by David Safier
David Gregory appears to be confused about the nature of Jews and "Leaders." According to Talking Points memo, on today's Meet the Press, Gregory called Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “Leader of the Jews,” talked about his role as "leader of the Jewish People” and asked him his opinion about Obama by saying to Netanyahu, “You are the leader of the Jewish people.”
Wrong, wrong and wrong. Netanyahu is the leader of Israel in kind of (though not exactly) the same way Obama is leader of the U.S. Neither speaks for everyone in their respective countries, but each was elected to his position at the top of their respective governments. Though Israel is officially a Jewish state, there are many non-Jews in Israel. So the most accurate thing you can say is, Netanyahu is the elected leader [i.e., Prime Minister] of Israel.
Netanyahu doesn't "lead" this Jew. Never has, never will. David Ben Gurion didn't lead me either. Likewise Golda Meir and all the other Israeli leaders. To the extent I am "led," it is by the President of the United States, in the only country where I am a citizen. And for the record, there is no Pope-like figure in the Jewish faith, no one who deserves anything like the title, "leader of the Jewish people."
David Gregory tweeted a non-apology apology, saying it would have been “better to say he’s leader of jewish state.” David, if you didn't self correct after three misstatements during your on-air interview with Netanyahu, you're clearly not up to speed on the allegiance Jews feel to the country they live in and the affinity — but not allegiance — some (but by no means all) Jews feel toward the state of Israel.
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L’shanah tovah. David, you are right. Let’s leave the trolls to their mishigass and just continue to be as sensible as you and most of our fellow Jewish-Americans are.
A reminder. Please. Don’t. Feed. The. Trolls. Trolls grow stronger on your responses. I’m leaving these comments up because their criticism of me is nothing compared to what a fool the commenter has made of himself. It’s a good reminder of the kind of mindset that’s out there.
Happy Rosh Hashanah, David http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu5Zf88gTwM&feature=player_embedded
Rosh Hashanah promises everyone a second chance, even if it’s their hundredth one. The New Year also carries the promise of a new you. We are invited to see both ourselves and each other in light of that promise. In fact, Rosh Hashanah teaches that with a bit of work, there is no past that cannot be overcome, and no person who does not deserve the opportunity to do so…
Rosh Hashanah is about relationships. Whether between individuals and the God in whom they believe, communities and the traditions which define them, or simply between individuals, whether any God or tradition is a part of their lives, it’s all about sustaining relationships which sustain us and help us do the same for others. Rosh Hashanah invites us to reconnect, repair, and renew. Call it what you will, observe it any way you choose, but if that isn’t worthy of our attention and celebration, what is?
Washington Post/ Brad Hirschfield. Happy New Year.
no one denied God 3 times in a voice vote. What did Rick Santorum say??/ Oh yeah…he said. “Smart people will never side with conservatives” First thing I ever agreed with Ricky about.
http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/422252 Take your conspiracy theories and your ignorance somewhere else. Bibi has been a freaking loose cannon for YEARS! He wants nothing more than to have the US fight his war that he’s been itching for since the 90’s.
You also seem to think that everything that Bibi wants is truth, and everyone else is wrong. Wrong answer.
PBO is an atheist now? Wow.
Hey look! Another Jew that doesn’t agree with you! http://swampland.time.com/2012/09/12/enter-bibi/ Following blindly is not what smart people do. The Jewish people know what’s going on here…and all but the Neocons are NOT happy.
You need to take a step back! How dare you question his religion and his thoughts. He happens to be right on this.Keep your nose out of where it doesn’t belong….and don’t weigh in on things you know nothing about.
Gregory is a GOP shill. He says what he’s told to say. Wrong or not. Pushing GOP talking points is all he does, which is why I never watch. I did hear about this though. It’s equally disturbing that Gregory even HAD Bibi on MTP, throwing out his toxic memes and interfering in our electoral process.