Spencer Wells is a geneticist, a co-owner of Antone’s, blues bar in Austin, and – some would say — an antisemite, if we may be permitted to thus describe someone who has murderous fantasies about destroying Israel and its apartheid-loving Jews
The unedifying brief tale is here:
Spencer Wells, a former adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin, recently tweeted that Israel should be bombed “until the sand turns to glass.”
To me that sounds like wishing for mass murder: Wells would like the state of Israel, and all of its Jews (I presume he would somehow, in his homicidal fantasy, manage to spare all the non-Jews in the country) to be completely destroyed, by being bombed until “the sand turns to glass.” Sand turns to glass when it is heated to a temperature of 3090 degrees Fahrenheit, which would definitely incinerate the population of Israel. I consider that to be the endorsement of genocide from Spencer Wells. Do you disagree?
In the same Twitter thread, which has since been removed, Spencer Wells — who describes himself as a “scientist,” “author” and “entrepreneur” — said, “I despise the Israelis. If you want to see the post-apocalyptic vision of what Apartheid in South Africa would have looked like in 2020, visit Israel.”
When Spencer Wells says he “despises the Israelis” – all of them, that is all of the Jewish Israelis — his hatred is palpable. Does that amount to antisemitism? If challenged to defend himself against that charge, would he explain that his homicidal hatred extends “only” to all Israelis, or perhaps “only” to “Israelis and all those who support Israel” be enough to get him off the hook? Not in my book. What about yours?
And his statement about Israel resembling what South Africa “would have looked like in 2020” if it had not done away with Apartheid, but continued to impose it even more completely and brutally – which is what I take his hard-to-parse phrase about a “post-apocalyptic vision” to mean – is preposterous.
Let’s see just how preposterous. Is Israel right now an Apartheid state? Aren’t there Arabs serving in the Knesset, sitting on the Supreme Court, representing the country as diplomats at the ambassadorial level, even serving in the IDF if they so choose? Don’t Jews and Arabs study in the same universities, work in the same companies, play on the same sports teams, act in the same films and television series, perform in the same orchestras, serve in the same police forces (there is even a Muslim Major-General in the Police), live in the same communities? Did any of that happen in South Africa between whites and blacks during Apartheid? What can Spencer Wells possibly mean? I’d hazard a guess that perhaps he once visited Israel, and didn’t like the checkpoints in the West Bank, or the noticeable police presence in Jerusalem and other cities? Doesn’t he have any idea why those checkpoints, and that police presence, have been made necessary by the thousands of terrorist attacks targeting Israelis over the years?
After the thread came to light, the University of Texas at Austin distanced itself from Wells, stating, “Spencer Wells is no longer a faculty or advisory council member at UT. He previously had a courtesy, unpaid appointment as a part-time adjunct that did not involve teaching. That ended in May and was not renewed. We do not have any association with the views held by Mr. Wells.”
It’s good that the University of Texas ended any association, no matter how tenuous – he was a non-paid adjunct – with Spencer Wells. But there is more that could be done to express one’s disgust with Spencer Wells.
Here’s what I’d suggest. Wells is a co-owner of Antone’s, described as an “iconic blues venue” in downtown Austin. Do just this: Don’t go yourself to Antone’s, should you ever be in Austin, and discourage others – everyone you know, in fact — from doing so. And ask them to tell others, who will tell still others. Keep up this campaign, in an ever-widening gyre of this blues-bar boycott. Use social media, quoting Wells’s wish that Israel be bombed until its “sand turns into glass” – i.e.,those bombs incinerate its population – and his remarks about how “I despise Israelis” and how, in its practice of Apartheid, Israel outdoes South Africa at its worst.
If enough people take their custom elsewhere, this won’t lead to any change in Spencer Wells’s opinions, or endow him with moral sense, for he has none, but at least such a boycott could make life not quite as easeful for him – I believe he’s sitting out the coronavirus in luxurious surroundings, somewhere in Indonesia – as he assumed it would be.
Mykejohn says
I see. Let the Prof get into the first bomber enroute to Israel. He and his entourage will be like hormah before the first bomb is fired from any bomber.
Templer says
Peace off crap he should be put in court for Rachel haterd raciest white peace off shite
Laura says
What?
