Throats are being cleared at last, and not before time. When the levee does break, it will be a floodtide that informed observers will be (a) glad about, as the Jewish cabal angle was getting dangerous, and (b) disgusted by, as politicians and other major public figures, silent while it seemed prudent, scramble to get aboard the bandwagon.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/06/indecision-5768.html

http://NOMOREWARFORISRAEL.BLOGSPOT.COM

Jon Stewart should have invited Phil to be his straight-man sidekick. The line quoted above, delivered deadpan, would have brought the house down.

Isn't there some medication — 'Preparation Z' or something — to help these debilitated senior citizens?

And, it is insulting for Phil to use age as the descriptor of "elder".

And, it is true that the insulting would not have occurred without Walt/Mearsheimer.

The goal of discussion of AIPAC should be to encourage Jews to think independantly of rumoring, to actually make their/our own judgements of Obama.

To the extent that verbal snipering from the left or left/right enters the discussion, the question of "which side are on?" becomes the only question asked, not the gamut of questions necessary for good judgement.

The majority of Jews will not be swayed to vote for McCain on the basis of the sole question of Israel.

Obama's positions are confident for a Zionist. Obama's positions are confident for an American patriot and for a humanist.

McCain's positions are not confident for a humanist.

What does Buchanon think? Will he vote for McCain? Ron Paul?

Or are they going to take the principled position of jumping republican ship on Israel, Iraq, Iran, and hold their noses and accept universal health care, generous funding of education, actual application of regulations on the books, restoration of capital gains, dividends, and estate taxes?

Why should Jews find it far easier to criticize Israel or other Jews? I know that you are just being honest, but isn't it time to end the thought and speech codes regarding race and ethnicity?

The American tradition of calling a spade a spade trumps the jewish tradition of calling everyone in the world anti-semites.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301565.html

(2) "The Daily Show" made a joke at Obama's expense. In fact, he criticized Israel at the AIPAC meeting by calling for a halt to new settlements.

(3) Here's what an AIPAC lobbyist had to say about Walt and Mearsheimer:

"With minimal original research, the professors started off with a conclusion and proceeded to gather supporting material to reinforce their views, even when contradicted by the facts. Most perniciously, they argue Jews and the pro-Israel lobby helped push the Bush administration into a catastrophic war in Iraq.

Not only did the professors hand AIPAC another lucrative fundraising campaign theme, but they also enhanced the image of its power, painting it as the colossus astride the Capitol that swats critics like harmless gnats and intimidates any challengers. In a town where even the perception of power is power, they performed an invaluable service for AIPAC."

Keep up the good work, Philip! By constantly exaggerating the influence of the "Israel Lobby," you have helped enhance the prestige of AIPAC.

http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/35408/format/html/displaystory.html