Just a correction Bob, I’m not sure what you were looking at but Macklemore’s ‘Hind’s Hall’ has 48 million streams on spotify. And ‘Hind’s Hall 2’ has 6 million streams.<\/p>\n
I’m not a macklemore fan at all, but the numbers are the numbers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Davy Nathan
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
As a Jew that\u2019s known Ben since high school, and was a hip hop show producer in Seattle during his raise – I feel like I am the only voice in this city that has consistently stood up to this radical a-hole. He knows me all to well, I once threw a show he headlined with 20 people at it. I have all the receipts.\u00a0They\u2019re are literally no Jews in Seattle. The ones that do live here kinda hide out. As a Jew in this city I\u2019ve been bullied by the rich white boys (Mackelmore in a nut shill) since I was as young as I could remember. I was bullied by the hood kids too, but that was different. A little funner. I was benched from my high school (very well known, many nba legends) for being a Jew, and it has been a mess trying to raise a Jewish daughter here, Jews are shrugged off and disregarded. Because he came up here unchecked he developed a lot of bad ideas. Now the world gets to see his true colors. The guy has never found a chase he wasn\u2019t ready to crawl onto a cross for, but hating Jews is his magnum opus. The history is clear, but there are many details only is locals who are in the industry know. It\u2019s worse than it looks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thanks for covering this. We need all th support we can get up here. We\u2019re under fire at all times.
\nJosh Berman – Soul Gorilla
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Standing up for children that are starving and being killed in huge numbers is always the right thing to do. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Evan Rogers
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Hi Bob,
\nMacklemore makes a heinous statement and then backs away. The same abhorrent behavior happens repeatedly, so his mea culpas do not feel sincere. He was dropped from the Las Vegas Music Festival, and the Seattle Mariners are no longer playing his music. Good, Macklemore\u2019s music is copycat slop. I had not heard about the evil, hooked nose and fake beard incident, but now I cannot get it out of my mind. Really sick stuff. Rober Kraft made the correct decision.
\n~Jim Riley
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Certainly a lot going on here. Kraft has always wanted power on a bigger stage. Macklemore was an easy target. He\u2019s not the headliner. Kanye is also a known anti-Semite but no one is going after him. Yes, he\u2019s already been marginalized.<\/p>\n
For many, \u201cFree Palestine\u201d is a dog whistle for antisemitism. Many Jews are making a distinction between Netanyahu and the Israeli people. Is it okay for the rest of us to make that distinction?<\/p>\n
Does the IDF have to send the bullets through women and children in order to hit their Hamas targets. It\u2019s taking one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world an awful long time to root out a tattered enemy in a parcel the size of a postage stamp.<\/p>\n
Everything you say about Israel just wanting to live in peace is absolutely true. The Arabs in that region have been fighting tribal wars amongst themselves for centuries. There has never been an organized cohesive group to hash out a real solution.<\/p>\n
Best,
\nTom Quinn
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Great read on the situation Bob. \u00a0And always appreciate your clear-eyed take on what\u2019s going on with the shameful wave of anti-Semitism we\u2019re all confronting. \u00a0Shouldn\u2019t have to be courageous to tell the truth and call balls and strikes but that\u2019s the divisive world we\u2019re living in. \u00a0You\u2019re a righteous warrior. \u00a0Thank you.<\/p>\n
Howard Handler
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you for not simplifying a complicated situation. As a Jew who could not be more appalled at the Israeli government\u2019s actions and US $upport of them, my algorithm shows me mostly \u201cFree Palestine.\u201d I only wish that \u201cFree Palestine\u201d was not synonymous with the darkest definition of \u201cFrom the river to the sea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Randi Swindel
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
The accusation of genocide can be debunked with common sense:<\/p>\n
They say 70-80% of Gaza was destroyed, yet only 3% killed (and nearly half of that is the bad guys!). So what happened to the Gazans? Did they poof disappear while Israel was bombing Hamas infrastructure and looking for hostages? Or maybe it\u2019s because Israel moved everyone out of harm\u2019s way to avoid more death.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Dresden was 100% destroyed, 100% of the population died.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, the primary source for any death count is Hamas. Even sometimes CNN and BBC will print they can\u2019t independently verify the info. So it\u2019s basically \u201ctrust me bro.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like me condemning black people based on information KKK gave me. (By the way read hamas\u2019 charter and you\u2019ll recognize both Hamas and KKK are terrorist hate groups).<\/p>\n
Moshe Sinar, Esq.
