Defending Irv Rubin

Jewsweek.com ^ | 7-4-02 | Arlene Peck

[Aleksandar Vojvoda]

Defending Irv Rubin - - - - - - - - - - - -

By Arlene Peck/Jewsweek.com

Jewsweek.com | Years ago, I knew Rabbi Meir Kahane. Contrary to many people's thoughts, I found him to be a strong and powerful leader. He walked softly, but carried a big stick. We worked together on a few projects. None of them violent, but, a few that I thought important to the Jewish people. Once, when Billy Carter was traveling around the country with his alleged Libyan terrorist under the guise of a Peace Treaty with Georgia and Libya I called in the 'boys of the JDL' to crash a party that Carter had arranged for the Georgia Legislature. Coincidentally, it was a couple of days before they were going to vote on the 5% disclosure law. In essence, these Arabs were in Atlanta to buy up my state and it bothered me, tremendously. I called the ADL to ask why nobody Jewish had been invited to this exclusive shindig and was told to mind my business. "We're working on quiet diplomacy." Yeah, right.

The next call I made was to Rabbi Kahane. He sent in four of the JDL members on invitations that I had finagled and they caused a scene. As they were being carted out by the police, I was standing next to Billy Carter and I caught on tape his comment, "Them damn Jews ought to learn there is a hell of a lot more Arabs than there is Jews." A remark, incidentally, which made the national news. The following day, we had a press conference and I brought attention that Carter should be investigated as a foreign agent for the Libyans as that's what he was. Shortly after, that’s just what the Justice Department did. It was instrumental in bringing down the presidency of Carter.

The years went by and Kahane and my path crossed when I had for six years chaired a Jewish discussion group at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. During that time, we met, and traveled to upstate New York where we began groups in prisons, like mine, to bring in Passover deders and kosher food. This was unheard of in a federal institution until we broke the tradition. This was about the time that Rabbi Kahane moved back to Israel and told me about the new head of the Jewish Defense League who was named Irv Rubin who had decided would lead his organization in America.

It wasn't until I moved to Marina del Rey in the early nineties that our paths crossed and I thought he'd be an interesting guest on my then-fledging television show. He was, and throughout the years came on as a guest to discuss Jewish interest from time to time. Once, after the bombings of the Jewish Community center in Argentina I had the Ambassador of Argentina as a guest. I also invited Irv without either knowing the other was there. It was an explosive show. He never failed me. I had to work to see that he didn't take control but he was always interesting. Throughout the years, I got to know him. He and Rabbi Kahane couldn't have been more different in their styles, but his heart, I believe, was in the right place.

That's why I find it difficult to believe that the man I know, Irv Rubin could do something so stupid as the crime he is now charged with doing. I can see him standing outside somewhere and possibly making a fool of himself. However, I just can't imagine his having it in him for the random violence to blow up a building or an individual. I have thought what might the scenario have been and a few have come to mind. I know he and the FBI had a mutual dislike of each other. Irv's style might have been a little too vocal and abrasive for them. Someone there might not have liked his ridicule of his or her methods on local or national talk shows. And, with the mood of the public now, and the 'political correctioness' that we seem to be living under, who better than the JDL to show the 'fairness' of the FBI and their methods. In one swoop, an annoyance such as the JDL can be eliminated and at the same time, the country can see how even handed we are when it comes to treatment of Arab terrorists.

I might be going out on a limb defending a man who for all practical purposes has been convicted of a terrible crime, even before the trial. And, let there be no question about it. I've been listening to the talk shows and reading the newspaper editorials. He has been crucified in both the national and the Jewish press for the supposed actions. And, truthfully, if he is guilty of such a crime, it's with justification. But, I'm also a strong American and I believe that we are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. As far as this journalist is concerned, the verdict is still out. The man that I know isn't that stupid or evil to resort to such measures.

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{ Arlene Peck, a contributing columnist to Jewsweek.com, writes on topics she finds interesting including Israel, politics, Jewish celebrities, and a whole host of other assorted topics. You can also check out her Web sites at www.arlenepeck.com and www.bestredhead.20m.com. }

(c) 2001 Jewsweek.com

[Aleksandar Vojvoda]

“… I might be going out on a limb defending a man who for all practical purposes has been convicted of a terrible crime, even before the trial ...”

[marktwain]

It is true, that if the OldDominantLiberalMedia has convictied you, you stand little chance at trial.