Critics Are Welcome: 22% of Jewish Voters Who Voted McCain Also Eschewed Judaic Values
Dear Dean,
After reading your column in the Jewish Journal, I felt it necessary to respond. I wrote a letter to the editor and sent a copy to you. The Jewish Journal did not print my letter (it was relegated to their website) and neither did you in citing examples of responses that you received from your article. I was probably being too "cutesy", but this is the letter that I wrote:
Gilbert H. Skopp
Calabasas
Also relegated to the Jewish Journal's Website was the following letter which more clearly describes my feelings:
Marc Rogers
Sherman Oaks
I wonder if you will print our letters in your newsletter.
I am interested in your views and would like, on occasion, to respond to you. Therefore I will not unsubscribe from your newsletter.
Gilbert H. Skopp
After reading your column in the Jewish Journal, I felt it necessary to respond. I wrote a letter to the editor and sent a copy to you. The Jewish Journal did not print my letter (it was relegated to their website) and neither did you in citing examples of responses that you received from your article. I was probably being too "cutesy", but this is the letter that I wrote:
I just read Dean Rotbart's brilliant tongue-in-cheek apology for the Jewish vote for Barack Obama. The tip-off, of course, was his naming of Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity and Mike Gallagher as deserving of an apology.
These talking heads -- with Rush Limbaugh -- have committed one of the worst of Jewish sins, i.e., malicious gossip. Rotbart even repeats some of them in his positive take on guilt by association and fear-mongering.
Unfortunately, as Rotbart points out, there are about 22 percent of Jewish voters who will look upon his opinion piece as being serious, which supports President Lincoln's observation that you can fool some of the people all of the time.
Gilbert H. Skopp
Calabasas
Also relegated to the Jewish Journal's Website was the following letter which more clearly describes my feelings:
I apologize for the 22 percent of Jewish voters who voted Republican and gave demagogic credence to the poisonous venom that spews like raw sewage from the convoluted minds and mouths of conservative television and radio hosts.
I apologize for the 22 percent of Jewish voters who voted Republican and embraced hatred, bigotry and fear, while eschewing the traditional Judaic values of love, acceptance and hope.
I apologize for the 22 percent of Jewish voters who voted Republican and want the continuation of the war in Iraq, a war that has left Israel with more enemies and fewer choices and options to chose from.
I apologize for the 22 percent of Jewish voters who voted Republican and abandoned the majority of non-Jews who elected a president that carefully addresses the Israeli-Palestinian imbroglio and seeks to end the Wild West shootout that has become the Republican substitute for thoughtful diplomacy.
And finally, I apologize for Rotbart and his ideological cousins at the RJC, who believe that in Orwellian doublespeak, a fact is an epithet and a falsehood is the truth.
Marc Rogers
Sherman Oaks
I wonder if you will print our letters in your newsletter.
I am interested in your views and would like, on occasion, to respond to you. Therefore I will not unsubscribe from your newsletter.
Gilbert H. Skopp
Dear Mr. Skopp: My blog and News & Comment weekly email letter are open to you and anyone who will engage in civil conversation, even when the views of others are critical of me and my beliefs. If we can speak intelligently with one another, we stand a chance of both learning and teaching.
I see the Jews as one dysfunctional family, often bickering so loudly among ourselves that we overlook our common goals and common threats. If I and other McCain voters are the fools so many family members believe, then time and President Obama will prove us wrong and we will be deserving of a badge of shame.
If, however, it turns out that the 78% of you are wrong -- and President Obama remains idle while Israel is destroyed, the consequences will be greater than embarrassment.
Fear-mongering for no goodly purpose other than fear is unquestionably wrong. I have been reading William Manchester's terrific two-volume biography of Winston Churchill, who in the 1930s was ridiculed by his fellow Brits, the media and the world at large for his fear-mongering. Churchill wanted to prepare his country to military defend against Hilter and German, even as Churchill's countrymen saw in Hilter a charasmatic global leader who posed no threat.
