On Demand
AIPAC Conference
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Andrea Bernstein, WNYC's political director, is covering the American Israel Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Conference where Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will be speaking this morning. She is joined by J.J. Goldberg, editorial director of The Forward newspaper.
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Whatever they will be speaking about will only be the only regurgitated stuff any U.S politician has stated. Everyone outside the U.S. and the Western European countries knows that nothing will be said that can be fair to the Palestinian people.
I would like to see someone here have the hutzpah to say the only solution to peace and that is fair is to have a single secular Republic that sets the model for all of the middle east.
That would be too much after all we have to keep the status quo so everyone has some job in some way.
From the Jerusalem Post
"then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin had blasted the AIPAC leadership in a closed-door meeting in Washington, telling them: "You waged lost battles... You created antagonism... You caused damage to Israel."
I read an article in the Times the other day saying that Israeli politicians could never be elected in the USA because they'd be considered too anti-Israel. It seems to me that AIPAC is not helping either Israel or the United States at this point.
Can someone explain to me why I should care about Israel please?
I saw McCain's speech before AIPAC. As a non-patriotic person, it was scary. He is qualified to be Prime Minister of Israel. I have concluded that AIPAC is the enemy of the USA because they conflate and meld US interests with Israeli interests. They are not the same. NO 2 countries can have identical interests, especially ones so far away.
I canvassed for Obama in the Philly suburbs in a largely Jewish neighborhood, and they were overwhelmingly supportive for Obama. And of the Clinton supporters, none of them expressed the kind of concerns I've heard Jewish people have according to the national press.
Snopes on Jew baiting/Obama
http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/01/19/smear-campaign-against-obama-circulates-among-jewish-leaders/
I'm disturbed about how much importance Isreal has in this American electoral campaign. While I am not anti-Isreal and don't recommend "abandoning" Isreal, I am definitely against the grovelling to the pro-Isreali lobby that seems to be required of all viable presidential (not to mention congressional and other) candidates.
I would like someone to clearly state what foreign policy benefits the US has recieved from it's uncompromised support for Isreal. I just don't see it. This seems to be a one way alliance, and that, as an American, I find problematic. We need to look for a better balance in this relationship.
Leonardo Andres
You're going to have to work a little harder than that Leonardo to become informed about the world.
I am so sick of American politicians pandering to Israel, who cares!!!!
they mean nothing.
I guess I would be shocked if significant numbers of Jews voted against Obama because his dad happened to be a Muslim from kenya, but maybe I'm just naive....although the states that Jews are in are significant in terms of electoral votes- only FLA is up for grabs. and that may not be a state Obama cannot win regardless.
you'd think of all people the Jews would learn not marginalize someone because they were born with a funny name.
If I focus on this speech, I can not on principle support Obama. If I ignore this subject, then I can support him.
"unshakable commitment to israel's security" come on, how can anyone think that obama is all about keeping the U.S.A. out of any foreign conflict.
So if someone attacks Israel or threatens them what does that mean for us?
The entire show today is a disgrace. Why keep questioning Obama's candidacy? Clearly he is a good candidate if he defeated the Clinton machine in the Democratic primary. Given the numbers who came out to vote for Democrats, Obama will have no problem beating McCain. Why not more fully explore Hillary Clinton's delusions?
There is too much focus on the Isreali lobby. He is running for the presidency of the United States, not Isreal. The attention that is being paid to the Isreali lobby is obscene.
"doink" my point is that if I am a not jewish, why should I care about Israel? or why should the U.S. care so much about Israel? There is a lot of regions in the world that have conflict.
But here is a clue:
http://mathaba.net/news/?x=594132
All the politicians that have spoken in at this conference is an embarrassment to the American people!
Support for Israel is not bad. Support for the hardliners here and in Israel is the problem. There are plenty of people in Israel and plenty of Jews in America who are very skeptical of this hardline agenda and believe they are making the situation worse and their nation less safe.
How frustrating! Why must we exclusively support and defend Israel? The peace-process demands an unbiased position. I'm sick of this. Too bad Obama had to cave to the pressure.
for once and for all make Israel a fing state and tax them...this is insane that we have to protect an effing sovreign nation!...
Iran drops a bomb on Israel and you will be involved no matter what country you live in.
That is the basest, most selfish rationale but it is quite valid and realistic.
