Sometimes Jewish pride overwhelms everything else. Minority groups tend to be irrationally boastful about the successes of one of their own. Jews get naches or joy from a baseball player like Koufax or Greenberg; a violinist like Yitzchak Perlman; an actor like Tony "Bernie Schwartz" Curtis; and a senator like Joe Lieberman. Many Jews have taken this concept to an extreme, including a spin on the accomplishments of Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and other notables (sic). It matters very little whether that particular Jew even affirms Judaism or participates in any actual practices. All that seems to be important is having the correct surname and lineage. If one also happens to attend synagogue every week, better yet. Jews who have become "famous" in their field can generally do no wrong in the eyes of fellow Jews.
Enter Joseph Lieberman, the first Jewish vice presidential candidate in US history. Great numbers of Jews were so excited about this accomplishment, that many completely disregard the larger picture. One of the great dangers for Jews and Israel, short of a chemical/biological/nuclear attack by Saddam, would be the election of Lieberman as president. Just the idea should give any thinking "serious" Jew heart palpitations and ulcers.
Senator Lieberman is certainly a decent man. However, the US Senate is his Mt. Everest. He should go no higher or disaster awaits the "People of The Book." A very basic character flaw can be found in the senator's own name change. As a national figure, Lieberman suddenly became "Joe." The biblical Joseph was "too Jewish." Joe is a nice American name. Even his own official web site presently headlines him as "Senator Joe Lieberman" and his biography does not mention his deep religious commitment.
Lieberman's great flaw is his own self-perception. He already views his stature as a statesman, by virtue of being selected by Al Gore as a running mate. Suddenly, diplomacy and a concern to be liked by the world become overriding concerns. This was the reason he actually mentioned, during the presidential campaign, that Israel should speak with Arafat. His reasoning was the old diatribe, "you don't negotiate peace with your friends." Alas, Chamberlain returns!
While Senator Lieberman has been a centrist Democrat, voting for Bush's Iraq war resolution, many of his other views reveal a pandering to the left in the party. He puppets Gore on the great dangers facing the world ? the environment, health care, economics, etc. Yet Lieberman's own Bible tells him that the greatest danger to humanity is "good versus evil." Somehow, that idea gets equal concern with second hand smoke, violent video games and other issues.
The "great statesman" (sic) toured the volatile Middle East. Again, his rhetoric shows Joseph's true "colors." Knowing the two year history of the Intifada and the incredible amount of terror it has wrought on Israel, the senator visited with Palestinian Minister Yasser Abd Rabbo and ranted about "the strong support in the US for a Palestinian state." Like a good appeaser, he added "living side by side in peace with Israel." Our great humanitarian senator has chosen to place terrorism as a secondary issue. Showing incredible compassion for the weaker party, Lieberman announced that "the Palestinians are living in desperate human conditions," which he deplores. The blame-America-for-the-death-of-Iraqi-children logic reappears in a similar issue.
His delivery of this message in today's world situation should send a signal to all Americans, and especially to Jews, about the dangers of a Lieberman presidency. Yasser Arafat is a recognized terrorist and a clear and present danger. However, Israel has him locked in his little cage in Ramallah, controlling his destiny. He is not even permitted to go to church on Christmas eve for his annual side show.
That is how a nation controls its enemies. However, Senator Joe Lieberman is free to travel around the world, making comments that are taken seriously due to his stature in the American political process. That is an excellent recipe for disaster, especially for Jews.
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Irwin N. Graulich is a well known Jewish motivational speaker on Judaism, ethics, morality, religion and politics and president of Bloch Graulich Whelan Inc., a leading communications and marketing company in New York City. He can be reached at irwin.graulich@verizon.net.
Enter Joseph Lieberman, the first Jewish vice presidential candidate in US history. Great numbers of Jews were so excited about this accomplishment, that many completely disregard the larger picture. One of the great dangers for Jews and Israel, short of a chemical/biological/nuclear attack by Saddam, would be the election of Lieberman as president. Just the idea should give any thinking "serious" Jew heart palpitations and ulcers.
Senator Lieberman is certainly a decent man. However, the US Senate is his Mt. Everest. He should go no higher or disaster awaits the "People of The Book." A very basic character flaw can be found in the senator's own name change. As a national figure, Lieberman suddenly became "Joe." The biblical Joseph was "too Jewish." Joe is a nice American name. Even his own official web site presently headlines him as "Senator Joe Lieberman" and his biography does not mention his deep religious commitment.
Lieberman's great flaw is his own self-perception. He already views his stature as a statesman, by virtue of being selected by Al Gore as a running mate. Suddenly, diplomacy and a concern to be liked by the world become overriding concerns. This was the reason he actually mentioned, during the presidential campaign, that Israel should speak with Arafat. His reasoning was the old diatribe, "you don't negotiate peace with your friends." Alas, Chamberlain returns!
While Senator Lieberman has been a centrist Democrat, voting for Bush's Iraq war resolution, many of his other views reveal a pandering to the left in the party. He puppets Gore on the great dangers facing the world ? the environment, health care, economics, etc. Yet Lieberman's own Bible tells him that the greatest danger to humanity is "good versus evil." Somehow, that idea gets equal concern with second hand smoke, violent video games and other issues.
The "great statesman" (sic) toured the volatile Middle East. Again, his rhetoric shows Joseph's true "colors." Knowing the two year history of the Intifada and the incredible amount of terror it has wrought on Israel, the senator visited with Palestinian Minister Yasser Abd Rabbo and ranted about "the strong support in the US for a Palestinian state." Like a good appeaser, he added "living side by side in peace with Israel." Our great humanitarian senator has chosen to place terrorism as a secondary issue. Showing incredible compassion for the weaker party, Lieberman announced that "the Palestinians are living in desperate human conditions," which he deplores. The blame-America-for-the-death-of-Iraqi-children logic reappears in a similar issue.
His delivery of this message in today's world situation should send a signal to all Americans, and especially to Jews, about the dangers of a Lieberman presidency. Yasser Arafat is a recognized terrorist and a clear and present danger. However, Israel has him locked in his little cage in Ramallah, controlling his destiny. He is not even permitted to go to church on Christmas eve for his annual side show.
That is how a nation controls its enemies. However, Senator Joe Lieberman is free to travel around the world, making comments that are taken seriously due to his stature in the American political process. That is an excellent recipe for disaster, especially for Jews.
--------------------------------------------------------
Irwin N. Graulich is a well known Jewish motivational speaker on Judaism, ethics, morality, religion and politics and president of Bloch Graulich Whelan Inc., a leading communications and marketing company in New York City. He can be reached at irwin.graulich@verizon.net.