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Here’s a statement desperately in need of an editor.
Two county chairmen of the state GOP in South Carolina (why is it always South Carolina?) responded to an op-ed in The State by a Democratic representative who assailed Sen. Jim DeMint’s stance on earmarks and bringing home projects for the state. There was probably a way to defend DeMint on this point without bringing up “the Jews” in any way, but Bamberg County GOP Chairman Edwin Merwin and Orangeburg County GOP Chairman James Ulmer decided to go there anyway:
Recently your newspaper published a letter from state Rep. Bakari Sellers attacking U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint and his opposition to congressional earmarks.
There is a saying that the Jews who are wealthy got that way not by watching dollars, but instead by taking care of the pennies and the dollars taking care of themselves. By not using earmarks to fund projects for South Carolina and instead using actual bills, DeMint is watching our nation’s pennies and trying to preserve our country’s wealth and our economy’s viability to give all an opportunity to succeed.
This “saying” about Jews and their money isn’t exactly on the walls outside the nation’s synagogues, let’s put it that way.
I’m seeking comment from DeMint communications aide Leslie Denton on whether the Senator appreciates being praised as having the stinginess of a Jew. I’ll let you know what I find out.
…by the way, DeMint has a new challenger for his 2010 re-election, I’m not sure about his religion.
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Wonder what Bill Kristol’s response will be to this (or David Frum’s or Frank Luntz’s or Chucky Krapphammer’s)?
Crickets.
There’s a saying that goes, “You know you’re in South Carolina when….” Fill in the blank. Possibilities:
1. The porch roof falls down and it kills more than three dogs.
2. Your dad walks you to school because you’re both in the same grade.
3. Your cousin likes to go to family reunions because it’s a great place to pick up dates.
A major newspaper’s views are considered its own. It needn’t find a foundation for them in anecdotal sayings attributed to Jews, WASP’s, Baptists, Blacks, Catholics, Irish or Fundamentalists.
Mr. Obama’s post-racial, post-partisan expectations are looking sillier all the time. Leading by example is fine, so long as he knows the difference between reality and aspiration.
Funny — I’ve heard that saying many times, but the subject of the sentence was pretty much always “you”, in the generic sense. “If you take care of the pennies…etc.”
What’s WRONG with these people?
And, I’ll bet they are just mystified as to why anyone is offended.
Your last line is the clincher.
That’s exactly the problem — they don’t see racism as a “problem” — it’s just as natural as breathing to them.