Don't Boycott Connecticut...boycott Lieberman's top donors

[Ardent15]

United Technologies
Sempra Energy
Purdue Pharma
UBS AG

<http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00000616&cycle=2010>

Hit him where it hurts..his wallet.

[MNDemNY]

1. I thought Lieberman represented Israel?

[Deep13]

4. Only where Big Insurance is not in session. nt

[Ardent15]

6. Yep. Isarel plays second fiddle to the insurance corps...

..for Traitor Joe.

[MNDemNY]

7. must be some "overlap".

[Behind the Aegis]

8. According to many bigots here, he does.

[Deep13]

10. Explain.

If you are accusing DUers of antisemitism, you ought to back up that claim.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. Do you know what anti-Semitism is?

Let's see if you have the basic skills to understand what it is.

[Deep13]

23. So, you've got nothing, then. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

31. It appears you don't if you cannot provide a simple definition. Quelle suprise!

[KamaAina]

14. When a non-Jew supports Israel, he is never said to "represent Israel".

For whatever reason (coughBIGOTRYcough), that's reserved for Lieberman.

There are plenty of reasons to hate his guts without dragging anti-Semitism into it.

edit: spelling

[MNDemNY]

20. I disagree with that premise.

That may be your opinion, but it is not shared by me.

[Deep13]

24. No, Lieberman goes out of his way to support Israel.

He is in the all-Palestinians-and-Muslims-are-terrorists crowd. It's not what he beleives, it's what he does that makes him an Israeli hack.

[mamaleah]

26. Ding Ding Ding!

I like how many references to Lieberman have included the fact that he is Jewish.

Any bets on how long it would take someone to get tombstoned if they used anyone else's religion or race as a reason for bashing them around here?

[MNDemNY]

12. Israel does not = Judaism.

Do not confuse the two. Call me a bigot to my face, or shut your cowardice mouth.

[Behind the Aegis]

15. Seems you are the one who is confused, but then again, it isn't surprising.

[MNDemNY]

16. Is your claim that Israel does= Judaism?

That's a mighty bold statement. Care to back it up? Do you feel that any criticism of the state of Israel is anti-semitic?

[Behind the Aegis]

18. That isn't my claim.

Do you even know what anti-Semitism is?

Can you tell me without strawmen or other logical fallacies?

[MNDemNY]

21. Educate me.

But I KNOW that simply criticizing the state of Israel, or calling out someone who in my opinion has supported Israel to the detriment of his sworn duty to represent the people of Conn. IS NOT.

[Behind the Aegis]

28. Let's see if it can be done.

All criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic. There are times, though, when the criticism is based in anti-Semitic rhetoric, but that is another conversation. While you are entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own "facts." It is common for people to claim Jews are more loyal to Israel than their native country. This has been happening for ages, even before the creation of Israel. Before Israel, Jews were claimed to be more loyal to other countries or ideologies which contradicted their current countries regime. So, when a post, calling for a boycott of Lieberman's corporate sponsors is "graced" with the FIRST post being about his allegiance to Israel, it is easy to come to the conclusion the poster is either ignorant of the anti-Semitic canard of "dual loyalty," is well aware of the implication, or thinks saying a Jew is more loyal to Israel is "acceptable criticism."

In a thread (the OP) which has nothing to do with Israel, the conversation turns to his loyalty to Israel sans proof and equating to nothing more than a red herring (logical fallacy).

I suggest you read The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion.

[MNDemNY]

34. So you argument is that you took offense, so it must be anti-semitic?

I got news for you, i think ALL religions are a detriment to human-kind, liarmans has , above all others in the senate, (IMO), defended Israel to a fault. Even when doing so has been against the best interests of the USA, so, I feel that the degree to which he has supported Israel is a MAJOR factor in his overall ass-hattedness. Therefore it is (IMO) a valid retort for any thread critical of the liarman.

I am not antisemitic, I am, however anti-theist.And proudly so.

[Behind the Aegis]

35. That "whooshing" sound..it is you missing the point.

So, continue with your anti-Semitic rhetoric. It has nothing to do whether I am offended by it or not, anti-Semitism is a constant, not defined by a person's acceptance or lack thereof of the definition.

[MNDemNY]

36. Your claim of anti semitism is bigoted on its face.

[Behind the Aegis]

38. Your ignorant posts say otherwise.

[MNDemNY]

41. right back at you.

theists, can't reason with a one of them. But then that is their nature, right?

[Behind the Aegis]

44. Facts don't change because of bigotry.

[MNDemNY]

46. you have no "facts" only veiled theocratic bullshit.

[Behind the Aegis]

47. And you have nothing but bigotry.

[MNDemNY]

53. nope, you are an ignorant theist.

But, they all are .

