It’s Official: We Can No Longer Critically Think Or Talk About Anything

Peace is not possible when we continue to label eachother.

The CPCCA (Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism) as well as Prime Minister Harper and other Tory MP’s have stated that any criticism of Israel is a mark in the rise of “new anti-semitism.” This “new anti-semitism” is “defined as excessive or unjust criticism of the state of Israel.” So it’s a foregone conclusion that if you say anything that any person deems “excessive or unjust,” then congratulations, you’re officially an anti-semite. You may as well don your Hitler moustache and start goose stepping everywhere you go, because according to MP’s, and the Canadian Prime Minister, this is excatly how they see you. You get to have your place beside atrocities committed during the first crusade, the two times that Jews were expelled from England, The Spanish Inquisition, expulsion from Spain and Portugal, the Dreyfus Affair and of course, boycotting of schmeer. A quick look at the Oxford English Dictionary gives a succinct definition of anti-semitism stating “hatred of Jews; unfair treatment of Jews.” So, according to the PMO, the CPCCA and many MP’s in the house of commons, not to mention many other commentators, if we criticise Israel, we hate Jews and wish them ill treatment. Wow, ya know, I didn’t realize how much of an asshole I really was. To think all this time, I wish Jewish people ill. And all it took was a group of people getting together and deciding that the old definition needed a reboot, kinda like all the old horror movie reboots that are coming out these days. Wasn’t the old one good enough?

Here’s my idea. The Conservatives have literally nothing left on the table. They’ve already spend us into a huge deficit that, if the PBO is right, we aren’t getting out of as fast as we think. They have gone through their crime agenda without much fan fare. They’ve bought new planes, had a G8 summit and cancelled a census. All this to prove that they really have Canadian’s values, principled and most important of all, well being at heart. So what’s left? What’s that….nothing you say. Well, how can we make it LOOK like we are doing something? Ah, I know. Let’s go out and say there is a new anti-semitism and Canada is leading the way in fighting it. Oh, we will be cheers from here to Calcutta, and welcomed with open arms and palm leave in the holy city, for we have truly taken a principled position.

But, that’s just it. They haven’t. Canada has always supported Israel. In fact, since it became a nation in 1947 Canada has stood along side the right for Jews to have a homeland of their own. And who wouldn’t? After thousands of years of wandering and almost being completely eradicated from the face of the earth in a few short years, I think Jews deserve a break. But to call someone anti-semitic because you disagree with how the government of said country is occupying a people, ghettoising them and treating them in much the same way they themselves were treated some sixty years ago? It’s beyond stupid. It’s down right brainless. Yes, of course Jews have the right to have a country of their own, but so to do Palestinians, and there are Jewish groups out there like YoungJewishProud.org who agree and have even protested Bibi Netanyahu during a recent speech. The YoungJewishProud.org declaration reads as follows “A vision of collective identity, purpose and values written by and for young Jews committed to justice in Israel and Palestine. It is an invitation and call to action for both our peers and our elders, launched as a counter-protest at the 2011 Jewish Federation General Assembly in New Orleans.” Well guess what? According to the PMO, these young Jews who want peace…they’re the face of “new anti-semitism.”

When will reason prevail over this insanity?

This has been cross posted at Progress Now!!