What's that about the big media not being left-wing in this country? Well, sometimes, the vile Bush-hate and Ameri-hate just shine right through. I'm sure by now most of you have heard of Mahathir Mohamed, the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaysia. Mohamed is one of the biggest screw-balls in the Islamic world, and that's saying something. While he has been spouting crazy stuff for years, he finally managed to catch the attention of the rest of the world when he stated in his speech to the OIC last week, among other equally outrageous remarks, that "Jews control the world." His remarks were roundly condemned, and in a "chance meeting" at an Asian leaders summit a few days ago, President Bush made it a point to tell Mohamed, to his face, just how crazy and racist he really was. But NYT columnist Paul Krugman thinks anti-Semitism in the Islamic world, something that has been around since the prophet Muhammad slaughtered the Jews at Medina, is all President Bush's fault: "Not long ago Washington was talking about Malaysia as an important partner in the war on terror. Now Mr. Mahathir thinks that to cover his domestic flank, he must insert hateful words into a speech mainly about Muslim reform. That tells you, more accurately than any poll, just how strong the rising tide of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism among Muslims in Southeast Asia has become. Thanks to its war in Iraq and its unconditional support for Ariel Sharon, Washington has squandered post-9/11 sympathy and brought relations with the Muslim world to a new low." Krugman's inane rantings have provoked a reaction from the Anti-Defamation League. They are not amused at Krugman's attempts to defend the indefensible, nor his attempt to blame the whole thing on the current administration in Washington. Letters to the Editor The New York Times October 21, 2003 To the Editor: In his obsession with criticizing U.S. policy, Paul Krugman underestimates the significance of the anti-Semitic diatribe by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad before the Organization of the Islamic Conference ("Listening to Mahathir," Oct. 21). Mahathir's comments cannot be explained away by themes of domestic politics. They come in the context of a surge of anti-Semitism in the Islamic world, and not only on the fringes. Conspiracy theories about blaming Jews for 9/11 are believed by tens of millions. Denial of the Holocaust is rampant in the media. Images of Jews in op-ed pieces, editorials, and cartoons reflect classic anti-Semitic stereotypes – drinking the blood of Muslims, all-powerful, secretive and conspiratorial. The last time the world saw such a hateful anti-Semitic tirade by a national leader, there was a tendency to play it down as well – as only politics, as buffoonery, as a passing thing. We know how that ended up in Germany. Let's not make that mistake again. Sincerely, Glen A. Tobias National Chairman A, new, dangerous form of anti-Semitism has taken hold of this world. Mohamed, and the Western journalists who attempt to justify his idiotic rantings with their idiotic rantings, are encouraging an increase in vile, open Jew-hatred in Europe and the Islamic world, the likes of which has not been seen since Krystallnacht. And we all know where that road ended. I fear for Israel. And, despite what Mr. Krugman thinks, it was around long before President Bush took office. It just went from it's usual "low simmer" to "hot, high boil" after 9/11.
I understand the NY Times to be a conservative rag? They employ William Safire. Yep, they are conservative. It's sad you or the ADL or USBL suggest otherwise. But, then you are probably a racist and bigoted. Check that, I already know you are. Probably went to a private school because you didn't want to be educated next to a black child. I remain sanctimonious and commited to my DNC talking points, Mr. Wonderful
