Author Archives: Peter Voskamp

The NDAA — we are all Josef K now

A transpartisan forum in D.C. denounces the National Defense Authorization Act– ‘the worst I’ve seen in my lifetime,’ says Naomi Wolf

Posted in US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics, War on Terror | 23 Comments

Walt & Mearsheimer & Franzen

I finally got around to reading Jonathan Franzen’s much-heralded novel, “Freedom.” At nearly 600 pages, it kept me engaged enough to finish, but I wonder what my impressions would have been had there not been so much hype surrounding the … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 16 Comments

Brooke Gladstone is hip

Saw your post about Keller retiring and Brooke Gladstone interviewing him and Abramson. I share your outrage. I write though to relate to you a great line from Gladstone I heard on an NPR interview a few weeks ago. She … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 1 Comment

Praise for Obama

There is an old adage in journalism that says if both sides are mad at you, then you’ve done your job. FOX and Drudge are foaming at the mouth, accusing Obama of capitulating to terrorist demands (though Clinton and W. … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 11 Comments

Outside the White House, amid the glory of the assassinator

Twelve hours after the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s demise, things were getting back to normal outside the White House. Normal meaning aswirl with tourists and a sprinkling of activists. Well-dressed government workers (identifiable by official laminates) strolled by during … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 43 Comments

A senile ‘fixation’

The unexpected French success of “Indignez vous!” (or “Cry Out”), the 30-page call to non-violent arms by 93-year-old Stephane Hessel — former member of the French Resistance, concentration camp survivor and diplomat — has been met with mild wonder. After … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 7 Comments

My pacifist lament

One morning not long ago our tiny apartment began to shudder as if an earthquake were descending from above. My 14-month-old daughter scurried about, frightened and confused. Mom and dad looked on helplessly as the noise rattled our innards. It … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 18 Comments

US position on flotilla is compromised by its love of drones

I wonder if this is an Aquino moment for Israel. In 1983, Filipino strongman Ferdinand Marcos ordered opposition leader Nino Aquino dragged from the plane and executed upon his return from exile. It was illustrative of how Marcos, forever coddled … Continue reading

Posted in Beyondoweiss, Israel/Palestine, US Policy in the Middle East | 21 Comments

Remember, the Times won a Pulitzer for being on the right side (unh– our side) of Hiroshima radiation sickness

The controversy about Ethan Bronner and his son goes deeper than the New York Times’ coverage of the Middle East. I accept the argument that Bronner’s reporting is likely to be affected by those he lives and works with on … Continue reading

Posted in Beyondoweiss, Israel/Palestine | 10 Comments

High-ranking Israeli officer: we targeted Gazans without weapons

Bombshell in the Independent, in England, supporting Goldstone’s charge that civilians were deliberately targeted: A high-ranking officer has acknowledged for the first time that the Israeli army went beyond its previous rules of engagement on the protection of civilian lives … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 35 Comments

Mitchell overcame serious doubts before

Regarding George Mitchell’s predicted failure… They’re all probably right. However, I just received the latest Alumni mag from Colby College, and felt a degree of pride for my old alma mater. Mitchell (actually a native of Waterville, Maine, where Colby … Continue reading

Posted in Israel/Palestine | 13 Comments