A recent post here did a great job of summarizing the way he talks out of both sides of his mouth on every issue related to Israel. He presents one face - that of a committed anti-Zionist - to the rabid Israel haters of Mondoweiss, and another face - that of a supposed liberal Zionist and supporter of Israel - to Jewish organizations. He has been able to fool some of those Jewish organizations, but fortunately others, such as the Santa Barbara Hillel, are on to his scam.
This deceptive behavior has been going on for years, ever since Gershon decided to do a full court press to escape his life as a substitute kindergarten teacher and become an author. We began documenting years ago how he defends antisemitic rhetoric while using the language of justice in order to appeal to squishy liberals.
Gershon's immoral deceptive behavior has now taken on a new and even more sociopathic hue, as he is now pretending to welcome challenging comments on his blog posts while actually deleting any comments that accurately point out his many deceptions. How do I know? Because for weeks now whenever I try to submit a comment at Tikkun Daily it automatically disappears. I know he has put in an IP filter to remove my comments, as they are the most hard-hitting and challenging that he faces, although they do adhere to the stated rules of that blog.
Gershon is a supposed liberal who constantly tries to guilt mainstream Jewish groups into supporting "a diversity of opinion" - i.e. not challenge his anti-Zionist connections when they are discovered. And yet he himself deletes any challenging opinions from Tikkun's blog.
I proved this by using a VPN to have a different IP address, and sure enough my comment posted. In the comment I made it clear that I knew what Gershon is up to with deleting comments, that I was able to get around his automatic filter with this one, and that I knew he would delete this one when he saw it. I of course took a screen shot to prove it was there:
Obviously, this comment has since been deleted by Gershon.
So here we have proof that Gershon automatically censors comments from people, and those that don't get picked up by the automatic filter are deleted by hand. He won't even engage in debate with people who oppose his hypocrisy, yet he supposedly yearns to give gifts to the man who tried to murder him.
David Harris Gershon is nothing but a grifter, lying his way through the internet and using gullible people in a bid to sell books and become famous. As I mentioned in the comment, he really is the Sarah Palin of the Putamayo set - using transparent appeals to squishy liberals' values while mocking those values with his behavior.
I'm IP-blocked from home, too, and only manage to get comments through on my phone when I'm out.
ReplyDeleteHe's a pathetic punk who can't handle anything beyond the slightest dissent against his opinions. That's also the reason that he'll never actually move much beyond being a popular enabler of antisemites at Daily Kos, and other such blogs, since he'd melt into a quivering mess at a real public forum in which he'd have to face serious questions, and defend his silly pseudo-progressive Israel bashing in a place where he wouldn't be able to delete the thoughts of actual thinking people who have different opinions...
It is really pathetic on his part. If one is censoring comments, like we have done here on occasion, one states that, as we have done. Gershon is such a liar for denying that he censors comments, and doubly a liar for insinuating that those comments are in violation of Tikkun's stated rules, which they are not.
DeleteWell, now he's invited me to a talk of his in my city, and has even offered to buy me a beer.
DeleteI've taken him up on his offer. Let's see how he responds.
Well, I guess not. He's just deleted a comment of mine, accepting his 'challenge,' at Tikkun.
DeleteWhat a coward. Seriously, I was really gonna buy him a beer, too.
Oh, well...
IP blocking is like cock blocking for middle aged dudes. Both for the blocker and the blocked, actually.
DeleteHa! I just stomped him in a comment at Tikkun; I got through since I'm in a bar down the block, and though he apparently blocked the name and email address I used in my second reply, I got through by changing both and the comment appeared. Upon reloading the page a minute later, it appears he immediately deleted it.
ReplyDeleteNo screen shots, unfortunately, as it was on my phone, and I'm not technologically advanced enough to figure that out, but still hilarious.
If I keep it up, will he spend many anguished months considering what to buy my daughter? :)
Let's see how 'Tommy' does. ;)
ReplyDeleteHAHA... I am banned as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting is that "Jedi Dave" here is more than happy to dialogue with Neo-Nazi's and anti-Semites of all flavors but when it comes to talking to other Jews... nah... we don't get dialogue. Why? Because we called him names (that he well deserved). BUT I guess if you insult the precious little flower he gets pissed but if you talk about wiping out Israel and eliminating the Jewish people.... Well I guess you are worthy of discussion.
And yes, "Tommy" just drilled him....
You know what is funny? The guy claims to support a Two State Solution based on the 1967 borders with Land Swaps (something I support as well... though I now have changed to support a United Jerusalem) but, basically it is the Olmert Plan. Now, I wonder at how those "claims" are sitting with the "Israel is teh suck" crowd?
