Andrew Adler, the owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times, has apologized after running a column that lists three options for Israel to deal with its current threats that included killing Barack Obama. The column went out of its way to make sure that readers “read ‘three’ correctly” — “U.S. based Mossad agents” should kill the president. The column is just one more example of how religious writers and politicians use faith as a vehicle for hate and violent speech. Given our discussion of Santorum’s honorary campaign chairman (who denounced gays as making God want to vomit), one has to wonder about the intestinal fortitude of the Almighty during periods of sectarian extremism.
Adler listed three options for Israel to counter Iran’s nuclear weapons in his weekly newspaper last Friday. The first is to launch a pre-emptive strike against Hamas and Hezbollah. The second is to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Then there is the third option:
Three, give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States’ policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies.
Yes, you read “three” correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel’s existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don’t you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel’s most inner circles?
Another way of putting “three” in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives…Jews, Christians and Arabs alike?
You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table.
A bit hard to peddle back from that. The readers of the Atlanta Jewish Times will hopefully use this disgraceful column as a vehicle to reexamine the rhetoric and extremism displayed by Adler and others in today’s political discourse. An apology for such a hateful and extremist column falls a bit short of convincing. It comes off as an “I should not have put it in print” apology.
Source: Gawker
So many comments so many thoughts to write but I’ll address Mr. Spindell than my own.
Bibi and the current government – including mosad are that arrogant to believe that they could in fact assassinate an American President.
Israel has always been arrogant and this and the above words come from an Israeli American whose parents were members of the founding generation.
Israel has never been able to exist on its own and will never ever be able to accomplish that feat in the future without American support. It has not real economy. It has no raison d’etre other than being the last standing survivor of a war that is killing, not just their future; but the future of every other country.
Israel has – contrary to Mr. Spindell’s comment – every reason to give in to what every U.S. President has asked: a two state solution with the 67′ borders as a starting point.
What makes the American jewish magazine article more frightening is that it reflects a hatred in Israel – ushered in by Bibi that caused the assassination of Rabin — and that can translate to zealous Jews that don’t see their future in this President but in Christian fundamentalists.
The writer/owner of the article-magazine should be arrested and brought to trial ….
Israeli President Rabin was killed by a crazy Jew. Don’t think that it can’t happen in America. The Hollywood arsonist was a crazy Russian Jew. I know that it is hard for some to face reality that there are crazy Jews. If one does kill Obama, the Blacks will burn the cities. Your imagination can run with these possible outcomes. Better watch your neighbor at Temple and report any talk about doing the President harm. Don’t think that it can’t happen.
“When They Come for Us, We’ll Be Gone: The Epic Struggle to Save Soviet Jewry” by Gal Beckerman (Author) on DemocracyNow! this morning
Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha and Confucius all had great, humane ideas, but all of their ideas were later perverted in their names….
Mike:
The historical record does not bear that out especially in the case of Mohammed who was a military leader and his objective was power by any means. Forced conversion and slaughter were part of his modus operandi. The case for Jesus and Moses is mixed but Buddha and Confucius were fundamentally very different. They were philosophers first and the system(s) was one of morals and ethics with no creator god like the monotheistic Abrahamic faiths. This is not to say that individual Muslims are all to blame or even think the same way. Ultimately, as you said people make it worse or with time become liberal as the West has done. (I am concerned we may be going backwards). But the historical record of the Eastern belief systems has been better. As an atheist and secular humanist, I feel we as humans have to ultimately get out of this tribal mode so that we can survive. Sometimes, I wonder if we will make it to the year 2100.
“How many millions have been killed over religious issues?”
Raff,
Of course a incalculable number. I’m glad I was ever “chosen” to be a prophet, because whatever good I would try to preach, would be erased by my “followers” in the name of their own power. Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha and Confucius all had great, humane ideas, but all of their ideas were later perverted in their names.
“Atlanta Jewish Times owner Andrew Adler issues an emotional apology in an exclusive video interview with AIB-TV Executive Producer Audrey Galex”
Mike,
How many millions have been killed over religious issues? The numbers have to be staggering over the centuries.
“‘a vastly underpopulated place’……….where have I heard that before?”
Your neurologist?
The similarities between certain Jews, Islamics and Christians are startling. Usually at their base are Fundamentalist tendencies. Much as people hate it the issues of nations are rarely black and white.
“‘a vastly underpopulated place’……….where have I heard that before?”
Cleotis,
I have no idea where you heard it before, perhaps you could elucidate? As to the population at the time, 1860’s, read Twain’s book published 20 years before there was even a Zionist movement.
‘a vastly underpopulated place’……….where have I heard that before?
From Gene’s link:
“While Adler was roundly criticized by many, Chemi Shalev also writes in Haaretz that there are likely many others who agree with the reasoning behind Adler’s extreme words.”
Excellent article of the type you wont seen in US papers.
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/jewish-publisher-is-an-idiot-but-his-hatred-is-shared-by-many-1.408466
Just for giggles I checked to see if the WAPO’s Jennifer Rubin, classic Israel firster , and particularly unhinged when it comes to Obama, had deigned to comment. Not yet.
Interesting link Gene. I would have fired him if it was my paper.
Andrew Adler, ‘Atlanta Jewish Times’ Publisher, Resigns After Obama Assassination Comments
(◣_◢),
Be my guest and steal all you want. I’ve long since disabused myself of the illusion I’m a great thinker, but I am a good synthesizer.