Tom Brokaw to Obama: What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of Palestinians?
posted at 2:45 pm on June 5, 2009 by Allahpundit
I thought, or rather hoped, that Powerline was kidding. Nope. You’ll find the exchange here, around 4:05. (Obama thankfully rejects the analogy.) For added disgust, note that this interview was conducted in Dresden, ground zero of the neo-Nazi revisionist movement to draw moral equivalence between Nazi atrocities and Allied bombings of German cities. You’ll fit right in at MSNBC, Tom.
I’ve reached my saturation point with videos of The One so I’m skipping the clip of him at Buchenwald. You’ll be glad to know that he vowed to resist the spread of evil in our time, which will make for a grimly ironic flashback soundbite the day Iran announces they’ve got the bomb. Instead, here’s three minutes of reflection from a guy who really has confronted evil, literally and recently. His oratory is the flip side of Obama’s, short on style and very, very long on substance. Tremendously moving. Don’t miss it.
Blowback
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Yeah … count Tom Brokaw in as one of those who’s prostituted his professional ethics for Obamalickism.
HondaV65 on June 5, 2009 at 2:47 PM
I feel your pain.
As for Buchenwald, bless him.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 2:48 PM
I promised myself I would no longer be shocked. I lost.
faraway on June 5, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Yikes. I generally like Brokaw, too. His “Greatest Generation” stuff is compelling.
What was he thinking?
cs89 on June 5, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Faraway
I used to read newsbusters religiously
I stopped, figuring nothing srprised me
Nope. That’s over. Just when you think they can’t get ANY MORE RIDICULOUS
They one up again
Insane
How long til they begin calling him
Doctor Obama, Healer of all Wounds
blatantblue on June 5, 2009 at 2:50 PM
What happens when (if?) Obama is no longer in power and the bootlickers at NBC et. al don’t have a demigod-in-chief to fawn over?
Does the “morning after” begin?
VibrioCocci on June 5, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Wow, Brokaw is actually making Bill Moyers appear sane.
Too bad, Brokaw actually was a fairly decent journalist at one time.
Moyers was always a stooge.
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Brokaw is a flaming ass.
rplat on June 5, 2009 at 2:51 PM
You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me.
I DARE Brokaw to ask that question to Elie Wiesel!! This is an obscenity!
****steam coming out of ears****
rockmom on June 5, 2009 at 2:51 PM
What can Israel learn about Palestine from the Germans?
1. When you hear antisemitism, believe it
2. Don’t trust western Europe to come to your aid
battleoflepanto1571 on June 5, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Should’t that be the other way around, Tom.
Harpoon on June 5, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Someone call Rather and tell him to make room in the Clown Car.
Patrick S on June 5, 2009 at 2:52 PM
per headlines post: Tom Brokaw you are
D-I-S-C-U-S-T-I-N-G!
Branch Rickey on June 5, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I think it’s also worth pointing out – that the original U.N. resolution for Palestine called for two independent states. The Israeli’s accepted – the Palestinians and every Arab State rejected.
Additionally – there have been several points since that time (60 years ago) where the Arabs have had the chance to accept that proposal – they continue to either “refuse” or “something” comes up – like a fight – preventing it.
Our President is an idiot in thinking they’ll accept a two state solution now.
Oh … and one more point.
There was NEVER a State called Palestine when the Israeli’s settled it. Palestine was merely a region – and it was ruled almost forever by the Ottoman Turks.
And one more point …
The French and English who are very much hands off have no right to criticize us on Israel – since they were primarily responsible for forming it.
HondaV65 on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Reminds me of the one character in the movie “Shindler’s List”………
Seven Percent Solution on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
That sound you hear is six million rolling in their graves.
rockmom on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
or if I can spell:
D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G
Branch Rickey on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Does the left have no shame, I guess not. At least Obama didn’t take the bait.
Lance Murdock on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Brokaw, Anti-Semitism Czar
faraway on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Obama is resigning?
cntrlfrk on June 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I’m sorry, but if any conservative (nay, belay that…) if any right-thinking (I mean sane, not political leanings) person said this, we’d gladly have them riding on a rail, with tar and feathers waiting for them.
