By Irwin N. Graulich / Israel National News/ 26 December 2003
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.