When members of a minority group are subjected to attacks, liberal activists have urged the public to focus on the specific identities of the victims to demonstrate that they have suffered more injustices that merit close attention. But when it comes to anti-Semitism, the arbiters of progressive values cannot bring themselves to say, “Jewish Lives Matter.”

 In the depths of the Civil War, as Confederate sympathizers undermined the Union war effort by encouraging soldiers to desert, Abraham Lincoln asked, “Must I shoot a simple soldier boy who deserts, while I must not touch the hair of the wily agitator who induces him to desert?” I could not help thinking of that quote as politicians piously proclaimed their commitment to fighting hate crimes while giving a free ride to those who incite antisemitism.

 Amid all the noise of the Left side of the Mayoral primary contests, two Republicans had a Battle Royale cage match of a debate.  Aired on PIX11 on Thursday night, candidates Curtis Sliwa and Fernando Mateo tackled numerous topics close to the hearts and minds of New Yorkers, and presented their visions for the City.