Confronted by Beinart, Donohue defended his anti-Semitic comments
On the February 9 edition of CNBC's Kudlow & Company, Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow Peter Beinart confronted Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights president William Donohue over his 2004 statement that "Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular." Donohue defended the statement.
As Media Matters for America has noted, various news outlets have reported Donohue's criticism of John Edwards' decision to retain two bloggers hired by his presidential campaign. Donohue has characterized the bloggers as "anti-Catholic vulgar trash-talking bigots." In a February 8 press release, Donohue asserted that Edwards' "goal is to loot the pockets of the Soros/Hollywood gang, and they -- like him -- aren't offended by anti-Catholicism. Indeed, they thrive on it."
From the February 9 edition of CNBC's Kudlow & Company, which also featured host Larry Kudlow, Republican pollster Frank Luntz, radio host Bill Press, and Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway:
BEINART: It's absurd. It's absurd we're talking about this issue given the magnitude of the problems facing the country. What those women said was absolutely disgusting.
UNIDENTIFIED GUEST: Agree.
BEINART: I would never defend it in a million years. But I think the question -- there is --
KUDLOW: Then why didn't he fire them and keep them fired, Peter?
BEINART: It seems to me there is --
KUDLOW: Keep them fired.
BEINART: There is --
CONWAY: Absolutely.
KUDLOW: I mean, you know, this reflects on Mr. Edwards' judgment.
BEINART: Let me say. If you were to go through -- if I could just -- if I could finish --
KUDLOW: This reflects on his character, Peter.
BEINART: If you wouldn't mind --
KUDLOW: Why didn't he keep them fired? That's my question.
BEINART: If you wouldn't mind letting me finish, Mr. Donohue. You have made anti-Jewish, anti-gay comments --
DONOHUE: I didn't say a word. What are you talking about?
BEINART: Bill Donohue has made anti-Jewish, anti-gay comments --
DONOHUE: No, I haven't.
BEINART: -- which are as bad as what these women -- you said that the secular Jewish Jews in Hollywood hate Christianity. That's a horrible, bigoted --
DONOHUE: Wait a minute. Wait, wait.
BEINART: -- statement, so it seems to me the question becomes --
DONOHUE: Peter. Peter --
BEINART: -- what is our standard here?
DONOHUE: Peter, the Jewish Forward said in 2004 that Jews run Hollywood. Are they anti-Semitic?
BEINART: You said they hate Christianity, Mr. Donohue.
DONOHUE: Oh, we like the movies that are coming out of Hollywood. They're very nice to Catholics.
BEINART: No, no. Did you say that or not?
DONOHUE: They're very nice to Catholics.
BEINART: You said that secular Jews in Hollywood hate Christianity.
DONOHUE: What world do you live in? What world do you live in? Have you seen what they -- what movies they make about Catholics?
BEINART: Yeah. Do you defend that statement?
DONOHUE: I defend the fact -- there's two parts to the statement. One part is, right out of the Jewish Forward: Jews run Hollywood. If you think it's the Chinese, make your case. And do they make nice movies about Catholics, or do they make lousy movies?
BEINART: You said they hate Christians.
DONOHUE: What kind of a -- well, oh, I'm telling you --
BEINART: You say -- you made a blanket statement about secular Jews in Hollywood that hate Christians.
DONOHUE: No, I'm talking about -- no, I'm talking about the movies that come out of Hollywood, and the predominant ones -- you got [director Martin] Scorsese. He's not Jewish. It's the people in Hollywood. There's a mindset about this, and I think you should talk to The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, which have said that the Hollywood studios are dominated by Jews. I tried to even qualify it more than that.
BEINART: You're bobbing and weaving more than Edwards.
DONOHUE: I'm not going to put up with it. I'm not the issue here, Peter.
KUDLOW: I want to -- I want to get Frank --
DONOHUE: You want to take me on on this, I'll take you on any day of the week.
KUDLOW: Hang on a second, Bill. I want to get Frank --
PRESS: Hey Larry, this proves why this issue is not going to win.
KUDLOW: No, Bill Press, please. Let me bring in Frank Luntz, who's been very patient and extremely well-mannered.
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Donahue is a sick person.
"I'll take you on any day of the week."
Ahhh... now that's the pugnacious Bill Donohue I've grown to dislike so much. Donohue strikes me as just not a very nice person. Granted, his job is to defend the Catholic Church but his hard-nosed attitude simply reinforces the perception that the Catholic Church is more a powerful institution, like ExxonMobil, rather than God's vehicle to heaven.
William Donahue is an embarrasment to all Catholics. To suggest that he represents Catholic thinking is a disservice to those who follow the real teachings of the church.
