There is evidently a widespread belief that–while your dentist should know what amalgam to use in filling a cavity, and your car mechanic should have at least a passing familiarity with automobile parts–anyone who can fog a mirror can run a government agency, or the country.
Surprise! Public officials actually need to know stuff.
Understanding complex global interrelationships, for example, matters. As Fareed Zakaria pointed out in a column for the Washington Post, Trump’s inability to “connect the dots” (or even see dots) could be the best thing that has happened to his nemesis China in a long time. China plans to
exploit the leadership vacuum being created by the United States’ retreat on trade. As Trump was promising protectionism and threatening literally to wall off the United States from its southern neighbor, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a trip through Latin America in November, his third in four years. He signed more than 40 deals, Bloomberg reported, and committed tens of billions of dollars of investments in the region, adding to a $250 billion commitment made in 2015.
The Huffington Post had another example, in an article focused on Trump’s intent to make significant changes in U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
President-elect Trump and his surrogates are dropping heavy hints about plans to break with longstanding U.S. positions vis-à-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the direction of changes that both Israelis and Palestinians would view as turning away from a negotiated peace agreement…few people today seem to grasp the consequences – entirely unrelated to Israel and the Palestinians – such changes are set to unleash, or the profoundly negative implications they would have for all Americans.
It’s hard to argue with the assertion that most Americans haven’t the foggiest notion that such policy changes would affect anyone outside the Middle East. Knowledgable people, however, know better.
it seems that in the early 1990s Congress passed laws requiring the U.S. to de-fund any United Nations (UN) agency that admits the Palestinians as a member. Unfortunately, de-funding requires giving up any U.S influence over the agency in question.
Back then, nobody gave the laws a second thought, since in those days it was considered beyond the pale to suggest that there might ever be a Palestinian state. Today, things are very different. Support for a two-state solution has been U.S. policy since 2002, and in 2012, the Palestinians were admitted to the UN as a non-member observer state. This status grants them the right to join specialized UN agencies – a right the U.S. cannot block, and admission in many cases is either automatic or requires only a simple majority vote.
Pursuant to the law, when Palestinians joined UNESCO, America withdrew.
The law is still in effect, so Trump’s proposed changes would trigger some very unpleasant consequences, totally unrelated to Israeli-Palestinian relations. As the writer explains,
Take, for example, the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA). Americans already feeling threatened by the nuclear programs of countries like Iran and North Korea will have even greater reason to worry when the Trump Administration has to de-fund the key watchdog monitoring civilian nuclear programs around the world (the U.S. is the IAEA’s largest donor, so de-funding would be devastating to its operations).
Or what about the World Health Organization (WHO)? After being forced by Zika and Ebola to accept that borders can’t stop the spread of deadly diseases, Americans will have greater reason to be fear for their own well-being when Trump is forced to cut off funding to the key international body charged with dealing with international epidemics and pandemics.
Then there are the immediate concerns to most Americans: jobs and the economy. Here let’s consider the impact of the U.S. de-funding the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Rural America may not care about the Israelis or Palestinians, but American farmers and shippers will be shocked when agricultural export programs specifically designed to benefit U.S. farmers and shippers suddenly end.
And then there is the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). While threatening to pull out of trade agreements and organizations like these may seem like smart politics in an election season, America’s businesses may be less sanguine when, because of actions taken on Israel-Palestine, Trump literally has no choice but to give up all influence in organizations from which US businesses derive real benefits when it comes to defending their rights and equities around the world.
I would be willing to wager that Trump and his inexperienced advisors are entirely unaware that the law exists, let alone its likely consequences.
I wonder if the supporters who keep giving him a pass would be equally supportive of a dentist who used lead to fill their cavities…..
Don’t worry, those with a vested interest will be there to guide the administration. We here in Indiana after the last Governor know exactly how that works.
Sheila,
I have been trying to educate myself about the Israeli Palestinian conflict and how it affects the U.S. and other countries for the past couple of months. However, all I can find are opinion articles that don’t really give me what I believe to be a true history of the issue. Can you point me to sources of information that would actually help me understand the conflict, the United Nations involvement and finally how our country has been involved so deeply and why?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
“You can always count on Americans to do the right thing after they’ve tried everything else.”