David says
Laura, I think we get the message and sentiment, from Templer, regardless of the ‘interesting’ spelling. I quite like ‘Rachel haterd’. The last word should be ‘Shiite’
Michael says
Robert, where are your solutions? It seems you’re only able to provide information.
gravenimage says
Actually, Michael, exposing the ugliness of Islam and its supporters is a key part of the solution.
Kepha says
Nuke Israel? It will sure take care of the “Palestinian” problem as well–to say nothing of large chunks of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. Maybe, when NorK pushes just too hard, we can strap Spencer Wells to the first missile we send in retaliation.
For the record, my prayer is that nobody ever has to go the nuclear route. As for Israel, let it stay there.
gravenimage says
So true, Kepha.
And that is my prayer, as well. What will happen when more Muslims get the bomb is anyone’s guess…
David says
I think he should be called the Wells of Despair. ‘Man’s inhumanity to man,’ is a phrase often used to describe the abject cruelty that people seem to inflict on each other with impunity.
Dana says
I am an ex Israeli (very very very ex, like 38 years ex) and I now live in another country. A much better country which is not a third world country. I liked ONE thing that you said Kepha: “As for Israel, let it stay there”.
gravenimage says
Do you prefer the Muslim countries surrounding Israel who want to see her destroyed?
mortimer says
Spencer Wells is an anti-Semite … period
mortimer says
In Israel, the ‘apartheid’ comes from the Islamic side, but Mr. Wells doesn’t know anything about Islam, Dhimmitude, kafirs, Al Walaa wal Baraa and the whole thing of ISLAMIC APARTHEID based on religion.
Muslims SEGREGATE themselves from non-Muslims. Jews do NOT segregate themselves, because they are so gregarious and intellectually curious about everything. This is part of the NORMATIVE, intellectual core culture of Jewish family life.
Islamic core culture teaches ROTE LEARNING, NOT ASKING QUESTIONS and UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE to absurdities.
Wells is unable to see the causes … due to his racial-supremacist blinkers.
LR says
Well Mortimer, I am surrounded by lefties, and many of them, including the Jewish ones think Israel is an apartheid state.
One time my Jewish friend actually accused Israel of being genocidal. I called her out on it, and she did back down a bit stating maybe that was a bit extreme. She is darn adamant in her views so that was actually progress.
Having more dialogues with people who don’t agree with us, is going to be difficult. But, it is much needed.
Norman Gardner says
Your friend probably never was in Israel . What possible evidence is there of the Jewish Israelis being genocidal ?, With 2 million Arabs living in the country it is a stupid comment by her. She is ignorant that many Muslim Arabs serve in all aspects of Israeli society. She should stop listening to Arab propoganda and the New York Times.
gravenimage says
Grimly, this is too common, LR.
mortimer says
Hmmm … now let’s see … what was the NAME of that European politician with a mustache who wanted to burn Jews … just like Mr Wells does … hmmm … let’s think about this one.
Oh yeah! I don’t see a difference … do you see a difference?
Marttheman says
What is the obsession with Israel? Don’t all these people have hundreds of other countries that they wouldn’t want to bomb first? All these so-called anti-semites are just screaming for attention. They have zero knowledge about history, they give no credit whatsoever to the old and new testament and therefore ignore the word of God. 80 years ago (if I were that old) I would have warned the Israelis for these anti-semite loonies. Nowadays I’d rather warn the anti-semites. “Even if you don’t believe in God and you ignore the bible, you have no idea what you are up against.” My advice to them would be to let go of that hatred and go about their business. They’ll live longer.
owensgate says
It’s a Spiritual thing.
gravenimage says
Only because murdering Jews is considered “spiritual” in Islam.
James Lincoln says
Spencer Wells graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas at Austin, received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and conducted postdoctoral work at Stanford and Oxford.
Sky high IQ, but knows far less about Israel than the average bread-and-butter Jihad Watch reader.
https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2013/11/13/meet-the-new-owners-of-antones.html
Hugh Fitzgerald says
There are many examples of high IQ people who are, or were, political idiots. Linus Pauling. Noam Chomsky. George Wald. But none of them were quite as idiotic, nor as cruel and vicious, as Spencer Wells.
gravenimage says
So true.
