I and several members of my community received an email from another member of the community, urging us not to vote for Harris. I responded. While Israel is very important to me, as it is to all Jews no matter where we live, Israel is not my only issue. I am very concerned that a trump presidency would disassemble democracy as we know it; would further set back rights of women and other groups, and would not be a safe place for Jews to live... In a Christian nationalist Nation. For those Jews whom Israel is their single issue... They should move to Israel.
Indeed, and also, it assumes that he genuinely gives a shit about Jews and our values. We stood on the front lines of the civil rights movement and he’s on record for his racist behaviours. He is an insult to Jewish values.
I and several others in my received a letter from a member of our community us urging us not to vote for Harris. I wrote her a lengthy response. Basically what it comes down to is that I am not a single issue voters. Israel is extremely important to me as it is to all Jews no matter where we live. However, I live in America. I'm concerned that a trump administration would disassemble democracy and would set the clock back even further on women's rights and the rights of other people. This is not something that I as an American Jew can support. For those people who have Israel is their only issue... They should move to Israel.
Like it or not if you are Jewish and progressive you have been marginalized both by the events of 10/7 and a Democratic Party that is demanding that support for Israel is no longer a key element of its platform because a two state solution and appeasement of Iran mean throwing Israel under the bus
Acknowledged; Trump is all of the unsavoury things we all think… yet in his term he facilitated peace w 4 Muslim countries, not an insignificant feat,sanctioned Iran, cut funding terrorists and their families through UNWRA which as we know is a corrupt facade of humanitarian aid. The issue with liberal Jews of your persuasion is that you might actually believe that this war is Israel’s war and not recognise that what you see in the cities of America and worldwide is a global and serious threat to everyone’s democracy - So some Jews are out there trying to convince liberal Jews like yourself - big deal. why not do the due diligence, ignore the unsavoury aspects of the Republicans if that grates on your being ( Personally Ilhan Omar and Rashid Tlaib are more offensive to me than the macho crass old man ) and think about what Trump implemented whether through good guidance or whatever. Harris was never elected- think about that corruption .
You may want to update this with references to news reported that his chief of staff and others have quoted him saying he admires Hitler (for whatever reasons, it’s a fucked up aspiration he expressed and that he does not know that ahold be of concern to all, Jewish or not). Although his current people say he did not, it doesn’t matter if we actually heard him say those words as they would be in line with his admiration of other sadistic and genocidal fascists. As this is his tendency and given the points you have made here, there is no sane reason to ever speak kindly or in support of such a monster who attracts the most depraved and democratic and anti-humane people in the U.S. and elsewhere.
I disagree with you on one point: I do see him as antisemitic, only of a different, bizarre, patronizing and threatening variation than we are used to. His admiration of Netanyahu is precisely because he likes leaders who flout democracy and who never feel the need to explain themselves or be held accountable for their crimes and excesses - but its also his despicable way to endear himself to Jews who are, rightly, living in and with fear, by exploiting that fear. That he has Jews in his personal and professional circle doe snot mean he is not an antisemite, it just means, like those who identify as progressive and/or on the left-to-far-left, he only likes “certain kinds of Jews” - the ones who prop up his own take on the world.
Talk to be any Israeli since 10/7 except for card carrying members of the far left and ask them whether they think a two state solution is on the horizon and whether the State of Israel should have more or less identity with traditional Jewish values or be a Hebrew speaking Sweden
Please define card-carrying and “traditional” Jewish values (like how far back do you want to go with that one? Biblical values? Cuz yikes!) AS for talking to “any Israeli” … Huh, so with all your insight into what it means to be Jewish, you think we can be neatly divided into two rigid categories, eh? I think maybe you don’t really know Jews, whether they live in Israel or in the Diaspora. but cute non sequitur into how you think.
If your sole sources of information are the mainstream media of Israel such as Haaretz or TOI which is Haaretz for Dummies and you don’t view Halacha or Torah values as being relevant to contemporary life and march against the nonsensical idea that Charedim want to dictate public policy that’s a pretty good definition of the far left in Israel
Here you go, my dear. Jewish Values. (Spoiler alert, they are actually progressive and still manage to be Zionist. So please no. Shrivelling of the Haredi fundamentalist and, frankly, sac religious hypocrisy). Feel free to see if you can find a single flaw in any of what is listed here. Zei gezunt. https://www.meidasplus.com/p/since-trump-keeps-on-attacking-american
Aw, Steve, thank you for the belly laugh on this particularly difficult day. I guess I DO know you! Your self-righteous sanctimony is rivalled only by throes of JVfP. Chag sameach and may your journey toward enlightenment be quick and filled with love. Shalom.
I have hope with Harris, including form a Jewish unapologetically Zionist perspective. I also know she has to tread very delicately. I look forward ot seeing how she will handle those who remain in The Squad though. (My wounds from AOC are still raw. The others, fuck ‘em.)
Hope, my dear, hope. Optimism … that will come when people behave more kindly and with sincerity. In the real world. But informed hope is a a good place to start. She’s been “good people” her entire life (look up the article about her teen years in Montreal. I never met her back then, but we were in the same year and knew many of the same people.
