What Ilhan Omar Actually said

[peggysue2]

Not sure if anyone posted this or not but I found the read fascinating after the brouhaha going on about Omar's recent antisemitic comments. Accusing her of reviving old tropes of 'divided loyalties' seems a stretch for me, particularly since she equated that sentiment to her own family's affection for Somalia. Even though they have no family left there.

The main trope I picked up was the unequal emphasis given to the suffering of Palestinians. And why, she asks, can we question the lobbying efforts of corporations, Pharma, the NRA and not talk about an equally powerful lobbying group representing Israel that is influencing our national policy?

I think that's a reasonable question. But it's been marked absolutely taboo by an overall consensus.

That being said, I'm neither Jewish nor Muslim. Irish Catholic here, a woman who has an affection for Ireland. Been there, loved it but have no family that I know of still residing in the country. Does that make me anti-English? I'll confess that's not a question you'd ever pose to my grandmother who--if you had listened to her--would sound as if she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Michael Collins.

The point is I expected something profoundly offensive in Omar's comments. I was genuinely surprised when I didn't find them because the criticism has been so heated. I've put the link below. See what you think.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-ilhan-omar-25142297

[MrScorpio]

1. She's questioning the core of the political process in America:

The influence of money over our own politics. And she’s implying that she didn’t go to DC to be bought.

That’s a radical idea, because in spite of where someone sits on the political spectrum, there’s always someone to buy politicians.

This process use the stupidity of the American voter to protect itself. Hence, why it’s practically impossible to get big money out of politics.

[riversedge]

2. It is a beautiful speech. Nothing wrong with it in my book

[Qutzupalotl]

3. It would not surprise me in the least

if we found Israel was using kompromat much like Russia does. Pro-Israel lobbyists are abundant, and it is said Israeli spies and operatives are too. I don’t have direct evidence of that, but just look at the fierce reaction on Capitol Hill to any criticism of Israel, or even pro-Palestinian sentiment.

[femmedem]

4. I agree. And I'm disappointed in some of my favorite elected officials for not standing up for her

or worse, rebuking her.

[MaryMagdaline]

5. "Israeli Lobby" is code for Jewish world conspiracy

It just is. Someone coined that phrase first and they were the anti-Semites. We can wish it weren’t so (that the phrase is not anti-Semitic) but it is so. Although she is from a younger generation, there is no chance whatsoever, having grown up in a diverse state, that the anti-Semitic “lobbying” term was never explained to her. You can advocate for Palestinians without attacking pro-Israeli Americans. If she wants humanists on her side, insulting Jews is not the way. I don’t think I am over-reacting to her words. The anti-Semitism that is destroying the Labour Party in Britain is a cautionary tale.

Oh, and as my grandmother would have said to yours, “up the rebels.”

[peggysue2]

6. Well, she never uses the phrase 'Israeli Lobby' . . .

At least not in this speech, Mary. She certainly implies the group lobbying for a foreign country but she doesn't actually say it.

In my mind, she's attempting to be careful, sensitive to the feelings of her Jewish constituents. Because, as she says, she knows what bigotry sounds like, knows the pain it inflicts from her own experience.

Guess it's all in how we read it. But it did take me by surprise after reading the heated criticism.

Btw, nice to hear our nannas were on the same page. My grandmother was a genuine hoot!

[MaryMagdaline]

8. Thank you for your insight. I will listen again. She definitely

Deserves that much.

Yea, my grandmother was as well!

[Blue_true]

9. Sorry, but I don't see the term Israeli Lobby in the same light as you do.

To me, it is the same as Gun Lobby, Oil and Gas Lobby, Fast Food Lobby. I would use the term without a smidgen of anti-Semitic intent, simply because it accurately describes any group that applies influence on our Reps to support a particular cause. I would like to see ALL lobbying banned, but I also realize that it has been here since the country's founding.

[Stonepounder]

10. From the FWIW Dept...

I grew up in Ohio and have lived in Ohio, So. Calif, Texas, Az, Central Ca (the Sierras), No. Calif (Silicon Valley), Ky, Mo, and back to Ky. I just assumed that when Rep. Omar referred to the 'Israel Lobby' she was referring to people who worked to get the best they could for Israel and the least for the Palestinians. I was never aware that it was an anti-Semitic appellation.

