PC Police with Lights and Sirens
http://www.washingtonpost…7021200661.html
The problem with political correctness is the tendency to use it “politically” and not as a way to inform, educate and empathize with others. Case in point:
The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) comes out with harsh criticism towards Mitt Romney’s announcement to run for President in the Henry Ford museum. The Washington Post and ABC News have both picked it up:
“Romney has been traveling the country talking about inclusiveness and understanding of people from all walks of life,” Forman said. “Yet he chooses to kick (off) his presidential campaign on the former estate of a well-known and outspoken anti-Semite and xenophobe.”
Now when I was in school, including college, everything I was taught about Ford was his revolutionary ideas in regards to company operations and assembly lines. I never once heard about Ford’s views on Jews in any of my college history courses. Have you? Maybe I cut class that day.
The NJDC’s article is inflammatory against Ford. Maybe Ford deserved it, but I would have thought if Henry Ford was so anti-Semitic, we would’ve heard about it before, say during Ford Motorcar’s advertising or something pertaining to the man’s legacy and products, not a presidential candidate’s announcement. The timing of it just seems a little too political to be correct to me. Given Romney’s supportive and novel ideas for Israel and condemnation of Iran, I know where Romney stands on Israel and Jews. I don’t know where the NJDC stands politically, but I question their timing and venue for coming out against Romney.
Sound off in the comments and let me know if I am the only person in the U.S. that did not know about Henry Ford’s past and what you think about the timing of the NJDC’s comments.
Nathan W.
February 12th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I had no clue Henry Ford was an anti-Semite. What I do know is the Ford Motor Company was instrumental in providing the Allies with the vehicles necessary to defeat the Nazis.
February 12th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I knew about Ford’s views, but I find them relatively irrelevant in this context. He was a flawed man. But Jefferson owned slaves (fathering illegitimate children with one of them) and Bill Clinton draped himself in his image. I think its difficult to hold past figures to our current standards. We’d be left with no one to admire.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Ditto for Obilisk18’s comment. I learned about Ford’s views in a late-night documentary.
February 12th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Same as Obilisk18; being Native American I can point at quite a few of this nation’s political, economic and military leaders with a finger of shame. I would think after Mitt Romney’s speech in Israel, the National Jewish Democratic Council would finds ways to support Mitt Romney. I think Mitt Romney is well on the correct side of the Israeli, Iranian, Syrian issues.
Announcing ones candidacy at the Henry Ford museum represents American Industry and Inventiveness more then it represents anti-Semite regimes. But perhaps the National Jewish Democratic Council will find Senator Hillary Clinton’s or Obama’s politics more appealing since they are spoken from a different location. I personally feel the nation of Israel will forgive an unintended offense by Mitt.
The automotive industry represents lost opportunities. We once ruled the Steel Industry. We owned the Automotive Industry. The computer electronic industry was 100% ours. Now other nations sell us steel, computers and our American vehicles are big, ugly, over-priced gas hogs which tie us to terriorist nations bent on hurting us. (Sorry, I got carried away in my ranting but you get the point.)
February 12th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Interesting stuff Nathan. I was not familiar with any of their claims on Ford, and frankly I’m not concerned in the slightest. As you stated in your post Romney is clearly a friend of Israel. The NJDC’s statement is purely political, probably because they don’t like Romney for some reason. It’s not surprising that the Washington Post and ABC picked it up even thought it has no merit. They probably feel the same towards Romney. It just goes to show that any action a politician makes, someone is going to disagree.
February 12th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Nate, I appreciate your point. I feel if the representative from NJDC has a bone to pick with previous positions Ford took, I think he could have published a neutral article that praised Ford as an innovator, but distinguished his offensive positions and how we should support NJDC in educating others about such offensive behavior. Instead he railed Romney and said offensive things about the candidate. That’s not how you build bridges and effectively educate people about Semitic issues. Two offenses do not breed empathy. Just my two cents.
February 12th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
What does Henry Ford being an anti Semitite have to do with Romney. Romney chose the place for two resons.
1.He wants to cuury favor with Auto and other manufacturing laborours
2. Winning Michigan in 08 for the Prez
Man the liberal media has broken the record on destroying conservatives
February 12th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
I hate groups that sit around looking for an excuse to be offended.
Ford’s views are well-known though, and it probably would have been wise to have chosen some other place to make the announcement. You don’t need stupid distractions on your big day.
