Comments on: John Hall, my progressive congressman from AIPAC http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html The War of Ideas in the Middle East Mon, 28 May 2012 09:59:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: Susie Kneedler http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32847 Susie Kneedler Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32847 <p>Here's the response (dated January 12, 2009) I got yesterday (Jan. 20) to the letter and phone message I sent to "my representative," Sen. Sherrod Brown:</p> <p>"Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the current situation in Gaza.</p> <p>Israel has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism. For too long, Hamas has used Gaza as a staging ground for terrorism, including the recent escalation of rocket launches against Israeli citizens, to the detriment of the Palestinian people. I cosponsored S. Res. 10, a resolution reaffirming support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, because it states that right and asserts our concern about humanitarian aid and protecting civilian lives.</p> <p>I am deeply concerned by the growing number of civilian casualties. All sides must work towards an immediate resolution to the crisis. The Bush Administration [this letter arrived on Inauguration Day]<br /> must work to bring about a ceasefire and an immediate removal of all obstacles for the delivery of humanitarian aid.</p> <p>I am monitoring this situation and will continue to promote direct action by this and the next Administration to develop a lasting peace for the region.</p> <p>Thank you again for writing me.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Sherrod Brown<br /> United States Senator"<br /> ****</p> <p>I replied:</p> <p> 'Jan 20, 2009<br /> Dear Senator Brown,</p> <p>As a life-long Democrat deeply horrified by the Bush Administration's many crimes, I didn't think that anything could dampen our family's celebration of President Obama's inauguration. </p> <p>But your reply to my letter about Israel's atrocities in Gaza has made us ashamed of the Democratic Party’s failure to stand up to the Israeli expansionist regime—as well as the Likud Lobby here in the U.S. The Israeli government has created an ever-bigger apartheid system of roads, and imprisoned villages in the West Bank and a massive concentration camp in Gaza . </p> <p>By stating that "Israel has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism," you show yourself to be more loyal to Israel than to the U.S., as well as ignorant of recent history. An illegally Occupying power like Israel has no right under international law to self-defense, because Occupation itself is aggression.</p> <p>Israel broke the "truce," having used the cease-fire to plan its onslaught against defenseless civilians in Gaza. No Israeli had been killed by Hamas during the "truce," but Israel murdered six Palestinians and refused to loosen the strangling siege on Gaza and the one and a half million civilians there. </p> <p>Don't forget: the Israeli siege of Gaza is an act of war and Israel launched one whole war in response to a siege placed on it. Please, Senator Brown, open your eyes to the fact that Israel is not David now, but an imperial Goliath. Stop being conned by Zionists whose goal is a "Greater Israel" which precludes the possibility of a Palestinian state. That you defend Israel's many war crimes is truly disheartening to all liberals who care about peace, justice, and self-determination for all peoples.</p> <p>When will you become fair-minded enough to see that Palestine "has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism," too? </p> <p>My family and I ask that you condemn the IDF targeting of many UN buildings, including the warehouse full of food; of hospitals, medics, family rescuers, children, schools, civil society buildings.</p> <p>We ask you to stop supporting Israel’s illegal wars: to halt the $3 billion-plus subsidy and to support a boycott of all Israeli goods and services until Israel complies with international law and obeys all UN mandates, including withdrawal to the 1967 borders.</p> <p>Please cease working for Neo-Conservative, Likud—values, but put your effort instead into achieving decent, Liberal goals: a truly just peace between Israelis and Palestinians in Palestine.</p> <p>Thank you very much.</p> <p>Sincerely,<br /> Susie Kneedler'</p> <p>Senator Brown has NOT replied to my reply.<br /> </p> Here's the response (dated January 12, 2009) I got yesterday (Jan. 20) to the letter and phone message I sent to "my representative," Sen. Sherrod Brown:

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the current situation in Gaza.

Israel has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism. For too long, Hamas has used Gaza as a staging ground for terrorism, including the recent escalation of rocket launches against Israeli citizens, to the detriment of the Palestinian people. I cosponsored S. Res. 10, a resolution reaffirming support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, because it states that right and asserts our concern about humanitarian aid and protecting civilian lives.

I am deeply concerned by the growing number of civilian casualties. All sides must work towards an immediate resolution to the crisis. The Bush Administration [this letter arrived on Inauguration Day]
must work to bring about a ceasefire and an immediate removal of all obstacles for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

I am monitoring this situation and will continue to promote direct action by this and the next Administration to develop a lasting peace for the region.

Thank you again for writing me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator"
****

I replied:

'Jan 20, 2009
Dear Senator Brown,

As a life-long Democrat deeply horrified by the Bush Administration's many crimes, I didn't think that anything could dampen our family's celebration of President Obama's inauguration.

