Jon Stewart Doesn't Think Israel is Part of The Jewish Community

 

I've never thought Jon Stewart was particularly funny. Not when he had a syndicated talk show more than 30 years ago and not today.

I've also never taken Jon Stewart seriously as a political analyst. Whenever he would be overmatched by someone who knew what they were talking about such as John Yoo, Stewart would by default say, 'I'm a comedian,' Well, that's a debatable proposition. In any case, I believe Stewart is daft.

Case in point was his testy interview with Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman over his support for Israel. At one point in the interview, Fetterman told Stewart that he supports Israel in part because when Jews are persecuted "things end badly." Stewart shot back, "The Jewish community and Israel are not the same thing, brother-man. That is not the same thing."

If that is true then why did Ayman Mohamad Ghazali drive his truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan armed with a rifle and with explosives? In the days which followed, newspaper headlines proclaimed the shooter's family had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. What was not mentioned was that Ghazali's brother was a Hezbollah commander. Abdul El-Sayed, now the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Michigan, excused Ghazali's action stating that "hurt people hurt people." Those who hate Jews make no distinction between Jews in Israel, Jews in San Jose or Jews in the Philippines. 

Stewart's comment, on its face, is also absurd. Israel is a part of the Jewish community. Nearly half the world's Jewish population is in Israel. A country which emerged out of the ashes of the Holocaust after most of the world refused to admit Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler. Frederick Blair, the civil servant in charge of Canada's immigration system proclaimed, "None is too many."  It is those attitudes which necessitated the creation of Israel and necessitate its continuation. Indeed, the cradle of Judaism is to be found in Jerusalem. To suggest that Jews have no ties to Israel is akin to suggesting that Muslims have no ties to Mecca.

Of course, while Stewart is Jewish it is clear that he is woefully ignorant of his people's history and culture. I also suspect that Stewart is ashamed of being Jewish and hence his hostility to a non-Jew like Fetterman who goes out on a limb to support Israel and the Jewish community at large. After all, his real name is Jon Leibowitz. Alas, he is not the first Jew to Anglicize his name and sadly he won't be the last.

Seven Thoughts on El-Sayed Becoming The Democratic Nominee in the Michigan Senate Race

I have some thoughts I would like to share about Abdul El-Sayed becoming the Democratic nominee in the Michigan Senate race last night.

No Double-Digit Victory for El-Sayed

El-Sayed was widely expected to crush Haley Stevens by double-digits last night based on recent polls. Although he never trailed, El-Sayed only prevailed by 1% (48.5% to 47.5%) which adds up to all of about 15,000 votes. Somehow, Mallory McMorrow who dropped out last month earned 4% of the vote. How would those 61,000 votes have been split had she been off the ballot? El-Sayed might still have prevailed, but this was no cakewalk. He and his people have an air of overconfidence, and it nearly cost him. 

A Narrow Victory for El-Sayed is Still Very Cold Comfort

The fact that El-Sayed by a narrow margin is very cold comfort to me. After all, a plurality of Michigan Democrats didn't care they were voting for a vile anti-Semite. His proclamations of love to the Jewish people and Judaism ring hollow so long as he insists on palling around with Hasan Piker who champions Hamas, the organization responsible for the deaths of the most Jews since the Holocaust while making excuses for the terrorist attack on a synagogue in his own state.

I Partially Agree with Trump's Assessment of El-Sayed

After El-Sayed had been declared the winner, Trump wrote on Truth Social:

Great news for the Republican Party. El-Sayed, a Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel, is the projected winner in his race with the Socialist.

I agree with Trump when he says El-Sayed hates Jews and Israel. However, I think it would be more accurate to describe El-Sayed as an Islamist with a leftist facade. I'm also not sure if El-Sayed's victory is such great news for Republicans.

Republicans Are Overconfident Against El-Sayed

Matt Vespa of Townhall.com thinks El-Sayed's victory all but guarantees Republicans will retain control of the Senate. It is certainly a possibility that Mike Rogers will pick up this seat for Republicans against El-Sayed, but there is a lot of ground to cover in Michigan over the next three months.

For starters, El-Sayed has a strong ground game. Trump can scream fraud all he wants but El-Sayed has demonstrated he can get voters to pull the lever for him.

Speaking of Trump, he looms very large in this race. His disapproval rate in Michigan reflects the national average and isn't likely to get any better over the next three months. El-Sayed will do everything he can to tie Rogers to Trump.

Mike Rogers had better campaign with everything he can muster because he will need every bit of it.

