The idiocy of politicians never ceases to amaze me.

What's bad about this one, is that Thompson obviously was trying to say something he thought was positive. So, to say something positive, he reverted to Antisemitism. Nice.

This wouldn't crack even crack the top 100 on a list of the stupidest things Tommy Thompson ever said.

Guy's not fit to govern my toilet, let alone the United States. He did such a GREAT job at HHS.

Throw the bum out.

Is that Thompson is a Roman Catholic.

From reading the quote, I wondered if he was Jewish, and poking fun at his own stereotype. The answer: no.

He said this on Holocaust Memorial Day--the day Jews around the world remember and honor those who died and survived. Great day to have a antisemitic moment.

Whether he's Catholic or Jewish, the comment is tasteless and ignorant either way.

This is not an antisemitic statement.

Historically, in Europe Jews were subject to many discriminatory laws, not to mention pogroms and massacres, and since they generally could not serve in goverment, church, universities, or military forces, and were not landowners, they tended to gravitate towards trade and business.

It is probably less true today in the USA where there are many other career opportunities open to young people with ambition.

You left out the rest of story. After his apology, he put on Shakespearean costume and said, "Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions."

These people just can't help themselves, can they?

And we wonder why our nation is going to hell in a hand basket? When people of this caliber run for office it should be quite obvious. It brings to mind an exchange from the movie Uncle Buck that was perhaps as enlightened as Mr. Thompson himself:

Anita: I'm Anita Hoargarth.

Buck Russell: [Staring at her mole] I'm Buck Melanoma. Moley Russell's wart. Not her wart. Not her wart! I'm... I'm the wart. She's my tumor. My... my growth. My... uh, my pimple. I'm Uncle Wart. Just old Buck "Wart" Russell. That's what they call me, or Melanoma Head. They'll call me that. "Melanoma Head's coming." I'm s... uncle! Maisy Russell's uncle!

"...the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people..."

He thinks that turning a profit is part of RELIGION?

He really is a Roman Catholic! *ba-da-bing*

Thanks, you're a great crowd! Tip your waiters and try the buffet.

clown

I worked at his law firm last summer as a summer associate. We had an afternoon where we all got to meet him and he gave a talk on health care. He went around the room introducing himself at the beginning. As he met the WASPy or Irish folk, he'd crack a joke or make some other comment. As he met the Jews and other ethnic folk, he'd just say hi and quickly move on. It seemed clear then that he's really only comfortable with certain kinds of people - those just like him.

"I wasn't referring to all Jews, just nappy headed hymies"

In light of what most of you have to say about Jjje.. I mean Zio....Uh I mean Israe.......

Yeah. Sing it Sistahs!

How many seemingly complimentary statements are made about Muslims that are equally sweeping yet get no reaction -- or are even praised?

While awkward and not entirely accurate, the fact that this statement generates more outrage than repeated use of "IslamoFascism" tells us a lot about which ethnic group gets the shortest straw.

I would suggest that the Jewish community gets slandered more by right-wing Israeli supporters who suggest that all Jews support brutal oppression of the Palestinians. When will people get outraged at generalities like this? I know my family hates getting lumped in with Likudist bullshit that comes from AIPAC and others.

It never ceases to amaze me that people who would know much better than to talk about, say, "natural rhythm" with blacks see no problem in talking to Jews about what "good businesspeople" they are. Do they have even the slightest glimmering of why that would be offensive?

The NeoCons and Republicans really want to restore Calvin Coolidge-Era America.

Is that worse than Richard Perle calling American soldiers "white trash'?

Not that it wasn't a moronic comment, but it seems like we all make a sport out of stringing politicians up over one stupid, well-intentioned comment, and then wonder why our politicans are boring and fake. I mean, really - I'm sure it's statistically true that people of Jewish backgrounds make more money than the average American. This was no "macaca".

Tommy Thompson is not a candidate for president. Tim Grieve, in his eagerness to slime yet another Republican, is probably thinking of Fred Thompson, erstwhile senator from Tennesse, whose name has been floated by others as a potential candidate but has announced nothing himself.

Why Salon continues to employ this hack is beyond me.

Is that worse than Richard Perle calling American soldiers "white trash'?

-- chris f

If you can document that, I'll believe it. But how about Democratic senator Dick Dubin calling American soldiers "Nazis," which is well-documented.

Will the lies and hypocrisy never stop?

Umm, Anonymous....since you seem to enjoy pointing out "hypocrisy", I hope you won't mind my pointing out your own pathetic lack of knowledge here.

You said: "talk about getting it wrong Tommy Thompson is not a candidate for president"

See below:

Tuesday , April 03, 2007

Tommy Thompson Announces Candidacy

SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: And former Wisconsin governor, Tommy Thompson, is setting his sights on the presidency, armed with a pretty hefty resume. He's calling himself the conservative of the field. But will the voters see him that way?

That's right, Thompson has been a declared candidate for TWO WEEKS.

You are officially discredited. Heckuva job, buddy!

Link in Signature.

It's instructive to see what real anti-semitism looks like, and see how your typical salonistas will ID it respond with appropriate disgust. Kinda different from the imagined anti-semitism some see behind every critique of AIPAC or neo-cons.

just a stereotype. one fact that none believe but is nevertheless true, is that 23% of the jews in the NY metropolitan (NOT just manhattan) live below the poverty line. chris f what you said *was* antisemitic. i.e. saying "YOU Jew" say worse - and furthermore, traitorously disloyal. talking about traitorous and disloyal, that's what i feel about *you* "Putting it in perspective" anonymous jew. SEVEN anonymites! (just TOO many, nobody is coming to get you). fortunately, normanx has a sense of humor - the "jewish afro". the rest of you, chill!