Dana Milbank of the Washington Post writes that Donald Trump is openly anti-Semitic. What once seemed to be a hint of anti-Semitism is now a theme.
He gives example after example of Trump’s borrowing well-worn stereotypes.
Well, that is just another example of his unbridled bigotry. He went to Minnesota to warn that the state’s small Somali community was a recruiting ground for ISIS.
Fear. Hatred. Suspicion. Divisiveness. Conflict.
We are a nation of many races, religions, ethnicities, languages, and cultures. If we turn against one another, we lose our decency, our sense of common purpose, any common ground.
Our strength lies in respect for one another and the ability to learn from one another. Together, we can accomplish great things. Divided, we fall.
A site to discuss better education for all
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Common knowledge since the beginning that Trump, his sons, and his wife are all anti Semitic. What happens on Wednesday?
To answer your question: The sun will rise in the east on a wonderful fall day. Later in the day the Blues play the Blackhawks which should be a great game of ice hockey!! And the sun will set in the west setting the stage for the sun to rise in the east on Thursday morning. Amazing, eh!!
Gosh, I hope I’m not sent directly to a concentration camp if Trump wins.
I found the comments at the WaPo piece reasonably consonant with my own views on the issue. How many Americans know that George Soros, for example, is Jewish? I didn’t know myself until a year or so ago. I recognized the last name as Hungarian, but unlike my Hungarian grandparents – Garfinkel and Friedman – George doesn’t have an “obviously” Jewish last name.
I know it’s vital for Hillary supporters to demonize Trump in every conceivable way – child-molester, incestuous, racist, sexist, homophobe, and now anti-Semitic. Must be interesting to do business in NYC with all that going for him.
He’s not a guy I’d want to have a beer with, but then I didn’t vote for George W. Bush either (nor would I have wanted that beer). It’s a good thing HRC’s supporters haven’t gone low. That might make some people lose respect for Madame Secretary.
If you don’t find this to be the most singularly ugly campaign in US history, I’d love to hear which one was worse. And I’m not talking about the candidates themselves, bad as they are, but their respective groups of fanatical supporters. Shameful.
Carl Sagan
“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”
MPG,
I don’t appreciate your making a joke of anti-Semitism.
When I was a child, it was considered acceptable to make jokes about blacks and Jews and others who were different (not white or Christian). Trump calls it “political correctness” to worry about giving offense.
If it is PC to avoid racist and bigoted comments, then call me PC.
It was Trump who demonized himself. The Republicans, sadly, during the primaries, accepted that. Hitler was elected.
That article is really a stretch…..I am a Jewish Hillary supporter, but think that her surrogates are going low when they should be going high.
Dana Milbank is a columnist for the Washington Post. He is not a Hillary surrogate.
As a Secular Jew, I was offended by the Trump ad showing Hillary superimposed on piles of cash and surrounded by six-pointed stars, emblems of my religion.
I think his basic anti-Semitism was muted by the fact that Ivanka’s husband is Jewish.
But Jews have always known that when people are prejudiced against other races and religions, we are never left out of the hatred.
I had a very dear friend, no longer living, Morris Abram, from Georgia, who was dedicated to civil rights and human rights. He went before the Supreme Court to defend the voting rights of African Americans. Later in life he worked for the UN Commission on Human Rights. I have never forgotten these words from him. “Never forget, anti-Semitism is a river that runs through human history. Sometimes it’s right in front of you, sometimes not. But it’s always there.”
It is a safe bet that when someone expresses prejudice, based on race and religion, Jews are included.
Minnesota has big problems. Did you read about the fear tactics used by one high school? Faking the deaths of students is really disgusting! Who’s behind this Diane? Corporations who want to give students the OK to tell BIG LIES so they won’t have a conscience when they are asked to pull off banking or home or insurance fraud later on?
The math teachers can tell us that based on the numbers in this article, only a very small percentage of teen driving accidents are caused b texting.