All that said, as I look and read about the things going on in the world, the bizarro governmental and leadership alliances, I won’t pretend I don’t think things are looking rather bleak. (Of course, if they do go in that dark direction, the Orange Maggot will blame her but I really don’t give AF about him and his ego once he’s been neutered of political office. If the entirety of her past performance and statements are any indicator of her overall abilities (even her slip ups or perhaps intentional pandering to icky people), I’d much rather her than him to help steer toward the possibility of calm, peace and, ultimately, optimism. She has good and experienced people onside, she’s not a moron and I do believe she is genuine in her understanding of and care for the distinctive existential challenges we are facing and the struggles even we have with them. I’m looking forward to seeing what role she will offers to Josh Shapiro. I think that will be an indication of sorts. I do not believe she will offer any significant roles to the squad - if she does, it will only be AOC and it will be something unrelated to international affairs, treasury, judiciary or education😉.
Y’know, I am humbled by her fortitude to take on this job. It is not an easy one and it is not going to get easier.
Now go keep your sanity and hod, that hope. It sounds trite but I get the sense your soul needs some nourishment. So maybe go do something creative for the uncompromised beauty of it? And, if you have the opportunity to pet a dog .. Dooooo ittttt.☺️. And if you go tonight, give the scrolls an extra kiss. I may be an atheist, but I feel like the energy of the ancestors are rooting for us to stay hopeful and there is something in that moment … on this day.
Achieving something actually good is the hardest work and the lengthiest road of all. Fascism must be dealt with first. Of course our entire country is now being tossed back and forth by tiny minorities because majority is in a deadlock between fascism and democracy. Then, IF we are successful, normal people must become vocal in condemning and sweeping aside extremism. Normalcy has to win, has to squish extremism, a handful of fringe losers must be rolled over by the weighty majority. And all of that will come by reforming mass media to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but". Media are the enemy, not Trump, and certainly not Biden admin.
As I’ve been trying to explain to any conservatives sane enough to understand it: the worst-plausible-case scenario for Harris is that she enacts some bad policies. The worst-plausible-case scenario for Trump is that “policy” ceases to be a thing that voters can affect (or that exists at all).
I found this analysis of Trump by Ezra Klein to be very insightful. He explains that those citing Trump's accomplishments (and the fact that he didn't destroy democracy) in his first term are trying to have it both ways, as they have also set Trump up to not have to deal with the same guardrails should he win again. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/opinion/donald-trump-ezra-klein-podcast.html
Values have to be demonstrated by actions. Whether or not I agree with Trumps, I won’t debate. But let’s not pretend the Dems have such great values.
First, they destroyed any sense of democracy in their party by not have primaries. No one was given the chance to write in or not vote for Biden. They did this to hide Biden’s cognitive decline. Then when he had to bow out, there was no open convention. They crowned Kamala queen. I am furious that I was not given a chance to vote. We the people did not nominate this women , Nancy Pelosi engineered it. I am furious.
The Dems have allowed antisemites to infiltrate their party under the guise of Progressivism. Done with that.
In their quest to provide support for marginalized communities, they have created DEI horror show - reversing discrimination and making stupid hiring decisions - like the female secret service agents too short to protect a president. Just DUMB.
Exactly what wanted to say! I’m no fan of Trump, but my ardent opposition to him has drastically waned. I haven’t forgotten who he is, but I also realize he’s not the worst option either and can give him credit where it is due ( as you did, Jill). Unfortunately some people will always just be contrarians for the sake of it. Can we also please stop with the debunked Charlottesville quote (full transcript exonerates him on that)? On the dem side, let’s not forget Walz’s troubling relationship with the CCP and many local government failures (can you imagine HIM and his lack gravitas representing our country on an international stage?), Kamala’s daughter-in-law raising money for UNWRA after they were fully exposed, Kamala’s border failures, and her eyebrow raising pivots on insipid ‘woke’ issues. Many Dems and most progressives are not serious people and have made a deal with the devil that will set us back from achieving a real plan for all of the universal benefits and social safety net support we need. As long as the Warrens, Sanders and AOCs of the world choose to align themselves with Antisemites and self-flagellating flag burners, we’ll never move forward. I now gag at the thought of me wearing a Warren pin back in 2019. Batya Unger Sargon (who can’t be pinned down in terms of her politics) has written many great pieces in the FP about the left’s hostility toward working class people, penchant for pedantic ideological dogmas, and the overall misinterpretation of what Trump voters believe/want. I’ve certainly opened my eyes to hypocrisy and cannot unsee it. Still not sure what I’m going to do, but I’m def not voting for Kamala. I might just write in Fetterman. My state is going Kamala anyway.
Not a Trumper. Registered democrats. But I agree with his iran policy and so do the Iranians. Iranian were not happy w biden and Obama policy and there are plenty of them loudly saying this and we keep funding the mullah who use that money to oppresse them. Again. I don't like trump but agree w a few of his policy and am not happy we didn't have a choice in our candidate. Dems had 4 years to figure this out.
So all you people hate Donald Trump more than you love the USA. (See Bret Stephens’ column in the NYT. He catalogues all the damage to the country that will be wrought by a Harris administration and yet, like you, he just can’t bring himself to vote against her.) Got it.
What Jewish values exactly would Harris implement?
