Salon Magazine reports on the man chosen by U.S. President-elect Obama to be his new Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel.
It’s an interesting and well written piece and I urge you to read it.
However, for the time poor, I include this passage, which sums up Mr Emanuel rather well:
One of the founding myths of the Legend of Rahm is of a night at Doe's, a divey steakhouse in Little Rock, Ark., shortly after Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. Emanuel had worked on the campaign, and would soon move into the White House as political director. Some Clintonistas were sitting around at dinner, griping about all the people who had betrayed the new president. But Emanuel wasn't satisfied just to whine about them. (After all, he races triathlons, marathons apparently being insufficiently challenging.) So he grabbed his steak knife and started plunging it into the table, yelling, "Dead! Dead!" as he rattled off the names of the new administration's enemies.
Mr Emanuel, I like the way you think.
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I agree, he interests me in a political way.
Plus he's a huge spunk.
I wonder if Josh from West Wing is based on Rahm?
I wonder if Josh from West Wing is based on Rahm?
Indeed he is melba.
In the same way that Matt Santos is based on Obama.
Rahm, Rahm, Emanuel,
Chief of staff Presidential,
He didn't quit, he wanted their heads,
Rahm, Rahm, Emanuel,
Chief of staff Presidential,
So he stabbed them till they were dead.
Oh, those Washingtonians.
I'm going to have that song in my head all afternoon now, Boogey.
You could do worse than to have an anthem of the high point of Russian imperial history, universally praised by serious historians in tweed coats and leather elbow patches for its grittily accurate recounting of Mr Rasputin's last moments, all encapsulated in a funky highly danceable disco song, stuck in your head for the afternoon.
We're not up to the Matt Santos bit yet, is that the dude from LA Law? And I think someone else has told me this recently, so me asking re Josh and Rahm is not as insightful as it might have appeared.
How goes the 'tache, Ramon?
Ramon, who is Rudd's headkicker? Or does he do it himself?
Rudd's chief headkicker is a certain red-haired Victorian female MP.
Matt Santos is played by Jimmy Smits, melba.
And the Mrs has informed me the 'tache ist verboten
Rudd's chief headkicker is a certain red-haired Victorian female MP.
Ramon, can you tell her Wari has been a very naughty boy and is need of some discipline?
Tell your missus it's Movember, you're obliged to acquire some hirsute foliage on your upper lip in the name of some charity I can't remember.
the Alopecia Foundation? or the Hirsute Institute?
You've gone for both ends of the follicle spectrum there Melba.
It might be some pathetic "men's self help" thing, I dunno, but I know it's real.
And the Mrs has informed me the 'tache ist verboten
The full beard and sideburns will look rather Brethrenish without a moustache though, Brother Ramon.
I quote from the www.movember.com website:
Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.
They must be a related site to this one! Except of course they spelt formerly correctly.
The Mrs has ruled out any and all varieties of facial hair, Boogey.
No goatees, no Van Dykes, no walrus 'taches.
I have been forced into Movember this year as it’s a bit of thing with the landscape boys at my new work. I choose to go with the 90’s corrupt AFP look (championed by Commissioner Mick Keelty) and can I be the first to say that it is fucking horrible. I hate all forms of facial hair and seeing this thing on my lip each morning as I brush my teeth is causing bits of my psyche to crack.
And I haven’t got around to getting any sponsors yet. And I heard a rumour that only 30% of the money raised during last year’s Movember was passed onto charity. If I do raise any money it will be going directly to the charity and not being washed through the Movember admin.
My husband has not only put up with, but KEPT, a full beard for a whole year. We were overseas, he started to get very handsome when he hadn't shaved for a few days somewhere in deepest, darkest Calabria. I told him how much it suited him, asked him to keep it, and despite the howls of protest from the children, his own misgivings, and his mother's look of horror on our return, it's still there.
He has brought it up a couple of times lately, that it's really starting to shit him. I just ignore those bleatings.