At least the fool chose Buchenwald and not Auschweitz, I’m sure that displays his cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy.
So just how many ovens have they found there in Gaza with Palestinian remains in them?
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Morning after pill?
Branch Rickey on June 5, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Next question…”What can Tom Brokaw learn from Joseph Goebbels about reporting the news?” Answer…”Nothing…Tom Brokaw is Joseph Goebbels.”
sdd on June 5, 2009 at 2:55 PM
If I were Obama, when I gave a speech Islam, I’d say:
“my advice to so called Palestinians?
STOP BLOWING THINGS UP”
battleoflepanto1571 on June 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
We are once again proving the point – conservatives are so easy to disgust.
Probably because we actually have a standard or principle or two, so we are more likely to feel offended when they are crossed or broken.
Liberals (or morons) like this have no such problem with anything – except Christians and Israeli Jews.
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Wiesel speaks from a place that neither Brokaw or Obama will ever know.
Potfry on June 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
That is the most contemptible and vile utterance I’ve ever heard come from a major news anchor.
Loxodonta on June 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
This sounds like such a set-up question catering to Obama’s ideology. I’m actually surprised Obama skirted the question like he did, you know what he was thinking…
cntrlfrk on June 5, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Wait…and this guy penned “The Greatest Generation”?
He’s either a fraud and a coward, or he’s one of the most clueless cretins in network television.
MadisonConservative on June 5, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Landshark to self: What can Tom Brokaw learn from being punched in the face by a holocaust survivor?
landshark on June 5, 2009 at 2:57 PM
That is one of the few lines in “Liar Liar” that I laughed out loud at.
True, if they’d stop blowing things up or committing murders, we’d pretty much leave them alone too.
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Only that Jews are violent – which is what he was trying to say.
(This would have been snarkier, but my revulsion at Brokaw is just about to engulf me…)
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Did you know if you take the word vile you can also make the word evil from the letters? Both words seem appropriate.
Brokaw wrote a book called The Greatest Generation about those who grew up in the Depression and fought in WWII.
I have absolutely no idea what is going on in his head and how he thinks he can write that book and years later go to speak such an atrocity.
He should be fired. I mean that seriously. Even a facade of ethics is gone if this is allowed to stand without rebuke and without repercussion.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 2:58 PM
LA DOUCEBAG!
faol on June 5, 2009 at 2:59 PM
What can the Israelis learn? They already know what the rest of Europe didn’t in the late 1930′s; when you see the threat growing you rush in and smash it down.
Brokaw is looking old and tired.
Bishop on June 5, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Yes, I was writing my comment when yours went it. I’m glad someone else pointed this out.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Pretty much.
BadgerHawk on June 5, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Yes. I remember reading in the history books how the damn Jews kept firing rockets into the German home land from Buchenwald! The loss of our moral compass makes me weep for the future of the US and Israel. When will this insanity stop?
chicken thief on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Well the grand mufti of Jerusalem in the 40s advised Hitler on the holocaust, so I guess the Nazis DID learn something from the Palestinians…
Wait, that’s not what brokaw meant?
*thinks*
Brokaw said WHAT? Go back to Yankton you Marxist
battleoflepanto1571 on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Uhhhh, that there is no moral equivalence? (Check, got that one) That when, if ever, bloodthirsty Arabs want peace, Israelis can find the grace to spare them what they truly deserve? (Nope, such a thought would never cross Obama’s mind.)
littleguy on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Can I ask a question, without being slammed by our older conservative folk?
Why is it… when people get older… they go down the liberal road more so then ever?
I noticed my Mom doing this, whom is a flaming liberal but won’t argue with me because she knows I am right and can prove it. She is also of the “Baby Boom” Generation.
**awaits the hate**
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Oh my freaking gosh. Oh my gosh..oh my gosh…oh my gosh.
No words. Oh my. This is heinous moral equivalence.
I just watched Valkyrie last night and was reminded how much history repeats..but more often than not, AGAINST THE JEWS. my goodness. What is happening here.
Uh, evidently Brokaw felt completely at ease saying such grotesque things to him…wonder why?
