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The War of Ideas in the Middle East
before the Oslo talks, there was no recognition of Palestinian leaders at all, so the refrain was different.
all seriousness aside, a congressperson need only change the names in order to conform to the aipac-approved response to such inquiries. As in:
"I support President (fill-in name of current President)'s efforts to restart the talks with Prime Minister (current leader of Israel) and (leader of Palestinians). (condemn Palestinian violence here).
pretty much the same response for the last 20 years or so.
that is a congresspersons way of pretending to say something while really saying nothing.
the letter further stated that the congressman stood by efforts of President Reagan to restart the peace talks.
it must be remembered that the actions of Israeli army Lieutenant-Colonel Shalom Eisner and those like him make things like this possible. Eisner''s violent attack on resistance to the occupation is absolutely necessary for Israel to continue its present course. This photo shows the end results of the mission Eisner was part of. That is, the dispossession of the Palestinians from their land and homes. It is not merely the way Eisner carried out the mission, but the mission itself that is an affront to humanity.
lyn117, Clayton is not so much a flag waver (as his site hints at making war on the federal government) as he is a supporter of cross burners, as his support for David Duke exemplifies. To suppose he is a "conservative" is not at all accurate.
I do think Alison Weir's actions are mostly based, as ToivoS suggested, as lacking any political common sense, more than malice. But still, it would be nice to see Weir stand up for racial justice, just to clear things up for us. Would it be so difficult for her to say that she rejects the politics of Clayton Douglas? or would that offend her core constituency?
libra, we are talking about defending aryan organizations as "civil rights groups" which this Fox station did... and Ms. Weir seems to be doing (or at least she certainly says nothing to contradict Clayton's view that he is a mere victim of unfair attacks. )
my actions have nothing to do with it, whatever you might imagine them to be. attacking me is like the Orlando Fox station responding to this post with a mere attack on Allison Deger, and not talking about the issue... promoting this racist insanity.
Still, i'd be willing to wager that i've supported, participated in, even initiated more protests of aipac in the last 10 years than you have in your entire life. But i have also supported civil rights and human rights and the right to economic justice and union rights. for the rest of my life i will continue to do so.
Dickerson, Clayton's website has the links to the programs that Alison appeared in, as well as a few other sites that are anti-Palestinian. but this is still alison's actions and words. By appearing on his program, of course she gave him some additional credibility. (though not much, as she has little herself, but she did her best). and it wasn't going on a program that actually has listeners that number in more than a few hundred as a Fox station would have. She appeared at times to be saying that they both are marginalized because of their simple disagreement with Israeli policies, and as you can see by Clayton's rather insane website, this man is marginalized because he is an extreme racist. But not once did she even disagree in the slightest with Douglas. Not a whisper of concern when she learned that the recording was of David Duke. (not defending David Sirota's appearance on Fox, but i think if he were presented with a recording of David Duke on Fox as something worthy of inquiry he would protest strongly, instead of just going "oh"). Instead, she starts implying Jews were behind WWI (and WWII). and the whole of it implies "it's us (clayton and alison) against them".
Here's a simple thing Alison can do. Tell us she rejects the white supremacist views of Clayton Douglas. and the John Birch Society. That would be a start.
In regard to Hagee & Co. and the acceptance he gets from zionists, you are certainly right to call that out, as i have many times. Nothing can more strategically stupid and plain immoral on their part than to link up with this fool. We should call out any activist for making a similar mistake in linking with any racist or racist organization. We are not that desperate. The cause of human rights for all is winning.
thoughtful response, MHughes. Still, Alison says she has to "check this out" and do some research on it (dukes claim that Menorahs *replaced* any Christian symbols. Is she the only american that is not aware of the annual Christmas tree at the White House? link to whitehouse.gov
(I'm pretty sure that Duke knows damn well about this, but he just wants to spread hate). and what of even for a moment suggesting that Duke has any credibility whatsoever, given his history of racism? why was she not offended when she learned the recording was of David Duke?
back to the original post here... she should know, like all americans, that america has to deal with its racist legacy, and root out its racism, that still results in the death of innocents. If Alison Weir only knew.
Meanwhile, Weir and friends at the "Council for the National Interest" joined with the John Birch Society (which has as its top legislative priority the disenfranchisement of millions of people of color in the US) to promote their organization. Has she a clue how linking up with such organizations is so detrimental to the cause of a promoting international human rights? They may very well not support Israel, but they sure as hell do not support human rights.
Chu, David Duke is also "on my list" of people i think supporters of Palestinian rights should have nothing to do with. You forgot him. so sue me.
well, if you are going to challenge Fox, rightfully, for this racist folly, i have another one for you. Allison Weir of "If Americans Knew" did 3, count 'em THREE interviews with a nutcase called Clayton Douglas, who is an avowed white supremacist. Allison seems to like the guy, and vice-versa (at one point Clayton asks about her relationship status). Even when Clayton played a recording of his buddy David Duke she was not offended, but rather intrigued by Duke's statement (it was ludicrous). She also seemed to agree that they were all unjustly persecuted by zionists, rather than deservedly being marginalized for racist views.
