An Email I received....Anti semitism and the Democratic party

[ikojo]

Man, I tire of Republican attempts to paint the Dems as the new Nazis. With what they have sanctioned over the last four years! This came from a couple of friends who primarily associate with orthodox Jews and are not well grounded in their own politics. They pretty much parrot what they hear.

Any help refuting this is appreciated.

This is not the busiest of the DU groups but I hope someone will read this today or tomorrow and help me rebut this. I admit I am not as well versed on the Israel issue because I don't eat, sleep and drink Israel. I am busy trying to bring about awareness of how the pugs are screwing working class Americans, here in the US.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4578

Anti-Semitism and the Democrat Party

The Democrats sign up with the anti-Semites
June 18th, 2005
(Richard Baehr-The American Thinker)

snip

Regrettably, this bipartisan support appears to be slipping away. A year ago, I wrote an article titled Why the left hates Israel, pointing out how the biggest threat to the Jewish state today comes from the political left. But I noted then, that at least in Congress, where support for Israel might be a bit stronger among the GOP than among Democratic members, the fever swamps of anti-Israel hate had not yet reached into the Democratic side of the aisle, with the exception of a very few members such as Cynthia McKinney, Jim Moran, and Fritz Hollings.

snip

So the Democrats in Congress are now giving voice and credibility to the view that Israel was responsible for the Iraq war. And other Democrats, watching the hearing at the DNC, are hosting anti-Semites who argue that Israel had advance warning of the 9/11 attacks and is therefore responsible for allowing the attacks to occur. And even deeper into familiar anti-Semitic tropes: that Israelis withheld the information so as to benefit financially.

This sounds exactly like classic anti-Semitism. These messages were not being conveyed on anti-Semitic web sites, or on Palestinian TV and radio on Thursday, but at a Democratic function from a meeting room in Congress, with more than 10% of the Democrats in Congress in attendance, and at Democratic National Headquarters. . In all likelihood, these outrageous charges are now being communicated and rebroadcast throughout the Arab and Muslim world, with the imprimatur and legitimacy of the Democratic National Committee, and the US Congress as the reliable source.

snip

Democrats, to judge by recent events, appear to be losing their collective minds in some form of shriek therapy. Being out of power may do that to a party used to having its way for many decades in Congress. But there is one other possible explanation for the apparent insanity. With so much money concentrated in the hands of some hard left advocates (think George Soros, Hollywood, trial lawyers, internet millionaires and some union bosses), the Democrats may feel the need to feed the beast - to protect and cater to their hardcore base, so as to keep the money flowing into the political coffers for future campaigns. So the strategy is for Democrats to be completely over the top in their attacks - trashing Bush, America, our military, Republicans, and Israel, all of whom are targets of the activists, to keep the moveon.org and Dailykos crowds happy.

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Unfortunately DU rules make it so that I cannot post more of the article. Click on the link above to read the entire article.

[ikojo]

1. A couple of more paragraphs from The Democrats sign on with

antisemites.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4578


Democrats, who still have their heads screwed on straight, and retain some sense of decency, like Joe Lieberman, and Steny Hoyer, need to take a long look in the mirror at the unraveling of their Party, and begin to do something about it. Whoever was responsible for allowing the Jew hating conspiracy theorists in the DNC offices to distribute their garbage should be fired. John Conyers should be asked to explain why a known anti-Semite like McGovern was invited to the panel's discussions. Why did no member of Congress attending the Conyers hearing challenge McGovern when he went off on his loopy theories? Not only Barney Frank owes an explanation and an apology to the public for such passivity in the face of evil.

The Israel haters, and anti-Semites believe they have found a comfortable home in the Democratic Party. If American Jews continue to vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats, then they will be casting their votes for a Party which is becoming indifferent to Israel bashing and anti-Semitism, and in the case of Conyers inviting McGovern to speak, even promoting these toxic views.

Just a few weeks back, Howard Dean blathered that Republicans were the white Christian party. The events in Washington Thursday suggest that in reality it is Howard Dean's own Democratic Party which is no longer interested in welcoming America's Jews.

[drdon326]

2. What do you mean "REFUTE" it ??

[Sgent]

4. I'm not sure what I think

I think the Democrats in general have shown a distrubing tendancy to associate with terrorists and antisemites (Farrakan, etc). I also believe a vocal minority would be perfectly happy to se Isreal gone.

That being said, unlike many Orthodox, I don't base the sole reason for voting on the polititions love or hate of Isreal. Although I would vote against someone who showed outward disdain at Isreal, I'm not ready to blame the party for the idiocy of a few.

