Comments on: AEI: How did Jews get so smart? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:27:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Lescoeurs http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4140397 Lescoeurs Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:27:39 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4140397 Jews are inordinately strong in Left Brain thinking. Clever, mentally facile, but lacking in wisdom. Inordinate interest in commerce because over the generations of persecution it was their only route to survival. A strong need to manipulate because of tremendous underlying fear. They don't trust any gentile and who could blame them. Smarter? No. A distinct lack of serenity and self esteem because they have bought into the Anti-Semitic myths. They could be compared to African-Americans in that regard. Sad. Jews are inordinately strong in Left Brain thinking. Clever, mentally facile, but lacking in wisdom. Inordinate interest in commerce because over the generations of persecution it was their only route to survival. A strong need to manipulate because of tremendous underlying fear. They don’t trust any gentile and who could blame them. Smarter? No. A distinct lack of serenity and self esteem because they have bought into the Anti-Semitic myths. They could be compared to African-Americans in that regard. Sad.

]]> By: conservative apikoris http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4140124 conservative apikoris Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:00:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4140124 1) What about Doug Feith? He's Jewish, yet Gen Franks described him in a manner that suggests his doubts about the level of Mr. Feith's intelligence. 2) I would recommend surfing over to Dovbear (http://dovbear.blogspot.com/) and reading some of the comments, especially by some of the folks who claim to be industrial-strength traditional Jews who study the Talmud a lot. This would demonstate that Mr. Murray doesn't know what he's talking about. 1) What about Doug Feith? He’s Jewish, yet Gen Franks described him in a manner that suggests his doubts about the level of Mr. Feith’s intelligence.

2) I would recommend surfing over to Dovbear (http://dovbear.blogspot.com/) and reading some of the comments, especially by some of the folks who claim to be industrial-strength traditional Jews who study the Talmud a lot. This would demonstate that Mr. Murray doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138911 Doc Rock Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:42:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138911 Re "Oy" vs "Oy Vey." I meant just "Oy;" however, it should have been "ayn" vs "ein." Too much Hoch Deutsch in my head. Re “Oy” vs “Oy Vey.” I meant just “Oy;” however, it should have been “ayn” vs “ein.” Too much Hoch Deutsch in my head.

]]> By: FischFry http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138846 FischFry Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:15:23 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138846 Clearly, this piece was meant to amuse those folks with enough enlightenment to realize how absurd Murray's premise is and how ridiculous the AEI looks for having a forum to discuss it. So, why is an imbecilic bigot like McMetal bothering to comment? Clearly, this piece was meant to amuse those folks with enough enlightenment to realize how absurd Murray’s premise is and how ridiculous the AEI looks for having a forum to discuss it. So, why is an imbecilic bigot like McMetal bothering to comment?

]]> By: JosephW http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138813 JosephW Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:55:36 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138813 So, the real question to my mind is "Was this book prepared BEFORE or AFTER the authors saw the <i>Family Guy</i> episode, 'When You Wish Upon a Weinstein'?" The book's thesis and the episode's plot are not dissimilar. So, the real question to my mind is “Was this book prepared BEFORE or AFTER the authors saw the Family Guy episode, ‘When You Wish Upon a Weinstein’?”
The book’s thesis and the episode’s plot are not dissimilar.

]]> By: MapleStreet http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138720 MapleStreet Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:08:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138720 And does this open the door to say that other stereotypes (mostly negative) of Jews (and Blacks, and Irish and Italian, and ........) are genetic. Like mentioned above, can't wait for the Daily Show tonight ! And does this open the door to say that other stereotypes (mostly negative) of Jews (and Blacks, and Irish and Italian, and ……..) are genetic.

Like mentioned above, can’t wait for the Daily Show tonight !

]]> By: Tirebiter in Sector R http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138656 Tirebiter in Sector R Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:42:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138656 If you were surrounded for how many thousands of years by the goyim, you'd be smart or extinct. If you were surrounded for how many thousands of years by the goyim, you’d be smart or extinct.

]]> By: Uncle Ho http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138642 Uncle Ho Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:35:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138642 Doc Rock; My Yiddish ain't that good, but shouldn't that be- Oy Veh!? Doc Rock; My Yiddish ain’t that good, but shouldn’t that be- Oy Veh!?

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138574 Doc Rock Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:55:04 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138574 Oy! Ein goyische chochem! Oy! Ein goyische chochem!

]]> By: Zooey http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-2/#comment-4138560 Zooey Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:45:10 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138560 I have a feeling the AEI people thought they were being extremely complimentary to the Jews. Like when Karl Rove said Barack Obama was "articulate." I have a feeling the AEI people thought they were being extremely complimentary to the Jews. Like when Karl Rove said Barack Obama was “articulate.”

]]> By: DigDug http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138546 DigDug Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:33:53 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138546 It seems to me that a big part of the reason that so much bigotry still exists in our society is because it has been enshrined in the bible. It seems to me that a big part of the reason that so much bigotry still exists in our society is because it has been enshrined in the bible.

]]> By: ckerst http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138543 ckerst Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:31:08 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138543 But they haven't been perfected yet so they don't count. But they haven’t been perfected yet so they don’t count.

]]> By: DigDug http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138530 DigDug Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:25:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138530 It all just sounds like racism to me. And just because it's in the bible doesn't make it ok. Just like slavery isn't even though christians are told it's ok in the bible: <em> However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT) </em> Just like sexism isn't even though christians are told it's ok in the bible: <em> 1 Timothy 2:9 - 15* 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. </em> Just like gaybashing isn't even though christians are told it's ok in the bible: <em> "And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove." 2 Kings 23:7 </em> Hmmm..... wait a second, I'm seeing a pattern here... It all just sounds like racism to me.

