Palin Calls Criticism ‘Blood Libel’

New York Times ^ | January 12, 2011 | MICHAEL D. SHEAR

[Marty62]

During the first and second centuries, some Roman commentators misunderstood the ritual of the Eucharist and related teachings. While celebrating the Eucharist, Christians drink red wine in response to the words “This is the blood of Christ”. Propaganda arguing that the Christians literally drank blood was written and used to persecute Christians. Romans were highly suspicious of Christian adoptions of abandoned Roman babies and this was suggested as a possible source of the blood. In the Mandaean scripture, the Ginza Rba, a purportedly Christian group called the “Minunei” are accused of it against the Jews: “They kill a Jewish child, they take his blood, they cook it in bread and they proffer it to them as food.” (Ginza Rba 9.1).

[LeonardFMason]

FACT: If Sarah Palin, her husband, or one of her children were killed by a hate-filled leftist the “Drive By” media would spin and report it as if “well...she got what she deserved” because of something she said or did. Only LIBERALS, DEMOCRATS, SOCIALISTS, and MUSLIMS are pure in thought and deed.

[tomkat]

.. They certainly want to destroy her politically. But they don't want her "dead."

Wanna bet ?!

[bcsco]

The historical use of the term "Blood Libel" is a very specific one. That's absolutely true. However, as with many historical terms, it's use has been expanded upon, especially lately what with our careless use of the English Language.

I would agree Sarah Palin would have been better off with another term. But that doesn't condone the use of "stupid" or "tone deaf stupidity" as used by you in post #37. Sarah Palin is neither stupid nor tone deaf to her surroundings - or the American dialogue. Such use in a remark is in itself inflammatory, and should have been considered as well before posting. What you accuse Sarah Palin of you do yourself, in all fairness with the same results...

I stand by her statement. The use of the term "Blood Libel" may deflect from the proper discussion of her statement, but the statement as a whole is excellent. Yet, like you, the media and her detractors will focus on one issue to obfuscate the truth in her words. I hope you're comfortable with that. It falls on you as well.

[fnord]

“If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government.” - Sarah Palin

“If men and women were angels, we could have a perfect government.” - Modern liberals

I can’t think of a starker way to distinguish between them and us.

[geologist]

Sarah Palin from the moment she began to speak on the stage announcing her candidacy as VP with John McCain has surprised America, with her values, her speech, her intelligence, her moxie and her beauty.

Hurray for SARAH PALIN. Thank You, Father God for bringing Sarah Palin forth at this time in America. Hers is a positive voice for America and not the rhetoric we get 24 hours a day from the biased, agenda following propaganda of our medias.

[Marty62]

It has been used against christians and others also. although mostly against Jews.

[Carling]

This thread has been hijacked by three posters (wtc911, CharlesWayneCT, and somebody with an ‘R’ starting their screen name) repeating the same thing over and over about “blood libel” to try and distract from Mrs. Palin’s larger (and accurate) message. Basically, they are acting exactly like the Dems/MSM act when they get their asses handed to them on a platter, which is what Palin just served.

I'm not a big fan of Palin, and have been accused of being a “Palin Hater” more than once on this board, but after reading other accounts of “blood libel”, and taking into consideration how I have heard it used recently, I find the criticisms boring, pedantic, and derived from a linear way of thinking. Did it originate in reference toward Jews? Sure. Has it been used in recent years in a more secular context? Sure ... but these 3 posters, and the MSM, aren't going to allow that to stop them from making the video about them, and not about what Palin said as a larger point.

[FreedomForce]

Thanks for posting that link. I’ll post it again because it deserves to be posted again.

http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/256955/term-blood-libel-more-common-you-might-think

[Mr Rogers]

“Rather than making a statement that clearly (and justly) faults the media for its partisan excess Palin has used (mis-used) an inflammatory arcane phrase that is historically anti-semitic and, in the process, given that very same media a point upon which to pivot the argument back against her.”

Has it ever occurred to you that many of us had NEVER heard the phrase before applied to Jews? Until I did an Internet search, I didn’t know the term had any connection to Jews. I had always heard it used as a libel so awful that it would require a bloody nose or more to satisfy the accused. Think of a blood feud from the south...

This was my email to Jonah at NRO:

“It WAS a blood libel - a libel that we seek the blood of liberals, just as Jews were said to seek the blood of Christians. And the libel has the same purpose - to incite anger and revulsion about those being libeled.

Let’s be clear - there are many liberals who would do a happy dance if Sarah Palin was murdered. The folks carrying signs calling for GWB’s death may have lacked the guts to try to kill him, but they would have rejoiced if someone else had done so.

And if not killed, then at a minimum, many liberals like the President and others want Palin or Rush CRUSHED. Liberals don’t think, they emote - so they attack conservatives, not with ideas, but with emotions.

I was one of those who stood in protest outside her office in Tucson, demanding that she hold town halls - something she was refusing to do. When she broke down and agreed to do some, I attended the closest and booed when she claimed she wanted limited government and that Obamacare would help us. And had I been at the Safeway on Oracle & Ina, I would have cheerfully pulled my S&W out of my pocket - to shoot the gunman!

To accuse me and others like me of inciting the attack IS blood libel - libel about blood, libel that we seek blood, libel intended to turn us into demons.

Sarah Palin is right, and you are wrong.”

[Happy Rain]

touche’

[Presbyterian Reporter]

Well stated

[t-dude]

The English language is always evolving.

For example, the term ghetto was originally about the squalid living conditions of Jews in Italy centuries ago.

Does it still only apply to Jews?

You are being a simplistic moron.

You would say anyone using the term ‘ghetto-blaster’ is stupid, because the Jews never had big boom boxes...

Give it up.

What level of ignorance do you have to be at to be such a literalist? Metaphors must confuse the hell out of you.

[BillM]

Thank God that Sarah and the Tea Party won the US house and the Lord knows how many state legislatures in November!

Now every one of these leftist plans can be thwarted.

[Carling]

Are you really using an op/ed from The Atlantic as some sort of validation of your claims against Mrs. Palin? Actually, this tells me that your beliefs mirror the beliefs of the far left than they do the majority of posters on this site. Are you sure you're on the correct forum?

[erod]

The Tea Party’s public image is that they’re a bunch of hicks who march around and shout about what and who they don’t like; and don’t have any ideas worth speaking of.

Thats just your opinion and the MSMs. I remember a Rasmussen poll where respondents said they had a higher favorable rating of the Tea Party than both the Democrat and Republican parties. So if we’re just a bunch of dumb hayseed hicks why is it that the Tea Party won big in the last election? We’re not going anywhere. The old RINO, liberal establishment way of doing things are coming to an end.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

You must be crazy - language doesn't evolve at all. Or,as my good friend Ug once said:

"Grunt-grunt, yell, [chest thump], growl, [fist wave], grunt!"

[Carling]

You appeared to be getting all worked up about being called out in this thread. Your PDS is showing, but please refrain from swearing on FR.

[Freee-dame]

bump

[kenavi]

It is blood libel.

It couldn't be more apt.

It is the use of a false accusation of murder to incite persecution against the accused.

Knowing the history as well as I do, the term popped into my head immediately upon hearing the allusions to Sarah Palin.

That Mrs. Palin, an Alaskan self-described "hockey mom", could pull out this apt analogy from the depths of a generally forgotten history, shows remarkable depth. If someone else provided her the words, she's made a good choice in using them.

I still don't think she's qualified to be President.