If I Lived in Michigan, I Would Vote for Rogers with Reservations

I am thankful that I do not live in Michigan just as I am grateful that I do not live in Texas. But if I were a Texas voter, I could not bring myself to vote for either Republican Ken Paxton or Democrat James Talarico.

But if I were a Michigan voter, I would cast my ballot for Rogers. My vote would be more against El-Sayed than for Rogers. Again, El-Sayed is a vile anti-Semite. I don't want vile anti-Semites elected to the U.S. Senate. Unlike Paxton, Rogers does not have a history of corruption and knows how things work.

When it comes to Israel, I hope Rogers will put El-Sayed on the defensive and tie him to Hamas and Hezbollah and take him to task for his irresponsible statements concerning the synagogue shooting in West Bloomfield Township.

Yet I am not without reservations where it concerns Rogers. When Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election, Rogers urged Trump to accept the results. Rogers doesn't say such things anymore and has indulged Trump's conspiracy theories when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 (narrowly losing to Elissa Slotkin) and in his current run for office.

Like other Republicans, I have no doubt Rogers doesn't believe any of Trump's nonsense where it concerns elections. The reality however is that the price of admission for running under the Republican Party banner is to indulge in Trump's election denialism.

Stevens is Fully Backing El-Sayed Days After She Accused Him of Engaging in Anti-Semitism

Yet let us not kid ourselves. The Democratic Party has a price of admission to run under its banner and in our current age that price of admission of is for its candidates to accuse Israel of genocide.

If Stevens wants to have a future in the Democratic Party, then that means she is going to have to support openly anti-Semitic candidates for office.

As mentioned, a few short days ago, Stevens castigated El-Sayed for wanting "to blame all of your problems on Jewish Americans." But when asked by CNN if she would support El-Sayed if he won the primary, Stevens said, "You bet."

Now perhaps Stevens will endorse him but keep her distance and not campaign with him. But if Stevens wants to return to Congress or decides she wants to run for Governor if Republican John James beats Democrat Jocelyn Benson, she will very likely have to back El-Sayed to the hilt. Of course, Stevens could do this, and Democratic primary voters will decide she is a Zionist and roundly reject her.

Conclusion: El Sayed's Election to the U.S. Senate Would Be Another Step in Legitimizing Anti-Semitism in America

While Democratic voters at large do not universally support anti-Semitic candidates, a plurality does and that plurality is likely to grow in years to come. Although Republicans sense an opportunity to gain a seat, they and especially Rogers would be foolish to underestimate El-Sayed's organization and the albatross that is President Trump.

If El-Sayed is elected to the U.S. Senate, then it would be another step in the legitimization of anti-Semitism in this country and perhaps a step more significant than the election of Zohran Mamdani in New York City. While NYC is a firmly left-wing city, the same cannot be said for Michigan. His election would demonstrate there is broader acceptance of anti-Semitism beyond left-wing precincts.

Michigan voters have three months to decide if they want to play a role in legitimizing anti-Semitism in this country or if they want to vote for decency.

Cori Bush Got Her (Wesley) Bell Rung

With less than half  of the vote counted, St. Louis area Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell handily withstood the primary challenge of former Squad member Cori Bush.

As of this writing, Bell has earned 66.8% of the vote compared to only 29.3% of the vote for Bush.

Two years ago, it was Bell who ousted Bush. After her defeat, Bush claimed she had been "radicalized" and vowed to tear down AIPAC. I'm glad to see Democratic primary voters not choose the anti-Semite this time around.

Needless to say, being an intemperate lunatic didn't sell so well in St. Louis. Bush has also been under federal investigation for misusing campaign contributions for her personal security and other personal expenses. Bell, on the other hand, comes off as a responsible representative and voters opted to have a drama free Congressman.

Of course, so-called progressives lambasted funding Bell received from AIPAC. Well, some voters don't like it when their representatives refuse to meet with their Jewish constituents and refuse to call Hamas a terrorist organization.

Don't feel too sorry for Cori Bush. I'm sure she has a future career as a faith healer and can unleash a whole new set of scams. 

Meanwhile, Missouri's first Congressional District will continue to be responsibly served by Wesley Bell. 

Red Sox Obtain Rutschman from Orioles; Send Mayer to SF

The Boston Red Sox, who have gone 28-5 since June 24th, did not rest on their laurels during the trade deadline.

This afternoon, the Bosox acquired catcher Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles along with fellow catcher Jake Rogers in exchange for catcher Carlos Narvaez and minor league prospects Enddy Azocar, an outfielder along with two righthanded pitchers - Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon.

Rutschman, 28, was the number one pick in the MLB Draft by the Orioles in 2019 and runner up in AL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2022 behind Seattle Mariners slugger Julio Rodriguez. He has been named to three AL All-Star Teams in the past four seasons. 

