inclination is spread pretty wide, deep and evenly in our species. Why should Jews get a special pass on being accused of greed? They are no more inclined to it than anyone else, but neither are they less.
It comes down to a matter of sensitivity. It seems to me that our public discourse violates one of the first principles of psychological therapy: You can’t control what other people do, only your own reaction to it.
Which brings me back to the real irony: Rep. Omar has been the target of attacks that are far more clearly and virulently anti-Muslim than anything she has said about Washington’s Tribe of Benjamins, the most recent linking her to the 9/11 attacks, but her Democratic colleagues haven’t spoken up for her or her religion.
So let’s stop calling these politicians pro-Israel, and start calling them what they are — anti-Arab and anti-Muslim. Because this is not about treating the Jewish state worse, it’s about treating Muslim states better and giving Palestinians a state of their own.
This gem is going to do wonders for the Democratic Party turnout in Palm Beach County, FL in 2020…..
Too much Fox News results in below average trolling.
Do you even read the posts before offering your basic-cable opinions?
If they were going to vote against Democrats over this, they were going to vote against them over something else anyway. This dumb bit of conventional wisdom is stupid when pundits say it. It doesn’t make you sound clever or smart.
If you want to assert things like this, please link to evidence from research showing such reactions to random statements by members of Congress.
you mean the same people who voted for Pat Buchanan in 2000? yeah, i give a huge fuck about them.
this “gem” is more of an American than those racist fucks down in florida will ever be. Amazing how many “liberals” are giddy with joy at the notion of punching out at a Muslim woman. This Jew doesnt want your support.
I favor the former barista turned Congresswomen. I hope she runs for President.
Don’t wish for it on your monkey’s paw. On second thought, do.
I wonder if the delay in this resolution is to add “Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic, for example, pointing out that Israel is an apartheid state is factual, not anti-semitic.”
Or are they just going to add – “Also anti-muslim racism is bad too.”
Jason, you give them far too much credit. Seeing the Dem leaders “learn lessons” over these past 3 years, im betting they are going to affirm that antisemitism is good.
She’s a blues hater for sure
It’s a hell of a corner you get backed into and I applaud how “they” have been able to frame any disagreement as anti semitic.
Oh, because we have supporters in Israel you really mean we are globalists? Anti-Semite
Oh, I see your criticism of the money we spend to lobby in your country is really just your way of bringing out old comparisons to all jews are bankers! Anti-Semite
Ohhhhhhh You think we illegally took land from Palestine!? Anti-Semite
OHHHHHHHH you think because we don’t let medicine into their country and thousands are starving to death makes us bad people? Anti-Semite! We roamed the desserts for 40 years
I remember growing up in Catholic school and parents and family making jewish (racist) jokes. I am pretty sure Evangelicals at one point weren’t really fond of them. What changed?
Maybe because the state of Israel was invaded 4 times by Muslim nations calling for the destruction of the Jewish state? Maybe because the Palestinian constitution continues to include references to the destruction of the Jewish state to this day?
So that excuses anything and everything?
It excuses whatever bullshit terrorist apologists like yourself can come up with regarding Israel and Palestine.
“terrorist apologist” sounds like projection.
I don’t have excuses. Both sides commit atrocities. Wondering why you’re only willing to acknowledge one side of it.
I would agree that Arabs dropping their opposition to Israel’s existence is the minimum requirement for peace. But so is a Palestianian homeland, IMHO. Fair’s fair is what I”m saying. What are you saying?
When brown muslims do it, it’s terrorism.
Otherwise is for FREEDOM!
Very shallow this xyz. And boring. Not wholesome.
Consider banning.
RE, the children’s table is over there. Now go sit down, the adults are talking.
1998 called. They want ” the adults are talking” back.
Very corny. Very weak content.
I tried to be helpful (see below). But I guess “adults” know a lot less than I thought.
I’m saying that the Oslo accords was probably as good as it was going to get for the Palestinians and peace clearly wasn’t the Arafat’s main objective. The Oslo agreements were a clear roadmap to a two state solution.
I’m not sure the Palestinians have shown the ability to assemble a peaceful and productive society. Continuing to elect your leaders from Hamas does not seem to indicate willingness to accept a peaceful solution to a conflict.
So Israel ethnically cleanses Palestine in ’48. But the history of the thing begins and ends with Oslo.
OK, very wholesome. Very Adult.
(Quick note, your weak boomer shit only makes me stronger and it makes you look like a dumbfuck.)*
——–
*Not wholesome. Sorry
So find me the part in the Israeli constitution that calls for the destruction of the Palestinian state? Or any state for that matter? It seems to me that if your constitution calls for the destruction of another state because of their religion you have a long way to go before you deserve the right to be recognized as a nation in today’s world.
You mean like how Israel ethnically cleansed Palestinians in 1948 “because of their religion”?
You mean like that?
Your history begins in 1948. Mine doesn’t. Typical Boomer mentality. Nothing happen until they were here.
I’m not defending Hamas, bruv. I’m giving you context that you ignore to make your premise work.
You didn’t answer the question that I posed. That is how adult dialogue works.
Your understanding of history is that of a petulant child.
Apartheid excuser! Very legal. Very cool.
So @xyz, you are saying if I say that Israel is as bad, or has done equally appalling acts as “the other side” it means I’m an anti-semite?
If you say Israel is as bad as Palestine then you are either misinformed, willfully ignorant, or anti-Semitic. My guess for you is option #2.
I don’t think I’m an anti-semite. I do giggle at a good jew joke though. But turban jokes give me a good guffaw at times too.
I’ve never been to either place. I really don’t think I get both sides of the story to be honest. But the whole putting houses in another country thing then lying about it seems pretty bad.
Isn’t it like if we did that to Mexico? Wouldn’t it be Like if we told all you numbnuts to go take up residence in some houses we built on the other side of the Rio Grande and you did. Mexico said wtf, and then we said, meh not illegal suck it anti-american wetbacks
https://www.npr.org/2016/05/16/478272695/retired-cia-agent-confirms-u-s-role-in-nelson-mandelas-1962-arrest
OK, willfully ignorant, check.
When you use Muslim and Terrorist as interchangeable terms, you’ve given up your seat at the adult’s table.
Find for me the treaty that formalizes the alliance between the U.S. and Israel.
Unfortunately (for you), all my opinions are historically informed and notated. So, I don’t care.
I’ve decided to be helpful today.
Google “Nakba 1948”.
I feel very wholesome
Israel is far worse that Palestine actually due to the apartheid thing.
I don’t need to answer your question either. Too scared to use your name. Very mature, Gramps.
I don’t like the current Israeli government at all, but sometimes those Palestinians are just whack. This Middle East stuff is not easy.
Both parties seem to have little respect for life, unless it’s their own. They both claim the same land, they both practice ethnic, religious, and national discrimination, they both have weird ass dietary restrictions, they both treat women as less than equal (one more so than the other), they both are theocratic.
They are essentially the same. My only concern is for the children and the animals. The rest can continue their extermination practice.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/08/ilhan-omar-dean-phillips-minnesota-democratic-party-225696
A concern troll links to concern troll article on concern troll website.
Not original.
“I’m not owned. I’m not owned. I’m an adult!”, I scream, as I link to Politico.
The RNC thanks you for your service.
D –
Friday Fun Fact.
Of the 37 Jewish members if the US Congress 36 are Democrats & one is Republican.
The backlash against this continues in the liberal mediasphere.
https://www.salon.com/2019/03/08/demonizing-ilhan-omar-why-the-entire-political-establishment-wants-to-crush-one-woman/