The Israeli firsters in Congress are running scared but the chutzpah remains. From JTA:
“I understand the angst and anxiety that exists in Israel, but we’re not going to pick the next leader of Egypt,” [New York Congressman Gary Ackerman] said. Instead, Ackerman said, the United States should use what he said was a closing window of opportunity, and side pronouncedly with the people and against Mubarak.
“If we sign the people of Egypt up as lobbyists, they will do the right thing,” he said.
By contrast, here's a liberal Zionist editor of LA's premiere Jewish paper--quite a sensible article. Rob Eshman in the Jewish Journal:
"What’s going on? A massive, heartfelt liberation sweeps through the most populous Arab country in the world, with the prospect of rescuing future generations from drowning in oppression and stagnation. The Arab street cries freedom, and what do we cry? Oy!"
Both refer to anxiety. Why not regard this as an effort, by both these, to TEACH PEOPLE to read the writing on the wall. And to ask them to support the Egyptian uprising?
This is what Ackerman seems to have done (this time):
“Instead, Ackerman said, the United States should use what he said was a closing window of opportunity, and side pronouncedly with the people and against Mubarak.
“If we sign the people of Egypt up as lobbyists, they will do the right thing,” “
RE: “Panic in the lobby” – Blankfort
I LIKE TO CALL IT: Post Holocaust Stress Disorder (PHSD)
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder – link to en.wikipedia.org
“The Arab street cries freedom, and what do we cry? Oy!”
Wonderfully put. And the article has more gems:
“True, the uprising is chaotic and messy, its potential outcomes treacherous. But what did we expect? We paid for stability with billions of dollars. The Egyptians paid for it with repression, fear, torture and corruption. We got peace, they got blood on prison walls. How long did we think that was going to last? Fascism fell, Communism fell. Anybody who believed the screw wouldn’t eventually turn in the Middle East doesn’t think much of history, or of Arabs.”
In contrast, here is Roger Cohen, of whom Philip spoke so highly when Cohen was in Iran to report about the protests there. Now he’s fully back in the Zionist Asylum:
“Majority rule is a worthwhile idea. But so, too, are respect for minorities, freedom of religion, the equality of women and adherence to treaties, such as the one with Israel, the only democracy in the region.”
link to washingtonpost.com
And we better keep things as they are, right Mr. Cohen? It would be a shame if your fancy Israel would lose that holy status as the only democracy in the region…
don’t confuse richard cohen w/roger cohen justice. very different imho.
;)
Damn it, sorry for the fail. Apologies to the other Mr. Cohen :-)