2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders Was Asked an Anti-Semitic Question. Here’s How He Should Have Answered.
As you know, opened the questioner, the Zionist Jewsand I dont mean to offend anybodythey run the Federal Reserve, they run Wall Street, they run every campaign. As this unfolded, Sanders began wagging his finger in dissent, and interjected to deem Zionist Jews a bad phrase. His interlocutor, pressed to articulate a question, concluded by saying, What is your affiliation to your Jewish community? Thats all Im asking.
No, no, no, thats not what youre asking, Sanders quickly replied, in a nod to the questions underlying prejudice. I am proud to be Jewish, he declared, to cheers from the audience. But then Sanders did something odd. Rather than using the question as a teaching moment to address and rebuke its anti-Semitic underpinnings, Sanders instead immediately pivoted to his stump speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Talking about Zionism and Israel, he said, I am a strong defender of Israel, but I also believe that we have got to pay attention to the needs of the Palestinian people. He never challenged the actual contents of the question, let alone labeled it anti-Semitic.
http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/199685/bernie-sanders-was-asked-an-anti-semitic-question-heres-how-he-should-have-answered
Article goes on to say that this might have been a missed opportunity to call out the anti-Jewish prejudice from the questioner.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)chit out of this asshole.
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)And what would be the point of getting into an engagement with this guy? Sanders should address this, on his own - not in an exchange with a lone anti-Semite.
He was not asking a question about zionism he was stating something honestly very antisemitic citing the protocols of the elders of zion
Response to grossproffit (Reply #1)
840high This message was self-deleted by its author.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Needless to say, Sanders has mustered far more outrage for Wall Street, systemic racism, and Islamophobia, than he did when confronted with anti-Jewish prejudice. His reserved response to the anti-Semitic questioner stands in stark contrast to his powerful rebuke of anti-Islamic prejudice back in October, when he movingly embraced a Muslim student on stage.
Now, there are good reasons for the contrast. Saturdays exchange came at the very close of the event, after Sanders had been fielding questions for over an hour. He was doubtless tired and not expecting to be confronted with such naked prejudice, let alone issue a detailed rebuttal of it. Like any politician, he naturally pivoted to his talking points when faced with the unexpected. Moreover, like many Jews of his generation, Sanders has learned to be reticent about being too assertive about his Jewishness, lest it provoke even more bigotrysomething that has happened repeatedly on the rare occasions that the Vermont senator has opened up about his Judaism.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)He can't win, he's either a good Jew or a bad Jew depending on what day it is.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I thought his response was outstanding.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)He's not going to give a sermon on anti-Semitism.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I completely reject that question and the prejudice behind it, just as I have stood on stages like this one and rejected the systemic racism in our society and the rising tide of Islamophobia in this election. There are those who traffic in hateful stereotypes and seek to pit us against each otherblack and white, gay and straight, Jew and non-Jewand I will always stand against them, and for all of us.
That would have been a great response in keeping with Bernie's general themes.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And like I said upthread, this is the same thing Obama has to put up with from people who think he isnt strident enough when it comes to racism.
Everyone's an expert but they're not the one in the hot seat.
He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)The author points out that Bernie was at the end of his presentation and was not expecting to be hit was such a bigoted remark. He also points out that Bernie's answer was understandable under the circumstances. He just thinks it might have been a missed opportunity.
I think Bernie would probably agree with that.
This guy doesn't claim to be an expert - he's just an opinion writer giving his opinion.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And how he's not "assertive" enough as a Jew:
oberliner
(58,724 posts)This person feels that there should have been a stronger response to the anti-semitic question, especially in light of Bernie's passion on those other topics you mentioned. Maybe he was just tired and was surprised by the question. Maybe he will make a point of talking about anti-semitism later on, and perhaps this moment was instructive to him in some way. Or maybe he answered it exactly the way he wanted to and would do so the same way again.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)It's not the first time this has happened nor will it be the last.
mucifer
(23,576 posts)It wasn't the time for him to give a lecture on the protocols of the elders of zion.