It might be a while before Rutschman sees any action as he is currently on the IL with a wrist injury, his third IL stint this season. When Rutschman has been healthy, he has been productive hitting .251 with 8 HR and 47 RBI in 69 games played this season. Hence the decision to also acquire Rogers. 

Despite being only 2½ games out of the third AL Wild Card berth, the Orioles have chosen to be sellers at the trade deadline dealing starting pitcher Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins and outfielder Taylor Ward to the Seattle Mariners before parting ways with Rutschman.

Also of note, the Red Sox decided to give up on infielder Marcelo Mayer sending him to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for middle reliever Erik Miller. Mayer was the Red Sox's top draft pick in 2021 and the fourth pick overall in the nation out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, just outside of San Diego. However, in parts of two seasons, Mayer has hit only .223 with modest power, a propensity to strike out with very few walks.

I have heard stories that Mayer likes the nightlife. Mayer might get away with that if he was hitting better. Like Rutschman, Mayer is also currently on the IL since late June due to a forearm injury. The one thing Mayer has in his favor is that he is only 23 and can get a fresh start in San Francisco. Although things have been pretty chaotic this season and perhaps being teammates with former Red Sox player Rafael Devers might not be the best thing for him especially when the Giants come to Fenway later this month.

The impact of these trades won't be immediately known for the Red Sox but they may loom large as the season progresses.

There's Something Rotten in Montreal

Montreal was the cite of not one, but two anti-Semitic incidents over the weekend.

Early Saturday morning, arson destroyed Nöam, a popular kosher restaurant. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Only hours later, during a soccer match at Saputo Stadium, fans of CF Montréal, jeered Israeli soccer player Dor Turgeman of the New England Revolution chanting "Death to Israel!!!" and "Free Palestine!!!". Turgeman got the last laugh by scoring a goal in a game which ended in a 2-2 tie. But that only seemed to aggravate Montreal fans who threw cans and lighters at Turgeman. 

Then yesterday, a visibly Jewish person was violently assaulted in Montreal's Outremont neighborhood.

I have warned that New York City will likely experience an October 7th style attack due to Mayor Mamdani. Sadly, I would not be surprised if such a thing were to occur in Montreal or Toronto (where two bagel shops had their windows shattered last week including one with gunfire). Indeed, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs recently stated, "Canada remains one intelligence failure away from a mass casualty event, and that is something the Jewish community is keenly aware”.

Yet were such a mass casualty, anti-Semitic attack to take place in Canada, I would put Montreal at the top of the list.

Giants Deal Arráez, NL's Leading Hitter, to Phillies; Plays With 5th Team in 5 Seasons

Luis Arráez is on the move again.

The San Francisco Giants have traded Arráez to the Philadelphia Phillies along with pitcher Caleb Kilian in exchange for pitchers Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair. 

At the time of the trade, Arráez, 29, was leading the NL in batting with a .324 average. From 2022 through 2024, Arráez won three consecutive batting titles with three different teams. In 2022, he won the AL batting title with the Minnesota Twins hitting .316. In the off-season, the Twins traded Arráez to the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitcher Pablo Lopez. Arráez won the NL batting title in 2023 with a career best .354 average. Early in the 2024 season, the Marlins sent Arráez to the San Diego Padres in a deal which included Jakob Marsee. He won yet another NL batting title posting a .314 batting average.

Last year, Arráez spent a full season in San Diego though he slipped to a .292 batting average despite collecting an NL leading 181 hits. In the off-season, Arráez signed a 1-year deal with the San Francisco Giants for $12 million. At the time, I wrote:

What is fascinating to me is that Arraez is so well-travelled. You would think three batting titles would make one a fixture in someone's lineup a la Ty Cobb, Stan Musial, Rod Carew, Wade Boggs or Tony Gwynn. Alas, Arraez is viewed as a liability for not having sufficient power, drawing few walks and subpar defensive skills despite his three batting titles and rarely striking out. Evidently, MLB frowns upon contact hitters.

So even if Arraez wins his fourth batting title with the Giants, he will likely be on the move albeit with a lucrative free agent contract although that could be jeopardized by a lockout of the 2027 season when the present MLB collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of this year.

Have perennial batting champion will travel.

Well, Arráez did not last a full season in SF. Yet it should be said that Arráez has been one of the few bright spots on a team which, along with the New York Mets, is the most disappointing in all of MLB. Aside from pitcher Logan Webb, Arráez was the only other Giant named to the NL All-Star Team. 

