In a joint press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Donald Trump was asked a fairly commonplace question about the recent uptick in anti-Semitic acts in the United States. His response:
I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long simmering racism and every other thing that's going on. There's a lot of bad things that have been taking place over a long period of time.
I think one of the reasons I won the election is we have a very, very divided nation, very divided. And hopefully, I'll be able to do something about that. And I, you know, it was something that was very important to me.
As far as people, Jewish people, so many friends; a daughter who happens to be here right now; a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. I think that you're going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening. And you're going to see a lot of love. You're going to see a lot of love. OK? Thank you.
Trump was asked a nice, big softball question—an opportunity to condemn anti-Semitism, and he chose not to take it. Given the number of anti-Semitic moments he blundered into during the campaign, not to mention the perception that his top adviser is an anti-Semite, it's not a great look. What say you, Dr Gonzo?
I mean his some of supporters would not stand for it!
I will say that we are going to have peace in this country. We are going to stop crime in this country. We are going to do everything within our power to stop long simmering racism and every other thing that's going on. There's a lot of bad things that have been taking place over a long period of time.
I think one of the reasons I won the election is we have a very, very divided nation, very divided. And hopefully, I'll be able to do something about that. And I, you know, it was something that was very important to me.
As far as people, Jewish people, so many friends; a daughter who happens to be here right now; a son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. I think that you're going to see a lot different United States of America over the next three, four or eight years. I think a lot of good things are happening. And you're going to see a lot of love. You're going to see a lot of love. OK? Thank you.
Trump was asked a nice, big softball question—an opportunity to condemn anti-Semitism, and he chose not to take it. Given the number of anti-Semitic moments he blundered into during the campaign, not to mention the perception that his top adviser is an anti-Semite, it's not a great look. What say you, Dr Gonzo?
-- Modified on 2/16/2017 9:10:56 AM
along with black women
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Trump was asked a nice, big softball question—an opportunity to condemn anti-Semitism, and he chose not to take it. Given the number of anti-Semitic moments he blundered into during the campaign, not to mention the perception that his top adviser is an anti-Semite, it's not a great look. What say you, Dr Gonzo?
2 - It is very disappointing on the face of it, considering his daughters conversion, and his "Jewish" grandchildren. I would have expected him to be more forceful, just on those merits.
3 - It is not, however surprising he would dodge this question, considering the extreme and alt-right demographics of his support base.
4 - I am genuinely puzzled and befuddled by the tunnel-visioned support given Trump by one Shmuley Boteach, a Jewish right winger with whom I used to correspond when he first started his blog in the 90's. He says neither Trump nor BANNON are anti-Semitic. I am on record that I simply do not believe there is much difference between Haters like Richard Spencer, David Duke or our resident bigots, and those that by virtue of their positions of power and influence EMPOWER those Haters.
5 - I believe that Trump simply is not sophisticated enough to comprehend the deeper dynamics at work here. Sorry quadseasonal, I respect you, I really do, but I simply can't put my support behind your man. Unlike the vermin on here who want nothing more than for Trump, and by extension the US Government to fall on its face, I actually DO love this country and want it to succeed regardless of which political party is in power.
6 - I also said that though I want the US Embassy moved to Jerusalem, I'm not holding my breath due to the simple fact I'm realistic about the chaotic effect it could have in the region at this time.
7 - I do not consider Judea and Samaria to be Occupied territory. I prefer Liberated, but must accept "disputed" because that's what they are. Disputed territory which was taken from and liberated from enemy control during wartime. Nasser and the entire Arab world invaded the brand new country of Israel mere hours after the UN validated its existence. They lost and kept on losing, and have been whining about it ever since. And spending billions in revisionist history campaigns and an incessant barrage of canards and taking advantage of the Western mindsets inability to comprehend the mindset of the Middle East. Appeasement is a sign of Weakness.
8 - I think there are just as many or more anti-Semites being empowered by the Hard Left than are being influenced by Bannon on the alt-Right. We've always known about the Nazi's and the KKK. But the fetid swamp of Jew hatred is far more openly prevalent and encouraged TODAY from the left, and deep within the Democratic Party. There will always be 1%-er old money Elitist Protestants who refuse to allow Jews into their country clubs and believe (like bigguy30) that Jews have horns and a tail. It's been societally fashionable to hate Jews for 2500 years or more. But the new breed of hatred festering on college campuses is coming from the Hard Left, financed by certain Arab oil princes, and the George Soros financial network.
9 - Settlements are not the obstacle to Peace. Intransigence on the part of Momzer Abbas and the Palestine Terrorist Network is the bigger hurdle.
10 - I maintain that in the big picture, American and Israeli interests coincide far more than they clash. Especially when it comes to the fight against terrorism, regardless of the perpetrators, be they Shiite, Sunni, Christian, or Haredi.