Comments on: Updated: 'Jews Jeopardized By Muslim Immigration'

By: D. Saul Weiner

D. Saul Weiner — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:31:41 +0000

Frankly, I agree with your conclusions, yet I believe that your contempt for the liberal[s position does not give justice to it. After all, Jews were great beneficiaries of the open immigration policy of the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th century. Jews saw the consequences to them of closed borders before WW2. Israel has always had a policy of open borders (to Jews anyway, that is). Given all of this history, it is understandable why many Jews would be supportive of open immigration. [The US did not have an open-border policy, and it certaily did not have a welfare state when Jews came here. It was swim or sink. As for Israel, it’s insane to call that country’s highly selective, Jews-only immigration policy, “open-borders.”]

Unfortunately, just like the generals always seem to prepare for and fight the last war, Jews seem to do the same thing. Given the virility of Muslim anti-Semitism and the problems associated with Muslim immigrant communities in Europe, the Jewish community needs to refine its position. It needs to take a principled stand, instead of maintaining a foolish consistency.

By: Phil Manger

Phil Manger — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 20:46:36 +0000

Sorry, Goldwater wasn't a good example. His grandfather came from Poland, not Germany. I was going to say Lewis Strauss, but hardly anybody today will remember who he was. [Provide a link to Wikipedia entry, then.]

By: Phil Manger

Phil Manger — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:09:33 +0000

Regarding American Jewish leftism, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the obvious. Jewish immigration to the United States occurred in three distinct waves, each one involving a different group of Jews. The first wave, during the colonial period, consisted mostly of Sephardi Jews who came from Spain by way of France (where they had fled to escape the Spanish Inquisition) and Jews from Great Britain and other British colonies. Politically, their views were indistinguishable from those of other Americans of their era, as they tended to adopt the opinions of those among whom they lived. A representative member of this group was Judah Benjamin, who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate and later served as Secretary of State for the Confederacy. The second wave of Jewish immigration was part of the huge influx of German immigrants in the 1840s and '50s. This group consisted mostly of middle class merchants, shopkeepers and professionals. They and their descendants founded some of the great retail establishments and investment banking houses that later became household words. They had a bourgeois outlook that they passed on to their children (who continued to vote Republican, even after FDR). A representative descendant of this group was the late Sen. Barry Goldwater (they also married off their sons and daughters to Episcopalians). The last, and by far largest wave of Jewish immigration, came from Eastern Europe and Russia between 1880 and World War I. These were mostly working class Jews. By the 1880s the working class in Russia and Eastern Europe had pretty much embraced the more radical strains of socialism, and working class Jewish immigrants from that region brought their radical socialist views with them. They were instrumental in founding the American Communist Party and several left-wing labor unions, and they passed their radical beliefs onto their children. There are so many well-known representatives of this group, I don't need to mention any names. (But I will mention one descendant of this group who later changed his views -- David Horowitz, who has also written on the subject.) I believe about 80 percent of American Jews today are descendants of these Eastern European working class immigrants. That's also about the same as the percentage of Jews who regularly vote for Democrats, although I admit I don't know whether those two facts are related.

By: Marc

Marc — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:23:30 +0000

Concha, in regard to things that can be empirically tested (e.g. average IQs of the various races) there is no such thing as “personal truth.” There is only truth and delusion. If someone were to say that, given the opportunity, men and women are equally physically strong, people would rightfully look at that person as a nutjob. Similarly, given the mountains of evidence suggesting innate differences in IQ between the races, you may want to consider whether your personal truth in this regard aligns with reality.

By: concha

concha — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:54:54 +0000

Edward, thank you so much for your reply. While I believe that all cultures are charitable, it is Jews and Christians who are the most generous to strangers, as opposed to just “taking care of your own.” We share that commonality. Monogamy is another shared value, and that benefits women. Regarding intelligence, I believe that every race has the same potential when given the opportunity. I don’t know if that makes me a liberal or not, but it’s my truth. I have both Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritage, but I do not believe that I am special, smarter, or better for it. I do not “know what’s best” for other people, and I refuse to run over to poor countries to “fix” them. And regarding communism, I believe it to be a cruel fraud perpetrated by the rich elite, but the current form of capitalism may become just as cold-hearted.
I am a big fan of Nacy Levant, and she has written an article entitled “Pretty Fascist Communism” that I think you iwll enjoy. Here’s the link:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Levant/nancy69.htm

