Opinion

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Dry Bones

Vote Knowledgeably

radition is integral to Judaism. For Jews,
it's also part of the political landscape.
And if tradition holds this election year,
Jews may well decide who Michigan's
next governor will be.
We're a small percentage of the state's popula-
tion, yet vote in numbers that reinforce the depth
of our political impact. We also get behind candi-
dates through volunteer and financial support. The
major candidates for governor all list Jews in their
camp.
On the Republican side, most Jews who will vote
are likely to align with the better-known Lt. Gov.
Richard Posthumus than state Sen. Joe Schwarz of
Battle Creek.
The Democratic side is more fluid and
unpredictable. U.S. Rep. David Bonior
of Mount Clemens can count on some
labor-minded Jews, but the vast majority of Jews
are more likely to support either former Gov.
James Blanchard or Attorney General Jennifer
Granholm, given Bonior's outspokenness for the
Palestinian cause and against certain Israeli poli-
cies.
There's so much to the harried world of elec-
tions: from candidate campaigning and victor
spoils to voter registration and education. This
year, voters will elect school board members, coun-
ty commissioners, state legislators, congressional
lawmakers, judges and others in addition to gover-
nor.
We should never dismiss political involvement as
"not Jewish." Such involvement is recognition of,
and a salute to, this great land of freedom and
opportunity. It's a hallmark of the democratic
ideals we so cherish as Americans. Our layers of
government are only as vibrant and responsive as
the public servants we elect.
In a participatory democracy, it's to ouf advan-
tage to influence important decisions. The U.S.
Constitution doesn't compel us to be involved
politically, or even vote. We can ignore Election
Day without losing the right to challenge the

T

records of elected officials. But clearly,
I FOR I GN)0fe MG 44
America works better when we're
-T-He
informed, open-minded, questioning
Is
4-Ti46- WARNINGS
— and we vote.
►
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In Oakland County, where we're most
714 ESUS4-1
concentrated, Jews are, at most, 10 per-
LONIT6 HOUSC
cent of the population. But we're
plugged in at all levels of government,
working hard for the common good. As
.••
•••
.••••
a minority group in America, we must
stay involved. That's the only way to, as
Allan Gale of the Jewish Community
. •
Council of Metropolitan Detroit, says,
"Hold our nation to the credo of
`majority rule, but with
y
minority rights,'particularl
wi-lIt4
protection of civil rights.
The political agenda sup-
S ► GMORING
ported by many Jews includes:
114- 1>ANG6R
• Religious issues, like church and
oC). ISLAMIC
state separation, autopsy limits and pre-
vention of kosher food fraud.
• Senior issues, like housing, trans-
portation, prescription drugs and hos-
pice care.
• Labor issues, like workplace discrim-
ination because of ethnicity or gender.
• Human rights issues that embrace
embattled Jews elsewhere in the diaspora.
• Education issues, ranging from sup-
port for public education to what to do
about tuition vouchers.
We also care about popular issues like
roads, taxes, mental health and rights of
suicide bombers who brazenly target Israeli civilians.
people with physical disabilities.
To
find moral equivalency in those barbaric bomb-
There's also the matter of Israel. The gubernatorial
ings
and what Bonior calls Israel's "decades of occu-
candidates are actively courting the Jewish vote and
pation”
of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, arguably
bringing up the importance of a safe, secure Israel
still
part
of the Land of Israel, is unconscionable.
— although there's a big difference in their
Michigan's ancLAmerica's agendas can best be
approach. Bonior's position is most disconcerting —
advanced by Jewish involvement in politics. Study
he takes pains to compare Israel's strong, provoked
up on the issues and the candidates, and please: Care
military response to terrorism, resulting in uninten-
enough to take the time to vote this election year. El
tional Palestinian civilian deaths, with Palestinian

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Misleading Words And Phrases

W e Jews should recognize, more than
any other people, the power of lan-
guage.
According to Torah, the world was
created by the power of God's words. In Genesis,
we read: "God said, let there be light.' And
there was light." That's it, words. Not mud and
magic; not alchemy and abracadabra. Words were
the DNA of creation.
I am sure I'm not the only one in our commu-

Debra Darvick of Birmingham is a freelance writer.

Her work has appeared in the Forward newspaper,
Moment magazine, Hadassah magazine and other
publications.

lexicon of our own creation, a cadre of
nity frustrated by the anti-Israel spin
words
and phrases used consistently by
many broadcasters put on the news out of
those
chosen
to speak for us. We must, in
the Middle East. I know I'm not the only
our
own
conversations
with one another,
one stymied by the success of a
cease
to
frame
our
discussions
with lan-
Palestinian PR machine that churns out
guage
drafted
by
those
who
do
not have
lies lapped up by the media. Who else is
our best interests at heart.
peeved that the people of the book have
Start with "Occupied Territories." The
come up with so little on the public rela-
phrase should be stricken. Even the august
DEBRA B.
tions front? .
DARVI CK American Jewish Committee used
President George W. Bush nudged the
"Occupied Territories" recently in an oth-
Commu nity
ball forward when he said that suicide
erwise terrific ad of solidarity and support.
Vie w s
bombers should be called "suicide mur-
"Disputed Territories" would be a more
derers." A pundit soon followed with an
truthful
moniker. In 1967, Israel acquired Judea
alternative just as true -- "homicide bombers."
4.4
But there is much more to be done. We need a
DARVICK on page 29

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