Sent to my sister -
From: NJDC PAC [mailto:info@njdc.org]
Sent: Fri 6/27/2008 12:45 PM
To:
Subject: Did you hear the one about the blind rabbi?
Dear Ms.:
This is no joke. There may be no other race in the country that so starkly illustrates the fundamental differences between the two parties as the New Jersey 5th Congressional district contest between Rabbi Dennis Shulman and the conservative Republican incumbent, Scott Garrett.
The candidacy of Dennis Shulman is an historic opportunity to elect an inspirational rabbi to Congress and in the process to defeat a five term incumbent congressman who is a right wing extremist on every issue, from choice and the environment to opposing the Voting Rights Act and actively supporting proselytizing at the Air Force Academy.
As a child, Rabbi Shulman lost his vision gradually, and was completely blind by college. Nonetheless, for the past thirty years, Dennis has been a practicing psychologist, educator, and author, and for the past five years, a rabbi as well.
Rabbi Shulman is committed to telling the truth and acting with integrity on the following issues:
• Iraq: Bringing our troops home
• Israel: Strengthening the strong alliance between the U.S. and Israel
• Healthcare: Too serious for partisan strife
• Labor: Protecting working families
• Environment: Developing a clean, green economy
• Reproductive Rights: Respecting a woman’s right to choose
Dennis would be the first blind member of Congress in generations... and the first rabbi ever. The race has been highlighted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and endorsed by the AFL-CIO. Shulman is supported by leading Democrats such as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Governor David Paterson, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, Congressmen Steve Israel and Steve Rothman, and General Wesley K. Clark (ret.).
As the critical June 30th deadline approaches, your financial support for this campaign is crucial. Help make history and visit NJDC PAC's Act Blue page to donate to this great candidate!
PAID FOR BY NJDC PAC
He's just another run-of-the-mill liberal who promises that "we can have it all" according to his website:
ReplyDeleteOn abortion: the Rabbi wants to reduce abortions. Great. How? By allowing women to abort babies. Brilliant.
On National Security. His idea of a strong and effective homeland defense initiative begins with a cut-and-run policy for Iraq regardless of consequences. No, of course the terrorists won't figure out that if they wait long enough, we'll get bored and just give in. LOL.
On ethics: His website says "I am running for office because I believe Congress should operate with conscience. My faith guides me to believe that Members of Congress have a sacred responsibility to serve only the public interest — not the special interests." Laudable, but he's really in the wrong area. If he believes that, he's too naive to be an effective Congressman. If he doesn't believe that, well, so much for his dedication to ethics.
On energy: He says "We can and must end our nation’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil." Uh, we don't depend on oil from the Middle East. Most of our oil imports come from Canada, Mexico, Nigeria and Venezuela. Of the total petroleum imports over the past three years, the only Middle Eastern oil came from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, both of whom are (nominally) U.S. allies, and even then, it isn't a large percentage of imports.
On healthcare: He says he "will gather Republicans and Democrats alike to do something about a healthcare system in crisis." There's a better chance that he will walk on water, change water into wine and a variety of other nifty type things. (He could probably get his own show on CNN or MSNBC.
This guy is long on rhetoric and short on concrete plans. The fact that he makes such empty promises leads me to conclude that he's disingenuous.
your attack is not welcome nor is it warranted and the echo chamber code words of "long on rhetoric" insinuates that he is not one of us - as a matter of fact since ancient times, rhetoric is what proper oratory consists of. you may look at a persons detailed position papers for "concrete plans" if that is what you seek. i suggest you write to the candidate and seek those out, study them and come to a conclusion based on those if you wish to be thoughtful in your rejection. use of the common attack code of the vapid right wing is not a welcome means to attempt to discredit a valid and viable candidate for public office, sir.
ReplyDeleteTouchy, aren't we, Rabbi? His position on abortion ALONE is enough to establish that he's wishy-washy. I don't have a problem with rhetoric; I know that it means the art of effective communication. My point is that his rhetoric is EMPTY because he has nothing to back it up.
ReplyDeleteHis website discloses NO position papers. If you know where they're located, tell me. I am a voracious reader, so I'll read them.
You said "the echo chamber code words of "long on rhetoric" insinuates that he is not one of us" What does that mean? I hope you don't mean to imply that I'm an antisemite. If you do, I'll have to challenge you to a duel.
You said that if I have a problem with his positions, I should "write to the candidate and seek those out, study them and come to a conclusion based on those if you wish to be thoughtful in your rejection." Why? You came to a snap conclusion in his favor without position papers, so why should I go to the trouble? The fact is, you like the guy because he mouths the same kind of liberal pap that you do. You had no need to investigate.
Try looking at his website; you'll see insincerity writ large.
Finally, I'm not a part of the "vapid right wing." You know that I support gun regulation and the abolition of the death penalty. You know that I'm anti-smoking. And I'm a member of the "vapid right wing?"
You like to label people with pithy tags whenever they disagree with you. So much for freedom of thought, expression, etc.
"I am running for office because I believe Congress should operate with conscience." I guess to your that is empty rhetoric...too naive...nu, what can I say? His naivete is concrete, not empty, and I am for it.
ReplyDeleteOh. I stand corrected. Here we have a Congressional candidate who says he will be honest, true blue, etc. I've never seen a situation where a potential Congressman says he will serve with altruism. Yeah. Right. That's the ticket.
ReplyDeleteGive me a break.