James Jones' Jewish joke - funny or inappropriate?

haaretz ^ | 4/25/10 | Nathan Guttman,

[Nachum]

National Security Adviser James L. Jones doesn't necessarily come across as the amusing guy at policy events. Rather, the veteran general is known for his measured and careful wording, and his somewhat monotonic delivery.

Maybe that is why some were surprised when Jones decided to open his remarks at the 25-year anniversary gala of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy with a joke. Not just any joke - a Jewish joke that some say was in poor taste.

And here is how it goes:

A Taliban militant gets lost and is wandering around the desert looking for water. He finally arrives at a store run by a Jew and asks for water

[Hardastarboard]

I like the one about Irish Alzheimer’s - you only remember your grudges.

[tet68]

Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children.

Utter S*** and Mass Confusion.

[Atlas Sneezed]

that’s a damn fine joke. I WILL repeat it!

(Still enjoying the habaneros!)

[scrabblehack]

I saw this joke in Readers’ Digest many years ago — the characters were different but the setup and punchline were basically the same.

A speech ought not begin with a pointless joke. The joke should relate to the rest of the speech. Was he trying to say that difficulties in the Middle East are caused by greedy Jewish merchants? I would not assume that was the case, but if he was, that’s fine — we can discuss that point then.

Maybe his message was “don’t be deceived by appearances?
Was he telling Jewish night club owners to not admit members of the Taliban just because they’re wearing neckties?

Maybe it was the opposite message — maybe he was trying to say “If only the Taliban paid a bit more attention to their appearance, people would be more accepting of them.”

[Ken H]

Joe walks into the doctor's office and sits down in the waiting room with two other patients.

Joe asks the first guy why he's seeing the doctor. He replies, "I've got ptomaine poisoning. The doctor's going to cut off my toes."

He asks the second man why he's here. He replies, "I've got erysipelas. The doctor's going to cut off my ears."

At that point, Joe gets up and walks quickly toward the exit. The two other patients ask Joe what is wrong. Joe replies, "I've got prickly heat!"

[Maceman]

OK. I’m a Jew and I’m offended. Who do I sue?

[SERE_DOC]

U S***ing Me Chief!

[Humble Servant]

Morons. The people pulling the strings of the leader of the Formerly Free World are MORONS!!!!!!!!!!

[Intolerant in NJ]

After all, making jokes about greedy Jewish merchants can be seen at times as insensitive...no, no - he works for a 'rat administration - don't give it another thought......

[Joe 6-pack]

I was always told MARINE stands for:

My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment

[IM2MAD]

Bet this is funnier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ui5MeAqKLU&feature=related

[happygrl]

Is the joke funny when told by someone working for an anti-semite? No.

That was my immediate reaction as well.

Gen Jones has too much baggage to be telling that joke.

[erman]

Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar.

One says, “I’ve lost my electron.”

The other says, “Are you sure?”

The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive...”

[Fresh Wind]

Baraq Sheik Obomba already set the standard for his reich regime administration by telling that Special Olympics joke on Leno.

[Fresh Wind]

I’ve got my ion you.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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

[trisham]

Is the joke funny when told by someone working for an anti-semite? No.

**************************

Exactly right.

[I Buried My Guns]

"...Did you hear the one about the black Arab who became president?..."

Did you hear the one about the man who was 12.5% Subsaharan African, 37.5% Berber Arab, and 50% Caucasian, who was abandoned by all three of his parents? Well, he was molested by his communist mentor while growing up, and that may be the reason he wants to destroy America. Or something like that.

[Quix]

HIDEOUS TRAITORS IN THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE.