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Ms Shiffman, children can still be pro-Israel and Republican

Reader comment on item: Romney Stumbles on Foreign Policy
in response to reader comment: A response to Sally

Submitted by sally (United States), Oct 26, 2012 at 17:49

Hello Irvin,

I am happy to hear that you are cognizant of Jews and their plights in the world. I myself lived in Israel for 10 years and yes, I do have children over 21 (just over :)

I am very aware of the 'pulses' of young Americans, I interact with my kids' friends abundantly and get into arguments sometimes. I do my best to offer them different viewpoints than what they get on Huffington Post or Jon Stewart. (as an aside, Southpark has done a commendable job in my opinion keeping young people thinking critically and challenging the norm). I find that most of them are generally apathetic about politics and very self absorbed.

Both of my children are strongly opinionated about Israel and her security as well as about the economy and weak foreign policy of the Obama administration. Both are voting for Romney. Perhaps I interject my views too much and my life experiences, but from what I see it is not very common for adult children to assume the politics of the parents... so I am fortunate. I also see that they manage to get along with friends who are critical of Israel.

I am glad that you watched the movie but why does your daughter have to choose one over the other? it is not a competition and each needs help in different ways. Perhaps explain to her, as I did when my sons were studying for their bar mitzvahs, that many many people died because they were Jewish and that they (each boy) represent every one of the children who did not live to be here when they stand up and read the Torah. the State of Israel exists to help those people, only 60 years ago. It is a necessary haven for persecuted Jews and would welcome those Iranian Jews if they chose to come. That is why Israel is important. History gives the perspective.

I agree than neither candidate can be counted on to act in the best interests of Israel and that the campaign rhetoric of both is just that. On the other hand, I see the proof of Obama in the past 4 years in repeatedly dissing Israel. Romney came to my attention years ago when he refused as MA Gov to provide security detail for a rabid Islamic figure. I remember that influenced me back then. He is on great terms with Israeli companies and Israeli politicians and unlike Obama does not believe that disrespecting Israel is a strategy to cajole the arabs into coming to the peace table (that is what I believe O's intent is). Peace through strength works much better from what I have seen.

As far as the women's issues with Republicans, I of course agree and I am a social liberal for the most part. I am dismayed by the silly comments of these senators and their stupidity. But I do not define the Republican party by them. I am an economy and foreign policy voter, period. Without economy, nothing else is relevant.

I do not believe that presidents have impact on social issues in the long run and I am not running around screaming for my reproductive rights as obama is fear-mongering about daily. I believe that the dems vastly underestimate women if they think that all we care about is bs about reproduction or as O said yesterday, that R would overturn Roe V Wade. It is ridiculous and many women are offended by such idiocy. Check the polls.

Most women I know are much more concerned about the economy, taxes and debt than the dems understand. What I do know is that the idiotic comments of these senators will be front page news until the election. Benghazi and the woeful tragic bungling will be nowhere to be found. I looked around today, nowhere but on foxnews.

Which do you think is more important?

Submitting....

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Reader comments (56) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Not A Dime's Worth of Difference [184 words]DaveNov 8, 2012 18:24200430
1Train wreck= Obama's Foreign Policy [357 words]mjazzguitarNov 4, 2012 14:46200314
1President Obama does not protect Jews or Israel. [40 words]Phil GreendOct 27, 2012 23:30200117
there is no apparent daylight between Romney and Obama on foreign policy [148 words]EmanuelaOct 27, 2012 03:28200098
Everything you say is true, but [185 words]saraOct 27, 2012 19:11200098
1it's the moderator, stupid [439 words]mythOct 26, 2012 05:39200074
1I wish it was just the moderator, Myth... [291 words]saraOct 27, 2012 18:21200074
Republicans Screw this one up. [46 words]Dr. Mike HughesOct 25, 2012 21:08200066
The Third Debate [169 words]Michael F. KielyOct 25, 2012 14:39200059
Debate Added Nothing New - Middle East as Foreign Policy Remains Unsolved [335 words]M. ToveyOct 24, 2012 13:23200040
Debates based on cliches and [358 words]AlexOct 23, 2012 23:49200027
no count of most important topic words [130 words]Stephen BorkowskiOct 23, 2012 22:34200025
Where was Newt when you needed him? [120 words]
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Gerald A. HonigmanOct 23, 2012 22:07200024
Newt vs, Obama [263 words]saraOct 29, 2012 18:10200024
Who are you really, Romney ? [141 words]Lily SteinerOct 23, 2012 21:12200020
SADLY ROMNEY BLEW IT [237 words]JACQUES HADIDAOct 23, 2012 19:47200018
Yes, I agree---BUT [213 words]stanley bOct 23, 2012 18:49200015
President Obama [139 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 23, 2012 18:39200013
4Jews should NOT vote for OBAMA [124 words]Canadian with opinionOct 23, 2012 21:57200013
2Agreed about Israel and Obama [63 words]PrashantOct 25, 2012 01:39200013
to Canadian with an opinion [201 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 25, 2012 02:14200013
1Bigotry Mr Schiffman? I take offense at your comments and assumptions [300 words]sallyOct 25, 2012 18:00200013
A response to Sally [243 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 26, 2012 00:37200013
Ms Shiffman, children can still be pro-Israel and Republican [652 words]sallyOct 26, 2012 17:49200013
Sally for Obama [126 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 26, 2012 20:26200013
You mean 'Sally for Romney...' [598 words]sallyOct 27, 2012 18:46200013
Sally the Republican [427 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 28, 2012 06:02200013
Sally's follies [665 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 28, 2012 15:43200013
Jumping to the ad hominems, Irvin and by the way- you just buried yourself [1181 words]sallyOct 28, 2012 18:10200013
Sally get out of the kitchen [17 words]Irvin ShiffmanOct 28, 2012 18:38200013
Still stooping to demeaning, Irvin? [138 words]sallyOct 28, 2012 18:54200013
Mr. Romney's foreign policy advisors [103 words]
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Murray OrbuchOct 23, 2012 10:40199998
1Exactly, Murray [113 words]saraOct 23, 2012 15:01199998
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Ron ThompsonOct 23, 2012 10:07199995
1Last Debate Comment [118 words]John R PeacherOct 23, 2012 09:41199992
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MikeKuOct 23, 2012 06:11199986
Good rejoinder, Dr. Pipes [148 words]Kepha HorOct 23, 2012 21:40199986
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1Followup [163 words]MikeKuOct 24, 2012 05:25199986
3comment on Prashant [61 words]MikeKuOct 24, 2012 23:18199986
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Worldwide votes would elect Obama, that says it all [92 words]sabineOct 22, 2012 01:17199967

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