When one takes positions perceived as inconsistent with a minority group’s consensus on public policies, opponents may substantively articulate their disagreement or they may argue that the motive for the argument was the advocate’s racial or religious prejudice.
If they take the latter position and issue ad hominem attacks, the ethical obligation is heavy, as charging racial or religious bigotry falsely can besmirch a pundit’s reputation permanently. Hence, the moral responsibility of the publication is at risk, as well as its writer’s.
If the object of the criticism is deceased, the moral reprehensibility of the critic is increased if there is a lack of a prima facie case. If there is no convincing evidence, one can only say such false charges are despicable.
Over two weeks ago the Baltimore Jewish Times, a publication I have admired and one in which I have been quoted and even complimented, printed a scurrilous charge against my late friend, WBAL’s eminent talk show host and the Baltimore Sun’s great columnist, Ron Smith.
The argument made in the article, “Not Missing Ron Smith” by Issachar Friedmann, was that Ron was virulently anti-Semitic, but clever enough to hide his deep prejudice so he could “remain on the air.” So, not only was Ron Smith wholly anti-Semitic, according to this pseudo-analysis, but it was even worse than evidence could demonstrate.
For the edification of readers, Ron opposed many of Israel’s policies, which opposition is sufficient for some, apparently, to argue the anti-Semitism of a debater. I disagreed with his judgments on Israel. His points were always evidenced-based, however.
He also thought that airport security was way overdone, but no one accused him of not being patriotic. The fatuousness of the Times attack was worse, much worse.
What follows is a further rebuke to the Times and their author, sent to the magazine and published on their web page on March 8, 2012:
To the Editor:
As perhaps the most frequently appearing in-house guest professor on WBAL-Radio’s Ron Smith’s talk show over the last decade, I take exception to the canard issued by writer Issachar Friedmann regarding “the indisputable fact” that Ron was “the No. 1 media anti-Semite in the Baltimore AM dial” or that he was anti-Semitic at all.
If Ron was an anti-Semite, he hid it pretty well. I am Jewish; his favorite producer was Jewish; he had Jewish colleagues who revered him, and his guests sported many Jewish experts. I knew Ron for decades and never heard him make an anti-Jewish slur. Never.
It doesn’t matter. To accuse a recently deceased man of such a horrible label is easy to do through age-old logical fallacies.
Guilt by association: Ron liked the political positions of Joseph Sobran; ergo, he must be an anti-Semite? He liked Pat Buchanan. I was with Pat on Crossfire and his radio show — am I an anti-Semite?
Argumentum ad populum: “Ron Smith was widely viewed as racist by the local African-American community.” Well that certainly is dispositive. Where is the evidence for that claim? How could C-4 and Gregory Kane never see that side of Ron?
Non Sequitur: Friedmann says Ron was “not much taller” than Michael Bloomberg, yet called him the “Little Mayor,” allegedly proving Smith’s anti-Semitism. Where to begin with that one? Ron was about 5 inches taller than Bloomberg, and if making remarks disparaging height were evidence of anti-Semitism, we would have to adjust the estimate of anti-Semitism up about one thousand notches.
It is hard to say whether Friedmann’s ugly column alleging Ron Smith’s anti-Semitism is more illogical or cowardly, waiting, as the author did, until after Ron’s death to print it.
Friedmann’s poorly researched calumny will not stain the pre-eminent talk show host Ron Smith’s memory among sophisticated people, only among gutless and desperate rumor-mongers.
June Smith told me how hurtful the Times’ article was to her and Ron’s family. One can only say, “Shame on Issachar Friedmann and the Baltimore Jewish Times.”
There has been no public statement of regret to date by either.
Richard E. Vatz is professor of rhetoric and communication at Towson University and was a frequent guest on Ron Smith’s radio show.