Temp, you can't speak for all Ccatholics. That's a ridiculous statement.
Which do you think better represents Catholic thought? Donahue is an embarassment to all Catholics or Donahue SAYING that the Jews in Hollywood hate Christians and that some people in Hollywood would gladly sodomize their own mothers and smile? I dont think it was a ridiculous statement at all. Donahue is an embarassment to our SPECIES as far as I am concerned
"Donahue is an embarassment to our SPECIES as far as I am concerned"
Good one, Solon...
I've been wondering more about Donohue's statement that "Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular."
Am I reading too much into Donohue's statement by questioning whether what he is saying (or revealing) is that he actually has a problem with "secular Jews" in general, and secular Jews who control Hollywood in particular? I would be interested to know how Donohue feels about secular Jews in West Palm Beach, or in New York City, or elsewhere... particularly secular Jews who support liberal causes.
Am I going too far by wondering if Donohue's statement suggests that he suspects (or believes) that secular Jews in general "hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular"? Or is it just the secular Jews who control Hollywood who bear this hatred towards Christianity and Catholicism? It makes me wonder why only Hollywood secular Jews would hate Christianity and Catholicism and not secular Jews from West Palm Beach, New York City, or elsewhere.
Maybe I just wonder too much... I'm sure that nice fellow, Bill Donohue, loves everyone... even Hollywood secular Jews.
That is an interesting question, maybe he does love most everyone or maybe he hates most people who arent like him. Its hard to judge from his public statements that are hateful and bigotted.
No it's not! Donohue is an idiot who pretends to speak on behalf of ALL Catholics! Well, I'm Catholic and I can tell you he doesn't speak for me! Furthermore, I am disgusted by this belligerant, bullying, ill-tempered little cockroach of a man!
His so called Catholic League is nothing but another GOP fielded pseudo-religious, swift-boat organization that criticizes Democrats, pro-choicers, liberals and gays and does so while hiding behind the pretext of fighting for Catholocism. Nonsense! This group is also tax exempt and it should have that exemption pulled immediately for meddling in politics--PARTISAN POLITICS I may ad--the same goes for James Dobson's Focus on the Family!
So can anyone find the quote from the Forward where they make the statement Donahue claims they did?
It said no such thing Here:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=15455
KAPLAN: Do you believe the Jews run Hollywood?
DAVI: That’s a statement I hear from the media, part of the media myth. I guess it comes from the old Group Theater days (that grew out of the Yiddish Theater). The Goldwyns, the Mayers, the Warner Brothers, the early studio chiefs were Jewish. I don’t see it like that.
By Lee KaplanFrontPageMagazine.com | October 12, 2004
Either its an outright lie, he didnt really read it or this isnt what he was talking about. This was a VERY rightwing article by the waySolon,
I do not follow your reference at all.
Here is the quote from MMFA:
DONOHUE: Peter, the Jewish Forward said in 2004 that Jews run Hollywood. Are they anti-Semitic?
The Forward is a magazine written recently in English, historically in what I presume is Yiddish:
http://wwww.forward.com
While I tried to search their archives for 2004, all I can get is writing in the foreign language, presumably Yiddish.
You cite a 2004 reference from Front Page.
What is the connection between what you cite in Front Page and what was published by The Jewish Daily Forward in 2004?
I did a web search for "forward hollywood run+by+jews" and, other than being sickened, only found references to some comments made by the current editor of the Forvits.
There is still a thick anti-Semitic swamp out there...
Oh, you know Fast Eddie'll say that those Hollywood Jews got into the archives of Forward and destroyed that quote..right Eddie/
So can anyone find the quote from the Forward where they make the statement Donahue claims they did?
I found it for you
In a discussion on MSNBC about the chances of “The Passion” winning an Academy Award, conservative Catholic activist Bill Donahue, also a Gibson ally, stated: “Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.”
So can anyone find the quote from the Forward where they make the statement Donahue claims they did?
I found it for you
In a discussion on MSNBC about the chances of “The Passion” winning an Academy Award, conservative Catholic activist Bill Donahue, also a Gibson ally, stated: “Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.”
He was quoting himself
I think it's only a matter of time before the Catholic church dispatches one of their scary, albino, Opus Dei hitmen to off Donahue. He's really making them look bad.
What are all of these anti-Catholic movies Donohue is crying about? I admit I don't see that many movies, but I think I'm aware of what's out there.
Seriously, little help anyone? What movies is he talking about?
The only one I can even think of that he might have been talking about is The DaVinci Code. And that movie was so bad I don't think anybody takes it seriously.
