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(liberal Democratic) Jewish groups respond to Palin’s use of ‘blood libel’
Yahoo ^ | 1/12/11 | Zachary Roth

Posted on 01/12/2011 10:51:31 AM PST by markomalley

Several Jewish groups are criticizing Sarah Palin's use of the controversial term "blood libel" in her video statement on the Arizona shootings. The phrase has traditionally been used to refer to anti-Semitic and false myths about Jews using the blood of Christians, often children, in their rituals.

Abraham Foxman, who heads the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement:

It is unfortunate that the tragedy in Tucson continues to stimulate a political blame game.  Rather than step back and reflect on the lessons to be learned from this tragedy, both parties have reverted to political partisanship and finger-pointing at a time when the American people are looking for leadership, not more vitriol.  In response to this tragedy we need to rise above partisanship, incivility, heated rhetoric, and the business-as-usual approaches that are corroding our political system and tainting the atmosphere in Washington and across the country.

It was inappropriate at the outset to blame Sarah Palin and others for causing this tragedy or for being an accessory to murder.  Palin has every right to defend herself against these kinds of attacks, and we agree with her that the best tradition in America is one of finding common ground despite our differences.

Still, we wish that Palin had not invoked the phrase "blood-libel" in reference to the actions of journalists and pundits in placing blame for the shooting in Tucson on others. While the term "blood-libel" has become part of the English parlance to refer to someone being falsely accused, we wish that Palin had used another phrase, instead of one so fraught with pain in Jewish history.

The National Jewish Democratic Council, a group of Jewish Democrats, said:

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: abrahamfoxman; adf; bloodlibel; freepressforpalin; giffords; leftchosis; palin; waronsarah
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1 posted on 01/12/2011 10:51:34 AM PST by markomalley
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To: markomalley

Hurry someone call the waaaa mbulance. geez


2 posted on 01/12/2011 10:53:28 AM PST by GoCards (Why me? Why not me?)
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To: markomalley

The most dangerous thing I see here is the hyper-sensitivity to language. Of course, the Left’s hyper-sensitivity is feigned for the purpose of silencing opposition. I really wish the rank and file lefties would see their leaders for what they are.


3 posted on 01/12/2011 10:53:45 AM PST by Pete (29thday.org Exponential problems require exponential solutions)
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To: markomalley
Foxman, Sarah spoke the truth and even you know it. There was LIBEL over innocent shed blood. And NOBODY has ownership over language that is FACT.
4 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:06 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: markomalley

Our dictionary is getting smaller by the day.


5 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:08 AM PST by Jolla
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To: markomalley

We’ve become The Nation of the Perpetually Offended


6 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:27 AM PST by bigbob
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To: markomalley

When did the leftist ADL copyright that term? I hadn’t heard about this.


7 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:32 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer ("New laws are always a "good idea" until the first time you have to enforce them." - Unknown)
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To: markomalley
When Jews are attacked, they expect (and rightly so) that non-Jews will rise up and protect Jewish rights.

When a non-Jew is attacked, Foxman rises up and says "Stop using our vocabulary. You're on your own. We have no symathy for the false accusations levied against you."

He should be ashamed.

8 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:45 AM PST by ClearCase_guy
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To: markomalley

I’m offended that you’re offended that I’m offended that you’re offended.


9 posted on 01/12/2011 10:55:45 AM PST by Altura Ct.
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To: markomalley

Gosh. I guess they’re not going to vote for her now.


10 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:05 AM PST by sand lake bar
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To: markomalley

I wonder if they objected to Andrew Sullivan’s use in describing the hatred towards Gays?

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/01/proving-animus.html

Since this plays on the oldest blood libel against gays, it certainly implies that the Proposition was motivated by prejudice. Imagine a Proposition that argued that Jews should be denied, say, being school-teachers because of the threat to the kids. No one would dispute that that’s a vile, “blood libel” motive for a constitutional amendment. But when exactly the same bigotry fuels a Proposition to deny gays the core right to marry, a right deeper in the constitution than the right to vote, it’s all apparently motivated by high-minded concern for family life.

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

Maybe someone should ask them?....lol


11 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:13 AM PST by winoneforthegipper ("If you can't ride two horses at once, you probably shouldn't be in the circus" - SP)
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To: markomalley
From the WSJ Opinion Journal on 1/10/11: The Arizona Tragedy and the Politics of Blood Libel
12 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:17 AM PST by mmichaels1970
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To: markomalley

Right here is the problem...

People need to use thier brains, she did not mean anything offensive whatsoever...

We live in such a hyporcritical, Politically Correct, I’m offended if you look at me cross eyed society....

People need to grow up, and learn about people, the ones that are truly evil, no one seems to give a rat’s patoon about...


13 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:37 AM PST by TaraP (An APPEASER is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last)
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To: markomalley

Abe Foxman. Tin cup knocker, and self appointed speaker for all Jews.


14 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:51 AM PST by Leisler (They always lie, and have for so much and for so long, that they no longer know what about.)
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To: Pete
"The most dangerous thing I see here is the hyper-sensitivity to language.

No kidding!

15 posted on 01/12/2011 10:56:54 AM PST by JaguarXKE (Life - It's 10 percent circumstances and 90 percent how you react to circumstances - Sarah Palin)
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To: markomalley
While the term "blood-libel" has become part of the English parlance to refer to someone being falsely accused, we wish that Palin had used another phrase, instead of one so fraught with pain in Jewish history.

Israeli politicians have no problem resorting to the phrase in their battles with their news media even when the issue has nothing to do with a murder:

Former Haredi MK slams 'secular blood libel': Attacks on haredim over hospital's emergency room relocation amount to media onslaught, ....

At least, in this case, the phrase is being used in an accurate context: "Being falsely accused of being responsible for the murder of a child".

But, I guess it boils down to Politically Correct Situational Ethics:

White individual using the "N-Word" = Racism

Black individual using the "N-Word" = Cultural expression

Gentile falsely accusing a Jew of being responsible for the murder of a child = Blood libel

Left-wing Jewish journalists falsely accusing a Gentile politician of being responsible for the murder of a child = First Amendment constitutional right

16 posted on 01/12/2011 10:57:02 AM PST by Polybius
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To: markomalley

shame on her for attempting to defend herself!


17 posted on 01/12/2011 10:57:33 AM PST by Weird Tolkienish Figure
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To: markomalley

Jews don’t own that term. The Wall Street Journal used it the other day to describe the liberals nasty attacks.

These groups are trying to manufacture racism by claiming they have some exclusive use of the term and no other group is good enough for it. Which is racist.

Jews should be sympathetic to what Sarah Palin is going thru. Blood libel is a legit term that can happen to anyone.


18 posted on 01/12/2011 10:58:03 AM PST by Free Vulcan (The cult of Islam must be eradicated by any means necessary.)
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To: markomalley
Can't use that term if you are not Jewish or liberal.

Palin either needs some coaching on things like that, or is trying to flip off the media. I hope for the latter.

19 posted on 01/12/2011 10:58:09 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: markomalley

Has hell frozen? Pigs flying? Dershowitz coming to Palin’s defense?? Holy crap!!

http://biggovernment.com/publius/2011/01/12/exclusive-alan-dershowitz-defends-sarah-palins-use-of-term-blood-libel/


20 posted on 01/12/2011 10:58:25 AM PST by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
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