Wellington says
Again demonstrating, James, that education alone is not nearly enough. Minus common sense and an enlightened moral code (accurate knowledge too, which so many academics are also deficient in, though of course believing otherwise), education alone is worse than a neutral; it is ordinarily a negative— and sometimes a horrible and even lethal negative.
curious george says
Wellington,
+1
As David Horowitz clearly demonstrates in his book, Radical Son.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
I like your “trilogy”:
1. Accurate education/knowledge.
2. Common sense.
3. Enlightened moral code.
It’s a keeper!
revereridesagain says
Boycott the damn bar. When his business fails he can re-open in Tehran. See how that works out for him.
James Lincoln says
revereridesagain,
As of 2013, there were six owners. I wonder how the other owners will feel about Spencer when their business collapses.
Spencer Wells
Peter Griesar
Pamela Caragol Wells
Arnold Wells
Tayloe Emery
Donovan Webster
https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2013/11/13/meet-the-new-owners-of-antones.html
SKA says
Somehow having six full
partners of a small enterprise seems like a business model doomed to fail.
SKA says
This acquisition took place in 2013. Would be interested to see how it survived since then and particularly through the coronavirus Texas shutdown of venues like this. Not as if blues music has curbside delivery.
commonsense says
…Or Gaza.
commonsense says
My brief comment was meant as a reply to revereridesagain. Don’t know why my comments often don’t seem to post where they should.
R. Howell says
https://www.facebook.com/antonesnightclub
janicevanguilder says
is this the same person who hosted a National Geographic TV series about how interrelated humans were, and who did genetic testing to illustrate the markers?
mccode says
yes
gravenimage says
Yep.
owensgate says
“…If you want to see the post-apocalyptic vision of what Apartheid in South Africa would have looked like in 2020, visit Israel.”
This absurd statement cannot be reconciled to even the simplest lie. He needs to be dragged, kicking and screaming, on a Tour of Israel, to learn THE Truth. The worst part of all, he is affiliated with an “Institution of Higher Learning” (written with sarcasm). Hopefully, his teaching credentials have been rescinded. But I doubt it.
gravenimage says
Former University of Texas Professor Would Like Israel to Be Bombed “Until the Sand Turns to Glass”
……………….
Genocidal antisemite. And this thug could have been teaching our children…
Ewanda says
Spencer!! Shame on your comment … You did so much on the National Geographic Genome Project to prove that we are all joined together and that we trekked all over the world from that little piece of African soil. You did so much to make us feel united to each other and that our differences are only complexion deep. No one is black and no one is white … just varying degrees of brownness or lack of. …. I know that you are reading these comments but I would really like to know what you experienced to come to say that very extreme viewpoint.
We are the sum total of all the decisions, choices, and experiences that have confronted us throughout our life. What happened to that happy go lucky guy who traveled the world teaching everyone that we are all related? You of all people know that we should never speak in superlatives. I participated in the Genome Project and It was wonderful to know that everyone is related to everyone else. Friends all over the world.
I just hope that you would have enough empathy to imagine what it must be like to be targeted for extermination no matter where in this huge world one would go ….. that there is no safe place on earth just to live out one’s life in peace …. imagine that!!
Islam is world wide to the point that there is no safe, secure place for Jews …. even if you are a child. It’s in their books on how to aspire to be that perfect, orthodox Muslim, and sad to say, they have no choice but to believe and act on those passages that say to not only refuse to take Jews and Christians for friends but also go forward and kill every Jew in the world.
Maybe you didn’t know that.There are enough good, knowledgeable souls here on Jihad Watch to quote you the passages that will inform you on how wrong, hurtful, and dangerous your comments were.
gravenimage says
Agree, Ewanda–good post.
Just to let people know, the “Spencer” in this comment refers to Spencer Wells, the professor in the story above, *not* to Robert Spencer, who owns this blog.
Ewanda says
thank you for your correction. My slip-up … Hope your correction is read by everyone so no confusion
gravenimage says
I knew who you meant, Ewanda–but I thought a few people who had not read the Texas professor’s name might think you meant Robert Spencer. Thanks.
Tony Naïm says
Mr Well is welcome to visit and live in the rest of the Arab world to find out how many Christians and Jews are allowed to serve in Parliament, the police force, the army. How many are allowed to build churches and erect a cross on the outside of the building, or maybe Mary a Muslim and keep their non Muslim faith, or Find out how safe it is to practice his non Muslim beliefs in public.
