I'm Jewish, and I think a discussion of whether Sanders' "Jewishness" was a plausible issue is legit

[villager]

...because it shows, in rather stark and revelatory fashion, the very precariousness of Jews and "Jewishness," even among the presumably more sympathetic Dems.

Some articles about that appeared in the news cycle today, this morning, and I thought -- as with the discussions about the precariousness of any other minority group in America, especially in times such as these -- they'd be worth discussing here.

I was wrong.

So, I guess I'll be discussing things elsewhere for the foreseeable future.

Cheers.

[snooper2]

1. okay, I guess......

you going out for happy hour?

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. The membership of my Synagogue opposed him 70%/30%, with the majority of his support being under 30.

I don't think Sander's Jewishness was an issue.

[elleng]

3. More 'legit' is the tenor of his heart and soul, imo.

I'm Jewish too, and grew up in Brooklyn, and knew these would be issues, along, of course, with 'socialist.'

'Presumably more sympathetic?' You know we cannot presume ANYTHING!

'Bernie believes social and economic justice connects people of all beliefs. He has said he finds himself “very close to the teachings of Pope Francis,” the Roman Catholic leader who has distinguished his papacy by releasing encyclicals regarding how to fight structural inequalities, systemic discrimination, and climate change.

And recently, Bernie accepted an invitation from Liberty University, a socially conservative, evangelical college founded by the late Jerry Falwell, to speak at the school’s convocation in September 2015. Regarding why he accepted an invitation from the school, Bernie said:

“It goes without saying that my views on many issues — women’s rights, gay rights, education and many other issues — are very different from the opinions of some in the Liberty University community. I think it is important, however, to see if we can reach consensus regarding the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality in our country, about the collapse of the middle class, about the high level of childhood poverty, about climate change and other issues. It is very easy for a candidate to speak to people who hold the same views. It’s harder but important to reach out to others who look at the world differently.”'

http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-religion-and-beliefs/

[malthaussen]

4. I guess it depends on how you define "plausible issue."

That it could/would have been used against him if thought expedient seems pretty obvious to me. Note that the email somebody-or-other quoted earlier here was planning on using an intimation of atheism against Mr Sanders in heavily-religious quarters.

-- Mal

[Nevernose]

6. +1

DWS was not discussing Sanders Jewishness as she was looking for a new line of attack.

[Mosby]

5. is this OP in response to something?

Because I don't get it.

[malthaussen]

8. Yeah, there was a leak earlier of an email by a DNC official...

... who proposed using the religion (or lack of religion) of Mr Sanders against him. But it was proposing to suggest, in certain heavily religious areas of KY and TN, that Mr Sanders was really an atheist, not Jewish. That the constituents in the area didn't care one way or the other about Jewishness, but would have zero tolerance for atheists.

-- Mal

[Mosby]

14. thanks, very helpful. nt

[Wounded Bear]

7. Never mattered to me....

of course, I believe in separation of church and state, and I believe Bernie feels pretty much the same way.

I've missed any controversial articles concerning his religion, or 'race' I guess if you're of that bent. I always liked his policies and positions on most issues.

[Xyzse]

9. The idea of his Jewishness being the issue is not the one of importance that I see.

That such and action of using religion against a candidate is being considered in the DNC, which should have been impartial during the primaries, show a distinct favoritism towards Clinton.

It is not the issue of Sanders' "Jewishness" or the "Belief in God" that is questionable here, but the actions of the DNC itself during the primaries.

This matters as it raises question of fairness in the voting process. Perhaps this is in no relation to the Clinton campaign, nor do I think Hillary being at fault for this, but it is a problem in the DNC.

The other issue is, is this leaked email real? If so, it can be considered as proof of unfairness during the primaries.

Still, primaries are over, but this still needs to be addressed at some point, in the next primaries.

[Daemonaquila]

10. It's legit, but I'd say it's important for a slightly different reason.

I'm not sure whether it showed the precariousness of Jewishness. The attack was allegedly to try to paint him as an atheist, which could have happened to an underdog candidate of any faith. You are, of course, right in the sense that his Jewishness probably makes him easier to attack this way for some people, than if he was a Christian.

We have to be able to talk about problems in the party. Trouncing the orange poo-flinger must take top priority, but that doesn't solve the problem of what's going on in OUR house come the next election cycle.

[Marr]

11. Some of his big opponents here proudly showed off their antisemitism on other sites.

I think it's an insult to this board to help hide that fact, but hey, hide away.

[Arazi]

12. Just saw the post with the wilileaks story removed in GD16

Erasing all inconvenient truths here today

[Behind the Aegis]

16. That is a shame.

I have said it before, "Anti-Semitism ain't sexy" so to many, it isn't worth discussion.

[Arazi]

13. The anti-Semitism here and in RL against Bernie Sanders was terrible

[freebrew]

15. There were a few of the more obnoxious HRC supporters...

trying this tactic. The more intelligent folks here saw through it.

A trial balloon, I guess.