If Obama is really a friend of Israel then he can't pull out of Iraq.
If Obama doesn't pull out of Iraq he can't provide health care to Americans.
Israel and their neighbors acheive peace....wtf is that...how will we acheive peace?...
What does anyone think would happen to AMERICAN credibility should 'some country' actually attack ISRAEL and AMERICA stood by and did absolutely nothing!?!
Michelle O-Ba-Ma is not going to do ANYTHING for Israel!!
It doesn't matter anyway- Senator John McCain will be elected President over an always angry Michelle O-Ba-Ma for First Lady...
I guess no matter who is in office, War with Iran is imminent. since we care so much about israel....
Could we PLEASE stop equating the Jewish community with AIPAC? They no more represent all Jews in the US than the Republicans represent all Americans.
Better yet... make Israel a member of NATO.
AIPAC agenda includes raising the amount of American Aid from the present "which is the highest in the world" to an even higher level still.
#22 is absolutely correct...we will be in Iraq with Obama as president till all the oil is drained from the soil
The Arab Israeli conflict will never be solved by American politicians. Israelis are not stupid and know this. If the AIPAC members really feel so strongly, they should move to Israel.
I know I’ll be branded as a hate-mongering anti-Semitic heathen for asking this, but if (as Brian stated) Jews are approximately 2% of the United States population and Catholics probably outnumber them 10:1, why don’t we have these same political speeches in support of Italy (or specifically Vatican City)? The same goes for Episcopalians and support of The United Kingdom.
If it is not a religious issue, is it humanitarian issue (Sudan, Rwanda, China, Burma, etc) or a peace-keeping mission?
Another reason -- $
Egypt alone received $30 billion recently from the US in gifts -- that doesn't include billions in gifts and loans to Israel. And did anyone mention Iraq?
I will say what most do not say it may be time to consider decolonizing procedures of the Israeli state and re-integrating the most of the Jewish population back to Europe!
Graciously supporting Israel and ignoring all of Israel's faults? I think he's selling out. I have been an Obama supporter, but I'm really disappointed that he's sugar coating ( it's obscene like [14] says ).
If he is willing to talk to all leaders around the world, then I hope he at least maintains the same position in favor of Israel when talking to leaders of Arab states, instead of then admitting the unfairness they are facing. Then of course, he'll have trouble helping to encourage peace in the Middle East.
The only interests that any US politicians are concerned with when it comes to Israel is their interest in getting elected.
Jesse, what is behind your fixation on Michelle Obama?
I don't understand why the Israeli lobby has so much control in the USA. AIPAC has a tax exempt status I believe but dictate politics in this country.
I am seriously disgusted that our media does not allow any dissent on American Israeli policy. Israelis are free to say whatever they want about the USA, it is really disturbing.
I always ask American conservatives why they have this unwaivering support for Israel, outside of Evangelicals it makes no sense. Israel supports gay rights, abortion and Universal healthcare.
Something is amiss here people. Jews are only 2% of our population and I just don't see why their is so much sway. Blacks certainly outnumber this group and get sqaut.
Nobody ever seems to want to say it but in the end the solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a one state solution. It is the Israelis and the Israelis alone who are preventing this from happening.
Well back in 2006 Israel attacked Lebanon. Israelis were furious with Olmert and their military. Meanwhile back here in the US, Israel was painted as defending their country (blowing up buildings we build for the Lebanese) and most Dems and Republicans supported this.
They have crooked politicians just like we do but we are not allowed to criticize them. It makes no sense.
Sally, it's more than just that. I was watching the news through the day when the war started and the way the sequence of events unfolded was: Hezbollah kidnapped the soldiers, Israel launched airstrikes against Beirut (which wasn't even the Hezbollah center of strength), and the Hezbollah responded by firing rockets into Israel. But by the end of that week, the media was reporting that the kidnapping came first, the beginning of missile attacks by Hezbollah second, and Israel's bombing of Hezbollah strongholds third.
the catholics could have a strong lobby too
so could the eskimos, the irish or the philipinos...
who is stopping them?
no one
Paulo #40
You are right that is how the media layed it out but what the media did not include is that Israel had asasinated Hezbollah leaders, but the media had omited this part of the conflict.
don't believe every thing you see and read in the Corporate media.
"who is stopping them?"
The Israel LOBBY IS!
so le t me understand this, many of the commenters above seem to be saying:
hey, i have nothing against anyone but....
jews and israel are just a minority in the world - so eff them --- by supporting them we alienate the 1.2 billion muslims and all the arab petro-dollars and their brutal tyrranies....that can fuel our cars and bring us cash
who cares if iran bombs israel and kills millions of civilians theyre only jews and israelis (and a million or so muslims)-- as long as we can appease the arab/muslim world and they wont kill us....yeah -- that's all that matters
I would not say that the Israel lobby is stopping any other lobby (except perhaps for the Arab lobby which I can't really see taking off in the post-9/11 world anyway).
The "ISRAEL lobby" is stopping the Catholic lobby?
please exaplin
"Sally" you sound like a aryan nation nutcake...
Is the "ISRAEL lobby" stopping gravity too?
#39 - Sally,
It is a little more complicated. Israelis were furious with Olmert in the aftermath, or at least well into the conflict. This is because Israel suffered really one of their only military defeats ever. There were complaints from the front line soldiers that they were not equipped, were not protected. Hezbollah was able to blow up their bomb-proof tank and Hezbollah was everywhere but they could not find them. And Olmert set up large goals of wiping out Israel and controlling the territory to the Litani River. He failed to do this.
So it was all these things that made the Israeli population furious, but not necessarily the bombing and action in general.
47 - I meant to say Olmert set up large goals of wiping out Hezbollah and this was not achieved, or even achievable.
Paulo,
how is the Israel lobby "stopping" the Arab lobby?
that's nonsense...a pretty transparent failed attempt to smear Israel through lies.
the Arab lobby, whatever it is and whatever it wants, can say whatever it wants in the US.
Unlike, Arab/Muslim tyrannies, where gay teens are hung in public, dissident journalists arrested and
minorities persecuted, non one in the US is muzlled from lobbying.
Lobbying your elected reps is a right-even a requirement in a democracy.
Arab lobbyists lobby every day.
K-street firms get millions of dollars from Saudis and Qatar etc...
Wake up (or rather, suspend your hatred for a minute, and be honest)
Chris that's great, but my point was is that our media didn't cover any of this.
I can't remember (and am too lazy to look) but did those kidnapped Israelis ever get returned?
I know it happened like way after the war.
lol, Sally, I don't doubt your admitted laziness in researching news and facts...
no, the kidnapped soldiers have not yet been returned, though sadly, there is little reason to believe they have not been brutally murdered by their terrorist captors...
Israel cannot exist in it's present form in this day an age, Israel must conform to Western norms which equality and respect for human rights.
Either Israel becomes one state with freedom for all, e.g, South Africa.
or
Israel needs to be dismantled and the Jewish population re-integrated back into Europe!!!
Brian, you and your linguist guest have completely missed the significance of hilary's comment re obama. far from conceding, she went out of her way not to say president obama which would have been meaningful. what she actually did say concedes nothing!
megan, let me repost.
Perhaps you might read it this time. I've added capitals to indicate what you should've been focusing on the first time considering I was arguing against somebody you were criticizing too:
"I WOULD NOT SAY THAT THE ISRAEL LOBBY IS STOPPING ANY OTHER LOBBY (except PERHAPS for the Arab lobby which I can't really see taking off in the post-9/11 world anyway)."
"Ira,"
Your hateful rants are racist and anti-semitic.
Calling for ethnic cleansing in Israel and not having your comments deleted is a testimony to the freedom of speech on WNYC's comment board.
You could more persuasively argue that either Iran or Saudi Arabia (or a host of other Islamic and or Arab tyrranies) offer equality to all or be dismantled.
"no, the kidnapped soldiers have not yet been returned, though sadly, there is little reason to believe they have not been brutally murdered by their terrorist captors..."
Really!?!?! That was supposed to be the whole reason to go to war!
wtf!
Israel has kidnapped thousands and thousands of Palestinians and are holding them in administrative detention for extensive periods of time, not even charging them with anything. This is in violation of international law. They also hold a number of Lebanese prisoners - are they kidnapped? So when Hezbollah attacks an Israeli army unit it is terrorism. But when Israel does it, it is... nothing, not noted, ignored, swept under the rug.
I don't think Hezbollah should have crossed the border and attacked an Israeli military unit, but Israel does it all the time. So it is hard to condemn one side when the other side is a more egregious actor in this affair.
I hate when people resort to name calling and characterizing people as hateful and personal insults instead of sticking to the debating points.
The Israeli soldiers are known to be alive, especially Gilad Shalit, the soldier "kidnapped" by Hamas.
Paulo,
I appreciate the clarification, though I did read your original post, and was dorectly critiquing the "perhaps"....
In any case, RE: Hizbolla - no kidnapping & no attacks on Israel, no retaliation.
The argument that Israel over-retaliates & therefore deserves the original attacks, is pretty weak.
That's one reason, why so many in Lebanon hate Hezbolla -- and recognize it for the terrorist puppet of Iran that is....
When Iran & Syria stop their brutal occupation of Lebanon and free the people of Lebanon from proxy terror groups - Israel and Lebanon will have peace the next day.
I certainly hope the Israeli soldiers are alive.
However, historically, the various Palestinian and other Islamist terrorist groups have little value for human life, Arab or Israeli, Muslim or Jewish -- and more often than not behead or murder their hostages in some other way to achieve their warped goals.
megan,
Syria is no longer occupying Lebanon. They withdrew a couple years ago (it was kind of a big deal).
And people hate Hezbollah in Lebanon for the same reason people in Lebanon hate the pro-Western parties there: they represent another ethnic group. Hezbollah has a broad range of support from not only Shias but other factions in Lebanon as well. Does this make them good guys? No. Certainly not. And I would never argue that point.
I will agree with you on one point though: Israel's actions do not justify attacks against Israeli citizens. But arguing that if the attacks didn't come, Israel wouldn't respond doesn't really hold water either because it's a matter of opinion over who in fact is responding to who. The Arabs would argue that they didn't start this. Each side has some valid claims over who "started it" because any attack can be seen as some response to another grievance, but it's time for somebody to accept that certain actions will have to unanswered if this is ever going to stop.
Hezbollah, whether we like it or not, is very popular in Shi'a southern Lebabanon. Hezbollah is the largest faction, largest political party in the nation. Israeli's behavior only strengthens them and not only gives them regional cache but boosts them in the other Lebanese communities that are otherwise completely opposed to the Hezbollah agenda.
Those who believe that Hezbollah is some foreign entity, an empty shell for Syria and Iran, are just dead wrong. They are dismissing, just eviscerating the presence of the poor, religious masses of Southern Lebanon out of their disdain for what their leadership represents. Not a wise policy.
It is really the problem we face with the Taliban and tribes of Afghanistan and with Iraq and the Sunni insurgents. These enemies represent real people and have real power, they can not be dismissed as terrorists since they have real and even dominant support in their communities. This is not good, this is not welcome, but it IS.
Ira,
I'm glad to hear that the discussions of ethnic cleansing of Jews in Israel is going on in Europe where you say there is "much higher degree of openness when discussing these issues."
Of course, in chilling way you probably didn't intend, Europe, with it's own history of anti-Semitism and genocide, historically has been more open to discussion of genocide against Jews and others. I just hope that isn't true today and that the lessons of the past have been learned.
Dear Chris O.,
I'm sorry if I offend you by "namecalling" call someone an anti-Semite if they promote the idea of ethnically cleansing Jews. I just wish you might consider ethnic cleansing of Jews or any other group a tad offensive, too. Oh, well...that may be too much to ask for.
What was the point of this war if those soldiers were never returned?
#66 - The point of the war was to destroy Hezbollah and probably to control and occupy Southern Lebanon to the Litani River. It was pretty obvious from the unprecedented Israeli military setbacks on the ground that they could not accomplish this so they ended the incursion.
Megan
you have swalowed the red meat that been fed to you over decades, that Palestinians are animals Arabs are evil and the Jews are the saviors of the world,
Present Israeli's policies are ethnic cleansing Palestinians as we speak!!!
you are obviously and Israeli apologist and no matter what Israel does is fine with you...Having an open discussion on this issue which you do not want and have demonstrated to have non of.
The canard of anti semitic attacks is a intellectually pathetic attempt at trying to censor any discussion.
That will not work. We have free speech in this country.
Reason will not be suppressed any more by your types, Israeli /Palestinian issue will be resolved.
and history will pass you by!
Ira,
lol - you're the one attempting to feed me red, or rather, rotten meat...