But yes.. the man is a total fraud. He cannot come up with a clear definition of what he believes and honestly doesn't want to express one as he feels that would "put him in a box". It also would hurt his book sales since he wouldn't be playing both sides of the line and drawing what really matters most to him. More customers to pay for his lies.
Also note that 'Tommy' drilled him (I have screen shots of those now, being back home for the moment) with both hands tied behind his back. It's so easy it's ridiculous.
DeleteI'm not going to apologize for anything I've said about him, because it's all been deserved. And I never called him an antisemite, despite his whines and cries.
An enabler of same? Sure, because he most certainly, demonstrably, is. But I never called him an actual antisemite, and I still don't believe he is.
An astoundingly ignorant fool, yes. A selfish prick willing to sell out his own people for a few book sales, sure. But an antisemite? Nah. He's far from Gilad Atzmon territory. Just a 'precious flower' with very delicate sensibilities who can't take any criticism whatsoever from his fellow Jews, as you've noted.
Also, while I'm here, let me finally apologize to you and everyone else here I've ever offended. I may disagree with youze on a lot, but you are not my enemy.
And good to hear you now support one, permanently united, Jerusalem, volley.
DeleteI don't support any land swaps, myself, as I believe there should be a cost to the Palestinian side saying "no" so many times, but I surely wouldn't view that as a deal breaker by any means, especially if somehow a deal were to miraculously come about involving same.
Pardon me for not having much hope that such a thing will ever happen, though.
The best course, in my opinion, would be a unilateral declaration of final borders, with Israel keeping all of Jerusalem, and offering some sort of favored nation trading status with the future Palestine, if they ever get their shit together and form a government interested mainly in governing, rather than killing Jews.
I suppose this makes me some sort of extreme, radical right-winger in David Harris-Gershon Land, of course...
Jay... thanks for the apology. It is much appreciated.
DeleteHere is my view of the situation. I have changed a lot over the years going from someone who supports Meretz to more of a Centrist position THOUGH I am still fairly Left on economic matters.
But in the interest of making oneself clear.. Here is what I have moved to now... http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/moving-left-to-center-a-personal-journey/
I read that, and I want to see you write more at TOI.
DeleteFor whatever little tiny bit it's worth, I'm going to link to your pieces at my stupid little blog that I occasionally post Bruce Springsteen videos and brief pieces about bus benches, cornices and architecture at.
But anyway.
I've gone, over the past few years, from a Meretz supporter, to one who would probably be considered center-right on security issues, but also definitely left on economic issues.
I'm a Teamster (Local 641), and still a Democrat who is actively involved in the Allyson Schwartz for Governor campaign here in Pennsylvania. Financial donations and door-knocking volunteer work.
It may be fashionable to smear someone like me as a right-winger, but I'd like to know how much my fellow Pennsylvanian, David Harris-Gershon, has done to help us get rid of our governor, Chicken Tom?
My guess is he has done precisely nothing. But he writes strong words against 'the right,' while having nothing to say against the genocidal Palestinian leadership or the antisemites who so adore his Daily Kos writings, so of course he's a SuperProgessive or something like that...
And now he's replying to "Jota," yet refusing to allow any of his replies in turn to be posted.
ReplyDeleteDon't ask me how I know. ;)
What a tool. Seriously, I hope he eventually comes to Philadelphia (or Newark, NJ) to talk about his stupid, egocentric, terrorist-loving book. I'm gonna make sure there will be opposition in attendance. He can delete blog comments (and book reviews) like crazy, but he can't avoid negative publicity in the local Jewish press if he makes appearances designed to completely stifle opinions different from his anti-Zionist, BDS-loving, antisemite-enabling ones...
This is awesome! My favorite post yet.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
A sociopathic grifter
P.S. I tried not to laugh while writing that, but wan unsuccessful.
Hey, Little Davey!
DeleteYou may note your comment hasn't been deleted.
Are you brave enough to engage here in the conversation you pretend to want at Tikkun, yet continually delete the replies to you there?
Where shall we pick up?
Your call. I'll take you on anywhere, any time, on any question.
I'm not the pussy who is afraid of disagreement.
Actually, let's start with Pennsylvania, David. What have you done so far to rid us of Tom Corbett next year?
Delete*this year
DeleteJay... in all seriousness... tell us about the PA campaign. I saw that a court struck down the Republican attempts to disenfranchise voters. What is happening there and what are the issues that Allyson Schwarz is campaigning on? I don't know anything about PA politics so info. (and particularly from a Labor perspective) would be appreciated.