It's not Harris's responsibility to implement "Jewish values" it's her responsibility to run the United States as an egalitarian society with no established religion. And with that comes protecting minorities - in this case including us Jews who have experienced record levels of antisemitism.
It seems you missed all the other NYTimes columns - and most especially the actual news - over the last 8 years about the Orange Maggot. Funny how when a “liberal” newspaper (which I assure you I have had issues with with regard to its coverage on Israel and its lack of coverage on antisemitism) provides regular and paid space for a view it clearly does not support, that is the one you choose to showcase. Huh. interesting how Fox News does not provide the same service. interesting how Fox and the other “news” outlets who pander to the Orange Swamp monster are always on the attack and with no facts. That bloated orange has-been rapes women, calls the current vice president a swear word, is telling us that if he wins, it’s because we were nicer to people who are driven by hate, delusions and a poorly invested strategy for personal greed made by deference to the greediest.
BTW, I was struck how Stephens left out all the outlandish things said by your unctuous orange heartthrob, like how he “LOVES BLACK MEN!!!” Cuz he thinks “BLACK MEN!!!” can’t tell when someone lies to them or that they all think the same things at the same time. I believe in the real world, we call that racism. (BTW, Stephens also left out how the Fecal Orange One also LOVES!!! and admires dictators, including Hitler. Yup, the one who lead the biggest massacre in human history against Jews (as well as gays, the Roma, people with disabilities and people who disagreed with him. That’s the guy he likes and others like him.) Stephens is full of advice to “liberals” (aka anyone who can see that the narcissistic Rusty Windbag is bonkers and guided by hate and a desperate need to be loved unconditionally by anyone and everyone). And yet, Stephens has created a false binary in which the “standard” is to be defined by people drawn toward hate, greed, and inability to question authority (instead of literally shitting on it in a violent and deadly surge into the Capitol) and, I can’t believe I have to say this, trust the majority of actual scientists and experts (and not the random ones who seek the limelight by being rebels against proven facts by asking up their own.)
Canadian here. How is it that the world’s most awe-inspiring country comes up with two duds for its highest office? It’s unthinkable, it’s a crime against intelligence, yet here we are and I am so glad I don’t have to choose between the two sides of differing flavours of anti-semitism.
Respectfully Bonnie, we have a lot of antisemtism here in the country and it is prevalent throughout all levels of governments from the federal to provincial to municipal. Silence about antisemitic behaviours, or feeling a need to always couple any references and “denouncements” of or personal distancing from antisemitism by not explaining what it actually is and often, bizarrely, coupling it with their rejection of “Islamophobia” is not only antisemitic, it is an erasure of the realities experienced. There are Liberal MPS such as Janica Atwin who joined the leading party after nourishing the worst of the Left in the Green Party with her antisemitism (and which is still present in the way Elizabeth May speaks) to the current Mayor of Toronto who stands by the relentless hate speak and violence inflicted on Jews in every walk of life, to all the elected officials who could not find it in them to show up for their Jewish constituents for October 7th vigils (last, except the pandering and exploitative Conservatives who are the MAGAs of the North). There was a time when non-Jewish elected officials would attend shul services to show their respect for the Jewish community (and tough I’m not religious at all, that kind of action matters). I may have missed it, but I also remember when TV and Radio stations would say - poorly phrased as they were in their exclusionary inclusive wording) things like “We wish all our Jewish friends celebrating [insert Jewish holiday here] a happy …” Gotta say, I didn’t even see Rosh Hashanah recipes in the Chatelaine magazine newsletter. (Good luck looking them up in the archives, too). And yet, all the other holidays/remembrance from all the other communities are marked in all these corners … Ya, we have a serious antisemitism problem here, too, that goes unaddressed; we’re just much smaller a population overall and we are being erased. (How many Israelis and/or Jews have you heard interviews on CBC radio since October 7th - or ever - about their reality and how many Arab, Muslim and Palestinians voices have you heard?
Canada has also harboured the terrorist organization Samidoun. Co-leader Barakat has received 6 figure federal government grants to conduct "anti-racism" workshops in schools and the group is behind many of the highly antisemitic demonstrations by school children. While our government has very recently named them correctly as a terrorist organization, it's unclear if any action will be taken to curb their activities.
Then there's the story of BC Provincial minister Serena Robinson who was forced out of her seat and to issue a grovelling apology for daring to mention the greening of Israel on a zoom call.
Then there's the open gunfire aimed at a Toronto Jewish school for the second time this year.
We are deep in this seemingly global resurgence. I am not jewish and have always been left leaning, a member of the NDP for many years but of late I have become politically homeless. I have lost longstanding freindships and other have become distant and strained over this issue.
Aer you suggesting he did not lose the last election and that he would not be a danger to everyone - including “The Jews”? Cuz, dude, that is some messed up thinking.
You seem to have ignored the part where my comment was phrased as a question (with a quesion mark and everything!) that sought clarification So please, do clarify … Dude: We’re you suggesting the did not lose the last election and that he would not be a danger to everyone - including “the Jews”? (Fi you do think that, that would, indeed, be messed up … Dude.
First, learn to spell lest you embarrass yourself further.