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
The fundamental reason behind the omert\u00e0 you describe (say Palestine good \/ Israel bad or else) is because of how difficult it is for people to correctly understand how corrosively cynical and evil Hamas is. And to have that understanding requires a very jaded perspective that most people do not have. They don\u2019t understand how Hamas intentionally puts their military installations under schools, hospitals, and refugee camps. They don\u2019t understand what \u201criver to the sea\u201d actually entails, or its etymology. Those running the show know full well what they are doing, and that those on college campuses are sitting ducks to the manipulation. They\u2019re by and large naive, optimistic, and idealistic, and that\u2019s the perfect platform to create a narrative. And from there, it spreads into the culture.<\/p>\n
Macklemore has no idea what he actually said. Those who antagonize people who stand up for Israel and its people don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing, either. But can you blame any of them? See, it is hard for the typical person to understand that there is nothing Hamas loves manufacturing more than human shields.<\/p>\n
Take care,
\nMichael Ball?Kensington, MD
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you, Bob\u2026thank you, thank you, jfc thank you for this deeply and eloquently put response. \u00a0I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll get plenty of the usual knee-jerk, uninformed, hate-filled, and (dare I say it) anti-Semitic responses, but just wanted to add my voice to yours and stand with you (and Robert Kraft) in this horrific, seemingly never-ending morass.<\/p>\n
Roses for Panjo<\/p>\n
PS Did I mention, thank you?
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Man how on the wrong side could you be Bob?<\/p>\n
You’re the one always asking where the artists are standing up HERE BOB!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just because its a Jewish issue doesn’t mean you get to put blinders on.\u00a0 \u00a0This is a first amendment issue at its core.\u00a0 Silencing an artist through monopolize collusion is tantamount to cutting off a tongue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
L take.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brian Martin
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
1. Honestly every time I see or hear \u201cFree Palestine\u201d now I roll my eyes. I\u2019d pay someone to tell me the\u00a0history of the conflict over there without googling it. They don\u2019t know. They\u2019re literally just regurgitating words like children. It\u2019s been a trendy band wagon to jump onto and at the expense of Jews who have absolutely zero to do with what the Israeli government has done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. Macklemore has every right to use his platform to\u00a0express his opinion. And I respect that.\u00a0However, he\u2019s still employed by someone else. And if they don\u2019t agree with his messaging, they can fire him. What\u2019s not to understand?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Danny \u201cJay\u201d Jacobson\u00a0
\nDolly Parton land\u00a0
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Kanye West literally said \u201cHeil Hitler\u201d and went on Alex Jones show spouting TONS of antisemitic hate.\u00a0 But he still plays NFL stadiums (and no one says anything)!\u00a0 The double standard is unbearable. This is absolutely about silencing those who speak up for the Palestinian people. Period.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Van Patton
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Reasonable, logical, and WELL DONE!<\/p>\n
Jon Sinton
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
F*ck off, Bob.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Standing against genocide is NOT antisemitism, and never will be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hell, the Palestinian people are actually more legitimately \u201cSemitic\u201d than a huge percentage of the current residents of Israel anyway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ONLY one lacking courage in this story is Sheeran. He easily could have said to these a**hat Zionist billionaires \u201cpiss off, my tour will perform elsewhere\u2026 or we will just cancel\u201d. But no. He took what the thought was the safe, easy way out\u2026 a coward\u2019s choice\u2026 and is now suffering the consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mike Froedge
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Agreed re antisemitism, and October 7 was horrific. \u00a0But, do you condone what Israel has since done in Gaza? \u00a0Do you condone Israel having allowed its citizens\u2019 land grabs beyond its original borders? \u00a0Do you\u00a0think this conflict will ever resolve absent a Palestinian homeland? \u00a0Should Israel\u00a0support a two- state solution? \u00a0Do you?<\/p>\n
Gerry Spehar
