THE LOSER'S RANT

New York Post ^ | RALPH PETERS

[kattracks]

October 17, 2003 -- YESTERDAY, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia explained the world's problems to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (aka, the "Global Losers' Club").

According to Mahathir, Jews "invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy . . . The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million, but today Jews rule the world by proxy . . . They get others to fight and die for them . . . "

[Caipirabob]

It doesn't hurt to have some 2 billion Christians ready to stand by the Jews at the drop of a hat. Our fates are inseperable.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Actually, the Christians worlwide are split on whether or not to support Israel. The US tends to, although there is always some Buchanan out there trying to lead the Anti-Semites. The rats hedge against Israel. So, while the strand of support is weak, it's still there. I don't know of any other Christian nation that supports Israel. Maybe there is-- not sure. But hey, we read the end of the Book, and we know that some of the Jewish faith will survive to the bitter end, while Islamics are doomed to fail.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Savage last night was very outraged that no one was talking about this nutty speech. His outrage is very understandable.

But here's my take: this whack job is trying to feed the anti-semitic conspiracy theorists, trying to egg them on. It's important that the Jewish community be aware of him. It's important that FReepers be aware of him. The Savage audience obviously is pro-Israel for the most part, so it's good he mentioned it. But the problem is, why give that nut free advertising? It might strengthen the hand of Buchanan types. This clown is looking for attention. Why give him any? I don't think we can defeat this man head-on in a publicity fight, not even here in the US. Israeli intelligence, on the other hand, could take care of him. FReegards....

[nathanbedford]

Our fates are inseperable. I certainly hope not. I do not want my children’s fate determined by politicians over whom I have no franchise. I want their fate to be shaped by elected representatives who have undivided loyalties to them.

If, however, our fates are somehow inseperably linked by the stars as you assert, then I say invite all the Israelis to our shores, make them citizens, give them protection, and let them participate in our democratic process. Those who come can chose to have their fate inseperably linked to mine, those who decline can shepard their own fate.

As it stands today, I have no input into the Israeli process and do not want to suffer because of politicians I do not control.

Nor will I submit to moral blackmail that this position is anti-Semitic.

[tbpiper]

They couldn't talk straight if they rubbed their tongues with Viagra.

Now that's a keeper.

[steve8714]

The Jews invented human rights and democracy? Otherwise a good piece, other than Mikey on the radio this is the only media guy to stand against these Nazlims.

[rdb3]

Do you take the Bible seriously?

[tbpiper]

Speaking of Israel, God said "I'll bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you". Supporting Israel has it's benefits. 'Supporting', by the way, doesn't necessarily mean approving of everything they do.

[nathanbedford]

Yes, but I like to read it from front to back and not the other way 'round

[rdb3]

Yes, but I like to read it from front to back and not the other way 'round

It's good that you take it seriously, but your statement here makes no sense at all.

Care to rephrase?

[Valin]

Our fates are inseperable.
You do realise the the world is a small place and getting small by the day don't you? And what happen any part of the world directly affects you and your children.

As it stands today, I have no input into the Israeli process and do not want to suffer because of politicians I do not control.
Do you really believe America doesn't have any input into what Israel does/doesn't do? I've a news flash for you if you do believe that.

[Valin]

And now the spin

Malaysia Explains Anti-Jewish Remarks
By PATRICK McDOWELL


PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Facing international condemnation, a senior Malaysian official Friday defended Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's assertion at an Islamic summit that Jews rule the world, but apologized for any misunderstandings or offense.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Mahathir's extensive remarks Thursday about Jews were taken out of context in a speech primarily about empowering Muslims to become a stronger, nonviolent people.

The Malaysian prime minister told leaders of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's largest Muslim grouping, that "Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them."

The speech drew immediate criticism from Israel, the United States and other countries, and raised fears that it could fan violence against Jews. But it got a standing ovation from the kings, presidents, sheiks and emirs _ including key U.S. allies _ gathered in Malaysia's capital, Putrajaya.

