T'aint Funny (Raoul Felder Explains Jackie Mason/Ray Hanania Dustup)

Jewish World Review ^ | Sept. 3, 2002 | Raoul Felder

[Alouette]

Usually the by-line of this column lists Jackie Mason as co-author. However, the events of the last week that involve Jackie and journalistic integrity (which is as much an oxymoron as "easy work" or "military intelligence") suggest that Jackie should stand on the sidelines and allow me to address the firestorm.

Virtually every major newspaper and TV news show related the saga of Jackie and Ray Hanania, a Palestinian comedian, who Jackie allegedly had bounced from appearing at Zanies, a Chicago comedy club. Watching the Today Show of August 29th, Ray Hanania, the comic, presented a simple story: He was an opening act for Jackie, and upon Jackie learning that he was a Palestinian, "fired" him, thereby denying this deserving youngster an opportunity for success in show business -- one more Palestinian a victim of the Jews. The story sounds great.

However, what really happened does not fit into Mr. Hanania's neat package and, in fact, his explanation bears little resemblance to what actually occurred.

To begin with, Mr. Hanania is not some budding comic struggling for a first break in show business. Rather, according to his own biography on his Internet site, he "...is a professional media and communications consultant, and senior executive for national public relations and public affairs company based in Chicago." As far as being denied his one chance at performing in this particular venue, the same website indicates that "He [Mr. Hanania] has performed at numerous comedy clubs including Zanies, Chicago's premier comedy club."

Read the rest here.

[Ukiapah Heep]

Perhaps the liberals will invent mandatory pro-Muslim amusement. Laugh or be reeducated.

[Tennessee_Bob]

It should be noted that Mr. Hanania wants America to lift its boycotts against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. In his words, his reasoning is, it is "... a plea to Americans to look past the politics and recognize the hardships being imposed on the people of Iraq."

I think I know what happened to our friend...

[dighton]

I think I know what happened to our friend...

She's a woman He's a man of many talents.