I guess ONE movie in the last 2 years is enough for Donohue to say Hollywood is "very" anti-Catholic.
I've seen plenty of movies with Catholics in them. Catholics in protagonist roles, Catholics portrayed as downtrodden, etc.
Basically, Donohue is full of it.
But we all knew that...
And that movie wasn't even so called anti Catholic. It diverted away from what Catholicism has believed for eons, and made assertions that maybe things are not what they seem with catholicism, but to say that it was anti catholic is just silly really. And aside from that, it's a work of FICTION. This is what I didn't understand about all of these Catholics who were so up in arms about that movie. It's fiction people. FICTION...
I remember this guy. He was on Scarbourough Country discussing the Turkish movie "Valley of the Wolves--Iraq." This a movie that portrayed the Americans as sick and evil. Two Hollywood actors, Billy Zane and Gary Busey were in it. And when asked about why Hollywood actors would do such a thing, he said, "There are some people in Hollywood, who if you give them a quick buck they'll sodomize their own mothers in a movie and do it with a smile on their face."
I wonder what movies he watches.
"...they'll sodomize their own mothers in a movie and do it with a smile on their face."
Donohue sometimes sounds like he's channeling Ann Coulter... yet one more reason to dislike him. I really think he's oblivious to the fact that because he purports to defend the policies and teachings of the Catholic Church he actually makes the Catholic Church look bad in the eyes of many. He doesn't come across as a very nice man...
I can't speak for anyone but myself. I avoid most television stories and movies because I know the people behind them mean me no good.
You're joking, right?
Well gee, thanks for nothing, Mr. Beinart...Now this blubbering tub of crap will waddle back to Fox, where he doesn't have to deal with vexing questions like this.
Was fun while it lasted though...
Nice to see someone actually calling these dirtbags (Donahue et al) on this stuff. What a weasel!
I have a hard time imagining how Catholics expect treatment any different than what they get. They've got such a long history of fair play, honesty and respect for others...<g>
Sure, ALL Catholics...
I am totally underwhelmed by the tolerance exhibited on this site.
That's one comment, Lemoc, there are commenters making all kinds of different points.
I don't agree with what the commenter said, but to make a blanket condemnation of "this site" based on one comment has a tinge of "pot/kettle" to it...
I am Catholic. I don't consider Donahue a spokesman for me, the Church, or anybody else in his or her right mind.
The only thing I've noticed about Hollywood's handling of Catholicism is how they always seem to get it wrong. They usually have nuns dressed in the black habits that haven't been used by most orders since the 60's. They do that so we will know - oh they're Catholics. It's just a way of dumbing down things. Most films/tv shows just seem to screw up on the details, not do anything anti-Catholic. I really can't think of anything I've seen that's offensive. Of course you're going to see the hour-long series do something on a molesting priest or on a crazy nun here and there but I don't see what the hell Donahue is talking about and I watch quite a few movies and such.
"...how they (Hollywood) always seem to get it wrong..."
Ioaw, that's true about how Hollywood takes dramatic license with things. For example, in many movies set in New Orleans, you'd think that at any time of year, at any time of day, a Mardi Gras parade passes by about every 15 minutes. It may be true that some things are written, said or depicted in movies that are offensive to Catholics, as Donohue argues. However, especially for a religious institution like the Catholic Church the way to address perceived attacks, lies or incorrect perceptions is through positive information, not the pugnacious, and mostly obnoxious, way Donohue does. And any religious institution starts losing its credibility when it jumps into the inherently corrupt world of politics. I just think Bill Donohue is the wrong face for the Catholic Church and that he does maore harm than good for Catholics. Judging from some of the responses here it appears that at least some Catholics would agree.
Donohue is a thug. The most unfortunate thing about his continued media presence is that it shows that the Catholic Church obviously supports his tactics and his beliefs. If they didn't, they would have denounced him by now.
"You want to take me on on this, I'll take you on any day of the week."
As per usual, the last refuge of the schoolyard bully once logic fails or he is caught in his own lie.
Wow. My hat is off to MMFA's people--indeed, to anyone--who can stomach these sorry shouting matches that get passed off as discussions. (I mean the segment on the clip, not this thread :)) Even if any interesting arguments were advanced or sustained, the cross-yelling would drown them out. And the host enables it; he's as bad as Donohue.
What point was Donohue trying to make, exactly, with the Scorsese reference? That's he's the only non-Jewish person with any Hollywood clout? (Did Tom Cruise convert recently?) Whatever his point was supposed to be, it's interesting that he mentioned Scorsese--a proudly Catholic filmmaker whose work tends to uphold Catholic values, if by rather unconventional routes.
