February 28, 2014

Egyptian regime, Muslim Brotherhood accuse each other of being ‘Jewish'

The violent struggle for power in Egypt between the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has led to mutual accusations of being Jewish and implementing The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Supporters of the current regime have compared the Brotherhood to Jews and Zionists, even claiming that the group’s founder, Hassan al-Banna, was Jewish, according to a new report by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

In a report in the daily Al-Wafd, writer Magdi Salama said the Brotherhood was carrying out The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

“In their Protocols, the Zionists are mainly concerned with destroying governments in every country, sowing the seeds of strife and quarrel in all countries and changing the [atmosphere] in the countries from one of tolerance to one of political and religious radicalism. This is precisely what the Muslim Brotherhood has currently undertaken to do in Egypt,” MEMRI quoted Salama as writing.

The Protocols, an old forgery meant to demonstrate the Jews’ “evil” plans, is still in use among anti-Semites around the world as “proof” that the Jews are trying to take over the world.

more: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Egyptian-regime-Muslim-Brotherhood-accuse-each-other-of-being-Jewish-343835

[hr]

Oy! Oy! Oy!

February 22, 2014

The Global Divide on Homosexuality

This is a link to the Pew survey. I believe there was an article posted here about this earlier, but here it is in totality. I tis VERY interesting!

http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/

nomorenomore08

There is MUCH, MUCH more. It is quite interesting.

February 21, 2014

This is NOT about the evils of straight, white, men, BUT, it is about the reality of one gay man.

There have been threads in which SWM are feeling "under attack." In some cases, I can understand why, in others, not so much. I hated diversity programs that focused solely on the 'faults' of straight, white, Christian, able-bodied men. When I started doing presentations, I focused on the issues that faced minority cultures and their accomplishments, often in the face of discrimination. I guess one can call it a "tone" issue. So, I hope this post comes across in a positive way or at least let's others see how a minority person sees his place in this country.

This Saturday is my 12th anniversary with my partner. If interested, the traditional gift is silk or linen, and yes, we are accepting gifts. The modern gift is pearl. Yeah. Stick with sending gifts of silk or linen. So, anywho, I went to the Hallmark store today in a mid-sized Oklahoma town (<40K) to get an anniversary card (well, actually I get three or four). To my chagrin, there wasn't a single one oriented toward gay men. Ok, I didn't lose my chagrin, I know I have to look for cards that don't say "wife," or have female pronouns. It is difficult to find cards which are appropriate. Some years, I just buy cards with men and women couples, then pull the picture off or cover it with a picture I find on the internet of two men. This is my reality. Yes, I could drive an hour to Tulsa and find a few cards, but should I have to? Sure, bigger cities are going to have things for GLBT people, but it reminds me, as a gay man, that I have to be in a major city to exist.

This is my reality. This is what it is to be gay in this country. It seems like a little thing, but sometimes, it is the little things that can be the most prominent. Can you imagine going into a card store and not finding a card for your wife (if you are a man), or your husband (if you are a woman)? Can you imagine looking for a gift and the salesperson looks at you funny when you say who your 'spouse' is? Yeah, I can't get married in OK, and something this mundane reminds me once again, I am not a "real" person, a valuable citizen, to a number of people.

Thanks!

(PS. If you are white, have you ever noticed how "white" cards are, unless you are in the "Mahogany" section?" When you look around and you don't see yourself in the merchandise or see yourself in a "reserved" section, it can be a bit sad.)

ETA: I wanted to thank everyone, whom I haven't already thanked, for the well wishes! I am pleased to see so many people understood what I was saying. I had planned to thank everyone, but I didn't expect this many people to respond!!! My partner had the day off, so I was spending it with him, when it wasn't working (apparently his work doesn't understand the concept of "day off!&quot , so I went shopping and still couldn't find a "silk" gift. For real! Satin will have to due. Again, I sincerely thank everyone for the well wishes, and those who added their own personal stories. - BtA

February 19, 2014

Neo-Nazi version of Monopoly -- whoever sends most Jews to gas chambers wins

Disclaimer: I am not a fan of the Daily Mail, but this was just...fascinating, in a sick, twisted way

A Neo-Nazi group created a perverted board game based on Monopoly where Jewish people get sent to death camps so they could pass the time between murders.

