Split New York City Mayoral Race

[Derec]

Sorry - trying to read that causes my diabetic retinopathy to act up

Too much Lil Debbie back in the day?

 

[ZiprHead]

Professor Kassem and his students have also defended fifteen prisoners of various nationalities incarcerated without fair process at Guantánamo Bay, Bagram Air Base, and other secret or disclosed U.S. facilities worldwide. Their advocacy at all levels of the federal judiciary, in military tribunals, before administrative and international bodies, and in the media has established important law-of-war precedent and resulted in the liberation of eleven clients so far. This includes the only prisoner released from Guantánamo during the Trump administration, for whom Professor Kassem was lead defense counsel before a Military Commission on charges of war crimes in United States v. Ahmed al-Darbi. In this larger context, Professor Kassem negotiated client repatriations or resettlements in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Yemen.

How does this contradict what I said?

It didn't. I just thought a bit of context would be useful for the others here.

He defended and worked for Al Qaeda terrorists. I think this goes well beyond just professional legal representation - he seems to have sought out Islamist terror clients, probably because he agrees with their ideology (similar to the far-left lawyer Lynne Stewart). As such, I disagree with Mamdani appointing him to a role within the NYC government. I also think he should not be teaching at CUNY.

Of course you do. Just the accusation of terrorist is all that's needed in your mind to lock them up and throw away the key. No trials needed, the way most of the prisoners at Guantanamo ended up there.

However, if you claim that him defending terrorists should not be held against him when it comes to getting a role in the city government, then surely defending Maxwell should not be held against Nathan Leventhal. Except that the mayor is an antisemite.

By the way, Kassem is the boyfriend of the extremist congressional nominee Avila Chevalier. She may be the worst of the crop of likely new DSA congresscritters after the Blind Sheikh associate Adam Hamawy.

It's like a record that just keeps skipping and skipping.

 

[thebeave]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Does adherence to a religion put one and the same “persecuted” class as someone born into a genetic group (race) that they have no choice in or power over? (I bet there are zero VooDoo adherents on the Commission either, which is probably lamentable as well)
Or - are you referring to people of a “Jewish Race”? If that’s the case I offer myself as an example; I’m half Jewish by that measure, but have never suffered discrimination even nearly in the same league as what I have seen suffered by people who are “half black”.

From what I can tell, Jews are about 11% of NYC population which is 1 out of 9. If appointments were made at random, one would mathematically expect 2 of the 18 appointees to be Jewish. Note that would be a minimum mathematical expectation out of the entire population. If Colonel Saunders' estimate is relatively accurate, then the mathematical expectation from that group would be around 8 Jews.

So, it does appeaer that Mayor Mandami is avoided appointing Jews to that commission.

What percent of Jewish court officers would be willing to be publicly linked to Mamdani, though? Even if they agreed with his policy proposals, would they be willing to face the wrath of people like Derec calling them self-hating Jews and Hamas supporters?

I think we all know even if he did do everything right with regards to the commission people would still be calling him an antisemite regardless.

Probably. As I said in my post #988, appointing one or more Jewish lawyers to the commission could "somewhat ameliorate" the perception that he's an anti-semite. Its not like he made a single, hot mic gaffe/joke about Jews. He has a long road to redemption, and he keeps making it longer.

As was pointed out, Jewish lawyers make up nearly half of all lawyers in NYC. You really have to go out of your way to not appoint even just one to this commission. Think about if someone were to form a commission comprising active, talented players in the 2026 NBA. And there was not a single black player on that commission. What would you conclude from that?

 

[ZiprHead]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Does adherence to a religion put one and the same “persecuted” class as someone born into a genetic group (race) that they have no choice in or power over? (I bet there are zero VooDoo adherents on the Commission either, which is probably lamentable as well)
Or - are you referring to people of a “Jewish Race”? If that’s the case I offer myself as an example; I’m half Jewish by that measure, but have never suffered discrimination even nearly in the same league as what I have seen suffered by people who are “half black”.

From what I can tell, Jews are about 11% of NYC population which is 1 out of 9. If appointments were made at random, one would mathematically expect 2 of the 18 appointees to be Jewish. Note that would be a minimum mathematical expectation out of the entire population. If Colonel Saunders' estimate is relatively accurate, then the mathematical expectation from that group would be around 8 Jews.

So, it does appeaer that Mayor Mandami is avoided appointing Jews to that commission.

What percent of Jewish court officers would be willing to be publicly linked to Mamdani, though? Even if they agreed with his policy proposals, would they be willing to face the wrath of people like Derec calling them self-hating Jews and Hamas supporters?

I think we all know even if he did do everything right with regards to the commission people would still be calling him an antisemite regardless.

Probably. As I said in my post #988, appointing one or more Jewish lawyers to the commission could "somewhat ameliorate" the perception that he's an anti-semite. Its not like he made a single, hot mic gaffe/joke about Jews. He has a long road to redemption, and he keeps making it longer.

As was pointed out, Jewish lawyers make up nearly half of all lawyers in NYC. You really have to go out of your way to not appoint even just one to this commission. Think about if someone were to form a commission comprising active, talented players in the 2026 NBA. And there was not a single black player on that commission. What would you conclude from that?

Doubling down on bullshit doesn't make it any less bullshit.

 

[laughing dog]

Professor Kassem and his students have also defended fifteen prisoners of various nationalities incarcerated without fair process at Guantánamo Bay, Bagram Air Base, and other secret or disclosed U.S. facilities worldwide. Their advocacy at all levels of the federal judiciary, in military tribunals, before administrative and international bodies, and in the media has established important law-of-war precedent and resulted in the liberation of eleven clients so far. This includes the only prisoner released from Guantánamo during the Trump administration, for whom Professor Kassem was lead defense counsel before a Military Commission on charges of war crimes in United States v. Ahmed al-Darbi. In this larger context, Professor Kassem negotiated client repatriations or resettlements in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Yemen.

How does this contradict what I said? He defended and worked for Al Qaeda terrorists. I think this goes well beyond just professional legal representation - he seems to have sought out Islamist terror clients, probably because he agrees with their ideology (similar to the far-left lawyer Lynne Stewart). As such, I disagree with Mamdani appointing him to a role within the NYC government. I also think he should not be teaching at CUNY.

I thought everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and deserves a fair trail, but I guess that only applies to alleged sex offenders.

However, if you claim that him defending terrorists should not be held against him when it comes to getting a role in the city government, then surely defending Maxwell should not be held against Nathan Leventhal. Except that the mayor is an antisemite.

You have a minor point, but Maxwell is a much more well known sleaze bag.

By the way, Kassem is the boyfriend of the extremist congressional nominee Avila Chevalier. She may be the worst of the crop of likely new DSA congresscritters after the Blind Sheikh associate Adam Hamawy.

No response is complete without a whataboutism.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Does adherence to a religion put one and the same “persecuted” class as someone born into a genetic group (race) that they have no choice in or power over? (I bet there are zero VooDoo adherents on the Commission either, which is probably lamentable as well)
Or - are you referring to people of a “Jewish Race”? If that’s the case I offer myself as an example; I’m half Jewish by that measure, but have never suffered discrimination even nearly in the same league as what I have seen suffered by people who are “half black”.

So, because others have been discriminated against, it's perfectly okay to discriminate against others in order to... what, get back at them?

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Did you read the article?

However, Mamdani’s office shot back that Leventhal was denied over his ties to convicted sex trafficker and notorious madam for Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than his religion.

Oh, well if Mamdani denied anything, then who is anyone to question him? Surely, his many statements and attempted actions that would be considered disgustingly discriminatory if said and done by anyone else against any other group is worth ignoring because, well, I guess because of Things.

