{"id":1674088,"date":"2022-10-05T13:08:38","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T17:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1674088"},"modified":"2022-10-05T13:09:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-05T17:09:03","slug":"hon-thaddeus-g-mccotter-the-cultural-contradictions-of-progressivism-modernizing-the-blood-libel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hon-thaddeus-g-mccotter-the-cultural-contradictions-of-progressivism-modernizing-the-blood-libel\/","title":{"rendered":"Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter: The Cultural Contradictions of Progressivism: Modernizing the \u201cBlood Libel\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhon-thaddeus-g-mccotter-the-cultural-contradictions-of-progressivism-modernizing-the-blood-libel%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1674088&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><\/div>\n<div class=\"advertisment pb-5 text-center\"><\/div>\n<p><em>The following is the third in an intermittent series exploring the cultural contradictions of progressivism.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In past articles, we have examined the Manichean, comic book nature of the Left\u2019s ideology, particularly its \u201cidentity politics\u201d and prescribed spoils system \u201cintersectionality.\u201d\u00a0 To reiterate, the rich mosaic of human interaction is deconstructed into a struggle between oppressors and oppressed.\u00a0 The Left then prioritizes the oppressed for governmental and societal recognition and recompense based upon the victim\u2019s ideologically presumed real and\/or assumed suffering(s).<\/p>\n<p>Human nature being what it is despite the Left\u2019s most coercive efforts, one of the more egregious problems with identity politics and intersectionality is how it intrinsically results in a hierarchy of the oppressed. \u00a0And the competition is cutthroat.\u00a0 Much like the movie and TV series <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ooN9xdAgi5w\">Highlander<\/a>, \u201cThere can be only one!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Within the Left\u2019s DIE cult (\u201cdiversity, inclusion, equity\u201d), for some to be included they must abandon their own identity and beliefs; and take their place in their preordained slot within intersectionality\u2019s roster of the oppressed.\u00a0 If they do not, they will be excluded and persecuted; for, within the DIE cult\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Animal-Farm-Fairy-George-Orwell\/dp\/1946963445\/ref=asc_df_1946963445\/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=475689874762&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=4950704853908448449&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9016883&amp;hvtargid=pla-1078433546855&amp;psc=1\">Animal Farm<\/a>, some identities are more equal than others.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of course, this is neither diverse, inclusive, or equitable.\u00a0 But, in a cruel continuation of their historical oppression, it remains the reality faced by the Jewish people.\u00a0 What is striking, is that the escalation of anti-Semitism is a product of both the radical Right <i>and<\/i> Left.\u00a0 The key distinction is that such anti-Semitism on the racist, radical Right \u2013 the historical locus of hatred and attacks against the Jewish people \u2013 is universally denounced and rejected by sane minds.\u00a0 The anti-Semitism of the radical Left, however, is increasingly condoned and institutionalized \u2013 especially in America\u2019s institutions of \u201chigher learning.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There has been an alarming incidence of anti-Semitism on America\u2019s college campuses \u2013 including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/federal-probe-to-investigate-alleged-antisemitic-harassment-at-brooklyn-college\/\">Brooklyn College<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/victim-blaming-university-of-vermont-assailed-for-denying-antisemitism-charges\/\">University of Vermont<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/stanford-mental-health-professionals-file-complaint-over-severe-antisemitism\/\">Stanford University<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/federal-probe-opened-into-alleged-antisemitism-at-university-of-southern-california\/\">University of Southern California<\/a>.\u00a0 In some cases, due to the inaction of the institutions\u2019 respective administrative entities, a federal investigation had to be opened.\u00a0 (These were made possible after former President Trump had added <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2019\/12\/14\/student-who-sued-nyu-for-anti-semitism-trump-has-empowered-jews-on-campus\/\">anti-Semitic discrimination as a Title VI violation<\/a> in 2019.)<\/p>\n<p>Much of what drives this rise of Left-wing anti-Semitism is the 21st Century \u201cblood libel.\u201d\u00a0 According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/encyclopedia.ushmm.org\/content\/en\/article\/blood-libel\">United States Holocaust Museum<\/a> :<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHistorically, blood libels often took place close to Passover, when Jews were charged with using the blood of Christian children to bake matzahs. \u00a0The proximity of such charges to Easter was thus also often associated with the continuing belief that Jews were responsible for the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. \u00a0Blood libels, together with allegations of well poisoning, were a major theme in Jewish persecution in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern period. \u00a0They were a central component in the development of modern antisemitism in the 19th century.