But I guess I should let him know it's up to him.
What I have noticed at work is that the sales guys can carry off tash's as they are sleazy by nature but the etch guys just look creepy.
Rahm is my kind of guy. I am totally stabby after dealing with ToysRUs today.
He doesn't talk to me anymore.
Oh Witchie, you poor thing.
What sort of job does he have where he can get away with shaving once a week?
...How the heck do you edit a comment?! I had to delete the whole thing & start again for one mistake!
Mr Aesop sports a full beard year round, so is unfortunately defaulted out from the Movember fundraising joys*, however, if you're right about only 30% actually getting to the charity, Stubb, then I'm sending my donations direct from now on!
Hmmm, I like how much we've deterred from the original topic at hand, well done all :)
*I'm all good with this, I've seen some horrors out there, last night some guy thought a pencil thin 'tash would be the go, however didn't factor in that, coupled with his lanky frame and 80's comb-over hairstyle he looked like a slightly taller Hitler, with less dress sense (think cheap brown 80's single breasted suit jacket, slacks and open shirt - thankfully I didn't get a glimpse of chest hair**) *shudder*
**Not that there's anything wrong with chest hair, it's nice to have something to grab onto and run your fingers through, etc. I simply object to men unbuttoning an extra one, two or even three in the name of 'fashion'... Seriously, where is that ever attractive outside of a 70's porno - and even then, it's a 70's porno for crying out loud!
Movember, Jeans for Genes day, Red Nose, Pink Ribbon... I can't keup up, and half the time I don't know what the hell we're raising money for.
I propose this (and there was some famous Canadian economist who proposed something similar)... every second Friday afternoon, the whole world knocks off work and has to do charity work. You have to clock on and clock off. If you don't do it, come tax time, you are forced to hand over a wad of dosh that goes to charities of your choice. So you can either do the charity work, or, pay up.
Related but not-related, a friend of mine came up with Rock Day - Feb 15, the day after Valentine's Day, where you have to do something rock n roll-like. See a band, mosh in your house, get drunk... anything. Has to be rock. We've been doing it for 8 years now.
Sorry, Witchie, what were you saying?
I wasn't listening.
Poor poor witchie, you really are having a feel sorry for yourself day. Chin up. We (except Ramon of course) listen to you.
On a completely unrelated matter, I've just come back from a school assembly where the lovely Emma was the MC and the prettiest Hula girl in the whole world.
Melba I agree, Emanuel is one largish spunk bubble.
But then I lust after his bruvva from the same muvva.
One Ari Emanuel is a very successful Hollywood agent in LA... Jeremy Piven's character is based on him. So much so that the producers of 'Entourage' felt they had to give their character the same name.
Mrs Emanuel must be a very proud Mother.
The Emanuels certainly are an interesting family.
Elsewhere, Salon notes
As with his liberal politics, he seems to have inherited his gift for invective from his mother, who is quoted as playfully calling him a "little shithead."
And in a Rolling Stone article which links off that Salon article, this:
Other Clinton veterans are even more pointed about Emanuel's assets. "He's got this big old pair of brass balls, and you can just hear 'em clanking when he walks down the halls of Congress," says Paul Begala, who served with Emanuel on Clinton's staff. "The Democratic Party is full of Rhodes scholars — Rahm is a road warrior. He's just what the Democrats need to fight back."
Road Warrior. Cool.
African Americans have such exotic names - Barrack, Rahm, Condelisa - way more creative than George, Bill and John.
Interesting that Barrack's middle name is 'Hussein' and Rahm's is 'Israel'.
Rahm is not African-American, patchouligirl.
Interesting that Barrack's middle name is 'Hussein' and Rahm's is 'Israel'.
That's because Rahm is Jewish, Patchie.
Jewish eh, that explains a lot...
"Jewish eh, that explains a lot..."
Meaning?