Maybe this goes to close to home for Mondoweiss, but i think it is about time we hold so-called supporters of Palestinian rights need to be held accountable also, we don't have to stop at Fox News.
Buchanan is a piece of racist filth. He probably has more influence, through his work in the media, than any single congressperson. and his words, used by Nixon and assorted politicians, helped keep hate growing in the US and war possible.
link to thinkprogress.org
but there are so many examples of his racism and support for genocide.
and torture... he is a big fan of torture.
Many of us here, certainly not all, but certainly most of us, oppose such values.
Why not call them war-mongering racist bastards? That applies to self-described "american firsters" like Pat Buchanan (amazing how destructive to America, and the world, such people can be) and to those that support the Israeli apartheid system. I think describing their screwed-up values rather than simply supposed national loyalty, is much more helpful.
I strongly agree that the fixation on "loyalty" is wrong-headed and destructive to the movement. I don't understand at all why those that are self-described "progressives" would want to appeal to nationalism. Have we forgotten what has been done in world history by "America Firsters"? Genocidal wars, torture, military occupations... all from those who "put America first". The world has had more than enough of the idiocy of the blind nationalism of many different nations. And what is often (though not always, to be sure) as "American Interests" are actually the interests of a few multinational corporations. For example, countless military coups have been supported (if not actually orchestrated) by the US around the world, and they have indeed helped "US interests", if you define that as enlarging the profit margins of a few US-based multinationals. Then there have also been wars of aggression... certainly Kennedy/Johnson/Nixon was not destroying Vietnam on behalf any other nation except the wealthy and warmongering elite of the US. Take Pat Buchanan (please!), a grand example of an "America Firster", was a leading proponent of bombing Vietnam "back to the stone age".
I think we will do much better in our cause for justice for Palestinians by promoting the values we want the US to adapt. That is, respect for the human rights for all. We certainly should make the point that by doing that we can free up resources that will make it possible to helps communities in the US. But we must not succumb to the temptation to attempt to gain support by promoting a rightwing view of the world that puts American lives of more value than the lives of others.
Not all will be motivated by the cause of human rights and justice, but it was the main motivator of the movement for a Free South Africa. It certainly proved to be sufficient in that case. The cause of justice for Palestinians will be won in the context of a struggle for a just foreign policy based on support for human rights, and for economic and environmental justice at home.
"white racism in his past" um... you mean the past week? that would be more accurate. After all, Ron Paul and his supporters are out supporting restrictive elections laws that will disenfranchise millions of voters. Especially people of color. and with Ron Paul, say good-bye to federal enforcement of civil rights laws. or sexual harassment laws. or labor laws. States Rights!!
But this is not a crusade to overthrow a dictator. this is a crusade to elect a right-wing extremist. I am not joining. The message that will be sent to america by voting for the Bircher may not be what you want, Phil.
My last post on Paul. I think my belated New Year's resolution is to ignore this site. I am sure there are many others who have already made the same decision. But maybe Don Black will recruit new supporters for you Phil.
"What anti-Zionist group was Paul working with?"
One example is the John Birch Society. Rep Paul and his offspring were there at their latest conference getting support. I would certainly call it anti-zionist, as well as racist. (their main legislative goal this year is supporting voting laws that will effectively disenfranchise millions of people, especially people of color). they are also extremely anti-immigrant rights. Opposed to any and all environmental protections. Like Newt, they think that child labor laws and such are inventions of communists.
So why the F### has Mondoweiss become the other Daily Paul??? Why is it so important to link a man so stupid and so much of a right-wing extremist to the Palestinian cause? I think nothing can hurt the cause more.
Our only hope is that aipac, et. al. continue to do things that are even more politically stupid (linking with Hagee is a good one, and locally when they tried to ban children's art from Gaza was great for the cause, as they even inspired backlash in the mainstream media).
But why some pro-Palestinian activists see fit to defend the Pauls and worse is beyond me. We should let the other side have the racists and the fools, and we can organize with everyone else.
an alternative strategy Danaa is supporting the struggle for justice for all americans and supporting justice for Palestinians. Why support Paul and reject justice for all americans?
Do you really think it a good idea to hitch the cause to someone who would undo decades of struggle for African-Americans and poor people? Who would dismantle environmental laws right and left? Should we really support the standard-bearer for the John Birch Society as a way forward? Do we really want to help make the cause of justice for Palestinians something associated with something most progressive people rightfully find disgusting?