Extremists, regardless of political affiliation seem to always end up meeting in the bottom half of the political circle. And what they all seem to have in common is hatred of Jews.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Does adherence to a religion put one and the same “persecuted” class as someone born into a genetic group (race) that they have no choice in or power over? (I bet there are zero VooDoo adherents on the Commission either, which is probably lamentable as well)
Or - are you referring to people of a “Jewish Race”? If that’s the case I offer myself as an example; I’m half Jewish by that measure, but have never suffered discrimination even nearly in the same league as what I have seen suffered by people who are “half black”.

From what I can tell, Jews are about 11% of NYC population which is 1 out of 9. If appointments were made at random, one would mathematically expect 2 of the 18 appointees to be Jewish. Note that would be a minimum mathematical expectation out of the entire population. If Colonel Saunders' estimate is relatively accurate, then the mathematical expectation from that group would be around 8 Jews.

So, it does appeaer that Mayor Mandami is avoided appointing Jews to that commission.

So what? I bet I could come up with plenty of groups representing 10-12% of the population that are also not represented.
How many atheists are on that commission? Hindus? Buddhists? People of Asian Pacific descent? Hispanics?
Why are Jews ALWAYS the loudest “victims”, while other groups are being actively persecuted? As a group, Jews have become the fascists of 1930s Germany. Intolerant, violent, self elevating warmongers crying victim at every turn.

I honestly don't know what to say to this^. It's not just in shockingly poor taste, it's a mirror image of conservative justification for discrimination against racial minorities. I've brought up the vomitous hypocrisy among the left when it comes to supporting Islamic terror and violence against Israel, so I'll just leave that alone for now. I suspect it'll have to come up again though because someone needs to keep pointing it out.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Did you read the article?

However, Mamdani’s office shot back that Leventhal was denied over his ties to convicted sex trafficker and notorious madam for Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than his religion.

Did you? That's one guy who was rejected. There are still plenty more that could have been chosen, but weren't.

Can you name those other guys?

Also let’s get the names of everyone ELSE who was not “chosen”.
I think it’s that “chosen” thing that has them so upset.

This place is really going to the dogs. Jews go 0/18 for this commission, so now it's incumbent on us to find a list that has specific names and ethnicities on them?

How about this: a commission is appointed to assess the state of racial relations with respect to all southern states but doesn't include any black people. Would you say, "Oh, well, there are hispanics and Asians on the commission, so what's the big deal?"

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Does adherence to a religion put one and the same “persecuted” class as someone born into a genetic group (race) that they have no choice in or power over? (I bet there are zero VooDoo adherents on the Commission either, which is probably lamentable as well)
Or - are you referring to people of a “Jewish Race”? If that’s the case I offer myself as an example; I’m half Jewish by that measure, but have never suffered discrimination even nearly in the same league as what I have seen suffered by people who are “half black”.

From what I can tell, Jews are about 11% of NYC population which is 1 out of 9. If appointments were made at random, one would mathematically expect 2 of the 18 appointees to be Jewish. Note that would be a minimum mathematical expectation out of the entire population. If Colonel Saunders' estimate is relatively accurate, then the mathematical expectation from that group would be around 8 Jews.

So, it does appeaer that Mayor Mandami is avoided appointing Jews to that commission.

What percent of Jewish court officers would be willing to be publicly linked to Mamdani, though? Even if they agreed with his policy proposals, would they be willing to face the wrath of people like Derec calling them self-hating Jews and Hamas supporters?

Ah, I see. You can read the minds of all Jewish people and know in advance that none of them would want to be on this commission, and that Derec would be responsible for that.

Please don't give me or anyone else what you're smoking.

 

[GenesisNemesis]

How does saying "x is like y" mean "x is responsible for y"?

 

[ZiprHead]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Did you read the article?

However, Mamdani’s office shot back that Leventhal was denied over his ties to convicted sex trafficker and notorious madam for Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than his religion.

Did you? That's one guy who was rejected. There are still plenty more that could have been chosen, but weren't.

Can you name those other guys?

Also let’s get the names of everyone ELSE who was not “chosen”.
I think it’s that “chosen” thing that has them so upset.