"The civilized world has seen the results of such violent rhetoric in the past," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement, calling the speech "a desecration of the memory of 6 million victims of anti-Semitism."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli called Mahatir's remarks offensive and inflammatory. "We view them with the contempt and derision they deserve," he said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said they were "historically indefensible and wrong." In Berlin, Germany summoned Malaysia's charge d'affaires to protest the comments as "totally unacceptable."

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, said Mahathir's speech "is an absolute invitation for more hate crimes and terrorism against Jews. That's serious."

Mahathir had used allegations of Jewish dominance to buttress his chief point that Muslims needed to embrace modern knowledge and technology and overcome divisions over religious dogma that have weakened them.

"I'm sorry that they have misunderstood the whole thing," Syed Hamid, the foreign minister, told The Associated Press. "The intention is not to create controversy. His intention is to show that if you ponder and sit down to think, you can be very powerful."

Mahathir declined to speak to reporters Friday, telling them to wait until an evening news conference.

Syed Hamid said the world's Muslims were in a "quagmire" and feeling "sidelined or marginalized," reflecting a widespread perception in the Islamic world as the war on terrorism has evolved into U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Israel has increased repression of the Palestinians.

"Please forget about anti-Semitism," Syed Hamid told reporters.

He added that Mahathir's "message is to stop violence, which is not the answer for us to succeed in our struggle. People may not be very happy but this is the reality: the Jews are very powerful."

Mahathir, a respected leader in the developing world with a long history of making articulate, provocative comments, is retiring Oct. 31 after 22 years in power. He told the Islamic leaders that Muslims had achieved "nothing" in more than 50 years of fighting Israel.

"They survived 2,000 years of pogroms not by hitting back but by thinking," Mahathir said of the Jews. "They invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy so that persecuting them would appear to be wrong, so that they can enjoy equal rights with others."

Mahathir said the world's "1.3 billion Muslims cannot be defeated by a few million Jews," but suggested the use of political and economic tactics, not violence, to achieve a "final victory."

In their reactions to the speech, most of the leaders at the summit focused on the aspects that Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher called "a good road map" toward Muslim empowerment.

Asked by the AP whether he thought the speech was anti-Semitic, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said: "I don't think so."

"Dr. Mahathir spoke of the inhibitions within the Islamic world and that those inhibitions must go away, and I entirely agree with that," Karzai said.

At their own summit in Brussels, Belgium, European Union leaders had drafted a harsh statement condemning Mahathir's remarks, but French President Jacques Chirac blocked it from becoming a part of a final declaration, saying it had no place there. Instead, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi criticized Mahathir at his closing news conference.

In other action at the Islamic summit, the leaders Friday:

_ Urged a faster transition to full sovereignty for Iraq, but toned down an earlier plan calling for a greater role for the United Nations.

_ Strongly condemned threats by the Israeli government against Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The nations also asked the international community to force Israel to remove a security barrier that winds into Palestinian land and to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Palestinian and Arab territories.

_ Condemned the recent Israeli attack inside Syria as a violation of international law and the U.N. charter, and urged U.S. Security Council to prevent a recurrence.

[nathanbedford]

Do you really believe America doesn't have any input into what Israel does/doesn't do?

Do you really believe America doesn't have any input into what Israel does/doesn't do?

I want my elected representatives to be just that, elected and elected by me and my neighbours whose vote I have a chance to influence. I do not want to live hostage to the imagined fealty of a foreign politician who is not responsible to me but to his own people whose interest might be widely divergent from mine. I do not not want to rely on a carom shot that my elected representative can somehow tangentially wield enough influence on affairs in Israel to protect my interests.

In short I am an American who is entitled to leaders sworn to protect me from all enemies foreign and domestic, not leaders who are sworn to protect some other countries citizens.

America over time has varied interests abroad and at times they might be congruent with Israel's. At other times we must not feel ourselves bound "to the same fate" when Israel's interests and ours diverge.

It is because I "... do realise the the world is a small place and getting small by the day...And what happen any part of the world directly affects (me) and (my) children" that it is critical that my elected representatives can be nimble, unencumbered and entirely loyal in protecting our vital personal and national interests.