Also keep in mind that a lot of Isreal has strongly divergent positions about their future as well. When Isreali RM's are assisinated by Orthdox Jews, its just possible that the Orthdox aren't speaking out for the majority of Isreal.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. The politics of Anti-Semitism

I am by no means an expert in the area, but I do know some things. Hopefully a few others will join in and add their wisdom, as well. As you are tired of the Republicans painting the Democrats as "Nazis," I am just as tired of the Democrats doing the same to the Republicans. The Republicans are becoming fascists, and maybe, given free reign, they could become Nazis. However, the constant use of the Nazi hyperbole, on both sides, is very offensive. First, it detracts from the real issue being discussed. Second, it, in a few ways, diminishes the monstrosity that was the Nazis. Can parallels be made between the Republicans and the Nazis? Yes. But, give me any two groups, and I bet, with enough time, I can compare them to one another, no matter how dissimilar they may be. It is important to remain vigilant so that "Nazis" never return. However, it is not "vigilance" just to make comparisons.

I am not going to refute the points of the article because that really shouldn't be the issue. The real issue is anti-Semitism. The fact is that anti-Semitism is a real issue in the Democratic Party and liberal/progressive worlds. In my opinion, it is becoming worse, mainly because the Democrats and liberals/progressives refuse to admit or see it. That is very dangerous, especially for Jews.

Anti-Semitism is, in the simplest of definitions, discrimination or bigotry directed at Jews or Judaism. What has made it so difficult to identify is that Israel is often thrown in the mix. Can one be critical of Israel and not be an anti-Semite? Of course they can! As a matter of point, you will find many here, including some Jews, who disagree with many of the policies of Israel, myself included. However, you will also find those who are anti-Israeli and there is something underlying and that is when confusion sets in and people raise their defenses, on both sides. I will not go in to full detail because it is very complicated, but if it is what you require, then ask and I will do it. However, here a few things, sometimes heard on the left, that could be construed as anti-Semitic...

"Israel controls the US government/foreign policy/the media/Wall Street." "The Jewish Lobby groups control foreign policies." These are reminiscent of the myth that "Jews are trying to control the world."

"Israelis were involved in the 9/11 plot."

"American Jews are more loyal to Israel, even at the detriment of the US." This lovely attack is used equally by both sides.

"The US fights wars for Israel, like Iraq." This has become a favorite on the left and ties in closely to the first two statements I made about Israeli control.

Many groups, which are really progressive, have become very anti-Israeli to the point of crossing into the realm of anti-Semitism. Progressive moves made by Israel are met with disgust and allegations of subterfuge or outright manipulation on the part of Israel. Those of us who support Israel, actually are supporting her right to exist. However, many on the left will accuse of us of supporting her policies. If you can be a proud American and dissent against the government, why cannot you be a proud Israeli supporter, but dissent against her policies? However, to say you support Israel is grist-for-the-mill on the left, as you must really be un-progressive and a "freeper."

I am very verbose and I am hoping you are still reading and not alerting. You may be thinking I have attacked the left and Democrats, and I have in some respects. It is important to see anti-Semitism for what it is, no matter your political persuasion. That being said, let me turn my attention to the right...

The 'right' think, by claiming support for Israel, they are not anti-Semitic. Of course, it is easy to identify the hardcore haters, so I am not going to discuss them. Instead, let's look at the moderate "right" who support Israel, but are anti-Semitic. Why do they really support Israel? I have two thoughts: Israel seems to be in constant battle with Arabs (this exposes their anti-Arab/Muslim attitudes) and Israel currently has a very "right-wing" oriented government, much like our own. There is a sub-set of the right, the Christian Zionists. They support Israel because Israel occupies Jerusalem. This supports their "Apocalypse" fantasies. If Israel were destroyed, they would not care, as long as Jews still "owned" Jerusalem, because they need the "Jews" to "rule" Jerusalem before Christ can return, and they can take over Jerusalem from the Jews and convert them (the Jews).

So what happens? The 'right' screams that the 'left' hate Jews because they hate Israel, confusing anti-Israeli sentiment with anti-Semitism. They confuse Israel and Jews. The 'left' screams they are not anti-Semitic and if challenged, play the "you're going to call us anti-Semites" card. They use orthodox, ultra-religious Jews to support their rationales, even though the two groups have different reasons for their views. Whatever happens the Jews are left to sort things out. Is the 'right' really supporting Israel because they believe it should exist and be a place for Jews or are they supporting a conservative government or hoping for the "Second Coming?" Is the 'left' really protesting Israel because of their policies and politicians or because they harbor something more?

If you decide to engage the people who support this email, you really should first learn more about Israel, the Jews, and anti-Semitism. Otherwise, continue to focus on other issues, because G-d knows, the right is plenty screwed up and there is no reason to engage in an area where you are not comfortable or knowledgeable. As the saying goes...it is better to be a fool and say nothing, than open your mouth and confirm it.

I hope this was helpful. It may not have been what you were looking for, but maybe if you re-frame the debate, it may help your position!

Good luck!