But to answer your question, I conceded immediately following the 2020 election that Trump lost, but it occurred to me almost as quickly that the Biden victory would provide the best proof of his party's wrongheaded political philosophy, and they more than satisfied me on that score:
--Trans men brutalizing women in female sports, destroying Title IX along with women's bones and noses
--Men invading women's private spaces including sexual assaults in school bathrooms
--Gender transition surgeries without parental consent
--Feckless foreign policy
--Wide Open borders
--Antisemitic attacks on Jewish American students as Leftists demonstrate gleefully in support of Hamas butchery
I could go on, but you're not worth it, DUDE
(And make sure your English teachers never see how poorly you write, you moron!)
Just say you’re a Communist and be done with it. It’s your choice. Yes there is always baseline anti-Semitism, but it exploded under the lunatic Democrats, your people, not under Trump. Most of the racialism in the West, driven by the constant agitprop drumbeat of Cultural Marxism and CRT, comes from the Left. These are your values. To deny this is absurd. Vote for the candidate you prefer. Some people prefer cognitive dissonance. I prefer clarity. Trump isn’t a Nazi and he’s not my uncle. He’s being hired to do a job. It’s not the “stupid” MAGA people fucking up the country. It’s your people, the real morons who don’t learn from history.
Yeah and you do you, and vote for the party of the Red-Green alliance that funds Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran and then tell us how you can’t understand why all this stuff is happening.
I’ll vote with the “stupid” MAGA people who support Israel. Like I said, cognitive dissonance.
You’re in Disneyland ! Trump is the most popular President in American history in Israel, where unlike you they are getting bombed and shot at daily.
There is no other ethnic group in history so loyal to people that hate them. While you erroneously parrot lies about what was said in whole at Charlottesville , your kids can’t go to school without be threatened and not in places that support Trump.
If you talk to Kim Jews, one of the first thing you hear is “What’s wrong with you people , supporting a party that is more concerned about Dearborn that you.
And the sad fact is liberal Hews line you care more about abortion that you fellow Jews fighting for their survival.
That's exactly right, she wants a terrorist organization, an enemy of the United States, to stay in power, just like al-Qaeda! Who is being the dumb one here?
Okay I hear and understand what you are saying. I believe you are missing a crucial point that not a lot of people are talking about. And I’m coming from this as someone who thought there was no possibility of me ever even thinking of Trump in a not negative light (not even neutral, let alone positive).
Harris (Obama, Biden) has supported Iran and its terror proxies. She has people in her inner circle with terrorist backgrounds, terrorist supporters, and terrorist organizations.
She (because of Obama/Biden) has welcomed these people in by the front door. They are already whispering in her ear and she’s already taken money from them and promised support.
She has told those protesters that Israel is committing genocide.
Germany fell to the liberals. Iran fell to the liberals. North Korea fell to the liberals. And people who survived those falls are warning the US that the students and the weak response from the government is how it started.
Abortion rights has always been my thing (women’s rights in general). You know what’s more important than getting an abortion? Being allowed outside. Not being a slave to your father then husband.
I get what you’re saying but I think you are thinking too small
It's actually quite the opposite. I am thinking broadly, those who are switching teams for the reasons I outlined in this article have become single-issue voters. I don't necessarily fault them for it, but let's categorize it appropriately.
No. I do understand what you’re thinking. I guess I shouldn’t have said “small.” I meant that you are looking at things from the perspective of an American (fair obviously). If you look at global history I think Harris is far more likely to usher in a potentially catastrophic fall for the United States (which will drag the world into whatever problems). I’m not a one issue voter in the way you’re implying. I do understand your point of view and respect why you feel the way you do. I just think you have a potentially huge blind spot. And truth, it could be our ages. I don’t know how old you are. It could be an assortment of differences in our backgrounds. We might just disagree. I am only pointing out this side because I do worry about it and if it came to pass and I kept my mouth shut I would be disappointed in myself. Hopefully I’ll never find out.
I and several members of my community received an email from another member of the community, urging us not to vote for Harris. I responded. While Israel is very important to me, as it is to all Jews no matter where we live, Israel is not my only issue. I am very concerned that a trump presidency would disassemble democracy as we know it; would further set back rights of women and other groups, and would not be a safe place for Jews to live... In a Christian nationalist Nation. For those Jews whom Israel is their single issue... They should move to Israel.
Indeed, and also, it assumes that he genuinely gives a shit about Jews and our values. We stood on the front lines of the civil rights movement and he’s on record for his racist behaviours. He is an insult to Jewish values.
Jews have not been welcome in any civil rights group for years and years. That may not change anyone’s vote but let’s be realistic.
What do you define as “Jewish values”?
I and several others in my received a letter from a member of our community us urging us not to vote for Harris. I wrote her a lengthy response. Basically what it comes down to is that I am not a single issue voters. Israel is extremely important to me as it is to all Jews no matter where we live. However, I live in America. I'm concerned that a trump administration would disassemble democracy and would set the clock back even further on women's rights and the rights of other people. This is not something that I as an American Jew can support. For those people who have Israel is their only issue... They should move to Israel.
My thoughts exactly. At the moment I trust the observations more of people living in swing states. What’s the vibe where you are?