~Winston Churchill
“Why Ignorance Is So Dangerous” There are too many issues in this blog to address each individually; and each one is too important to the survival of this government and this country to ignore. I will try a brief trip back to the beginnings of the United States and ask a question regarding my findings.
The Constitution of the United States of America
(Article II, paragraph 5)
“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of the Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”
These minimal requirements to the office of the presidency qualify Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Lizzie Borden and Donald Trump. Was the “Ignorance” the assumption of the founding fathers that common sense would be used to nominate candidates? Or is what is in actuality “abuse of power” by elected officials to rely on the “Ignorance” of the general public to accept the GOP support of Donald Trump and his ill-chosen group of appointees? Is what appears to be “Ignorance” on the part of nominees for basic knowledge of the position Trump has selected them for, a deliberate “Ignorance” on the part of both to destroy the accepted functions and goals of those positions? Laugh if you will at my listing of Bundy, Gacy and Borden; note that gender is not mentioned (as it should not be) but neither is being alive and it wasn’t that long ago that one of the United States elected a man known to be dead for weeks to the position of Senator or Representative.
Any idea if Trump will have time today – the day before his inauguration – to fill the upcoming, automatic vacancies in the National Security Department?
But, Trump represents the people and will make “America Great Again”. Don’t forget, his suporters have been told that “intellectuals” or “liberals” are the problem. If they even smell an educated person, they are to be attacked.
The New Democrats began under Bill Clinton in the early 90’s. While he was forcing the US upon the world, he also sold out the American worker by aligning the party with Wall Street and the intellectual class. This is why democrats are losing elections – they only represent the interests of the elites.
A bad move that cost his wife an election in 2016. Do you think it will get better?
Nancy,
“….IsraeliPalestinian Conflict……and finally how our country has been involved so deeply and why?”
I’m sure Sheila can provide you with some vital information. However, for a deeper look, I suggest that you take a peak at one of my websites: http://www.EthicalFront.net. It’s at least a starter to understanding the “TRUE HISTORY of the issue.”
Nancy,
The best word to describe what has happened is: EXTORTION [threatening the existence of the State of Israel]
I guess today is the day to let it all out before it’s TOO LATE. Better late than never.
Marv,
I have read your website, but it doesn’t give me the background information that I need to be able to understand the conflict. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Since the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) has been a partner with the SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) maybe now many of you can better understand why I have been challenging the legitimacy of the “Intelligence Report” issued by the SPLC.
It’s worse than mere ignorance with Trump; he does not even seek understanding of the issues, and denying their existence (Putin is a strong leader and other such reality-bending babble to conform to his preconceived bias) are at best counter-productive to our national interests as the world’s leader. Witness his failures not only with what our intelligence agencies have to tell him daily; he even attacks these agencies publicly and in a bizarre fit of terminal stupidity and aid and comfort to our enemies approaching impeachment territory suggested recently that the CIA head was the leaker in the recently concluded election. Such loose ramblings do not bode well for the future of this country and its people; they are rather an open invitation to those who would do us harm (Putin, China, lawless elements such as ISIS, al queda et al.) to fill the vacuum he will have vacated in our names by such gross ignorance as China roams the globe with an open checkbook while we dither with greedy domestic interests here on matters such as health care, whether unions should exist etc. etc. etc.
One could argue that we need not worry about Putin’s taking over our country via fake news, cyberwar and the like; that he is already firmly embedded in our political and economic lives by proxy via one Donald J. Trump, soon to be in a position to complete the sellout of America which, like everything else, is just another commodity subject to the art of the deal.
Marv,
Here is what I have understood, based upon the information that I have had access to:
If I am correct, I understand that Jews were given land in the original Israel tribe territory. My understanding is that this land was given to Jews because of the Holocaust because they still had no place to call home or be welcome.
It is my understanding that Palestinians had always lived in this area and the gift to Jews of the land called Israel meant that they automatically lost ownership or control over land that was theirs. Did the world decide that this was the fair thing to do for Jews while not considering what it meant for Palestinians? This bothers me, yet I may be misunderstanding it.