Mommypundit on June 5, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Does the “morning after” begin?
VibrioCocci on June 5, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Morning after pill?
Branch Rickey on June 5, 2009 at 2:55 PM
The morning after Obama is no longer in office – kinda like the morning after you wake up in a strange place with an unfamiliar face next to you.
Do you bow out gracefully or run away and pretend it never happened?
Will Brokaw and the slobbering “journalists” pretend they weren’t falling over themselves or would they ever admit they went overboard?
Yeah, I know. You don’t really need to answer that question.
VibrioCocci on June 5, 2009 at 3:01 PM
I just checked Brokaw’s bio. He was born in 1940 which makes him even more culpable, IMHO. He would have grown up knowing the truth about the Holocaust!
INC on June 5, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Whatever respect I had for Brokaw is gone now. 64 years after WW2 and Anti-Semitism is mainstream again on the left. Unbelievable.
infidel4life on June 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM
At the next Correspondent’s Dinner, Obama needs to do a Shaquille parody rap video with a shout out to all the GE corp reporters in the house:
econavenger on June 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM
LOL – I’ve noticed this too!
Well – when you’re young – you don’t have all your brain cells. When you get old – you lose them.
HondaV65 on June 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM
+100
Weisel’s speech was sincere and moving. Neither of the two buffoons that you mention (whose names I can’t even bear to repeat) can hold a candle to Weisel’s speech. The One actually appeared humbled.
UltimateBob on June 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Gosh, Tom, what can you, and the rest of our lapdog media, learn from Goebbels manipulation of the media???
NC Cop on June 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM
OK, i feel for this man and I wish him all the best and I hope y’all don’t take this the wrong way. But he says “all wars are meaningless”. Really? How insane is that? If not because of WWII he would be a dead man! This makes no sense to me that someone who has been through this would even imagine this not less even to say it.
youngO on June 5, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Tom Brokaw don’t need no stinkin’ professional ethics.
scullymj on June 5, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Brokaw you dope. All perspective has left his mind.
FireBlogger on June 5, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Evil like Brokaw’s despicable analogy must be exposed for all to see — shouted from the rooftops as it were. Where are the conservatives? Where are the elected Republicans? Where are the American Jews? Brokaw and his question should be pounded into the pavement until he’s screaming for mercy and issuing mea culpas. But nothing. No one will say a word. We’ll all just accept our apparent impotency to challenge this kind of leftist lunacy and move on, and another mythological narrative will take hold: that there are “ovens” in Israel filled with the tragic remains of Palestinians. Lie heaped upon lie heaped upon lie…until it becomes the truth because no one on “our” side has the balls to stand up to it. Fighting the media smears, it seems, is just too darn hard. Surrender is easier.
Rational Thought on June 5, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Pro forma “rejection” before he plows ahead with a “but” and says their experience should inform them morally and with empathy (yes, he uses the word) and give them the strength and purpose to reach an everlasting peace.
I’m sorry, but it was not thankfully rejected. He made a meaningless statement then said what they should learn.
LINK to Brokaw interview showing “the rest of the story”.
KittyLowrey on June 5, 2009 at 3:03 PM
My husband and I are Baby Boomers and we only grow more conservative!
I have no idea what happens with some of the others.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Orwell will sue Obama and MSM for royalty’s.
the_nile on June 5, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Actually, my findings agree with Churchill – people become conservative the older they get.
However, I don’t think it is the “getting older” that does the “liberalness”, I think it has to do with the wearing down of a person by the culture. Folks become more “open” and “see” the injustice of things around them. So, they start to “feel” for everybody and don’t want to judge.
They start saying crap like “Can’t we all just get along?” and “Don’t cast stones at me!” and “We are all just people.”
It’s called secular humanism in its most purest form. It’s also a load of crap, but hey, that might be part of the reason that happens.
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 3:05 PM
***spits on sidewalk***
Dear Israel,
My apologies that so many of my countrymen are fools.
Sincerely,
Limerick on June 5, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I suppose the question would make sense if Jews were actually launching rockets into Berlin at the beginning of WWII.