If you have not seen this, it’s worth a watch. https://open.substack.com/pub/bariweiss/p/swing-state-debates-pennsylvania-jewish-vote-trump-kamala-israel-antisemitism?r=cly1q&utm_medium=ios
Like it or not if you are Jewish and progressive you have been marginalized both by the events of 10/7 and a Democratic Party that is demanding that support for Israel is no longer a key element of its platform because a two state solution and appeasement of Iran mean throwing Israel under the bus
Acknowledged; Trump is all of the unsavoury things we all think… yet in his term he facilitated peace w 4 Muslim countries, not an insignificant feat,sanctioned Iran, cut funding terrorists and their families through UNWRA which as we know is a corrupt facade of humanitarian aid. The issue with liberal Jews of your persuasion is that you might actually believe that this war is Israel’s war and not recognise that what you see in the cities of America and worldwide is a global and serious threat to everyone’s democracy - So some Jews are out there trying to convince liberal Jews like yourself - big deal. why not do the due diligence, ignore the unsavoury aspects of the Republicans if that grates on your being ( Personally Ilhan Omar and Rashid Tlaib are more offensive to me than the macho crass old man ) and think about what Trump implemented whether through good guidance or whatever. Harris was never elected- think about that corruption .
Trump restarted Iran’s nuclear program, is what you meant to say.
It won’t be “corruption” should she be elected in 2 weeks.
You may want to update this with references to news reported that his chief of staff and others have quoted him saying he admires Hitler (for whatever reasons, it’s a fucked up aspiration he expressed and that he does not know that ahold be of concern to all, Jewish or not). Although his current people say he did not, it doesn’t matter if we actually heard him say those words as they would be in line with his admiration of other sadistic and genocidal fascists. As this is his tendency and given the points you have made here, there is no sane reason to ever speak kindly or in support of such a monster who attracts the most depraved and democratic and anti-humane people in the U.S. and elsewhere.
I disagree with you on one point: I do see him as antisemitic, only of a different, bizarre, patronizing and threatening variation than we are used to. His admiration of Netanyahu is precisely because he likes leaders who flout democracy and who never feel the need to explain themselves or be held accountable for their crimes and excesses - but its also his despicable way to endear himself to Jews who are, rightly, living in and with fear, by exploiting that fear. That he has Jews in his personal and professional circle doe snot mean he is not an antisemite, it just means, like those who identify as progressive and/or on the left-to-far-left, he only likes “certain kinds of Jews” - the ones who prop up his own take on the world.
Talk to be any Israeli since 10/7 except for card carrying members of the far left and ask them whether they think a two state solution is on the horizon and whether the State of Israel should have more or less identity with traditional Jewish values or be a Hebrew speaking Sweden
With no knowledge of traditional Jewish values
Please define card-carrying and “traditional” Jewish values (like how far back do you want to go with that one? Biblical values? Cuz yikes!) AS for talking to “any Israeli” … Huh, so with all your insight into what it means to be Jewish, you think we can be neatly divided into two rigid categories, eh? I think maybe you don’t really know Jews, whether they live in Israel or in the Diaspora. but cute non sequitur into how you think.
If your sole sources of information are the mainstream media of Israel such as Haaretz or TOI which is Haaretz for Dummies and you don’t view Halacha or Torah values as being relevant to contemporary life and march against the nonsensical idea that Charedim want to dictate public policy that’s a pretty good definition of the far left in Israel
Here you go, my dear. Jewish Values. (Spoiler alert, they are actually progressive and still manage to be Zionist. So please no. Shrivelling of the Haredi fundamentalist and, frankly, sac religious hypocrisy). Feel free to see if you can find a single flaw in any of what is listed here. Zei gezunt. https://www.meidasplus.com/p/since-trump-keeps-on-attacking-american
Aw, Steve, thank you for the belly laugh on this particularly difficult day. I guess I DO know you! Your self-righteous sanctimony is rivalled only by throes of JVfP. Chag sameach and may your journey toward enlightenment be quick and filled with love. Shalom.
I’m really disappointed with the Democrats and really scared of Trump. It’s a bad scene.
I know. There is literally no one out there who is like “two very fine candidates, which do I choose??”
I have hope with Harris, including form a Jewish unapologetically Zionist perspective. I also know she has to tread very delicately. I look forward ot seeing how she will handle those who remain in The Squad though. (My wounds from AOC are still raw. The others, fuck ‘em.)
I appreciate your optimism about this, truly
Hope, my dear, hope. Optimism … that will come when people behave more kindly and with sincerity. In the real world. But informed hope is a a good place to start. She’s been “good people” her entire life (look up the article about her teen years in Montreal. I never met her back then, but we were in the same year and knew many of the same people.
All that said, as I look and read about the things going on in the world, the bizarro governmental and leadership alliances, I won’t pretend I don’t think things are looking rather bleak. (Of course, if they do go in that dark direction, the Orange Maggot will blame her but I really don’t give AF about him and his ego once he’s been neutered of political office. If the entirety of her past performance and statements are any indicator of her overall abilities (even her slip ups or perhaps intentional pandering to icky people), I’d much rather her than him to help steer toward the possibility of calm, peace and, ultimately, optimism. She has good and experienced people onside, she’s not a moron and I do believe she is genuine in her understanding of and care for the distinctive existential challenges we are facing and the struggles even we have with them. I’m looking forward to seeing what role she will offers to Josh Shapiro. I think that will be an indication of sorts. I do not believe she will offer any significant roles to the squad - if she does, it will only be AOC and it will be something unrelated to international affairs, treasury, judiciary or education😉.