This place is really going to the dogs. Jews go 0/18 for this commission, so now it's incumbent on us to find a list that has specific names and ethnicities on them?

I agree. We now have people here (you and others) condemning Mamdani for a completely made up speculation.

How about this: a commission is appointed to assess the state of racial relations with respect to all southern states but doesn't include any black people. Would you say, "Oh, well, there are hispanics and Asians on the commission, so what's the big deal?"

What if no black people applied for the commission because they didn't like the person creating it?

 

[Arctish]

What percent of Jewish court officers would be willing to be publicly linked to Mamdani, though? Even if they agreed with his policy proposals, would they be willing to face the wrath of people like Derec calling them self-hating Jews and Hamas supporters?

Ah, I see. You can read the minds of all Jewish people and know in advance that none of them would want to be on this commission, and that Derec would be responsible for that.

Please don't give me or anyone else what you're smoking.

Wow.

I ask a question about how many Jewish court officials in New York City would be willing to jump into a political firestorm and you presume I think I can read minds and predict the future?

I don't know what you've been smoking but please don't attempt to drive a car or operate heavy equipment until the effects wear off.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Mamdani Excludes Jews From Judicial Commission

Mamdani shuns Jewish New Yorkers from important judicial advisory committee: ‘Deeply disappointed’

Jewish legal organizations blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for failing to appoint a single Jewish person to the 18-person committee tasked with advising the mayor on his judicial nominat…

nypost.com

Helluva guy. I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC, which includes both judges and attorneys, but they're not on the commission. Radicals from the right and left can always be counted on to be united in their hate of Jews.

I wonder what the reaction would be if X "POC" were to be fully excluded from such a commission.

Did you read the article?

However, Mamdani’s office shot back that Leventhal was denied over his ties to convicted sex trafficker and notorious madam for Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than his religion.

Did you? That's one guy who was rejected. There are still plenty more that could have been chosen, but weren't.

Can you name those other guys?

Also let’s get the names of everyone ELSE who was not “chosen”.
I think it’s that “chosen” thing that has them so upset.

This place is really going to the dogs. Jews go 0/18 for this commission, so now it's incumbent on us to find a list that has specific names and ethnicities on them?

I agree. We now have people here (you and others) condemning Mamdani for a completely made up speculation.

How about this: a commission is appointed to assess the state of racial relations with respect to all southern states but doesn't include any black people. Would you say, "Oh, well, there are hispanics and Asians on the commission, so what's the big deal?"

What if no black people applied for the commission because they didn't like the person creating it?

I provided a hypothetical challenge to that person and others like him e.g. you, to look at it from a different perspective precisely because someone pulled the "What if they didn't want to be on the panel?" bullshit. YOU are the one guilty of unfounded speculation. I didn't bring outrageous speculation to the table, your ilk did. Then, when countered with an easily understood analogy, you accuse me of what you're doing.

Hell, I'll bet Mamdani could shoot a Jew on 5th Avenue and not lose your vote.

 

[Elixir]

Hell, I'll bet Mamdani could shoot a Jew on 5th Avenue and not lose your vote.

Well, if the Jew is Jared Kuschner…
Not all Jews or black people or Jehovah’s Witlesses are the same.

I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC

Obviously Jews are at least 3x over-represented, at inestimable cost to other “minorities”.
So such representation must be reduced, if only for appearances. You don’t want people citing that stat as proof that Jews are trying to take over our courts and legal system, DO YOU??

 

[Colonel Sanders]

What percent of Jewish court officers would be willing to be publicly linked to Mamdani, though? Even if they agreed with his policy proposals, would they be willing to face the wrath of people like Derec calling them self-hating Jews and Hamas supporters?

Ah, I see. You can read the minds of all Jewish people and know in advance that none of them would want to be on this commission, and that Derec would be responsible for that.

Please don't give me or anyone else what you're smoking.

Wow.

I ask a question about how many Jewish court officials in New York City would be willing to jump into a political firestorm and you presume I think I can read minds and predict the future?