Scrappy on June 5, 2009 at 3:05 PM
What can the Israelis learn from your visit to Buchenwald?
– Tom Browkaw
What we need to learn and never forget:
I could have got more out. I could have got more…
– Oskar Schindler
Loxodonta on June 5, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Obama looked bored. Merkel looked tired.
SouthernGent on June 5, 2009 at 3:08 PM
TOM BROKAW IS A PIECE OD SH*T. ALWAYS HAS BEEN. ALWAYS WILL BE.
afotia on June 5, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Larry, INC, Honda…
I am just noticing a trend with :Older” people. My mom as well as other’s whom are obviously older then myself are going down that road.
I have even noticed it with older News Casters. They seem to lack judgement that was there years before.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:09 PM
TOM BROKAW IS A PIECE OF SH*T. ALWAYS HAS BEEN. ALWAYS WILL BE.
afotia on June 5, 2009 at 3:09 PM
He sure likes that phrase,
in their twilight years!
canopfor on June 5, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Every time I have heard him speak, I have been moved…not so much from his words, but his experience.
But, there is emptiness in his speech as well, Allah. Where does evil come from? Was there something fundamentally amiss within German people to create such monstrous tyranny? Or is it the same within all people groups, within all hearts? If so, what to do? What makes societies bad? What will make them good? What makes a person evil?
Mommypundit on June 5, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I believe Jews already learned a lesson from Buchenwald – it was something about being in danger of being annihilated regardless of the fine, upstanding citizens they were simply because they were Jewish. I’m pretty sure that’s why they now insist on having and protecting their own homeland.
Brokaw jumped the shark with that question.
JadeNYU on June 5, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Some people tend to get mentally lame in older age while remaining somewhat articulate. A form of Idiot Savant.. heavy on the “Idiot” part.
Jammy Carter comes to mind.
Itchee Dryback on June 5, 2009 at 3:11 PM
“What can Israel learn from Buchenwald about its treatment of Palestinians?”
Well, among other things, appeasement with dictators and pandering to dictators gets people killed.
OK, Brokaw, got any more tough questions?
coldwarrior on June 5, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I can’t believe he actually asked that. Has Brokaw lost his mind?
jeanie on June 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
I won’t watch the vid, but if Brokaw asked this, I would gladly slide him into an oven myself. It’s so great to see the collapse finally coming. There’s no holding back now. The dems and the state media are going for broke. The phony war of the past decade or two will be nothing compared to the real one that’s coming. Fasten your seatbelts.
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
My husband and I are both Christians. I think our faith has helped keep us grounded and given us some wisdom in dealing with people, holding true to understanding right and wrong and recognizing the role of government in justice and the role of individuals in mercy.
IMHO, secular humanists are the kind that Three Dog Night sang about in Easy to Be Hard:
And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who say they care about evil and social injustice
Do you only Care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend?
Oh need a friend
How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
They care about humanity at large and want the government to help. Individuals, not so much.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Merkel knows that when Putin comes West – there is going to be no one around…
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
The reason I asked the question about when you get older.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
This is maybe the dumbest question I’ve ever heard in the last forty years or so. It’s not worthy of comment
It depends on what income level people are at as they age: ‘blue collar’ workers generally do not have much savings or a good retirement package ( especially if they’re non-union ) so they NEED government help from OASDI and Medicare, etc
These people keep their social beliefs but become more ‘leftist’ on economic issues and have a more positive view of govt based on self-interest.
Retired white-collar people and business owners stay conservative or become more so, but this is less true today than it was a few decades ago because more and more white-collar workers are government employees
Janos Hunyadi on June 5, 2009 at 3:13 PM
That they are far too gracious toward the arabic neo-nazi coalition.
Mommypundit on June 5, 2009 at 3:13 PM
True. I caught that, and it didn’t make sense to me either.
He also made an appeal to Obama (at 1:44) about him being able and compelled to change the world. Weisel seems to have taken a small sip of the hope-and-change Kool-Aid.
UltimateBob on June 5, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I think the older newscasters were probably always this way–now there just more public and open about it.
For instance, Uncle Walter Cronkite has always been a lib.