Churchill promoted fear. Sadly, too few listened, and too late to save millions of innocent lives.
I am afraid. I am not afraid because I think "fear" will increase donations to my candidate or because I view the world through ash-stained glasses. I am afraid because Iran is a real and true threat to Israel, America and Western Values and I see no evidence that President Obama is willing to do whatever it takes to make Iran back down.
Why, I might ask, aren't you afraid?
DEAN
p.s. I have already posted your email on my blog. I will link to it in my next edition of News & Comment as well.
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Dear Mr. Rotbart,
These are my feelings that I would like to state and please note that I agree with Mr. Gilbert H. Skopp and Mr. Marc Rogers, but on the flip side since the flip side is the truth and not spreading malicious gossip that good Jewish men would not engage in. I would also like to add that I have used some of the very same verbage as our friends used, Mr. Rotbart.
These talking heads -- Ried, The DNC, Speaker of the House, both US Senators from Massachusetts, the liberal media-- have committed one of the worst of Jewish sins, i.e., malicious gossip. Mr. Gilbert H. Skopp and Mr. Marc Rogers respite with blindness and deafness. They have no clue what anti-semitism is and they are affiliated witht he gang that forments anti-semitism and anti-semitism foreign policy.
Unfortunately, as Mr. Gilbert H. Skopp and Mr. Marc Rogers point out, there are about 78 percent of Jewish voters who will look upon their opinions as being serious, which supports President Lincoln's observation that you can fool some of the people all of the time.
Mr. Rotbart, I apologize for the 78 percent of Jewish voters who voted Democratic and gave demagogic credence to the poisonous venom that spews like raw sewage from the convoluted minds and mouths of liberal television and radio hosts.
Mr. Rotbart, I apologize for the 78 percent of Jewish voters who voted Democratic and embraced hatred, bigotry and fear, while eschewing the traditional Judaic values of love, acceptance and hope.
Mr. Rotbart, I apologize for the 78 percent of Jewish voters who voted Democratic and want to end the continuation of the war in Iraq, a war that has left Israel with less enemies and more choices and options to chose from.
Mr. Rotbart, I apologize for the 78 percent of Jewish voters who voted Democratic and joined the majority of non-Jews who elected a president that carefully addresses the Palestinian issues, not Israeli issues and seeks to start WWIII that has become the Democratics substitute for thoughtful diplomacy.
And finally, I apologize for Mr. Gilbert H. Skopp, Mr. Marc Rogers and their ideological cousins at the DNC, who believe that in Orwellian doublespeak, a fact is an epithet and a falsehood is the truth.
There is an old saying that there will come a time when people will call good behavior bad and bad behavior good. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
I ask my friends the same question that you propose Mr. Rotbart. Why are you not afraid? Why are you so blind and deaf? Do you not hear the drums of war beating for lacking common sense to deal with the issues head on with an enemy that wants to totally destroy you and me?
Sir, there is a war that is coming that Israel will need more than just Hashem. We have Hashem, however, without the Evangelical Christians coming to the defense of Israel, Hashem will have to send all His Legions for Israel will be overwelmed. You sirs, are spearheading this action to come about. Yacov
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It is not a clever argument to take someones words and reverse their intent without explanation. That is what may be construed as "Orwellian Double Speak". I'm sure Lincoln was not referring to fooling 78% of the people all of the time. In answer to Yacov's question, Yes Yacov, you're there!
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Dear Sir,
My intentions were that most people in this country do see it that way. Those of us who are law abiding citizens are sick and tired of having our rights trampled on by rabid liberals. They twist words to make it seem that they are in the right when in fact they are diametrically opposed to every thing this country stands for, historically speaking.
Historically speaking, those good people who are rabid leftists practice "Orwellian Double Speak" as part of their normal everyday speach. It is sickening sir to watch people in authority constantly lie, cheat and steal while not expecting the rest of the country not to speak out.