He handled it well. I thought it was great that he treated the paranoid man with respect. It could have really gotten ugly. I'm sure this is stuff he has dealt with since he was a kid.
I'm Jewish and it is painful to watch that interaction.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)Sane people on both side agree.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)It's one form of bigotry that's still acceptable. It angers me to no end.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)There is nothing suggesting anything about "being a good Jew" - just that the response could have been stronger.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)In fact, the author points out that most Jewish people respond similarly in these situations.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)isn't that the very definition of racism?
rac·ism
ˈrāˌsizəm/Submit
noun
the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)T
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)While a muslim or christian is not a race, a Jew is. Race itself is a bs term that is almost racist in itself, but it is why you can be Jewish but not Jewish, also why you can be half jewish, but not half christian.
beedle
(1,235 posts)if you're worrying more about the semantics of discrimination than the discrimination itself (ie: New Atheists.)
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Good catch.
dr60omg
(283 posts)He is Jewish and I suppose if you did not understand what he said perhaps you are not
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)Just a suggestion on what might have been a better response. It is quite reasonable.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And the implication that he's a bad Jew.
But other than that...
oberliner
(58,724 posts)The author is just expressing his opinion that he believed the anti-semitic comments were not rebuked as strongly as he thought they ought to have been.
That's a legitimate point - I would imagine Bernie would probably agree in retrospect.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)It's an opinion of someone who's implying Bernie's a bad Jew or not Jewish enough. It's the same thing Obama heard from AAs who wanted him to be more strident in calling out racism.
You can't make everyone happy, imo Bernie did just fine.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)What you bolded does not say what you are claiming. There is nothing about being a bad Jew or not being Jewish enough. It is simply a suggestion for what might have been a better response.
I agree that Bernie did fine - I think he could've done even better.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And this isn't the first time someone has implied he's a bad Jew because he called out Islamaphobia, not even close.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)The author thinks that at that moment there was a better way to respond. That's it.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Not even subtle.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)They are the brave ones.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)You don't know how many times certain supporters have claimed they never see anti-Semitism directed at Bernie here or on other websites. According to them it just doesn't exist.
desmiller
(747 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)He does just about everything right.
It's OK to suggest that a difference response here would've been better while still thinking Bernie is terrific.
desmiller
(747 posts)northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)Did you actually watch it. They were hitting a hard stop in time, and they were not going to take anymore questions. Bernie took another and replied to it, then the guy started shouting, it got pretty chaotic for a few, then they let him ask his question, they guy went crazy racist. The entire group and the audience flipped. Bernie looked like he was about ready to bet the guy down or have him removed, we walked away built up a little composure, and then had to calm the audience to then reply to the person. The person did not shut up he kept going. Everyone wanted to to beat him from the sounds of it. Bernie almost replied again, but then the guy got even worse and Bernie did a subtle closed fist strike and then used the moment to talk about peace in the middle east. I thought he did good, but I wished they showed the guy in the video, and some one took the mike from him. I have said a few times there is a group of people that don't like Bernie because he is Jewish, but unlike Hillary he does not paint every person that does not agree with him as such. I think his response was good because he did not give the guy any credit instead spoke his own mind.
Is there a video of the guy or info on him? The racist one?
oberliner
(58,724 posts)It definitely did get chaotic, and the guy kept on talking.
He was identified as John Prince.
This twitter feed has some clips that show video of him at the event:
https://twitter.com/Yamiche
He is identified as a community activist.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)That guy is f@cking sick. He just spout more and more of that same sh@t in the other video. He is mad Bernie just just answer about the property and Jews owning all of it? I hope he gets called out for it and gets in some major trouble.
http://www.scoopnest.com/user/Yamiche/718967350092046336
It was only a matter of time before it happened.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)He was obviously there to make a scene. If Bennie did as you suggested and address this mans bigotry, he probably would have escalated. Bernie handled it just right. Left him with nothing to scream about.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Simply saying something like "I completely reject that question and the prejudice behind it" would have been a great response.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)I just would make the point that I think Bernie is a fantastic candidate, and that the fact that I think he could've had a better response to this anti-semitic creep in no way diminishes that assessment.