And just because it’s in the bible doesn’t make it ok.

Just like slavery isn’t even though christians are told it’s ok in the bible:

However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)

Just like sexism isn’t even though christians are told it’s ok in the bible:

1 Timothy 2:9 – 15*
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Just like gaybashing isn’t even though christians are told it’s ok in the bible:

“And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.”
2 Kings 23:7

Hmmm….. wait a second, I’m seeing a pattern here…

]]> By: imorgan82 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138527 imorgan82 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:21:46 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138527 <strong>The simple answer? We make them look good. They’re pro-intellectuals in an anti-intellectual land. Comment by pbg —</strong> Nail, meet head. The simple answer? We make them look good. They’re pro-intellectuals in an anti-intellectual land.

Comment by pbg —

Nail, meet head.

]]> By: pbg http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138518 pbg Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:19:19 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138518 But seriously, Jews have a respect for learning. Intellectual pursuits are honored in Jewish families. Unlike most Americans. In a culture like France, in which bureaucrats write literary criticism and authors are lionized, the jews don't have a reputation for unusual brilliance. The simple answer? We make them look good. They're pro-intellectuals in an anti-intellectual land. But seriously, Jews have a respect for learning. Intellectual pursuits are honored in Jewish families.
Unlike most Americans.
In a culture like France, in which bureaucrats write literary criticism and authors are lionized, the jews don’t have a reputation for unusual brilliance.

The simple answer? We make them look good. They’re pro-intellectuals in an anti-intellectual land.

]]> By: MCMetal http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138508 MCMetal Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:14:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138508 If Jews are so smart , how come they couldn't figure out how to get the hell out of a friggin' desert for half a century ? It wasn't like they were surrounded by a force field............ BTW If Jews are so mentally superior , why is Asstwine living in the US ? Why doesn't he move to Israel and be amongst the "chosen people" that are so "doggone smart" ? If Jews are so smart , how come they couldn’t figure out how to get the hell out of a friggin’ desert for half a century ?

It wasn’t like they were surrounded by a force field…………

BTW

If Jews are so mentally superior , why is Asstwine living in the US ?

Why doesn’t he move to Israel and be amongst the “chosen people” that are so “doggone smart” ?

]]> By: DigDug http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138503 DigDug Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:11:57 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138503 Why would God chose one race above the others? And why did he wait until an Israeli state had developed(3000bc?) before chosing a people? None of the people before them were worth chosing? And aren't we all supposedly God's children? What does it mean to be chosen? Is it easier to get into heaven if you're chosen? Really, none of this chosen people crap makes any sense. Now, what does make sense is that since that's where the religion got started and these are the people that started it: they did the same thing most religions do and decided that, big surprise, they themselves were the chosen people! Why would God chose one race above the others? And why did he wait until an Israeli state had developed(3000bc?) before chosing a people? None of the people before them were worth chosing? And aren’t we all supposedly God’s children? What does it mean to be chosen? Is it easier to get into heaven if you’re chosen?

Really, none of this chosen people crap makes any sense.

Now, what does make sense is that since that’s where the religion got started and these are the people that started it: they did the same thing most religions do and decided that, big surprise, they themselves were the chosen people!

]]> By: imorgan82 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138496 imorgan82 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:05:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138496 How about the "We didn't waste our brain cycles on mental acrobatics such as trying to explain how the trinity is 3 beings, yet one" theory. How about the fact that Jews don't encourage mental feebleness in their religious sermons (when do you think the religious right has ever been asked to question their faith?), thus not provoking a downward spiral of intelligence? Anyone who tries to look at this in a Darwinian sense doesn't know what they are talking about. I'm a biochemist, and 2000 years isn't enough time to get any real degree of divergence in lifeforms as complex as humans. These are just ludicrous statements. How about the “We didn’t waste our brain cycles on mental acrobatics such as trying to explain how the trinity is 3 beings, yet one” theory.

How about the fact that Jews don’t encourage mental feebleness in their religious sermons (when do you think the religious right has ever been asked to question their faith?), thus not provoking a downward spiral of intelligence?

Anyone who tries to look at this in a Darwinian sense doesn’t know what they are talking about. I’m a biochemist, and 2000 years isn’t enough time to get any real degree of divergence in lifeforms as complex as humans. These are just ludicrous statements.

]]> By: pbg http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138495 pbg Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:05:26 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138495 I am the product of an ages-long Bene Gesserit breeding program. I am the product of an ages-long Bene Gesserit breeding program.

]]> By: gummitch http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-4138493 gummitch Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:04:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/#comment-4138493 <em>I think a better question is why are so many comedians Jewish? I saw Jon Stewart at Caroline’s in NYC once (pre-Daily Show days) and it was the start of Passover and every single one of the five comedians that night were Jewish. I know that because every single one of them said something about the guilt they were feeling about working when they technically weren’t supposed to be. They were also all very funny. Comment by mary — October 30, 2007 @ 11:58 am</em> And that question could have been asked any time during the last 50 years in this country. If you're not old enough to know what the Borscht Circuit is, google it. I think a better question is why are so many comedians Jewish?

I saw Jon Stewart at Caroline’s in NYC once (pre-Daily Show days) and it was the start of Passover and every single one of the five comedians that night were Jewish. I know that because every single one of them said something about the guilt they were feeling about working when they technically weren’t supposed to be.

They were also all very funny.

Comment by mary — October 30, 2007 @ 11:58 am

And that question could have been asked any time during the last 50 years in this country. If you’re not old enough to know what the Borscht Circuit is, google it.

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