Thompson: Jews have a ‘tradition’ of ‘earning money.’
“I’m in the private sector and for the first time in my life I’m earning money. You know that’s sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that,” said former Wisconsin governor and presidential candidate Tommy Thompson while speaking to a group of Jewish activists. He later apologized after the audience reacted negatively, saying that he actually meant it as a compliment. Atrios responds HERE.
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81 Responses to “Thompson: Jews have a ‘tradition’ of ‘earning money.’”
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Good old Tommy. He never fails to embarass us Wisconsinites. You should have seen him after the Packer’s Super Bowl.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:15 pmLOL A compliment????
Imus says, “I thought their nappy hair made them look good. Can I have my job back now?”
April 16th, 2007 at 3:15 pmIt would have been better to point out Jews were once slaves / Holocaust victims? Of course they like earning money — they like their kids to be doctors and lawyers too, right? But, what about ghetto Jews, don’t forget those JEWS!!!!
April 16th, 2007 at 3:17 pmGet a job!!
April 16th, 2007 at 3:17 pmAtrios’ response is priceless. Check it out. :D
April 16th, 2007 at 3:19 pmSo, he wasn’t earning his money in the public sector??
April 16th, 2007 at 3:20 pmThis qualifies as a “back handed compliment” and this type of passive-aggressive behavior will no longer be tolerated. With the ousting of Anus (mean Imus) it’s clear that the spiritual calibration of the critical mass is moving upward.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:22 pmYes, Atrios’ response was special!:D
April 16th, 2007 at 3:22 pmThese overt sickos in our society “out” themselves with every word they utter. Hapless bunch of demented fools.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:23 pmWe are murdering hundreds of thousands of innocent humans, wrecking the ecosystem, and trashing our own constitution and democratic government. Not to mention the bankrupting of the country and the programatic increase in the size of the impoverished in OUR OWN NATION.
But wait, hold on a second, some nobody said something “unflattering” to a Jewish group. Now we’ve got some REAL news to sink our teeth into.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:23 pmTommy Thompson must be after the “normal people” vote.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:25 pmHis sensitivity is astounding.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:29 pmAnyone else have a problem accessing the first link?
April 16th, 2007 at 3:32 pm*sigh*
More shiny to trudge through to keep us from the real problem in the White House.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:33 pmGot in after all (second try). This was amusing:
“I just want to clarify something because I didn’t [by] any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things,” he said.
“What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You’ve been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that.”
So, according to Tommy, the accomplishments of the Jewish religion is all about being successful in business? I’m sure that also went over well. What an idiot!
April 16th, 2007 at 3:36 pmimpeachcheneythenbush,
Apparently old Tommy Tommy wasn’t satisfied with one foot in his mouth, he had to go for two.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:41 pmWho really gives a crap what some two-bit antique has to say anyway? Tommy Thompson’s got one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave. He’s a washed up Bushie “has been”….next thread, please.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pmTrying to translate stereotypes into compliments didn’t work for Imus and doesn’t work for Thompson. What would really do some good is letting go of them.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:47 pm#16….Again, too much….both of us referring to Tommy’s feet! Maybe they’re both in his mouth so when he falls his butt will slip on the banana peel and his entire body will be in the grave? Either way….he’s a nobody from nowhere who knows nothing so why waste our energy on this fool?
April 16th, 2007 at 3:47 pmsince thompson’s comments are grounded in historical fact, there is nothing wrong or embarrasing about them. he said, “part of the jewish tradition.” every aspect of that statement is correct. and this is coming from a jew.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pmThompson continued: “I’ve always worked hard, put my nose to the grindstone, where you people just have the surgery done.”
April 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pmThank you, Bill.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:50 pm#
impeachcheneythenbush,
Apparently old Tommy Tommy wasn’t satisfied with one foot in his mouth, he had to go for two.
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) — April 16, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Indeed. Next we’ll hear Tommy’s withdrawing his candicacy due to a brain injury caused by falling on his head because he put both feet into his mouth.
April 16th, 2007 at 3:51 pmWill the republican jewish coalition sponsor an ad campaign going after thompson just like they did to wesley clark?
April 16th, 2007 at 3:55 pmTOMMY THOMPSON IS THE CHIPPER PRESIDENT
IF YOU WANT A MANDATORY IMPLANTED RFID CHIP EMBEDDED IN YOUR ARM, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT 2008!
From spychips.com, google search “thompson chipper president” since links are filtered out in posts, here on ThinkProgress
“In public appearances, Thompson has suggested implanting the microchips into Americans to link to their electronic medical records. ‘It’s very beneficial and it’s going to be extremely helpful and it’s a giant step forward to getting what we call an electronic medical record for all Americans.’”