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Ben was wrong for that no doubt BUT Why do they open up every stadium and arena to crazy nazi wanna-be Kanye but then cancel Ben? Make it make sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is the most f*cked timeline ever. I\u2019m so over the hate, the bs and stupid people in general. Cut the f*cking cord to the internet and let people go back to 3 channels, maybe that would help.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Enough already. If only there was a way out to this idiotic world without killing yourself I\u2019d f*cking take it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Let me OUT!\u00a0<\/p>\n
termite.unrueOe
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you bob. I hesitate to voice any of my opinions of this issue to anyone, even people I feel are my best friends. It feels like everyone around me has gone insane and I\u2019m forced to believe it\u2019s normal. I appreciate you talking so eloquently on this. I unfortunately don\u2019t believe anyone will be swayed, but I truly hope this mass hysteria will be a thing of the past soon\u2026<\/p>\n
Max Trefler
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Siding with the Billionaires in the current climate is crazy work.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re right – the 1st amendment isn\u2019t the issue. The issues are choosing sides against a government who is killing kids and billionaires using their financial power to silence voices and impose punishments for expressing viewpoints they don\u2019t like \u2026 just like Trump\u2019s FCC \u00a0and all his cabinet departments.<\/p>\n
PS: The ADL forgave his 14 year old transgression and said he didn\u2019t have bad intent and he quickly apologized. How rare is that? He took accountability. I get that the religious ties run deep but man, seeing you siding with billionaires against a guy whose message is children shouldn\u2019t be killed is depressing.<\/p>\n
Craig Davis
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Great points\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brett Wilson
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
mad respect for you Bob.\u00a0 much love and admiration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
David Elkins
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
thank you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
David Brownstein\u00a0
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
You nailed it!\u00a0 Well done Bob!<\/p>\n
Scott Heiman
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thanks for giving so much depth and clarity on this one. You missed one other point, though. If I am paying $500 or more to see an artist, the last thing I want is a political lecture from the stage. Whether it is Springsteen or Macklemore, STFU on politics. I came to hear your songs and get away from all of that.
\nThank you.<\/p>\n
Kelly Breaks
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Nailed it. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Very disappointing that many in the industry are not standing up for Kraft.\u00a0 Macklemore’s actions should have surprised no one.<\/p>\n
But after covid, when folks attacked their family, friends, coworkers and neighbors due to the\u00a0government’s fearmongering promoting a false narrative, I am not surprised at the cowardice we see today. \u00a0<\/p>\n
We are better than this…<\/p>\n
Thanks,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ed Kelly
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bob, thanks for the background info on Macklemore, he definitely comes across as anti-Semitic to me.
\nThe problem for me is what the NFL owners did to Kaepernick. So you won’t here me coming to their defense on this one. Apparently they are against anti-Semitism but not racism.
\nTom Moore
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved dressing up and have been doing so my entire career. The character I dressed up as on Friday had no intended cultural identity or background. I wasn\u2019t attempting to mimic any culture, nor resemble one. A \u2018Jewish stereotype\u2019 never crossed my mind.\u201d \u00a0-Macklemore, 2014<\/p>\n
F*ck that guy.<\/p>\n
(Thank you for your cogent analysis, Bob. Clarity and reason are hard to come by lately.)<\/p>\n
josh nelson
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Agree 100%.\u00a0
\nRepublicans support the Jews.\u00a0
\nYet Jews still vote exclusively for Democrats who do not.\u00a0
\nMakes no sense to a Gentile like me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thanks,
\nErnie Canadeo
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
The people of Israel deserve security and freedom from violence.<\/p>\n
So do the people of Gaza.<\/p>\n
Murdering children is wrong.<\/p>\n
Are those politically loaded statements?<\/p>\n
Robert Hamel
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I knew I wouldn\u2019t agree but thank you for this piece.<\/p>\n
Robin Barris
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bravo<\/p>\n
Boris Shurslep
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Beautifully written.