The Governor in Illinois is a Prime Example of "Orwellian Double Speak." If he were a Republican, oh G-d! Let us tar and feather him! Yet, it seems as if people like Bilary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, the Speaker of the House, and other rabid leftists can speak their mind but when good people disagree they want to disgrace them publically, finanically and otherwise. Some may even prefer to do other things. Sir, there are people living in America, that are fighting for the soul of this country. America has strayed so far from its roots that America is on life support. Sir, historically speaking, this was an Orthodox Nation back in 1776 where good people could agree to disagree without the fear of having someone else's opinion shoved down their throats.
Shalom,
Yacov
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Dean,
I did repond to your question to me as to why I'm not afraid or more directly why I voted for Barack Obama. Actually there are so many things to be frightened of today, that it would seem sometimes it just wouldn't pay to get out of bed. Might as well be comfortable when Holocaust II comes.
I believe that we must make every effort to improve our life and the lives of others on this planet. I believe that's part of Judaism. You and I just do not agree on how that should be done. I'm willing to listen to your arguments just as you indicated that you are willing to listen to me. Let's keep it to arguments, facts as we see them, and avoid personal attacks.
Gilbert
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Dear Sir,
I could not agree with you more, but to be quite honest, I am quite baffled (but extremely grateful) that you see Iran as a serious threat. I was not aware that a liberal anyone would truly understand that. I do not make a claim to understand someone much farther left than I.
It has been my experience, understanding and it is a historical fact that the only thing that Radical Muslims understand is blunt force. They do not respond to talking except by knife point to your and my throat. The problem is that they want nothing more than to kill everyone who does not convert to their belief and way of thinking. I too am weary of war, but they have already declared war against the US, Israel, every Jew and every Evangelical Christian. A liberal Christian is nothing more than a pawn on a chess board to Islamic radicals since they are no threat to them.
Historical fact, when the Moderate former Prime Minister Netanyahu was in office, we had less death and destruction to our people and to the property of Israel. When the Left is in charge, there is quite a bit more death and destruction of innocent life and property and kidnapping of our soldiers.
I see only one solution to the problem, but no one in Israel nor America(right now) has enough of the right kind of chutzpah to do anything about it. It seems to me that our people desire Shalom so much that they are willing to cut our own throats to have it.
The Peace Treaty in Egypt has not worked. It has brought a cessation in violence from Egypt towards Israel, but not Peace or the Egyptian Government would not still be on high security alert. Also, are you aware that American Forces stationed between Egypt and Israel are required to point their weapons at Israel?
Sir, if Iran is allowed to have fissile material, it will not matter if we are Jewish or not.
I have stated this before, they could drive a diesel submarine into New York Harbor or near Los Angelos and no one would be the wiser until something like *)(*(* comes out of their mouth. Our shores are not protected and neither are our borders. Venezuela has allowed Hezbollah to station their troops their. Since it is reasonable to assume that anyone could carry a sleeper soafer over the Mexican Border, is any Jew in the US safe from being kidnapped like an IDF soldier? I think not.
Sir, one thing is for sure. When it comes to fanatics, we cannot act like a pansy and expect our families to be safe.
Shalom,
Yacov
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I am proud of Gilbert Skopp's response <12/14/2008 11:31 PM>. I believe we should be afraid of Iran, and Obama's probable lack of response to Iranian aggression, but "Good on you, Gilbert" for expressing your views civilly.
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Dear Mr. Rotbart:
I completely agree with the setiments found in your article. I am Catholic Christian standing with Israel and I do not understand why the rest of the world is not. What happened to the just-war theory? Have we completely lost our ability to dicern right from worng based on facts, not media manipulation?
Jews and Christians need to stand together on this, for the very survival of democracy is at stake.
God Bless you for your honesty,
Kristin Reale
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