“Ironically, Thompson himself has not yet received a microchip implant despite what must be extraordinary pressure from the VeriChip Corporation. He made a promise to do so on national television over a year ago.”
April 16th, 2007 at 3:57 pmSo we have a pretend jew *bill*, defending Jake and the rest of the wingnuts that don’t understand why they’re called bigots, when they say something that is bigoted and filled with ethnic/racial profiling.
Tell me brilliant *jew* scholars, if making money is such an innate aspect of being jewish, why is it that the poverty rate in Israel is twice as high as it is in the US?
You people are disgusting, especially Jake*ss.
The stereotype of the greedy-money-hoarding-jew was created centuries ago in Europe to justify persecution and thievery by the then wingnuts of Christianity. Here we are all these centuries later, and Jake*ss and bill (a supposed jew) are acting little mini Hitlers spreading the stereotype yet again. What losers you f*cking idiots are!
April 16th, 2007 at 3:58 pmlet’s not forget that, for millenia, jews were responsible for handling the accounting of the roman empire (because money was once considered dirty, just like the jews). jews were forced into this profession, became good at it, and took pride in it.
anything wrong here?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:00 pmIt would have been better to point out Jews were once slaves / Holocaust victims? Of course they like earning money — they like their kids to be doctors and lawyers too, right? But, what about ghetto Jews, don’t forget those JEWS!!!!
Comment by Jake — April 16, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Do you have a point other than looking like the biggest asswipe around. We already know you’re a bible-thumping, racist pig. You don’t have to remind us.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:00 pmhe said, “part of the jewish tradition.†every aspect of that statement is correct. and this is coming from a jew.
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 3:48 p
You certainly don’t sound Jewish when you say “coming from a jew.” But then again, if you are in fact Jewish, then you should be held as responsble for Jewish stereotypes as black rappers are for allowing old white men to thing calling young women hos is acceptable.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:06 pmFor the record, I am in no way another alter ego of Jake’s created solely to serve him up with points to agree with.
I’m telling you I’m not.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:06 pmanything wrong here?
Comment by bill
Not once you and the rest of your troll friends leave.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pmThank you, Bill.
Comment by Jake — April 16, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Bill’s Jewish like you’re a veteran. You’re both a couple of jack asses and you, Jake, should learn when to stfu.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pmHow many times did Wisconsin elect this guy governor?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pmDonb’t forget tommy’s stellar performance during the anthrax attack. He was farking brillant.
jews were forced into this profession, became good at it, and took pride in it.
anything wrong here?
Comment by bill
The point is that the people in the audience reacted negatively. There was offense taken. That’s the frickin’ point, bill.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:09 pmvaliantvenus–
is there anything racist in suggesting that a particular group of people has shown historically demonstrable talent for something (such as golfing, windsurfing, accounting, management, etc)?
i simply don’t see what is racist or bigoted about thompson’s comments. he said nothing about greed or money-hoarding. he said nothing negative about jews, or jewish culture, or the fact that the poverty level in israel is higher than here.
biologically-speaking, there is nothing innate, in any jew, which lends them towards a profession in accounting. however, years ago, if that’s what your father did (ever notice how jewish names come from professions?)……..
and i’m not jewish, eh?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:10 pmcomparing ‘whores’ to ‘fiscally wise’ is absurd…..
no comparison whatsoever.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:12 pmI am staying out of the substance of the debate, but I was sort of waiting for a report of Tommy saying the wrong thing and I am only surprised it took this long. Of course he has not had to pronounce a medical term in quite awhile.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:12 pmJake is to bill what mr garrison is to mr hat.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:13 pmYou certainly don’t sound Jewish
and yet there’s nothing ‘innate’ about being jewish?
seems like a contradiction, no?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:13 pmAt which point can we start getting offended at all thin skinned people getting offended at every little remark? Maybe we just shouldn’t talk.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:14 pm“part of the jewish tradition, and i don’t see anything wrong with that.”
can somebody tell me how this is racist or bigoted?
since when did being jewish mean keeping it a secret?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:18 pmso bill, or do you prefer “mr hat”?
(ever notice how jewish names come from professions?)……..
There are many names that come from professions that have nothing to do with being jewish. Most jewish people’s first names come from the old testament. Help me out here, where is william in the old testament? or did you chose the name bill as a “jewish” name because jews like to “bill” people?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:18 pmThompson then added, “Mayday! Mayday! I’m gong down! No hydraulics, losing altitude. Come on, baby, come on…”
At that point, the tape cuts out.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:20 pmand if you’ll notice how thinkprogress miquoted him:
“jews have a tradition of earning money” he did not say.
he said, “i’m earning money, which is part of the jewish tradition”.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:21 pmThat’s funny, Jake doesn’t look Jewish.
