Calling people who criticize “Joe L.” or “Israel” anti-Semite is Orwellian

[Room101]

I will continue to call him Holy Joe, not because he is Jewish, but becuase of his narrow one-wayism. Get that through your head.Notice I have never used a jewish slur.

It falls into the "Support the Troops" logic or should I say Anti-logic.
It falls into the, you are “un-patriotic” mantra that spits in the face of the 1st. amendment.

Someone posted an “in defense of Joe post”, and declared that people who blasts him are an anti-Semite. Can I start calling people Anti- white for blasting me?

The Israeli left gets to criticize Sharon more than people in another country, like America? It has nothing to do with race or creed, but policies. People who throw around that race card are further dividing people.

Anyone who disagrees with me be warned, I will label you anti- white, so beware. :)Oops I just further divided people, not really I'm doing it as a spoof.

[a_random_joel]

1. Enough!

There ARE Anti-Semites out there. Not everyone who is not supportive of Joe or Israel qualifies as an Anti-Semite. But that doesn't mean they aren't out there.

Orwellian? That's ludicrous. Yes, people are overly sensitive at times. Comparing it to the "Support the Troops" mantra is more Orwellian.

Enough of this garbage.

[Room101]

3. Ludicrous how?

If you don't support the war, you don’t support the troops.
If you criticize Israel you are an anti-Semite. Both seem to be used to distract people from the real issues.

[a_random_joel]

9. B.S.

If one criticizes Israel, one is not necessarily an Anti-Semite. But, there ARE anti-semites who don't support Israel. As I said, perhaps some people are overly sensitive. I don't agree, but if it keeps them on their toes(READ: ALIVE), then I think that it can be forgiven in light of historical events.

You want a history lesson?

[liberalhistorian]

5. Enough of WHAT garbage? Immediately and automatically

calling any and all criticism of Lieberman and Israel anti-Semitic, no matter what it is, instead of debating the merits of that criticism, is what's garbage and, I'm sorry, very Orwellian. Yes, there are more than enough anti-Semites out there, but most of them aren't here on DU.

[a_random_joel]

11. Anyone with half a wit of sensitivy

Would forgive the overzealous of such a misstep. It's easy. You say, I have nothing against Jews, but I do not agree with the conduct or tactics of Israel.

It's kind of easy to be lumped in as an Anti-Semite when the group that is being defended so fiercely is, in fact, Anti-Semitic themselves.

[Cascadian]

6. Joe Lieberman's faith has nothing to with my view of him.

It is his misguided stance on foreign policy, his support for pro-corporate free trade, and his attack of personal freedoms that are my problem. If he wants to be an conservative jew, that is fine with me, but I don't want him shoving his views on morality down my throat. That's all! This is why I do not like him. This is the view of many people and it is not all about being an anti-semite.

John

[liberalhistorian]

2. Amen! And thanks for the post,

I posted some thoughts on the thread you're referring to because I couldn't believe Carlos and others were saying that criticism of Lieberman, and criticism of Israel on the I/P forum was all due to anti-Semitism. I have Jewish friends that can't stand Lieberman and that are very disturbed by many of Israel's policies and actions, does that make them self-hating? If I'm not a supporter of Al Sharpton, does that make me racist, even if I support Braun? If I don't support Bush, does that make me anti-Texas and Texans?

Such automatic smearing of the anti-Semitic label as soon as anyone utters any criticism at all of Holy Joe or Israel, instead of debating the merits of the criticism, is nothing short of breathtakingly ignorant tactic worthy of the dirtiest repuke strategists.

[a_random_joel]

4. Link please?

To the thread in question?

[liberalhistorian]

8. I'm a techno-dummy who doesn't know how to post links, but

it's in GD, titled In Defense of Joe Lieberman, posted by SyracuseDemocrat. I think it was posted a little over an hour ago.

[a_random_joel]

14. Okay, I read the thread

I agree with you on this point:

Calling anyone who calls Joe Holy Joe is NOT anti-semitic IMHO.

I could easily call Jerry Falwell Holy Jerry and not be anti-Christian.

I do however agree with the poster that there is anti-semitism on the far left and far right, perhaps more subtle from the left, but there nonetheless.

This issue has the potential to be probably THE most divisive issue to the left.

[monkeyboy]

7. It's a great weapon

Used by the unimaginative who can't formulate a thought, screaming 'anti-semite' every time someone disagrees with Israel's policies is, unfortunately, usually pretty effective.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. We Need To Be Vigilant About All Forms Of Bigotry

Some subjects need to be treated more gingerly than others.

Two groups that come to mind are Jews and African Americans. Because of their history a little more sensitivity might be in order.

[a_random_joel]

12. Thanks

Well said. I don't go around calling people Anti-Semitic - as a matter of fact, as a Jew by heritage, I do not advocate Joe Lieberman or Likud's over the top policies.

However, I am willing to give those who may be a little oversensitive a pass in light of history.

[AliceWonderland]

17. "A little more sensitivity might be in order"

I prefer equal standards of justice. Nobody gets a little more sensitivity in my book. If something is wrong, it's wrong. Full stop. I'll rail against anti-Semitic bigotry against Judaism wherever I find it, but with no more force than I'll rail against anti-Semitic bigotry against Arabs. Or bigotry against black, brown, white, or yellow people. Choosing worthy victims is exactly the sort of policy that lands us in the mire. Then, it's all about agendas and power, not about the standards of justice.

[Cocoa]

13. criticism of Lieberman can be antisemitic

not always, but I think the people that are saying that are right at times.

You're right, sometimes claims of antisemitism is bogus. I've heard some of the PNAC people say that when people use the word "neocon" that it's a codeword for "jew." Which is NOT true, and thankfully that lie didn't catch on and neocon is used all the time.

But I actually don't see that kind of argument being made much here.

[Booberdawg]

15. BEFOREATHOUGHT

The object of your ire has been tombstoned ..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=129102

[Room101]

18. Another one bites the dust........

:)

[DuctapeFatwa]

16. To associate Likud, Sharon with Jewishness is anti-Semitic

I don't consider that the atrocities committed by sharon regime gunmen have a damn thing to do with any religion, and I don't associate any religion with contempt for international laws and the Geneva convention.

I associate that with greed, and hatred, neither of which are the teachings of Judaism, Jainism or any other religion.

The notion that anyone who supports the principles of B't Salem, Gush Shalom, Not in My Name, Ta'Ayush and many other organizations comprised of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and whatever else you got is anti-Semitic takes anti-Semitism to a whole new level.

But I guess it is what you can expect in a world where advocating the Constitution and the rule of law gets you called a terrorist.

[wellstone_democrat]

19. No, its: Bushian

its the same sort of rhetoric play the WH uses. think about that and who uses it here....you get it now, don't you?