In my extended section below, you will see that on Amy Goodman today, Seymour Hersh said much what Mike Gravel said (in my previous post): the tattoo for war in Iran is being beaten by pro-Israel money in the political process. In Hersh’s case, being Jewish, he was blunt about it: "Jewish money."
This is a significant moment. Hersh is a wild man, wild and brilliant. Yet in all his anti-Bush and -Cheney interviews about Iraq over the last few years, I’ve heard him talk code on this issue. He’s attacked the neoconservatives as a crazy band of thinkers; but he’s never put the blame fully where it belongs–on a broader segment of the Jewish community that has immunized the neocons from blame for the war, on the Israel lobby, which includes many Democrats too. Now he’s done so (though apparently not in the New Yorker, which regards Walt and Mearsheimer as fueling hysteria).
This is a beautiful moment, too. Hersh is a progressive Jew. Now he is turning on other Jews. "New York Jewish money," he says. The soulsearching that I have called for within the Jewish community has begun!!!!
When we talk about free speech in America, we mean wide-open speech. That means truly independent, knowledgeable voices like Gravel and Hersh shooting off about what they think is going on. The water is changing by the hour. Any minute and Obama will jump in!
P.S. No pogroms, did you notice? In America, we talk about stuff…
AMY GOODMAN: Sy Hersh, I wanted to switch gears for the
last question, and this has to do with it not just being Republicans
who are sounding a drumbeat for war. The three leading Democratic
presidential candidates — Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John
Edwards — have all declared no options off the table. This is a
clip from last week’s Democratic debate. It was the day the Senate
approved a controversial resolution calling on the State Department
to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist
organization. At the debate, Democratic presidential hopeful Mike
Gravel bitterly criticized Hillary Clinton for voting in favor.
MIKE GRAVEL: This is fantasy land. We’re talking about
ending the war. My god, we’re just starting a war right today.
There was a vote in the Senate today. Joe Lieberman, who authored
the Iraq resolution, has authored another resolution, and it is
essentially a fig leaf to let George Bush go to war with Iran. And
I want to congratulate Biden for voting against it, Dodd for
voting against it, and I’m ashamed of you, Hillary, for voting for
it. You’re not going to get another shot at this, because what’s
happened, if this war ensues, we invade, and they’re looking for
an excuse to do it. And Obama was not even there to vote.
TIM RUSSERT: Senator Clinton, I want to give you a
chance to respond.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: [laughter] AMY GOODMAN: That was Hillary Clinton laughing. Fifteen
seconds, Seymour Hersh. Your response?
SEYMOUR HERSH: Money. A lot of the Jewish money from New
York. Come on, let’s not kid about it. A significant percentage of
Jewish money, and many leading American Jews support the Israeli
position that Iran is an existential threat. And I think it’s as
simple as that. When you’re from New York and from New York City,
you take the view of — right now, when you’re running a campaign,
you follow that line. And there’s no other explanation for it,
because she’s smart enough to know the downside.
AMY GOODMAN: And Obama and Edwards?
SEYMOUR HERSH: I — you know, it’s shocking. It’s really
surprising and shocking, but there we are. That’s American politics
circa 2007.
AMY GOODMAN: Seymour Hersh, thank you very much for being
with us, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist. His
piece in the New Yorker is called “Shifting Targets: The
Administration’s Plan for Iran.”
Related posts:
- Sen. Gravel Say AIPAC Is Pushing Confrontation With Iran
- Walt and Mearsheimer Have Already Created Perestroika
- Perestroika: James Fallows Says “Mainly… Jewish” Faction Pushes for Iran Showdown
- Jewish Press Is Honest About Hillary’s Jewish Money ‘Cadre’. MSM Isn’t.
- Peretz Says NIE Shocker Re Iran Was Enabled by… Walt & Mearsheimer
{ 30 comments }
Hey moron, perestroika means "restructuring",
you mean glasnost, "openness"
You are a filthy piece of shit and an idiot.
go jerk off into the sink…
Hi Fred
Thanks for taking a moment from your AIPAC duties to share your thoughts with us. Hey how's that espionage/treason trial going? Give our best to Rosen and Weissman.
Iran is a threat to Israel's existence, an existential threat.
The question of what to do about it is a question of judgement.
Hello again Fred
I was just wondering, does your wife wash the dishes in your sink?
Chicago Trib has a lengthy piece on the Liberty. Another indication of Glasnost?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/chi-liberty_tuesoct02,0,1050179.story
Since Abba Eban died the zionists have not been able to find a halfway-civilized spokesman. Now all they've got is Dershowitz and… fred
All zionists – jewish – israeli people are already guilty as charged for the potential invasion of Iran. Am I right?
