Does Lieberman allow his religion to interfere with his political beliefs?

[TheWizardOfMudd]

Does he seem to always take a stance that favors Israel?

I'm beginning to think so.

That's not always bad.

But is that a good barometer for a politician to use?

I don't think so.

[Maat]

1. That's like asking if the Pope is Catholic.

Of course, Lieberman is a virtual slave to the powerful Israeli lobbies, in my opinion.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[molly]

23. You aren't giving up, are you?

[physioex]

2. Yes he is very pro-Israel...

But unfortunately so are Kerry, and Dean. As far as I am concerned the AIPAC lobby, and christian fundamentalists have bought off all the politicians.....I don't think there will ever be a time when this country takes an evenhanded unbiased approach...

[Cassandra]

18. Not everyone who is on the opposite side of your side of an issue...

has been bought off. Even the NRA doesn't have to buy every vote they get; there are plenty of people who agree with them. For reasons that seem obvious to me, many politicians believe that Israelis are stronger allies than Palestinians; then it's simply a matter of how you wish to support your ally (not all of the policies of the current Israeli government are equally worthy of support, but if you think the American people are going to cozy up to suicide/homicide bombers anytime soon, think again).

[physioex]

26. I think "suicide/homocide" bombers...

Are a symptom of occupation. Who has the military might? Who has M1 tanks Apache helicopters? Who is receiving billions of dollars in aid? That mainstream line doesn't work with me....Argue on the real issues...

[kiahzero]

3. If that were the case, it would be letting his ethnicity interfere

Not his religion. Don't forget, there's Hebrew (the ethnic group) and Jewish (the religious group). While the two are overlapping in most cases, there are many individuals who are one and not the other.

Lieberman's stance on Israel seems to be motivated by temporal, ethnic factors, rather than any interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

10. Are you saying that Joe is more Hebrew than Jewish?

?

[kiahzero]

11. No

Just saying that his leaning towards Israel has little or nothing to do with religion, and far more to do with his ethnicity.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

12. Excellent point

But the two seem to go hand in hand, which is fine in the personal lives of all individuals.

Either way, I'm afraid Joe considers one or the other most important when deciding issues that affect all of the American people.

I just don't believe that is the proper approach for a leader and office holder governed by the Constitution.

[Cassandra]

20. Please make that argument to the Pope...

and to the various fundamentalist nutcases in our government. I'm not sure why you're wasting your time worrying about what Lieberman is doing that might stem from his religious beliefs; he's not running the government.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Yes he does.

At least IMO. First, let me state I have nothing against an individual practicing their religion. That said, one thing I noticed while watching CSPAN during the campaign was that, on more than one occasion, Leiberman did not attend some of the Saturday events because he was going to the synagogue services. Those choices made me think about his priorities.

[groton]

5. He always said he will Follow the Sabbath Rituals and he does that

He is somewhat being I am From the same state i probably have a better incite then you people do of him.

He does take his Religion vary Strongly.
that probably hurts him.

but So does Bush,Clinton and Gore both went to Church everysunday.

i personally don't believe fully in Organized Religion but i wont vote against someone because of there Belief's

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. I won't vote against because of their beliefs either

But I have to question a person's priorities when they are running for office of the POTUS and choose to skip major events to get their message across vs. sticking to their sabbath rules in what is supposed to be a secular government.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

9. Okay

?

[playahata1]

17. Lieberman is an ORTHODOX Jew.

With that said, do not forget that there are three main branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), each with different interpretations of Jewish law with regards to the Sabbath, etc.

[seabeyond]

7. i have seen it since the iraq war

yes i absolutely think that is why he has gotten so bad

[rooboy]

8. He can't stop himself - he has so much "Joementum". n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

13. To be fair: no more than Ariel Sharon . . .

[molly]

14. How many politicians do you know that do not favor Israel?

[stavka]

32. You do mean, ones in office right?

I think the answer is zero.

[Baltimoreboy]

34. Maybe that's a direct result of American support for Israel

[stavka]

36. I think its because people aren't that stupid.

Why make an enemy when you don't need to? Be friend of Israel, don't loose votes. Be neutral or against, you are done on the national level.

[AP]

15. Yes. His worship of capital interferes with his ability to be a good Dem.

He was a major obstructionist during the Clinton years to better corporate accountability. For e.g., he lobbied for the accounting industry to prevent rules being enacted which would give the public more accurate information about corporate finances.

The more I read about this guy, the more I think his devoutness was the ONLY good think about him.

[ikojo]

16. I am Jewish and do not support the current government of

Israel. Please don't say LIEberman is supporting Israel because he is Jewish as there is a sizeable peace movement within the Jewish community. The reason it is not heard from is because of the corporate type control among the "LEADERSHIP" of the Jewish community.

If you think it's tough getting the anti Iraq war message to the masses of Americans, it is even MORE difficult getting the same message out in the Jewish community. Pro peace and pro Palestinian Jews are often accused of being "self hating" Jews.

http://www.peacenow.org/Campus/talkingpts.html

http://www.jppi.org/

Links to many pro peace sites

http://www.jppi.org/links.html

[Blue Wally]

22. This is going to be a close election, folks.......

Hardly the time to vote the Orthodox and Observant Jews off the island. Up until now they have been one of the core party constituencies.

[stavka]

37. ...but that's how divisiveness works!

I hate to be the late kitty, but dragging US support for Israel into the pit at the finish is a GREAT way to alienate voters who would vote democratic/progressive.

[physioex]

28. Excellent...

I understand the challenges....Let's hope more people start understanding this.... :yourock:

[trof]

21. Or does he allow his politics to interfere with his religion?

No.

[Timefortruth]

24. He doesn't know he does.

In his mind he is just doing what is right.

[Jim Sagle]

25. I'm pro-Israel too. Too bad for anyone who doesn't like it.

[physioex]

27. Thats fine...I am pro american...

There is nothing wrong in waving flags. Are you ok with ethnic cleansing? And the policies of the Israeli government?

[Jim Sagle]

31. Fine...we're both pro-American. Last time I checked, it was OK to be both.

[physioex]

33. Did you read my entire post?? EOM

[Jim Sagle]

35. I don't answer "when did you stop beatng your wife" questions.

[stavka]

29. No more than Torquemada

[ElsewheresDaughter]

30. yes