Y’know, I am humbled by her fortitude to take on this job. It is not an easy one and it is not going to get easier.
Now go keep your sanity and hod, that hope. It sounds trite but I get the sense your soul needs some nourishment. So maybe go do something creative for the uncompromised beauty of it? And, if you have the opportunity to pet a dog .. Dooooo ittttt.☺️. And if you go tonight, give the scrolls an extra kiss. I may be an atheist, but I feel like the energy of the ancestors are rooting for us to stay hopeful and there is something in that moment … on this day.
If she wins I hope you are right but I don’t trust her on these issues at all.
🙂🙂🙂👍 Excellent.
Achieving something actually good is the hardest work and the lengthiest road of all. Fascism must be dealt with first. Of course our entire country is now being tossed back and forth by tiny minorities because majority is in a deadlock between fascism and democracy. Then, IF we are successful, normal people must become vocal in condemning and sweeping aside extremism. Normalcy has to win, has to squish extremism, a handful of fringe losers must be rolled over by the weighty majority. And all of that will come by reforming mass media to tell "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but". Media are the enemy, not Trump, and certainly not Biden admin.
As I’ve been trying to explain to any conservatives sane enough to understand it: the worst-plausible-case scenario for Harris is that she enacts some bad policies. The worst-plausible-case scenario for Trump is that “policy” ceases to be a thing that voters can affect (or that exists at all).
I found this analysis of Trump by Ezra Klein to be very insightful. He explains that those citing Trump's accomplishments (and the fact that he didn't destroy democracy) in his first term are trying to have it both ways, as they have also set Trump up to not have to deal with the same guardrails should he win again. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/opinion/donald-trump-ezra-klein-podcast.html
Values have to be demonstrated by actions. Whether or not I agree with Trumps, I won’t debate. But let’s not pretend the Dems have such great values.
First, they destroyed any sense of democracy in their party by not have primaries. No one was given the chance to write in or not vote for Biden. They did this to hide Biden’s cognitive decline. Then when he had to bow out, there was no open convention. They crowned Kamala queen. I am furious that I was not given a chance to vote. We the people did not nominate this women , Nancy Pelosi engineered it. I am furious.
The Dems have allowed antisemites to infiltrate their party under the guise of Progressivism. Done with that.
In their quest to provide support for marginalized communities, they have created DEI horror show - reversing discrimination and making stupid hiring decisions - like the female secret service agents too short to protect a president. Just DUMB.
Values? The Dems do not have any. Talk is cheap
Kamala may have been “crowned queen,” but I’ll take that over Trump being crowned dictator.
Exactly what wanted to say! I’m no fan of Trump, but my ardent opposition to him has drastically waned. I haven’t forgotten who he is, but I also realize he’s not the worst option either and can give him credit where it is due ( as you did, Jill). Unfortunately some people will always just be contrarians for the sake of it. Can we also please stop with the debunked Charlottesville quote (full transcript exonerates him on that)? On the dem side, let’s not forget Walz’s troubling relationship with the CCP and many local government failures (can you imagine HIM and his lack gravitas representing our country on an international stage?), Kamala’s daughter-in-law raising money for UNWRA after they were fully exposed, Kamala’s border failures, and her eyebrow raising pivots on insipid ‘woke’ issues. Many Dems and most progressives are not serious people and have made a deal with the devil that will set us back from achieving a real plan for all of the universal benefits and social safety net support we need. As long as the Warrens, Sanders and AOCs of the world choose to align themselves with Antisemites and self-flagellating flag burners, we’ll never move forward. I now gag at the thought of me wearing a Warren pin back in 2019. Batya Unger Sargon (who can’t be pinned down in terms of her politics) has written many great pieces in the FP about the left’s hostility toward working class people, penchant for pedantic ideological dogmas, and the overall misinterpretation of what Trump voters believe/want. I’ve certainly opened my eyes to hypocrisy and cannot unsee it. Still not sure what I’m going to do, but I’m def not voting for Kamala. I might just write in Fetterman. My state is going Kamala anyway.
Not a Trumper. Registered democrats. But I agree with his iran policy and so do the Iranians. Iranian were not happy w biden and Obama policy and there are plenty of them loudly saying this and we keep funding the mullah who use that money to oppresse them. Again. I don't like trump but agree w a few of his policy and am not happy we didn't have a choice in our candidate. Dems had 4 years to figure this out.
So all you people hate Donald Trump more than you love the USA. (See Bret Stephens’ column in the NYT. He catalogues all the damage to the country that will be wrought by a Harris administration and yet, like you, he just can’t bring himself to vote against her.) Got it.
What Jewish values exactly would Harris implement?
Your first sentence is hilarious!!!!
Bret Stephens wrote a column that he is voting for Harris
It's not Harris's responsibility to implement "Jewish values" it's her responsibility to run the United States as an egalitarian society with no established religion. And with that comes protecting minorities - in this case including us Jews who have experienced record levels of antisemitism.
