I was quite confused about the editorial of Feb. 15 (“Omar’s Misinformed Tweet”). The headline alone leaves many questions. Webster’s defines the adjective misinformed as “not having accurate or completely accurate information about something” or “based on information that is not accurate or not completely accurate.” The definition implies an unintentional error. Rep. [Ilhan] Omar (D-Minn.) is not guilty of a misinformed error; rather she is guilty of racism, in this case the racism is called anti-Semitism.
Rep. Omar cannot be written off as lacking complete information, as the evidence points to her having the same point of view at least as far back as 2012. Seven years is long enough to get proper and accurate information.
Rep. Omar’s apology was quite clear; paragraph one was a kumbaya moment (“I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the history of anti-Semitic tropes. … I unequivocally apologize.”). “Unequivocally?” Really? Paragraph two spoke of “the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry.” That second part certainly shows the lie that didn’t take too long to manifest, as that was not an unequivocal apology! Is she still “misinformed”? She was not misinformed enough to lump AIPAC together with two [groups opposing] big causes of the progressive left [gun control and climate change reduction].
Unlike the well-thought-out statements that originate from the pen of the PR consultants, the instantaneous tweet is more indicative of the true feelings of the person; it’s the tech version of truth serum. Rep. Omar’s tweets, dating back to 2012, reveal who she is and how she thinks. She will not, as you hoped, “act on that new education” provided by her “Jewish allies and colleagues.” At the very least, her education should begin after she is removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Englewood, N.J.
