From what I’m not exactly sure, but that seems to be the growing consensus amongst a number of Libfloggers. And not only am I supposed to resign, these Libfloggers also believe Jack Layton should make me do it.
So once again for the stupid people who inhabit the two internets.
I am not a member of the NDP nor do I speak for them.
My one and only contact with an NDP MP throughout my entire life–all 42 years of it–was when I emailed some information on an issue to NDP MP Pat Martin and he or one of his staff replied only to say thank you.
I am not the head Dipper or ringleader nor do I speak for the other members of the Blogging Dippers as some sleazy political opportunists and lazy journalists seem to think. I am merely the administrator of the website and a member of this loose association that has no official ties to the NDP.
Jack Layton and the NDP have even less influence over me and the Blogging Dippers website than you imbecilic Libfloggers do.
Once again just to make it clear to all the Libfloggers out there who are creating an alternate universe: there is no connection between me and the NDP nor are there any connections between the Blogging Dippers website and the NDP.
So your howling for my resignation and shrieking for any ties to be severed will only fall on deaf ears because there is nothing for me to resign from nor are there any ties to sever.
Update: Just to drive the point home even further about how unconnected I am to the NDP. The party neither contacted me to hear my side of the story nor did they even have the decency to inform me of their condemnation of my comment. You can’t be any further out of the loop than that.
By the way, this is also why I will never join a political party. They have no respect for those who do.
Update II: If he’s reading this, I’d like to ask Professor Ed Morgan of the CJC when the fuck is his organization going to start defending their allies, who fight shoulder to shoulder with them against anti-semitism, from the many false accusations that they themselves are anti-semites? When they come for us Prof. Morgan, why do Jews such as yourself remain silent?
You do know that we’re on the verge of being kicked out of Progressive Bloggers right?
Regarding Update II
Just shut up Robert.
Thanks for the info Paladiea. I’ve updated this post.
Regarding Update II
Just shut up Robert.
Sorry, can’t do it. I’m now majorly pissed off that the CJC and NDP are talking about me and neither one of them had the decency to contact me for my side of the story. What respectable organization operates in such a manner that the accused has no say in their defense before a guilty verdict is rendered?
Robert, can I beg you to see reason? Can’t you just say you’re sorry and move on?
Robert, I had not followed the discussion at the post from Hell until now. I just finished reading it.
First I must say that although shocked by this outburst from you, I interpret it as being from frustration and ‘mental fatigue’. I am deeply convinced that you would in fact speak out should such a catastrophe befall us. Although your comments have sometimes been over the top, I have never had the feeling that you are an anti-Semite.
Secondly, I must say that I agree with the comments of arthurdecco whether that was the right venue or not to bring those issues up or not. Indeed after a while that did not matter anymore, did it? One issue in particular struck me regarding his comments. It is true that many on the ‘Left’ (including many Jews) are getting more or more frustrated with Israel’s expansionist and apartheid-like policies in the Occupied Territories. That shows in our critics of Israel. The fact of the matter is that some of the information that we can use to support our arguments do come from sites or from organizations that have long had an interest in Zionism and the Israeli lobbies and are accepted as being ‘anti-Semite’. Are we to stay clear of such information because of that? I know that I for one am really scared of using such sources whenever I feel the need to. Even though I know for a fact and I feel deeply in my soul and in my bones that I do not support the anti-Semitism of those on whose websites those information are consigned. Is that normal? Why don’t I feel the same when I am criticizing the Christian Right, for example? That is indeed a problem!
Here are two articles that contain much food for thought on this issue:
The fine line between free speech and intolerance
Deconstructing anti-Semitism [with interesting comments]
Finally this quote from Brian Klug in The Myth of the New Anti-Semitism: […]when anti-Semitism is everywhere, it is nowhere. And when every anti-Zionist is an anti-Semite, we no longer know how to recognize the real thing — the concept of anti-Semitism loses its significance.
That said, you’re in for a rough ride, Robert! Hang in there!
P.S. I hope this comment is in no way prejudicial to you or to your site.
