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Bernie defends Omar

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?
 

dybmh

דניאל יוסף בן מאיר הירש
I vote: Yes, Bernie is right. Accurately criticizing Ilhan Omar requires ESP.
 
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Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
This is good. I'm glad that some aren't so spineless and are sticking up for her. Nothing she said was wrong, let alone anti-Semitic. She actually just said what any true nationalist would say.
 

joe1776

Well-Known Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?
You know what bothers me, David? The fact that Bernie, like other politicians, probably checked the polling numbers before he offered his opinion.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
You know what bothers me, David? The fact that Bernie, like other politicians, probably checked the polling numbers before he offered his opinion.

IDK. Granted the vast majority no doubt do, but my impression of Bernie is that he is a pretty genuine guy, agree or not with his politics.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
That is pretty much my take on him, I may disagree with some of his politics but I don't see him as someone that is going to check some poll to decide what he wants to say.

I agree. He's a little too left for my taste, but I do respect him.
 

sealchan

Well-Known Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?

A free society allows for self-criticism to thrive (when it is sincere and constructive). Omar's remarks on their face are not anti-Semitic. Israel != Jews.

I am not fully aware of the context of Omar's beliefs however and it would be good to look at that context. That may prove or disprove any anti-Semitic context.
 

sealchan

Well-Known Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?

It is, to a great extent, a politician's job is to review polls. They ought to know what the people they are representing believe. Its not just about how much people will like them and how much corporate sponsership they can obtain. Its about knowing what people think and feel.

That may seem insincere, but I think it is naive to think that a politician is a sort of ideal representative of personal principles. Yes, that is a part of it, but they are also tasked with being a representative of the opinions of those they serve.

That is why I think many people have this unfair image of politicians as crooked and manipulative...they are sometimes merely the result of the opinions of those they serve. They stand in for us as a collective and if we want to knock them down, many times we are knocking ourselves down as a community.

I would appreciate a politician who said that they closely follow polls so that they can have a general sense of what people think. They should bring their own knowledge and experience to that political reality and propose reasonable and practical solutions. They should also support more ambitious goals when personally moved to do so. This may polarize their constituency but then they should address both ends of the spectrum with as much tact and empathy as possible.

This is how we move forward...
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
Guess who published a full-bore defense of Omar's words --- Haaretz

Due to the Israel lobby, the U.S. does not know the truth about what is happening here. Congress members, senators and shapers of public opinion who are flown here ad nauseam see only Israeli victimhood and Palestinian terror, which apparently emerged out of nowhere. Islamists, Qassam rockets and incendiary balloons – not a word about occupation, expropriation, refugees and military tyranny. Questions such as where the money goes and whether it serves American interests are considered heresy. When talking about Israel one must not ask questions or raise doubts.

This cycle has to be broken as well. It’s not right and it’s not good for the Jews. Omar is now trying to introduce a new discourse to Congress and to public opinion. Thanks to her and her colleagues there is a chance for a change in America. From Israel we send her our wishes for success.

When will the world dare to distinguish between legitimate criticism of an illegitimate Israeli reality and anti-Semitism?


Keep it up, Ilhan Omar | Opinion
 

Father Heathen

Veteran Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?

Conflating race with a religion or nationality so that criticism can be dismissed as racism is an age-old tactic.
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?


A Muslim extremist criticizing Israel and not having ulterior motives....hmmm.
Couple of things that should be noted:
1. This quote sort of sums up the problem:

Being opposed to Netanyahu and the occupation is not the same as being anti-Semitic. I am grateful to the many
Jewish allies who have spoken out and said the same,” she tweeted on March 2.

You'll notice they use the word "occupation" when referring to the Israeli state. This in indicative to the Muslim mind set concerning the Jews.

2. Perhaps those who are quick to defend the Palestinian plight have forgotten that Arafat was given 98% of what Palestine was asking for back in the day, but he basically gave the US and Israel the finger saying, in effect, we want Israel gone.

Rather people want to admit it or not, Palestine is a defeated nation; all the chest-thumping and rhetoric in the world is not going to change that. The only way Israel (who is basically our only ally in that part of the world) we be dislodged is by war. I'm pretty sure this will not end well for the Muslim world.
 

Daemon Sophic

Avatar in flux
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?
Thank you for the OP. Frankly, I had not bothered with this particular news item, and I had no idea what it was that Ms. Omar said that had gotten all the conservative’s in a tizzy.

Related news video.

Y
eah. I agree with Bernie and the other Dem 2020 candidates who support Omar on this.
This “thou shalt not speak ill of Isreal!” measure sure smacks of loyalty oaths and McCarthyism. :rolleyes:

 

Yerda

Veteran Member
A Muslim extremist criticizing Israel and not having ulterior motives....hmmm.
Couple of things that should be noted:
1. This quote sort of sums up the problem:

Being opposed to Netanyahu and the occupation is not the same as being anti-Semitic. I am grateful to the many
Jewish allies who have spoken out and said the same,” she tweeted on March 2.

You'll notice they use the word "occupation" when referring to the Israeli state. This in indicative to the Muslim mind set concerning the Jews.

2. Perhaps those who are quick to defend the Palestinian plight have forgotten that Arafat was given 98% of what Palestine was asking for back in the day, but he basically gave the US and Israel the finger saying, in effect, we want Israel gone.

Rather people want to admit it or not, Palestine is a defeated nation; all the chest-thumping and rhetoric in the world is not going to change that. The only way Israel (who is basically our only ally in that part of the world) we be dislodged is by war. I'm pretty sure this will not end well for the Muslim world.
Can you defend any of this? If you can I'd like to hear it.
 

Ellen Brown

Well-Known Member
Bernie Sanders Defends Ilhan Omar Over Israel Criticism

So what do you think? Is Bernie Sanders correct in defending Rep. Omar's statement concerning Israel, or does any criticism of Israel automatically make one an anti-semite no matter what? Personally, I think Bernie makes a good point. America is certainly criticized when it's perceived that we make mistakes. Is Israel somehow the great untouchable when it comes to critiquing?

She's young and arrogant, but that will get beaten out of her by the weight of her own blunders. I'm not anxious that she build a "Pseudo Somali" culture here in the US. Israel is like a cornered animal fighting for survival, what would you do? And, the Arabs in the area did have the choice of seeking a peaceful solution. For me, none of what happens in the Middle East is surprising, since it is explained in Genesis 16.
 

David1967

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
She's young and arrogant, but that will get beaten out of her by the weight of her own blunders. I'm not anxious that she build a "Pseudo Somali" culture here in the US. Israel is like a cornered animal fighting for survival, what would you do? And, the Arabs in the area did have the choice of seeking a peaceful solution. For me, none of what happens in the Middle East is surprising, since it is explained in Genesis 16.

In part at least, it is a very old family feud. Thanks for your perspective @Ellen Brown
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
It's great to finally see some push against the hyper-sensitive illiberal Liberals.
You'll notice they use the word "occupation" when referring to the Israeli state. This in indicative to the Muslim mind set concerning the Jews.
Or that it's not our place to sort those things out, it's past high time we learned from past experiences there in trying to meddle in such things, and that calling it anything else acknowledges preference over a dispute that doesn't involve us.
 
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