African Americans have such exotic names - Barrack, Rahm, Condelisa - way more creative than George, Bill and John.
Papa Obama: Hey, let's give him an exotic name, like 'George' or 'John'
Mama Obama: Oh honey, do you want us to look like the bogans from the village down the road? Do you want him to be teased at school?
Papa Obama: Fine, let's just call him 'Barrack Hussein' like all the other kids in the village.
Interesting that Barrack's middle name is 'Hussein' and Rahm's is 'Israel'.
That's because Barrack is a Muslim terrorist, isn't it?
Sorry, been reading the free neo-baptist mail.
Pers... Once upon a time I nearly lost my job for making a Jewish joke, are you going to revoke my posting rights if I continue here?
I have Jewish friends, they're hysterical and have a good ol' laugh at themselves too...
I also live in a highly populated Jewish area (think women wearing scarves on their heads and never showing their legs and all males in black 3/4 length coats and wide-brimmed hats. For special occasions they bring out what looks like a small furry tyre instead of the wide-brimmed one).
I was merely asking what his Jewishness 'explains'. You've made the "some of my best frieds are Jewish" disclaimer and it has been noted, so please continue...
wide-brimmed hats
Fuck, I love those hats.
It explains his 'brass balls' attitude, his ruthless and successful business and political acumen and his rugged good looks...
We now also know he's circumcised... Not that really affects any of us - but it's an interesting point*
*geddit?! Point?! Hur hur hur...
And yeah, with the hats - it's great watching them all walk home after Synagogue on a Saturday - it's a sea of well-tailored and slightly ridiculous* black.
Their clothing choices also make it hard to tell what the weather's like - they wear the same thing year round, so I can't take a reading of what it's like outside by what people are wearing :(
The ladies are always wearing long skirts (the shortest I have seen is just below the knee), long sleeved shirts and always have their head covered. The men wear the black get-up I've already described.
*They wear black satiny leggings that come to just below the knee with pristine white socks pulled up to meet the leggings and black dress shoes.
"It explains his 'brass balls' attitude, his ruthless and successful business and political acumen and his rugged good looks..."
Yes, because they are all exclusive Jewish traits.
*
I'm circumsised myself, which, according to Genesis, is essential for God's blessings. That, and heavily salting one's ox before offering it to the Lord. God likes salt and dislikes foreskins.
God is love.
Relax Aesophia, It's not contageous, you can't catch "teh jew".
Stereotypically, Pers, they are...
And I know you don't have to be Jewish to be circumcised, like I said, it was just something extra.
And are you going all high & mighty on me now? What's with the anti-religion thing I thought you yammered on about? You're against religion in general, but you don't generalise about them specifically? You don't believe in stereotypes?
I feel like your all of a sudden looking down your nose at me - why exactly is this?
And, yeah, I know I can't catch 'Jew' Mr E... I actually find it fascinating living so close to such a large, close community :)
Nothing to do with religion my dear Aesophia. I just have a zero tolerance for racsim is all. I'm not a particularly wise man, but in my travels through life I have learnt this: Cunt Cunts can come from any race, as can good people. We can of course attribute traits to certain races, cultural and social in particular, but the more abstract human qualities such as ambition or smarts or evilness is not a racial thing.
The Jews seem to cop 'stereotyping' more than any other race.
You suggest that his success is related to his Jewishness? So does Barack's success rely on his blackness? Does McCain's failure rely on his whiteness? I think you'll find that each of these three succeeded or failed for reasons other than their race...
Further, do you propose a gentle, non-successful Jewish person is in any way less Jewish?
I wasn't being racist.
I was making a generalisation.
I am aware that evilness, goodness, intelligence and stupidity are traints that can occur in any human, regardless of race or religion.
If I lived in an area highly populated by Asians, or Indians, or Mormans, or Islamics, I would be in a position to make 'racist remarks' about them too. I don't, so I can't.
