The Rush to Judge Ilhan Omar

[Anonymous]

I feel so conflicted about this.

I think that Israel has become a very problematic foreign nation. The current situation cannot stand, and they have created a situation where there is a humanitarian crisis. And they don't seem to care. I am strongly anti-Netanyahu and anti Israeli apartheid.

I am also strongly against anti antisemitism. I do not think you can tie your feelings about an entire population to a country. You cannot indelibly link a nation to a religion and also say that any criticism of the nation means you are prejudice against the religion. That would create an uncriticizeable nation.

I also think there is an attempt to label any criticism of the power that Israel wields via lobbying as an anti semitic trope because it involves the idea of wealthy Jewish people controlling people through money. For sure, this is an anti Semitic trope, but you can't inoculate a nation to criticism about how they use money because once again, that would empower them to do all kinds of terrible things.

All of that said, there are congresspoeple who have managed to criticize Israel without resorting to anti Semitic tropes. See Betty McCollum. So if Ilhan Omar wants to be taken seriously, she needs to start to learn the power of her words and to approach this more carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omar's name is being maligned and I am glad that she as well as some of the new generation of Democrats who were recently elected are resisting the attempts to silence and discipline her.

Like it or not, Democrats like AOC and Omar are the future of the party. They have progressive ideas and they are authentic just like Sanders is but he is in his mid-seventies and his time has come and gone unfortunately.

It is pathetic to see some of the declared candidates like Harris waiting to see which way the wind is blowing before taking a half-hearted position supporting Omar.

+1. This is the shake up the Dems need to get the presidency. Why are they resisting? Instead if trotting out a Muslim victim at the convention, the new Dems will trot out a Muslim firebrand. About time!

[Anonymous]

Being critical of Israel isn’t anti-Semitic. But Omar won’t be re-elected due to her statements. Her language choice is problematic. Dems should released a statement but also realize she won’t be re-elected.

[Anonymous]

In the meantime: an Arab Israeli party banned from participating in the upcoming elections while right-wing, ultranationalist Jewish Power, the heir of Meir Kahane, is OK'd to run.

But yeah, let's talk about how Israel gives "these Arabs" equal treatment.

[Anonymous]

The real Israeli Center

"Bennett and farther to his right risk turning Israel into a binational or nondemocratic state. One of the two. We don’t want either one. We don’t have a choice except to look for a responsible, safe, non-unilateral diplomatic arrangement,” Gantz replied.

That is what middle Israel wants (in the same talk Gantz says we he will keep the settlements in the settlement blocks, IE the ones close to the pre 1967 cease fire line, the so-called green line). But getting a deal with the Palestinians will not be easy.

[Anonymous]

Omar and Trump have something in common now, besides their propensity for saying offensive things that get a lot of attention. David Duke praised her on Twitter today, posting her pic with the heart eyes emoji emblazoned on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My life is amazing as an ex-Muslim and so thankful that I am American. I can state what I believe without worrying about someone killing me for leaving a religion that follows a man who married at 9 year old.

I interact with a lot of Muslims; some are observant and others who don't practice their faith. I have yet to meet a Muslim - even a non-observant one - who cites Mohammed's marriage to a minor as a reason to castigate the faith.

This is the language of right wing zealots who hate Muslims and Islam.

[Anonymous]

Which is worse - Steve King being removed from his committee assignments or the Democratic Caucus last night upsetting the Speaker?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Last Wednesday, speaking at DC's Busboys and Poets restaurant, Representative Ilhan Omar presented remarks that were quickly characterized as anti-Semitic. For example, Jonathan Chait, claimed that Omar was accusing US Jews of allegiance to a foreign country:

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/omar-israel-hawks-allegiance-foreign-country-anti-semitism.html

This version of Omar's remarks was quickly broadcast and widely condemned, eventually leading to the drafting of a Congressional resolution condemning Omar's words, though not explicitly naming her. This resolution may be voted on as early as tomorrow. However, viewing Omar's complete talk shows that Chait and others have misrepresented what Omar actually said. By trusting the accuracy of accounts such as Chait's, Democrats rushed to judgment of Omar and have now trapped themselves into a position of being forced to wrongly rebuke her.

Here is a transcript of Omar's talk:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-ilhan-omar-25142297

She begins by describing how she understands the attachment and support of her Jewish constituents to Israel and compares it to her children's passion and compassion for Somalia:

I know that I have a huge Jewish constituency, and you know, every time I meet with them they share stories of [the] safety and sanctuary that they would love for the people of Israel, and most of the time when we’re having the conversation, there is no actual relative that they speak of, and there still is lots of emotion that comes through because it’s family, right? Like my children still speak of Somalia with passion and compassion even though they don’t have a family member there.