What i find completely idiotic is that some believe the cause for justice in Palestine needs an individual savior, period. What we need is a mass movement for justice for all. that this particular individual is so full of extremist positions that most of us find vile makes it even worse. Connecting Ron Paul to the cause will do terrible harm to cause, as it will again help marginalize us. My god, Phil, do you really want people to associate "ending aid to Israel" with Ron Paul? Wouldn't you want to associate it instead with a movement for justice in the US and around the world?
Libra,
"Who even thinks the John Birch Society is relevant today anyway?" that would be my question, Libra. I used to live in Southern California, and thought they more or less faded away, they were becoming a joke even there, way back in the 80's.
But they just had a big festival in Reno . and who were the big speakers? The Pauls, of course. and what was their (the John Birch Society) Number One item on their legislative agenda? Laws that will effectively disenfranchise minority and working class voters. (Sad to say, the Council for the National Interest was also there... why they would work so hard to woo support from such a wacky and marginal group, is anyone's guess... but the JBS is well-funded ... that would be my guess... boy, just like politicians as they pander to aipac, others pander to the right-wing.
We don't need no stinking racist politicians, we need a movement. No false messiahs necessary.
Phil, why in the world would you bother to "promote Paul" when he is advocating extremist Right-wing agenda. Not only his racist views, which are quite well documented, but his views on the environment, labor rights, immigrant rights, and just about every issue except some foreign affairs issues are antithetical to thinking people everywhere. for god's sakes, he is the darling of the John Birch Society. Hitching the cause of justice for Palestinians to a rightwing fool will ruin our progress in making the issue part of the progressive agenda. Why help associate it with the Bircher cult?
We don't need false leaders. We can promote a peaceful, just society that will end US imperialism. Don't let anyone convince you that we need Ron Paul to do that.
where does Phil mention the environment in his post? I did and Woody does. Not Phil.
Pay attention, please.
In fact Shingo, Immigration law is implemented at the federal level. That is the reason the draconian anti-immigrant laws in Arizona and before that California (Prop 187) were not implemented, on the basis that only the federal government has jurisdiction in making immigration law.
Regarding Paul's treating people for free, that's nice, but he may decide to putting down riots across the country as he takes away most labor rights (see what happen when his buddy Gov Walker went to work in Wisconsin) takes too much of his time to treat people who might line up at the White House.
Do you really believe states have the right to make laws that bring back child labor abuse? Do you also believe, like Ron Paul, that states have the right to make laws regarding elections and put in place more restrictions to disenfranchise people of color and working people? This freakin' racist was even opposed to the Civil Rights Act.
He'd also make sure government does not interfere with corporate policy. Want to pollute a river? He certainly does not think it is government role to interfere, leave it to the "invisible hand of free enterprise", so let the toxins run. Like Newt, he'd favor doing away with "stupid" child labor laws. Your employer doesn't cover health care and you are sick? He certainly would not let government "interfere" in your health care.
on the other hand... he does support laws like the infamous one in Arizona where the government runs checks on those it merely suspects might be undocumented immigrants.
This is not freedom he is promoting.
One reason he can't be elected is that many of us that do oppose US imperialism and funding Israel's apartheid regime would never in a million years vote for the likes of Ron Paul. His views on most domestic matters are way to the right of Perry and Bachman... his economic policy reminds me of Pinochet. He has proven himself to be a racist (e.g. "Given the inefficiencies of what D.C. laughingly calls the "criminal justice system," I think we can safely assume that 95% of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal." ). So while it is fine that at least someone is bringing up the idea of closing military bases and ending aid to Israel, we have to look at the big picture.
We talk about hypocrisy of those self-described progressives who embrace the likes of Grayson or Weiner or Pelosi while they support Israeli militarism. WE should call them out for it. But then we can't turn around and embrace a man who is a REP.. Reactionary Except for Palestine.
"passed by the House of Representatives this week"? It is my understanding that it passed passed a House Committee, not that it passed a full vote from the entire House of Representatives. At least, with my search, there is no such news on the internet yet. If it has passed the House, what was the vote, where is the roll call?
One would almost imagine that the anti-Palestinian Lobby's efforts were directed recently by those that would want to do it lasting and perhaps irreparable harm. Add to that its embrace of the extreme Right (see its support of Rev. Hagee and Glenn Beck , the latter dropped from Fox because he lost all the sponsors), and we have a Lobby that is increasingly being marginalized, if not among officeholders then at least by the rank and file. Poco a poco.
We will see where all this leads. In early December, aipac again holds its traveling "Let's make War and spread anti-Muslim Fear" show in the Bay Area, including one such event right in Oakland on the evening of Dec 5. How many people can we get on the streets to protest these things? Will the Bay Areas self-described "liberal" politicians still flock to the aipac festivities? (Interestingly, aipac loves to boast about the *number* of elected officials that attend these things... but try to get them to name them publicly, that's another matter). We need to keep building on this, and we will not let them forget their "victory".
