Matt writes:
By now you might have seen the unbelievably ugly story of a virulently anti-Semitic flier that was distributed by supporters of Nikki Tinker, the Democrat who is challenging Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) in a primary election.
“Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the JEWS HATE Jesus,” reads the flier. “Memphis Christians must unite and support ONE Black Christian to represent Memphis in the United States Congress in 2008.”
…
So why am I writing about this, apart from my complete disdain for anti-Semites? Because Cohen has also been attacked in the past by black ministers for supporting the inclusion of gays in hate-crimes legislation.
I’m a member of Cohen’s district here in Memphis. While I think he’s done a terrific job representing all of us, many in the black community still feel bitter over his election. He won the Democratic nomination on a split ticket and became the first Jewish person in American history to represent a majority black district.
I think it will be interesting to see if he can win again without a split ticket because of some of the opposition coming from local black leadership.
Why is this post titled “Craz-ay Jewish Congresspeoples”? Honestly curious. Seems to me that the content is not about Cohen being crazy. Unless the implication is that his attempt to join the Congressional Black Caucus was crazy. Anyway, doesn’t seem to make sense to me as a title. Seems inappropriately derogatory towards Mr. Cohen. Curious what the poster’s thought process was.
Emily: Exactly, Cohen is in no way crazy and is a good congressman. The title is more of a comment on the leaflet distributed among people within the district linking Jews to somehow killing Jesus. More of a satirical aside to how crazy one would have to be to use Cohen’s Jewishness as an actual attack point in him not get the Democratic nomination for his ticket.