It has not happened yet.
Who are the innocent people in these days?
Any jews, or only the 100% Muslims, the Episcopals, the Democratic Party, or the Right to Lifers?
Phil, you are completely tasteless and can not be called objective if you broadcast these meaningless statements.
Like the WM stories, quotations picked from junk literature, do we have to use these trashed terms, the Jewish money, which is an expression of prejudice?
My little money was not spent on any plots against Iran.
Very few Jewish Americans worked on the Iraq plans.
Very few are involved with the Congressional lobbies.
And they are not representing too many Jews or Israelis.
Let the Jewish people assimilate into the American population, and you can refrain from this hate campaign.
I think the Iraqis, the Iranians and the Palestinians have to take care of their problems, and we are wishing them the best.
You should advise them how to put their houses in order.
And read up on Shylock.
It seems only the segment deemed "worthy" can speak collectively about any group (including their own). For anyone else to do it is somehow an indicator of the most abhorent motives. Maybe the solution is to follow any term that might be deemed prejudicial or overgeneralized with the acronym "SBNA" (some but not all).
SBNA PenisPushers like LanceThrusters are Assholes.
I agree that Phil is insensitive in his use of language, and sadly seeking rationalization that "it doesn't harm anyone".
There are other ways to argue against invading Iran than to complain about "Jewish money".
lets be honest here about two things:
1)Right wing Jews and Right wing Evangelicals have a lot of influence on our foreign policy and they sadly back the wrong players in Israel.
2)Phil is a little twerp
"I think the Iraqis, the Iranians and the Palestinians have to take care of their problems, and we are wishing them the best.
You should advise them how to put their houses in order."
Yes Steve, and that advice should be most literal – because the heroic IDF, having found that street fighting exposes it to unpleasant risks, has found a way around that – right through people's walls:
"Through walls" tactic
According to the residents in other homes a similar tactic, known as "through walls," was used. Soldiers go through neighbors' homes, destroying joint walls, to reach targets without being exposed in the narrow streets.
The building next to Abu Salah, four stories high, was totally demolished by Israeli bulldozers, leaving dozens homeless. Personal belongings like furniture, video tapes and clothes stick out of the rubble. The soldiers, searching for and fighting militants, did not give the residents time to get their possessions out, residents said.
Several people said the soldiers used three locals as human shields, a practice deemed illegal by Israel's High Court. The Israeli military said it was "not aware of any such incident."
In other areas, people were cordoned off while soldiers used their homes as observation points, residents said.
"My brother had 71 people in his house — the women in one room and the men in another — for two days," said Ghassan, a school teacher. "They used all their food in one day but received bread from the Palestinian Medical Relief on the second."
"The noises during the fighting hurt my ears so much," said Aisha, aged 74, as she sat on the floor preparing soup from UNRWA food aid.
Sewage pipes damaged during the fighting overflow outside her small home, spreading a foul smell in the air.
"The windows are broken. I hope they fix it before winter. It's getting cold now at night," she said."
This item comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. All IRIN material may be reposted or reprinted free-of-charge; refer to the copyright page for conditions of use. IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Looks like the AIPAC crows are in. Iran is a threat to israel? Go fight for her, send your son's and daughters, not ours. Phils language is insensitive – How insensitive was it to kill a million Iraqis? Over three thousand of our boys and girls? PNAC – defence of the realm, remember that one guys? Get the hell out of here.
Your mr Abrams thinks you're all living in a parallel universe to the rest of us anyway – hell, I agree with him. Not a word about Abrams insenitivity, his racism? Coz he told it like it is, right, boys. A pity the rest of the cattle got to hear about it.
You don't care about my country, you dont care about MY people, you dont care about any people but your own. Phil is trying his best to put some water between decent people in his community and the monsters of your lobby who are using this country up for your own ends. You're too goddam blind to see or too goddam evil to care.
Perhaps you have some sound advice a propos of the following report as well, Steve.
From a report by a recent delegation from the European Parliament:
"Press Release, 21 September 2007
Jerusalem
Delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development to the Palestinian Territories
The delegation is deeply shocked by the unprecedented humanitarian crisis it witnessed in the Palestinian Territories. It urges the European Union to take immediate action to stop the collective punishment against the Palestinian people inflicted by the Israeli authorities which deprives them from building a viable economy, impedes the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the implementation of development aid projects. The delegation warns against the risk and unpredictable consequences of the current crisis, if the occupation does not end.