The story goes that Barney Frank took in Steve Gobie who worked in the sex trade into his home. Supposedly there was an attempt at moral reform. There was a hope he could be convinced that to leave his degrading work to do something respectable. It did not work. Steve left, and tragically, Frank continued to be a US congressman (renting out his soul), without reforming a bit.
The problem is NOT that Frank is supporting people in another country. I wish more congresspeople Would do that. The problem is that he is supporting an oppressive system that violates the human rights of others. Many US congresspeople have, at one time or another, supported military dictatorships. It's not that unusual. Not even for liberals. who often are not in favor of liberation. That said, it is disgusting each and every time we see it.
Clearly, this art from children is an existential threat to the State of Israel. While the Jewish Federation of the East Bay and allied organizations successfully prevented deployment of this artwork at this particular museum, it is likely that Middle East Children's Alliance will seek and find another venue. The Israeli Defense Forces stand ready to defend Israel.
as someone that resides in the Bay Area, i am also disgusted with this decision... I think though that are anger and protests should be directed toward the extremists who launched the campaign of hate against the children of Gaza, not as much the cowards that capitulated.
it was truly nutty, and reading through the Haaretz comments, that was the consensus.
In wikipedia :
One should note that since the cables cars "climb halfway to the stars", the struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East may even get more celestial support. Great work.
Annie, Beck was let go of Fox (though they still declare their love for one another) because advertisers deserted his show in droves... they basically had to do his show with very few ads. and half the audience was also lost. See this article. it was the whole of his comments that brought him down, and the diversity of people that he attacked. He always seemed to outdo himself in offensiveness from the week before.
btw, he did not say that Reform Jews were the scourge of humanity but he did say this:
While it certainly is expected that papers like Haaretz and J Weekly in the San Francisco Bay Area would only ask what the effect of israeli government and aipac's support for racist extremists like Beck is good for the Jewish Community exclusively, i believe they are asking the wrong question, even if their concern is only for the Jewish community. Beck's record of supporting anti-semitic conspiracy theories is well documented, and you would think that would deter such support from the Israeli regime and the US Jewish establishment. But isn't Beck's anti-immigrant, anti-muslim, anti-people of color, anti-labor, pro-war rhetoric also bad for ALL of us, Jews and non-Jews?
A simple lesson we should have learned from the 20th Century is essential for our common survival for the 21st Century. There is only us. When someone starts attacking one group, that person is attacking all of us. Beck's attacks on immigrants hurts me, whatever my immigration status. Beck's slanders and bigotry against Muslims and Jews and African-Americans hurts me, even if i don't happen to be Muslim or Jewish or African-American. Because without basic human solidarity, we risk sliding into greater and greater violence, we risk the possibility of greater oppression, we risk more and more war. Stopping war is a matter of human survival.
Why these papers cannot see that it is not just Beck's views of Jews that is a problem for Jews, but his view of Muslims that is also a problem for Jews... and Christians, and everyone else. In short, his entire world-view is a problem. Racism is the enemy. Full human solidarity and full support for human rights for all is the only solution.
Israel is in the import/export business of Organized Hate. This upcoming Glenn Beck show is one example of its import of racism from the United States. That it works with aipac to promote such fools in the US (e.g. supporting strongly Rev Hagee and his CUFI events) is an example of its export of racism to the US. Amazing that Beck is basically fired from Fox (can you believe it?) for being so extreme and conspiratorial that he ended up losing that corporation millions in lost advertising, and now we see Israel and aipac standing strongly by Beck's side, greeted as a hero. Who in the Knesset, beside the few Palestinian members of Knesset (does "longlive" not understand tokenism?) is actually condemning Beck's upcoming concert for war? No, the mainstream Israeli parties stand behind him... they know that such racism is too popular in Israel to openly oppose.
Check this out Politico report :
However, the Haaretz article contains significant inaccuracies. He has not proposed legislation to withhold U.S. aid to units of the Israel Defense Forces.
There is going to be a more complete statement from Leahy later today. This is indeed important.
Many Americans would not support Ron Paul, a right-wing extremist who supports an end to Social Security and govt programs that help working people. who would end protections of the environment against corporate greed. Many people would not support someone who opposes civil rights protections, including affirmative action, who says he thought the Civil Rights act was unconstitutional. To hell with the politics of Ron Paul... getting one thing sort of right does not a good President make. we've heard of the phrase "Progressive Except for Palestine" or PEP applied to politicians. For the likes of Ron Paul, maybe he deserves REP label, Reactionary Except for Palestine.
Even some zionist groups find Hillel too extreme.
Here for example, they were promoting Daniel Pipes hate speech on the Cal Campus, and it was too much for Tzedek.
And this diary at Daily Kos was probably partly responsible for my eventual banning. Some of its chapters was promoting Effie Eitam and his traveling "Expel the Arabs" tour.
One thing we know about the anti-democratic "Congress of 12", is that cuts to military aid to Israel is simply "off the table". There will cuts to Cleveland, but no cuts to Tel Aviv. Congress will say NO to extra funds to building homes in West Oakland California, but yes, yes, yes for increased funds to demolish homes in the West Bank.
It is too expensive, both financially and morally, to fund injustice in the Middle East, but hardly any congressperson is willing to step up and say that. It is time that we declare the moral bankruptcy of the US Congress in its shameful pandering to a lobby for war and occupation. It is time that we organize mass protests at every "membership event" for AIPAC (see examples of past protests here ), and make an even larger showing at the annual AIPAC Policy Conference next March than we did in May of this year. Protests on the street will make a difference. As the people lead, eventually Congress will follow.
Here's an idea. Many Congresspeople have never spent a significant amount of time in a struggling community in the United States. So here in California, why don't we lobby to have Steny et.al. visit places like Bayview neighborhood in San Francisco, or West Oakland, or the Iron Triangle in Richmond, California or South Los Angeles or go to Chicano Park in San Diego? Demand that they make solid commitments to provide for OUR security and prosperity, which is part of their duty under the US Constitution, after all. We can dream, right?
Jerusalem Post's Michael Freund:
"As a blogger myself, I often find better and more timely analysis on the Web than in the mainstream media. Indeed, some of Israel’s best friends and most articulate defenders can be found in the blogosphere, where sites such as Little Green Footballs, Powerline, Atlas Shrugs, Hugh Hewitt, Debbie Schlussel and Instapundit all provide a refreshing alternative to the moral relativism and politically correct anti-Israel blather of the media."
Cited at her blog.
link to debbieschlussel.com
Volleyboy, or Jon Segall as he is also known, liked to present himself as a "moderate", but constantly repeated Israeli government talking points. You give but one example. He would give out some criticism of the Israeli govt, but then defend her (they always seem to think of Israel as a "her", rather than as a political entity like any other nation-state) as "liberal" because, for example, women are in powerful positions (didn't Livni help direct the slaughter of Gaza?... ) Here, he lies about BDS... it does not target Jews in Israel anymore than BDS as organized against South Africa "targeted only White people". BDS targets an unjust system... something that is impossible for Jon and his cohorts to understand.
any blog so dedicated to a Party of war and economic injustice like either of the major US political parties is naturally going to be anti-progressive, pro-corporate and supportive of Israel. Remember, the stated goal of Daily Kos is to sell the Democratic Party... saying some liberal things is just a way to take some market share from the competition.
It is understandable that some progressives would support democrats *as a means to the end*, for example preventing the election of certain individuals that are even worse (or in very rare occasions, even promoting Democrats like Kucinich who are actually worthy of our efforts)... or as a way to impede the progress of the most reactionary elements in US society... but that is not what is happening here... for Daily Kos, the Democratic Party is the ends, not the means.. they have it backwards, and that is a fatal flaw... a just society and a better world are NOT the goals at Daily Kos (selling ads to military hardware companies is a goal there, along with supporting Democrats over Republicans, which *in itself* is like supporting Coke over Pepsi, no real substance to that at all).
Supporting social justice, peace and human rights have to be our goals, however. Creating a mass movement on the ground for peace and justice, including for Palestinians, is what is necessary.
I wonder how this will play out. Will Bibi end up using force to end the protests? If so, will the tear gas and assorted sh*t sent to Israel by the US pro-Apartheid regime end up being used against Israeli Jews? (Even more than it is already, when it is used in protests where Israeli Jews are joining Palestinians in protesting the Occupation).
Welcome to the club, Phil. You can quote NY Times all you want at Daily Kos, and many consider it "liberal". Never mind that they print op-eds from extremists that promote nuclear war against Iran.
link to nytimes.com
apparently, promoting war that will kill millions (and could lead to the destruction of the planet we all share) is no big deal.
I was banned after a campaign of anti-Palestinian extremists at Daily Kos convinced the clueless moderator, Tim Lange (who once equated a boycott of Israeli products with the military siege of Gaza, and let stand comments that called theft of a crop of olives from a poor Palestinian farmer "a petty crime", but then Tim attacked me for saying that Palestinian farmers had the right to defend their crops from armed and organized thieves who are permitted to run wild by the IDF...oh, don't get me started.)
It looks like you too were banned by Tim (Meteor Blades), he commented you can no longer quote the site except .
Judgment: Quoting or citing the site...
...should be limited to critiques. Whatever legitimate material the site publishes is tainted by the examples you've presented here.
