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Discussion: Protest at synagogue

GoSlugs said:

There is no excuse for identity based attacks on any religious or ethnic group.

That said, I would suggest that no one, regardless of their race or creed, should hold events in support of genocide. 

I understand that the supporters of genocide will vilify me for that sentiment but, there it is, straight up simple and plain.

The meeting on Sunday at Oheb Shalom was not about genocide.  It was about honoring search and rescue medics who have been deployed world wide to help in situations where their life-saving skills are needed.  There is nothing political about this either unless you consider being Jewish in 2025 to be a political statement to be protested.  

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Discussion: Protest at synagogue

Y'all are demonstrating why the protesters' actions at the synagogue were wrong. They weren't engaging in any dialogue about the larger issues, they were just intimidating innocent people who may not even have been going to the event.

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Discussion: RFK Jr.: No More Jokes, He and Trump Are Dangerous and Scary Anti-Science Egomaniacs

nan said:

I have said numerous times that I consider Kennedy a flawed candidate.  

Michelle Obama tried to make America healthier, and she is not an unhinged charlatan.  Look what happened.

Michelle Obama's School Lunch Rules Rolled Back By White House : NPR

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Discussion: Inconsequential Chat

Well, that went as well as could be expected ...

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Discussion: RFK Jr.: No More Jokes, He and Trump Are Dangerous and Scary Anti-Science Egomaniacs

Senator Michael Bennett for the win…

"Did you say that COVID-19 was a genetically engineered bioweapon that targets Black and white people but spared Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people?" asked Bennet.

"Uh, I didn't say it was deliberately targeted I just quoted an NIH-funded, an NIH-published study," said RFK.

"Did you say that it targets Black and white people but spares Ashkenazi Jews?" Bennet pushed.

"I quoted a study your honor. I quoted an NIH study that showed certain races are disproportionately-" said RFK.

"I'll take that as a yes. I have to move on," interjected the senator. "Did you say that Lyme disease is highly likely a militarily bioweapon? I made sure I put in the 'high likely! Did you say that Lyme disease is a 'highly likely' militarily-engineered bioweapon?"

"I probably did say that..." said RFK.

"Okay! I want all of our colleagues to hear it Mr.

Kennedy. I want them to hear it. You said yes. Did you say that exposure to pesticides causes children to become transgender?" asked Bennet.

"No, I never said that," claimed RFK Jr.

"Okay, I have the record that I'll give to the Chairman and he can make his judgement about what you said," said Bennet. "Did you write in your book that's it's 'undeniable' that African AIDS is an entirely different disease from western AIDS. Yes or no Mr. Kennedy?"

"I'm not sure if I made that..."

"Okay, I'll give it to the Chairman," replied Bennet.

"Mr. Kennedy and then my final question: Did you say on a podcast and I quote I wouldnt leave [abortion] to the states. My belief is we should leave it to the woman. We shouldn't have the government involved even if it's full-term. Did you say that Mr. Kennedy?"

"Senator, I believe that every abortion is a tragedy-" began RFK Jr.

"Did you say it Mr. Kennedy?" Bennet interjected forcefully.

"I believe-" said RFK.

"This matters! It doesn't matter what you come here and say that isn't true, that's not reflective of what you really believe, that you haven't said over decade after decade after decade because unlike other jobs we're confirming around this place this is a job where it's life and death for the kids that I used to work for in the Denver Public Schools and for families all over this country that are suffering from living in the richest country in the world that can't deliver basic healthcare and basic mental healthcare to them," raged Bennet.

"It's too important for the games that you're playing Mr. Kennedy and I hope that my colleagues will say to the president - I have no influence over him - I hope that my colleagues will say out of three hundred and thirty million Americans we can do better than this," the senator concluded.

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Discussion: Protest at synagogue

drummerboy said:

GoSlugs said:

Steve said:

Again, no genocide.  

You will forgive me if I don't take your word for that.

arguing about whether it is a genocide just obscures the fact that tens and tens of thousands of innocent civilians have been unjustifiably killed by a bloodthirsty monster who was unfortunately hugely enabled by US aid.

whether it legally qualifies as genocide is totally besides the point.

perhaps the Jewish community could be a bit more sensitive to what Palestinians and their supporters are feeling due to that massive loss of life.

There's no singular "Jewish community".  Many are opposed to Bibi.  I am.  Being an American Jew does not give you a hotline to the Israeli government. As an American, Jew or not, I don't have an obligation to be any more sensitive to Israeli policy than any other American.  And you have no right to assault a place because you are unhappy about what people are talking about inside.  Walk up and down the sidewalk with signs if you want to. You don't get to take the law into your hands and get physical.

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Discussion: We're on the new server - tweaking issues

Fixed

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Discussion: Protest at synagogue

I am sure all of us mourn the death of those who have died in Gaza as a direct result of this war. Can we also agree to mourn the deaths of those who died in Israel on October 7th and pray for the release of the hostages who who were taken by Hamas?

We are a diverse community. Members of our community have roots in the Middle East. Some of us have family and friends in Israel, others have family and friends in Gaza. It is not unreasonable to assume that some of us have very personal reasons for feeling strongly when a gathering, regardless of location, touches on this war, whether directly or tangentially.

Can we agree that disagreement here in Maplewood and South Orange needs to take place peacefully and that vandalism, harassment, and speech perceived as expressions of hate should be objected to by all, regardless of who is perpetrating it? That seems to be the focus of the OP to this thread.

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Discussion: The Rose Garden and White House happenings: American voters decided

Imagine being Fauci, having dedicated his life to preventing disease, needing protection from misinformed, misguided, and hateful citizens. Another victim of DJT. Just a thought. 

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Discussion: Protest at synagogue

I posted the following on the Facebook page of a local group that is defending the protest:

Several minutes ago I became aware of the protest on Sunday at Oheb Shalom and the statements by the Maplewood and South Orange mayors. I searched on
Google and Facebook expecting to see photos of the alleged defacement but finding none, I began to speculate that this might be a false allegation to smear the protesters. Unfortunately, what I eventually found was confirmation of the defacement right here on your Facebook page. In my view, in general, the best way to encourage sympathy for the causes you are protesting is to commit violence or vandalism in your protests. To whoever organized or condoned the vandalism -- you got your wish, generated sympathy for the event organizers, and alienated the vast majority of the population.
PS
If you carefully read the announcement of the event, the organizers do not describe the IDF representatives as having engaged in attacks in Gaza. What is described are rescues of hostages and potential hostages -- primarily in Israel but also in Gaza. So the entire premise of the protest is misplaced. And the decision to protest a Jewish Sunday school
is not only in bad taste but comes perilously close to giving credence to the falsehood that criticism of Israel is antisemitic. And defacing the property of a synagogue or its vicinity, in the protest, brings it even closer.

Since I posted this, as predicted, in addition to both town councils and the entire Maplewood Democratic Committe, the protest has been called antisemitic by the Village Green, Tapinto, Patch, a whole bunch of NJ newsletters and some national and international news services, two candidates for governor and virtually every house of worship in SOMA. Also, by the Coalition on Race and Soma Action.

Only an imbecile would bring or condone the use in a protest on synoguoge property or its near vicinity, fake blood and chalk, and expect a different reaction. Whatever their intent, these protesters damaged the cause of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, while triggering a sense of fear and crisis throughout the community.

Fortunately, both town councils and the police are being careful to distinguish between the right of free speech and the legal infractions of vandalism and harassment as they relate to this matter.

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