DeleteI can do that. I'm stepping out for a bit in a few minutes (time to shovel, AGAIN, then off to meet friends for a few drinks), but I'll do so later tonight. I can tell you right now that Corbett is toast, though, and that all serious Dems lead Chicken Tom in the polls.
Delete"I'm not the little pussy who is afraid of disagreement."
DeleteI didn't realize we were on the middle school playground. Pro Tip: decent people don't respond to such belligerence and "any place, any time" challenges. It's so – pathetic.
Here's another Pro Tip: if you want to see me discuss with people who disagree, try this Reddit thread, where I even engage productively with mets102. Gotta scroll for a bit, but it's worth it. http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1v2fra/im_an_author_who_was_just_banned_from_speaking_at/
Or you know what? You could even take a look at the comment thread where I am "debating" Lauren. You know, the thread you can't comment in because site administrators have apparently blocked your email for belligerent behavior? (I wish I had that power.)
Oh, and last Pro Tip: come see me speak in Philadelphia in May. I suspect you're a much more decent person in real life than you are in this unfortunate medium.
David,
DeleteI can't help but notice that you responded to a personal comment but refused to discuss an involved discussion on policy, rather choosing to take the "easy way out'....
For all your self-reported "Jedi" (your words) skills, eventually someone will notice that you don't engage your opposition in discussion on any substantive level. Why is that?
You keep coming up with excuses to not discuss things with those who disagree you and then wonder why they have little to no respect for you or for your politics. I mean you go so far as to compare yourself to Peter Beinart and his message of boycott of the settlements. But you fail to mention the other side of that boycott is that Beinart supports investing in "Green Line Israel" and all the funds he says that he boycotts from the The West Bank he says that he advocates buying Israeli goods. Do you feel the same? If so, why didn't you mention that?
Oh, I'll be sure to be there. Thanks for the invite. I hope you're less of a vile racist in person than you are on the internet, as well.
DeleteLet's have a beer. Sorry for being uncouth in my prior internet comments.
Now are you big enough to show the same thing, and stop deleting comments of those with whom you disagree, etc etc?
David, realize it or not, here are the very people with whom you claim to want to seek 'debate.'
If some of us are rough with you, you may want to consider that it just might perhaps be due to the fact that we do not take kindly to those who enable antisemitism, as you regularly do at dkos and Tikkun.
I'm not the asshole I sometimes play on the internet, actually. I suppose we'll maybe see if the same is true of you, then.
Save your money. I'll buy you a beer, if you're up for a talk.
Any time, anywhere, isn't a threat, David. Though it speaks volumes that you read it as one. Perhaps if you weren't such an abrasive personality to begin with, you might have realized that from the start.
Email me with your contact info when you come to town. You know who I am. Jdpaluch@gmail.com.
Let's see if you're as serious as you claim.
I apologize for calling David a "vile racist." I think he is much more lenient with vile racists at places like Daily Kos than he should be, but I don't think he, himself, is any such thing.
DeleteI wish he would realize what he is enabling, and stop doing so. Perhaps we can talk about that soon. It's worth a try.
Whoa let's not be hasty here.
DeleteGershon is still the person who wrote a ZOG diary at Daily Kos. He is still the person who deletes our comments while leaving up the comments of insane anti-Jewish and anti-black ranters like e.g. Alice LaChapelle. And he is still the person who gladly accepted Greta Berlin's endorsement of his book.
I for one am not ready to absolve him of accusations of racism.
I agree with fiz.... It's nice that he wants to meet with you and have a beer Jay, that's all fine and good but that doesn't erase years of encouraging and enabling some serious "Jew Hatred".
DeleteIt's not that I don't believe in "forgiveness" because I very much do. That said, at this point I will not walk back any comments that I have made regarding DHG until he very publicly addresses the issues I have raised and is willing to discuss them in a substantive way.
David trades on extreme hate as is evident in his diaries and particularly the diary that convinced me that I needed to GBCW from DKos and that crazy ass crew of David Duke apologists.
But while David is promising you beer Jay, he is tweeting with the likes of Max Blumenthal (of MondoFront fame) and Ali Abunimah. So there is that.
I'm taking a complete mulligan here. I wasn't born yesterday, and we'll see what comes of this. I believe everyone deserves a fresh start here and there. That's what makes us liberals, innit?
DeleteMaybe Dave...
ReplyDeleteHere is the other thing David, you are welcome to argue policy here. I have absolutely no problem arguing hard "nuts and bolts" of policy with you. You disagree with what I believe.. Kol Ha'Kavod. Explain to me where I am wrong. Better yet... make a compelling argument for your P.O.V
Unlike you, I will not delete comments as long as they are substantive and stay on topic. I don't want to here "Well, Some say...." type arguments. We are not Republicans or FOX News here. I want you to be able to express your position taking realistic solutions into account. All I ask is that you give specifics. You want to argue that BDS in concept is legit as a tactic. Knock yourself out. BUT be prepared for "push back" because you will get it.
