I seldom create the title for a Deprogramming101 article until the content comes together. Then, I choose a header that is somehow connected to the conclusion or last sentence. Today is an exception. “Target Malpractice” could be applied to any number of current events. Immigration enforcement that promised to focus on violent criminals. Department of Justice protection of pedophiles rather than victims of sex crimes. Donald Trump putting his name on everything except a piece of legislation that might actually improve the life of United States residents. For me to find my own “target” gets harder and harder with the proliferation of blogs, many of which are written by individuals who express themselves better than I ever could.
Finding that elusive topic which no one else has advanced remains my primary goal. Often it relies solely on patience rather than forcing an outcome as evidenced by the 146 unfinished drafts over the past 10 years. Yesterday, my restraint paid off when I received an invitation to join the “Libertarians of Florida” Facebook group. I friended a member of this alliance after he commented on one of my Aaron Bean cartoons, being an opportunity to introduce him to my preferred Democratic candidate for Congress Michael Kirwan. Before I accepted the invitation, I decided to browse the group’s Facebook page, and there was much to like. They want government out of our bedrooms and doctors offices. There were numerous posts about the Epstein cover-up.
Until I happened upon a thread about the potential U.S. war against Iran. Many comments focused on Israel’s influence over U.S. foreign policy and the link to Jewish billionaires who were mega-donors to the Trump campaign or members of the second Trump administration. As so often happens, what might be considered a legitimate question triggered visceral responses in the form of blatant anti-Semitism directed at Jews and Israel. Among the most disturbing of those was one that claimed Israel “is worse than Hamas.” Disturbing, not because I am Jewish. Rather, I object to emotional spin versus thoughtful analysis and self-awareness. Consider the following points.
First, of course, the comments wrongly compare Israel, a nation of people, with Hamas, a governing body. A more appropriate response would address Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies and actions. The comments also ignore the mass demonstrations by Israelis against Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. Or Donald Trump’s labeling of Jewish Americans as anti-Israel if they question Netanyahu’s military strategy and tactics in Gaza following the October 7, 2022 Hamas attack.
Second, I fail to understand how libertarians cannot empathize with Israelis. Israel was founded on an ideal, much like the United States, an ideal which neither has completely achieved. When I Googled, “do libertarians hate America,” the first hit was the following response from the Cato Institute.
Libertarians generally do not hate America; rather, they strongly support its founding principles of individual liberty, limited government, and self-determination. They often view the U.S. as fundamentally rooted in a “libertarian moment” of individualism and anti-statism. Their criticism is usually directed at the federal government’s expansion, not the country itself.
Why then do some members of the “Libertarians of Florida” Facebook group feel compelled to blame all Jews or Israelis for the actions or policies of a leader who has held onto power by fomenting division and fear? Especially when they are witness to the exact same behavior in their own backyard.
Third, what is this obsession with measuring things that are impossible to quantify? People who pretend to know whether Hamas or Israel is “worse” are creating a scale that does not exist. It reminds me of the surveys I receive after every purchase or interaction with a service provider. The most frustrating question is, “On a scale of 1 to 10, would you recommend this product/service?” Would someone PLEASE tell me, what is the difference between 8 and 9? The only thing the pollster needs to know is “yes” or “no.” If the answer is yes, they are already doing something right. If no, a legitimate follow-up is, “Is the anything we could we have done to change your “no” to a “yes?”
Which brings me back to the apple and the orange. Each stands on its own. You never ask, “Did this apple taste more tart than the orange I bought last week?” The only thing one needs to determine is, “Do I like the apples I buy at this store?” Same for the oranges. And the only options you have are, “I like both the apples and oranges and will continue to buy them here. I like the apples but need to find my oranges somewhere else. The oranges are fine but I need to look elsewhere for good apples. Or, maybe I need to explore other outlets to purchase all my fruit.”
Apply the same principle to the current Israeli government and Hamas. Like apples and oranges, each should stand on its own merits or defects. Has Netanyahu been good for Israel? Has Hamas been good for the Palestinian people? The answer to both can be yes or no. One can be yes and the other no. But please, never ask me, on a scale of 1 to 10, what is your opinion of each governing body?
Finally, regardless of your choice of measurement, the target matters. Imagine you are an archer. In front of you, there are two targets. One is a living, breathing human being. The other is the more traditional hay target covered by a vinyl sheet with concentric circles and a bullseye. The latter, whether you hit the bullseye are not, is fair game. Targeting the human being is archery malpractice.
For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP