Jewish Week: Sarah Palin is Right--We're Looking at a Blood Libel

Jewish Week ^ | Wednesday, January 12, 2011 | Jonathan Mark

[kristinn]

Let's count who has been blamed so far by the Moderate & Tolerant Ones: Sarah Palin, the entire state of Arizona, the Tea Party (which was slandered as anti-Semitic during the election campaign, as well, by the same people who defended Obama churching with Jeremiah Wright), and let's blame all of talk radio, too, while we're at it, because the killer in Tucson must have been listening to talk radio stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.

As Jon Stewart pointed out, blaming talk radio for the Tucson killer is like blaming hard rock radio for the Columbine killers.

It's like blaming Paul McCartney ("Helter Skelter") for Charles Manson, or J.D. Salinger for Lennon's killer. At least Manson and Chapman said they were inspired by "Helter Skelter" and "Catcher In The Rye." The Civility Police are only guessing when they blame talk radio or everyone who is opposed to criminal immigration from Mexico.

SNIP

Sarah Palin is right. She is being slandered. Nothing reflects the vulgarity of the national conversation over the past few years more than the relentless "hating" of Sara Palin, particularly in the Jewish community, particularly those Jews who flatter themselves as being tolerant, as masters of civility.

Yes, articles, such as Michael Daly's in the Daily News, are exactly a blood libel, with headlines charging "Giffords' Blood Is On Sarah Palin's Hands."

SNIP

[kristinn]

Jewish Week Associate Editor Jonathan Mark, never at a loss for words, blogs on just about everything Jewish.

Alan Dershowitz also rose to defend Palin (via Big Government.)

[onyx]

Dershowitz defends Palin use of term ‘blood libel’

“The term ‘blood libel’ has taken on a broad metaphorical meaning in public discourse. Although its historical origins were in theologically based false accusations against the Jews and the Jewish People, its current usage is far broader. I myself have used it to describe false accusations against the State of Israel by the Goldstone Report. There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim. The fact that two of the victims are Jewish is utterly irrelevant to the propriety of using this widely used term.”

[jessduntno]

Jewish Week Associate Editor Jonathan Mark, never at a loss for words, blogs on just about everything Jewish.

Alan Dershowitz also rose to defend Palin (via Big Government.)

In an exclusive statement, famed attorney and Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz defended Sarah Palin’s use of the term “blood libel” from multiple detractors. As the Media Matters/MSM/Democrat narrative on the Tucson tragedy unravels, they are getting a lot more desperate in their attacks on Palin. Fortunately, there are still plenty of honest liberals around:

The term “blood libel” has taken on a broad metaphorical meaning in public discourse. Although its historical origins were in theologically based false accusations against the Jews and the Jewish People,its current usage is far broader. I myself have used it to describe false accusations against the State of Israel by the Goldstone Report. There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim. The fact that two of the victims are Jewish is utterly irrelevant to the propriety of using this widely used term.

[cicero2k]

It’s as if Sarah Palin had entered the temple of government and media and kicked over a few tables.

[mancini]

Thank you, Alan Dershowitz. I have never found Sarah Palin to use words frivolously. Now can we just move on from this.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

Wow, who would have thought. Not bad Mr. Dershowitz. Good post kristinn.

[mancini]

It’s as if Sarah Palin had entered the temple of government and media and kicked over a few tables.

Love the imagery.

[porter_knorr]

Great analogy.

I have never in my life seen the attacks on one particular woman the way they go after her. The sheer hatred would be so hard to deal with, but she holds her head up, and continues to stand for what is right, not just words. I applaud her.

[mazda77]

I might be full of wishful thinking but if the tide turns enough on this crap coming from the DBM maybe someone will have the guts to take away the Sheriff’s spurs. People in Tucson must be howling by now!

Correction, sane people in Tuscon . . .

[SnakeDoctor]

When Alan Dershowitz can be counted among the voices of reason, something has gone wrong.

SnakeDoc

[frithguild]

McCollum v. CBS, 202 Cal.App.3d 989, Court of Appeals of California, Second Appellate District, Division Three
July 12, 1988

***
Following these general allegations, plaintiffs allege that the defendants knew, or should have known, that it was foreseeable that the music, lyrics and hemisync tones of Osbourne’s music would influence the emotions and behavior of individual listeners such as John who, because of their emotional instability, were peculiarly susceptible to such music, lyrics and tones and that such individuals might be influenced to act in a manner destructive to their person or body.
***
John’s suicide, an admittedly irrational response to Osbourne’s music, was not something which any of the defendants intended, planned or had any reason to anticipate. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, it is simply not acceptable to a free and democratic society to impose a duty upon performing artists to limit and restrict their creativity in order to avoid the dissemination of ideas in artistic speech which may adversely affect emotionally troubled individuals. Such a burden would quickly have the effect of reducing and limiting artistic expression to only the broadest standard of taste and acceptance and the lowest level of offense, provocation and controversy.11 No case has ever gone so far. We find no basis in law or public policy for doing so here.

[savagesusie]

Interesting....Sometimes Alan Dershowitz surprises me. Maybe there is hope for him yet.

[Marty62]

Especially with the sheer volume of death threats against her. she never shy’s away from an issue.

[seowulf]

The term ‘blood libel’ has taken on a broad metaphorical meaning in public discourse.

Even not considering the "broad, metaphorical meaning" and focusing on the literal meaning of blood libel which led to pogroms and killings, the term 'blood libel' is accurate because it seems that those who are libeling conservatives and conservative broadcasters would not be necessarily unhappy if they incited violence against the right.

Should we only use the term 'blood libel' after the murders have happened, or should we use it if we believe we have started on a path to violence?

It we say some actions are fascistic, it does not mean we are living in a fascist society but if government keeps doing fascistic things, it won't be long before society is fascist.

Likewise, the libel may not now be calling for literal blood but it certainly could put us on that path.

[Terry Mross]

They are obviously scared to death of the woman. I fear for her safety, pray for her safety and hope she has a good security force. If anything was to happen to her I’d probably jump to all sorts of conclusions.

And Yea! for Alan D.

[LetMarch]

Many use the term “refecting” and as I reflect on so many in the press have continued using the terms: “Blast” and “Blasting” and “Slam” and “Slamming” it seems to me this builds a mindset that has & may become more literal day by day.

[Earthdweller]

At first the entire finger pointing ordeal just struck me as liberal immaturity mixed with a knee jerk PDS reaction. But that theory had to assume that socialist progressives are so stupid that they did not understand the severity of the charges, namely, accusing Palin of somehow causing murder.

This was being pushed by some very aware people..and it was wrong..to say the least.

I don't fault all the righteous indignation flying around...I hope it finds its mark.

[Tax-chick]

the Palin haters blame only the killer when a Moslem does the killing

Actually, he's being much too kind. They're just as likely to blame Israel, the United States, the existence of Christianity, or "Islamophobia" when Moslems kill.

[Tax-chick]

Can Mr. Dershowitz give us permission to say “niggardly” and “negate,” or do we need to get that from Jesse Jackson?

[MtnMan101]

Lets take a deeper look shall we? !!!