Opinion
Silencing the critics
Avner Hofstein
Published: 18.11.08, 11:05
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55 Talkbacks for this article
1. Surprised? There is more to come!
The Doc ,   Haifa, Israel   (11.18.08)
I'd like to see the same "fairness doctrine" implemented at NY Times, Washington Post and other pathetically Islamo-Liberal publications. I'd like to see that REALLY implemented at CNN. It's about time CNN takes a more balanced view regarding ALL the events in the NE and use them in the proper historical and current context. Replacing all the reporters from the ME is a start. Since there were only Islamo-Liberals for several years, what about replacing them with some Pro-Israeli ones for the same number of years, in the name of the "fairness doctrine"?
2. Avner, good article, and
RobertK ,   Jerusalem   (11.18.08)
perhaps you saw Fouad Ajami's outstanding Wall Street Journal piece about how the Obama ecstatics remind him of crowds in the Arab world who were ecstatic over figures like Nasser. As for this particular "crowd," in my life it has almost never been possible to challenge the views of leftists and liberals without them getting righteous and abusive; the Obama phenomenon is an intensification of this.
3. So the stalin elect will try to destroy
jason white ,   afula,israel   (11.18.08)
all conservative voices. If he is not investigated and impeached within two years,then the dems will start to lose the both Houses and then the White House. This was a giant error by the people of the states,they voted for a zero, not a hero!
4. Absolutely true!
Chaya ,   Bat Yam   (11.18.08)
Can't insult the 'messiah!'
5. You only have to visit Cuban. Venezuelan general news sites
(11.18.08)
Obama will only have to visit a veggie shop or brush his teeth to get on the front page news.
6. From smaller magazines he can make them semi-governmental
(11.18.08)
7. Obama's strong comuunist links suggest what he'd like
redmike ,   tel aviv   (11.18.08)
Obama not only has strong links to communists but they helped him get elected to the senate by having all the competition removed. Yep you read that right, he was the only candidate. http://obamafarleft.notlong.com And as for the un'fairness doctrine' if you want to know more about what it is then .. http://fairnessdoctrine.notlong.com/ Mike
8. #1 Doc - Haifa, Israel You're right.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (11.18.08)
The best is yet to come. Ideas & policies that do not work, ideologies that are based on wishful thinking & false assumptions, & support based on nothing much except hero worship & image, are particularly sensitive to criticism. There is also a part played by a definite dumbing down in Western societies & the rise of a certain irrationality towards facing complex, often unpleasant reality. We in Israel should not be surprised at all - we have been living the same thing since Oslo. A desire for peace has become a cult devoid of rational analysis or ability to contemplate consequences. Rather than raise inconvenient questions, you can count on the media to continue their white-wash & concentrate on trivia. I might add that I was not an enthousiastic McCain supporter - I thought he was a poor candidate, just better than Obama who I just do not trust.
9. Hilarious analogy! Bolshevism??
Kim ,   Australia   (11.18.08)
Its clear that the writer of this article is all about rhetoric and nothing about fact or even proper analysis. Just because some people might be enthusiastic for Obama doesnt make them Bolsheviks. Bolshevism related to the Leninist concept of communist party building in order to overthrow capitalism. Any real socialist or communist will tell you that Obama is not a socialist in anyway shape or form. In fact his policies as many on the socialist left have pointed out are very little different from McCain. Obama is still and out and out supporter of capitalism (for example, he voted for and will govern theimplementation of the bailout of Wall St) and is on the whole retaining us foreign policies, he doesn't support lifting the blockade of Cuba and he doesn't support Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (instead he has spoken out against him) However, it is true that Obama is not the messiah and to paraphase Monty Python, he ain't even a very naughty boy who wants to over throw capitalism (he just wants to reform it and put a nice happy face on it. And that as Lenin would have said in the day has nothing to do with communism or Bolshevism).
10. Not new for Israel!
m   (11.18.08)
The only right wing representative in the media (Arutz Sheva) has been silenced, most Israelis who are not English speakers and can't watch Fox News, or are not interested, receive only one kind of news, the RIGHT ones. Otherwise I can't explain how Kadima is still considered by people as a viable party.
11. Silencing the critics
Ed Church ,   Ft Lauderdale, USA   (11.18.08)
Washington Times, Dallas News, and New York Post are never objective news organizations. I see nothing wrong in making space for legitimate newspapers. The other news organization that should be booted is FOX news. No mention of who Biden boycotted, but if it is the Orlando interview I saw, that station does not deserve to be on the list. The interviewer’s husband was found to be a republican operative and her question directly from the right-wing talk radio talking points. If boycotts happen just because of tough questions, I will be first in line to condemn any politician. However it is time to stop giving time to outlets that claim to be news, yet only give propaganda to one side. Ed Church – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12. suprized?
(11.18.08)
and we, who support reporting the news alone and not opinions along with the news are suprized how????
13. really really enjoyed reading this
(11.18.08)
14. There is truly an unhealthy, tragic process underway.
Cameron ,   USA   (11.18.08)
Very sorry to see my country finally afflicted with the Populist Leader Syndrome that has failed so badly around the planet. Even more sorry to have to watch & experience how bitter and disillusioned my fellow citizens are going to become the next few years when all the emotionalism & fantasizing they've placed on Obama's back, bottoms-out in the hard, cold world that is Reality. What a "tough love" learning experience it's going to be!