Claims made that this social experiment took place at other schools. Where? Crying wolf to teenagers is no way to gain trust. It’s a lesson in manipulation. Is that the way to educate?
Follow the money.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/11/01/a-school-wanted-to-teach-teens-about-safe-driving-so-students-were-told-their-classmates-died/
Diane, this election with its bitterness and dependence on people believing lies, is the best argument to returning the purpose of education to creating an educated citizenry. I hope you will write a post about that, as I know you speak often of that original goal of public education. Without an educated, critical-thinking public, our democracy will die.
“. . . original goal of public education.”
From my review of the 50 state constitutions’ wording of the purpose of public education:
“What is that fundamental purpose and where can it usually be found? Is there even a fundamental purpose? To answer the last question first, it depends! Well, what does it depend on then? In answering that question we also answer the where question—the constitution of each state.
But there’s a catch, not every state gives a purpose for its authorization of public education. It’s a 50/50 split with 25 states not giving any purpose such as West Virginia’s authorization “The Legislature shall provide, by general law, for a thorough and efficient system of free schools.” (Article XII, Sec. 12-1) and 25 states providing a rationale.
The rationales can be divided into three types. Those that declare that the purpose of public education is to ensure that the state’s form of government will continue, such as South Dakota’s “The stability of a republican form of government depending on the morality and intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature to establish and maintain a general and uniform system of public schools. . . .” (Article VIII § 1). Those whose fundamental purpose focuses on the individual and his/her rights such as Missouri’s “A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the general assembly shall establish and maintain free public schools . . . .” (Article IX Sec. 1a) And those that are a combination of both. As it is, fifteen mainly focus on the benefits of public education to the individual citizen and the preservation of his/her rights, five on the benefit to the state and five that state both citizen and government benefits .
All together then, there are 25 states with no stated fundamental purpose, five with a purpose that extol the benefits of public education to the state, fifteen commending the benefits to the individual and five a combination of benefit to both state and individual, resulting in that 80% of those with a stated purpose having the benefits for the individual as primary. Is it possible, then, to discern a fundamental purpose of public education? Yes, I believe it can be discerned. . .
. . . I propose, then, the following concise statement of the purpose of public education with which, hopefully, most in the United States could agree:
‘The purpose of public education is to promote the welfare of the individual so that each person may savor the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the fruits of their own industry.'”
(From Ch 1. “The Purpose of Public Education” of my forthcoming book “Infidelity to Truth: Educational Malpractice in American Public Education”)
Now comes the tricky part, Duane. How is public education to promote the welfare of the individual? I would suggest that if one hopes to exercise the enumerated rights to their fullest s/he had damn well better know, understand and exercise their rights and duties as a citizen. It also would be very helpful if s/he developed a base of knowledge and the ability to critically examine it. Promoting the welfare of an individual is a tricky phrase. By itself it is meaningless. There should be something akin to the Federalist papers for each state to understand what thought was behind the document.
Certainly agree about the tricky part to a certain degree.
Why do you say that “promoting the welfare of an individual” is meaningless?
” Promoting the welfare of an individual is a tricky phrase. By itself it is meaningless.”
Not what I said, Duane. Promoting the welfare of the individual is not meaningless. The PHRASE is meaningless without a discussion of what it means. What does it look like in actionable terms? My understanding of how that welfare should be promoted might be very different than yours and yet both might be considered to meet the standard.
I agree 2o2t about trying to determine what that means. For me it is up to each district, school, teacher, parent and student to determine what it might mean for a given student.
What bothers me though, is the “actionable term” phrase as I have seen that used as a bludgeon to silence those who question what the authorities have to say. If I may further explain (from the afterword to my forthcoming book):
A tactic of administrators or any powers that be to silence those bold enough to critique their policies and practices, even after agreeing with one’s critique, is “Well, you’ve criticized what we are doing but “What is your solution?” [actionable terms] usually said with such tone and emphasis as if they have now trapped the perpetrator in a debate dilemma. The administrator knows that it is impossible to come up with a feasible solution to your critiques in the minute or two they allot you to do so, solving his/her problem of the critical thinker in their employ. He/She walks away smug in his/her confidence that he/she won that verbal battle. And you’re left standing there thinking “What a smug ass bastard!”