By: james huggins

james huggins — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 23:07:02 +0000

Why are so many Jews left/liberal? Not a real mystery if you look deeply. Where do most Jews in the US live. The northeast (specificaly the New York City area). Southern California and south Florida. Those in south Florida are mostly transplanted New Yorkers. Secondly Jews are culturally hard wired to pursue higher education. The leading left/liberals in our society tend to be educated elitists who look down their noses at the red state rubes in flyover country. These wealthy and upper middle-class Jews who have been raised to feel superior to the common people and enjoying the benefits of a socialist education from today's finest schools can't help but become the leftist darlings that they are. They have been taught to hate the United States and to feel superior the working stiffs out there who drive trucks, work the land, and believe in God, the flag, motherhood and the right to bear arms. I'm not an anti-semite. I think Ilana can back me on that one but the problem of the left/liberal Jew is here to stay. They are smart, well connected, well financed and they know everything better than all the rest of us. If you don't believe it, just ask one of them.

[The same can be said of all left-liberals, period. Perhaps Jews are just disproportionately represented in left-liberal circles. Your explanation is not exhaustive: Jews also mistakenly believe Judaism compels leftism. But it's a horrible mistake. For a future article.]

By: Eric Hall

Eric Hall — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:35:53 +0000

Ilana, The following refers to your article, "Is Hirsi Ali the only Lionheart in America?" One courageous watchman on the wall you did not mention in your article was the late Oriana Fallaci, who tried her best to warn her fellow countrymen, the Italians, and the West of the Islamic threat in her passionate book, "The Rage and The Pride". [One can't accuse Hirsi of not mentioning the dead. Of course IÂ have praised Oriana Fallaci in many a post. Here and here.] I believe, however, that the offical currying favor with the Muslim lobby is purposeful, as the promotion of this political correct multicultralism serves as the antithesis for the thesis to create a new synthesis, AKA the coming New World Order fascist police state, a la "1984" by George Orwell. Just look at Britain today, cameras everyone, of course, for the "protection" of the British people. Remember the old saying, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you." Yeah, sure. Like they really helped the poor slob from Brazil by blowing him away, referring to the aftermath of the bombings in London last July. I came across an apparent new book by Brigitte Gabriel, entitled "Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America", St. Martin's Press. [She too I have mentioned here.] So, there is more than one Lionheart in America. And be sure to include yourself.

By: Sshaun004

Sshaun004 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 17:35:00 +0000

Jeanne writes: "Indeed, in general, Jews seem to excel at whatever they do. I know some may accuse me of stereotyping when I say this, and that is fine. After all, stereotypes are largely based on truth." So the stereotype of Jews as being in control of the media and politics, of subverting societies, and of being morally and ethically hollow is based on truth? Stereotyping does serve a purpose but, be cautious, because it's a double edged sword. [You are incapable of differentiating a conspiracy from a stereotype. A person who can reason properly will not conflate 1) the fact that there are many Jews in the media—and in other top professions--with 2) the illogical libel that all those Jews get together to conspire to do X, Y, and Z. For those who wonder why I don't publish their letters, this is a good example. I'd have to append to each such letter a little lesson in clear thinking, which consumes time I don't have. This is a good example of gross errors that mislead.

Stereotypes, as opposed conspiracy, about Jews are: preoccupation with making money, liberal, prejudice against and hostility to Christians, etc.]

By: Tim M

Tim M — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:41:54 +0000

Abraham Foxman will NOT have to worry about anyone denying the next Holocaust. The whole World will be watching it on Al Jazeera……..

By: Pam Maltzman

Pam Maltzman — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:53:05 +0000

Hi, Ilana: Yes, I am familiar with JPFO. I am very glad that at least some Jews are for self-defense.

Among some of my Jewish friends (and even relatives), there seems to be a sort of schizophrenia about self-defense.

On the one hand, they don’t believe in owning guns or shooting a criminal if he breaks into their house. And, as I stated above, one of my sisters, who became a Canadian citizen, believes that the mere presence of guns in the U.S. accounts for our allegedly high level of violence.

On the other hand, many of the same folks were very glad that Israel whupped her enemies in the Six-Day War.

Can you say cognitive dissonance? I knew you could! 😉