Proof is not necessary for condemnation, only doubt, and these days, all that is needed is a little confusion in creating an effective smear. After that, baseless accusations of anti-whatever-ism becomes a nearly risk-free tactic in smearing ones opponents. I’ve read enough of Robert’s posts to know that he is NOT anti-semitic, and it’s frustrating to see this happening.
Hiya Robert! Love the new direction, it’s really you.
Robert.
You are in a hole already because the comment you made was incredibly offensive, even if you didn’t intend it be so. Stop digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole.
Robert,
I am sorry that NDP decided to disassociate itself from MyBlahg. I believe it’s unfair because you do represent a real strain within the NDP in particular and socialist movement in general.
Having said this, I am sure National Vanguard et al will be all too happy to let you organize their blogroll. You already write just like them, albeit their wording is slightly softer. Even Paladiea couldn’t tell the difference.
Robert:
You say there is no connection between Blogging Dippers and the NDP. But in your post “Blogging Dipper Discussion” of March 3 you express dismay that at least one of the sites listed on the BD blog roll is not an NDP supporter, and talk about removing some of these sites.
The Blogging Dippers site is obviously intended for blogs that support the NDP. That would be, in my book, a connection.
You shouldn’t talk, schlemiel. You’ve got Bacon Eating Atheist Jew commenting on your blog. He called for the forced sterilisation of Muslims a while ago on some rightwing blog.
Ti-Guy:
1. Can I have a link?
2. From day 1 every time I comment, whatever is the issue, however unrelated to Jews it is you invariably attack me as a Jew. Would that be because
a) You are a virulent anti-Semite or
b) You haven’t got any other arguments or
c) both a) and b).
The correct answer is c)
Seeing that it was I who precipitated this appalling development with my posts on your blog, Robert, I would like to publicly apologize to you. You were correct when you said that if I wanted to post on this subject, I should have started my own blog.
I had no right to hijack yours to make my point.
But this treatment being afforded you now is the definitive MO of the Jewish Lobby, isn’t it? From Alan Dershowitz and Abe Foxman accusing Jimmy Carter of being an anti-Semite fer crissakes(!!!) (for telling the truth about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians in his latest book!) to now you being attacked for pointing out that not one Jewish organization came to your aid when you pleaded for their help against those who were attacking you while you were fighting against tiny brained rightists. (though I have to ask, why would they?)
The people behind this disgusting smear have no shame - they have no principles - they use bulldozers when a quiet, reasoned argument will do. Because, for them, crushing their opponents is easier than defending the indefensible. (We saw that with the infantile bait and switch techniques they used on me yesterday when rather than dealing honestly and forthrightly with the issues I raised, they used bait and switch techniques that quickly devolved into smears of Nazi! Nazi! when I called them on their BS. I suppose when all is lost, that’s all they have left in their quiver.)
You are not an anti-Semite! Those accusing you of it know that as well as the rest of us. They’re only using this 2×4 to bludgeon you into silence. (And probably to force you into booting me.)
FurGaia and Spek have shown courage here for speaking the truth in the face of this icy blast of repressive, jack-booted bullying.
I wish I could say the same thing for Paladiea…who seems more concerned with being kicked out of the Progressive Bloggers than with standing up to these Thugs and Goons.
(Here’s a hint, Pal, Any organization that would kick Robert out over this issue isn’t progressive. But hey! I bet if you give him a figurative kick in the balls right now while he’s down, I bet they pat you on the head and tell you you’re a good girl. Because as well as the punishments, there are rewards. It’s just too bad that you have to leave your principles at the door to receive them.)
Again, Robert, I unreservedly apologize to you. You do not deserve this, no how, no way!
Hey Smeagol. Is there anyone on the two internets you haven’t accused of being an anti-semite?
You do not deserve this, no how, no way!
Don’t sweat it, Art. Many of the handwringers simply don’t understand how this world really works.
I survived Kinsella’s politically motivated smear campaign and I’ll undoubtably survive Chernyuk’s.
1. Can I have a link?
It might have been a comment on SDA or some other rightwing blog ragging about Muslims. They’re all the same. I don’t care if you don’t believe me.
I don’t attack you, shlemazl. You come over here and troll and I treat you like an asshole. If you don’t like it, fuck off.