Bad Thoughts
(2,536 posts)I'm tired of this crap.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)Last edited Sun Apr 10, 2016, 10:25 PM - Edit history (1)
***This is not the same guy, but it was the search result I got from google***
Tried to look for a video of the guy and found this Seattle video...
Two things, never saw the part afterwards where he mentions what he would have like to talk about, people like to cut that part out for some reason, I liked even then his message was the same.
But even worse look at the name of the video...
That is the f@cked up anti-Bernie sh@t I was talking about.
also...
&nohtml5=False
&nohtml5=False
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)My blood is starting to boil. Ugh!
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)I could not find his actual videos, these all came up instead. That is why I said iceberg, I realized I had to sort through tons of this antisemitic cr@p to try and find the guy I was looking for...
Also didn't help that there was a typo for "this" as "his"
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)And one of them was affiliated with Louis Farrakhan.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)I meant to type "this" and not 'his"...and that changed the whole thing. Not the same guy, the guy's videos are linked in the twitter account posted earlier, and here as well.
http://www.scoopnest.com/user/Yamiche/718967350092046336
I was just upset to see the BLM videos tagged with the horrid titles.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)On the other hand I like Yamiche Alcindor, she's awesome!
oberliner
(58,724 posts)An answer like that would not have given that guy's bigotry any more attention.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)This is Monday morning quarter backing at its worst, in fact all Bernie is against is a field of Monday morning quarterbacks. Dude says racist shit about you on a live feed in front of the nation. He did so much to not say anything bad, he gave it the response it deserved, none what so ever. Bernie showed he is better than him. The guy writing the post shows he is far worse. Wait this a a guy that writes stuff on line giving advice to take the bait? WTF? This guy has no cred at all, you never feed the troll.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)According to the author, Bernie's response to a person making an Islamaphobic comment was more forceful than this response to a person making an anti-semitic comment.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)I worked public safety at a university, when confronting a group of non-student minors for trying to sneak in to the girls dorm long after visiting hours ended, I was immediately called a whole host of slurs, and labeled a racist. I did not respond, because there was nothing to respond to. No matter what you say you can not talk down a person that is not listening. The first rule is to deescalate, disengage if it is making it worse. You know what, I am falling in to this, I have and so many others have given plenty of comments that make it clear as day that this article is victim blaming, if you want to jump in and join team racist enjoy the swim. I am done with this. It is obvious that you are offended that Bernie was attacked, and you don't like that you may have to side with him. Hey if it makes you feel better, I heard on good authority from a former president that Bernie is sexist so I am sure Bernie deserved it.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I am not sure what the rest of your paragraph is saying. The article is totally reasonable. Bernie could have given a stronger response. He is still awesome anyway.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)He said that is not what you are asking. He knew the guy was there to start something. Sometimes people approach with no intent to engage in a conversation, but to paint a narrative, or to be a victim. Sometimes when you protest you are not there to have a conversation, you are there to create a scene, get arrested, get attacked etc. That was my point in my story. I think if he had given this guy anything more it would have been worse, watch his videos, the guy is crazy, he is yelling about jews owning all the property. He is a racists idiot, he is yelling it in front of everyone. A dude that will yell out his racism in a area that is not also racist is a guy that is not looking to talk. That is my point, I have seen situations like this go so bad when one person lets his pride get to him and lets the aggressor have that window they are looking for.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)he does not want to listen. He just wants to keep reiterating his argument over and over ad nauseum. He is yelling and wanting a fight and so far he's kept everyone playing.