I never said that "Palestinians are animals Arabs are evil and the Jews are the saviors of the world"
you advocated ethnically cleansing the Jewish State of Israel of its Jewish citizens. That's hateful, racist and anti-Semitic, whether you understand or admit it or not.
Israel has not ethnically cleansed anyone but Jews from Gaza last summer. The result has been relentless attempts to kill Israelis by Arab terrorist groups in Gaza. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
The AIPAC backed candidate, Hillary Clinton,
did not win.
That should be a wake up call to AIPAC.
Many Americans are sick and tired of the
horrendous treatment that the Palestinians
are subjected to, under Israeli Military rule.
Iran is no threat to the USA.
We have already been involved in a war,
Iraq, in part because of Israel.
Many dead and maimed Americans.
Iraq did nothing to us.
Iran has done nothing to us.
So AIPAC should catch a clue and start
thinking about American interest, not just
the interest of Israel.
Megan
Again you have demonstrating how intellectually dishonest you are...it has been established by the United Nations and all the Human right NGO's organizations that Israel is ethnic cleansing the Palestinians from their land. Europe has also documented this.
Only in this country has the message been filtered.
The tied has turned against Israel...It cannot any longer perpetuate such aggressive inhumane tactics look at most of the post on here.
days are numbered.
Megan,
Sally is an Aryan nation nutcake and Paolo needs to suspend his hatred so your name-calling goes far and wide and is not limited to your characterization of Ira's comments as calling for ethnic cleansing of Jews.
I believe, firmly and only recently since it explains everything, that current Israeli policy is designed to force the Palestinians out of the West Bank, to ethnically cleanse them. Moreover, the state of Israel was founded on evacuated Palestinian villages and there was massive ethnic cleansing that occurred here to allow for the state of Israel to come into being.
But I don't want to relive history, it is just your remarks are upside down. YOu speak of Ian nuking Israel when it is Israel with scores of nuclear weapons and Iran is not even anywhere near having nuclear energy.
D Torres - They are all AIPAC candidates. While there is doubt among some Jews regarding Obama, AIPAC has been clear that he is a friend. Maybe Hillary was the number one choice, but the others are perfectly suitable from their perspective.
I personally think the vast majority know NOTHING about Israel or AIPAC.
If they had to vote against this unabashed support of Israel that costs us billions, is a threat to the lives of Americans and Israelis, Americans would vote it down.
This is why there was MASS outrage a few weeks ago when Bush/McCain tried to paint Obama as anti-Israel. The outrage was because they tried to draw a line in the sand, either you are for Israel or against it. AIPAC knows they need both parties aligned. This is why McCain will not win. That did not go over well.
Once Americans begin to get wise to this nonsense things will change. Most couldn't even find Israel on a map and would not EVER endorse the spilling of American blood for it.
Also the "Jewish" vote which is South Florida is a HUGE factor in our electoral college system. I really feel that part of the reason we never see any REAL movement on dismantling this system is because that Jewish vote is important for Israel.
"Sally is an Aryan nation nutcake"
First of all I'm black and I don't appreciate the name calling.
Most Americans if were given an option to vote against Israeli aid, an overwhelming majority would vote against anymore aid for Israel.
And I said nothing about ethnically cleansing anything.
Sorry Sally - I was just quoting what someone called you who was minimizing or denying her name calling. I don't believe that - I appreciate your candid comments.
Thanks Chris,
It's just so weird for me to go back into my community in Pennsylvania and ask them what they think about Israel. Most look at me like I'm nuts. They don't think of Israel any differently than Russia or Cuba or Canada. Other than it being the "Holy" land it doesn't really hold any interest there.
The Republicans seem to convince the base that the Evangelicals can be won by baiting them with dreams of the rapture, but that's REALLY anti-Semtitic. Watch how Lieberman embraces Hagey.
The whole thing is peculiar.
I think Israel has been our ally and we should stand by the historical friendship. And it is legitimate to promise help to Israel should they be attacked or invaded. But our interests are not identical, our devotion to them no matter what they do is not helpful and is really against our interests.
To hear these candidates speak at AIPAC, I swear you would literally think they are candidates to be the President of Israel. It is shocking that they equate US and Israeli interests as identical as they really just subordinate US interests to Israeli interests.