It seems you missed all the other NYTimes columns - and most especially the actual news - over the last 8 years about the Orange Maggot. Funny how when a “liberal” newspaper (which I assure you I have had issues with with regard to its coverage on Israel and its lack of coverage on antisemitism) provides regular and paid space for a view it clearly does not support, that is the one you choose to showcase. Huh. interesting how Fox News does not provide the same service. interesting how Fox and the other “news” outlets who pander to the Orange Swamp monster are always on the attack and with no facts. That bloated orange has-been rapes women, calls the current vice president a swear word, is telling us that if he wins, it’s because we were nicer to people who are driven by hate, delusions and a poorly invested strategy for personal greed made by deference to the greediest.
BTW, I was struck how Stephens left out all the outlandish things said by your unctuous orange heartthrob, like how he “LOVES BLACK MEN!!!” Cuz he thinks “BLACK MEN!!!” can’t tell when someone lies to them or that they all think the same things at the same time. I believe in the real world, we call that racism. (BTW, Stephens also left out how the Fecal Orange One also LOVES!!! and admires dictators, including Hitler. Yup, the one who lead the biggest massacre in human history against Jews (as well as gays, the Roma, people with disabilities and people who disagreed with him. That’s the guy he likes and others like him.) Stephens is full of advice to “liberals” (aka anyone who can see that the narcissistic Rusty Windbag is bonkers and guided by hate and a desperate need to be loved unconditionally by anyone and everyone). And yet, Stephens has created a false binary in which the “standard” is to be defined by people drawn toward hate, greed, and inability to question authority (instead of literally shitting on it in a violent and deadly surge into the Capitol) and, I can’t believe I have to say this, trust the majority of actual scientists and experts (and not the random ones who seek the limelight by being rebels against proven facts by asking up their own.)
Canadian here. How is it that the world’s most awe-inspiring country comes up with two duds for its highest office? It’s unthinkable, it’s a crime against intelligence, yet here we are and I am so glad I don’t have to choose between the two sides of differing flavours of anti-semitism.
That’s fair, but I don’t exactly envy Canadians for the antisemitism there either…
Respectfully Bonnie, we have a lot of antisemtism here in the country and it is prevalent throughout all levels of governments from the federal to provincial to municipal. Silence about antisemitic behaviours, or feeling a need to always couple any references and “denouncements” of or personal distancing from antisemitism by not explaining what it actually is and often, bizarrely, coupling it with their rejection of “Islamophobia” is not only antisemitic, it is an erasure of the realities experienced. There are Liberal MPS such as Janica Atwin who joined the leading party after nourishing the worst of the Left in the Green Party with her antisemitism (and which is still present in the way Elizabeth May speaks) to the current Mayor of Toronto who stands by the relentless hate speak and violence inflicted on Jews in every walk of life, to all the elected officials who could not find it in them to show up for their Jewish constituents for October 7th vigils (last, except the pandering and exploitative Conservatives who are the MAGAs of the North). There was a time when non-Jewish elected officials would attend shul services to show their respect for the Jewish community (and tough I’m not religious at all, that kind of action matters). I may have missed it, but I also remember when TV and Radio stations would say - poorly phrased as they were in their exclusionary inclusive wording) things like “We wish all our Jewish friends celebrating [insert Jewish holiday here] a happy …” Gotta say, I didn’t even see Rosh Hashanah recipes in the Chatelaine magazine newsletter. (Good luck looking them up in the archives, too). And yet, all the other holidays/remembrance from all the other communities are marked in all these corners … Ya, we have a serious antisemitism problem here, too, that goes unaddressed; we’re just much smaller a population overall and we are being erased. (How many Israelis and/or Jews have you heard interviews on CBC radio since October 7th - or ever - about their reality and how many Arab, Muslim and Palestinians voices have you heard?
Agreed.
Canada has also harboured the terrorist organization Samidoun. Co-leader Barakat has received 6 figure federal government grants to conduct "anti-racism" workshops in schools and the group is behind many of the highly antisemitic demonstrations by school children. While our government has very recently named them correctly as a terrorist organization, it's unclear if any action will be taken to curb their activities.
Some info here before you get to the pay wall and lots more on Glavin's substack. https://therealstory.substack.com/p/canadas-samidoun-the-network
Then there's the story of BC Provincial minister Serena Robinson who was forced out of her seat and to issue a grovelling apology for daring to mention the greening of Israel on a zoom call.
Then there's the open gunfire aimed at a Toronto Jewish school for the second time this year.
We are deep in this seemingly global resurgence. I am not jewish and have always been left leaning, a member of the NDP for many years but of late I have become politically homeless. I have lost longstanding freindships and other have become distant and strained over this issue.
But the angry white/orange man has been out of power for almost 4 years, so exactly what "over" could you be calling for?
As in, not re-elected.
Jill, I honestly like you, and I will not allow something so inherently dirty as politics to diminish my regard for you! 😊
Aer you suggesting he did not lose the last election and that he would not be a danger to everyone - including “The Jews”? Cuz, dude, that is some messed up thinking.
Dude yourself!