…
The delegation visited agricultural projects, the Shifa hospital, the Director of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility for the Palestinian National Authority. They also met with the Minister of Planning, the Mayor of Gaza, The Mayor of Hebron, several human rights activists, representatives of the civil society, businessmen, the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
It heard dramatic testimonies regarding the food security situation, the problems regarding water resources and energy supplies. Other important points raised were the Palestinians struggle for the right to basic education and health services, accompanied by a complete disruption of the economic life and suspension of development projects.
The constant deterioration of the situation in the Palestinian Territories pre-empts the conduct of a normal development policy and results in the high dependency on emergency aid. The delegation takes the view that in order to resume a sustainable economic activity, the removal of the political obstacles, and in particular the existing closures are essential.
The delegation considers the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to be of the highest urgency, and in this respect shares the views expressed by UNRWA; IMF and the World Bank Report. The economic, social and cultural life is disrupted. As the area is closed and goods can not be imported or exported, this brings the economy to collapse. The unemployment rate has risen sharply (currently around 70 %), most factories and shops are closed, and many families are unable to pay for basic commodities, even bread. The disposal of household waste is very intermittent giving further concern to the health of the population of the Gaza Strip. The water system is polluted which is a risk to babies and to all people. The NGOs denounced the suspension of development projects due to the closures, and the lack of construction materials. The scarce resources diminish the quality of medical care. The Gaza Strip and Hebron resemble ghost cities.
Deep concern was expressed about Israel’s decision to interrupt the provision of essential services, such as electricity and fuel to the Gaza Strip.
The delegation became very aware that the chance to have a lasting and just peace in the area through negotiations and agreements which will put an end to the military occupation and bring to the coexistence of two states in reciprocal security and defined borders can only be realised if the obstacles which makes daily life impossible for Palestinians (notably the construction of walls, the increasing number of settlements and the daily intrusion of the military in the West Bank), be removed now."
This just proves that AIPAC is not the main lobby for Israel, but the liberal intellectuals are. As in most issues that are out there, there is at least a facade of opposition by the liberals on all those issues supported by the right wing freaks. But in the case of Israel, the liberals are actually on the boat of the wingnuts.
Stop fighting AIPAC, instead fight those fraudulent liberals who also praised Joan Peter's greatest hoax of all time "From Time Immemorial"
Fact:
Israel is now on the front burner with the American public as it should be.
As for bashing Weiss, the Jews should thank him…if some Jews wern't speaking out about our very sick Isr-US relationship than it would be very easy for true anti-semites to blame all "The Jews".
The catastrophe in Gaza continues after earlier attempts to improve matters on a more long-term footing (in spite of Israeli strangulation) by Wolfensohn (you couldn't get anybody with more impeccable credentials than JW) and the UN's de Soto (http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,2101677,00.html) were derailed by the US administration. The vacuous show pony Blair of course has been sent in to maintain the status quo.
This is ethnic cleansing pure and simple, and on an industrial scale.
The abuse of PW for, in effect, saying 'not in my name' is contemptible. But par for the course.
Hang on in there Phil, you're getting some traction!
There is a good reason why journalists are now no longer admitted in Gaza (which supposedly is 'sovereign territory' but for all intents and purposes – and of the most nasty ones -is still Israeli occupied territory). However, news about the human rights situation there still appears. Check:
http://www.mezan.org/site_en/press_room/press_detail.php?id=714
Posted by: Samie | October 02, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Wow. Amen to that.
Posted by: Samie | October 02, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Wow. Amen to that.
yes hang on there Phil. Who would have guessed that you would have gotten some angry comments from people who think you are being careless and uncaring in the manner in which you sensationalize these issues. Of course it is a win-win for you. You and your sycophants can now try to paint you as a martyr and your slimiest of commenters can take pleasure in knowing that they are causing jews anxiety. Mazel Tov.
Hopefully there will be more "good Jews" than there were "good Germans" speaking out against the horrendous crimes perpetrated in their name.
We need thousands more like Phil Weiss, Gideon Levy, Amira Hass, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Sy Hersch,, Daniel Ellsberg, etc.
Yes Crimson Ghost. The world could use some more "good jews" as well as "good christians" and "good muslims" being equally self-reflective and self-critical.
Philip – Have you read this?
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2007/10/02/PolicyPaperNovemberConference.pdf
re Aunt Sadist's plaint:
PW sensationalizing the issues? On the contrary, his temperance inhibits their pursuit.
