Comments on: Jane Harman retracts comments advocating the ethnic division of Iran

By: Maidhc Ó Cathail

Maidhc Ó Cathail — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:05:26 +0000

You may be interested in my take on Jane Harman, the Israel lobby, and the Iranian "threat" here: " target="_blank">http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/05/japan’s-e...

By: JES49

JES49 — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:23:15 +0000

I don't think that Harkabi would agree today. (BTW, I don't recall him as being at all intimidating. In fact, I seem to remember that he had a childlike giggle.)

By: Mooser

Mooser — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:23:21 +0000

"Political Islam has a state; political Judaism should have one." I see, Ed. Is that where you would like the American Jews who don't fit in with "the rest of us" to go? Oh excuse me, I didn't mean "the rest of us" I meant, "the traditional moderate All-American Christian ethic" whatever the hell that is. But Gosh, what a rara avis flutters here? A gen-u-ine anti-Smitic Zionist! How often do you come across one of those? BTW, Ed, I've been meaning to ask you. Which denominations and/or/Christian sects do you rate in the moderate-middle-traditional-Christian ethic, or whatever you call it? First of all, let's get the big one straight, are Catholics included?

By: Mooser

Mooser — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:13:55 +0000

"With this hope, I'm off to bed" You will give yourself bad dreams like that. Also, clinical studies, at a Major Unerversity show that vengelful fantasies attract the Evil Eye, almost without fail. Take it from me, I know.

By: LeaNder22

LeaNder22 — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:49:49 +0000

the enlarged context. I am too lazy to transcribe Woolsey too, whose earlier statement the question relates to. I watch this later again. Question and answer. But here is a slightly enlarged context. Question, can one really tie whatever kind of politics to ethnicity? If you ask me, context makes matters worse. " target="_blank">" target="_blank">http://www.aipac.org/about_AIPAC/Learn_About_AIPA... Robert Satloff: [only tuffness economically and in negociations now can prevent war] ...[11:17] With the Russians and the Chinese we need to be very tuff with our Arab allies, who have assets. We need to ask the Saudis, go to the Chinese. They need to make a choice. Who is your energy partner? Is your energy partner going to be Iran, or is it going to be us? You choose. There is enough excess capacity now, given oil markets, that now is especially the moment that we need to turn this spigot tight. Dan Senor: [11:45 starts and is slightly interrupted by delayed applause] I want to, Jane, Jane Harman, I wanna pick up on something that Jim Woolsey said earlier about who is in fact in charge in Iran. And there are elections coming up for president in Iran in June. Observers are trying to sort of read between the lines to see if it's Ahmadinedshad or potentially some moderate, (or as ?) Jim alluded to, the suppreme leaders are really in control, Ali Khamenei. I wanna read a quote by one Iran expert, who wrote in the Guardian last march, Mehdi Khalaji, [image/and voice]"Unfortunately, the most likely outcome will be continuing transformation of the Islamic Republic from a civil goverment into a garrison state in which the military plays a major role in determining political and economic matters." [Mehdi Khalaji, "The Guardian", March 17, 2009.] Is this really the likely outcome of the Iranian presidential elections, regardless of who is elected and how should we therefore think about US policy in response? Jane Harman: ...

By: dana

dana — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:14:12 +0000

Saleema, a bit vengeful. God not likely to oblige. Were we to assume pearly gates are there, chances are there are better ways of exacting justice. me thinks that the slow elimination of Program Mubarak might be an alternative. As in – letting the sub-routines fade one bit at a time into the great oblivion. Just a passing thought here on the great beyond…

By: anonymous10

anonymous10 — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:09:18 +0000

That's right. The point is the same, however. See Avi Shlaim's obituary of Harkabi in the Independent: " target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary...

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:25:16 +0000

Political Islam has a state; political Judaism should have one. But just not with infinite American funds and green lights to do what it wants. The latter are the fault of "Americans" like Harman.

By: LeaNder22

LeaNder22 — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:24:51 +0000

Well, yes, for quite some time now. This seems an anthropological standard too. Whenever I hear it, my head is full of associations in what other contexts I heard or read too. It's the most standard discussion stopper, end to dialog, defense shield against the things one doesn't want to hear or talk about: I don't want to listen anymore. go, if you think they are doing this better, why don't you go there? go … go …

By: LeaNder22

LeaNder22 — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:16:37 +0000

I love the word ken, obviously, considering its etymology. It felt Scots often use it also as a verb. My impression was her utter complacency, but isn't that often a standard in these political circles? To leave the Israeli angle out for a moment?