As you well know Robert, the NDP responded to the request from CJC who cc’d to slimy Jason. What you said could be mis-construed as anti-semite, and personally by upping the anti here they win. Just say sorry, and sorry that it was taken that way. As for Jason saying that this was all virtuous about the NDP and so on, well we all know that Jason does not have the NDP at heart, but wants to get rid of the NDP. I mean as he schemes to have bob rae run against Jack, and so on, yep, we all know his heart is pure. And yes, we all know Jason wants to smear as he is good at it - well sometimes- and is pissed that his smear against Cheri DeNova backfired in a big way. So much so that she is now the sitting MPP in the Ont govt. So his own singing of his virtues here, is completely laughable. The lady protests too much.
thank you for bringing up the discussion about the dipper blogroll. I don’t have problems with decent but when a blogging dipper actually says in his blog that he/she is not a NDP and would never vote for them, well what the heck are they doing there, except tolling for votes. There is one thing to critique the party and policy and so on - that’s healthy - but to tell people that they should vote for another party - well that is confusing.
Thank you for this gracious reply to my apology, Robert. Many wouldn’t have bothered.
btw,
Maybe it’s time for you to hire an agent
…preferably Jewish!
Get you some highly-paid face time!
To make the bullshit worth something
before your five minutes are up.
Robert,
I have always said you were a equivalent of a Blogging Broadside. At times this can be very effective, and humourous to watch, yet there is a problem with this tactic, Sometime when you are to close (you, Warren and Jason exchanging shots) the shot can bounce back and cause you damage.
Jason in this case is using this lastest case of your “foot in mouth” to try to pressure the BT’ers to band you. At times you lack couth in your attacks, sometimes a well placed sniper bullet is better than a cannon broadside with the long nines (this is a metephore people, ie, a wittling knife as apposed to a chainsaw)
I have not followed this latest tempest and teapot, and somehow I doubt Jason would back off even if you appologized (after reading some of things on his blog, I get the idea he is out to inflict massive Damage to NDP because he can, and the political reasons are obvious)
I’m Sure the SS MyBlagh will serviive this latest sea battle, but I think you should invest in a few 3 pounder guns and leave the 9 pounders alone when it comes to attacking people like Jason and Warren.
Just my two cents.
PS, I think both you can Jason are being twits, but of course this is coming from a Wingnuterer
Oh for crying out loud you people…
Do none of you people have any stomach for the game which bloggers play? I’m absolutely appalled to come online today and find out that people are jumping ship on McClellend because he said something that was a little racy.
I hate to say it, but all of you people out there who have been distancing yourselves from McClellend are basically falling into a nicely set trap by the king of Liberal Party blogging hacks, Jason Cherniak.
I’m going to stand on the side of McClellend if for no other reason then I cannot stomach having Cherniak being so successful at trying to break the solidarity within the NDP ranks. I can only imagine just how big of a grin that weasel must have on his face right now watching us fight amongst ourselves because he managed to cause such a stir. So, at the end of it all, I know what’s going on here, and I can tell you that most of this has nothing to do with antisemitism, and everything to do with a false patriot trying to divide his political opponents.
Whatever happens from here on in, the one thing I’m convinced of, it’s that we need to be more vigilant as Dippers in recognizing the fact that sometimes we cannot buckle when it comes to silly false patriot attacks from weasels who don’t care about anyone or anything aside from the numbers beside their party in the polls.
Robert,
Hey Smeagol. Is there anyone on the two internets you haven’t accused of being an anti-semite?
Is there anyone on the internet who doesn’t thing you are? Oh yeah, that would be your friend Art.
With utmost disrespect,
Smeagol the Jew.
Zorpheus,
Ah, mon ami, hast thou forgotten the most effective use of the arrow shot into the air? Yes, the ‘Pluck Yew” of warfare has endured the ages, and relishes famously as a retort to those uncomprehending of finer prose! The target then must carefully chose between extracting the barbed tip or allowing it ot remain, lest its removal result in hemmorage and death!
Teapot and Tempest Bill.
Having look over at “he who should not be named for fear of being sued” blog, see he is getting ready for blogwar (maybe), yet when the Shotgun was posting about the “Final Solution for the Muslum Problem” he was strangely silent on the matter.