Remember David, politics don't happen in a vacuum. Treating them like they do (and this is something you are guilty of), is both dishonest and misleading.
This is a great comment, Volley.
DeleteAnd you will notice that David doesn't respond to reasonable request for an informed discussion.
DeleteI wonder why that is?
It's because he can't.
DeleteNow pardon me while I remove my Mr. Obvious hat...
errr... typo... should be "hear" instead of "here" my bad.
ReplyDeleteDavid has linked to this post from Tikkun, where he's deleted dozens of comments today.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Tikkun Daily readers!
Those who have stopped here and taken the time to read can decide for themselves if this post is any worse than those he regularly posts at Tikkun, and they can also note that comments aren't deleted here.
Even mine, which anybody with even a passing familiarity of the relationship between volley and I would admit is rather impressive.
Anyway, it's quite telling that David has deigned to stop in here, but not seek out the discussion he so very much claims to want, isn't it?
Now that we apparently have your attention, David, please clarify your thoughts on the following issues. I think both your Mondoweiss base and your coveted mainstream liberal demographic would like to know how you come down:
ReplyDelete1) As part of a peace deal, do you support the so-called "right of return" for millions of Arabs, which would deny Israel a Jewish majority?
2) Do you support Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon?
3) You have repeatedly stated your support for boycotts of Israel, although you are ambiguous about whether you support BDS in particular. So, if a peace agreement was reached between Israel and the Arab states which did not include so-called "right of return" and defined Israel as a Jewish state, would you then announce your opposition to further boycott efforts?
Well fizz... I am not answering for David here but I do know that according to a comment he made to Aunt Martha... David completely opposes Palestinian RoR. That was his comment. I think it is important to note that David has completely rejected Palestinian "Right of Return".
DeleteWhoa, interesting...
DeleteThe neo-Nazis (oops, I mean peace activists) at Mondoweiss are not going to like that!
The problem is that him talking to Aunt Martha is still not engaging with us. I really want dialog with the man himself, and to know how he comes down on the other two issues as well.
It actually appears now, that he and I will be meeting up soon.
DeleteI'm going to be the bigger man, and walk back all I've said about him to date.
I do have to respect his contacting somebody like me, despite all I've said in the past.
I'm looking forward to our meeting, and will report back.
Wow, that will certainly be really interesting. Let us know what happens!
DeleteI've gotta be honest, I didn't expect him to take me up on my numerous challenges to him.
DeleteBut he did.
Massive respect to him for contacting somebody like me, to be totally honest.
I will certainly do so, fiz
Perhaps one day soon, he'll end the ban on comments at Tikkun.
What do you mean "somebody like me"? Why shouldn't Gershon contact you? You're an intelligent well spoken observer of the political scene, and he is, well in my opinion not that.
DeleteI've been far from a friendly face, let's just say. I respect Jon in the very same way for tolerating me, as well... :)
DeleteJay, if you can explain to him what he is enabling then that is something good that can come out of it.
ReplyDeleteWhy he can't see that, I am not quite sure. But hey,... I would like to see him actually discuss his positions in a substantive way (something that he hasn't done to date).
We'll see what comes out of this.
I will try. Look, I can be a nasty prick when necessary. As you certainly know.
DeleteI can also be reasonable where it is warranted.
I would like to see a reasonable discussion with the man, as well. Maybe that can come about soon.
Volley: I think he does see what he enables and doesn't care one bit about it, because he is a true grifter and is not governed by a moral or ethical compass. His only relationship to individuals, societies, and even ideas themselves is purely utilitarian.
DeleteYou might be right fiz. I have seen nothing to the contrary from DHG that would make me disagree with you.
DeleteJay.. All I can say is best of luck here. I am skeptical but I am willing to listen to what comes out of this. I think DHG is afraid (Yes, afraid) to discuss his politics in a substantive manner (since he never does). IF you can get him to do that.. more power to you. G-d knows we have tried and he simply won't do it.
Personally, I think it is because his politics are "shallow" and lack any real connection to reality or to the Jewish polity and that should he actually have to discuss them he would be exposed as a fraud. But that is just my personal view.
I see this site is back on the air. For the record, the deletion of comments has also occurred here, for remarks that were substantive and on topic, just not according to the site owner. A lot like the behavior of "The Troubadour" actually, but perhaps a new era is upon us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the substance of this post, concerning an individual that is insidious. As I said at Israel Thrives, he seems very thin skinned, but does not have the courage to engage in the dialogue he calls for. Instead he convinces himself that he is courageous and writes for other keyboard cowards to praise him.
