You know those airline commercials that show embarrassing situations — and offer a way to escape? Think ex-Governor of Wisconsin and Presidential dark horse Tommy Thompson wants a one-way ticket somewhere else?
Said Thompson: “I’m in the private sector and for the first time in my life I’m earning money. You know that’s sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that.”
After causing “a stir in the audience,” Thompson only made matters worse by trying to apologize.
“I just want to clarify something because I didn’t [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You’ve been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that.”
Oooooof. Well, that’s one way to get attention for your campaign.
Thanks to Political Wire.
As Bugs Bunny was fond of saying, “what a maroon.”
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On the positive side, this should remove the potential voter confusion of having two candidates named “Thompson” on the ballot.
Is this better or worse than Biden’s comment?
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Thompson was at least addressing a positive stereotype. Of course, he did so in a much more ham-handed way. Doesn’t help that by and large the Jewish community is more hostile to Republicans than African-Americans are to Democrats.
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I don’t know how one gets to the point if thinking they would be a good president, if crap like that comes out of their mouths…
I don’t really have an answer re: ‘worse’ or ‘better’ than Biden’s comment regarding Obama. But I am really curious: what do you mean by a “positive stereotype”?
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For example, do you mean that a “positive stereotype” that “Jews control the Federal Reserve”? Since it would put Jews in a position of power to control the Reserve (it boosts us up) it’s considered “positive.” It’s used as a way to stir up anti-Jew sentiment (to keep us down). I just want to clarify what you meant.
To put words in Thompson’s mouth. I’m sure McCain’s people can take care of that. He said something stupid, he’s not distributing the The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which is the subject of your link. It’s akin to accusing Biden of arranging showings of The Birth of a Nation.
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Thompson said that it was a “Jewish tradition” to “earn money” and be “outstanding business people”. You see that as negative? Biden was damning with faint praise. This praise, while stereotypical, isn’t faint.
…Thompson was at least addressing a positive stereotype.
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You might believe that, and I most certainly do. (Sorry, my ancient computer here in Germany was unable to download the Ha’aretz article, so I do not fully understand the context.)
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But, one thing that you might want to consider is history. Jews as bankers. Well, why not? Christians weren’t supposed to be able to earn interest on their money. So why should Christians lend their money if they weren’t going to make money off the lending? Jews could, and did.
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Jews as merchants. Well, why not? They gave the people (including the Christians) what they wanted at a price the (largely Christian) customers were willing to pay. Nobody was required to buy from the Jewish merchants, but the little deep-dark secret is that they (largely Christian) wanted to buy from them, and they did.
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I could go on, but I’ll cut to the chase. Success breeds contempt. SOME Jews (particularly in Europe) were quite successful, and that bred the contempt that, in large part, fed the Nazi hit on them. Was that right? Most certainly not. Am I wrong? Most certainly not. The Nazi hit on the Jews was equivalent to a Mafia hit, no more, no less, and, like a Mafia hit, it was despicable.
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Getting back to your comment. A positive stereotype of a group in some peoples’ eyes can be a contemptible fantasm in other peoples’ eyes. And it is probable that the fear of the contempt that is what led to the dismay in Thompson’s audience.
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Thompson should have taken his foot out of his mouth instead of continuing to insert his lower leg into it.
In many cases throughout history, Jews were forced into certain financial professions because they were prohibited from many other professions (and/or owning land) by rulers of the times. I’d suggest you consider that part of the historical equation before deciding whether or not the comments are offensive.
…because of the dearth of religious limitations on their mercantile abilities, Jews (not The Jews but Some Jews) saw a market opportunity, and they took it. Some Jews took advantage of the market opportunity, and became fairly wealthy as a result.
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Do I decry the fact that they became wealthy because of the stupidity of the Christians? Not by a long shot. Not even close.
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What I do decry is the fact that the envy of the Christians in Europe became so great that they wanted to eliminate an entire class of people because of that envy.
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As long as I am posting, I will tell you another anecdote. (Anecdotes become data points, usw., for scientists). The excellent craftsman, who installed our kitchen in Wellesley is a (probably illegal, but I’m not sure) sephardic Jew from, of all places Israel via a couple of other places in Northern Africa and do forth. He was an excellent handworker, but resented the fact that the Ashkenaz Jews, who primarily apparently invaded the place from Europe, looked down on handworkers.
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In a sense it was hilarious, but in a sense, it was sad. He pretty much designed (with my input) and built the very elaborate desk system that I have in the office in Wellesley. An excellent craftsman. But he, being a handworker, believes he was looked down upon. And he was. By other Jews. There apparently is a pecking order among Jews that suggests that Jews who are handworkers are, not as good, accomplished, whatever, as Jews who don’t work with their hands.
among some people in almost every modern society. I’m not sure what this has to do with the original discussion, except that it involves Jews.
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But getting back to the point of the initial posting, I think Thompson’s comment showed a breathtaking ignorance as to the context surrounding this issue. I don’t expect everyone on this site to be aware of this kind of nuance. But someone running for president ought to have someone on their staff they can talk to to find out about things like this. If you want to be president, you’re going to need to deal with all kinds of people different from you. I’m tired of the W version of leadership that makes me cringe pretty much every time he’s in a foreign land or talking with a foreign leader.
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Thompson’s gaffe was particularly noteworthy considering he was speaking to a Jewish group and thought he was issuing a compliment. This isn’t just another issue about being “politically correct.” Sheesh, do a little homework and find out something about people before you go talk to them. Is that really asking too much of someone who wants to lead a diverse, powerful nation in the 21st century?
My understanding of Jewish banking success in history comes from the fact that until relatively recently, charging usury — today called interest — was regarded as a sin in the Catholic church. In the days before $30 fees for forgetting your PIN number and charges to open the door at the bank, usury was really the only way to make money. Hence, manysuccessful bankers were Jewish because Christian bankers struggled hard to make a profit.
I think a lot of people tend to trip up and overexaggerate senseless comments, clearly the man screwed up and should be taken to task for that. Its too bad it had to be Tommy Thompson he was one of the few Republicans in the race who at least had a decent record as governor, accomplishments, and was a moderate. But he is far too ugly to be President anyway.