True apartheid is found in all these places where the LAWS of DHIMMITUDE are applied and practiced with complete indifference from the rest of the international community and the ignorance of Mr Well.
Perhaps if he knew that Islam is The fastest growing religion in the US where Mosques Are being built with support from foreign and hostile nations under the Ignorant sleepy mind of our own government, or if Mr Well knew that Muslim Americans view non Muslims as Dhimmis, Maybe his anger will be redirected to where it can benefit his core values.
gravenimage says
Spot on, Tony.
Ronald Lorette says
Its a Great thing that the Savior of the WORLD is a Jew, and that He died for someone with that much hatred for His fellow Human Beings.He also was made in Gods image,so God may change his Heart and mind before He kneels face to fave with Jesus ,the final Judge and Creator of the Universe.
David says
I think Spencer Wells should be called the Wells of Despair. ‘Man’s inhumanity to man,’ is a phrase often used to describe the abject cruelty that people seem to inflict on each other with impunity.
He might want to only destroy ‘Israelis’ (avoiding saying Jews). All the Arab Muslims and others living there would just be ‘collateral damage’. Probably all the surrounding countries would be severely damaged by the nuclear blasts, as they are so close.Only a nuclear blast can generate the required amount of heat to melt sand.
I personally think his comment should be widely broadcast, so people can see what a disgusting creature he is. He really needs psychiatric help. To think he is wandering around with these sick thoughts in his head is worrying. It is probably shared by many muslims, which is more than worrying.
KENNY says
Don’t let UT off the hook. This is exactly the type of professors they have all over their campuses. That school is a breeding ground for Texas Antifa, and most of the other liberal crap that’s infiltered Texas. They have an endowment that’s worth more then a lot of countries around the world, yet overcharge the students there for everything but an education. Socialist teachings have gone on there for years, so if your looking for a real education to get ready for the world, look else ware. Wells was replaced by more like him.
OLD GUY says
Liberal universities are destroying America with the brain washing they do on our young people.
ideasdailyonline says
they aint liberal friend, they are socialist cultural/economic marxist subversive secular death cult who believe in making all human consciousness mold into one massive dynamic controlled by elites through banks, education, entertainment, music and centralized medicine … the markets are controlled as though they are cattle farms .. the difference being that the average human is seen as a “resource” by those occupying the institutions and public/private elite life throughout the entire globe. the brain washing of the USA began in the 1800s after french revolution -> Hamilton vowed to revive the european elitist oligarchic class of society and laid the foundation of centralized banking which was continued and expanded throughout the 1800s culminating in 1913 with the FEDERAL RESERVE [purposefully named to give the avg citizen the automatic deduction that they are a US Government institution, when they are infact a private banking monopoly who is sanctioned to have a global centralized bank that intervenes and runs the markets of the world and therefore society]. Woodrow wilson was the bankers puppet in the oval office who rammed down using unconstitutional methods and backroom deals {look up dr. jeykll island meeting} … the bills through the congress and through the senate then signed by him to essentially hand creepy socialist cabal of wealthy banking families a monopoly control on Money creation … the most power in human history.
the wall ST bankers funded both the SOviet Union and the national socialists in Germany using FORD, and other american big corporate and GOV institutions/individual movers …
they are NOT liberal … they are socialists … please use the correct word
Dan Barongo says
Definitely Mr. Wells is saying all that out of sheer jealousy and envy; two negative attributes that fortunately or otherwise set humanity way apart from other animals. In other words, to envy is to be human and who wouldn’t envy Israel for all the fat aid USA furnishes it with, their “smartness “, and the unprecedented display of impunity in the midst of pretenders and fellow law abiding states. If one doesn’t, then they’re some kind of dog, a goat, some fish perhaps…
Going after Spencer’s little livelihood becausevof his opinion reminds me of the dreaded “sanctions” America deploys against some “disrespectful” states out of downright arrogance and egocentrism in total disregard of the suffering populace of the offending country.
If the man whacked you with his pen, do likewise unto him. Stop the radicalism which in my opinion is the real issue bothering Israel despite the multitude of liberal loving Israelis try hard to create changes