As far as I know Hillary Clinton was not caught fibbing about her reason for declining an invitation to participate in a debate proposed for the beginning of Passover, and it pains me to see that a diary proclaiming that HRC was "caught" in such a "fib" has been sitting on the rec list. Hey, people. I thought we were smarter than this. I thought that manufactured distractions had been put "on notice"
Here's a key part of the news report on which that diary is based:
Clinton didn't agree to the date, noting that night is the beginning of the Passover observance among Jewish people.
[please follow me below the jump]
Hat tip to KathleenM1 for first alerting me to a liberty taken by the diarist in terms of mischaracterizing the actual "news".
Baloney. (31+ / 0-)
Where does Clinton ever suggest -- as the diarist claims -- that an April 19 debate would be "offensive" to Jews? The diarist's own link takes us to an article that says only that Clinton declined noting that it was the beginning of Passover. Not wanting to debate on an evening when part of the Dem base might not be able to watch is perfectly reasonable -- and, in no way would it keep the candiate from participating in other campaign activities.
So where is this "fibbing" that the diarist alleges?
This diary -- with its mischaracterizations and shadowy innuendo -- is an embarassment to the community. As is the practice of some here to mindlessly rec any attack-dog diary let loose by an Obama supporter.
by KathleenM1 on Sat Apr 19, 2008
After reading KathleenMI's comment, I went back to follow a link contained in the diarist's claim that "Sen. Clinton... condemned the idea [of debating on the 19th], suggesting it would be offensive to Jewish families."
Heh.
And then I unrecommended that diary.
How do we get from declining to accept an invitation in deference to observant Jews to "condemn[ing] the idea [and] suggesting it would be offensive to Jewish families."? This assertion is simply not borne out by those pesky little things called the facts.
Come on people. We're better than this. Aren't we?
I've compiled some of the many noteworthy comments attached to the diary:
Hillary IS RIGHT here- Arab Obama Supporter:)
Religious Jews throughout the country who might want to participate in watching the NATIONAL debate would be excluded from doing so during the first nights of passover.
This is very real. Sure those with TiVio or tapes could tape it but to hold a national debate does seem disrespectful.
The fact that she is continuing LOCAL rallies doesn't change that. Not everyone celebrates the Jewish holidays..most folks don't...BUT a national event on that night would make a statement that they were expendable.
It is a matter of respect... Having a debate on Easter or Christmas would not come up because it is the majority religion. Awareness of religious diversity is shown by being respectful of others traditions to the extent reasonable.
Not doing a debate on the first two nights of passover is reasonable.
by drlevant on Sat Apr 19, 2008
to someone complementing the diary by exclaiming "Nice Catch!" Finck II demurred:
Actually... lousy catch.
I am a passionate Obama supporter -- but this is pretty thin stuff. Indeed, it seems to me to be one of those distractions that Barack quite rightly condemns.
Nothing the diarist quotes suggests that Clinton herself said she was going to observe Passover in any way. She only observed that scheduling a debate on the second most important night of Judaism would be offensive to some Jewish families. Maybe she was indeed cynically using this as an excuse to do more Pennsylvania campaigning, but the point itself has some validity. I am not an observant Jew, but those who are would not have been able to watch the debate. Of course, if the North Carolina debate is even half as crappy as the Charles and George fiasco of the week past, that might well be a blessing. Still...
In short, this is more lapel pin politics. We're talking about a Senator who green-lighted the disastrous war in Iraq. Compared to that, who really gives a shit what she does on Passover?
I will vote for whoever or whatever the Democrats nominate -- animal, vegetable or mineral.
by Finck II on Sat Apr 19, 2008
And as we've all come to expect a rather cogent and astute comment from teacherken:
neither California nor McKeesport heavily Jewish (24+ / 0-)
so I don't see that as hypocritical. Again, to put a major debate on at a time when a chunk of the population would not be able to see it is more problematic than holding one or more rallies for others at the same time. Rallies are fairly frequent, debates less so. Although in a sense it was a bogus excuse: NC has a jewish population of about 0.3%, whereas Pennsylvania has one of 2.3%, or almost 8 times as great.
Peace.
by teacherken on Sat Apr 19, 2008
this diary
doesnt belong on the rec list. bothers me that something like this is recommended by so many people.
by Pennypacker on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 05:07:53 PM PDT
Amen to that
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Update
Thanks to everyone who put this diary on the rec list! Now I suggest you do the same for:
How to make the Rec List: Primary 2008 edition.
by TheBlaz
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peace