My generalisations are based on my observations of them and their culture over the last year. I am not knocking the Jewish, I am fascinated by them, and many other races and religions and cultures.
Every race, culture & religion has a general stereotype. Australians have a stereotype, Americans have a stereotype, Italians have a stereotype, Catholics have a stereotype, Seventh Day Adventists have a stereotype, Born Again Christians have a stereotype, people who live in Melbourne have a stereotype, people who live in Sydeny have a stereotype. I could go on.
My point is, a generalisation or stereotype about any one thing or group is exactly that, a generalisation. I KNOW that every single individual person is different, in every way, from the way they have their toast, to how they dress, to how they react to things, to how and what they believe. No two people believe in EXACTLY the same god for example, no matter what religion you are. You can never know EXACTLY how someone else feels.
So, with that in mind, how is it I am unable to make a generalisation without getting slammed? Everyone generalises. All the time. Everyday. It's what we do as humans. Everything from which way to drive to work as 'generally' the traffic at X time of day on X road is shocking, so I'll go X way instead.
I am not racist. I do not hate the Jews or any other race of people. I hate individuals, no matter where they're from or what they believe.
I also like how you've made Cunt Cunts a proper noun, very nice :)
And I do not propose that a gentle, non-successful Jewish person is any less a Jew. They are simply a gentle and non-successful person.
Perhaps it would be possible to not refer to them* using a collective noun, or be so anthroplogical. And, if memory serves, a generalization, even if positive, can be just as offensive.
* Your neighbours
The Jews seem to cop 'stereotyping' more than any other race.
Are the Jews are race? I always thought Judaism was a religion.
But while people are talking about the subject, can somebody please explain to me what a race actually is. I've never understood the concept and am not convinced it's an actual real thing. I understand religious and cultural (or ethnic) groups, but I just don't get races.
Alex, anthropolically speaking, the notion of "race" is a nonsense.
Anthropologists prefer to use the term "ethnic" or "linguistic" grouping.
How would not using a collective noun further my case, Catlick? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.
And I am aware a generalisation can be offensive, but that's not what I meant. If I meant it to be offensive I would have worded my intitial statement very differently.
Well, I'm glad it's not just a case of me being to backward to grasp a simple concept that everyone else seems to have a firm handle on. A body tends to worry about these things after a while.
"I wasn't being racist.
I was making a generalisation."
"And I am aware a generalisation can be offensive"
Whether he's wearing a fur hat or a Richmond scarf, if your default position is to think of him in a "collective" term, then you perhaps de-personalize him. I find it is useful to engage him as a person first, then be informed by the cultural context second. This might be difficult with Richmond supporters.
Rahm is not African-American, patchouligirl. Sorry. I've only seen one photo of him and he actually could have been Barrack's brother in that one. No wonder the Arabs are unhappy.
Pers!
Catlick's being horrid about Richmond supporters.
Wouldn't it be entirely possible for someone to be African-American and Jewish?
Also, isn't it a bit hypocritical to have a go at one religious group, like say, the Seventh Day Adventists for example, and then imply that someone is being bigoted if they make a crack about another religious group.
Granted that the Jews have had an incredibly rough trot historically, but should that raise them to a point where they are above being poked fun at? I'm sure I recall an article by Ramon (I think) in which he talked about Islam and put forward the idea that all religions should be equally deserving of derision and ridicule.
" Wouldn't it be entirely possible for someone to be African-American and Jewish?"
Why, yes it it
"Granted that the Jews have had an incredibly rough trot historically, but should that raise them to a point where they are above being poked fun at?"
The poking of fun at Jews is raised to a high art by Jews themselves. Discrimination is different. Rather than risk invoking Godwin's law, I"ll use the South Park rule. Not enough time has passed yet.
(And yes, it is possible to be anti Zionist without being anti Semetic.)