---snip---

The gang called the game 'Pogromly' - from the word pogrom meaning a violent riot that were often organised against Jews in Russian and eastern Europe over several centuries - and features a skull wearing a German helmet in the centre of the board, S.S. runic flashes and plenty of swastikas.

---snip----

Instead of the four railway stations that feature on every Monopoly board the gang had the name of four notorious concentration and death camps: Auschwitz, Dachau, Ravensbrueck and Buchenwald.

Chance and Community Chest cards had instructions like: 'Go to the next concentration camp and hand in the captured Jews and make the owner pay twice the normal rent.'

Entire article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2562882/Neo-Nazi-group-funded-activities-selling-twisted-version-Monopoly-winner-sends-Jews-gas-chambers.html

February 19, 2014

Anti-Semitism in America: Down, but not out

NEW YORK (JTA) — When Abraham Foxman steps down next summer from his longtime post as national director of the Anti-Defamation League, he’ll be leaving his successor with a much brighter picture on anti-Semitism in America than when Foxman joined the organization in 1965.

In an age when anti-Semitic incidents appear to be on the upswing in many parts of the world, America tops the list of countries where Jews suffer least from anti-Semitism, Foxman says.

Jews can live, study and work anywhere they want in America. Yes, there’s Mel Gibson, Louis Farrakhan and the occasional swastika scrawled on a synagogue wall, but Jews in America for the most part live free of discrimination or the threat of violence.

“Statistically, yes, the picture is pretty good,” Foxman told JTA in an interview this week. “We’ve made an awful lot of progress in this country in terms of social anti-Semitism.

“Socially, Jews in America have ‘made it.’ But it hasn’t eliminated some of the vestiges of anti-Semitism,” he said. “America is not immune to anti-Semitism. We’re not immune to racism and bigotry and prejudice.”


Read more: http://www.jta.org/2014/02/18/news-opinion/united-states/anti-semitism-in-america-today-down-but-not-out#ixzz2tkKze1XL


The prevalence on-line is even worse. The crypto-haters are the worse, IMO.

February 18, 2014

Global Anti-Semitism and the Erosion of Shame

Some of my worst fears about a resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world seem to be coming true. I have been talking for some time about the unique dynamic of anti-Semitism as a phenomenon and the changing world environment, which together are likely to cause a resurgence of anti-Semitism going forward.

Anti-Semitism has characteristics like other forms of bigotry in terms of stereotyping, alienation from the other, and discrimination.

But what makes it different, and which goes a long way to explain anomalous things about anti-Semitism -- how long it has lasted, how it pops up in different places, the concept of anti-Semitism without Jews, the contradictory accusations against Jews, etc. -- is the core of the anti-Semitic idea: that Jews are not what they seem to be. The real Jew, according to the anti-Semite, is a hidden conspiratorialist, all-powerful and evil.

So any time there is a crisis in society, the Jew can be seized upon and blamed as the secret cause of society's suffering. And, of course, over the last decade the world has experienced a series of crises.

Islamic terror beginning with 9/11, the financial collapse of 2008, the multitude of economic and social crises in Europe and the Arab Spring's expectations and disappointments top the list. All these anxiety-provoking developments contributed to the growth of anti-Semitism.

But other factors play a role and are increasingly worrisome. There is the erosion of shame about anti-Semitism as the Holocaust becomes more remote in time and as survivors pass away. The too-easy analogizing of every bad thing that happens today to the Holocaust, which the Anti-Defamation League condemns whenever it surfaces, is just one manifestation of the loss of impact on attitudes that the Holocaust formerly had.

more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/abraham-h-foxman/global-anti-semitism-and_b_4769804.html

[hr]

And as proof, and for shits and giggles:

Why anti-Semitism is an outdated pretext
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/17/351091/why-antisemitism-is-an-outdated-pretext/

Do be sure to read the comments and the "related" stories!