It's time to change the subject and walk away, like Bernie did.
northernsouthern
(1,511 posts)I just noticed the poster was a bit confused about some of my statement so I felt like while I was done talking, in the nature of open dialogue I should clarify. The poster has a long history of talking about Israel so I felt like they definitely may of had more reasons than to attack Bernie in the thread, and more likely had valid topical (less propaganda) reasons for such a response. Everyone can have an opinion, so I am not attacking that as much as the fact they may be siding with an actual racist sea of sharks and not realize it. I am done now I swear.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I still think it could have been a good opportunity to say something about the kind of anti-Jewish stereotype reflecting in that person's question/comments.
Certainly there was nothing asked about Israeli-Palestinian issues, so Bernie responding with his thoughts on that conflict did not seem like the ideal response, but I understand that he did what he could under the circumstances.
I just think something like "I completely reject that question and the prejudice behind it" would have been awesome.
haikugal
(6,476 posts)I haven't looked around but I'm not surprised at the ugly and it will get worse.
I'll look at these tomorrow.
JI7
(89,279 posts)Either way someone would complain.
yourpaljoey
(2,166 posts)grossproffit
(5,591 posts)dr60omg
(283 posts)I married a sabra. I know what anti-semitism is and anti-Semitism is NOT leveling a critique at the policies of Israel which have gone off the rail surprise ... Unless you are a hardliner you want a solution not a continued war game and as a Jew your first responsibility is that you stand against suffering and for the outsider sorry anti-Palestnian sentiment is not zionism ... zionism is actually a form of utopianism and if you are such a big zionist go live in Israel. Sanders did
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)It is criticizing the right of Israel to exist.
"Go live in Israel!"
Did you really say that?
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)Bonobo
(29,257 posts)bjo59
(1,166 posts)with a reminder that he recognizes Palestinian rights as well. Nobody else does that - they are all rabidly pro-Israeli government no matter what the Israeli government does.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)Or about Israel for that matter.
He seemed to be more about property ownership in NYC.
dr60omg
(283 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)I am not sure why you would think that he would know of such a thing.
Lint Head
(15,064 posts)shouting over him.
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)But, I think you may have missed how... Bernie took the opportunity to address it beginning with, "no, no, no, that's not what you're asking... After that, even after have a lot of riling up within the audience, he covered his message. I think the segue to move on to conclude was well handled from a woman I can't recall, but effectively addressed the audience.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)It seems like that was the opportunity that could have been taken. To name it as such and denounce it accordingly.
MrMickeysMom
(20,453 posts)Was calling it out called for beyond the way he did it?
That's subjective.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)you likely think the bird that landed on Bernie's podium was a plant.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Would've been a great response.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)TheFarS1de
(1,017 posts)We need a little levity every now and then
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)Aerows
(39,961 posts)In the future, he can make his statements against anti-Semitic rhetoric.
As it stands, however, I think he did the very best any politician could in a bad situation.
jfern
(5,204 posts)Behind the Aegis
(54,014 posts)I have often thought, "I should have said X or Y...that would have shown them!" The difference? I was actually in the situation. The author wasn't there, in the moment, and so his "shoulda" advice, is just that...after the fact, and how he would have had a better comeback. Whateves!
There is a time and place for everything, and it is easy to sit back and say that time was the place to do such-n-such, but, IMO, Sanders handled the situation quite well. He was able to read the audience and responded in a way that didn't "shame" anyone and diffused a nasty situation.
So, If Yair wants to address anti-Semitism, perhaps he should come here. He could hone his skills and may actually get a better perspective of the idea "there is a time and place" for everything.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Point out what might have been a better response in certain situations. There are literally hours and hours of people saying Hillary should have done this or Bernie should have done that all over the news programs and whatnot.
Personally, I think the response Yair suggests would have been awesome - though I understand why Bernie said what he said under the circumstances.
But calling out the anti-semitic nature of the questions would have been awesome - talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in response to a question about "Zionist Jews controlling the Fed" seems to not have been ideal.
Just my opinion though.