This whole problem is an extension of what happens when politics and religion are mixed, regardless of the political leaning or religious belief. It all boils down to power over the masses, I even see it the Green Party, which makes me ill as well.
I wish I could say the same thing for Paladiea…who seems more concerned with being kicked out of the Progressive Bloggers than with standing up to these Thugs and Goons.
(Here’s a hint, Pal, Any organization that would kick Robert out over this issue isn’t progressive. But hey! I bet if you give him a figurative kick in the balls right now while he’s down, I bet they pat you on the head and tell you you’re a good girl. Because as well as the punishments, there are rewards. It’s just too bad that you have to leave your principles at the door to receive them.)
Arthur, it’s good to know that all the time I spent trying to defend Robert was for naught. Thanks for so eloquently painting the picture.
You know, sometimes, when everyone tells you you’re wrong, you’re wrong. And, I’m sorry but I found those statements offensive. Not because everyone told me they were, but because of my own sensibilities.
Robert, you refuse to apologize, and I’m sorry but I can’t continue to defend you. You’ve given me a great opportunity and expanded my readership and for that you’ll have my eternal gratitude,
But I can’t keep writing for you anymore. Consider this my resignation.
But I can’t keep writing for you anymore. Consider this my resignation.
Fair enough. I can’t say I blame you for not wanting to get splattered with mud meant for me. Anyway, thank you for your contribution to My Blahg. The door is always open if you should wish to return at some point.
That’s the whole point about Robert saying ‘I’m sorry,’ because this isn’t about anti-semitism, it’s about the liberal smear machine and wanting to wipe out the ndp. And that is the point of Jason going to big, because he loves the spin he creates and well the Fed liberals are sinking in the polls so he needs a diversive scandel in other camp, so we look elsewhere. So take the cover off, and call his cards.
It is pointless to defend the indefensible. Your words really do speak for themselves. Words are sometimes good that way. What defence would you offer for saying “When next they come for the Jews I doubt I’ll even be able to muster up a “what a shame”.
Please, let us in on it.
Well this is one fucked up mess.
Allowing Arthurdecco’s comment to remain on the blog was fine. It’s a free speech blog and he is entitled to his misguided opinion.
Unfortunately Robert erred when he made that particularly offensive little comment #37. I am not sure I agree that it is Anti-Semitic but it was vile and inconsistent with everything that I thought Robert stood for.
Tell the truth Robert. If someone came rounding up your Jewish neighbours you would be as outraged as the rest of us - right?
Off to Cherniak’s to complain about his involvement, then on to prog blogs to whine about thier decision.
I’m not going to give Cherniak a hard-on by adding a hit to his SMearblOG and, while I think the offending phrase was over-the-top, he’s milked it - to his cynical ends - ad nauseum.
May I say, too, how envious I am that one post, this one Robert, could get 32 comments…and counting.
Well, that McCarthyite Cherniak got what he wanted. And he’s crowing about it. I guess calling Cheri DiNovo a pedophilia fan and and probably costing several people their careers wasn’t enough. What an embarrassment that the Progressive Bloggers continue to have that witch-hunter on its blog roll. But can you imagine how quickly he’d get the CJC and B’Nai Brith to denounce PB if it dared remove him?
Witch-hunting McCarthyite who goes after the powerless and uses his blog to shame them publicly. How positively immoral.
Darn, I didn’t read that thread until now. I also didn’t realise that so many people read every single word that Robert says. Wow! And they take it all literally! They must really love /(?) hate(?)/ stalk (?) him. Anyway, I think Robert was exaggerating for effect as usual. And if I had to hazard a guess, I think he would in fact be there to oppose any kind of genocide… people with big mouths like Robert usually are a lot more compassionate than they let on. I’ve been reading this blog for some time and remain unconvinced that Mr. McClelland is an anti-Semite. I think he’s reacting to a particular kind of hypocritical censoriousness with shocking statements.
Personally, I think it’s a case of stubbornness — a desire never, ever to give Cherniak the satisfaction of forcing an apology or a withdrawal of a statement made in the heat of the moment.