[mamaleah]

54. Are all atheists arrogant?

Or just you? Because many atheists I have met are very polite and thoughtful and do not go out of their way to perch on pedestals. I guess you are an anomaly.

[MNDemNY]

58. Polite? you lost that with your first post, calling me a bigot.

You have no leg to stand on, once again, as do most theists, you make accusations for which you are the one most guilty.

[mamaleah]

60. Where did I call you a bigot?

Or are you unable to answer the question re: are all atheists arrogant?

[MNDemNY]

62. My apologies, ma'am, you did not.I confused you with another poster.

But I do not know all atheists, so I can not answer your question. But I will reiterate that all theists, by virtue of their irrational "faith" are, in fact, ignorant.

[mamaleah]

64. And the belief that lack of a "faith" makes you any better is indeed arrogant.

And I assume then that any atheist who thinks he or she is better than the majority of society is an arrogant little prick.

[MNDemNY]

65. Not better, just not as ignorant as to certain aspects of reality.

[Behind the Aegis]

55. Yet one more example of what I said...all you have is your bigoted remarks.

[MNDemNY]

59. All you have is your fairy tales and condescending attitude.

[Behind the Aegis]

63. All you have is your bigotry and small-mindedness.

[billh58]

33. Since you asked,

the fundamental meaning of "anti-semitism" is:

Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is prejudice against or hostility towards Jews, often rooted in hatred of their ethnic background, culture, or religion. While the term's etymology might suggest that antisemitism is directed against all Semitic peoples, since the term was invented it has been used to refer exclusively to hostility toward Jews. In its extreme form, it "attributes to the Jews an exceptional position among all other civilizations, defames them as an inferior group and denies their being part of the nation{s}" in which they reside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism

Antisemitism is essentially based in racism and religious bigotry -- the same extremist behavior exhibited by the Christian religious-right, and their various offshoot white-supremacist groups.

Criticism of the government of Israel, and the American neoconservatives who support the Israeli neoconservatives (including LIEberman) does NOT constitute anti-semitism. Those Jews who label any and all criticism of Israel's political policies as "antisemetic" are being disingenuous.

[Behind the Aegis]

37. Well, some good came of this.

At least you got the definition correct. The only disingenuous thing I see here is your post and those who are willing to use anti-Semitic rhetoric against a Jewish senator in order to express your disgust for him and yet, pretend that it is suddenly not anti-Semitic because somehow Israel plays into it.

[billh58]

43. I don't give a

shit what LIEberman's religious faith is, only that he has been itching for a war with Iraq, and other ME countries since at least 1998. I only care that he was, along with his buddy McCain, a supporter of the neoconservative PNAC agenda for a Pax Americana beginning in the ME. I suspect that he only uses the neoconservative Israeli connection because it suits his war-mongering purpose.

That LIEberman supports the neoconservative factions within Israel only adds to my disgust for him, which has absolutely nothing to do his religion, ethnicity, or nationalistic loyalties. I don't want him deported -- I want him unseated and disgraced, and exposed for the traitor to Liberalism that he really is. As far as I know, the State of Israel has not become a theocracy as yet, so your blanket accusations of antisemitism by critics of LIEberman, or the neoconservative government of Israel, are plain and simple bullshit, and do an injustice to the true meaning of the term by using it so casually.

Save your holier-than-thou lectures for the real anti-semites in the Republican Party, and their Christian religious-right contingent. I personally believe that ALL religions are the cause of more turmoil and anguish in the world than all other political and sociological ideologies combined, but that's another topic.

LIEberman is just a neoconservative war-mongering asshole: with, or without, his religious or ethnic heritage.

[Behind the Aegis]

45. LOL!

Yes, anti-Semitism only exists on the right. So many posts here beg to differ. Continue to use anti-Semitic canards, get called on it.

[billh58]

48. And you,

my ulta-Jewish (and easily offended) friend, please continue to water-down the "anti" message by falsely accusing those who tell the unbiased truth, but also expect to be called on it. Just as with Gentiles, not all Jews are created equal, nor are all Jews entitled to use their religion and ethnicity as a shield for covering up their moral shortcomings, or their ultra-conservative political leanings. Case-in-point: Joe LIEberman.

I've also noticed that American Jews use the "anti" canard much more often, and with a much broader brush, than do Israeli or European Jews. Wonder why that is?

Shalom...;-)

[Behind the Aegis]

56. How sad. You know so little.

I am not "ultra-Jewish," whatever that means. Easily offended? You are easily confused. Combating bigotry because it is bigotry is not an example of being easily offended. By all means, continue to use anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry, but planned to get called on your ignorant and bigoted remarks.

"I've also noticed that American Jews use the "anti" canard much more often, and with a much broader brush, than do Israeli or European Jews. Wonder why that is?"

