Shulman Calls on Garrett to Denounce Coulter's Hateful Remarks
Statement from Rabbi Dennis Shulman
DEMAREST, NEW JERSEY, October 12, 2007 –
Today I call on Scott Garrett to denounce in no uncertain terms the slurs hurled at the Jewish community by right wing Republican pundit Ann Coulter. Scott Garrett should demand that his ally Ms. Coulter apologize for the hurtful comments she made.
Words have consequences, and this kind of bigoted rhetoric has all too often led to violence throughout history.
We as a society need to distinguish between vigorous political discourse and offensive conduct. While both forms of speech are protected by the First Amendment, political speech should be treasured even when one disagrees vehemently. But we need leaders who stand up against hateful language that divides us.
As a religious leader, I condemn all religious bigotry, be it anti-Catholic language emanating from Bob Jones University, anti-Mormon language directed unfairly at Mitt Romney, or Ann Coulter's attacks on the Jewish community.
The people of Northern New Jersey deserve representation from someone who understands their values. Whether it's Scott Garrett's obstinate opposition to life-saving stem cell research, his rubber-stamping of President Bush's tragic mistakes in Iraq or his voting for irresponsible budgets that tax our children and grandchildren, he has most often proven quite the contrary. By condemning Ann Coulter's hateful speech targeting the Jewish community, Scott Garrett would for once reflect the fundamental tolerance and decency of Northern New Jersey and America.
When I am in Congress, I will provide the responsible leadership for New Jersey that we have been missing since Marge Roukema retired.
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An ordained rabbi and blind since childhood, Dr. Dennis Shulman has gained international recognition for his 30 years of work as a Harvard-educated clinical psychologist. He has lived in Demarest, New Jersey for more than twenty years with his wife, Dr. Pamela Tropper, an obstetrician. They have two adult daughters.
For more information:
* Shulman's website
* "Rabbi Aims for Pulpit on Capitol Hill," The Forward
* "Dennis Shulman: Psychologist, Rabbi and Congressional Candidate," Campaigns and Elections Magazine