\nThanks.
\nWashington Fajardo
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Right on, Bob!!<\/p>\n
Too many people don\u2019t get this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
-Mike McCready
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I read all these posts and enjoy your perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But theres one point you never address – do you or do you not believe the Israeli military is killing children in Gaza? \u00a0Are you denying that\u2019s\u00a0happening?<\/p>\n
This is where the plot gets lost. \u00a0<\/p>\n
If someone cant have the perspective that they dont want ANY children or civilians to be killed without being labeled antisemitic the shark has jumped. \u00a0Its nonsense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nick Lawson
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
Lou Storrow
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Couldn\u2019t agree more! You know where I stand on this Bob – pro-Zionist now, always, and forever. I want my Jewish peeps to be safe and know they\u2019re loved. America used to assure that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Be loud and proud Bob. It makes the haters easier to identify and shun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stay safe man!<\/p>\n
Edward Ryan
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
In every one of the gospels in the New Testament, the Romans killed Jesus.
\nSupposedly the Jews could not authorize the death penalty, but in maybe a couple of years later according to Acts, they carried out the execution of Stephen by stoning.
\nIf you were starting a new religion in an authoritarian empire (think of Chins today), would you blame the rulers for killing your God?
\nPlus, Christianity started as a Jewish cult led by Jews. It was only much later that it became led by Gentiles.
\nSo don’t blame the Jews if you are a Christian because you are worshipping a Jew (Jesus) in a religion started by Jews.<\/p>\n
Regards,
\nDave Machanick
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
No-one said, “the Jews killed Jesus”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Get over yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
STOP THE GENOCIDE.<\/p>\n
Amy Fritz
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
One of your best posts I\u2019ve ever read Bob. Thank you for taking on an important and sober discussion of what\u2019s unfolding. Never easy to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cheers,<\/p>\n
Marc Hustvedt
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I hate that there is no room for nuance on this issue. It\u2019s either genocide or antisemitism. Although a huge tragedy of civilian deaths, one that I personally feel is overwhelmingly unreasonable, it\u2019s not a genocide. As someone who served in the US Marines in Iraq in 2005, we had VERY strong rules of engagement. Rules of engagement that certainly put us under greater risk than some would want to be under. But that was a choice. Regardless of what Bibi knew about the impending attack, it was brutal and one that I would expect to illicit a strong response. There is no way of equating what a life is worth, but 1000 or 2000 on one side and 50,000 or 60,000 on the other seems a bit disproportionate to me. But hey, I can only view this from the perspective of an outsider. I do know that it\u2019s certainly not going to bring some kind of end to this conflict of cultures though. And that is maybe the saddest part.<\/p>\n
Stu Tenold
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
they have outsourced their brains to AI bots. It wouldn\u2019t surprise me. But that Jews are so easily blamed for everything and the latest flavour in regards to the I-P conflict is so disappointing. Not surprising but disheartening. Facts, history, logic \u2014 none of these matter. It\u2019s all about the feelings. Even if the feelings have melted brains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Andrea Bergman
\nToronto
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you for saying what is true, Bob. And for reprinting Kraft\u2019s comments. October 7 was real. People need to remember that while railing against the loss of innocent Palestinian life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sending my best,<\/p>\n
Medea Isphording Bern
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you, Bob. You are exactly right on all counts. The amount of libel going on against Israel and Jews in the name of free speech and human rights is staggering, and cruel\u2026they trot out all the Zionist\/jewish conspiracy theories, they laugh when we mention Oct 7, and answer with the most ludicrous allegation of \u201cHannibal Directive\u201d as if Hamas wasn\u2019t even there that day, as if they didn\u2019t take the hostages the so-called Hannibal directive was meant to prevent. Then it devolves into more antagonism with the apartheid lie, and the complete delegitimization of Israel itself, as if their statehood was still up for debate. That would never happen elsewhere or to another group of people other than Israel and the Jews.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Danny Siwek
