Say Anything Blog

Lord knows I’m not one to stick up for Syria, but I’m willing to bet Syria didn’t accuse Israel by name, but blamed “the Zionists” for starting the wars. It was more likely the Sun’s reporter that figured he was “cleaning up the language” by changing “Zionists” to “Israel.”

The Arab World doesn’t like referring to Israel, preferring to call it “The Zionist Entity” or some such, so they avoid giving Israel any legitimacy. And reporters don’t like saying words like “Zionist,” because it smacks of flagrant, un-PC anti-semitism, so they tend to clean up the more incendiary quotes.

In this case, though, the reporter probably didn’t realize that “Zionist” was the more historically correct term, as blaming the “Zionists” (itself a smidgen more PC than “the Jews” for World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, Communism, Imperialism, rampant Capitalism, and the Heartbreak of Psoriasis is pretty traditional.

J.

I don’t agree with the argument, but how is blaming Israel for something “anti-semitic” as the article claims?

Graeme, it is the whole “jews control the banks, pull the strings, get other to fight for them” crap that have been heaped on the jews since medieval times. Israel, being a jewish state, naturally gets that blame now from all the anti-semites the world over.

Graeme, it is the whole “jews control the banks, pull the strings, get other to fight for them” crap that have been heaped on the jews since medieval times. Israel, being a jewish state, naturally gets that blame now from all the anti-semites the world over.

Yeah, Graeme, kind of like the whole ‘Arabs/Muslims are jihadists adn terrorists, ride camels all day, blow up things, religion teaches killing of all enemies, blame them for all the bad things in the world’ ignorance on this blog.

Yeah, Graeme, kind of like the whole ‘Arabs/Muslims are jihadists adn terrorists, ride camels all day, blow up things, religion teaches killing of all enemies, blame them for all the bad things in the world’ ignorance on this blog.

Blame “them” for all of the bad things in the world?

You read what isn’t there lady.

Much like the word “irregardless” or the phrase “ I could care less,” both of which have acquired common meanings in direct opposition to their literal definitions, the word “anti-semitic” has come to mean a specifically anti-jewish bigotry, although the word actually refers to a more general racial identification that includes other semitic peoples, including arabs.

Like so many other things wrong with our society, it results from an easy combination of lethargy and inertia.

blaming the “Zionists” (itself a smidgen more PC than “the Jews” for World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, Communism, Imperialism, rampant Capitalism, and the Heartbreak of Psoriasis is pretty traditional.

Damn jooos!

Bat: Don’t forget “The proof is in the pudding.”

Jay Tea,

You are probably correct.  Heaven knows there is no reason to assume that United Nations translators are any more capable or proficient than the rest of that sorry organization.

Besides, even those of us on/in the Right, who know better, are not immune to the temptations of linguistic shorthand every so often.  Must be someting we picked up from Dan Rather.

Robert108,

I thought that phrase came from Jack Niclaus.

Bat: I’m going to assume that was a joke; one that I don’t get.  The real saying is: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” That makes sense, of course.  You probably know all that, though.

Robert108,

It was hardly one of my better efforts, and obviously its late as my typing is decidedly worse than usual.  Nicklaus… Golf… putting… the proof is in… aw, hell, never mind!

Ah! The pooting!  I get it now.  he he

I realize that batone and kenM, but my point was that the media doesn’t seem to realize it is perfectly capable to be against the idea of “Israel” and not be anti-semitic. A lot of Jews don’t even agree with the formation of the state of Israel. It has nothing to do with any jewish owned media garbage conspiracy, but it does have to do with people being misinformed.

You are indeed right graeme - the religious Neturei Karta even oppose the State of Israel.

my point was that the media doesn’t seem to realize it is perfectly capable to be against the idea of “Israel” and not be anti-semitic

Will you tell the numbskulls here?  They don’t realize it either..especially Veritas and a certain Idiot Savant Boy.

Oh, and McCrackpot has changed his tune for you.
You must be ‘special’.

, the word “anti-semitic” has come to mean a specifically anti-jewish bigotry, although the word actually refers to a more general racial identification that includes other semitic peoples, including arabs.

Oh really?  You learn something new every day here.

the word “anti-semitic” has come to mean a specifically anti-jewish bigotry, although the word actually refers to a more general racial identification that includes other semitic peoples, including arabs.

Here’s a newsflash.

Jew does not equal semitic.

Semitic does not equal Jew.

Many Jews are not semites.

Most semites are not Jews.

Hope that clears it up.

**********

Apparently Diane is ignorant of the history of the term “anti-Semitic,” and how it was deliberately crafted and chosen to describe a specific form of Jew-hatred. But then, Diane being ignorant about anything should come as no great surprise.

It was first used in 1860, as a reaction to French philosopher Ernest Renan and his arguments of the “Aryan races” being superior to the “Semitic races.” Austrian historian Heinrich von Treitschke expanded on the theme, but it took the German, Wilhelm Marr, in his book “The Way to Victory of Germanicism over Judaism” to use “antisemitism” (or, in the original, German, “antisemitismus") to give Jew-hating a semi-scientific veneer.

