JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

07/22/08 11:49 AM

I may have forgotten how to read but where is the description of Garrett and his background in this?  Isn’t his pro-Israel voting record worthy of more comment vs. Shulman?  Is it the ‘blind Rabbi’ thing or is it the ‘democratic liberal’ thing that has you too excited to give a little balance to this race?  I guess it’s just a ‘feature story’ which gives JTA the opportunity to flash on the lefty side --- again.

07/22/08 12:54 PM

Alan, you are showing your own right-wing bias.  It’s unfair to assert that every time an article about someone on the left is published, somehow this proves JTA is a lefty publication. What about all the MANY profiles JTA has done about conservatives?  Does that prove they are a rightie publication?  My problem with your argument is you expect equal time for your guy (the rightie) in an article that is a profile of Shulman, not of Garrett.  I have read all sorts of profiles of right-wing politicians on JTA, and in them, the reporters don’t suddenly mention the liberals or lefties that the person knows.  Bottom line, whether or not you like his politics, the story of Dennis Shulman is quite inspiring.  Get beyond your “defender of the right wing” attitude and see the story for what it is:  a guy who overcame a handicap, went on to be a productive and hard-working counsellor, and now wants to run for office.  Oh and he’s a rabbi.  Only in America!

07/22/08 03:10 PM

What is it you want to know about Garrett? One rotten morning in New Milford, NJ I woke up and found out I was gerrymandered out of my democratic district and being represented by someone who does support Israel for all the wrong reasons (rightwing evangelical) who supports the idea that superior officers at the air force, army and naval acadmeies have the right to force Jews to go to “services,” who voted against helping anyone in New Orleans after Katrina, who preaches in front of the Washngton Monument about the abortion holocaust, who is one of the three most conservative congreeemen, and votes against anything that smacks of helping unfortunate people.

Dennis, who is the rabbi at a chavurah I belonged to for two years, is a decent human being with the democratic ideals I learned about in Civics Class. The real deal, not the bum deal that many of us in Bergen County have had to suffer for years,

I look forward to pushing the button for dennis in november. I sure hope my neighbors do the same

07/22/08 03:12 PM

Cong. Garrett is one of the most conservative, indeed reactionary members of Congress.  His defeat would be an extraordinary accomplishment for progressive values.

07/22/08 03:21 PM

JTA feel assurred that your readers consider you even-handed, fair and effective in reporting the news. Hold on. You are indeed biased. You like us believe that Israel has not only a right to exist but is one nation that should be represented on the Security Council, be treated with respect/appreciation and be able to survive the heavily armed enemies all around her.  Now who is more committed to those ideals?  Doesn’t look like Obama.

07/22/08 03:35 PM

This is the blind Rabbi or is he the blind Shaikh,is there any difference?  Because someone is blind is that supposed to be a badge of courage that people should vote for just because! Or do Americans need to use their collective brains and vote for someone who isn’t supported by a far leftist group.  Socialism doesn’t work and it never did!  I am so tired of the moronic Kumbaya generation.

07/23/08 02:39 AM

Carol, you are joking, right?  What ever gave you the impression that Obama isn’t in favour of protecting Israel? Two of his top advisors are Jews, he has a rabbi in his family, and he has a long history of pro-Israel advocacy.  You’re reading too many right-wing talking points.  Perhaps I can get you and Alan together!!!

07/23/08 11:13 PM

gee how stupid of me to write about issues and garrett and the district shulman is running in when none of you commentators is interested in shulman--who is a true democrat with a sense of civic responsibility. you all want to trash talk jta and whatever and aren’t really interested in a congressional race in northern jersey, one of the most densely populated and richest areas in the US,

garrett has no respect for the jewish religion. he is waiting for the rapture. and you will all vote for him because???????
am I the only Jew in Garrett’s district?

grow up. no wonder the country sucks right now. it’e never about substance, just the usual crapola. sheesh.
what a waste

07/24/08 10:51 PM

“Pro-Israel” is a term that begs inaccuracies.  Garret has voted against every foreign aid bill during his Congressional tenure.  This includes every $$$ earmarked for Israel--military and otherwise.  As it happens, those $$$ actually get spent here in the US on American products which then get sent to Israel.  So Garret is also voting against US economic interests.