Anti-Semitism?
This is in part, a reaction to this blog post on “With Both Hands“.
I am generalizing by suggesting that “American Jews” are generally clannish, progressive, leftists, who complain about anti-semitism when it isn’t their heritage that is annoying so much as it is their politics.
I have friends who work at Shin Bet and at the Institute (Mossad) and get along with them like brothers from another mother/sisters from another mister. The same is true with my contacts with most Israelis. There is a mindset in Israel that I can identify with. I understand their reaction to Iran and the Palestinians who live outside of Israel. The Palestinians who live in Israel are ok. They seem to get it.
There is as much difference between Israelis and the mainstream American Jews as there is between Hillary Clinton and me. As a result, I look at anti-semitism closely when it’s claimed. The same is true of racism and the other chauvinists. There’s a big difference between Al Sharpton and me as well and race is the very smallest of the differences. There is a big difference between me and the blood thirsty women who run Planned Parenthood and gender is the very smallest of the differences.
So is it anti-Semitic or is it something else? With the hue and cry being raised during the Easter/Passover Season, I always try to look at the root of the issue. And it’s interesting that on occasion, things are not as they are claimed.
DACA and NAFTA
When President Trump tweets (and I am not fond of them), oft times it’s posturing as part of a negotiation or part of a wider strategic purpose. I’ve watched the twitter drama as have you all. It works to keep the corrupt, elite, smug, sly media engaged.
In a flurry of tweets Sunday, President Trump said he was pulling a DACA deal off the table and demanded Mexico help in deterring illegal border crossers or else he’d nix NAFTA.
The President tweeted, “Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. “Caravans” coming,” he tweeted. “Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!”
Mr. Trump voiced his outrage amid reports of a caravan of more than 1,500 migrants crossing Mexico for the U.S. border, where they will demand Easter asylum. Mexico reportedly has not attempted to stop the caravan, which was organized by Pueblos Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders. It will make the case for a big, beautiful wall.
Pause for the Cause
The family is coming over in an hour. I’m watching two grandsons now. Three more will arrive. Then we’ll say grace to give everyone an even start and then eat.
Enjoy the family and feast.
"Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. "
Amen.
Great idea of a Nuclear Option, but the RINOs don't have the balls.
RINOs know that one day they will want to filibuster. It's all a racket, Odie.
I agree that we need to get serious about making America great, safe and prosperous again. Every president has wanted a line item veto. We should give it to them and see how it works.
Did you stop at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston (home of the throw'd roll)?? If not make a point of it next time you're on the road in Missouri. The feast here was good, the egg harvest was aggressive (5 boys) and so it goes.
Here's a little more generalization then. IMNSHO a major problem is how Jewish identity has been intertwined with victimhood in the West. The conflation of group identity with victimhood has greatly harmed both the most and the least successful minorities in the US. (That, of course, would be Jews and blacks, respectively. The notion of Asians being the most successful minority is nonsense in terms of financial, political, and cultural power — but someone has to be stuck above the ramparts to draw fire.)
Anyway, while I am not trying to explain everything away with a single concept*, the "eternal outsider/victim" angle might explain some seemingly insane behaviors, such as those of Barbara Lerner Spectre (and her ilk). It is difficult to think of any period in history where Jews have been so secure, overtly successful and integrated into general society as the present in the West. This very success destroys the victimhood narrative, and if victimhood is central to your self image and group identity, then maybe setting up a situation where you are certain to be threatened, including mortally, actually makes a twisted sort of sense.
I've noticed the Israeli thing as well, in terms of greater similarity with my personal outlook (at least on some fronts). What is interesting is the almost schizophrenic attitude about Israelis that no small fraction of my (American) Jewish friends have about them: On the one hand I hear "Israelis are all arrogant and condescending. I can't stand them!" and on the other hand, bristling if a non-Jew says anything critical about Israel. It's complicated to say the least.
*single concept: I'm not saying the victimhood angle explains everything. That'd be like those people trying to explain all societal ills with r/k theory. Both victimhood and r/k "rationalize" some seemingly illogical behaviors, but excess extrapolation is like a guy madly whacking around with a gigantic hammer thinking that it is the universal tool.
Build the wall, have fun with the family.
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