• Correctly identify malpractices that hinder the teaching and learning process and that cause harm to or do injustice to students. (see just a few identified above).
• Immediately reject those malpractices, cease doing them as soon as is practically possible.
• Maintain a “fidelity to truth” attitude in identifying those malpractices and instituting new practices.
• Focus on inputs and resources. Are they adequate to provide that all children have access to a learning environment in which they can learn to “savor the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the fruits of their own industry.”
• Involve all, interested community members, parents, students, teachers, aides, other support personnel, administrators and the school board in revising and formulating new policies and practices so, paraphrasing the voice from the movie “Field of Dreams”:
IF WE PROVIDE IT, THEY WILL COME!
It being the proper resources implemented with a fidelity to truth attitude.
They being results in line with the fundamental purpose(s) of public education–to promote the welfare of the individual so that each person may savor the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the fruits of their own industry.
Perhaps what I should have said (I had trouble with finding the words) was how we put into practice what is only noble sounding ideals if they are not apparent in practice. I’m not sure that is any clearer than mud either. I suppose it concerns me that so many states included some iteration of the words, but depending on the history and culture of the state how these ideals are expressed may be quite parochial. Not that that is wrong, but noting that so many states contain such wording does not mean that they meant the same thing. I want to make sure what counting them is meant to convey. There is a long tradition of these ideals in the U.S. documents back to the Declaration of Independence. How that is interpreted may vary widely, in which case, counting occurrences perhaps becomes less compelling. I would be interested in how each state expresses their fealty to these ideas, which I think is far beyond what you want to tackle in your book. I hope you can figure out what I am trying to say because even I am beginning to wonder!
You are correct in that those interpretations are beyond my book. It mainly focuses on identifying how the malpractices of standards and testing and grading are “unfaithful to truth” in that they are invalid ways of assessing a student’s performance, knowledge, abilities, etc. . . . They are invalid due to the misuse and abuse of the concepts of standards and measurement.
And that by continuing to discriminate against some students through those sorting and ranking mechanisms we are contravening the student’s civil rights as outlined in the Constitution and as contravening the mandate of public education as outlined in the state’s constitutions which, for me, should be our primary source for guidance.
And, 2o2t, thanks for the excellent discussion. I appreciate your thoughts and comments!!
Based on the number of people supporting a bigoted, demagogue like Trump. we have a great deal of work to do in critical thinking.
Your one sentence, retired one…is the core of the whole thing, IMO.
I’m not so sure that “critical thinking” is necessarily the key component in helping to ameliorate those who support demagogues. I don’t like saying that but it seems that the connection is not within the realm of rationo-logical skeptical thought but in the realm of feelings, emotions, gut instincts that the media (all of it) is so good at exploiting–think Bernays. And the money (and self-supposed/acclaimed importance/expertise) that the media make off doing so is too great. It’s a tough nut to crack.
Duane…critical thinking skills are vital for voters to sift through all the lies and hyperbole that media presents, and that candidates present, and now that “Dark Money” presents to the public.
I just voted on 17 ballot measures and am thankful that i went through law school and also teach public policy, so I have some edge on the general public in deciphering all the legalese and purposeful deception of these measures put up for a vote by the electorate. It is a terrible situation in California and too often the outcome is the worst sort of distorted law like the infamous Prop 13 which killed funding for public schools in my state. I have enumerated on this site the various lousy laws that we are all forced to live under in our Golden State due to ignorant and/or naive voters being tricked by crooked self serving corporations (and the Waltons and Gates and Broad, etc) and others. This is a failed system and must be changed.
