Why Is Khalidi Silent?

by on November 1, 2008 12
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Here is Fox News harassing Rashid Khalidi. Khalidi has never been so prominent as he is now. An author who has sought to get his important ideas and books out to the multitudes wears a muzzle. When he has nothing to be ashamed of. When he has only spoken up for the new history and the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people, a right trashed for 60 years in the U.S. Why? Because he wants Obama to win and he is willing to suppress his own views to do so. Because he believes that Obama, notwithstanding the fact that he has distanced himself from Khalidi in an ignoble manner, will be better for Khalidi's country, the United States, than John McCain. Because he knows Obama and trusts him on these issues. Because he is putting his country's interests above his own. There is some Sydney Carton in this, real nobility.

About Philip Weiss

Philip Weiss is Founder and Co-Editor of Mondoweiss.net.
Posted in Israel/Palestine, Nakba, Neocons, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics

{ 12 comments... read them below or add one }

  1. Sword of Gideon says:
    November 1, 2008 at 10:26 am

    Why isn't Khalidi himself calling for the release of the tape. If there is nothing to be ashamed of why the mystery.

  2. anon says:
    November 1, 2008 at 11:00 am

    Because Khalidi knows he can't bring to the propagandized public's attention the
    insanity of our Israel First policy and the details of the P-I conflict
    in the narrow window left before Nov 4.

  3. contrarian says:
    November 1, 2008 at 11:27 am

    SOG:
    Anon. is right. The fact that 'the tape' has become a focal point in this campaign tells you all you need to know about ignorant most Americans are on this issue — and how thoroughly unhelpful the media has been through the years.

    To the McCain campaign (and hysterical Israel-firsters) this is about finding video footage of Obama saying something nice about a 'controvertial' Arab; context doesn't matter The knee-jerk reaction of the masses in this country is that any 'controvertial' Arab is bad.

    No one knows or understands why he has criticized Israel; no one knows or understands what the term 'occupied territories' means. No one knows why Israeli 'settlers' are controvertial in Israel — and illegal under int'l law. No one knows what the 1967 borders refer to.

    This is a witch-hunt, pure and simple, and it's sickening. I feel for Khalidi. No Israel-firser is ever treated this way.

  4. Richard Witty says:
    November 1, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    I take issue with your description that Obama has done anything "ignoble".

    He has not distanced himself from Khalidi. Khalidi is an author that he knows as an acquaintance. He still does.

    Its you who are distancing from Obama.

  5. Richard Witty says:
    November 1, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Don't isolate yourself carelessly Phil.

    If your power comes from your ability to get to hear, and from the horses' mouth, discretion and "manners" is a better approach.

  6. anon says:
    November 1, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Witty, do you take us all for fools? Of course Obama has distanced
    himself from the advocate for Palestinian rights–We only hope that
    is simply because WE LOVE ISRAEL WITHOUT CONSTRAINT is a litmus test to even be a practical contender for POTUS. We also hope Obama will bring more nuance to our dollars and troops lashed to Israel in the future, once he is in office.

    Many of us would have voted for a third party candidate, but we are trying to be practical.

    Don't you get it Witty?

    Just think of the problem as like one for a typical average German in the 1930s.

    The horrendous part is that we have only slightly more available than the average German given his free government radio.

  7. Richard Witty says:
    November 1, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    Distanced is a relative term. It implies that he was once close, and has now changed his relationship.

    Its probably not true. The story is that he is acquainted, personally acquainted, with Khalidi, and still is.

    Again, It is Phil who distancing himself from Obama. Supporter -> critic -> accuser.

    I know a number of Edwards' supporters in the democratic primaries who considered Obama too moderate, that they preferred Edwards' straight talk on working people (in his $1200 suits though).

    I also preferred Edwards' comments on taxation, as emphasizing taxation on work at currently up to 3 times the tax rate on speculation (Joe the plumber most exposed).

    But, Obama embraced the very rational theme, being an insightful, rational man.

  8. Richard Witty says:
    November 1, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si4n4Og1OZY

  9. Richard Witty says:
    November 1, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2e1JcSAj08

  10. anon says:
    November 1, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    So, Witty, are you for bringing class warfare right out in the open?

  11. Richard Witty says:
    November 2, 2008 at 5:59 am

    I'm for policies that encourage work over speculation.

    A self-employed plumber that makes less than $90,000 net income, pays 40 – 46% federal taxes + state taxes.

    An investor in a plumbing business that pays dividends or realizes long-term gains, pays a MAXIMUM of 15% taxes.

    Is making that known class warfare, or is the class warfare in the law already.

  12. Dan Kelly (higginslads) says:
    November 2, 2008 at 10:23 pm

    "I'm for policies that encourage work over speculation.

    A self-employed plumber that makes less than $90,000 net income, pays 40 – 46% federal taxes + state taxes.

    An investor in a plumbing business that pays dividends or realizes long-term gains, pays a MAXIMUM of 15% taxes."

    On this, Richard and I agree.

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