Which seems to have had its consequences, now…
There are a whole bunch of people who take symbolic harm as seriously or sometimes even more seriously than real harm. I think the guys who attack Robert are that sort of person.
And they’re always the first to disappear when the heavy shit starts goin’ down.
Well, there used to be a saying in the English language involving sticks, stones, and words, but it seems to have disappeared from the popular sensibility…
Exactly.
I know I promised to refrain from commenting anymore on this subject Robert, but I need to deal with this statement. Forgive me. I promise to play nice.
There was nothing misguided about my opinion, cycles2k - nothing to give cause for removal. It was, and continues to be an informed and focused opinion based on fact, recorded history and quotes gathered from Jewish writers and thinkers. My critics, on the other hand, suborn the weak-kneed and ignorant with threats of dire punishments if they don’t fall down and play dead in the face of their adolescent belligerence. That’s how they discuss, I guess. …Tell me again… who’s misguided?
Besides, who actually disproved anything I posted, cycles2k? Can you? If so, please do so. Nothing would make me happier than to be proven wrong. But that’s not going to happen – the proof is irrefutable, even if It’s not popular in some quarters.
I believe my opponents, ( Robert included, btw), spent all their time slagging my sources and completely ignored the actual information because they weren’t able to discredit it.
Bait and Switch. Classic Bait and Switch.
And now this – Cherniak going postal to score political points over an awkward turn of phrase?
Silly bugger – it’s going to blow up in his face if he keeps it up. His irresponsible aggressiveness isn’t going to be looked on favorably much longer, if it ever was. He’s reaching the end of his rather short intellectual tether and it shows.
Arthur, you’re one gutless wonder. What about the quotations from “Stalin’s Willing Executioners?” But no, you claim you “stopped reading” before then.
Coward. Kevin MacDonald is a proven anti-Semite and white supremacist. And so are you, by defending him and playing silly-bugger games here. Guess what? People here know how to read. And they recognize your rather classic evasion for what it is.
Why Robert puts up with you is beyond me. You’re looking for company, try Stormfront.
My gawd, Dr. Dawg… are you having a breakdown? Is there anything I can do?
By arthurdecco’s logic, some white supremacist could make the assertion that an identifiable group is genetically inferior, link to the KKK’s website to support the claim and then, when attacked for his views, demand PROOF that what he says is wrong. That is ridiculous. He is the one who has to offer the positive proof of his spectacular charges and not sweeping, unsubstantiated and unprovable statements. For someone who sounds like he may be a university professor (KKK University?), I would have though that that basic tenet of Logic 101 would be obvious.
“People here know how to read.”
It is an online blog, Dr. Dawg. You have to be able to read to access the site.
Arthur, you and I have crossed words on this before. My problem with your argument is that you cherry pick Israel’s shorcomings and mistakes and extrapolate it to suggest that Israel is evil. You do not acknowledge any argument that suggests that Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself because your conclusion that it is an evil state precludes that possibility. There is no room in your heart for acknowledgement of the suffering that the Jews endured and the absolute need for a Jewish homeland.
As you say, RMt did not agree with you. All he did was refuse to remove your posts and defend his decision to do so. He made the right decision, I think, but the moderators of progblogs chose to cherry pick some of RM’s words and ban him for expressing an opinion that scares them.
There you go again, Marky.
Its not about where the information comes from. It’s about the information itself. Is it verifiable? Is it credible?
That’s it.
It is neither verifiable nor credible.
Jews simply do not control the world. It’s a silly (but deadly) spectacular falsehood. The Big Lie.
Stop trying to bait Art, Mark, or I’ll throw your ass out of here.
I promised I would behave, Robert.
He can’t bait me.
@48 is hilarious. Only in the screwed up world of My Blahg.
What a treat to have yet another opportunity to read Cherniak raving on about Chomsky being an anti-semite again.
I was also amused to see a post on the ProgBlog main page yesterday castigating Robert and linking to Small Dead Animals in the same paragraph.
Either you believe in justice and free speech and counter hate speech where you find it on its own lack of merit, like Chomsky and Robert do, or you don’t. Everything else is just politically correct flag-waving.
Their site so their rules, but in my opinion ProgBlog failed a big test here.