You don't know me or what I think, yet you jump to unfounded conclusions. Now THAT is messed up thinking...dude! 🤡
You seem to have ignored the part where my comment was phrased as a question (with a quesion mark and everything!) that sought clarification So please, do clarify … Dude: We’re you suggesting the did not lose the last election and that he would not be a danger to everyone - including “the Jews”? (Fi you do think that, that would, indeed, be messed up … Dude.
First, learn to spell lest you embarrass yourself further.
But to answer your question, I conceded immediately following the 2020 election that Trump lost, but it occurred to me almost as quickly that the Biden victory would provide the best proof of his party's wrongheaded political philosophy, and they more than satisfied me on that score:
--Trans men brutalizing women in female sports, destroying Title IX along with women's bones and noses
--Men invading women's private spaces including sexual assaults in school bathrooms
--Gender transition surgeries without parental consent
--Feckless foreign policy
--Wide Open borders
--Antisemitic attacks on Jewish American students as Leftists demonstrate gleefully in support of Hamas butchery
I could go on, but you're not worth it, DUDE
(And make sure your English teachers never see how poorly you write, you moron!)
MICHAEL! Am I going to have to use the “turn around the car” line on you this time?!
But mom, he started it! 😂
Just say you’re a Communist and be done with it. It’s your choice. Yes there is always baseline anti-Semitism, but it exploded under the lunatic Democrats, your people, not under Trump. Most of the racialism in the West, driven by the constant agitprop drumbeat of Cultural Marxism and CRT, comes from the Left. These are your values. To deny this is absurd. Vote for the candidate you prefer. Some people prefer cognitive dissonance. I prefer clarity. Trump isn’t a Nazi and he’s not my uncle. He’s being hired to do a job. It’s not the “stupid” MAGA people fucking up the country. It’s your people, the real morons who don’t learn from history.
Wow, someone drank some Hateorade this morning and put a bunch of words in my mouth I never said! You do you I suppose.
Yeah and you do you, and vote for the party of the Red-Green alliance that funds Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran and then tell us how you can’t understand why all this stuff is happening.
I’ll vote with the “stupid” MAGA people who support Israel. Like I said, cognitive dissonance.
I don’t hate you. You make me sad.
You’re in Disneyland ! Trump is the most popular President in American history in Israel, where unlike you they are getting bombed and shot at daily.
There is no other ethnic group in history so loyal to people that hate them. While you erroneously parrot lies about what was said in whole at Charlottesville , your kids can’t go to school without be threatened and not in places that support Trump.
If you talk to Kim Jews, one of the first thing you hear is “What’s wrong with you people , supporting a party that is more concerned about Dearborn that you.
And the sad fact is liberal Hews line you care more about abortion that you fellow Jews fighting for their survival.
Pathetic
I'm glad he's so popular in Israel. The problem is that whoever is elected here in 2 weeks will be running the United States, not Israel. So...
You’re right! Hopefully it won’t the idiot that you support that wants to force the Israelis to let Hamas survive in power
That's exactly right, she wants a terrorist organization, an enemy of the United States, to stay in power, just like al-Qaeda! Who is being the dumb one here?
What’s the result of an immediate cease fire in Gaza and Lebanon.
And she just told a Palestinian heckler at a rally that he was right .
You obviously know nothing about the military situation and don’t care.
If you bothered to read any of my other articles, you would know that accusing me of not caring is laughable.
Maybe it's you who doesn't care about what us diaspora Jews are experiencing. I don't take it personally, though.
Okay I hear and understand what you are saying. I believe you are missing a crucial point that not a lot of people are talking about. And I’m coming from this as someone who thought there was no possibility of me ever even thinking of Trump in a not negative light (not even neutral, let alone positive).
Harris (Obama, Biden) has supported Iran and its terror proxies. She has people in her inner circle with terrorist backgrounds, terrorist supporters, and terrorist organizations.
She (because of Obama/Biden) has welcomed these people in by the front door. They are already whispering in her ear and she’s already taken money from them and promised support.
She has told those protesters that Israel is committing genocide.
Germany fell to the liberals. Iran fell to the liberals. North Korea fell to the liberals. And people who survived those falls are warning the US that the students and the weak response from the government is how it started.
Abortion rights has always been my thing (women’s rights in general). You know what’s more important than getting an abortion? Being allowed outside. Not being a slave to your father then husband.
I get what you’re saying but I think you are thinking too small
It's actually quite the opposite. I am thinking broadly, those who are switching teams for the reasons I outlined in this article have become single-issue voters. I don't necessarily fault them for it, but let's categorize it appropriately.
No. I do understand what you’re thinking. I guess I shouldn’t have said “small.” I meant that you are looking at things from the perspective of an American (fair obviously). If you look at global history I think Harris is far more likely to usher in a potentially catastrophic fall for the United States (which will drag the world into whatever problems). I’m not a one issue voter in the way you’re implying. I do understand your point of view and respect why you feel the way you do. I just think you have a potentially huge blind spot. And truth, it could be our ages. I don’t know how old you are. It could be an assortment of differences in our backgrounds. We might just disagree. I am only pointing out this side because I do worry about it and if it came to pass and I kept my mouth shut I would be disappointed in myself. Hopefully I’ll never find out.