I don't know what you've been smoking but please don't attempt to drive a car or operate heavy equipment until the effects wear off.

You asked an unknowable question in bad faith and from the rest of what you wrote it is very reasonably inferred that you believe it was a legitimate possibility if not outright probability that no Jews wanted to be on the commission. You then went on to manufacture an astoundingly stupid prophecy about Derec calling them self hating Jews.

Oh sure, it's not the disgusting anti-semitism that Jewish people are worried about. Rather, what they're really afraid of are anonymous people on the internet calling them cowards.

So far, not a single one of you have the intellectual honesty to address this issue without speculation, prophecy, and pure bullshit.

Fact: Mamdani selected not a single Jew for this commission

Fact: While the exact percentage of Jewish attorneys is unclear, the best estimates are that 35-50% are Jewish.

Issue: whether this was an act of bigotry on Mamdani's part.

Precedent: the exclusion of minorities by those in power has a long history in the U.S. and the government has been rightfully held to account when doing so many, many times. Thus, countless examples of precedent have been set.

Now, when judges are to be appointed, questionnaires are sent out to attorneys who have worked with or appeared before the candidate as a commissioner. Thus, the chances would seem infinitely small that Jews would go 0/18 on this panel. Mamdani says he didn't deliberately exclude Jews.

I call bullshit on that, and it's more than disappointing to see those who will shit themselves over POC being underrepresented in X way actually defend the specific exclusion of Jews. It's grossly hypocritical, it damages credibility, and it's morally bankrupt.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

Hell, I'll bet Mamdani could shoot a Jew on 5th Avenue and not lose your vote.

Well, if the Jew is Jared Kuschner…
Not all Jews or black people or Jehovah’s Witlesses are the same.

I believe Jews make up some 45% of court officers in NYC

Obviously Jews are at least 3x over-represented, at inestimable cost to other “minorities”.
So such representation must be reduced, if only for appearances. You don’t want people citing that stat as proof that Jews are trying to take over our courts and legal system, DO YOU??

What are you even on about?

Please say something that makes sense.

 

[ZiprHead]

I provided a hypothetical challenge to that person and others like him e.g. you, to look at it from a different perspective precisely because someone pulled the "What if they didn't want to be on the panel?" bullshit. YOU are the one guilty of unfounded speculation. I didn't bring outrageous speculation to the table, your ilk did. Then, when countered with an easily understood analogy, you accuse me of what you're doing.

You want to convict Mamdani for a hypthetical.

What's outrageous about it?

Hell, I'll bet Mamdani could shoot a Jew on 5th Avenue and not lose your vote.

I didn't vote for Mamdani.

 

[ZiprHead]

You asked an unknowable question in bad faith and from the rest of what you wrote it is very reasonably inferred that you believe it was a legitimate possibility if not outright probability that no Jews wanted to be on the commission. You then went on to manufacture an astoundingly stupid prophecy about Derec calling them self hating Jews.

Your entire premise, that Mamdani discriminated against Jews, is also based on an unknowable at this time. Without the list of applicants you cannot know.

At least Derec brings real data when he's trying to prove racism.

 

[thebeave]

You asked an unknowable question in bad faith and from the rest of what you wrote it is very reasonably inferred that you believe it was a legitimate possibility if not outright probability that no Jews wanted to be on the commission. You then went on to manufacture an astoundingly stupid prophecy about Derec calling them self hating Jews.

Your entire premise, that Mamdani discriminated against Jews, is also based on an unknowable at this time. Without the list of applicants you cannot know.

At least Derec brings real data when he's trying to prove racism.

Maybe you could explain to everyone how the selection process works. Because I'm not sure myself.

Do people submit an application to the commission, like they were applying for a regular job?

Or does the Mayor select candidates on his own, perhaps through personal knowledge, research or recommendations from advisors? Much in the way a POTUS handpicks his cabinet secretaries?

You seem to assume the former. Receipts?