Tuesdays with Paulie 4/10/07

Republican Jewish Coalition in Action
Commercial airing critical of Pelosi

The Republican Jewish Coalition will be airing a 30 second commercial spot on national cable networks highlighting the recent remarks and incompetence displayed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, regarding her trip to Syria and the Middle East.

According to he RJC Press Release, the 30-second spot, entitled "Dangerous," notes that while the Democrats promised a tough foreign policy, Speaker Pelosi's visit to Damascus weakened America's security. The visit encouraged a regime that is a sponsor of terrorist organizations responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women, and children, and of American soldiers.

While there is a legitimate debate of whether or not the war in Iraq has strengthened or weakened our foreign policy, there is no doubt that Speaker Pelosi's trip to Syria and meeting with Bashar al-Assad has been "disastrous". The only thing she accomplished was sending a strong signal to the terrorists that the United States is not united in their resolve to defeat terrorism.

I applaud the RJC for not permitting her incompetence to go unchecked and their continued efforts to expose the weak links in our government whose ignorance benefit the Islamic-extremists who want to convert or kill us.


Don Imus Racist or Idiot?

I can't say if Don Imus is a bigot in his heart, but I can say that in 2007 America there are things you do not say because they are offensive and should be viewed by everyone in that manner. His comments referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" is unarguably offensive and Imus should be ashamed of himself.

Because America is the greatest country in the world and freedom of speech, no matter how disgusting, is our most cherished right, I don't believe he should be fired. Imus has been a media staple for decades and is known for his charitable heart. With that said I do agree with NBC for suspending his broadcast on their cable channel (MSNBC). I also agree with their decision to begin his punishment next week, after his charity radiothon in support of the Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and the Imus Ranch, can air as scheduled this Thursday and Friday on MSNBC.

It must be said that regardless of what is in his heart...what an idiot! Did he really think that those blatantly offensive comments would be laughed off and swept under the rug. Civil Rights activists, Rutgers University and every pundit from the far right to the far right have strongly criticized Imus and rightfully so.

Another sad aspect regarding this ordeal is that when the target of offensive rhetoric is African Americans, a great hypocrisy surfaces to the controversy. As I'm sure you know by now, two of Imus's biggest critics have been the Reverend tag team of Jackson ad Sharpton. Both men have called for his firing even as Imus discussed the matter and apologized to Sharpton on his radio program.

Seeking forgiveness from Sharpton and Jackson for discriminating remarks can only be compared to a Black, Jew or Catholic asking the Grand Wizard of the KKK for forgiveness for a derogatory comment made against White Protestants.

Is the horrific comments by Imus any worse than Jackson's "Hymietown" remark? The Rev. Sharpton twenty years ago was viewed as a clown on the infamous Morton Downey Jr. Show. Nearly 20 years ago he spearheaded the Tawana Brawley fiasco and in 1991 instigated anti-Semitic riots in the Crown Heights area of New York City after a child was accidentally hit by a car driven by a Hasidic Jew. Sharpton statements included, "if the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." However, for whatever insane reason, these two men who have promoted and profitted from hate are instruments in healing communities.

Having to seek forgiveness from Jackson and Sharpton may be a bigger tragedy than the actually comments that triggered this ordeal.

Paulie