OK, I think I'm with you now Catlick. I need to base my opinion on my observations of each individual as I encounter them, personally. And that's fine by me, I won't have to change anything :)
However I think the point is being missed that all cultures/religions/etc. have similarites about them in general, not necessarily the way they dress, but in their attitudes and actions. A lot of the time, these things go hand in hand with their values, which are typically based on religion. An observation of that is not derrogatory, it is simply that: an observation. It is not an insult.
People learn and grow largely by what surrounds them and, particularly, what their parents and (if they go) churches teach them, whether by example or otherwise.
My boss told me about when he was growing up in Italy, his mum would always ask as he walked out the door to school, "have you got your lunch?", whereas, his Jewish friend's mother would ask his, "have you got your books?". This is a basic observation of A difference between the two cultures. Italians value food, Jews value learning. Yes, they are generalisations, however at no point is either culture being slammed, damned or insulted. Food is good. Learning is good. Good for them both.
With the above example, these friends have grown up and gone their separate ways and retained some of the values of their parents. And again, these are not bad values, or cross-values, they are simply different. Also, with the above in mind, what is wrong with making a generalisation, regarding either of these (or any other) cultures, in that way?
None of this means that whenever I speak to a Jewish person, I will immediately assume they are stereotypically so. I will talk to them and get to know them and decide from there what my opinion is of that particular person. And I would do exactly the same with a Hindi, an Muslim, a Christian, and Athiest, a schoolteacher, an engineer, an electrician, a waiter/ess, anybody. Although I agree with the Richmond supporters thing... lol
"Also, isn't it a bit hypocritical to have a go at one religious group, like say, the Seventh Day Adventists for example, and then imply that someone is being bigoted if they make a crack about another religious group"
THANK you Alex!
I think once we start labelling people, and applying stereotypical thinking to whole groups, there's the risk of forgetting about individuality and reducing people to generalisations, whether cultural, racial, religious. I think we need to focus on what is common amongst us as humans, rather than what sets us apart. Do we not all want the same things?
I'm uncomfortable with labelling. What purpose does it serve, other than to perpetuate what can often be inaccurate perceptions? When we find ourselves discussing/defending stereotypes, what is it we are really saying? If we are always appending an "oh, but there are exceptions to the rule" after every mouthed stereotype, then what's the purpose of the stereotype in the first place? To make sure we're all on the same page? But we're not - think orientation and perspective.
I think to make statements about the Jews who wear the clothing described, is not to generalise about Jews, but to generalise about a small, orthodox community of Jewish people who don't represent in any way, and in fact live exclusively and separate from, the rest of the Jewish population.
Sorry for ranting, time for wine soon.
The poking of fun at Jews is raised to a high art by Jews themselves.
But is it okay for non-Jews to poke fun at them? I think maybe my idea of what constitutes discrimination might be more narrow than what it should be.
Alex: I poked at the religion of SDA, and I would and have equally poke fun at Judaism.
And yes yes, I used the words 'Jews' and 'Race' loosely. You all knew what I meant.
Whatever the case, Aesophia, you never answered my question. You said that "his ruthless and successful business and political acumen and his rugged good looks" was typical because of his Jewishness, and since then you've back-pedalled. I know you respect the individual etc etc, but do you think these traits are peculiar to Jewish people?
I always though stereotyping Jews was about being cautious with money, not what you said.
And Alex: If you re-read my post, it was the Elders of the SDA I was mainly going at... the homophobic ones. I even made mention of the SDA's philanthropic work, and congratulated the editor of its magazine for his original article.
If you re-read my post
I'm glad you suggested that, actually. I love that bit about Jesus mopping the floors of heaven.
Anyway, I think that what you're saying is that the teachings of a church do not always represent the attitudes of its entire congregation and that ridiculing a religion should not extend to entertaining generalisations about its practitioners, even when made in jest.
If so, I can see that as being a fair point. If not, please feel free to correct.