It's simple. Israel is a criminal enterprise. Are Jewish communities worldwide going to support or oppose this racket?
Millenia of Jewry's contribution to civilisation distilled in the sub-human hysteria of a Hebron settler? Hello?
American Orthodox communities have already made their stance clear.
PW is merely publicising that he does not want to go down with the ship.
On the side, he is putting in a plug for Jewry sui generis to be retrieved from this bloody albatross. Who could deny the essential rightness of his humble cause (and those of similar ilk)?
Well,
I think Phil is a good human being for how he lives and has lived over his whole life.
He is a journalist that probes. Its his job.
Like Walt/Mearsheimer, I expect that Phil similarly asserts that if he thought that the comments would evoke significant anti-semitism that it wouldn't be worth it, even if it were the basis of a significant portion of his career draw.
I think he is accurate in that now, but if he just pushes and over an extended time, he will have caused some real harms, some hatred (a sentiment, not even necessarily an action).
The appeal to emotion rather than reason.
Phil's contributions are very counterproductive.
It is a global condemnation of all Israel, all Jews, all Jewish money.
One-dimensional Palestinians generate good feelings from this blog.
Most Palestinians, who live there, are more familiar with Israel, and have a more sophisticated and generous opinion about the reality. Most Palestinians have a deep respect for the State of Israel, and most Israeli Arabs became fans of Israel.
Deeply orthodox Muslims are some times the exception.
The Palestinians are yearning for an intelligent propaganda free strategy to get out of the conflict without further bloodbath. They are justifiably disappointed in their terrorist leaders.
The current anti-Zionist movement from USA has to get field education in the local environment, to go beyond propaganda and false accusations, and avoid the pitfalls of the Germans, who uncritically soaked up the Nazi propaganda on the way to the death camps. Niemoeller, Willy Brandt and many others were the exceptions.
Where is a sane Willy Brandt here, or in Palestine, when we need him.
The Iraqi war is a tragedy, but the main blame should be put in the court of the Supreme Leader of Iran. What an immoral person! First, a cruel dictator at home, second, a ruthless instigator of poor Shi'ites in Iraq, Lebanon and the Gulf.
Richard Witty, ladies and gentleman, Zionist apologist, master of irony.
Iran threatens Israel's existance? Maybe Israel shouldn't have armed the Iranians during the Muslim-on-Muslim bloodbath, the Iran-Iraq war?
Hamas threatens Israel's existance? Maybe Israel's Mossad shouldn't have contributed funds to Shiek Yassan when he was building the Hamas organization, as a counterweight to secular Arab nationalist Fatah?
Hezbollah threatens Israel's existance? Maybe Ariel Sharon didn't need to level half of Lebanon in 1982?
Philip Weiss threatens Israel's existance? Maybe AIPAC/AJC/JINSA and the rest shouldn't have callously invaded Iraq leading to the deaths of over a million Iraqis in 4 years?
Zionism–and all colonialism–is a RACKET. That plenty of innocent, well-meaning people get caught up in the fray is a tragic consequence of the greedy, short-sighted, and brutal expulsion of native inhabitants, and certainly does not justify continued war crimes and repression.
Ah, the Liberty. LBJ personally ordered back the fighters that had been launched off carrier decks to rescue their fellow Navy sailors.
LBJ let the sailors die. He was going to allow a US Navy vessel to be sunk, and would not allow fighter support to rescue her.
How many times the people involved must have wished they had disobeyed that direct presidential order.
Glenn Greenwald (who is rapidly becoming something of an unparalleled force of nature, America's greatest living commentator) suggests that this time around, the military might do precisely that, if ordered to bomb Iran.
At this point in American history, I would actually support a military coup against the sewer roaches that currently infest Washington DC, if that is what it took to stop a strike on Iran.
GG hilights a comment by Billmon, noting that it's a sad state when we have to rely on the military to reign in warmongers in Washington.
Hirsch provides no names, no evidence. So we could be talking a million , ten million. How much is support?…Without something concrete all you have is the obvious…many Jews would like the current Iranian regieme to disappear, and there will always be yahoos in favor of nuking an enemy.
Its clear and everyone knows that the 4% jewish population makes the decisions in the US as they control the media and the money. So if they want war with Iran, they'll get it. Sharon himseld confessed that they do whatever they want with america. Unfortunately the people are too scared to even speak of this jewish lobby as they ruin their own career doing so. So there it is. America is no longer free speech. In a positive note, at least they are also brilliant minds, and bring great development in other areas for the USA.
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