*ducks*
April 16th, 2007 at 4:21 pmFor the record, what is racist in pointing out that Jewish people have big noses? And this is coming from a Jew, as far as you know.
And I already told that I am NOT one of Jake’s fake identities. Why won’t you believe me?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:22 pmbob,
not first names, dude. last names.
e.g. kellerman, wassman, etc, etc.
get it?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:22 pmJews are the most successful minority group in the history of the US. They do tend to value monetary success as a barometer of personal worth to a greater extent than the general population, and many Jews — like my whole family — credit this tendency with their achievement and progress as a people. What’s wrong with pointing that out?
I know the word/thought police smell blood in the water after Imus but you all need to chill out. Not every generalization about a race or culture is racist. Thompson is talking to Jewish activists. He’s soliciting campaign money from them so it’s hard for me to believe he has actual enmity in his heart towards Jews.
Jumping on people for rhetorical missteps like this is a waste of time and dulls the effect of authentic racist hatred, normalizes it into the national dialogue, if you could call it that at this point.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:24 pmIn response to #35, writing:
is there anything racist in suggesting that a particular group of people has shown historically demonstrable talent for something (such as golfing, windsurfing, accounting, management, etc)?
i simply don’t see what is racist or bigoted about thompson’s comments. he said nothing about greed or money-hoarding. he said nothing negative about jews, or jewish culture, or the fact that the poverty level in israel is higher than here.
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Your question, then, is… Is there anything wrong with a presidential candidtae stereotyping whole segments of the citizenry? Answer: a resounding, “yes!” Perhaps when addressing southerners it would be fine to stereotype them, congratulate them for making it to the arena what with there broken down pick-up trucks and reluctance to leave the farm and their barn animal pin-ups.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:25 pmImus say, Tommy certainly blew that demographic………
April 16th, 2007 at 4:26 pmmr hat,
or carpenter, or miller, etc, get it? where is bill in the bible?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:26 pm49. Perhaps when addressing southerners it would be fine to stereotype them, congratulate them for making it to the arena what with there broken down pick-up trucks and reluctance to leave the farm and their barn animal pin-ups.
I’m pretty sure I read this sort of characterization of white southerners on a regular basis. It’s one of those acceptable generalizations.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:28 pmeskwaya—
is there anything wrong with a president trying to frame a compliment, to a group of people with whom he probably has little experience (seeing he is from wisconsin), in a campaign-solicitation setting? uh, welcome to the world of politics. it’s not like the guy called them ‘big-nosed’, ‘greedy’ and ’swarthy’ jews.
hey, and somebody is posting comments under my name ‘bill’.
just to let the group know that there are even liberals (yes, timid liberals) who stoop to levels as low as the GOP. cheney would be proud….
April 16th, 2007 at 4:31 pmwhat this entire episode has taught us is that identity politics are dead.
just admit it folks.
there is no identity anymore.
so racial slurs are meaningless.
we all want to be individuals, right? don’t wanna be stereotyped? well, then join a cult. join a religion. wear dresses. whatever.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:33 pmand, hey, i’m a white male. i get made fun of in every single hip-hop video ever made…
look at what happened to vanilla ice. crucified, dude.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:34 pm55. look at what happened to vanilla ice. crucified, dude.
Yeah, the poor guy made enough off one crappy song to last a comfortable lifetime and instead developed a drug habit and blew it all in a year. My heart really goes out to him.
Bonehead.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:38 pmAnd I’m not totally obsessed with this thread. I could quit it any time I wanted to. And I’m Jewish, I swear.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:38 pmThank you, Bill. your right.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:40 pmFor the record, I did NOT post as bill by mistake.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:41 pmHey, bill.
Why don’t you go find a group of black men and compliment them on their large genitals and skill with a basketball. Hey, it’s a compliment!
“Jews are the most successful minority group in the history of the US.”
Nah, Episcopalian WASPS. There are very poor Jewish neighborhoods in New York. but there aren’t any Espicopalian ghettos anywhere.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:42 pmhowever, years ago, if that’s what your father did (ever notice how jewish names come from professions?)……..
and i’m not jewish, eh?
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Which Jewish names come from professions?
April 16th, 2007 at 4:45 pme.g. kellerman, wassman, etc, etc.
get it?
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
And what professions is a kellerman or wassman exactly.
And nobody should believe for a minute that you are Jewish.
April 16th, 2007 at 4:55 pmkeller = cellar
wasser = water
or names like ‘miller’, might as well be ‘millermann’
mann = man
there are many names like this. clearly, a jew would never have been named ‘kellermann’, while living in on the eastern mediterranean coast, circa 50 A.D. must have something to do with taking someone else’s name (like the irish had to)….
