Comments on: Akron’s Maccabi Games review

By: Ed Esposito

Ed Esposito — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:29:56 +0000

Pho and Jill, thanks very much for posting this thread. I did not see the post nor was I even aware of Craig’s blog. I do know him to be a cynic with a very well-developed politically incorrect sense of humor but based on what you and Jill have written I am appalled. I do note the original post was taken down and the blog itself seems to have been deleted but will discuss this in more detail with Craig (in Washington on business now.) I’m very sorry I did not catch any of this earlier; it certainly does NOT represent our coverage of the Maccabi games, either on-air or web, nor our viewpoint.

By: Clueless WW

Clueless WW — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:53:11 +0000

Ah, thanks.

Interesting to compare the tone of his apology here to his apology on Pho’s blog.

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:20:09 +0000

Clueless WW: Check out Scott Piepho's follow-up post - he nails it (and I left a comment there as well).

By: Clueless WW

Clueless WW — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:23:58 +0000

You certainly may not have intended it badly, but if you have to explain the joke (or explain that it is a joke), it’s missed the mark. Loaded with stereotypes is all too common for anti-semitism (anti-anything, really!). Sorry

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:01:32 +0000

Craig – thanks for commenting.

I confess, I didn’t get the humor or poking fun part of what you wrote. But then again, I’ve been accused many times of not getting people’s humor, from writers all along the political spectrum.

Maybe a footnote would be in order but as I wrote you, I’m not the blog police (though I’m pretty good at Jewish guilt) (now that’s a joke) (promise).

Thanks for commenting and I’m glad the games went well.

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:20:54 +0000

Hi Jill,

You commmented on my Blog about the Maccabi Games. I apparently offended a few and since you left a comment I just wanted to say…I loved the games and talked to some intelligent teens and was more than welcomed with open arms by all.

My blog was, I thought, pretty transparent with the number of stereotypes I stuck in it…I was ribbing those who are small minded and will only accept one faith and look down on others for what they believe.

I have more than a number of Jewish friends, very close as a matter of fact, they laughed at me and what I wrote. I wrote the blog because I heard such anti-semitism from a more than a few folks who just are not very smart. I was poking fun at them.

They way I see it…if you can’t laugh at yourself…making jokes about your own life..you are either not that into it..or are questioning your beliefs. If I offended you, or your readers, I deserve all the criticism in the world.

Thanks..if you have any comments or thoughts, please pass them on. Thanks and continue the good work.

Craig

By: Clueless WW

Clueless WW — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:13:41 +0000

I lived in North Canton for a couple summers and have an uncle in Akron. While I’m not extremely invested in northeast Ohio political issues, this one I’d love to see follow-up on…

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:30:20 +0000

Yeah – that’s what I’m thinking but it appears the blogger is a pretty well-known radio and news personality. I’m pretty surprised and am trying to learn more about what gives. Very odd but then, if that’s how he feels…maybe his bosses either need to know or, if they feel the same way…need a little blog attention?

By: Clueless WW

Clueless WW — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:10:50 +0000

Context? It just reads like classic anti-semitism to me. If we had a White People Only Olympics it’d be RACIST, why is it ok for THEM* to have one? And concluding with a stingy lawyer joke… somebody needs a whack with a clue-stick.

* Insert pretty much any word for THEM — Jews, Muslims, black people, Asians, Europeans, developmentally disabled — and the effect is the same.