He loves Judith Butler, too.
When it comes to serious dialogue, he obfuscates as he serves as a propagandist for antisemitic elements. The effect of his one sided, Israel is always wrong, America sucks, too, kind of mentality, rather than helping Palestinians (who he holds to a lower moral standard), is to make it harder to be a Jew on this planet.
When I think of a moral narcissist his posts come to mind. Perhaps that is why he is so intolerant to allow criticism, except superficially, and replies with glib and disparaging remarks.
For more about the moral narcissist, see this:
http://oldschooltwentysix.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-humanitarian-racist-has-cousin.html
oldschool... I am going to disagree with you on your first paragraph and it is not only me that thought that many of your posts were off topic and included personal barbs that simply did not needed to be included. That said, I don't believe there is a need to re-hash that fight all over again, so perhaps a "new era" is afoot. Let's hope that we can keep all our posts with that in mind.
DeleteIn that spirit, I can very much agree with your fourth paragraph and David's role in serving as a mouthpiece for anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist perspectives. At the same time he refuses to actually present a coherent set of beliefs only to say that he supports Two-States, and ompletely rejects Palestinian RoR,
But those asides he is also willing to be used as a tool by anti-Zionists (note his tweeting with Ali Abunimah, and Max Blumenthal) as a conduit to making their cases. SO... there is that.
Some personal barbs are more equal than others, determined by the powers that be. Sounds like the policy practiced at Tikkun Daily. The fact is that not one of my posts deserved to be censored here and all were on topic, so the topic seems a bit ironic.
DeleteI hope you keep this in mind. That will be my last mention of it.
I do not see him as a tool, but a full member of the crowd that foments antisemitism. Unlike the others you mention, however, he does it with deceit.
Oldschool, you are spreading a false equivalence. There are two major differences between the way that we have deleted comments and the way that Gershon removes them:
Delete1) As evidenced by my trap, Gershon was not only deleting comments but filtering them - not letting in comments from certain IP addresses. We have never done that here. We have only deleted comments that we did not want on this blog, never blanket filtered. Which then brings me to the second major difference:
2) We have been straightforward and honest about our comments policy and have almost always stated that we deleted a comment. Gershon deletes (and filters) comments at will without admitting that he is doing so, thus maintaining the lying illusion that he seeks dialog, while actually running from it.
So, I just had to set the record straight there.
Oh, re: PA, Jon - the 2012 Republican Voter Suppression Law was struck down by a Commonwealth Court judge, but still has a chance to stand if the state takes it to the Supremes. The general consensus seems to be that this version of it is dead, though, and once we elect a new governor in November (all serious Dems lead Corbett in the polls right now), their administration will, of course, not try to resurrect it.
ReplyDeleteI did show my Pennsylvania drivers license to vote in 2012, but the law was on hold then. They asked for it at all polling places across the state as a practice run of sorts.
As it happens, by the way, my polling place is a rowhouse-garage (Philly's polling places can get interesting - the polling place in the backroom of Luke's Bar in that slideshow is one of the areas I'm looking to buy my home in a few years) on the northern end of Fishtown, and that day I was handed a flyer right at the table (highly illegal, I do believe) by one of PA State Rep. John Taylor (R-177)'s people, of which four, best described as 'beefy' guys, were standing right at the outside door, and one at the polling table. Our ward was redrawn into Michael O'Brien's (D-175) PA House district during the last redistricting, and I'm curious to see if any such tactics are used by his people this year, or from here on out.
Any of the Dems would be a massive improvement over Gov. Corbett. I'm behind Allyson Schwartz partly for provincial reasons (we need a leader who knows, and cares about, Philadelphia, in Harrisburg), but mostly for her plans and focus on infrastructure (I can dream about finally seeing the Roosevelt Boulevard MFL subway extension built during my lifetime, can't I? Seeing regular SEPTA doomsday plans due to financial starvation from the state needs to end. Also, restoration of passenger rail service to places like Scranton and Allentown and my late grandmother's Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre would be great to have; and repairing the sad state of our bridges, road and rail -- the Norristown High Speed Line was on the brink of shutting down for good due to its crumbling 102-year old rail viaduct over the Schuylkill, until work finally started last year -- needs to start yesterday, and would be great for jobs) and her long progressive record in the PA Senate and in Congress.
I don't follow the political blogs much these days, but my six-month, new job-related semi-internet exile will soon be coming to an end, and I'll soon start writing, and reading everything, on this race.