I cannot believe the Brokaw would write The Greatest Generation and come up with this.
This is a new low. A new bottom. He should be fired.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 3:14 PM
If it was such a “dumb” question, why answer?
Since I asked it due to the utterly stupid question asked by Broke-kaw. Why not ask it?
To me it seems as though most are “losing” it as they get older.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Stunning.
I literally have no words.
nickj116 on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
The reverse role presentation of the David and Goliath imagery is nothing new from anti-Israel media snipers.
Who assumes that sniper role is new, as is the newly fangled tidal wave of popularity to feign a cosmopolitan chic brown nose position under Islam’s heel.
Tolerance and appreciation of universality are understood. But Pelosi liar styled smears are below America’s integrity to be promoting, substantiating lies with more lies to fabricate the revised version of history in order to sabotage the future under the disguise of a falsely assimilated universal truth.
Tom Brokaw’s alcoholism has burnt holes in his brain. I don’t care how many friends he has, or who his friends are; Brokaw is wrong to promote this anti-Israeli propaganda.
What can television viewers learn from Brokaw about his propaganda to enslave the viewer?
maverick muse on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Ummm, they can learn that it’s easier to kill people than it is to assume that they’ll eventually stop whining and get a job?
They can learn that corrupt societies are always destructive?
Or that the truth is irrelevant to world opinion?
hawksruleva on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Just asking that question shows what this administration and the lapdog press is all about! What anti-Israeli drivel! And to think most Jews voted for this!
stonemeister on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I get what your asking, but I honestly think it has to do with culture – and their bent. I myself was a classical liberal and touchy-feelly person at 19. Thank God there was an intervention on my behalf.
However, I think that folks you are talking about are touchy-feelly people already and the culture assisted them in becoming moreso.
Making any sense on that? I could go on, but then, do you want me to? (laugh)
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Proper response: Tom, are you retarded?
lorien1973 on June 5, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I think he is on Contract.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:16 PM
“Why are many old folks liberals?”
They think of J F Kennedy. Kennedy was a liberal. Anti abortion, conservative on taxes. Actually he is more conservative than most conservatives I know.
seven on June 5, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Maybe Tom could ask The One about this.
Media finally reports that fake accounting rules led to “bogus” bank profits in Q1
KentAllard on June 5, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I fear that the day the U.S. turns its back on Israel (may that day never come), we are toast.
NebCon on June 5, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Yup. Beat me to it..great minds and all. :)
Itchee Dryback on June 5, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Oh I wanted to say that. But knowing my luck, I would get banned.
upinak on June 5, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I too would like to tell the Jewish people I am so sorry we have bho as our president. I pray God will be with you Israel.
L
letget on June 5, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I think you have it. I’m a Christian as well – that was part of the intervention I mentioned.
I still run into people who talk a great “caring” and all that, but cross them on something that affects them – and woe betide!
Larry Farr on June 5, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Ive had the priviledge of meeting Wiesel twice, one as a child and once at my job. His words have a profound weight that I’ve really never felt from anyone else. Even as a kid you know it, he read to us when we were in like 2nd grade and you just felt it. Even as a child.
ernesto on June 5, 2009 at 3:19 PM
You’re probably right. I didn’t think of that.
INC on June 5, 2009 at 3:19 PM
No. But every time, and I do mean every time, his name is mentioned, this quote should be cited. Tom Browkaw, who asked the president, “What can the Israelis learn from your visit to Buchenwald?”, is one of the icons of liberal journalism. Let us all see what it is they idolize.
Loxodonta on June 5, 2009 at 3:20 PM
+1
/You’re too kind with “secular humanists”:
Hippies
Libbers
SDS
“liberals”
maverick muse on June 5, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I think that’s true only of oldies who were always libs. (Some of us turned conservative as we aged.) They go extra wild because it’s like going to an oldies concert–they get to feel young again. Next time Mom is feeling frisky, and feels like voting for Obama or bombing the pipeline, get out the bong and an old Joannie Mitchell 8-track tape, and Mom will soon be snoring peacefully in the recliner.
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2009 at 3:21 PM
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