Planet of the Arabs
Come and tell me when Catholics are portrayed the way Arabs are in US media..
Yikes, Sasami,
That video is like eavesdropping on a Republican dream.
Jewish people have run Hollywood, always. I am not going to believe they hate Christians. If the Jewish people are on the ball, and run with it; I admire their passion and energy to live by doing their best. What is wrong with that?
Actually Hollywood isnt say Ford. It isnt a monolithic industry. Put yourself 20 million or so together, buy a script and talk to a few agents and YOU could produce a movie.
Read this...
Sternseiger's post, above, that Bill Donohue's group, Catholic League, is tax exempt prompted me to look up the web site for Catholic League. I do not have the expertise to say what constitutes "tax exempt" status but their donation form does indicate that contributions are tax exempt. But you owe it to yourself to go to the web site and read it thoroughly...
http://www.catholicleague.org/faqs.htm
Read "About Us"... I love this line: "...as a lay Catholic organization we don’t have to worry about violating church and state lines." Their manifesto also makes it rather clear that they will take various aggressive actions, including even instituting litigation, to comabt what they perceive as anything anti-Catholic. It pretty much makes it clear why their face-guy, Bill Donohue, is so combative. That is their, and his, purpose... to be aggressive and combative in their mission.
But read everything, including their press releases. Their statements have criticized the Democratic Party and certain individual Democrats. Again, I am not an expert in what constitutes "tax exempt' status, but if this group is tax exempt I will be interested in reading their future press releases which may address candidates for President to see how close to advocacy their statements are.
It's interesting reading... do yourself a favor and go look at the web site.
Another good quote from the Catholic League web site: "Catholic bashing has become a staple of American society." Liberals, of course, are accused as the culprits.
But as you peruse the web site see if you can pick out any mention of Jesus Christ... if you can find any, I'll bet there aren't many.
More Conservative PC. Donohue protects his own while taking shots at other groups. He's not even consistent in his ideals, his consistency is only in supporting right wing talking points and causes.
"BEINART: What those women said was absolutely disgusting.
...
I would never defend it in a million years. "
What did they say that was so disgusting? Somehow I doubt it was that bad. Anybody have a quote?
"Anybody have a quote?"
No, but I'm sure you could easily find some of Coulter's exact quotes from her book and from her many appearances on talk shows. Basically, however, Coulter was suggesting (or actually stating) was that the particular 9/11 widows in question were enjoying their fame that resulted from their husbands' deaths. I do recall Coulter referring to them as "harpies" and wondered whether their husbands weren't even planning to divorce them before 9/11. Coulter said that the widows were using their husbands' deaths for political purposes by supporting John Kerry for President. Coulter's attacks on these women were very personal and went well beyond a disagreement of political philosophy. Coulter's stated rationalization was that if these women chose to speak out against Bush's policies that they were fair game. Again, it was the way Coulter attacked these women so personally that caused the uproar. But Coulter made her attacks in a book and during an aggressive peomotional tour for her book. I'm sure she accomplished her purpose of promoting her book.
I've already read enough Coulter quotes to make me sick to my stomach, thanks!
Oooops, Sorry... I misread your question somehow.
I'm talking about Ann Coulter and your talking about the bloggers who made the "anti-Catholic" remarks. Sorry... must have had a liberal brain cramp. ;>)
Let's say it's true, some Jewish folk in Hollywood have made movies that protray the Catholic Church in a harsh and "bashng" manner? So what?? Get your own producers and make a movie showing Catholics how ever you want!! I'm no historian, but it's no surprise to me that anyone would have a beef with an institution with the history of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, much less a member of a group that has been singled out for persecution for hundreds of years. I've been to a few Catholic masses, and for me it is the creepiest, most superstitious of all the major, religions. As an atheist, I have a very open, yet cycnical mind about various beliefs. If the Catholics would get back to absolving sin, charity and living what Jesus taught them they would go a long way to restoring some credibility.
You are entitled to your beliefs, but I do believe you are ill-informed about the Catholic Mass. Yes, Catholicism is based on belief. You may call it superstition if you like, but to many it is faith.
Again I think you are misinformed when you speak about Catholics getting back to the basics. After all, all you see are the Donohues ranting on talk tv and reading about the Priest scandals. I agree that hurts the image of the Church.
However, there are over 1,700 local Catholic Charities that gave aid to millions of people both in the United States and abroad. Correct me if I am wrong, but the Catholic Charities combined are the largest Charities, in terms of numbers and dollars, in the country.There are somewhere around 61 million Catholics in the U.S. Some religious and some not.
(I could be wrong, but my guess is that Catholics perform a lot more charity than athiests.) :-)