Bush Gives Shout-Out To Jews A Three Days Early

Apparently Rosh Hashana comes early this year -- at least according to President Bush. On Sunday night, Bush issued a statement wishing greetings to those celebrating the Jewish New Year. The only problem is that the Jewish New Year starts Wednesday at sundown.

And if you'll notice, he even managed to sneak the word "creation" into his early greeting.

"The sound of the Shofar heralds the beginning of a new year and a time of remembrance and renewal for the Jewish people. During these holy days, men and women are called to reflect on their faith and to honor the blessings of creation."

It's like he's speaking super-secret Jesus code to his Christian base. "Hey, everybody, I had to say a few words to those practicing Jew-Craft, but check out the reference to creationism. Wink wink."

At the end of his speech he also wished the "Chinamen" a Happy Year of the Pig and hoped that if all the drunken Irishmen feel the need to honor St. Patrick next Saturday night, they take cabs home.

Comments

[Plowboy]

Perhaps we missed something! Do you think that Bush might be smarter than he is believed to be? Could it be that he is the world's greatest satyrist? The greatest in history? Heck, I haven't read a better ridicule of our brand of politico-r­eligio-ent­hnic appeal in years. When the clown gets confused with the hero of the play, what are we to make of the audience? But we must also certainly celebrate Ramadan with strong beer and battered pig knuckles.
Meanwhile Bush is as mean as his satire is clever. But you knew that.

[TheWesternBreed]

I hate Bush as much as any decent person should, but "Creation" sort of occurs in the first chapter of Genesis, in something that Jews call the Torah.

[Roger4]

Has any Jewish Rabbi voiced an opinion? Seems like a slim thread to drag out anti-semitism. More to the point, his timing was off. We are not yet to Rosh Hashana when saying "During these holy days" would make sense. It was also not a good idea to talk about Chinamen, pig's feet and St. Patrick's Day in the same speech. If Bush was truly sincere in his good wishes, then his remarks would have been directed only towards Jewish people or at least towards religious holidays.

[Rand]

And after the Jewish Rabbis can we hear from the Non-Jewish Rabbis?

Roger, I'm guessing that your heart is in the right place, but the references to "Chinamen" and St. Patrick's Day were an invention of Mr. Chase's designed to show Bush's ignorance of varying cultures

[Roger4]

Agreed, rabbis come in only one flavor. My heart is in the usual position. I plead no contest on the last point.

[dora rice]

when Bush made his speech at the APEC Summit, he confused APEC with OPEC, and Australians with Austrians. I just wish he had confused Iraq with Iran. Not to worry though, because now he confuses Iran with Iraq. Oh George.

[Javani]

You make good, solid, level-headed points. Bush should mend his ways. This year no more of the old mailing-ch­ristmas-ca­rds-before­-christmas pandering, but replaced by instant e-greetings delivered no earlier than christmas eve.