From a personal standpoint (what happened to me in the most illegal land grab by my ex husband in our divorce) it appears that land was taken from Palestinians and given to the Jews without the consent of the Palestinians. If this is correct, then I have a real problem with it. I know what that feels like and how it affects your entire life and future.
So, if anyone here can help me to understand the details and reasons behind the original agreement with the Jews to be given ownership of a territory it would be much appreciated.
Nancy,
There is no way you’ll ever completely understand the conflict. It’s about two sides trying to survive. There’s good and bad on both sides. Anything you read though will be one-sided. It’s been a deadly war with both sides using deadly force and propaganda to the extreme.
The conflict has never been settled. And more than likely never will be. It’s a classic battle of the survival of the fittest. At one time the Israelis had the upper hand, now the situation is becoming more favorable for the Palestinians. It might well be the place that the “nuclear winter” becomes a reality…..a real Armageddon. The Israelis have long had atomic weaponry. Iran now has the potential for the same.
Marv,
Thanks. I appreciate your comment that the conflict will likely never be settled. That is how I, and many Americans, view all of the conflicts in that part of the world. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine, etc., etc.. So, why do we ever get involved? Unless it has involved the financial interests of our wealthy oil corporations or our wealthy corporations that produce equipment meant for war?
Nancy,
Did the world decide that this was the fair thing to do for Jews while not considering what it meant for Palestinians? This bothers me, yet I may be misunderstanding it.
The world, if you mean the U.S., decided it. The Palestinians had no say. Their leader in the 40’s called for a peaceful transition, but he was assassinated. After the war many of the European Jews who had survived the holocaust lived in displacement camps. The world was doing nothing for them. So, even though they knew of the hostility they would meet, they opted out for returning to what they considered their homeland.
They no longer trusted the world. Do you blame them?
“…it appears that the land was taken away from the Palestinians and given to the Jews without the consent of the Palestinians. If this is correct, then I have a real problem with it. I know what that feels like and how it affects your entire life and future.”
Your feelings are justified. If you can, just try to remember the Jews in the displacement camps after the Holocaust. For the most part, the Arabs were on the side of the Nazis. I’m sure if I was there, I would be thinking, “how am I going to survive in a world that pretty much went along with my extermination.” Was there another option for those Jews other than returning to their historical homeland, and the troubles they would have to endure?
Under the immigration laws at that time, the U.S. for sure wasn’t going to give them refuge.
Nancy your description is how I understand that Israeli Palestine conflict. They have been throwing bombs at each other as long as I can remember. It seems like that dispute will never freaking end and I’m sick of it. As far as I’m concerned Israeli’s need to stop taking over land and building and stop making Palestine’s their starving step child. Both sides are wrong in my opinion and I have seen a bit of the younger generation wanting peace once and for all. Maybe after all of the elders are gone, that will happen. Not to mention we give Israel 50 billion dollars a year of support and that needs to end yesterday.
Now back to the blog…watching bits and pieces of the confirmation hearings has made me madder than hell. WTF? These bozos don’t have a clue what they got themselves in to.
You know, my husband thinks that maybe there needs to be a total meltdown of the country’s economic and trade policies for everyone to understand what’s at stake. I was just watching a travel show about Greece and that country is slowly but surely coming back together after living through their hell. Maybe that’s what America needs and I’ll be the first one to blame it all on Trump. God help us and you all know I’m an atheist.
Nancy,
“So, why do we ever get involved? Unless it has involved the financial interests of our wealthy oil corporations or our wealthy corporations that produce equipment meant for war?”
That’s the only reason, other than the propaganda value for the Religious Right. It had nothing to do with “brotherly love.” Just the opposite. It was the means to cause a new strain of the HITLER VIRUS which would eventually mutate over into the AFRICAN-AMERICAN community.
I apologize for lecturing so much, but we ALL need to understand that ANTI-SEMITISM is Donald Trump’s TRUMP CARD without it……. he will lose the game.
Nancy and Marv,
To understand the Israeli and Palestinian conflict you have to go back much farther than the end of WWII. The actions and promises made by Great Britain during the 1920s played a big part in how we got to where we are today. Google the Balfour Agreement for starters.
