There is no question that around GMD, our readers, and some of our front-pagers, are probably more receptive to the messages of the minor party candidates than the electorate as a whole. While the minor candidates generally have no chance of being elected, they can serve the function of airing issues that would be overlooked without them.
Still, when these candidates resort to frankly anti-Semitic positions, they deserve to be criticized for it. Such was the case with Cris Ericson, the National Marijuana Party candidate for Senate. According to the Burlington Free Press:
U.S. policy in the Middle East, and the policies of the Israeli government itself, have earned condemnation, and that kind of criticism is entirely appropriate in a Senatorial debate.
The suggestion that U.S. supporters of Israel are motivated by some kind of divided loyalty that can only be explained by dual citizenship, however, is the rankest form of bigotry.
Cris Ericson should retract this comment and apologize to Vermont’s voters for injecting antisemitism into this year’s electoral season.
As a peace activist who spent time in Israel and Palestine working with Gandhians to end the siege of Gaza and resist the Apartheid Wall, sometimes under fire, I really, really hate the dual citizenship canard. People are complex and have plenty of different motivations that aren’t explained by allegiance to the Israeli Mafia or whatever, and suggesting that is a complete misread of the historical evolution of our relationship with Israel as well as rank bigotry. I would like to see all candidates who have said such things retract them and apologize.
Am I naive? I don’t get how claiming their ties to Israel are too strong is antisemitic?
Ericson’s comment aside, what irks me is the article. It’s devoid of any substance. Are we to believe that the candidates took a couple pokes at each other, made a few loopy comments, and didn’t offer their perspective on any important issues?
This is a problem, folks! When the newspapers don’t give you the information you need to make an informed decision based on the issues, our democracy is in peril.
I have noticed that there’s a general trend of non-reporting, and it’s now creeping into Vermont newspapers. Reporters seem to be giving readers “general impressions” and little more – perhaps a snappy quote or two. They focus don’t seem to be able to penetrate deeper than the periphery. This isn’t a criticism of any particular reporter, it’s pervasive.
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