Saturday, January 28, 2006

Note to Fletcher: Brett Hall cost you the Jewish vote

You know, I take the Anti-Defamation League very seriously. When the ADL asks for a public apology, you give a public apology. Now to Governor Fletcher, I have some harsh words for you. Fire your communications director Brett Hall. He just cost you any vote from the Jews that you want in 2007. Because the way I read his comments, he calls it "ridiculous" to apologize when the ADL asks for an apology. The ADL is one of the biggest Jewish organizations in America. In simpler terms: Fletcher is screwed.

Based on this Herald Leader article, it is safely assumed that Fletcher does not care about diversity. Not the least bit. Not even at all.
The Anti-Defamation League yesterday said Gov. Ernie Fletcher does not understand the "acceptable boundaries of personal faith and public office" and urged him to publicly apologize for a governor's prayer breakfast Tuesday that lacked non-Christian voices.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it plans to investigate to make sure the state didn't illegally favor a single religious viewpoint, in part by allowing organizers to use the state-owned Frankfort Convention Center free of charge.

A former general secretary of the National Council of Churches, the nation's largest ecumenical body, said "G-d hears all prayers" and encouraged the governor to reach out to people of all faiths.

As criticism mounted from state and national religious leaders, the Fletcher administration vowed to be more inclusive and defended the governor's record on interfaith relations, saying he has worked to build relations with the state's Jewish leaders.

Non-Christians will have a voice at next year's breakfast and will be encouraged to help organize the event, Fletcher spokesman Brett Hall said. "We'd love to have them. This will be an even better event because of it," he said.

But he dismissed the ADL's calls for a public apology, labeling it "ridiculous." He also said he would "relish" closer scrutiny from civil libertarians.

"We invite their inquiry. We are blessed by their inquiry," he said. "This isn't Berkeley, California. This is hometown America. The ACLU has no credibility in this matter at all."
You know, maybe now would be a good time for the Democrats to issue a response. They might even want to get State Treasurer Jonathan Miller or State Representative Kathy Stein to do this as both are fellow members of the tribe.

Uh, how is this hometown America when you don't invite the other religions? I'm sorry but I would consider Brett Hall labeling the ADL call as being "ridiculous" as bull****. Brett Hall is very unwise to say those comments. He probably just cost himself his job. This may be Kentucky but I take the ADL very seriously.

It will be interesting to see how other Jewish organizations reply to this.

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