Funny, I have noticed the American far-left enjoy defending anti-Semitism. I wonder why that is? Probably because it fits there need.

[billh58]

61. Meh...

You are so far off-base in your hatred of anyone who dares to tell the truth that your judgment has become clouded. If you sincerely believe that criticism of Joe LIEberman's support of Israeli neoconservative politicians is "anti-semitic," then I feel sorry for you, as you are the one who is bigoted.

Judging by your responses on this thread, I have a distinct feeling that you are one of those people who falsely and maliciously level the accusation of antisemitism against anyone who doesn't totally agree with you, and that is beyond sad.

Assholes remain assholes regardless of their religion or ethnicity, and you may be near the point of joining LIEberman in that arena.

Peace...

[MNDemNY]

17. Is your claim that Israel does= Judaism?

That's a mighty bold statement. Care to back it up? Do you feel that any criticism of the state of Israel is anti-semitic?

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Serious question, because it may be ignorance here

You are aware of the central role of Jerusalem and Israel in modern Judaism? By the way I mean from the 17th century on, not just 1948.

In some ways it is much older than the 17th century, but Israel plays a critical role in the faith, and how it works. Israel is part of the core principles of judaism. By the way, I don't expect you, or for that matter many American Jews to know that.

But after the Seder is finished, for example... we all say Next Year in Jerusalem.. you think that started in 1948? No... that particular part of the prayer goes back to at least the 14th century. And you know why? Partly Jews have been seen as somehow separate for civil society in most societies until very recently in the history of Western Civilization.

So yes, Israel does equal judaism, especially very orthodox and traditional judaism.

[MNDemNY]

25. That's geography, not the political state.

So, no, Israel still does not = Judaism. By that reasoning, Saudi Arabia = Islam.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. You got it, why do you think the House of Saud runs one of the most

conservative states in Islam and are damned scared of the Al Qaida types?

And no, this is not an idea... it is a geographical place.

It does help to know the history.

[mamaleah]

27. Not just in Orthodoxy.

Both Conservative and Reform Judaism embrace Zionism. Both of the siddurim used include prayers for Israel. Neither the UAHC nor the USCJ has taken an anti-Zionist stance.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. True, zionism is a core value

but i was going on to before Hertzl...

Of course there is a good reason for that... SELF PRESERVATION, something that many people who are NOT Jewish do not understand.

No folks we are not paranoid... people are indeed out to kill us.

[abq e streeter]

39. and especially among progressives, should damn well understand, but choose not to

because it would undermine their fanatical hatred of Israel .

[mamaleah]

40. Constant vigilance is something many people will never "get".

Sadly, too many of us got lax and thought we were ok in Eastern Europe, especially in Germany. We were "accepted' to a certain degree.

I think most of us know that we always need to keep our eyes open. Those that claim they are friends may quickly turn on us.

I read your post and understood that you were talking pre-Hertzl. I just wanted to point out UAHC and USCJ because too many think zionism=only OU/Chabad. Indeed, some of the largest monetary supporters of Israel are RH/YK only Jews. Many are Jews who haven't been to shul since their bar mitzvah even.

[Bluenorthwest]

29. According to bigots he does

according to others, he is a Corporatist representing Big Insurance.

[tblue]

2. Great, but how in the world do we do that? What are we supposed to not buy?

[sandnsea]

3. Organize pickets? Maybe??? n/t

[Deep13]

5. I don't think any of those companies have retail stores around here.

Not really sure how to boycott them. :-(

[Contrary1]

9. Enough bad publicity should affect their stock value...

That would get their attention.

[Ardent15]

11. Exactly. nt

[romantico]

19. A co worker

A co worker has said for years if this was Poland in 1939, Joe would be ratting out the Jews to the Nazis. Would anyone here disagree with that analogy?

[TheCowsCameHome]

42. Who elected him?

The voters, perhaps?

[billh58]

49. Yes, he was elected

by "voters" -- Republican and neoconservative voters. He lost the Democratic Primary election.

[rhett o rick]

51. He got lots of support from the Senate good ole boys and the Democratic Party. nt

[billh58]

52. Only from the DLC

neoconservative wing of the Democratic Party. The point being, he did not carry his District with Democratic votes, but with Republican and neoconservative money and votes. He lost the Democratic Primary to Ned Lamont -- a real Democrat.

[MindandSoul]

50. Good idea! But we need to let those donors KNOW we re not buying from them!

[Hannah Bell]

57. sure, i just won't buy an elevator or jet this year. that'll show 'em.

http://www.utc.com/utc/About_UTC/About_UTC.html

boycott fucking connecticut tourism. he'll feel the pressure quicker than if some peon in california changes power companies (assuming there's even a 2nd choice available, which in lots of power markets, there isn't.)

http://www.sempra.com/companies/companies.htm