Journalists aren't supposed to declare a trend with just two examples but it occurred to me today that twice this spring I've blogged about New Republic editors who have performed services for the fearful AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. In March I noted that Peter Beinart, an editor at large at the august magazine, gave private talks to AIPAC groups, presumably for big bucks. They wouldn't let me attend. Then a couple weeks back I blogged about literary editor Leon Wieselter at the AIPAC policy conference talking about the Jewish future. I got to go this time. (Here's AIPAC's panel; I thought there was a link to the actual discussion).
At the risk of repeating the obvious–which has never stopped me before–I'd note that AIPAC is a lobbying group, a "controversial" one per Keith Olbermann, one that has nullified American policy visavis the illegal colonization of the West Bank for over 30 years, and TNR is a journalistic institution. (Though Zionism always comes first.) TNR boss Marty Peretz also plays a prominent role at Yivo, which joined TNR last year in trashing Walt and Mearsheimer, who had made the terrible mistake of criticizing AIPAC. These guys all share a devout interest. Obvious, yes, but worth noting.