On the bright side of ignorance, school kids in Hawaii and other states far removed from the threat of grizzly bears will be allowed to be armed just in case that one in a trillion grizzly books a flight to Hawaii- according to Education Sec select DeVos.
Theresa,
Thanks. You’re absolutely right. But that didn’t involve the U.S., just the British.
Nancy,
As Theresa pointed out, the Balfour agreement is crucial to understanding the genesis of the conflict. There was no State of Israel when the survivors of the Holocaust started to return in mass to Palestine.
Nancy, I would be very suspicious of anyone who writes something like: “There is no way you’ll ever completely understand the conflict”. How utterly arrogant and condescending.
Anyhoo, my 2 cents is that you cannot likely avoid gaining the kind of insiggt you aeek without reading a book or two on the topic (this is also likely a fair generalization). I use Quora dor book recommendations and this is the list they came up with:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-non-partisan-book-about-the-history-of-Israel-and-the-Israeli-Palestinian-conflict
If you like the historical fiction genre you would likely enjoy The Lemon Tree.
In addition, I would add this one which was just published last year:
https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Concise-History-Nation-Reborn/dp/B01L7HE0OG/ref=zg_bs_5001_23
I also enjoyed the small book The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill.
Enjoy
Apologies for the horrific typos in my comments above. iPhone 6, not enough sleep, too much coffee and laziness are to blame
Marv, great Churchill quote.
Of course when ignorance is mentioned one of the first names to pop up is Rick Perry, Animal Husbandry graduate, UofT cheerleader, failed Dancing with the Stars celeb, Texas Governor, and Trump’s proposed SEC Energy.
RICK sold Trump on the SEC Energy idea by telling him how great he’d be selling American oil around the world. He had him at “great”.
He has been surprised to find out however that 2/3 of that job is maintaining and securing America’s nuclear arsenal which is a topic apparently not included in the UofT Animal Husbandry curriculum. Who knew?
No matter. Rick learned the Pasa Doble for Dancing with the Stars so how hard can Nuclear Science be?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/rick-perry-seeks-to-lead-the-energy-department-an-agency-he-pledged-to-abolish/2017/01/18/19b14494-dd0a-11e6-acdf-14da832ae861_story.html
PJ,
“Nancy, I would be very suspicious of anyone who writes something like: “There is no way you’ll ever completely understand the conflict”. How utterly arrogant and condescending.”
PJ, I believe we should be suspicious of you. What side are you on in the conflict? I’m not on either side. Why don’t you let us know who is REALLY arrogant and condescending?
I hope you can all now understand what happens to anyone who doesn’t agree with the likes of a PJ. It’s libel, slander, or worse.
Read “Forcing God’s Hand: Why Millions pray for a Quick Rapture and Destruction of Planet Earth” by Grace Halsell (Beltsville, Maryland: Amana Publications, 1999).
Grace Halsell (1923-2000) served President Lyndon Johnson as his speech writer for three years. She covered both Korea and Vienam as a journalist and wrote for newspapers in the U.S., South America, Europe, Russia, China, Japan and the Middle East. She wrote fourteen books among them the well-received Soul Sister, Prophecy and Politics: Militant Evangelists on the Road to Nuclear War. Journey to Jerusalem and The Illegals.
“A great expose’ of the strange marriage of convenience between the U.S. Christian Right and Israel. Neither likes the other-but they use one another. It’s not about religion, but also about politics. I highly recommend this book for exposing the hypocrisy.” Dr. Alfred Lillenthal, Author-Historian
“Haskell exposes Falwell’s Christian tours as having only one purpose: to raise money for Falwell and Israel, under the guise of preparing the pilgrims for the approaching Armageddon. An excellent book.” Gore Vidal, Author
A marriage not made in heaven but in “HELL”, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
We only have 13 hours left until Friday. Let’s ALL make the best of it. As I have said more than once, I’m not into suicide.
Twenty four hours left of relative sanity – gird your loins!
Gerald, clearly all women need a loin girder around Trump.
Do men too?