15. I think the trend started with Bush
Smith ,   Tel Aviv   (11.18.08)
I'm sorry Avner but this trend started with Bush until it would have been scandalous for the media in the USA not to report on the sheer incompetence of his administration, especially after the disaster of Hurrican Kartina. The Bush Admin began this trend and trounced many a journalist (ending a few careers) as a terrorist loving traitor for asking too difficult a question of them regarding, for example, evidence of WMD in Iraq. This is well documented and a known-known. In Obama you have a creation of Karl Rove's own making. Too bad you voted for Bush in the first place. Chicken and egg my friend.....
16. 78% of US Jews voted for him. Now he will split your land,
give away Jerusalem, ,   &laugh at all of you   (11.18.08)
17. Four Years at the Opera
Gideon Reader   (11.18.08)
WHAT?? Obama and his aparatchiks Bolsheviks? Who knew? Just because a guy hangs around with marxists and has viewpoints that stink to high heaven of soviet doctrine and has a command and support structure that looks more like Russia 1917 than USA 2008, is NO reason to say things like that. I am an unrepentant fan of Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo. However, Hussain the "Otha' Marx Brotha' of the Karl kind, is NOT my cuppa'.
18. What Obama has is known as a "cult of personality".
Matt C ,   Canada   (11.18.08)
You are quite right about your concerns, Avner Hofstein. "Cults of personality" have never been healthy in any society. With his "cult" regarding him as a perfect being (or nearly so), disagreeing with Obama becomes nearly impossible. His supporters will not tolerate anyone who points out any flaws in his person. This serves to silence most real disagreement with him, even from the media (which has generally had a pro-Democrat bias in the US to begin with). Why should anyone care? Because if Obama turns out to be a radical leftist of the Chicago school, or corrupt, or incompetent, the only way to resist him will be to break down that cult of personality. Some fear that Obama will turn out to be hostile to Israel. If that is the case, it is vital that there be political forces in the world that can stand up to Obama in Israel's defence without being considered fascist or racist. It is dangerous for one man to be considered above reproach.
19. Your raving is silly and embarrassing
Steve G ,   Kew Gardens,NYC   (11.18.08)
The election is over. The middle of the road Democrat won. Obama and the Democrats now have to clean up the looting, wrecking and fear-mongering of the Republican rampage of the past 8 years. The party you are supporting now consists of bigots, morons, religious extremists and fat cats. You lost, get over it.
20. obama is "NOT" Israel's friend!
JohnB ,   Alabama USA   (11.18.08)
Israel. Beware of obama. he is a wolf in sheep's clothing! When he gets in office,watch closely his decisions and official policy. Romans 10:4-13
21. 7 Mike: Amen. You know how Hillary Clinton got elected to
Rivkah   (11.18.08)
the US Senate? Same way Obama did: by eliminating the competition. John Kennedy, Jr. was going to announce his candidacy for the US Senate seat Hillary wanted, but died in a plane crash the week before the scheduled announcement. I was sitting in my sister's home with her and her next door neighbor who was a former military pilot when that was shown on the news. The former pilot said there had to have been an explosion on the plane for it to have gone down like it did. He knew immediately Kennedy, Jr. was murdered and his plane was sabotaged. It is very unusual for Roman Catholics who can afford a coffin funeral to cremate the remains and dump the ashes at sea: but that is what happened to John Kennedy, Jr. There was another secret to cover up: his father was not the President, but was Peter Lawford that Jacqueline Kennedy had an affair with in revenge for JFK's many affairs. Idolizing bastards is an American tradition. Look at the one who just got elected US President.
22. Let's not forget the threat to prosecute for. "lying" about
(11.18.08)
23. FAIRNESS DOCTRINE TO POLITICIANS VOTING ALSO
..............DACON9   (11.18.08)
24. FAINESS DOCTRINE TO *YNET CENSORING MY POSTS...HAHAHAHA
AM I FUNNY OR WHAT?? ,   .......DACON9   (11.18.08)
25. Will the REAL Obama please stand up?
Yacov ,   Chicago   (11.18.08)
America is in serious trouble. People in serious trouble look for a Messiah to save them. Israeli bought the Oslo Psychosis, Americans bought Obama (or he bought them with his millions in campaign funds). Israel found out what Oslo Psychosis was really all about. Unfortunately, Americans may also find out what the real Obama is all about.
26. Obama - member of the Thug temple in Chicago
Jim ,   Chicago   (11.18.08)
What do you want from the guy. He is a regular thug. (use google to check his Thug temple).
27. Very good news!
Thomas ,   US   (11.18.08)
Jewish people are the most avid purveyors of Stalinism worldwide and this Steve G of Kew Gardens now can expect to be a commissar in a Gulag prison camp.
28. American Jews. Don't whine!
David Powell ,   Everett, Wa. DPRSSA   (11.18.08)
Since 78% American Jews who voted for the Bolshevik., I do not want to hear any whineing when he attempts to break up Israel to pre 1967 borders which includes divideing Jerusalem. Or second thoughtl. I don't suppose you give an hoot..
29. Smith, journalists, chickens, and eggs are going............
Cameron ,   USA   (11.18.08)
to be least of your interests the next few years. Howling for help, instead of sneering, will be your Israeli lot.
30. Obama
J.Smith ,   USA   (11.18.08)
Not every American is with Obama 57 million Americans are not
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