Bud Hockenberg (92), a Republican from Des Moines IA, is the former president of the Des Moines Jewish Federation and a founding member of what is now the Republican Jewish Coalition, as well as of Iowans Supporting Israel, a bipartisan group. He is a fourth-generation Des Moines resident and former president of the Conservative synagogue Tifereth Israel. He is still a “very active” attorney and recently attended his 52nd consecutive AIPAC conference.
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We have flagged this interview as having multiple factual errors and references to conspiracy theories. We are including it so you are aware of what one of our participants, a respected member of his community, is thinking and saying.
What are your reactions to the protests occurring across the country? One of our four constitutional rights is to petition government for redress of grievances in a peaceful manner.
What are your reactions to the looting, curfews and the police response of pepper spray, rubber bullets and arrests? National appropriate police response to protect citizens and property (businesses) against criminal terrorism.
What do you think about the call to “defund” police departments? Systemic racism is an Antifa fiction to destroy America. Defunding the police will replace protection of our liberties and property with anarchy.
Have you participated in any demonstrations? Would you have participated in demonstrations if there was not a concern about social distancing and COVID-19? I searched but was unable to find a demonstration for law and order. I am not concerned about COVID-19.
How do you think the president has handled this crisis? How has Joe Biden handled this crisis? The crisis created by Antifa terrorists has been managed effectively by our president to protect our persons and our property. Joe Biden has failed to balance the right to protest against the looting managed by Antifa.
Have the events that have taken place over the last week changed your views on the upcoming Presidential election? The current events have intensified my support of the President to preserve our Judeo-Christian Republic in opposition to the Antifa Restructuring and Revolution campaign in the disguise of protesting the murder of an innocent black citizen.
Do you think recent events will push people to one candidate or the other? The current events will motivate independent voters to support Trump as the law and order candidate and oppose Biden as the captive of the Antifa revolution.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us? (1) I recommend Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky to better understand the strategy behind current events. (2) Also, for your audience to recall 1938 Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass in Germany. (Deja vu!) (3) Systemic anti-Semitism is the Antifa mantra!