It seriously makes my head spin. No offense but Jewish people make up 2% of our population. Israel is a Jewish state, a religious state if you will. Most Americans could care less what happens to Israel. It's none of their business.
You don't see these candidates at Haitian conventions or support for Iceland summits. It just makes no sense. I guess they have to nail that Florida vote but outside of that it baffles the mind.
We also send all this military aid which translates into much more and Israel has single-payer Universal health care (Michael Moore doesn't mention this in his film). What's the deal?
Wow --- lol
I have lunch with a girlfriend & when I return the vast anti-Israel echo chamber has sprouted like amoeba.
Chris O,
Ira said, "Israel needs to be dismantled and the Jewish population re-integrated back into Europe!!!"
That is a call for ethnic cleansing, and your denial of it or calling in question my characterization of it, while bizarre, is par for the course.
Reliving history is importnant. Especially when one makes wild & phony accusations about Israel 's ethnic cleansing.
Fortunately, even the Palestinian Authority itself disagrees with these smears.
Recently, the PA Daily had an article about how Arabs Caused the Palestinian Refugee Problem -
The Arabs who became refugees in 1948 were not expelled by Israel but left on their own to facilitate the destruction of Israel, according to a senior Palestinian journalist writing in a Palestinian daily.
Jawad al-Bashiti wrote in Al-Ayyam on May 13, 2008: "The Arab Salvation Army came and told the Palestinians: 'We have come to you in order to liquidate the Zionists and their state. Leave your houses and villages, you will return to them in a few days safely. Leave them so we can fulfill our mission (destroy Israel) in the best way and so you won't be hurt.'"
So much for Chris O, Sally Forth and Ira -- the anti-Israel lobby.
Sally - lol - you protest too mucheth.
Perhaps your obsession with Israel explains why not only I think your nuts, but as you wrote, most of your community thinks you are.
For someone who keeps on asking why should we care about Israel - you seem to care a lot...
You should look into Iceland - beautiful country -- Haiti is too.
HAve a great day!
Megan! But WHO CARES?!?!!?
I don't understand what Israel has to offer us. Why should we even care here? I don't understand.
Why should one tax dollar be spent in the name of Israel? Why should American blood be shed in the name of Israel?
I don't think Americans care, and has nothing to do with Jews or Palestinians.
D.Torres --- #70
If you want to start smearing AIPAC, Israel or whomever -- it would help if you got some basic facts straight.
You wrote: "The AIPAC backed candidate, Hillary Clinton"
AIPAC doesn't support candidates. IT isn't a PAC.
(i know, a bit confusing, but that's the fact)
That's why Mccain, Obama and Hillary all spoke at the conference.
But hey, don't let facts get in the way of your propoganda. lol
Sally,
It's your right not to care. or to care.
In a democracy, people can choose what they care about. The gov. of US cares about its relations with other countries, even if you don't - because it has strategic interests in the world. I'm not sure if you understand all that - but those government people do.
"Why should American blood be shed in the name of Israel?" --- is nonsense. No American blood has been shed in the "name of Israel."
Have a great day!
"No American blood has been shed in the "name of Israel.""
Yea until we invade Iran.
"because it has strategic interests in the world."
Well that interest is not in the best interest of the American people or Israelis.
Sally,
You wonder what Israel has to offer us.
Here are some things in my field (healthcare) that may help answer your question. Israel has emerged as a leader in the field of medicine and medical research. Indeed, Israel has been on the cutting edge of embryonic and adult stem cell research, including research in neurodegenerative disease, such as ALS, and the regeneration of heart tissue.
Israeli researchers developed the first instrumentation to diagnose breast cancer without radiation, the first ingestible video camera inside a pill to view the small intestine for cancer and digestive disorders, and a computerized system to ensure proper administration of medications in institutional settings. They also developed the Ex-Press shunt to treat glaucoma, and were in the forefront of the introduction of both bare metal and drug-eluting stents.
Israelis developed a device that helps the heart pump blood, a blood test for MS, a new acne treatment that causes bacteria to self-destruct without damaging skin or tissue, a vaccine against mosquito-borne West Nile virus, a new painless device to allow diabetics to inject themselves with insulin, a device for monitoring coronary disease inside a cell phone, a bone "glue" for faster recovery from injuries, a DNA nano-computer to detect cancer and release drugs to treat the disease, and a nose drop that serves as a five-year flu vaccine.
