Steve Kelman on politics, culture, and life October 14, 2024
Taking on antisemitism on right and left
The Jewish insider discusses the support by Trump and Vance for Tucker Carlson, who has made anti-Semitic comments and brought a holocaust denier onto his program. Congressman Richie Torres, who has played a strong role attacking antisemitism, has criticized the situation where conservatives attack antisemitism only on the left not on the right.
Black support for Trump
Interesting article in the times by their pollster Nate Cohn about why Trump is doing better among black voters than Republicans have in the past. The article notes that over 40% of blacks support building a border wall and deporting illegal immigrants.
Elon Musk a foreigner?
Elon Musk has gone to Pennsylvania for the election and apparently will be knocking on doors himself. Maybe some Trump supporters will hear his voice when they open the door and say, “No foreigners!
Harris loses because of pronouns?
Another great post on Substack this morning from the pundit Joe Klein. He notes in passing that if Trump is elected because of aggressiveness from activists about they/them pronouns, they deserve everything they get.
No religious pluralism on Fox
Fox is publicizing a series on their streaming channel called Our faith. If you open up the link, you see pictures of Jesus and no other religious figure. They don’t seem to be super highly aware of the tradition of religious pluralism in United States.
Hezbollah launches rockets from near UN encampments
Hezbollah often launches rockets into Israel from nearby United Nations peacekeeper encampments. This is a new version of using human shields that they often employ.
More websites blocked in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Free Press reports that a website organized by Hong Kong exiles has now been blocked on the Internet in Hong Kong. This joins a growing list of blocked websites there, in the past most those involving Taiwan. Hong Kong was once a free country.
Taiwan strong
The Chinese navy has drilled for a naval blockade of Taiwan. Taiwan strong!
Justin Bieber with keffiyeh
Justin Bieber has been photographed driving his car wearing a keffiyeh. To use an abbreviation I never use and don’t like it all, WTF.
Shiites support Hezbollah in Lebanon
An interesting article in the Economist , which taught me things I did not already know, notes that Hezbollah in Lebanon gets its support mostly from the Shiite minority there, which is underprivileged.
Italian farmers growing mangoes
A report from Italy on the Swedish TV news tonight notes that with warmer climate, farmers in Italy who were raising oranges are now raising avocados and mangoes.