Yes, that's about the sum of it. I thought you were having a go at me for picking on SDAs and then defending Jews... and yes, there's an element of that, but I was defending Jews as a cultural group, not Judaism.
For an attack of Judaism, please go to my other blog and read my Leviticus review that I just posted*
*Oh that's a blatant ad alright.
Yay! Finally Leviticus... will read directly after this.
Pers, in (what I hope will suffice as a) direct answer: Jews are known for their thiftiness, that is correct, this has therefore led them to be a very wealthy cultural group. And to be wealthy, you need to be able to be smart enough to make the money as well as keep it... therefore, banking job (of whatever it was, can't bothered looking). And due to this business acumen, they are also very good at negotiation, and everything that goes with that [insert politics here].
Some might find their business and political sense threatening and therefore put it down to being arrogant or having a 'brass balls' attitude.
And finally, I find Jews, in general, to be a very attractive people.
"Jews are known for their thiftiness, that is correct, this has therefore led them to be a very wealthy cultural group. And to be wealthy, you need to be able to be smart enough to make the money as well as keep it... therefore, banking job (of whatever it was, can't bothered looking)."
Aesophia, I beg to differ. I believe the cultural stereotype of thriftiness is assigned to the Scots. What the Jews have, as a result of these laws is an entrenched cultural stereotype of the "money grubbing jew".
"And due to this business acumen, they are also very good at negotiation, and everything that goes with that [insert politics here].
Some might find their business and political sense threatening and therefore put it down to being arrogant or having a 'brass balls' attitude.
And finally, I find Jews, in general, to be a very attractive people."
Without banging on endlessly about this, I would just like to say that IMHO there is a sprinkling of universal human qualities across race, religion, culture, ethnicity and sexuality. As part of a small sub set, (lesbians) I have had the opportunity to experience hatred, violence and discrimination based on generalizations, stereotyping, and ignorance. Those who are part of any dominant culture may not appreciate how offensive their behaviour is. Stereotypes pre-empt the engagement between people and cultures. It will likely be a confirmation, or a laborious dismantling. Neither is functional.
Can we get back to Rahm's balls please?
eewww, do I have to?
No, catlick, you carry on with the intelligent talk. I, however, want to get back to the balls!
I am half German, 3/4 Scottish and 1/4 Jewish, so basically a tight arse with no sense of humor!
So you're one and a half people then?
*
I'm a mix of Scot, Welsh, English and Jew, which is why I hate myself.
You sure you have no Greek, Perseus. Good at maths, and all that.
So it's not just me at home on a Sat night? My excuse is three kids. What is yours, oh young people?
My next door neighbour is having a 30th. It starts at midnight. I am waiting patiently for it to begin. I figure there's no way I'll be able to sleep anyway with a big party next door, so I may as well go hard.
There might be some young chickybabes there. Full report will be required on the morrow.
Now, we away to some couch and dvd action.
Wouldn't it be entirely possible for someone to be African-American and Jewish?
Lenny Kravitz?
So you're one and a half people then? I'm glad someones awake. Moving house, finishing a TAA04 part time and looking after a 20 mth old full time are taking their toll on my concentration. I should have said German on one side, 3/4 scottish 1/4 jewish on the other. So half German, 3/8 scottish, 1/8 jewish.
The German side of my family were living in China during WW2 and were not members of the nazi party, although my grandmothers brother (then 18) did serve as a foot soldier. My Grandfather served in the German army in WW1 and was awarded an iron cross in the battle of the Somme I believe. Growing up in Australia, I always thought it ironic that I should be giving a minutes silence at school on Anzac day when my family were actually on the other side, but in the end decided it was for all soldiers who give their life for their country and that war is pretty dumb anyway.
On the other side of the family during WW2 my mothers aunt was in love with a German but broke off the engagement as the family advised her not to travel to Germany with him as she was half Jewish and they thought it was too dangerous. She never married.
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