Sally, it's not only the medical innovations that Israel gladly offer us (& tens of millions around the world, of all races and religions).
There is also a human element.
Due, in part, to its innovations in medicine and, in part, to the fact that Israel has too suffered so much from terrorist attacks and wars from Arab countries , Israelis are on the cutting edge of search and rescue. Israeli teams are often called on to help locate and rescue victims after earthquakes and other natural disasters. The experience and knowledge gained in rescuing Israelis from buildings and buses blown apart by terrorists, have been applied to save victims of natural disasters in Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Cameroon, India, El Salvador, Afghanistan, Armenia, Georgia, and Sri Lanka, as well as victims of violence in Bosnia, Romania, Kenya, Kosovo, Rwanda, Argentina, and Cambodia.
In fact, a better question, Sally, is what does $billions$ in annual aid to Egypt "offer us"?
Or how about the tens of millions in aid to Palestinians that got squandered by Arafat's on
his wifes plush apartment in central Paris and her wardrobe?
What do the Palestinians & the Iranians & the Syrians offer us?
Let me know, cause I'm not sure...
sue #36,
why ask what Jesse's issue with M.O. is?
it's obvious what Jesse's issue with Michelle Obama is...
the woman is almost outrageously attractive to men
having said that, I think we'd all be better off if she could non-controversially spend the rest of the time acting like an airhead, then spend her time as first lady baking cookies. We're not electing her.
brian this is troubling, when is the right time to discuss jew hating on your show?
re: #92
amen -
some of the regular commenters on these pages are very scary --- slinging such venom under the cloak of anonymity....
of course, they'll whine about being "censored" by the "Israel lobby" or "the powerful israel lobby" because someone like me called them anti-semitic for advocating deportation of jews from israel
not that matters, but i'm not not jewish or israeli nor part of any lobby....
I reviewed the comments and i don't see any jew hating on this page as alleged - none. Ira had some provocative comments but no hate, no anti-Semitism. What I see are criticisms of Israel and dismay over the ridiculously close relationship between the US and Israel. I guess some people hear criticism of Israel and the US relationship with Israel and equate that with jew hating. That is the problem.
And yes megan, i agree but it is your views that are very scary and you that sling a lot of venom under the cloak of anonymity.
Chris O -- if you don't see how sending all Jews in Israel "back to Europe" is anti-Semitic - you're either obtuse or in denial. In any case, part of the problem, not the solution.
In the 1930s and 40s, the cry of the antisemites in Europe was “Jew, go to Palestine!”
Today the cry of anti-Semites (yes, anti-Semites - not just "critiquers" of Israel or some other whitewashing euphamism) around the world is “Jew-Out of Palestine!”
Because of this sad, historic irony, I well understand the underpinnings of Zionism & the beauty of the modern State of Israel and return of the Jewish people to their historic homeland.
But Chris O, one needn't be a Zionist, to be tolerant and non anti-Semitic.
For that all one needs is a human heart and just a wee bit of tolerance & emapthy for the other.
And Chris O, if you find what I wrote above "scary" so be it.
That says a lot more about your views than you'd may like to admit.
Megan, Do you want to see par for the course? In comment 83, you say, "That is a call for ethnic cleansing, and your denial of it or calling in question my characterization of it, while bizarre, is par for the course."
That is a response to my statement in comment 72 where I said, "your name-calling goes far and wide and is not limited to your characterization of Ira's comments as calling for ethnic cleansing of Jews."
I was basically accepting your characterization yet you accuse me of denying it and calling it into question. That is why my alleged denial is "bizarre" - it is not there.
And megan, if you find what others say here is "scary" so be it.
That says a lot more about your views than you'd may like to admit.
Chris O
You've clearly been tripped up by your own words.
You're not making sense at all.
I'm glad you agree with my "characterization" that Ira called for ethnic cleansing of Jews.
What's bizarre is you're misplaced criticism.
Instead of harshly rebuffing Ira's call for ethnic cleansing fo Jews, you only harp on me for "namecalling" it anti-Semitic.
Either:
1. You actually think calling for ethnic cleansing of Jews is NOT anti-Semitic - sad & scary
or
2. You support it all together - sad & scary
No need to respond to this. Just think about all this before you reflexively retort. It may do some good.
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