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t even know where to begin with how narrow, biased, and pathetic that was that I just read. Wow.<\/p>\n
Aben Eubanks
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Totally agree, Bob.<\/p>\n
Fran Belkin
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bob, I have been reading your emails for what feels like an eternity. I have always appreciated how you inform and educate your audience. Thank you for this informative perspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best wishes,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angelique Schierz-Crusius
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Per the usual, you have no idea what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n
Jon Poor
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Keep writing what you\u2019re writing, Bob. There\u2019s a word for people who can\u2019t simply sit down and engage in a civilized conversation, and that word is \u201ctoddler.\u201d<\/p>\n
And yes, I understand the response to that will be something along the lines of, \u201cIsrael deliberately kills toddlers.\u201d But that response itself illustrates the problem. It rejects civilized conversation in favor of reflexively repeating stale, decades-old Soviet propaganda.<\/p>\n
David Korn?Brooklyn, NY
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Amen Bob. As often, thank you for the thoughtful piece.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014 Paul\u00a0Steckler
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you for writing this, Bob.<\/p>\n
Edward Chupack
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Yup, I knew you would choose the wrong side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jeff Hinz
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Macklemore was always a lame sh*tty ‘rapper’. He’s an embarrassment to humans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
David Weisz
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I was wondering when you were going to weigh in. This is a 10\/10 response.<\/p>\n
Angel Parisi
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bob\u2026tremendous article\u2026I don\u2019t mean to diminish the subject matter one bit, but on a personal note: in \u201880-\u201881, i was in a band with Syd Straw. We called ourselves The Schmoozbusters (\u201cThe Enemies of Small Talk\u201d). Everybody thought it weird that I added the \u201cc\u201d to the name, but you know why I did\u2026zy gezunt, my friend\u2026<\/p>\n
Matthew Auerbach
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you!<\/p>\n
Rachel Fox
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you!!! Thank you !! for your very clear response to this new \u201cI stand with Ben stance\u201d freedom of speech etc . I have de friended many in the industry over it. \u00a0You have articulated the issues so clearly and calmed my mind. You\u2019ve also given me the opportunity to pass along your voice. \u00a0Yasher koiach!<\/p>\n
Best\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michelle Gold
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Fantastic stuff Mr Lefsetz and I thank you<\/p>\n
Facts are always nice<\/p>\n
Peter Noone
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Do you have any posts where you address Israel’s war crimes?<\/p>\n
Ryan DeGama
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
If Macklemore and all his \u201cFree Palestine from the River to the Sea \u201c supporters want to hold a \u201cWe hate Israel\u201d concert, I am sure there are venues that will be happy to host.<\/p>\n
I will not go to a concert to be lectured by the artist. \u00a0I enjoy the music. \u00a0That\u2019s all that it should be.<\/p>\n
Michael Borodinsky
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Macklemore – throws antisemitic shade + supports terrorism – plain + simple. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Promotes hatred + polarization. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Total clown – belongs in the Circus, which isnt far from where his career trajectory is headed after this clout chasing antic.<\/p>\n
Is this how he truly feels or is it a PR stunt due to his lack of perception in the marketplace?<\/p>\n
Cris Harrington
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you. Well written and reasoned. These things need to be said<\/p>\n
John Gibson
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bob
\nThis is a grand slam!