February 12th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Small minds are swayed by small matters. Some people wake up each day eagar to find a griverence so that they can continually confirm their sense of victimization.
February 12th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
The Ford controversy is nitpicking, but Mitt has been struggling with everything lately. What about those Michigan politicians who are dumping Romney for McCain? + Mitt’s bad polls…
http://political-buzz.com/?p=44
No surprise to see him botch his announcement, too.
February 12th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I had no idea about Ford. It’s totally irrelevant and is a hack job.
February 12th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I read a great editorial in a college newspaper once it read:
I am offended…not always, but often.
Some groups play the victim card way too much to get things that generally don’t seem to help in the long run. JMHO.
February 12th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Count me also on not knowing that Henry Ford was antisemitic. This is a plaing and simple hack job. They care more about bringing down Mitt Romney than actually dispelling hatred.
February 12th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Way to early to be pessimistic. How many people are really going to decide about Romney based on the location of, rather than the content of, his speech? His opponents will always find something to criticize, even if he was speaking from Mt. Olympus.
February 12th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I am 48 years old and very politically savvy. I have never heard of Ford being anti-semitic. And I know that Governor Romney is NOT anti-semitic…. I suppose the NJDC is drowning in their own pity juices. (girgle, girgle) I can’t believe that the ignorant elite media still think that the American people are stupid, unintelligent and gullable.
History shows that the presidential candidate that receives the greatest opposition - is ELECTED….. (Hmmm) Watch and see, Governor Romney will receive more opposition than the other candidates combined. Why? Because the Darth-Sidius-Media are waging an open war on everything that is good and decent.
My VOTE is still for Governor Mitt Romney. (I can’t believe I’m writing this 21 months before Election Day)
February 12th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
I am a Romney supporter of Jewish religious descent. Yes, Henry Ford was a known anti-semite, but the fact that Mitt is announcing at the Henry Ford Museum doesn’t offend me at all. (I didn’t even think of Henry Ford’s personal prejudice when I heard Mitt was announcing at the museum.) What’s happening, I think, is that Jewish Democrats as well as other left-wingers are trying to smear Mitt Romney as insensitive to Jews by bringing up ridiculous stuff like Henry Ford’s personal feelings and Mitt’s opposition to special (kosher, I guess) meals for Jewish Medicaid recipients. They do this so that if Mitt is the GOP nominee, Jewish Democrats will contribute a lot of money to the Democrat nominee. It’s disgusting, but don’t expect anything less. I’ve been ashamed of my co-religionists’ political preferences for as long as I’ve been old enough to vote.
February 12th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for the insight Mark. Usually comes down to the money doesn’t it
February 12th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I had read about Henry Ford’s anti semitism in a book on trivia. I was somewhat surprised, but I realised then that he was an imperfect human that still accomplished some important things for America’s progress. I’m sure Mitt Romney chose the sight he did because of what the museum represents about America’s strength and the ability of our people to lead the world in technology. Those who are complaining now, including the media are very obvious in their intention to try to hurt Mitt Romey’s candidacy. I hope the people of this country are aware of this disgusting attempt to sway the public with trumped up scandals
February 12th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
I fired off an email to the National Jewish Democratic Council and gave them a (respectful) piece of my editorial mind. I suggest we all do the same- njdc@njdc.org
And Mark, double kudos for the incisive remarks. Be sure to send an email yourself- your word would mean more than any other.
February 12th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I knew that Henry Ford was anti-semitic. I’m surprised many people did not.
The Henry Ford Museum is not altogether based on the man Henry Ford. Plus, no where in the museum will you see anything ever pertaining to anti-semitic views. Whomever found fault in his decision to annouce it there obviously has never been there. Some of its exhibits have subjects to do with the company, and some do not even have that. It’s based on the rich history of America.
He also is doing it at the Henry Ford because he grew in southeast Michigan. He’s going back to his roots. He went to school in Bloomfield Hills, which is about forty-five minutes to an hour away from the Henry Ford.
February 12th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Well, I have to say I totally agree with RC & Mark just after JC. Watch this one. Seriously, I hope the media makes a big deal out this stupid anti-semite angle. Why? Because there will be a back-lash and possibly a big one. It could even put more free publicity into Romney’s tent and shed light on the position we all know him to have. I say bring it on! If this is what they have to bring to the game on someone they can’t find dirt on, I can’t wait to see how low they will grasp down the road!