I can only imagine what a person who has not even graduated from high school, speaks little English, and lacks understanding about the muddled American political system, must feel in that voting booth. I spent at least 8 – 10 hours studying the ballot, discussed it for an hour with my lawyer son, and feel somewhat informed now….but here the news agencies all day suggested “allowing at least 10 minutes to vote on the complicated issues”….OMG. Hate to think how it will all turn out.
Yes…i actually wrote here some years ago, before Common Core was and issue, that every single student in the US should have to take the same course in civics, so each student has the same educational input, and that it should include how the three part government is formed, and why….a study of the Constitution including Amendments and the Bill of Rights, how the banking system works…and a few other things citizens/voters must know to function under our system of government. Most of this is taught to immigrants who study to become citizens. And all of it requires Critical Thinking.
I got your point, this secular humanist likes to think of himself as the only Jew less religious than Bernie .Perhaps it was a stretch to take the ad with Soros and imply that it was antisemitic . Was it a stretch to see antisemitism in the Ted Nugent, NRA style ad with Jewish Stars over the pictures of Jewish Politicians. He has attacked every minority that he can leverage votes off of. He is a serial hater spreads it out pretty much across the board. If certain dogs are showing up at your rallies. Certain dogs are supporting you . Chances are you have a whistle hanging around your neck .
I worked in heavy construction for 42 years overt antisemitism and overt racism has diminished in that time . But there is still one undeniable truth that Cornell West points out, when he addresses Black Jewish relations . Antisemitism is always lingering just below the surface . So what was undeniable for the most part from my experience. The same guy who past a remark about Blacks and Hispanics one day, was the same guy who past a remark about cheap Jews the next day.
There was a tremendous sentiment among Bernie supporters that the media was rigging the election by dictating the narrative. Besides the obvious reason, it was directed to the corporate media not the Jew S A media .
I am an economic populist . I get it, but as has been pointed out the majority of those supporting Trump are not in terrible economic shape . Economics may be the thing that could give him a dangerous win. But what is his true appeal to the majority of his supporters .
So if he rails against Hispanics on Monday, against Muslims on Tuesday against Somalis on election eve . Beware Jews , your next, your the other as well .
Joel…this info came out a few days ago, and the ad also mentioned Janet Yellen who is the head of the FED and a Berkeley professor of Economics, and also tied Hillary to the “elites” and particularly the “bankers”….it was far more focused than Milbank implies. For educated folks, hard to miss the message, as was the earlier ad with Hillary’s face superimposed on the Star of David and all superimposed over dollar signs. The whole scenario of Trump’s behaviors, and his choosing Bannon to lead his charge, stinks of both racism and anti Semitism.
Yet, yesterday, Lawrence O’Donnell, my fave pundit, remarked that this election will be unique in that Chuck Shumer will be the first leader of either house in Congress who is Jewish. He speculated that we have come a long way since the civil unrest of the 1960s. Or have we???
I agree, i was just giving M.P. G. a lifeline on the Soros ad. Racism against most minorities is always just under the surface Waiting for a demagogue to bring it to the surface. Some as we know have experienced recurrent periods over centuries. The love fest of our first post racial president lasted till inauguration day in 2008 . And has degenerated to Trump-ism .
Should have been a reply to M.P.G. .
It’s anecdotal but I can say conclusively I have heard more antisemitic remarks from people this election than any other in my adult life.
It’s bizarre. There are so few Jewish people where I live that there are no temples- they have to travel 40-some miles to one of 2 larger cities. The people making these comments (some of them) probably don’t know a single Jewish person.
I don’t know where it came from but it just happened to coincide with Donald Trump? Hmm. THAT’S odd.
You’re right to be concerned, in my opinion. They’re reciting these lines like they’re reading a script. It’s appalling.