It's a great club Phil. Be proud. You stand for justice, Daily Kos stands for a racist, warmongering, corporate-dominated political party.
the very first "settlement product" we should boycott is the Israeli government. I don't know why "Peace Now" does not understand that. If they really are sincere in wanting to end the Occupation, then they must call for an end to unconditional support for the Israeli govt, that gives millions to settlements. Peace Now is one of the most generous supporters of the settlements as long as it continues to support unconditional aid to Israel.
Important Note. We should not give a Flying Fish what "liberal" zionists think of this law. Most will continue to push for arming the racist and now even more fascist state, but they will be ever more emotional about it. But bottom-line is that they will be doing what aipac is doing, that is doing all that is possible to get US military support for Israel. If a few drop out and change their thinking, fine, but that is not what will make change in the US policy.
Relatively few americans are engaged in this issue at all. During the South African struggle, those that backed "constructive engagement" stood their ground forever. But they were overwhelmed by masses of people who woke up to what the US was supporting, and they had to step aside for real change. We just need to mobilize progressives on this issue, and Israel's necessary actions to preserve an unjust status quo will make it even clearer what kind of regime the US is supporting.
At a peace rally with Woolsey recently, she was utterly offended at talk of ending US military support for Israel (i spoke to her), but there were signs for that in the crowd, and it was not controversial for her constituents attending the rally. Israel is losing the Left and even the liberals. Its support for Beck/Hagee is going to make it even further a pariah among the liberals. Eventually even the politicians will catch up.
Cong Moran appears to be the only other congressperson to voice any concerns about this res, besides Ron Paul. and it still is a very lopsided statement. (why not complain that extremists are now a major part of the US govt, and it therefore loses any credibility to act in regard to Middle East?)
Here is his statement, such as it is, as gleaned from the Congressional Record. All others, with the exception of Ron Pauls, were messages of support of 268.
Mr. MORAN. I thank my very good friend from California for yielding
me the time.
Madam Speaker, the Middle East peace process is at risk of collapse,
and I believe that only American leadership can save it. Both sides can
and should do more to restart negotiations.
House Resolution 268, despite the fact that it has virtually
unanimous support from this body and includes a laudable reaffirmation
of the United States' commitment to a negotiated solution to the
conflict, in fact falls short of the kind of leadership that I believe
is needed. This resolution chastises the Palestinians for seeking to
bridge the divide in their own community and for pursuing recognition
of their state at the United Nations.
On the first point, I think we should give the Palestinian Authority,
which has done an impressive job of developing institutions and its
economy in the West Bank, some credit. They have tried to provide the
leadership to pursue the goals that we have encouraged them to do; and
they have, I think, done so in terms of developing democratic
institutions in a way that we should be proud of because we had a role
in that, a major role.
There is no indication they have any inclination to allow Hamas to
jeopardize those gains that have been achieved in the West Bank. And
thus far the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah has yet
to yield any progress on a unity government. In fact, at this point it
is unclear that it really will. So in many ways, the purpose for
bringing forth this resolution is moot.
[[Page H4631]]
Should Hamas be invited to join a Palestinian unity government
without accepting the conditions of The Quartet, the European Union,
the United Nations, United States, Russia, those are the
internationally designated bodies that have come forward with an
agreement we have agreed to, if they invite Hamas to join a coalition
government without accepting the conditions that we insist upon, it
will have very serious implications for our relationship. And that
should be the reason why we should cut off financial aid.
In 2006, Palestinian elections, which in fact were advanced by the
Bush administration, are what brought Hamas into power. In reaction,
the United States, as well as The International Quartet, suspended
assistance to the Palestinian Authority. And the Obama administration
is continuing that policy. There is no aid going to Gaza.
We need to recognize that Palestinian unity is crucial to a long-term
peace. Gaza's separation from the West Bank, though, has made it
impossible to advance meaningful negotiations with Israel.
Madam Speaker, there is insufficient time to lay out the other
argument.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 15
seconds.
Mr. MORAN. Madam Speaker, there is insufficient time to lay out the
other side to what has been presented. I don't particularly have strong
disagreement with many of the points that have been made, but I do
think there is another perspective to this. It ought to be advanced in
this body.
I thank my good friend for yielding me the time.
Top Clinton adviser to Hillary in 2008:
Representing Hillary Clinton's campaign in a March 17, 2008 United Jewish Communities forum in Washington, Ann Lewis was quoted as saying "The role of the president of the United States is to support the decisions that are made by the people of Israel."
Need i say more?
Along those lines, twice in recent weeks i have had occasion to run into a "Fatima" who claims to be an Arab Lesbian, residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. She (?) contributes to this blog link to arablesbiansagainsthate.blogspot.com
The blog, ironically, is filled with hateful posts against those critical of Israeli policies against Palestinians. Not a critical word of Israel, Israel is instead described as a oasis of justice.