April 16th, 2007 at 5:02 pmDon’t worry about it, Bill. I get people posting as me all the time too — i.e. fake Jake — April 16, 2007 @ 4:41 pm.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:07 pmmr hat,
here is a link that deals in facts, not stereotypes about jewish names read it ifyou like, or not. “bill” isn’t listed.
http://www.biu.ac.il/Spokesman/scholar/names.html
April 16th, 2007 at 5:09 pm#63 Wow, those have a lot to do with banking and finance. Sounds like they were blue-collar workers.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pmComment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
And what exactly do these names have to do with accounting or even banking or doctors or lawyers? What exactly woulde a cellarman or waterman do?
April 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pmre # 64
It’s so bad that the real jake isn’t real. he pretends to be a 75 year old korean war vet. but he’s been caught in several lies which he “ignores”.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pmre #66
“biil” is getting around to Snidley Whiplash, just wait.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:12 pmI think Jake has given up on his “bill” character — or maybe he’s just for the Jewish threads. It looks like he’s got another one named “Tom” on the Gonzo Subpoena thread.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:21 pmthe terms of the debate have now splintered.
names like kellermann are documented jewish names in germany…and elsewhere. ‘berg’ has simliar historical precendents…
on the other hand, these names have nothing to do with another well-known fact: that jews ran the finances of the roman empire, as money was considered filthy to deal with….
April 16th, 2007 at 5:22 pmthe terms of the debate have now splintered.
names like kellermann are documented jewish names in germany…and elsewhere. ‘berg’ has simliar historical precendents…
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
You’re right, jake — er, bill. The terms of debate have “splintered”. And you’re the one who splintered them. Your assertion above was that “ever notice how jewish names come from professions?” When asked for examples, you failed to provide any that fit your description. You offered things like “Kellerman” or “Wasserman” which, while recognizably derived from German words, they are not derived from professions, which was your original claim.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:29 pm““Kellerman†or “Wasserman†which, while recognizably derived from German words, they are not derived from professions”
oh, but they are derived from professions (in austria, germany, switzerland—hapsburg empire). ever heard of the name kaufman? one of the most common german-jewish names. means ‘merchant’. the merchant-man, dude. come on, this is common knowledge….
and jews prior to their arrival in europe, didn’t use surnames traditionally…..it was a new thing. and i imagine living as servants to others……you take their names. like black american names.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:39 pmoh, but they are derived from professions (in austria, germany, switzerland—hapsburg empire). ever heard of the name kaufman? one of the most common german-jewish names. means ‘merchant’. the merchant-man, dude. come on, this is common knowledge….
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Please point out where you demonstrated the professions with which “Kellerman” and “Wasserman” are associated? You ignored your earlier examples and pulled up a new one.
Do you see where your argument could be viewed as “scattered” at best?
April 16th, 2007 at 5:52 pmwassermann = water man
why would a society create such a name if this particular ‘man’ did not have some association (in his life/work) with ‘water’?
or with a celler (kellermann)?
April 16th, 2007 at 6:04 pmand if you want un-scattered arguments, go to law school.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:04 pmwassermann = water man
why would a society create such a name if this particular ‘man’ did not have some association (in his life/work) with ‘water’?
or with a celler (kellermann)?
Comment by bill — April 16, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Yeah, so… what’s the PROFESSION? You didn’t say “association with”. You said “PROFESSION”. How hard is that to understand?
If he’s a fisherman, wouldn’t his name be “Fischerman”? What, did Mr. Wasserrman’s ancestors hold the local Arrowhead delivery franchise?
April 16th, 2007 at 6:20 pmwater-man is not a profession? kauf-man is not a profession? celler-man is not a profession?
what the guy just happened to have a cellar, and his friends named him ‘cellar man’? or, like laurie anderson’s joke, “tall man”?
‘association with’ is not the trigger. it’s what the guy does, or deals with.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:30 pmare you actually trying to say that you DON’T agree that german-jewish names derive (in large part) from professions?
that would be pretty extraordinarily stupid, and anti-historical.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:35 pmIt’s TRUE.
“christians”, like Bush and Cheney, on the other hand,
have a history of KILLING and STEALING to get THEIR money.
MAYBE “earning” isn’t such a bad thing, eh, Tommy???
Oy geval…
See YOU in hell “loyal Bushie christians” (cause I’LL be THERE),
April 16th, 2007 at 6:46 pmMr. Bush
MURDEROUS WAR CRIMINAL
COXUCKER PUNK TRAITOR TO THE USA
“never EARNED a dime on his own volition”
“Everyone is jealous of you money-making Jews. As you all know, Shylock is one the most recognized names in fiction. He’s in one of those Shakespeares.”
April 16th, 2007 at 6:55 pm