Think of this: I dare say that this nation would not be what it is generally as regards freedom of religion had it not been for Martin Luther. Guess what? Martin Luther was vociferously anti-semite and was regularly quoted by Hitler. So? Martin Luther had a big weakness. You mean he was human? I hold Martin Luther as a true, courageous hero who stood up in the face of certain death and helped launch a movement that would ultimately lead to critical planks in the founding of this nation that allows the likes of Mitt Romney, Liberman, and Jack Kennedy to run for President of the greatest nation on Earth.
February 12th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Half of the powerful white men in the early 1900’s were anti-semitic. Most mulsims are anti-semitic. The Imam who said the invocation at the DNC meeting last week has Hezzbollah ties and is anti-semitic. And this is news . . . one century away? Get real.
This was PURELY politics orchestrated by the DNC puppet group NJDC.
Like the “tar baby” comment, this may endear Mitt to certain conservatives who feel he’s being unfairly martyred by the liberal media.
February 12th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
So now, for the folks driving Ford automobiles, does this breaking news from the NJDC force a decision with them? I’m safe, I drive a German-made vehicle: Wait, the Germans had problems with Jews too, didn’t they?
What a farce - clearly everyone sees through it.
February 13th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Thanks everyone for the comments. At least I don’t feel so naive about not knowing the past of a great innovator. I’m glad to know there are sources for this information out there, but this is definitely not something taught generally at college as one report puts it.
As for the hit job, there’s no doubt the tone and timing of this release was nothing but a liberal attack ad.
February 13th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Have a look!
http://www.njdc.org/about/
February 13th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
We read that Romney’s choice the announce his candidacy from the the famous Henry Ford Museum is unacceptable because Henry Ford was an anti-semite. Here is my response to the story:
Your attack on Mitt Romney’s choice to make his presidential announcement from the Ford Museum is completely unfair and blatantly partisan.
As a former Michigander and one familiar with the auto industry, I find your assertions toward Mitt stunningly inappropriate. I worked for General Motors, so I’m no Ford apologist, but Ford’s misguided political beliefs have absolutely nothing to do with the Ford Museum. Have you ever been to the museum? The museum is NOT about Henry Ford himself. But it is, quite simply, the greatest historical collection of American industry and technology ever assembled. It is operated by a “The Henry Ford”, an independent, not-for-profit organization.
Mitt’s decision to announce from this landmark is ideal, given his focus on strengthening our economy and America’s ability to compete on an international scale.
Please, if you have a problem with a candidate in the future, make your argruments substantive and relevant.
You owe Mitt and his campaign an apology.
—–
Please email the National Jewish Democratic Council at
njdc@njdc.org and nynjdc@njdc.org
Or phone them at 212-868-4048.
To learn more about this amazing museum, check it out at
http://www.thehenryford.org/museum/default.asp
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford_Museum
February 13th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Actually, Ford was a huge anti-semite and it comes as no surprise that America’s schools and culture have covered that up in favor of his image as an inovator, but that’s somewhat beside the point. I think that the NJDC made a bad choice by criticizing Romney’s choice of venue. It’s no secret that the NJDC has a more than slighly liberal bias, and I think that their attack was an unfair one to try to respond to the threat that Romney would pose to Obama, who announced that he was running on saturday. I think that the NJDC should prioritize a lot more. If a Republican is going to win, Romney is the best choice as far as many liberal groups are concerned. He is certainly more Hebrew-friendly than Rick Santorum or Senator Brownback, and at this point in the race, it is more important to assure that the possible President is someone who is fairly moderate like Romney than a harcore conservative like Santorum. Boo NJDC, get your priorities straight!
February 13th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Ok I found it, Mitt is fine.
February 16th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
This is the first I have heard that Henry Ford or anyone related with FoMoCo had anything to do with Anti-semitism. Did some dealer sell Arafat a T-Bird.
Doesn’t Henry Ford represent what America is all about, free enterprise, being the best you can be ?
Wasn’t Hillary the one who said the Palestinians need a homeland and wanted the State of Israel to give up some land to accomodate, the same people whose ultimate goal is the total distruction of Israel.
Now that I would think is Anti-semitism.
February 16th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Currently googling for Arafat and fleet of Ford Thunderbirds