Judiciary chairman criticizes fellow Democrat for treading in anti-Semitic 'hate'

[matt819]

16. What an idiot

Jewish politicians have a hard time separating Jewishness from Israel. I'm about ten years younger than Nadler, and I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood and went to Hebrew school (both not far from Nadler's). It was simply a given that Jewish = Israel and vice versa. When the various Jewish organizations knocked on our door to solicit donations, my parents gave money (not a lot - I think my father's salary at the time was around a whopping $10,000) and happily put the "I gave to the (fill in the blank)" sticker on the door. We celebrated Israel's National Day. That's just the way it was.

I suspect many Jews my age have left the fold - I left many, many years ago and count on my religious sibling to remind me of the holidays and to tell me what I should and shouldn't eat - though I'm sure many have stayed, and I'm doubly sure than any Jewish politician must - repeat, must - adhere to the equations noted above in their interactions with the Jewish community.

So, I understand where Nadler and other Jewish congresspeople are coming from, even the ones not from New York.

The "What an Idiot" in the title applies to the fact that they and Omar (and Ellison) are in the same party. It's not as if they will never meet or that they will never serve on the same committee. It is highly likely that their votes will overlap more than they will differ. It's not as if Omar, Ellison, and the other handful or non-Jewish and non-Christian members of Congress are from vastly different educational or social backgrounds. They are all well educated, professionals, and all were freely and fairly elected to Congress.

What I'm saying is, skip the public attacks. Talk to each other. I'm not suggesting a kumbaya moment, just talk and listen. It's not as if the Muslims and Buddhists and Hindus in the Democratic party are going to somehow stage a coup or form an anti-Jewish or anti-Christian coalition or caucus. Sure, they'll find that they disagree, but it may just stop the ad hominem attacks.

Yes, Nadler is a long-term politician and powerful in his own right as a result. Again, I'm not suggesting that all Democrats should or are going to agree on everything, but differences such as those highlighted by Nadler's comments, are perfect wedge opportunities for Republicans and, dare I say it, Russians. Someone - Pelosi? - needs to step in and sort this out before it gets out of hand.