You know that smooth-talking guy on CNN, Fareed Zakaria, right? Zakaria is well-spoken to the point that nobody can figure out what his opinion is of anything.Well, he has come up with this preposterous bit of news regarding a synagogue being restored in Lebanon.
Food for thought indeed, Mr Zakaria. Try a bite of this:
"If they (Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide." Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah (Daily Star, Oct. 23, 2002)
I wonder how many Jews are left in Lebanon to enjoy the restored synagogue. Wikipedia estimates between 50-1,000. Most Jews have left Lebanon, and those who remain are concentrated in Beirut. In the mid- 1980s, Hezbollah kidnapped several prominent Jews, 4 of whom were later found murdered.
It seems that the efforts and funding to restore the synagogue are primarily coming from Jewish ex-patriots.
And Hezbollah says it's OK. Great.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
I'm unable to access this video from work, so I can't comment on that in particular. However, I watch Zakaria's show, and I like it quite a bit. It's intelligent and it has the one thing you claim that guys like O'Reilly and Hannity have: actual, REAL debate, not mindless dueling talking points.
He's a smart guy, and his opinions are usually backed up with facts moreso than emotion and gut feelings (what you conservatives falsely label "common sense"). But it figures that you wouldn't like him. His opinions are far too nuanced, and I know how you hate that.
Lance,
I am not unfamiliar with Zakaria. I have seen him often on TV and have read his op-eds in Time or Newsweek. Problem is that he is so nuanced that I don't know what his opinions are. Then again, I'm just an average Joe.
I do know one thing though. All one needs to do is pick out one (of many) anti-Jew statements made by Hassan Nasrallh to disprove Zakaria's point about Hezbollah. Zakaria has nothing to back up that opinion.
Problem is that he is so nuanced that I don't know what his opinions are. Then again, I'm just an average Joe.
It's always clear to me what his opinions are, but then again, I'm a Super Genius.
Okay, just saw the clip. Yeah, he does have something to back up his opinion. Did you not even pay any attention to the clip that you provided? Why would Hezbollah publicly support this synagogue?
Also, he concludes with "Food for thought." In other words, he's saying that the situation is probably a lot more complicated than people, such as yourself, like to make it out to be. His opinion doesn't seem to stretch beyond that, and I agree with him.
And my food for thought would be the public statements made about Jews by Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hamas.
Which would have to ignore all the facts that go against your narrative.
Excuse me, Lance. I must be mistaken. Nasrallah must not have ever made that statement.
Don't know what's gettin' into me lately.
Ugh. Seriously?
Everything is completely black and white for you, isn't it?
Nobody's denying he said it. However, Hezbollah being in favor of the building of the synagogue indicates that things are a little bit more complicated, wouldn't you say? This is so typical. You can only pay attention to the things that support your opinion. If it contradicts it, or in this case if it even slightly changes the narrative, you completely ignore it.
I was thinking about this little analogy while feeding my son:
Gary: I can't believe Fareed Zakaria! He made the claim that some apples are green. I have proof that apples are red!
Me: Gary, all he's saying is that maybe it's too simplistic to say that apples are red. He showed evidence that some of them are green.
Gary: Oh, so you're saying that there are no red apples then?
Yeah...it's kinda like that.
Lance,
You've given me a great idea! From now on, we'll call him Fareed
"some apples are green" Zakaria.
Ridiculous.
You have to put it into context. In 1948 there were 20,000 Jews in Lebanon, in the 50's it was about 7,000, and in 2008 there are fewer than 100. Most left in 1967. When Christian Arabs ruled Lebanon, Jews enjoyed relative toleration. In the mid-80s Hizballah kidnapped several prominent Jewish leaders and later 4 were later found murdered. The Jewish synagogue and cemetery were seriously damaged in in the Lebanese civil war from 1975-1990.
In 2008 the leader of the Jewish community in Lebanon announced plans to rebuild the synagogue in Beirut and restore the cemetery. Work began in 2009 with approval from the Lebanese government, planning authorities, and Hizballah.
I don't kow what kind of "food for thought" this represents. It is certainly not any new found love for Jews or Israel. They are trying to say we don't hate the religion only the country. It is the same kind of fig leaf that the MSU at UCI uses. It is anti-Semitism trying to pass as "only" anti-Israel. They always try to make that wedge distinction but Jews know and everyone else should know that Zionism and Judaism are intertwined and inseparable. It has been that way since Abraham. There is no Judaism without Zionism and no Zionism without Judaism. Zionism is in the Torah and every Jewish prayer book. It is insulting for UCI administrators and others to presume to tell Jews what their religion is.
Look at it this way. Say there was only one country in the world that had black people or was made up of 80% black people. Wouldn't you acknowledge that constant unrelenting disparagement and hostility to that nation alone masks an anti-black sentiment?
.
"Food for thought" just means "hey, here's something to consider." Miggie, you've obviously considered it. For you, it doesn't mean much. But hey, you thought about it, so mission accomplished.
Look at it this way. Say there was only one country in the world that had black people or was made up of 80% black people. Wouldn't you acknowledge that constant unrelenting disparagement and hostility to that nation alone masks an anti-black sentiment?
Not necessarily, no. It depends on exactly what the criticism is. After all, we disparage North Korea. Is it because we don't like North Koreans?
Gary, I was merely answering Miggie's hypothetical question. You're inferring quite a bit more out of that particular response.
Post a Comment