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBlood libel accusations often led to pogroms, violent riots launched against Jews and frequently encouraged by government authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This hideous lie abetted the persecutors of the Jewish people to deem themselves the victims of the Jewish people.\u00a0 So does the Left\u2019s latest variant of the blood libel.\u00a0 In sum, \u201cZionists\u201d have Palestinian blood on their hands for supporting Israel.\u00a0 As a result, it is increasingly normalized for anti-Semitism to not only be permissible but laudable.<\/p>\n<p>The international escalation of anti-Semitism bears bitter witness.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-61228552\">The BBC reported<\/a> that <a href=\"https:\/\/cst.tau.ac.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Antisemitism-Worldwide-2021.pdf\">The Anti-Semitism Worldwide Report 2021<\/a> by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University\u2019s Faculty of Humanities had revealed:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe number of anti-Semitic incidents around the world dramatically increased last year\u2026the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia [are] among countries where there was a sharp rise.\u00a0 This was fueled by radical left- and right-wing political movements and incitement on social media\u2026\u00a0 [T]here was \u2018a significant increase in various types of anti-Semitic incidents in most countries with large Jewish populations.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report not only identified COVID \u201cconspiracy theories\u2026blaming the Jews and Israel for spreading the virus,\u201d and the \u201cexceptionally alarming role\u201d and \u201cvast reach of social networks for spreading lies and incitement,\u201d it also cited \u201creactions to May 2021\u2019s fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip for the rise in anti-Semitic incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for the United States specifically, in April the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adl.org\/news\/press-releases\/adl-audit-finds-antisemitic-incidents-in-united-states-reached-all-time-high-in\">ADL reported<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAntisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the United States in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). This represents the highest number of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979 \u2013 an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34 percent increase year over year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Further, the ADL, too, found how, in 2021, anti-Semitism had \u201ca dramatic spike during Hamas-Israel conflict.\u201d\u00a0 Per the ADL\u2019s CEO and National Director, Jonathan A. Greenblatt:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile we have always seen a rise in antisemitic activity during periods of increased hostilities between Israel and terrorist groups, the violence we witnessed in America during the conflict last May was shocking.\u00a0 Jews were being attacked in the streets for no other reason than the fact that they were Jewish, and it seemed as if the working assumption was that if you were Jewish, you were blameworthy for what was happening half a world away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Overall, in assessing the dire situation Mr. Greenblatt stated:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen it comes to antisemitic activity in America, you cannot point to any single ideology or belief system, and in many cases, we simply don\u2019t know the motivation.\u00a0 But we do know that Jews are experiencing more antisemitic incidents than we have in this country in at least 40 years, and that\u2019s a deeply troubling indicator of larger societal fissures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clearly, it is no longer merely an instance of the radical Right being the locus of anti-Semitism.\u00a0 Indeed, as the studies reveal, the most dramatic rise in anti-Semitism occurred during the Israel-Hamas fighting.\u00a0 This played into the Left\u2019s identity politics-intersectionality prism, whereby those who supported Israel were \u201cZionists\u201d (i.e., Jews) and had blood on their hands for supporting the killing of \u201cinnocent\u201d Palestinians.\u00a0 Thus, just as the historic blood libel abets Right-wing anti-Semites to falsely claim they are the \u201creal\u201d victims \u2013 not the Jewish people, this new blood libel abets Left-wing anti-Semites to also falsely claim they are the \u201creal\u201d victims \u2013 not the \u201cZionists.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/jewishjournal.com\/commentary\/opinion\/351854\/berkeley-develops-jewish-free-zones\/\">Jewish Journal<\/a><\/em>, Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, records: \u201cNine different law student groups at the University of California at Berkeley\u2019s School of Law, my own alma mater, have begun this new academic year by amending bylaws to ensure that they will never invite any speakers that support Israel or Zionism.