Economist Germa Bal, identified rampant privatization as a condition in Germany, prior to the election of a Nazi leader. Shouldn’t all of us, including the intensely greedy, unproductive, Wall Street, that supports school privatization, have expected a candidate to emerge, who trades on economic vulnerabilities? The plutocrats’ plan going forward-
using aerial surveillance to target uprisings? Read the statements at the Walton-funded Gen Next site, about “global security and U.S. neighborhoods”.
When Bloomberg spends the amount that he has, in Massachusetts, and, Gates spends the amount that he has, in Washington, pursuing school privatization, it’s obvious that no lesson is being learned, about the consequences of concentrated wealth.
Whether the end result is America as a fascist nation or a nation of war lords, the outcome is guaranteed to be inconsistent with the nation’s founding principles. Enemies of the state, can come from within.
Exactly, Linda…surveillance of the population by drones has been in place for some years in LA. I sat outside the famous Disney Concert Hall two years ago having a coffee before a concert, when whizzing about 10 feet over my head was this machine watching us. Enemies of the state do come from within and they are here now, and they are our neighbors, and even our government as with Comey/Guiliani and their FBI wannabe overlords. It is a moment ripe for disaster.
Chiara, when a dictator-in-waiting stirs up people with this sort of propaganda, especially under educated people, or those who are ambitious to be in charge, history shows us the outcome. Jewish people have been portrayed by these demagogues as vermin and blood-drinking money-lenders, for so long that the cartoonists of like mind run with it. Ionesco’s great play, Rhinoceros, is the story of the Germans cleansing death spiral and how Goebbels got it started…and now around half of the American voting population have turned into the Rhinoceros. Terrifying for most of us to see this….we have every rational right to worry.
This just came to my email box re use of drones for govt. surveillance.
November 8, 2016
ACTION! North Dakota: Reverse Legalization of Armed Police Drones
In 2015, North Dakota became the first state to legalize armed police drones. With the ongoing protests surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline, this raises serious concerns for the welfare of activists on the ground.
Protesters in North Dakota have been pepper sprayed, strip searched, hit with rubber bullets, and kept in dog cages. The fact that the police also have armed drones at their disposal, when the police are already heavily militarized and using force against peaceful protesters, is incredibly troublesome.
Although the law doesn’t allow drones to be equipped with lethal weapons, it DOES allow police to affix tear gas, rubber bullets, beanbags, pepper spray and tasers to the drones.
Please sign this petition to ask North Dakota lawmakers to REVERSE the legalization of armed police drones!
Trump/Pence bigots take many forms….here we are talking about their rush to, and use of, anti Semitism…and these demagogues also take advantage of those who seem weaker…like protesting American Indians on their reservation who now have to fear the armed drones whirling over their heads.
Trump and his supportive partner at arms, Pence, deride women, Jews, people of color, the handicapped, Indians, foreigners, Muslims, and who comes next? These are how they would lead America.
Today is the 75th year anniversary of Kristal Nacht in Germany, when the Brown Shirts sent the German people and the world the message of their takeover. How ironic!!!
Diane posted about the Baltimore Sun’s identification of the involvement of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, in funding aerial surveillance, by the Baltimore police. The city leaders were unaware of the program.
Trump is not only anti Semitic but anti anyone who he feels is a lesser entity; Hispanics, women, etc etc.
I fear for his influence even after this election whether he wins or loses. The divisiveness he has exacerbated is indeed a humongous problem and if we are to remain a democratic nation it must be put behind us. We can choose to live in peace and brotherly love or disintegrate in hatred, anger ad nauseum..
This is the story of everyone: the
tale of us all together.
This is the story each one of us owns: told and retold, we each
hold a piece of the mosaic
Told and re-told; wrapped in hardship and pain, in tears, in
triumph over impossible odds.
A have of freedom… here no tempest tossing.
A Nation of Strangers
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego, CA (1995 exhibit: “Ports of Entry)
HRC 2016 “Stronger together.”
have to get back to phone bank (we will call for another hour +