Looks like I'm getting to the end of the discussion with Ralph Seliger. Here's the latest. Seliger answers my latest challenge re Meretz:
the war from the beginning, but we decided that since it doesn't relate
to our issue of Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab peace, we should
not jeopardize our 501c (3) tax status by articulating a position.
I've already explained this to you, Phil, but you insist on fighting us. So much for your kind words from the other day:
"I'm reminded that progressive Zionists have done real good work. Like the great Tammy Shapiro, of the Union of Progressive Zionists, who brought out the Breaking the Silence boys.
"So generally I think, Ralph's right, he and I share a lot. Plus we need each other right now in the U.S., to try and end the occupation in the American discourse."
I've even told you since that Meretz USA founded Tammy's Union of Progressive Zionists and was instrumental in seeing it though its first years. But no, you prefer to deliver a tired ideological attack on us as "Zionists."
Ralph is quoting an email I sent him. And I believe that. We're on the same side on the occupation generally, and we need each other in the political discourse. And I love Tammy Shapiro for bringing "Breaking the Silence" to American campuses. I watched Tammy face down the Zionist Organization of America. She's impressive. I applaud Meretz for supporting her.
But this blog is about ideas following a great disaster for American policy: Iraq, which has killed more than 100,000 Arabs and many Americans too. Just now on "Democracy Now" Naomi Klein quoted Milton Friedman as saying it was important to have the right ideas "lying around" so that when a crisis came, the politicians would turn to them. That's why he was for thinktanks, she said. And that is absolutely the neocon program re Iraq. When the crisis of 9/11 hit, where did President Stupid turn? The neocons. AEI. They had ideas. Their hawkish ideas drove the Iraq war. And sadly, had wide purchase in the liberal community.
