It’s important that serious, mature and intelligent Americans acknowledge, compliment and reward those politicians willing to tell the truth, take moral stands REGARDLESS OF POLITICS. if we all play the game, then we all lose, including the country we bequeath to our children and grandchildren.
So the fact that Fetterman is behaving like a normal decent person, ON ONE ISSUE, changes everything you thought about the man. He's behaving like every Republican congressman by recognizing brutality for what it is. How virtuous! What strength of character! Mostly it clarifies how morally compromised the Democrat left has become, when they can't separate themselves from their pro-Hamas wing and call October 7 what it was: a genocidal atrocity against Jews.
So many commenters here blinded by their own tribalism. Forget right and left, forget policy for a moment. What Fetterman is demonstrating with this issue is integrity. When you go against the tide of your own party to stand up for something you believe in that’s integrity. It’s a breath of fresh air in todays polarized climate.
Yes, I’m surprised by his stand on the Gaza-Israeli war, but that’s because no newspaper, magazine, or television show ever conducted an in-depth interview. Fetterman made statements such as, “I want everyone to be able to lead a union-way of life”, and not one journalist asked him what that meant. Never during his senate campaign did anyone ask him serious questions and demanded serious answers. It was, therefore, impossible to know who Fetterman was before he was elected or who he is now.
One moral stand doesn’t prove he should be a senator. It just proves he’s better than I feared. And that’s not saying much.
I support his stance on this issue, but one issue should not change how a person feels about a political representative. There are many other issues and what are his views on those? It's the complete person and what he or she stands for that is important.
I was wrong about Fetterman as well and I knew this even before his latest stand for Israel. Fetterman at some point in last months said that we as a country should NOT be selling land or property to the Chinese (CCP)and that we need to buy (take) back that that has already been sold. I wholeheartedly agree.
Awesome to see someone write, "I was wrong. I mean totally, indefensibly, unbelievably wrong," especially without following that claim with, "*But.....*" Credit where due, both to Fetterman for the clarity of his position and also to Savodnik for his admission of error.
Peter, I appreciate your transparency and willingness to admit your misjudgment of Fetterman, it's sorely needed among us all in these uncivil times. In Philly, where I grew up (I live in suburban Philly now), we pride ourselves on our "lunch pail" work ethic, connections to our diverse neighborhoods and communities, vigorously protecting our own and ability to sniff out frauds when they are among us. John Fetterman immediately passed the "sniff test" with me when I went to one of his rallies and saw first-hand a warmth beneath a gruff exterior, genuineness, compassion for people, commitment to his values of decency, fairness, and a moral compass that I admired. He's the only politician that I feel proud of--that's not a high bar these days but it's a breath of fresh air and hope when we most need it.
There was a time when elected representatives voted and conducted themselves in a manner consistent with their principles and not solely along party lines. There were conservative Democrats. Even socially liberal Republicans. No more. It is all party politics. Refreshing to have a throwback at least on this one issue of Israel.
When I saw Fetterman's response to the atrocities in Israel, I was both surprised and grateful. Like a child witnessing their parents fighting, I was begging for it to be over, but it’s not. We are witnessing a biblical war that began centuries ago. It’s refreshing to see a man take a stand and not back down. Morality does count.
Let's not give the guy a Nobel yet although admittedly I don't follow anything else JFed has said or done during his short tenure. We're talking one issue here. Seems like a simple attaboy would be sufficient here and then see how the remainder of his term shakes out.
Is this a joke? Fetterman's stance on Hamas's butchery is the proverbial stopped clock. Even mildly retarded people are capable of discerning right from wrong. The mere fact that Fetterman has the right stance on Gaza doesn't elevate him to even minimal competence. Instead it stands as a stark indictment of the absolute idiocy and mendacity of so much of our business and political class. Savodnik is a clown. Bari, we're not paying for abject swill
It’s important that serious, mature and intelligent Americans acknowledge, compliment and reward those politicians willing to tell the truth, take moral stands REGARDLESS OF POLITICS. if we all play the game, then we all lose, including the country we bequeath to our children and grandchildren.