Diane (and, by extension, all the other sundry and assorted assholes) who try to change the subject by arguing that “I’m not anti-Semitic, ‘cuz the Arabs are Semites too!” remind me of others who try to quibble over fine details to obscure their greater sins. “I don’t hate colored people! I’m colored, too—see? I’m not white, I’m pinkish-tan.” “How can you say I hate blacks? They’re not black, they’re brown!” “I ain’t a bigot! I hate everyone!”

So let me offer Diane this olive branch: fine, you’re not an anti-semite, because you’d be thrilled if the Semitic Arabs wiped out the Semitic Jews. You’re not even a Jew-hater, ‘cuz you got nothing against them as long as they know their place. You just don’t like those uppity Jews, those that think they have the right to prosper, to openly celebrate their Jewishness, and worst of all think that they’re entitled to their ancestral homeland, where they have maintained a continual presence for thousands of years. As long as you don’t have to see ‘em, hear about ‘em, or even think about ‘em, you got no problems with the Jews. That a fair enough summation, Diane?

J.
(Proud ex-Methodist WASP Zionist)

(Details on the history of anti-semitism freely cribbed from Wikipedia, which refreshed my memory of the finer details, such as names.)

Jay Tea, I dispute your idea that semite arabs are trying to wipe out semite jews. This is another problem with the media, whenever some arab country says they want to “wipe Israel off the map” people think they are talking about wiping Jews off the map. There might be some arabs who want to kill all jews and there might be some jews that want to kill all their arab neighbors, but both are in the minority.

There are more anti-zionist Jews than the group you listed Ken, using a simple google search I found several. Before WWII it was a much more common idea. Many jews believed a state before their messiah returned would be sacrilegious. after the holocaust, the international community and Jewish leaders changed their minds.

Anti-zionism is just rarer among the religions jews, and that group I linked to is not only against Zionism, but against Israel as well.

I just thought it was an interesting extreme example.

*religious

There might be some arabs who want to kill all jews

There also might be some people who are going to drink something today.

”...whenever some arab country says they want to “wipe Israel off the map” people think they are talking about wiping Jews off the map.”

Graeme,

Okay, then… what exactly do you think they mean when they speak of wiping “Israel off the map?” Killing only those Jews who live in Israel, perhaps?  And the fellow arabs slaughtered in the process.  What are they… collateral damage?  Second-hand martyrs?

And exactly which arab countries are you defending here, Graeme?  Syria?  Saudi Arabia?  Both virulent Sunni strongholds.  Saddam, a fellow Ba’athist Sunni underwrote the actions of arab suicide bombers in Israel.  Is that excusable as well?  How about the “Palestinians” themselves?  Do they qualify for your mindless expiation too?

Given a choice, I’m quite sure that most rational people would prefer the hand of a Golda Meier, a Menachem Begin, or even a Bibi Netanyahu be on a middle east nuclear trigger, than that of a Saddam Hussein, Bashir Assad, or Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmademijad, leftist wishful delusion not withstanding.

Anyone understand the tolerance the left gives Islam and the hate they give jewish people?

It is no surprise that a person who can’t parse the difference between a federal insurance program and a credit scoring system, would have similar problems with “anti-Semite.”

I think that the Wikipedia entry is pretty much on target, especially as it pertains to New anti-Semetism, the form of disease that afore mentioned person suffers from.

Here’s the base definition from WIkipedia, which also separates out the various forms:

Anti-Semitism (alternatively spelled antisemitism) is hostility toward or prejudice against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group, which can range from individual hatred to institutionalized, violent persecution.

TW: Israel is an ally of the US.  Ya think?

Without our support the Arabs would have already wiped Isreal off of the map.  Maybe the lefties would like that so they could complain about us not saving them.

I find it interesting that the most support for Isreal comes from conservative Christians.

Anyone understand the tolerance the left gives Islam and the hate they give jewish people?

The Whistler on June 1, 2006 at 12:58 PM

Hillary Clinton and many liberals are Zionists.

Apparently Diane is ignorant of the history of the term “anti-Semitic,” and how it was deliberately crafted and chosen to describe a specific form of Jew-hatred. But then, Diane being ignorant about anything should come as no great surprise.

It was first used in 1860, as a reaction to French philosopher Ernest Renan and his arguments of the “Aryan races” being superior to the “Semitic races.” Austrian historian Heinrich von Treitschke expanded on the theme, but it took the German, Wilhelm Marr, in his book “The Way to Victory of Germanicism over Judaism” to use “antisemitism” (or, in the original, German, “antisemitismus") to give Jew-hating a semi-scientific veneer.

You forgot to put an ‘h’ after the D in my name, Jay.  Yeah, I’m dumb, real dumb.  Yeah, I’m this and I’m that.

You proved yourself that it didn’t start as something against Jews but against semitics. 

Gay didn’t start out as a term for homosexuals.

You folks do nothing all day but blast Islam and you have the nerve to hit someone who tries to even the conversation out.

It’s just easy to slap ‘anti-semitic’ on me because I criticize Israel’s policies against Arabs.