\nJeff Laufer
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
As a gentile I want to thank you for this letter. I found it very well reasoned and informative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank you Bob. Your words are much appreciated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Regards,<\/p>\n
Peter Brentnall
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
If you support what the state of Israel is doing right now – exterminating another equally valid ethic group (maybe moreso) you\u2019re not practicing any kind of religion driven by good. \u00a0<\/p>\n
If you have a conscience you cannot support what this crazy government is doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t conflate being Jewish with being supportive of genocide. The state of Israel is undertaking genocide. However you want to frame it or mask it. \u00a0This harms all Jews.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Can you not be both Jewish and against genocide?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Religion is just an idea. \u00a0Almost always a very toxic one. Palestinians are real. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Pinhey – ABLE
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Always thoughtful, Bob. I think you\u2019d agree with the following?<\/p>\n
Netanyahu does not equal Israel
\nPalestine does not equal Hamas
\nAnd while we\u2019re at it,
\nTrump does not equal America.<\/p>\n
Jewish and non-Jewish Americans have something in common: we are paying for so many of the bombs that are used to bomb Gaza. A lot of money flows from each working American\u2019s paycheck. And the bombs have been killing thousands of children. Perhaps the 20,000 number is debatable but in this world of false equivalency, is Netanyahu going to ever say, that\u2019s enough?<\/p>\n
Britt Benston
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
This the first article I\u2019ve read that seems to be reasonable and fair.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thank you,
\nPhilip Rambow
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Very well written article. Wish everybody could articulate these issues as clearly as you.\u00a0
\nPatrick Hunter
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
All I want to say is<\/p>\n
BRAVO !<\/p>\n
This is exactly how I feel about the issue and I forwarded your article to many of my \u201aFree Palestine\u2018 friends asking them to take their time to read it.<\/p>\n
Thanks !<\/p>\n
Thomas Ziegler
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Bob Excellent newsletter.\u00a0 I just wish we could all get along and there was peace on earth, but apparently the human being has a hard time getting along with others.\u00a0 Thank you for opening my eyes about a few things with this newsletter.
\nKatie Bradford,
\nPortland, OR
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Does Trump represent the values and ideology of all Americans at 32% approval? Does Netanyahu\u2019s war crimes define all Jewish People? October 7th was heinous and barbaric, as was 9\/11. An eye for an eye is a recipe for mutual destruction.\u00a0I abhor anti-semitism. I abhor the killing of children, civilians, medical professionals and journalists as well. Where do we go from here?<\/p>\n
Dennis LeBlanc
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I knew you intentionally would refuse to read the room and cherrypick whatever fits your view, and ignore the rest. SMH<\/p>\n
You can try to gaslight people pretending antisemitism is the same as antizionism, but it’s not working. Especially when Macklemore specifically adressed jewish people, explaining his protest wasn’t directed at them but the Israelian government.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It took a while, but most people are indeed able to differentiate when it comes to this issue. Apparently, you’re one of the few left who refuse to or simply can’t.<\/p>\n
It won’t change the facts.<\/p>\n
Have a nice day,<\/p>\n
Frank Baach
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Macklemore aka Make No More aka Vanilla ISIS.<\/p>\n
Etyan Kamkar
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Not sure why protest against a government is synonymous with hating their people.\u00a0 I loathe Nyetanyahu and his criminal govt but I love the people (formerly married to a jew)\u00a0 just as I loathe the U.S. govt while I support the people.\u00a0 Get your head screwed on correctly Bob.\u00a0 This is b.s. disguised as intellectual prowess.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Tim Hurst
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
Thank you. \u00a0When it comes to this issue, eople willingly choose to ignore facts AND history.
\nHope you are well.<\/p>\n
-Hilary Rosen
\n____________________________________<\/p>\n
I’m guessing your in box is crazy full and that you’re unlikely to see this. I enjoy your newsletter and respect your world view.<\/p>\n
And I wonder what I’m missing here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Israel was attacked, and that was awful. But the response seems grossly disproportionate – and I feel that is what many people are angry about. Couple that with illegal settlements and quite shocking media portrayal\u00a0of that – it seems that Israeli’s\u00a0are bringing that hate on themselves.<\/p>\n
I don’t feel any anger at Jewish people at all – but I do think that the actions of Israel\u00a0toward Palestine\u00a0and it’s people is fundamentally wrong. Can there be separation between the actions of Israel and Jews around the world?<\/p>\n
Surely finding Israel’s\u00a0response disproportionate\u00a0does not make me antisemitic? I feel like you suggest that anyone disagreeing with the\u00a0response hates all Jews, which is just not true.<\/p>\n
Best wishes, Justin Sandercoe
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Makes me sad that a man like you has such cognitive dissonance when it comes to what\u2019s happening to human beings . You don\u2019t seem to take a step backward and observe\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the perpetrator self identifies as the Jewish state , when it claims to represent all Jews, the antisemitism card is played every time there is an objection to murder of \u00a0children and stealing land. Not acceptable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Did you listen to Macklemore\u2019s full speech, Bob. Can you deal with the content of that speech?<\/p>\n
Michael Brunnock
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This is just an outstanding piece of writing and reasoning Bob.