She then complains that there is not space to talk about uplifting Palestinians. She says that when she hears Jewish people disparage Palestinians, she does not allow herself to believe it is because the individual is Jewish. She calls that type of thinking a "dark space". But, then she describes the other side of that coin:

And what I am fearful of is that because Rashida and I are Muslim, that a lot of Jewish colleagues, a lot of our Jewish constituents, a lot of our allies, go to thinking that everything we say about Israel, to be anti-Semitic, because we are Muslim. And so to me, it is something that becomes designed to end the debate. Because you get in this space, of like, I know what intolerance looks like and I’m sensitive when someone says that the words you use Ilhan, are resemblance of intolerance. And I am cautious of that and I feel pained by that. But it’s almost as if every single time we say something, regardless of what it is we say, that it’s supposed to about foreign policy or engagement, that our advocacy about ending oppression, or the freeing of every human life and wanting dignity, we get to be labeled in something, and that’s the end of the discussion, because we end up defending that, and nobody gets to have the broader debate of ‘what is happening with Palestine?’

Then came the part for which she is being criticized. What must be understood about what Omar is saying, is that she is not accusing Jews of having dual allegiance, but rather the pro-Israel lobby forcing non-Jews to be have anE allegiance to Israel. Remember, right at the beginning Omar expressed understanding for Jewish support for Israel and has no issue with it.

So for me I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is ok for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country. And I want to ask, why is it ok for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, of fossil fuel industries, or Big Pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobby [group?] that is influencing policy.

Effectively, those pushing to punish Omar and doing exactly what she said she feared. Discussion of US support for Israel or the role of the pro-Israel lobby in the US is being blocked by allegations of anti-Semitism. To prevent any discussion of those issues, House members, led by Democrats, are preparing to punish Omar for something she didn't say.

If you would like to view the Omar's talk, here is a video of it:

[youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crYCI6jglSU[/youtube]

I watched Morning Joe today and it was all about anti-Semitism. I wonder why they did show the video?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My life is amazing as an ex-Muslim and so thankful that I am American. I can state what I believe without worrying about someone killing me for leaving a religion that follows a man who married at 9 year old.

I interact with a lot of Muslims; some are observant and others who don't practice their faith. I have yet to meet a Muslim - even a non-observant one - who cites Mohammed's marriage to a minor as a reason to castigate the faith.

This is the language of right wing zealots who hate Muslims and Islam.

I’m Muslim and know a few lapsed or Muslims who converted. Nobody talks that way. I suspect this person was never muslim. Who talks like that about their family? Too much rage.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel any of the BDS leaders have questionable backgrounds?

I don't know who the leaders of BDS are and I don't care. Nobody should have to pledge to protect another country's interest in order to keep their job.

If that organization is supported and funded by terrorists, we have an American interest as well

There are already laws on the books to address terrorist organizations. Would you be willing to sign a pledge promising not to support white supremacists?

Of course! Because I don't support any sort of organization that supports and/or hires terrorists and I include white supremacists in that.

BDS is clever - they aren't a terrorist organization but they sure do have some terrorists as members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omar and Trump have something in common now, besides their propensity for saying offensive things that get a lot of attention. David Duke praised her on Twitter today, posting her pic with the heart eyes emoji emblazoned on it.

Has anybody asked Ilhan Omar about David Duke praising her?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel any of the BDS leaders have questionable backgrounds?

I don't know who the leaders of BDS are and I don't care. Nobody should have to pledge to protect another country's interest in order to keep their job.

If that organization is supported and funded by terrorists, we have an American interest as well

There are already laws on the books to address terrorist organizations. Would you be willing to sign a pledge promising not to support white supremacists?

Of course! Because I don't support any sort of organization that supports and/or hires terrorists and I include white supremacists in that.

BDS is clever - they aren't a terrorist organization but they sure do have some terrorists as members.

Rubio's bill doesn't just apply to the BDS organization. It applies to any support for a boycott of, divestiture from, or sanctions on Israel. So even if someone said they don't support the BDS organization because "anonymous" on DCUM said the organization is full of terrorists, but they still refuse to buy Israeli-made hummus, they could be punished by state and local governments.

If you sign a similar pledge not to support white supremacy, it would be up to the State of Virginia to decide what constituted support. In theory, reading Breitbart could be enough to get you fired.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel any of the BDS leaders have questionable backgrounds?

I don't know who the leaders of BDS are and I don't care. Nobody should have to pledge to protect another country's interest in order to keep their job.

If that organization is supported and funded by terrorists, we have an American interest as well

There are already laws on the books to address terrorist organizations. Would you be willing to sign a pledge promising not to support white supremacists?

Of course! Because I don't support any sort of organization that supports and/or hires terrorists and I include white supremacists in that.

BDS is clever - they aren't a terrorist organization but they sure do have some terrorists as members.

Rubio's bill doesn't just apply to the BDS organization. It applies to any support for a boycott of, divestiture from, or sanctions on Israel. So even if someone said they don't support the BDS organization because "anonymous" on DCUM said the organization is full of terrorists, but they still refuse to buy Israeli-made hummus, they could be punished by state and local governments.

If you sign a similar pledge not to support white supremacy, it would be up to the State of Virginia to decide what constituted support. In theory, reading Breitbart could be enough to get you fired.

First you'd have to prove that Breitbart has white supremacists on the board/staff, which they decidedly do not. In contrast, BDS has convicted, previously jailed terrorists on their staff, some for murder.

[Anonymous]

We'll never solve this issue.

why????

b/c religion and politics are one and the same

Religion is all about power and separatism. Who's one-upping someone else?