Posted on 08/14/2006 10:46:38 PM PDT by Nachum
JOKES about Jews and the Holocaust have become increasingly common at the Edinburgh Fringe as comedians tackle one of the last taboos. Some think that controversy over Israeli attacks on Lebanon have made Jewish history and beliefs worthy topics for stand-up routines. But one comedian has apologised after his outburst offended Jewish comedians and audience members.
Steve Hughes, an Australian stand-up, told The Times that he regretted describing Richard Perle, an advisor to President George Bush, as “that f***ing Jew Richard Perle”. The comment, in his show The Storm, offended audience members including Jamie Glassman, a Jewish comedy writer.
Glassman writes in today’s Times that he was shocked by Hughes’s material and the response of the crowd. When Hughes suggested that children should be taught to play Nazis and Jews instead of cowboys and indians, an audience member shouted: “Throw them in the oven.”
Hughes said that he was asking why Jews should have more protection than others. “There is racism and there is anti-Semitism. There doesn’t seem to be a name for other racism. They’re not the only people to be in a holocaust.”
Alex Goldberg, the community issues director for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said that he was astonished. “For him to negate the Holocaust seems to be counter to what he wants to achieve,” he said.
Doug Stanhope, an American, devotes much of his show to why he hates people who define themselves by religion or nationality. He said: “You can hate [the Jews] for the same reason you hate the KKK [Ku Klux Klan]. They believe they’re the chosen people.”
The Board of Deputies rejected Stanhope’s attempts to justify anti-Semitism. “Those who have tried to justify race hate have always come up with a reason. It is unjustifiable.”
Simon Brodkin, a Jewish comedian, said that he discussed anti-Semitism with Hughes. He said: “I would argue that [Hughes’s suggestion that Jews are oversensitive about racism] is rung one on the ladder to anti-Semitism.”
Yes, expressions of hatred against Jewish people are being perpetrated more frequently over the past 2 1/2 years or so. Some people show their hatred by posting off-topic comments under articles like that above. They cry victimology for other religions or even try to bring color of skin into the discussion.
What an odd comment.
"Jokes" like that are a staple of the Islamic world.
What is "one of the last taboos" is Mohammad with a bomb in his turban.
Wonder why none of these "comedians" never tell "Allah" or "Mohammad" jokes? Maybe because they want to keep their heads on their own shoulders?
"Yes, expressions of hatred against Jewish people are being perpetrated more frequently over the past 2 1/2 years or so."
Yes, ITA.
"Some people show their hatred by posting off-topic comments under articles like that above. They cry victimology for other religions or even try to bring color of skin into the discussion."
So if I said that there also seems to be more of an intolerance of all religions within the past 2 l/2 years that means I am "showing hatred"? I don't understand your logic.
While jokes about Muslims would get him thrown in jail or .......worse.
How do we know it's not a reaction against the PC Nazis?
These "brave" comedians who brag about offending Jews should try a few anti-Islam jokes as well. We'll see how brave they are.
Meanwhile we are standing here aghast watching while librats and other useful idiots in this world forget "Never again" and start acting like "Not soon enough".
Well, how about: "Not without a fight, you b@stards". I like that one.
Sorry for being so reflective on what's happening here. But I've read enough about the holocaust and see too much happening in this world that simply chills me.
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