The saga Sen. Jon Kyl's Senate Amendment 629 has come to an end. The New York Times is reporting that the discriminatory amendment which would have made it illegal for US budget funds to be used to resettle Gazans in the US was withdrawn before it could be brought to a vote.
Part of the reason that Kyl withdrew the bill was because he finally acknowledged that was based on a discredited internet rumor. From the congressional record:
Mr. KYL. [The amendment] was a response to a news story which gained a great deal of attention from my constituents related to the January 30 order by the President, ordering $20 million for urgent relief efforts to provide migration assistance to Palestinian refugees. That has gotten a lot of attention from folks. They wanted to know what we were doing.
Rather than bring this embarrassment to a vote, Kyl was smart enough to take it off the table. This was not before some fellow senators could speak against it. Yesterday, Phil pointed out Senator Leahy's strong statement against the amendment, but the opposition wasn't partisan. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) responded to it by saying, "This blanket approach that nobody can enter the country is really over
the top and far too broad a brush to paint on the entire population of
an area."
A Washington insider offered a perfect summary:
It's really important to note, I think also, the coordination of back-to-back statements from Leahy and Gregg. The messaging, and optics generally, very effectively demonstrated bipartisan opposition to Kyl's bigotry and xenophobia.
Bottom line from the Senate? Hate is hate; it's not a partisan issue.
Thanks for the update, Adam. Apparently, there's still some sanity left among our "representatives".
"to provide migration assistance to Palestinian refugees"
Wondering what this is for in fact? Perhaps to try and get some Palestinians to leave Palestine? Of course, the migration assistance they deserve is to move back into Palestine.
I would have preferred that the amendment be removed for ethical convictions rather than egg on Kyl's face.
Goes to show you how nutz Arizonians are about immigration issues. Knee jerk is more like it. And, obviously, unable to read or research.
I first became acquainted with the junior senator from AZ when he received an award from AIPAC, which is when I realized the Lobby's influence on Congress critters. Blaming his constituents for the automatic reflex to ban Gazan immigrants, belies who those constituents are.
"Hate is hate; it's not a partisan issue."
And the Democrats continue to underwrite Zionist hate to the tune of billions per year, and remain the base-party for Jewish Zionist hate, notwithstanding this rare moment of grandstanding.
The real test is whether or not Democrats are willing to kick Jewish Zionist hatemongers out of the party, or at least refuse campaign contributions from Zionist groups, or individuals, with the intent of influencing a pro-Zionist agenda.
Until they do, their condemnations of “hate” are empty rhetoric and cheap P.R. points, not to mention indications of profound hypocrisy of the lowest order.
"Goes to show you how nutz Arizonians are about immigration issues. Knee jerk is more like it. And, obviously, unable to read or research."
Kinda like you and that Israeli tow truck driver. You put the jerk back in knee jerk. haha!
kyl/kill is the perfect sort of dumb, ignorant, racist to become a squat. kill should immigrate to palestine and steal from, harass and murder palestinians like all other squats do. why do it from dc. get on a plane and be a j,000,000 in real space, time.
NOTE TO READERS OF THIS BLOG
Sorry this is off topic but I'll be brief. today I noticed the "DONATE" button at the top right corner of the page.
Phil started and has maintained this incredibly informative and valuable 'MONDOWEISS' blog on a shoestring and uncompensated. He needs some help/compensation to keep it going.
MONDOWEISS has raised my consciousness and turned me into an activist. In return I made my first contribution today. Although it was small, it won't be my last.
If you feel as I do that MONDOWEISS is irreplaceable, consider doing likewise.
Jorge, there are several more honest sites out there that deserve your support and they are doing the same job that Phil does so poorly. Better yet, they are honest about their agenda.
Look at David Duke, David Irving, Zundel, and Stormfront for worthy charities who are so much better than Phil at producing the hatred he desires.
The IRS pools Americans' contributions for US arms to send to Israel, which are used to kill Palestinians. Those contributions are not made voluntarily.
"Bottom line from the Senate? Hate is hate; it's not a partisan issue."
Funny. My introduction to Philip's hate mongering site came after he published and defended his "Sophie's Choice" rumor.
What is good for the Senate works against Phil's Phools.
All Kyl accomplished was to create a platform for people to speak out against the race hatred fundamental to Zionism. Well done, Kylly Boy, well done.