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Keffiyeh-gate: was Matt Lauer Wearing a 'Palestinian Support Scarf' this Morning?
Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 12/09/2005 6:27:56 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest

by Mark Finkelstein

December 9, 2005 - 09:12.

Call it 'Keffiyeh-gate.'

Was Matt Lauer wearing a Palestinian support scarf this morning?

Alright, I can already hear some folks out there chuckling at the notion.

But before you dismiss this as the product of the over-active mind of an MSM-bias hunter, consider:

These so-called "Palestinian support scarves" have become items of radical fashion chic. Check out this web-site which advertises "Palestinian support scarves," explaining:

"The traditional Palestinian headdress has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation. From political rallies to talk shows, supporters of the Palestinian cause have begun donning this traditional scarf as a show of solidarity." [emphasis added]

Lauer was out on a snowy Rockefeller Plaza this morning, reporting on the winter storm sweeping the East Coast. He was bundled up in an overcoat and hat, and very visible around his neck was a boldly-checked, black-and-white scarf with a design similar to the little number Arafat liked to sport, as here.

So, was this a subtle statement by Matt, or just pure coincidence? Another media 'wardrobe malfunction,' perhaps?

You be the judge on Keffiyeh-gate!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Israel; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: keffiyeh; lauer; nbcnews
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To: dead; atomicpossum; All

I understand the doubts as to whether this was intentional, and of course there's no way for me to prove it.

But I'd make this argument:

As stated in the About Islam web site I posted to, wearing Palestinian scarves "has become a symbol of support for the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation." The site specifically mentions that ON TALK SHOWS "supporters of the Palestinian cause have begun donning this traditional scarf as a show of solidarity."

Most Americans would be unaware of this 'fashion trend.' But Matt is among the liberal elite of Manhattan, where surely people are most likely to be aware of and follow such a trend.

I think it's possible a friend or perhaps Matt's wife gave him the scarf as a somewhat-serious joke.

Also, consider all the hip, trendy people among the producers and others at the Today show. I have to believe they examine the hosts' wardrobes carefully, and again might have thought it was fun to send this 'subliminable' message.

Again, I might of course simply be wrong. But I don't think it is beyond contemplation that there is something behind it.


21 posted on 12/09/2005 6:48:04 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: Polybius
It's a Houndstooth pattern.

Maybe he's a Bear Bryant fan.

22 posted on 12/09/2005 6:49:02 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Why not? The Palestinians were honored at the UN the other day where a large map of the Middle East was displayed between the UN flag and the flag of Hamas.

There was no Israel on the map.

The UN and the MSM are in league with those who want to see Israel eradicated from the Earth, and they are feeling comfortable enough about it to go public with their feelings.

Was it back in October that the leader of Iran stated publicly that Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth?
23 posted on 12/09/2005 6:50:28 AM PST by russesjunjee (Islam and the mainstream media worship the same master...)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Phoney is as phoney does.


24 posted on 12/09/2005 6:52:01 AM PST by unixfox (AMERICA - 20 Million ILLEGALS Can't Be Wrong!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Lauer's Jewish, for the record.


25 posted on 12/09/2005 6:53:25 AM PST by Pharmboy (The stone age didn't end because they ran out of stones.)
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To: Polybius

Please consider what I have to say at #21.


26 posted on 12/09/2005 6:54:11 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
" ... was Matt Lauer Wearing a 'Palestinian Support Scarf' this Morning?"


Anyone that would dress down like this ...


... will do anything, or is that anybody?





27 posted on 12/09/2005 6:56:54 AM PST by G.Mason (Others have died for my freedom; now this is my mark ... Marine Corporal Jeffrey Starr, KIA 04-30-05)
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To: Pharmboy

As per this article, Lauer is not Jewish:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_show_business_figures,

His father was Jewish, but as you know in Judaism the religion of a child is determined by that of the mother. Since Matt's mother wasn't Jewish, neither is he. And I've never heard him say a word or give any other indication that he embraced the religion of his father.

And of course, some of the biggest anti-Zionists are Jewish, from Noam Chomsky to Bobby Fischer.


28 posted on 12/09/2005 6:59:14 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Yehuda; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; ...
If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..................

Links

Links for anyone wishing to purchase one.

As would be expected, links and info are also available through Stormfront.

29 posted on 12/09/2005 7:00:53 AM PST by SJackson (There's no such thing as too late, that's why they invented death. Walter Matthau)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Matt's sister, April, was a roomie of a friend of mine during college. She was brought up Jewish, as, I would assume Matt was. And the college is VERY close to where you sit (wink, wink).


30 posted on 12/09/2005 7:02:47 AM PST by Pharmboy (The stone age didn't end because they ran out of stones.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Bobby Fischer is a Seventh-Day Adventist, I believe.


31 posted on 12/09/2005 7:05:04 AM PST by Piranha
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To: Pharmboy; All

This should resolve it. Here's a quote from Matt himself:

"My dad was Jewish. My mom is not. So I was not raised anything. I do feel a desire now to find something spiritual. Getting married and wanting to have kids has something to do with that."

In 1998, he married Annette Roque, a Dutch model. It was his second marriage. "We got married in a church, and when I go to churches and temples, I do feel something. I'm happy to be there. The minister who married us said he considers churches high places, elevated. I agree."

http://www.usaweekend.com/00_issues/000430/000430matt_lauer.html


32 posted on 12/09/2005 7:05:57 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: Piranha

Could be, now.

But he was born a Jewish boy in Brooklyn.


33 posted on 12/09/2005 7:07:18 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: freedomson
"there's any such place as palestine."

Funny, I keep asking 'some people' who is the president, was the president/leader of that place....Who was the leader 50-100-200-500 years ago? Don't get any real answers...Odd isn't it?

34 posted on 12/09/2005 7:08:02 AM PST by litehaus
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Comment #35 Removed by Moderator

To: governsleastgovernsbest
Remember Dean in Iowa? (The photo below is photoshopped, not the scarf.)


36 posted on 12/09/2005 7:09:17 AM PST by maggief
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
I think your contrarians on this thread are somewhat in denial about how the game is played.

If Rush Limbaugh was photographed with some sort of "compromising" symbol that could tie him to "racism" or "homophobia", do these contrarians REALLY think the MSM would give him a pass? Do they?

37 posted on 12/09/2005 7:09:44 AM PST by an amused spectator (If Social Security isn't broken, then cut me a check for the cash I have into it.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Relax, GLGB. It's just your overactive imagination.


38 posted on 12/09/2005 7:10:55 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Darwinism is a belief in the meaninglessness of existence - R. Kirk)
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To: reagan_fanatic

LOLLOLOLOL!

Great work!!!!


39 posted on 12/09/2005 7:11:44 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

OK--all I can tell you is what I knew second hand from the family. He's a big boy now and can go whatever way he wants. But, that was certainly part of his background.


40 posted on 12/09/2005 7:13:02 AM PST by Pharmboy (The stone age didn't end because they ran out of stones.)
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