Perhaps this is the equality that they find so endearing... that Palestinian children in Gaza are denied proper nutrition by design of the Israeli regime without regard to gender. That Gaza fishermen will be shot if attempting to actually work without regard to their sexual preference. That Israel will not distinguish on the basis of sexual preference who it will shoot in cold blood while protesting its monstrous policies of dispossession of Palestinians of their homes and farms. Israel oppresses all Palestinians equally! Not exactly a progressive utopia as most of us understand it.
If they really cared about queer justice, you'd think they might just say a bit about the fact that next month in DC, Rev Hagee CUFI event will be heavily supported by AIPAC executives like AIPAC's Leadership Development Director Jonathan Kessler. The keynote speaker will be the epitome of organized hate against Gays, Muslims/Arabs, Labor (and even Jews) in the US, Glenn Beck, the Grand DragonKook himself.
Bill, yes it is interesting that no one from the administration is among the confirmed speakers, but it may be they are just figuring out which one of them is going to do the deed... Obama or Hillary or Biden... snubbing it completely is very unlikely...it's just not done. (yet)
It should be noted that aipac is set to come out in full-force for the CUFI event in July, sending in 3 (count 'em) big guys to sing along with Rev Hagee and headliner there Glenn Beck.
Appearing on the podium with Beck and Hagee is Jonathan Kessler, who serves as AIPAC's Leadership Development Director. Also Malcolm Hoenlein, who is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (and sits on AIPAC's executive committee). Jeff Mendelsohn serves as AIPAC's National Outreach Director.
I would say, yes, aipac is certainly part of the right-wing war mongry and active racism in this country.
Thank you so much for this important comment, jroch, it's too bad few people will see it because it is so late in the discussion. i started Stop AIPAC! because i wanted to present the issue of the harm aipac is doing to US policy not because of supposed "dual loyalty" and not because its leadership are "unfaithful to the US", but because its leadership is not supportive of international law (and sometimes US law) and human rights.
I have no special loyalty to the United States, in that i do not believe the people of the US are worth more, or less, than anyone else. and i hope i do not need to remind any here that there has been terrible harm done to this world, and the US itself by the most fanatical, so-called "pro-America" fools. War after war, one imperialist aggression after another, have almost always been done by those whose fervently believed they were promoting "US interests" as they defined them.
We need to promote internationalism and we need to promote the concept that all people have equal value, that we cannot help our communities or even our own particular nation without supporting the rights of others.
Citizen and Kathleen, I don't think an aipac policy conference has ever NOT been covered on network TV, because invariably the President (and/or President wannabe) or Sec of State or some such fool was making a speech there. So it is mentioned. Whether they will cover the fact that progressives are protesting is another matter.
The problem is always How they cover aipac and any dissent. They never give near-enough information to know anything. It's not just on the question of Palestine that they don't report the news... a rather breathtaking example... The Early Show on CBS mentioned the protests in London against austerity measures... and they were going to do an in-depth report (which usually means 2 min.) on "How will this impact the royal wedding?" But, of course, nothing on how austerity measures will impact millions of workers. Mainstream news is a way to keep people uninformed.
There are so many reasons to go. Exposing, confronting and challenging this lobby for war and occupation is crucial if we are going to make any progress in changing US policy. This summit and the mass protest of aipac conference will be a turning point in our efforts to end the aipac monopoly in setting the national agenda for the Middle East. It must be followed by protests by as many of the local aipac events that occur around the nation (a trend that has already started, and seems to be getting stronger, Portland, OR being the most recent example... See link to stopaipac.org
). and we have to promise aipac we'll be back in DC next March with an even bigger protest.
btw, your unfriend Kessler sure is a busy man, Rae. He's a speaker at the upcoming CUFI event in July. Along with well-known anti-Muslim/anti-Jewish(but "pro-Israel") conspiracy propagandists Glenn Beck and of course, Rev. Hagee.
What should be noted is that it is not just Hagee the Horrible that is promoting Glenn Beck here. Look who else is in the line-up at the CUFI event:
Appearing on the podium with Beck is Jonathan Kessler, who serves as AIPAC's (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Leadership Development Director. Also Malcolm Hoenlein, who is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (and sits on AIPAC's executive committee). Jeff Mendelsohn serves as AIPAC's National Outreach Director.
See link to tinyurl.com
I am hoping to get AIPAC, an organization that all too often has gone in support of right-wing lunacy (much like the Fox Network), to at least say No to Beck. AIPAC has to draw a line somewhere. I am hoping we can get it to re-think its presence at the CUFI event. If they choose to stay with it maybe they can become known as one of the preeminent racist organizations in Washington DC today. The tea party only gets support from part of the Republican Party, yet aipac is worshipped by leaders of both parties, and still gets to support right-wing loonies.
