Jews Are Not Apologists

I read with great shock and sadness an apology published this morning in Human Events Online, the National Conservative Weekly, written by by Rabbi Aryeh Spero. He took to the pulpit to apologize and grovel at the feet of the President and the Republican establishment.

Why?

Because Steven Colbert told the truth at the National Press Dinner.

Instead of whining and pandering, the Rabbi should be standing at Mr. Colbert’s side and lending his voice to the chorus. Colbert was not funny. I agree. But, Colbert was not funny because he told the TRUTH.

Rabbi Spero has brought shame to his people. Jews do not apologize for telling the truth. More importantly, no self respecting Jew would be a member or supporter of the modern day Republican Party.

Over the past years, I have seen well who in fact are the friends and supporters of President Bush and the Theo-Con movement. I see the hardcore Christian Right being at the President’s core base. Crosses were embedded in the podium at the Republican convention. These are the people who seek to instill Christian values in schools and in society. Republicans are the ones who want to limit voter access to the polls, do not recognize a basic fundamental inalienable right to privacy of the self. Republicans are the party of big spenders (retail, I might add … and to Halliburton as well), and the massive growth of government and taxes. They are a warrior people; an evangelical people.

Jews are not a warrior People. We are a peaceful lot. Culturally, we give so much to our communities and have always worked hard to join in and advance whatever culture we find ourselves. We do not even have a concept of ‘Hell’. That idea is a gift to mankind from our Christian brothers. Until 1948, the Jews opted to suffer the pains of stupid human tricks rather than bring on bloodshed. Those that were not randomly slaughtered just moved on. Since 1948, the words “Never Again” are not a slogan; they are a blood oath shared by all Jews.

I learned recently that the first Jews arrived here in the United States back in the early 1600’s. Apparently, a boatload of about 20 Jews left Brazil and relocated to one of the early American settlements. Of course they did. Someone had to open the bank, be the lawyers and doctors, and start up the newspapers.

Yes, Israel is under attack. No, siding with the current Republican Agenda is not going to alleviate that attack. It is only making it worse. America wants to escalate the war. Bush wants to take the fight to them to prevent the fight from coming here. “Taking the fight to them” means taking the fight to Israel. The U.S. is provoking Iran who in turn is threatening Israel. Jews do NOT need this shit in their lives. If memory serves, it was not until George Bush labeled Iran part of the Axis of Evil that the Iranians turned on their nuclear development machine.

When Clinton was President, he made it his goal to end the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. He was damn near close to it. There were accords and peace and doors opening and withdrawals and but-for the insolvable issue of Jerusalem, it was all but done and over. Then we saw what happens with the Right wing take-over. First Sharon, then Bush. Since then, the entire region has turned to shit. Israelis are building a Warsaw-esque wall. They are not me. I am not them.

I am an American Jew. I am an American voter. I am not an Israeli and my first priority is to American interests. Anybody who seeks to line up support for the Bush presidency based on religion cannot ask a Jew to support them. Nothing a Jew believes in; socially, politically, morally, or economically is consistent with the Bush Administration and current Republican doctrine.

Most importantly of all, let us not forget that it was Bush’s blind charge into Iraq that has become the #1 recruiting event for new anti-Israel sentiment and increased death. Bush’s support of the Wall is making the situation far worse. Local Republicans invited known terrorists to march down the streets of Syracuse. Republicans have invited terrorists into our country because they rally Republican votes. But Cat Stevens is denied entry. They are making national lists and amassing a national database. Never forget that Bush and Rove have deep financial and family connections to pre and post WWII Nazis. “According to Bob Woodward's Bush at War, Bush attended a New York Yankees game soon after the September 11 World Trade Center disaster. He wore a fireman's jacket. As he threw out the first pitch, the crowd roared. Thousands of fans stuck out their arms with thumbs up. Karl Rove, sitting in the box of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, likened the roar of the crowd to "a Nazi rally."

As an American, you vote and speak your conscience. But if your status as a Jew is the deciding factor for whom you support as President, then how could you ever stand together with the right wing religious fundamentalists. Israel will be safe no matter who is President. American Jews have a great deal of political influence over Congress. Think of your home, not your homeland. More importantly, it is never ‘my Country, right or wrong’. Remember, Adolf Hitler was a duly elected leader of his nation and there were Jews running around apologizing and supporting him as well.

No matter what, no Jew ever apologizes for speaking out and speaking the truth.