Comments on: Anthony Weiner goes from right-wing stiff to brilliant populist in a New York second (guess the issues!)

By: VR

VR — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:30:55 +0000

Than again…Israel might live in his wallet…LOL

By: kylebisme

kylebisme — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:29:25 +0000

I recall Wolfowitz dating a Muslim woman, but not marrying.

By: LeaNder

LeaNder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:36:56 +0000

Hmm, the smiley has gone. It's here

By: LeaNder

LeaNder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:34:13 +0000

But I would have liked to at least raised a Palestinian flag deep in that hostile territory, for what it would have been worth.

By: Tuyzentfloot

Tuyzentfloot — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:42:46 +0000

Pragmatism. Tony Judt recounts how an important politician once explained his logic on Israel. He was pretty well aware of the situation but he explained that any initiative against Israeli interests would at most get 20% of the vote, and afterwards he’d pay for it. There would not be a big problem getting reelected but every other initiative would be killed so that his career would effectively be dead. So what do you do? There’s nothing to be gained but a symbolic gesture, and that for people who aren’t even american.

Maybe I should distinguish between pragmatism as trying to achieve goals while taking in account the rules of the game you’re in, or just focus on playing the game as it is, nevermind any other goals you might have(there’s a word for that: ludecy) .

In the I/P conflict pragmatism is also being played with the strategy of establishing “facts on the ground”. It’s reasonable and realistic to accept facts on the ground. To not accept them would be to demand a principled position.

By: America First

America First — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:44:20 +0000

Why do we start Medicare at 65? Why not start at 55, or 45. 35….” He was a great Jewish politician in the great old way, and I was in love.

He better check with a great Chinese politician and see whether they’re willing to buy trillions more in US debt to pay for it. I don’t think our 16-34 working cohort can foot the whole bill.

By: Ethan Heitner

Ethan Heitner — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:40:38 +0000

I’m deeply regretting skipping this event. I live in Weiner’s district in Brooklyn, and my grandparents moved to Flatbush, also in his district, from Israel in the 60s. My grandmother remembers my grandfather arguing with Schumer’s dad in the middle of Kings Highway over politics.

Anthony Weiner is a lost cause on these issues. He was the member of congress who was calling for Columbia to fire Professors Joseph Massad and others over their support for Palestine years ago.

But I would have liked to at least raised a Palestinian flag deep in that hostile territory, for what it would have been worth.

By: potsherd

potsherd — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:10:01 +0000

So you guys think that when he’s alone in the shower he admits the Likudniks are racists? I kinda doubt this.

By: LeaNder

LeaNder — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:30:40 +0000

powerfully visualized event, Phil. But now I of course wonder, what Adam’s report would look like and feel.

Horowitz and I differ slightly in interpretation. I believed that this wonderful politician (whom I’d never appreciated because he’s such a stiff on Israel) was intimidated by the Israel lobby. Horowitz said he was just saying what the folks wanted to hear.

… or he basically isn’t deeply familiar with the issue, apart from עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי – a basic feeling of belonging. But that may well be the impression Phil’s article left.

By: gmeyers

gmeyers — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:22:40 +0000

Just another PEP. Ignore…