But I’m the dumb one?

Shame on every one of you.  Mostly for your seeming hatred of Arabs and Muslims, but also for pinning a name on me that I don’t deserve.
As was brought out by Graeme, there are Orthodox and other Jews who are also against the policies of Israel, vehemently so.

Now grow up.

And speaking of hate, I never knew what real hate was (against Arabs and anyone else who doesn’t toe your line) until I found this hornet’s nest from hell.

I’m here to shine some light.

Lame, lame, lame. Just another Jooohater. Don’t like them uppity Nigras either, do you?

Graeme said:

Jay Tea, I dispute your idea that semite arabs are trying to wipe out semite jews. This is another problem with the media, whenever some arab country says they want to “wipe Israel off the map” people think they are talking about wiping Jews off the map.

Oh, OK. As long as they’re only talking about wiping out the state. I feel so much better knowing that.

Seriously, you’re not really implying it’s OK to advocate the elimination of a state, are you? If not, what’s your point? What do you think they’ll do to all the jews while eliminating their state, spare all their lives and make them fully equal citizens under a democratic, non-theocratic regime? Not bloodly likely, and you surely know it.

There are more anti-zionist Jews than the group you listed Ken...after the holocaust, the international community and Jewish leaders changed their minds.

Holocausts have a way of changing people’s attitudes.

Seth, it is not Graeme’s fault. Anything that stops Jews from exsisting is perfectly fine. His Nazis forefathers said it was OK. Just ask Dhimi diane, it will explain the unpleasant details. It enjoys contemplating the destruction of all Jews, just ask it.

Diane is here to shine some light? Well, I guess that’s one benefit of a flaming asshole…

No, Diane, I did not forget to spell your name “Dhiane,” in reference to “dhimmi.” I try to avoid that particular version of juvenile antics. I’m not saying I don’t use others, but I skip mocking people’s names.

And again you show your selective reading. “Semite” was used as a euphemism for “Jews.” Otherwise, they would have referred to “Mohammedans,” “Arabs,” or other terms far more in vogue at the time.

What you deem as “fair criticism” of Israel boils down to its fundamental right to exist as a nation. Does Israel have a right to exist as a nation? More specifically, does it have a right to exist as a predominantly Jewish nation, with non-Jews as citizens, and restricting who may enter its nation and claim citizenship?

Every single nation in the world has the right to determine how one becomes a citizen, yet only two nations—with the most liberal admission policies—routinely come under attack over them. Gee, I wonder why?

No, Diane, it’s not jew-bashing to criticize Israel’s policies and actions. But when every single criticism is oriented towards challenging its very right to exist, then it’s time to smell the brown and call an asshole an asshole.

Are we clear now, asshole?

J.

(And no, while I have left Methodism, I am not Jewish. I’m a “born-again agnostic.")

I dont know but everytime I hear or read the word Jew it reminds me of that poem named: the fable of the ducks and hens.

I knew just from the few words in the comment colomn where that sentence was going. Good job, JT!

Should a Jewish state exist in Palestine? that is the question and it is funny, you can’t even ask that without getting called anti-semitic, even though some Jews don’t agree with the state of Israel. Ohh yeah, they are “self-hating Jews.” what a joke

Graeme, it’s nice to hear some sanity in this den of nutcases now and then, and you are a voice of sanity.

As you know, if you criticize Israel in any way, shape or form (even though they attack a US ship and Jonathan Pollard is convicted of spying on us, their ‘ally’, etc.), you will hear ‘joooooo hater’ or ‘anti-semite’. 

Of course, this is the Zionist guilt maneuver and is meant to immediately put a Star of anti-David on you forever.  If you let them do this to you, then you are a coward or stupid and I am neither, so I call their hand every time.

Like this absolute moron who I’ll take the time to respond to just because I had a great day:

Diane is here to shine some light? Well, I guess that’s one benefit of a flaming asshole...

You oughta know. You’re one of the biggest ones on the board.  And that’s going some.

No, Diane, I did not forget to spell your name “Dhiane,” in reference to “dhimmi.” I try to avoid that particular version of juvenile antics. I’m not saying I don’t use others, but I skip mocking people’s names.

You prefer the ‘asshole’ namecalling juvenile antics, I see?  Well, goodness, I feel so much better now about you not ‘mocking my name’.

And again you show your selective reading. “Semite” was used as a euphemism for “Jews.” Otherwise, they would have referred to “Mohammedans,” “Arabs,” or other terms far more in vogue at the time.

Says you.  A semite is anyone who is of the line of Shem, moron.  I can use it for Arabs as well as I can use the word ‘gay’ for meaning happy, light-hearted, etc.

You BETCHA, JayAssnostic

(And no, while I have left Methodism, I am not Jewish. I’m a “born-again agnostic.")

Jay Tea on June 1, 2006 at 7:34 PM

Did I ask?  Do I care?  Answer to both is a RESOUNDING ‘NO’!

Graeme and Diane, since you apparently question not so much the right of Jews to have a state but rather their right to have one in “Palestine”, I have just one question: where did the Jews historically come from?