Loading ...Bosma, anti-Semitic?! Whatever!
Let me start this blurb off by saying the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives is as anti-Semitic as I am humble! Brian Bosma has come under some criticism in the blogosphere for comments he made during a recent meeting with some members of the Jewish Community.
Brian Howey of the Howey Political Report and Jim Shella of WISH-TV Channel 8 are both reporting the Speaker met with Jewish leaders today to quell controversy over statements that are being hinted as anti-Semitic. In an e-mail making its way through the blogosphere (Advance America and The Daily Pulse) Bosma was quoted in a meeting regarding the House Prayer suit that “How many Jews are there in Indiana? About 2%? There are at least 80% Christians in Indiana.” The actual number according to data cited by Channel 8 was 0.6%. The Speaker is quoted as saying he did not mean for the statement to come out that way and the latest news is that his apology was accepted.
Apparently what has not been reported yet by media brothers is that apparently the group the Speaker met with, the Indianapolis Jewish Relations Committee, has been traditionally hostile to the Speaker. And while the meeting starting out fine, it progressively got worse so by the time the controversial statements were made, things had apparently come to a bit of a boiling point.
What I am waiting to see how soon the cries of anti-Semitism start being hurled at the Speaker. It’s already begun. The blog headline at The Daily Pulse is “Jews - the 2% Solution.” A play on “The Final Solution,” if you know what I mean. Bosma is undoubtedly a cultural conservative. We disagree on abortion, gay marriage and gambling expansion. But if he is anything he is open-minded and not a racist or anti-Semite. However, somehow I don’t think any of that will matter when people start to play politics; which should start right about now.
February 20th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Abdul,
For my part, I have never suggested that Bosma’s comments were anti-semitic. But when he continues to push a pro-Christian agenda (as formulated by fundamentalists) day after day, it begins to say to folks that he only cares about Christians. You cover events at the State House so you know what the reaction of the House’s only Jewish member has been to this whole prayer issue. The huddling at the back of the chamber for “members of the Christian club” is actually even more offensive than his Christian only “official” prayers. I spent 6 years working for the Illinois House of Representatives as a staffer to the House Republican Leader. I heard every single prayer at the opening of business during that time as I had to be on the floor at the start of each business day. We never had this issue–perhaps that is because virtually ever demographic is represented in the Illinois House, unlike the Indiana House–and there was more sensitivity to offending any minority group. You of all people should understand that. This is not about anti-semitism. Contrary to your assertion, there are members of the Jewish group to which you refer who are Republicans and contribute to Republican candidates, although most are Democrats. This is one spin on the part of the Speaker that’s just not going to play. He knew he made a big mistake–why else would he have apologized in such a public fashion? I applaud him for admitting to his mistake–something Dick Cheney couldn’t manage. But I hope his people aren’t using others including yourself to spin a different tale. It ain’t going to fly.
February 21st, 2006 at 6:45 am
The spin begins. One of the hallmarks of spin is reframing the story, allowing the spinner to (a)misrepresent the issue in a way designed to denigrate the original ideas, and (b) fit the spin to the story, rather than address the story itself.
In this case, the “spin” is that anybody accused Mr. Bosma of being anti-Semitic. If you actually follow the Daily Pulse link, or go to the cartoon shown on the news cast (http://hypnocrites.blogspot.com), you will see that the concern was not anti-Semitism. Instead, it was Mr. Bosma’s apparent failure to appreciate the Constitutional protections for minorities and his duty to uphold them.
When one of the most powerful politicians in a State appears flippant about a minority’s constitutionally protected concerns, because they are contrary to that of a majority, ALL minorities should be scared. While we are democracy, we are a CONSTITUTIONAL democracy, where the power of the majority is limited by minority protections. A pure democracy, on the other hand, has no need for a constitution, for the tyranny of the majority will rule at all times.
Fortunately, Mr. Bosma responded to the criticism, met with the leaders, and assured them that he understood their concerns, considered their rights as important as everybody else’s, and apologized for his choice of words. With that, we all hope to put this ugly affair behind us, keeping just enough memory to learn from it, to remember that we are ALL important members of the community, not just those of us in a large enough voting block to return people to office.
You end your missive accusing people of “playing politics.” It is permitted, even encouraged, to “play politics” in a democracy. More people should “play politics,” lobbying their leaders, speaking their minds, voting, and even running for office. The real danger is not when people get involved, or express their concerns. The real danger is when people like you “spin” issues to misrepresent genuine and heartfelt concerns, denigrating the very people most involved in the process.
David Honig
February 21st, 2006 at 9:51 am
the blog you’re referring to is advance indiana, not advance america. advance america is eric miller’s PAC dedicated to banning gay marriage, battling the HRO, etc. gary at advance indiana is not affiliated with them and passionately disagrees with them, so the two, while having similar names, should not be confused.
February 21st, 2006 at 10:25 am
The implication of the Speaker’s 2% statement wasn’t that he hated them because they were Jews. So, it’s not anti-Semitism, and I think you’re the first person to apply that label.
The implication is that he doesn’t care about the rights of those who are not in the majority. This is disturbing because the whole point of Constitutional protections is to protect the rights of the minority. In a democracy, the majority does not need protection.
The Speaker has apologized because members of the JCRC were offended by the implications of his statement. It’s not clear whether he is sorry for making the statement or believing in it.
February 21st, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Come on Doug, you know and I know that when someone uses the words “2 percent” and “solution” and Jews in a paragraph, there is an implication, deliberate or not, that someone is an anti-Semite. While I don’t know about Honig, I do not think Welsh was making such an implication. However he should have been more precise in his language.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:05 pm
The language “2% solution” came directly from the Rabbi’s e-mail, the subject of the original blog entry at The Daily Pulse. If you follow the link you will see the source of the title. I was merely forwarding, with permission, the original e-mail, and was titling it as the Rabbi described it.
I hope this clarifies any question about word-choice.
February 21st, 2006 at 9:26 pm
People responded to this story, and they responded in droves. Apparently, the e-mail was so overwhelming that Bosma felt he had to respond, and yesterday he apologized to the Jewish Community in a personal meeting with leaders, and on the 6 O’Clock news.
Well, lots of people asked if he was being challenged, and how to help. I’m thrilled to announce that he is being challenged, and by the President of the Hamilton County Democrats, Susan Fuldauer. She just announced this weekend and is still getting her website off the ground. If you want to help, here’s some information:
Contributions can be made to the following:
Committee to Elect Susan Fuldauer, 6284 Rucker Rd., Suite A, Indpls., IN 46220
Vote Susan should be up and running and have some additional methods for contribution working by next week.
February 22nd, 2006 at 9:05 am
P.S. nice blog. Seriously. Any interest in swapping links, with this at The Daily Pulse?