February 4, 2014

Irish Drag Queen's Powerful Takedown of Homophobia

“For the last three weeks, I have been lectured to by heterosexual people about what homophobia is and about who is allowed to identify it. Straight people have lined up... to tell me what homophobia is and to tell me what I am allowed to be oppressed by,” Bliss told the audience at the Abbey. “People who have never experienced homophobia in their lives... have told me that unless I am being thrown into prison or herded onto a cattle truck then it is not homophobia. And that feels oppressive.”

Though Bliss’s speech clocks in at nearly 11 minutes, it’s worth watching in full as she outlines the oppression of heterosexual privilege.

http://www.advocate.com/society/activism/2014/02/04/watch-irish-drag-queens-powerful-takedown-homophobia

For a longer version of the above excerpt, without having to watch the entire video (which I do suggest), go to mark 7:23 - 9:01.

William769

Combatting homophobia is not heterophobic!

And just because, from Russia with 'love?'



See tomm2thumbs's article in "Video & Multimedia" or 7962's article in LBN.

January 27, 2014

Today, January 27th, is the International Holocaust Memorial Day for 2014

This day was chosen by the United Nations General Assembly resolution in a 60/7 vote in 2005 because it commemorates the liberation of one of the most notorious concentration camps, Auschwitz-Birkenau. It has been almost 70 years and debate about the ramifications of the Holocaust continues. Discussions revolve around the use of the Holocaust and how appropriate (or not) it is. Just recently, one asshole, Tom Perkins decided taxation on the rich was the equivalent of Kristallnacht. It popped up all over the place with remarks about how disgusting the comparison is (and in some cases, how dead on it was). It was interesting, in my view, to see reactions to his remarks.

There are those who mock the Holocaust, referring to it as the "Holohoax" or the "Holoco$t." Some complain the Holocaust focuses too much on the Jews. Many, however, tend to downplay the effects of the Holocaust on the Jewish people and Europe. Others go as far to deny it even happened! Yes, some deny more than 6 million Jews and almost 6 million (or more) others simply weren't the victims of an outrageous policy to "cleanse" Germany and Europe of 'undesirables.' Then, there are those people who acknowledge the Holocaust and "mourn" the fact it wasn't more complete.



However, I also believe it is important on this day to remember, not just those lost, or the horrific magnitude of the situation, but to also remember those who put their own lives on the line to save others, and, in some cases, lost their own lives. People like Italians Giorgio Perlasca and Giovanni Palatucci, Tunisian Khaled Abdul-Wahab, British Nicholas Winton, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, Iranian diplomat Abdol Hossein Sardari, Polish Irena Sendler, Dutch Corrie ten Boom, and so many more, including the people of Denmark. There are many of whom we will never know of their bravery.

Today, remember the entirety of the Holocaust.



(the above examples were comments from Holocaust survivor describes life in Nazi concentration camps which I also posted here at DU.

January 16, 2014

On Google -- Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey (/daɪˈæn ˈfɒsi/; January 16, 1932– c. December 26, 1985) was an American zoologist who undertook an extensive study of gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by famous anthropologist Louis Leakey. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, combines her scientific study of the mountain gorilla at Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. Fossey was murdered in 1985; the case remains open.[1]




I remember reading her studies and articles when I was younger, and then reading about her horrible murder. I was so sad.

January 5, 2014

Holocaust History, as Told by a Survivor

EMSDETTEN, Germany — LASZLO SCHWARTZ never had a proper adolescence. The Nazis made sure of that.

He was 14 when he and his family disembarked from a cold boxcar onto the selection ramp at Auschwitz, and he says he still remembers the feel of Josef Mengele’s wide leather gloves pinching his scrawny biceps.

As the sadistic concentration camp physician known as the “Angel of Death” sized up the teenage Laszlo, ordering him to line up with the other children, a sinister flame rose in the distance, he said.

“I knew what they were doing, but I didn’t want to believe it,” Mr. Schwartz recently told a class of 50 high school students in this small town in western Germany. “My turn came for Mengele, and he asked me to make a muscle. He asked how old I am. I said 17. It didn’t help.”

At 83, Mr. Schwartz splits his time between Germany and New York City, where he emigrated in 1946. Since July 2010, he has spoken at more than 80 schools around Germany about the kidnappings, starvation and torture he endured during the war and how the last time he ever saw his mother and sister was the day he met Mengele.

more...