So the fact that Fetterman is behaving like a normal decent person, ON ONE ISSUE, changes everything you thought about the man. He's behaving like every Republican congressman by recognizing brutality for what it is. How virtuous! What strength of character! Mostly it clarifies how morally compromised the Democrat left has become, when they can't separate themselves from their pro-Hamas wing and call October 7 what it was: a genocidal atrocity against Jews.
So many commenters here blinded by their own tribalism. Forget right and left, forget policy for a moment. What Fetterman is demonstrating with this issue is integrity. When you go against the tide of your own party to stand up for something you believe in that’s integrity. It’s a breath of fresh air in todays polarized climate.
Yes, I’m surprised by his stand on the Gaza-Israeli war, but that’s because no newspaper, magazine, or television show ever conducted an in-depth interview. Fetterman made statements such as, “I want everyone to be able to lead a union-way of life”, and not one journalist asked him what that meant. Never during his senate campaign did anyone ask him serious questions and demanded serious answers. It was, therefore, impossible to know who Fetterman was before he was elected or who he is now.
One moral stand doesn’t prove he should be a senator. It just proves he’s better than I feared. And that’s not saying much.
Glad to see Fetterman & Shapiro representing PA with courage
Fetterman's words are important. It takes real courage to go against his party like this. I'll remember that. I hope he continues to recover.
I support his stance on this issue, but one issue should not change how a person feels about a political representative. There are many other issues and what are his views on those? It's the complete person and what he or she stands for that is important.
I was wrong about Fetterman as well and I knew this even before his latest stand for Israel. Fetterman at some point in last months said that we as a country should NOT be selling land or property to the Chinese (CCP)and that we need to buy (take) back that that has already been sold. I wholeheartedly agree.
You weren't wrong about Fetterman, you just agree with him on an issue.
Awesome to see someone write, "I was wrong. I mean totally, indefensibly, unbelievably wrong," especially without following that claim with, "*But.....*" Credit where due, both to Fetterman for the clarity of his position and also to Savodnik for his admission of error.
You are not wrong about him... Fetterman happens to have moral clarity or a spine on this issue.
Peter, I appreciate your transparency and willingness to admit your misjudgment of Fetterman, it's sorely needed among us all in these uncivil times. In Philly, where I grew up (I live in suburban Philly now), we pride ourselves on our "lunch pail" work ethic, connections to our diverse neighborhoods and communities, vigorously protecting our own and ability to sniff out frauds when they are among us. John Fetterman immediately passed the "sniff test" with me when I went to one of his rallies and saw first-hand a warmth beneath a gruff exterior, genuineness, compassion for people, commitment to his values of decency, fairness, and a moral compass that I admired. He's the only politician that I feel proud of--that's not a high bar these days but it's a breath of fresh air and hope when we most need it.
There was a time when elected representatives voted and conducted themselves in a manner consistent with their principles and not solely along party lines. There were conservative Democrats. Even socially liberal Republicans. No more. It is all party politics. Refreshing to have a throwback at least on this one issue of Israel.
When I saw Fetterman's response to the atrocities in Israel, I was both surprised and grateful. Like a child witnessing their parents fighting, I was begging for it to be over, but it’s not. We are witnessing a biblical war that began centuries ago. It’s refreshing to see a man take a stand and not back down. Morality does count.
Let's not give the guy a Nobel yet although admittedly I don't follow anything else JFed has said or done during his short tenure. We're talking one issue here. Seems like a simple attaboy would be sufficient here and then see how the remainder of his term shakes out.
Is this a joke? Fetterman's stance on Hamas's butchery is the proverbial stopped clock. Even mildly retarded people are capable of discerning right from wrong. The mere fact that Fetterman has the right stance on Gaza doesn't elevate him to even minimal competence. Instead it stands as a stark indictment of the absolute idiocy and mendacity of so much of our business and political class. Savodnik is a clown. Bari, we're not paying for abject swill