But your reply to my letter about Israel's atrocities in Gaza has made us ashamed of the Democratic Party’s failure to stand up to the Israeli expansionist regime—as well as the Likud Lobby here in the U.S. The Israeli government has created an ever-bigger apartheid system of roads, and imprisoned villages in the West Bank and a massive concentration camp in Gaza .

By stating that "Israel has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism," you show yourself to be more loyal to Israel than to the U.S., as well as ignorant of recent history. An illegally Occupying power like Israel has no right under international law to self-defense, because Occupation itself is aggression.

Israel broke the "truce," having used the cease-fire to plan its onslaught against defenseless civilians in Gaza. No Israeli had been killed by Hamas during the "truce," but Israel murdered six Palestinians and refused to loosen the strangling siege on Gaza and the one and a half million civilians there.

Don't forget: the Israeli siege of Gaza is an act of war and Israel launched one whole war in response to a siege placed on it. Please, Senator Brown, open your eyes to the fact that Israel is not David now, but an imperial Goliath. Stop being conned by Zionists whose goal is a "Greater Israel" which precludes the possibility of a Palestinian state. That you defend Israel's many war crimes is truly disheartening to all liberals who care about peace, justice, and self-determination for all peoples.

When will you become fair-minded enough to see that Palestine "has a right and a duty to defend its people from terrorism," too?

My family and I ask that you condemn the IDF targeting of many UN buildings, including the warehouse full of food; of hospitals, medics, family rescuers, children, schools, civil society buildings.

We ask you to stop supporting Israel’s illegal wars: to halt the $3 billion-plus subsidy and to support a boycott of all Israeli goods and services until Israel complies with international law and obeys all UN mandates, including withdrawal to the 1967 borders.

Please cease working for Neo-Conservative, Likud—values, but put your effort instead into achieving decent, Liberal goals: a truly just peace between Israelis and Palestinians in Palestine.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Susie Kneedler'

Senator Brown has NOT replied to my reply.

]]> By: Citizen http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32848 Citizen Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32848 <p>My senators and house rep all sent back boilerplate AIPAC talking points, with all the usual factual omissions. As far as Israel goes,<br /> the back and fourth emails and letters between a constituent and<br /> his/her congressional spokesman is a pure charade of paper. A complete waste of taxpayer funds. </p> <p>Anyone who wants to test just how biased your congress reps are on the I-P issue can <br /> contact them via email, phone, or letter. You will see how congress is totally subservient to<br /> the Lobby and Israel.</p> <p>They totally ignore your concerns and that on record. </p> <p>They are traitors.</p> <p></p> <p><br /> </p> My senators and house rep all sent back boilerplate AIPAC talking points, with all the usual factual omissions. As far as Israel goes,
the back and fourth emails and letters between a constituent and
his/her congressional spokesman is a pure charade of paper. A complete waste of taxpayer funds.

Anyone who wants to test just how biased your congress reps are on the I-P issue can
contact them via email, phone, or letter. You will see how congress is totally subservient to
the Lobby and Israel.

They totally ignore your concerns and that on record.

They are traitors.

]]> By: Scott http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32849 Scott Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32849 <p>Susie's letter to Brown is fabulous. </p> <p>In Phil's district, are there enough pissed off peace and justice Dems to give Hall a primary problem? </p> Susie's letter to Brown is fabulous.

In Phil's district, are there enough pissed off peace and justice Dems to give Hall a primary problem?

]]> By: anonn http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32850 anonn Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32850 <p>I also contacted my three congressmen. They all sent back back boilerplate AIPAC letters<br /> nearly identical to those displayed on this thread so far. I was so pissed I destroyed the letters. However two of them also<br /> sent preliminary responses via email. Here are those, addressing me:</p> <p>1.) Thank you for letting me know of your concerns regarding the recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East. I appreciate hearing from you. I strongly condemn Hamas’ unprovoked acts of terrorism that can potentially exacerbate the already high tensions in the region. Since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, more than 6000 rockets launched by Hamas have rained down on innocent Israeli civilians. These actions do not serve the interest of the Palestinian people as they seek to take control of their own destiny. Hamas’ unprovoked acts of terrorism are unacceptable and Israel has the right to defend itself against them. At the same time, the US is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation of innocent civilians in Gaza, and our nation remains the largest donor of humanitarian relief to them. That assistance includes water, various medical supplies for Gaza’s hospitals, and food stuffs. Additionally, U.S. leaders have consistently urged Israelis to avoid civilian casualties, a difficult task in the face of Hamas’ practice of hiding behind civilians to carry out their terrorist attacks. I am pleased that Israel has facilitated the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza throughout the conflict. I am concerned about reports that Hamas is redirecting some of this aid to care for their own militants. As always, I appreciate hearing from you. As our nation prepares for the transition to a new administration, I remain hopeful that the current conflict will continue to be closely monitored and that a lasting cease-fire agreement will be reached. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional comments or questions. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov. Sincerely, Mel Martinez United States Senator</p> <p>2.)From Senator Bill Nelson:<br /> Thank you for contacting me about recent events in the Gaza Strip. I share your concern about violence in the Middle East and know that the new administration has put the Israeli-Palestinian situation at the top of its agenda.</p> <p>Maximum care must always be taken to minimize civilian casualties. I believe that the U.S. should work in support of an enforceable and sustainable long-term agreement that denies Hamas the ability to launch rockets out of Gaza and protects the lives of all civilians. </p> <p>I will continue to monitor the situation closely and will keep your views in mind when making any future decisions on this issue. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.</p> I also contacted my three congressmen. They all sent back back boilerplate AIPAC letters
nearly identical to those displayed on this thread so far. I was so pissed I destroyed the letters. However two of them also
sent preliminary responses via email. Here are those, addressing me:

1.)
Thank you for letting me know of your concerns regarding the recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East. I appreciate hearing from you.

I strongly condemn Hamas’ unprovoked acts of terrorism that can potentially exacerbate the already high tensions in the region. Since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, more than 6000 rockets launched by Hamas have rained down on innocent Israeli civilians. These actions do not serve the interest of the Palestinian people as they seek to take control of their own destiny. Hamas’ unprovoked acts of terrorism are unacceptable and Israel has the right to defend itself against them.

At the same time, the US is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation of innocent civilians in Gaza, and our nation remains the largest donor of humanitarian relief to them. That assistance includes water, various medical supplies for Gaza’s hospitals, and food stuffs. Additionally, U.S. leaders have consistently urged Israelis to avoid civilian casualties, a difficult task in the face of Hamas’ practice of hiding behind civilians to carry out their terrorist attacks. I am pleased that Israel has facilitated the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza throughout the conflict. I am concerned about reports that Hamas is redirecting some of this aid to care for their own militants.

As always, I appreciate hearing from you. As our nation prepares for the transition to a new administration, I remain hopeful that the current conflict will continue to be closely monitored and that a lasting cease-fire agreement will be reached. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional comments or questions. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at link to

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

2.)From Senator Bill Nelson:
Thank you for contacting me about recent events in the Gaza Strip. I share your concern about violence in the Middle East and know that the new administration has put the Israeli-Palestinian situation at the top of its agenda.

Maximum care must always be taken to minimize civilian casualties. I believe that the U.S. should work in support of an enforceable and sustainable long-term agreement that denies Hamas the ability to launch rockets out of Gaza and protects the lives of all civilians.

I will continue to monitor the situation closely and will keep your views in mind when making any future decisions on this issue. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

]]> By: Citizen http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32851 Citizen Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32851 <p>In a similar vain, last January, the micro-blogging service, Twitter, was utilised by the Israeli Government to hold the world's first online "citizens' press conference" The Israel Consulate worker was bombarded with twitters questioning Israel policy in Gaza. He was able to respond to about 70--with the usual AIPAC style talking points. So Israel shut down its citizens press conference. It now only uses Twitter to make official Israel government announcements. </p> <p>How long can the US government and Israel shut out so many of the world's eyes? Keep them outside the outer ring of the doughnut?</p> In a similar vain, last January, the micro-blogging service, Twitter, was utilised by the Israeli Government to hold the world's first online "citizens' press conference" The Israel Consulate worker was bombarded with twitters questioning Israel policy in Gaza. He was able to respond to about 70–with the usual AIPAC style talking points. So Israel shut down its citizens press conference. It now only uses Twitter to make official Israel government announcements.

How long can the US government and Israel shut out so many of the world's eyes? Keep them outside the outer ring of the doughnut?

]]> By: Citizen http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32852 Citizen Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32852 <p>vain=vein, err, actually they both work</p> vain=vein, err, actually they both work

]]> By: David Malcolm http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32853 David Malcolm Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32853 <p>It's interesting that he cites his AIPAC-sponsored "visit" to Israel as some kind of evidence. They don't even see that these "tours" that all members of Congress, presidential candidates, staff, etc., are part of the problem.</p> It's interesting that he cites his AIPAC-sponsored "visit" to Israel as some kind of evidence. They don't even see that these "tours" that all members of Congress, presidential candidates, staff, etc., are part of the problem.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32854 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32854 <p>John Hall is a wonderful politician, committed.</p> <p>His best recorded guitar work was in 1971 with Taj Mahal, from which the album "The Real Thing" was recorded (one of my top ten).</p> John Hall is a wonderful politician, committed.

His best recorded guitar work was in 1971 with Taj Mahal, from which the album "The Real Thing" was recorded (one of my top ten).

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32855 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32855 <p>The headline was snarky Phil.</p> The headline was snarky Phil.

]]> By: Julian http://mondoweiss.net/2009/02/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html/comment-page-1#comment-32856 Julian Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/10/john-hall-my-progressive-congressman-from-aipac.html#comment-32856 <p>Good man.</p> Good man.

]]>