PJ; I would suggest reading fact-based fiction written by Leon Uris to begin to understand Jews as a people before trying to understand the problems between Israel and Palestine today. “Exodus” in particular has a lengthy history of the pioneers who began the settlement of the Jewish homeland long before Israel was recognized as a modern state.
How “utterly condescending” of you to be “very suspicious” of anyone else’s statement regarding their point of view. The history of Israel and Palestine began with the Jews a few thousand years before either country was settled and the current problems, which are relatively recent history, began.
No need to excuse your “horrific typos” to any of us; we all make them as part of our human frailties as is never completely understanding the conflict between Israel and Palestine or how or why Americans have elected Donald Trump as president. Not understanding the conflict is understandable; this election is not but could be based in “Why Ignorance Is So Dangerous”.
All my posts are free to be distributed online if deemed useful along with any credentials which I have made public. Better not wait for TOMORROW.
Just remember the song that Donald Trump sang at the end of the third quarter during football games at the University of Pennsylvania, his alma mater and mine also: “Drink a highball at nightfall, be good fellows WHILE YOU MAY, FOR TOMORROW MIGHT BRING SORROW, so tonight, let’s all be gay…..”
I was voted co-captain of the greatest team in Penn history. What is Trump’s background? I’d like to hear it, wouldn’t you? I’m sure the Russians and Chinese know it. He’s a pushover; if there ever was one.
I wish I was still as sharp mentally as JoAnn, however, I’ve been more fortunate on the physical side. Although both of us will be 80 in a few months, most people guess my age to be around the mid to late 60’s. Other than an aching left knee, I have no other physical problems [that I know of].
I guess what I’m trying to say is that “I’m not afraid to STAND UP to the big bad wolf.” I’m not bluffing.
To read about the history of the long conflict between Israel and Palestine go to this site:
http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000031
Takes you from 1900 to present day.
China builds world’s biggest solar farm in journey to become green superpower. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/china-builds-worlds-biggest-solar-farm-in-journey-to-become-green-superpower.
World’s most powerful super computer – Chinese National University of Defense Technology’s Tianhe-2, or Milky Way 2. The top dog in the world of fast trains is China, which broke the 300 mph barrier with the CRH380A. The 302 mph top speed makes this the fastest legal way to travel by land. Germany’s Transrapid TR-09 uses mag-lev technology and is technically a monorail. However, the 279 mph top speed also makes it the second fastest train on the planet.
The USA seems in many respects to have lost it’s MoJo. We still seem to be leading the way in space exploration. The landings on and exploration Mars were thrilling triumphs of technology and team work.
A lack of knowledge is one thing, but we have willful ignorance – anti knowledge. This anti-knowledge whether it is based on Bible Thumping (Pence) or personal greed Trump is a bad combination.
Louie,
ditto
Marv,
Thanks for your explanation in your 9:07 post. It is good to learn facts that aren’t skewed by some newspaper or magazine writer that needs to be paid for their opinion.
I was shocked to read that giving land to the Jews was unilaterally decided by the U.S. I thought that was a decision made by countries within the United Nations. If I understand correctly by what you wrote, our president back then made an agreement with the Palestinians to give the Jews some land. Is that correct? And if so, is that why the Palestinian leader was killed?
You wrote that the Jews that survived the Holocaust were living in displacement camps after WW2. Why weren’t they able to return to where they lived prior to the war? Were they not welcome to return to where they came from?
And, finally, you mentioned the involvement of the Christian far right. After Obama refused to sign the annual UN waiver this year, the evangelicals and other crazy Christians came out in droves to condemn Obama. I could not make the connection between them and Israel. Can you enlighten me?
Pj –
I was not offended by Marv’s comment that I could never completely understand the Palestinian conflict. I took that to mean that since I don’t have a personal connection with either side, it would be difficult to understand the history, anger and hatred between them.
Theresa,
Thanks for the Balfour Agreement suggestion. I will be looking that up on the internet this evening.