\nAs a Roman Catholic I commend you for your stand up analysis and communication in this commentary.<\/p>\n
Antisemitism bad. Bad for the antisemitic individual who utters such trash and bad for our community and country that some would like to see weakened by their verbal trash and actions. They won\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Thanks Bob for framing this story the way it should be.<\/p>\n
Jerry Redmond
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THANK YOU,\u00a0 BOB!<\/p>\n
F-Macklemore and anyone else who doesn’t support the Jewish people!<\/p>\n
Curt Brewer
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I always ask one question from everyone about the number of casualties in Gaza in recent years:
\n“How many of those people would have died if October 7 had not happened?”<\/p>\n
I think the #2 global enemy is stupidity, right after evil.<\/p>\n
Greetings from Budapest, Hungary,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zoltan Farkas
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You lament that modern artists don\u2019t get involved – that they can\u2019t risk money or status or relationships with corporations to really amplify how they feel. That the 60\u2019s spirit of protest is vacant these days. Where is our \u2018Ohio\u2019<\/p>\n
Macklemore has doubled down on his opinion – and other artists have too.<\/p>\n
Whether you agree or not – the times have come and their protest has begun<\/p>\n
Bjorn Baillie
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Roger Waters and Macklemore should do a Worms Ate Into Their Brains tour together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lawrence Shore.
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\u201cTheir\u201d buildings? What about the two stadia that are publicly-owned? That is a free speech issue – whatever side (or center) of the divide one is on.<\/p>\n
Peace.<\/p>\n
Hugo Burnham
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Right again Bob,<\/p>\n
Leigh Goldstein
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That you will lose any subscribers over that post is sad. It\u2019s all true and well argued. <\/p>\n
Michael Fremer
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Superb. \u00a0Thanks for shedding this light.<\/p>\n
Larry Iser
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I grew up in the south. White people stole, enslaved, abused, and murdered Africans against their will. To this day, there are white people who still somehow continue to justify those actions and glorify that abhorrent history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Based on everything I hear, read, and see, there is a dying yet still breathing population of innocent, withering, and doomed women and children who seem to be paying the price – on a daily basis – for all of the world\u2019s sins and hatred towards the Jewish population.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When does it end?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bill West in Chapel Hill, NC
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Great post. Best I’ve seen on this subject.<\/p>\n
Larry Blumenfeld
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Macklemore is in the right side of history. Just as Kennedy was ready to expose you NIGGER JEW scum bastards when your mafia thugs killed him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I want to burn your ass. If you had kids I would throw them in a gas chamber and watch their evil skins melt to hell!<\/p>\n
Hitler was a god damn genius.\u00a0
\nAnd his spirit is back in America!!<\/p>\n
jaaa918
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I often forget you’re Jewish, then am reminded again. Thank goodness. We disagree on politics, but not on that region and its inhabitants.<\/p>\n
My oldest son is a sophomore in college, and he’s pretty great overall. But he’s caught on to the anti-Israel stuff online, maybe not a ‘groyper’ or whatever, but his comments include references to Jews, conspiracy, all the nonsense.<\/p>\n
People have no ability to remember history, let alone allow it to influence thoughts and behavior today.<\/p>\n
I can’t believe what we are seeing, when WWII does not seem so far back. I was born in ’72, but have studied history more and more throughout my life.<\/p>\n
It’s insane to me to think we could forget so quickly.<\/p>\n
chrisbast
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The whole thing gets even more absurd and complicated by the fact that one of Kraft’s billionaire sports buddies – who was publicly ready to join the boycott –\u00a0 let KANYE play\u00a0his FL stadium in June:
\n