What's up with that?
What i think should happen on Feb 10th (when Jawaher will be remembered internationally and at the Oakland Federal Building ) and in the coming months, is that we focus on the issue of ending military aid to Israel as the only way to bring about change.
I know some people have great respect for Lee, others have much contempt, still others have something in-between, but that is not the issue. The issue is not the status of your relationship to Barbara Lee.
The issue is that we must demand from congress that military aid to Israel be ended, and it is wrong for any Congressperson to support such aid. We will be relentless in demanding from Lee that she change her votes on this issue.
Sadly, they do stand together on this issue. On the side of the status quo.
We are going to be sure that Barbara Lee knows that she cannot continue to say "peace, peace" and at the same time fund cluster bombs, tear gas canisters, jet fighters to a nation determined to ignore human rights norms and international law.
Some helpful links:
Here is a detailed look at Lee's record of late on the issue of Palestine
link to stopaipac.org
and here is the amazing speech by Congessman Baird (now retired)
link to youtube.com
Our protest on Feb. 10th will be all about opposing funding of Israel's oppression of Palestinians. We hope that Lee joins us.
The flash mobs are indeed a great development.
I was wondering if this can be edited so that the links are clickable? I know people are capable of copying and pasting, but let's make it easier.
i can't believe this was posted as news. c'mon Phil, stay on message. It's not about individuals, especially those so irrelevant to 99.9% of the world who have never heard of this guy, or at least forgotten him.
Looks like they now have a fixed subject line now. and since the politicians are not likely to read these emails, and only look at maybe the subject line, (if that much!) i suggest people do not do this at all.
I wish people would not get caught up in these useless online polls. Everyone knows that these mean next to nothing. so it's about even now. it says nothing about what the people of Seattle, or the nation as a whole thinks of the issue, since there is no control about who is voting, and how many times they are voting.
Do something constructive. Write a letter to the editor. start thinking about how you can get a similar ad up in your community. This should be replicated in every city in the US.
Sorry, Annie, while i signed the initiative i think this was really poorly thought out. to get any initiative on the CA ballot needs REAL serious money and serious organization. this effort lacked both in the first place... and still does. it is just a little over a month until the deadline... and how many sigs do they have?
While Jeff Blankfort writes from bitter experience regarding local initiatives, i wonder what would happen now... since things have changed. I expect that a well-thought out campaign locally... in Oakland or Berkeley or Richmond or even San Francisco... might now have a different outcome. after all, back then no mainstream peace group would mention Palestine.... now groups like Peace Action have very progressive stances... and we have established groups like Middle East Children's Alliance, now in its 3rd decade... and Jewish Voice for Peace. It's a very different environment.
yes, Pots.... I hear ya... "if it weren't for the honor of it all, i would rather not have been blacklisted". Lee Hays, The Weavers
While it might be the best thing to just discard the Democratic Party, i do think we should remember that within the party are many good people, who will be (or already are) our allies.
Hi Annie and all,
Jim here. Yes, every once in a while i check to see what's happening there, and there is a definite lack of good diaries... not that there are not any... but they sure are lacking. i hope it is temporary. We need more insurgents there. We learned that, for example, during the bombing of Gaza, that the anti-Palestinians could not muster more than a small fraction of support for Israeli policies. So it's not like we lack supporters. I do hope especially for more Arab-American and Arabs in general to post there....
On the very first day of Huffpo they featured a column from the notoriously racist Daniel Pipes. They have featured some dissenting voices, to be sure, but I have learned not to expect much from them.
Pam Geller once was on a conference call as an aipac groupie and John Bolton. they loved Bolton. adored him. Geller was so proud of her part in the conversation that she recorded it then posted the conversation to her blog. until aipac asked her to remove it.
Unfortunately for aipac, it was not before a copy was downloaded and you can hear part of the conversation . mighty embarrassing for aipac, Bolton talks of his wish for Iran to kick out weapons inspectors. so i think we owe pammy a bit of thanks for being an idiot.
Martin Kramer will be doing panels for the aipac policy conference next month, and sitting with Congressman Brad Sherman of CA (D) . Sherman's record in California is worse than that of Jane Harman on issues of Palestine/Israel. (sherman sponsored a bid to call to defund the UNRWA. Harman did not co-sponsor that resolution. Another panel he shares with Steve Emerson.
Marc, Kevin McDonald is a racist of the worst sort. hates non-white people and Jewish people.
I think one of the many fallacies that J Street reinforces is that the discussion of US policy regarding Israel is for Jewish Americans, that their opinions should matter more than other Americans in this instance. While we naturally hope that J Street undermines AIPAC's extremism, i think many of place more hope in broader movements for peace and justice in the Middle East. Why not coverage of the current US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation conference now just concluding in Chicago?