File this one under random accusations of anti-semitism. But this one is at least extraordinary because it offers no substantiation whatsoever.

Eric Alterman’s new book on “Why We’re Liberals” attacks radio host Laura Ingraham for being anti-semitic based on:

1) Ingraham liked “The Passion of the Christ.”

2) She mocks the “elites.”

That’s it. That’s his whole case.

His quote in full is here:

In observing the members of the conservative elite denouncing “elitists, it can be difficult to tell your players without the proverbial scorecard. For instance, the radio talk-show host and former conservative cable host Laura Ingraham has written an entire book about the dangers posed by liberal elites, entitled Shut Up & Sing: How Elites from Hollywood, Politics, and the Media Are Subverting America. In it, this daughter of a Connecticut lawyer, and graduate of Dartmouth and the University of Virginia Law School, who now lives in an expensive home in Washington D.C., distinguishes between liberal elitists and those whom she terms “true Americans.”

She begins her treatise by explaining who these “elite Americans” are and what they think: “They think we’re stupid. They think our patriotism is stupid. They think our churchgoing is stupid. They think having more than two children is stupid. They think where we live – anywhere but near or in a few major cities – is stupid. They think our SUVs are stupid. They think owning a gun is stupid. They think our abiding belief in the goodness of America and its founding principles is stupid.”

In Ingraham’s case, as in many others, one detects a strain of anti-Semitism in her insistent elite-bashing. During the flap over Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ – more about which below – Ingraham announced: “I want to see any more that drives the anti-Christian entertainment elite crazy.” Presumably Ingraham did not mean to imply that this “anti-Christian elite” was mostly made up of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, or Scientologists.

Isn’t that a bit of a jump there?

Wait until he finds out that Ingraham attends a church that is led by a former Hitler Youth who wants people to pray for the Jews.

Meanwhile, I would suggest that Ingraham contact a lawyer. A really good one. You know the kind I’m talking about…
H/T Newsbusters.org