One can only hope Arráez can find a home in Philly, his fifth team in five seasons. I'm sure Arráez will get along famously with manager Don Mattingly, who was once among baseball's purest hitters batting better than .300 seven times including an AL batting title with the New York Yankees in 1984. 

If nothing else, Arráez can give the Phillies a shot in the arm. Although the Phillies have the second NL Wild Card berth and have won three games in a row, they were only 9-15 in July finishing the month losing 8 of 9 games.

The arrival of Arráez enables the Phillies to move Bryce Harper from first base back into the outfield. 

Should Arráez win his fourth batting title in five seasons, it will be the second time in his career he will have won the NL batting title splitting his season with two teams. Prior to Arráez, the only other player to win a league batting title while splitting his season with two teams was Dale Alexander who hit .367 in 1932 with the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox. In 1990, Willie McGee won his second career NL batting title hitting .335 with the St. Louis Cardinals despite being traded to the Oakland A's prior to the trade deadline with just over a month left in the season to help the A's win their third consecutive AL pennant.

Luis Arráez is among baseball's best hitters. I just hope Arráez is finally treated like one.

Val Kilmer is as Mythic a Figure as Jim Morrison

 

On Saturday night, I went to the Somerville Theatre to attend a midnight screening of The Doors, the 1991 biopic directed by Oliver Stone and starring the late Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison.

I saw the film when it was released in theatres 35 years ago. A year later, I remember seeing it with nearly my entire dorm during my freshman year at Carleton University. It was one of those films which struck a chord with Gen X, which despite its cynicism, still had an admiration for the spirit of the late 1960s. Jim Morrison, of course, was a larger-than-life mythical figure who was a source of fascination.

I've probably caught it on TV a time or two here and there but thought it was worth another look a quarter of the way through our present century. To put it into perspective, The Doors was released a few months before the 20th anniversary of Morrison's death. More time has now elapsed between the time of the film and the present day than Morrison's 27 years on the planet. To some degree, I think Morrison and much of the 1960s has been lost to time. Indeed, most of the audience were Gen Xers & Boomers with perhaps a handful of older Millennials sprinkled into the mix. 

I should mention The Doors was screened on a 70 mm print. Somerville Theatre film projectionist David Kornfeld gave a brief introduction. I remembered him from the special screening of a 70 mm print of Apocalypse Now last year and thought it was kind of fitting given that film begins with The Doors' "This is the End", a song which is also featured prominently in The Doors.

Kornfeld didn't think much of the story and that many of the events depicted in the film simply didn't happen. But he did praise Kilmer's performance and that the remaining members of The Doors were awed a how Kilmer captured Morrison's essence. 

I share much of Kornfeld's assessment. I knew at the time of the release that certain things depicted in the film didn't happen in real life or at the very least didn't happen in the way they did in real life. To be specific, I am referring to The Doors only appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. While the band was asked not to use the lyric, "Girl, we couldn't get much higher," Morrison didn't emphasize the word "higher" nor did the tv director accidentally show his crotch as depicted in the film. The only word Morrison emphasized was "fire". 

While some might argue that Tombstone was Kilmer's epitaph, one could certainly make the case that he made a career defining performance in The Doors. After Kilmer's death, Doors drummer John Densmore wrote on Instagram, "As an actor, Val’s channeling of Jim (Morrison) was so close, he gave me the creeps on the set of Oliver Stone’s biopic. He should have been nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor."

There was a certain melancholy in seeing Kilmer onscreen especially in his scenes with Michael Madsen (portraying Tom Baker, an actor Morrison met through Andy Warhol) who also passed away last year. On an eerie note, Madsen passed away on July 3rd - the 54th anniversary of Morrison's death.

Aside from Kilmer, the visuals remain compelling and the music captures the spirit of the time. I must say that I found the casting of Meg Ryan as Jim Morrison's girlfriend Pam Courson a bit peculiar. Her voice and physical mannerisms made me think of Sally Albright from When Harry Met Sally cosplaying a hippie.

The cameos were fascinating - John Densmore playing a recording engineer supervising a session of Morrison reciting poetry, Billy Idol, Crispin Glover (as Andy Warhol), Mimi Rogers (the first wife of Tom Cruise who played photojournalist and 16 Magazine editor-in-chief Gloria Stavers), Paul Williams, attorney William Kunstler and, if you didn't blink, you might have caught Eric Burdon from The Animals and War and Sky Saxon from The Seeds.

Now that Val Kilmer has recently passed, he has become a mythic figure in his own right. Perhaps his mythos can help carry that of Jim Morrison through the Doors of perception. R.I.P to both men.