Comments on: WATCH: Netanyahu scolds top aide in front of cameras

By: Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:52:27 +0000

Here’s one for all those eye-rollers who think this is “petty journalism”. Yossi Verter, probably the best political analyst in Israel, who usually steers clear from petty journalism, also discusses the Eshel affair and the Hauser incident at length today:
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“The Eshel era officially ended this week, and the purging at the Prime Minister’s Office has started. It turns out Eshel was correct when he was heard stating in synagogue on the Shabbat after the affair began, ‘we’ll take care of them later’. Hendel is on his way out and the first proof that Hauser is now Netanyahu’s “slap-kid” was the filmed reprimand next to the government table, due to the active door in the government board room. If that’s what the PM does to his secretary in public, one can only wonder how the relationship looks behind closed doors.”
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Go roll your eyes on that one.

By: Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:39:26 +0000

@danny – not only that, I’m sure he knew Sara would be watching…

By: boom

boom — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:24:24 +0000

Comment deleted and user banned

By: Danny

Danny — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:57:40 +0000

This is interesting because it’s a little out of character for Benji (reprimanding subordinates is usually his wife’s duty). He looks genuinely pissed at Hauser, and I think Ami is correct that it has nothing to do with an unlocked door. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Benji is losing it; but the simplest explanation is most likely that he’s merely following his wife’s orders on how to discipline his underlings.

By: Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:40:40 +0000

@andy – that’s very unfair. on the one hand you say you’re all sincere, but in the same breath say I’m being petty and that people roll their eyes. You shouldn’t be surprised at all I react that way. That’s not constructive at all. That’s just simple bashing. If you don’t realize that, the problem is yours. Not mine.
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My tone is fine. It was yours insulting tone that started. Practice what you preach when you say to be aware of tones.
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Good day.

By: Piotr Berman

Piotr Berman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:30:32 +0000

On one hand, Ami’s article seems to be in the genre of “Kremlinology” where relative standing or sitting positions and body language are interpreted to reach tentative conclusions.

I would interpret the video a bit differently.

Netanyahu: Does ANYONE follow what I say? No wonder IDF did not attack Iran yet if I cannot even get a door closed. Is everything a suggestion?

Hauser: Whatever. [Makes a show that he is busy reading.]

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:53:39 +0000

Bunches of Netanyahu staff members quitting or leaving over a 3-year period, and just earlier this week, that’s major.
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This particular video with Bibi merely giving firm instructions about locking a door instead of just closing it and the aide (who seems a bit slow there) not simply saying “OK, it’ll be locked,” that’s minor.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:35:19 +0000

Ami, I ask this in all sincerity, because I can really understand if you have taken so much flak that it has become automatic, but do you read every comment that people make as if it was said to you in an attacking, know it all, sort of voice? That is the only way I can understand why your comebacks come off as obnoxious, even when I try to read them in the plainest and most pleasant tone possible. My comment was written as plainly as possible. That may not have been clear. That you felt the need to insult me for showing your article to other people is unbelievable. People share articles with each other. On Facebook and other platforms. That’s what people do. And they often do it with a, so what do you think of this? I showed it to other people because I wanted to see how an average reader/viewer might see things. I don’t assume that the way I react to something is the TRUTH. For that matter, I also don’t think that JUST because some other people reacted similarly that my perspective is therefore the TRUE one, either. It’s just a way of doing a reality check. And that’s what I was sharing with you, out of genuine interest for people whose opinions I otherwise respect not coming off as arrogant petty jerks to people who would otherwise by responsive to their message/perspective. That you then got all aggressive with me was disappointing. I am genuinely concerned about how you sound to others. If your interest is in more than just being right (or just feeling right), and you want to actually communicate successfully with people and convince them of your perspective, you have to be more aware of your tone.

By: Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:18:21 +0000

@ahmad: One last thing. You wrote in the comment I deleted: “The Eshel affair was interesting: Man harasses woman, woman complains, man resigns.”
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Further proof on how clueless you are and how shallow your understanding is.
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The woman never complained. In fact, she refused to complain. Do you know who complained? Three aides in the PMO. Hauser was one of them. Are you starting to get the picture?
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I strongly suggest you read the newspapers before telling people their journalism is petty.

By: Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:59:51 +0000

@ahmad – told ya. Now go and complain how undemocratic I am like all you other loser trolls.