An Offensive Ad
You have accepted an ad from the Republican Jewish Coalition (September 14 edition) that is loaded with innuendo and advances the name calling and rumor mongering that often characterize this political campaign season. The ad from Republican Jews is just one step from libel, but it makes it all the way to vulgar and demagogic.
“Republican Jew” is not an oxymoron. But essential journalism and the Forward will become one if you continue to take ads featuring one rabbi with a particular profile that then generalizes to tar a large group of responsible and patriotic American citizens and Israel loyalists. I don’t know Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb’s politics, but I do know mine: vigorously involved in Israeli life and culture, Hebrew speaking, fiscally moderate, supporting higher taxes for the rich, supporting the president’s health initiatives, favoring more attention to our country’s needy, and one who voted and worked for Barack Obama. He has my vote once again.
I am proud to be among the Rabbis for Obama. Surely newspapers have to use some discretion as to what kind of advertising to accept as elections approach. If you don’t, you are likely to lose more than my confidence.
WILLIAM CUTTER
Los Angeles, CA.
Ed Note: Due to our aim of serving the entire Jewish community, and because of our tax-exempt status as an organization described in section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Forward does not censor or edit political speech. in advertisements it publishes.