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The reason for this abject discrimination?\u00a0 Anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnti-Zionism is flatly antisemitic. \u00a0Using \u2018Zionist\u2019 as a euphemism for Jew is nothing more than a confidence trick. \u00a0Like other forms of Judeophobia, it is an ideology of hate, treating Israel as the \u2018collective Jew\u2019 and smearing the Jewish state with defamations similar to those used for centuries to vilify individual Jews\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese exclusions reflect the changing face of campus antisemitism. \u00a0The highest profile incidents are no longer just about toxic speech, which poisons the campus environment.\u00a0 Now anti-Zionist groups target Jewish Americans directly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Mr. Marcus and the Jewish community, this is a disturbing regression back into the dark days of publicly condoned anti-Semitism.\u00a0 As he notes: \u201cIt is now a century since Jewish-free zones first spread to the San Francisco Bay Area (\u2018No Dogs. No Jews\u2019). \u00a0Nevertheless, this move seems frightening and unexpected, like a bang on the door in the night.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That this new wave of anti-Semitism that comes from the Left has consternated many moderate Democrats, including Jewish ones.\u00a0 Again, historically the pogroms and persecutions were spawned by the radical Right.\u00a0 And there still remains anti-Semitism on the radical Right that must continue to be uprooted and denounced.\u00a0 But one must also uproot and denounce the radical Left\u2019s anti-Semitism.\u00a0 Unlike the radical Right\u2019s anti-Semitic ravings, the radical Left\u2019s blood libel is a symptom of its identity politics and intersectionality premised ideology; consequently, it is being systematically incorporated into private and public institutions.\u00a0 For example, note how with increasing frequency and impunity the radical Left despicably slurs Israelis and \u201cZionists\u201d as Nazis?<\/p>\n<p>The inevitable disagreement from the Left that they are condoning anti-Semitism, reminds one of what, in the November 13, 1965, <i>Saturday Review<\/i>, Dr. Martin Luther King <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unz.com\/print\/SaturdayRev-1965nov13-00033\">wrote<\/a> of northern liberals: \u201cYet when the issues were joined concerning local conditions only the language was polite; the rejection was firm and unequivocal. \u00a0All my experience indicated that hope of voluntary understanding was chimerical; there was blindness, obtuseness, and rigidity that would only be altered by a dynamic movement.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The question, then, is whether the Democratic Party \u2013 like the GOP before it \u2013 will denounce and uproot the anti-Semitism in their midst?\u00a0 Granted it will be a continuing struggle, but this is one moral duty that cannot be abnegated \u2013 and one, for the Democrats, could prove existential.\u00a0 For electoral success, the Democratic Party needs both Arab-American and Jewish votes.\u00a0 Simply patching over this deep divide between their critical constituencies will not end the Left\u2019s anti-Semitism.\u00a0 As Dr. King noted, what is needed is a dynamic force.\u00a0 Regrettably, by all objective measurements, within the Democratic Party at present the dynamic force is the anti-Semitic Left.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, unless circumstances radically change on the Left, the Jewish people will continue to bear the brunt of\u00a0 an escalating anti-Semitism that is being systemically injected into public and private institutions; and all Americans will witness one more reason that the Left is regressive \u2013 unless one considers modernizing the blood libel to be \u201cprogressive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>A Human Events contributor, the Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter (M.C., Ret.) represented Michigan\u2019s 11th Congressional district from 2003-2012, and served as Chair of the Republican House Policy Committee. Not a lobbyist, he is a frequent public speaker and moderator for public policy seminars; and a Monday co-host of the &#8220;John Batchelor Radio Show,&#8221; among sundry media appearances.<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following is the third in an intermittent series exploring the cultural contradictions of progressivism. In past articles, we have examined the Manichean, comic book nature of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1674090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1674088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1674088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1674088"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1674088\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1674090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1674088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1674088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1674088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}