And, while I have never in my life understood anti-Semitism, I have been known to criticize the Israeli government for its treatment of Palestinians.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

11. I completely disagree

Using the term Israeli lobby is not anti-semetic. The watering down of what anti-semitism is troubling. AIPAC has political action committee in the name of it's organization. What else could that group be but a lobby in support of Israel. All of the people of Jewish decent I have heard on what Omar said is offended that people are taking offense to what she said.

[DetlefK]

20. Well, actual code for the jewish world conspiracy is: Zionists, Zios, tribe, (((them))), Jevvs...

... Joos, Rothschilds, Bilderbergers, Soros, CIA and any reference to non-conservative elites in general.

All of these found in the comment-sections of RT... which is quite peculiar. Their "reporting" loves to lambast the West as being a racist hellhole run by Nazis, yet roughly half of their commenters are Nazis.

[jcmaine72]

7. You're correct. There wasn't anything profoundly offensive in her comments.

I'm firmly starting to believe that what her detractors actually do find profoundly offensive about Rep Omar is the fact that she is who she is.


One would expect these kind of bigoted broadsides from reTHUGS. They're animals. But the fact that so many of these suspiciously timed, unwarranted accusations are coming from our side of the bread burns me up.

#TheList

[lunatica]

12. It's a distraction to put attention on Democrats doing misdeads

I support her words. She as elected to use them.

[Augiedog]

13. Flaming is what enables ignorance and hatred. She is doing her job. Don't anyone crush that.

[Ferrets are Cool]

14. I expect repugs to trash anything this wonderful person does or says...

but when Democrats dis her, I am profoundly disturbed. (gross understatement)

[peggysue2]

15. I just got off the phone with one of my sons and . . .

he said Omar was catching heat for her tweets more than the address I linked. So, I went to her twitter account and again, I didn't find anything that sounded offensive. Unless I didn't search far enough back.

Omar is critical of Netanyahu and his governmental policies when it comes to the Palestinians, refers to the strife as 'The Occupation,' a description considered a no-no in certain circles.

But overt bigotry? Anti-Semitism? No, I just didn't find it.

My problem with all this? If we can't rationally discuss the problems in the Middle East, the endless conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, how will the conflict ever be resolved? To anyone's satisfaction. And no, I have no faith that Jared Kushner is going to bring peace to the area.

The other question: Why is there so much attention on this young woman's comments, a spotlight on her every word?

Surprising, once again.

[rgbecker]

16. Here's is another video from facebook of her talk.

Wow! There is hope for America!

Very hard to find a news report that gives the context and actual quote.

Congress, including Democrats are planning an anti anti-Semitic resolution because of her? WTF?

https://www.facebook.com/busboysandpoets/videos/353129905294312/

[rgbecker]

17. Here is more about Isreal enfluencing US policies.

Fortunately the anti-Semitic group ACLU is working on it.

https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/rights-protesters/new-israel-anti-boycott-act-still-unconstitutional

[elias7]

18. Inappropriately playing the anti-semitism card, critics are...

Being anti-policy or anti-Israel is not being anti-Semitic, as has been the topic of some recent threads. A friend in Israel is of the opinion that the biggest problem Israel has is wealthy and influential American Jews. Things in the Middle East would certainly look different without the American Jewish lobby - the resources, the politics, etc.

[Vinca]

19. Israel has always been sacred to politicians, despite appearing not to be all that interested in

peace with their neighbors. My impression of Omar's statements is that it's a criticism of Israeli policies, not the Jewish religion. I fail to see the need to sanction someone for saying what is rather obvious. It seems Democrats have to walk on egg shells while Republicans can be overtly racist and bigoted with few consequences. The response of the S.C. GOP to Omar was far more offensive than anything she said.

[peggysue2]

21. That's my take as well, Vinca

And that's not to dismiss antisemitism; it's out there and has become more virulent both here and throughout Europe. But I don't see where these accusations against Omar does anyone a favor including the Jewish community. Criticism of the government's policies is not an attack on Jewish citizens either here or in Israel. From what I've read of Omar's actual words, her distaste is really reserved for Netanyahu and his far-right supporters and actions.

Meanwhile, Trump has made a number of really offensive remarks and the Republicans simply shrug and say Trump's being Trump. 'The many fine people' comment after Charlottesville is a case in point.

The whole brouhaha seems more about shutting down debate on the matter with the added benefit of smacking down a young Muslim Congresswoman who has the annoying habit of voicing her opinion. The GOP's attempt to align Omar with the 9/11 attacks was disgraceful and clearly bigoted.

(Sigh). It never ends yet I still find myself surprised by this nasty finger-pointing.

[riversedge]

22. k for visibility