You raise an excellent point: it isn’t just Trump’s emotional instability, yuuuuge ego, thin skin and relative ignorance, the fear is he will listen to whomever whispers in his ear. He lacks the sophistication to ferret out those with an agenda. Hell, he doesn’t even understand the current state of affairs, much less what destabilizing US relationships with various organizations might cause. If he had smart people to advise him, we’d worry less, but he doesn’t.
In thinking beyond January 20, it’s occurred to me more than a few times that how Democrats define politics might determine election outcomes. Some define politics broadly as in single- issue-based movement building, and others define politics more narrowly in electoral terms as in winning the election.
Perhaps issue-based movement building does not win elections. Perhaps ‘kick em in the ass’ electoral politics does win elections.
I ran across this interesting article in the New York Magazine (January 2017) Online edition. It’s worth reading and worth thoughtful consideration.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/01/david-brock-is-ready-to-monetize-the-resistance.html
Nancy,
I’ll try to answer your questions, later this afternoon.
BSH –
republicans, and especially the tea party, have used that tactic for years and have proven that it works to win elections. Getting people worked up and angry with lies and propaganda has served them well.
BSH,
I just read the New York mag article and am thrilled to find out that a wealthy Dem is finally putting together a machine to fight the powerful Kochs.
Nancy,
I’m with you. Unless a party wins the election, all the issue-based movements are stymied in coming to fruition. First, win the election. Then, the issues can be addressed and settled.
I think the date was 1947, but it is at least close, a single vote was needed from one nation to approve the creation of Israel. President Truman was unwilling to vote yes for the resolution to pass. His former haberdashery partner got in touch with Harry and the rest is history.
Is this correct Marv?
Nancy,
Evidently, there’s disagreement on donor money and strategic future planning in the Party as per the attached 1/18/2017 article from Politico.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/democrats-liberals-money-david-brock-233786
Irvin,
That’s the way I remember it. I also read somewhere that Mrs. Truman before being the First Lady never let Jews come into her home.
Nancy,
“I was shocked to read that giving land to the Jews was unilaterally decided by the U.S. I thought that was a decision made by countries within the United Nations. If I understand correctly by what you wrote, our president back then made an agreement with the Palestinians to give the Jews some land. Is that correct? And if so, is that why the Palestinian leader was killed?”
It was decided in the U.N. as Irvin explained. There was no agreement ever made with the Palestinians. The Jews and Palestinians were killing each other decades before WW II. The Palestinian leader was killed during WW II when many Jews were looking to Palestine for refuge.
Read up on the Balfour Agreement as Theresa has advised. The British had agreed to set up a Jewish Homeland after W.W. I in Palestine. They decided not to go through with it. It was especially evident after the end of WW II when the British started to favor the Arab nations because of their oil.
“You wrote that the Jews that survived the Holocaust were living in displacement camps after WW2. Why weren’t they able to return to where they lived prior to the war? Were they not welcome to return to where they came from?”
The Holocaust didn’t stop the anti-Semitism in Europe. The nations that were under German control didn’t change their feelings. As one Jewish writer has written, “The World wants the Jews dead.” She’s probably close to being right on that one. Israel’s future is very much in doubt right now.
“And, finally, you mentioned the involvement of the Christian far right. After Obama refused to sign the annual UN waiver this year, the evangelicals and other crazy Christians came out in droves to condemn Obama. I could not make the connection between them and Israel. Can you enlighten me?”
They condemned Obama, not because of concerns for the Jews in Israel. They’re concerned with the modus vivendi [agreement]between the Jewish establishment and the Religious Right, Radical Right aka Christian far right. I mentioned this earlier.
The State of Israel has support in Congress ONLY as long as the Jewish establishment goes along with the anti-Semitism by the Christian Right’s ministers. On the other hand, the Jewish establishment allows the anti-Semitism by the Christian Right’s ministers to flourish on the condition that the State of Israel has the support of the U.S. government, specifically the President and Congress. Obama was about to screw-up the MODUS VIVENDI.
That’s why Donald Trump had to come out early with his ridiculous idea concerning Jerusalem. Anti-Semitism is his TRUMP CARD. He has his Jewish son-in-law to help eventually pull off his “hat trick.”
Trump started his presidential campaign with Anti-Semitism and ended it on the same note.