Articles
December 2011, Pages 5-6
Letters to the Editor
U.S. "Outrage" at the U.N. Laughable
Russia and China on Oct. 4 vetoed a proposed U.N. resolution targeting the unacceptable treatment of protesters by the Syrian regime. The United States—rightly—expressed "outrage" at this veto. However, the inappropriately childish behavior of the U.S. permanent representative, Ambassador Susan Rice (again), actually embarrassed the U.N. more than the veto did! Remember, in February, Ambassador Rice vetoed a draft resolution condemning Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory while all other 14 members of the Security Council unanimously voted in favor of the resolution, making the U.S. seem disturbingly out of touch with events on the ground, and horribly disinterested in the desperate plight of the Palestinian people. It seems she continues the downhill slide, by petulantly walking out during an address by the Syrian ambassador, who himself has respectfully faced a tirade of criticism by Ambassador Rice. Ambassador Rice makes the U.S. look like a spoiled, bullying child who sulks when it doesn't have its way. Ambassador Rice's petulant behavior echoes back to the dark days of the Bush administration, when John Bolton, then acting U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, was renowned for his tirades. His term did not last. I suspect that if Ambassador Rice continues to embarrass the U.S. on the international stage, neither will hers.
Dr. Rory E. Morty, Giessen, Germany
We suspect the decision to veto the settlement resolution—and, presumably, the application of Palestine for admission to the U.N. as a member state—was made not by Rice, but by a head of state (and not necessarily her own). We were embarrassed in February by Rice's attempt to explain that even though she vetoed the settlement resolution, the U.S. opposes Israel's illegal settlements. But her walking out on the Syrian ambassador as he was speaking is beyond intellectual obfuscation—it's flat-out rudeness.
Terror Plot or Distraction?
More and more Iran experts are debunking the Obama's administration claim that Mansour Arbabsiar, a whiskey drinking used car salesman, was behind the alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Adel al-Jubeir.
The planned crime scene seems to have been lifted from the "Godfather I" movie script, in which a bomb was supposed to have been detonated in a prominent restaurant. Gary Sick, an Iran expert at Columbia University, warned that Israel and the U.S. are launching an aggressive propaganda campaign to justify economic and possibly military attacks on Iran. The murder of several of Iran's nuclear scientists has increased tensions between Iran and Israel, which has been accused of committing the crimes. Reza Aslan, a prominent Iran expert, also debunked the alleged plot, warning that such incendiary rhetoric could drag the U.S. into yet another dangerous conflict.
The alleged plot seems to be a deliberate attempt to distract a restive public from its economic woes and to cozy up to Israel to gain the Jewish vote. The Obama administration would be wise to heed the words of Adm. Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who advised the Obama administration to replace the bellicose rhetoric with Iran with meaningful dialogue.
Jagjit Singh, Los Altos, CA
For more views on the alleged terror plot, see p. 20 of this issue.
Voters Take Note
The U.S. economy is in serious trouble, yet the pro-Israel lobby continues to expect and accept $3-plus billion yearly plus $2 billion to Egypt to not wage war against Israel. I have not heard one word from the pro-Israel lobby to deny this award to Israel. Why? The economy in Israel is used primarily to wage war against the Palestinians. Our Congress is a weapon against the Palestinians. More and more U.S. citizens are becoming aware of this situation and will react accordingly.
Vern H. Wecler, Bay City, MI
Not only does the Israel lobby not suggest an end to U.S. taxpayer dollars to Israel—all of which is designated for military purposes—but in the midst of severe budget cuts, Israel-firsters such as House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) are reassuring Israel—not their American constituents—that its annual take is sacrosanct. In the run-up to next November's election we'll be compiling pro-Israel PAC contributions and congressional voting records for the benefit of our readers and their fellow Americans. It only makes sense that voters want to elect leaders who represent their interests, not those of a foreign country.
"Can We Afford $30 Billion in Aid to Israel?"
This is the wording of a billboard ad I placed with CBS Outdoor, a division of CBS Corporation. When I opted to extend the time period for the ad the response from CBS was that they would not "continue to be a vehicle for this cause" because of "feedback" from the community.
CBS obviously does not subscribe to Thomas Paine's dictum, "When opinions are free, truth will prevail."
Henry Clifford, Essex, CT
While free speech ostensibly is an American value, questioning U.S. aid to Israel can be very costly. As recipients of our "Action Alerts" learned, however, the Washington Post's Walter Pincus did just that in an Oct. 18 "Fine Print" column titled "U.S. Must Reevaluate Its Assistance to Israel." Readers interested in receiving alerts of future media breakthroughs can sign up on our Web site, <www.wrmea.com>.
Connecting the Dots
When I was getting ready to send the Sept./Oct. postcards regarding Palestine's bid for U.N. membership, I learned for the first time that 18 foreign ambassadors had been given the "free trip" treatment toward advancement of the Zionists' agenda against any furtherance of the Palestinians' aspirations. I was angry enough at the photo of Zionist Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and numerous "The Israel Project" (TIP) posters and signs on display in the room; then I went to your "Publishers' Page" and learned that 22 House and 15 Senate members sit on TIP's board of advisers. Connecting the dots, my outrage was complete. Surely—surely—these 37 miscreants are skirting, if not trampling upon, ethics and American-security violations which some intrepid, patriotic organization should bring to glaring scrutiny and resolution!
How many of the 37, I wonder, would stampede to be on the board of "The America Project" or an equivalent body dedicated to pursuit of America-first core national interests? Oh, right—they are "board members" of the U.S. Congress, which should guide their actions every waking moment. But alas, their body would be better termed the USrael Congress: avidly serving the best interests of one side of an entangled alliance from which I envision no extrication.
Robert H. Stiver, Pearl City, Hawaii
We hope that you will raise this matter directly with your senators and representative at public gatherings they are likely to have during the upcoming campaign season. You might ask Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), for example, who is up for re-election next year, what he has done to "earn" $122,000 in pro-Israel PAC contributions throughout his career. In addition to holding your elected official accountable, you will also be getting the word out to your fellow constituents. We'll begin printing our compilations of pro-Israel PAC contributions next year, with updates through November. In the meantime, voting records and total pro-Israel PAC contributions through the 2010 election can be found on our Web site, <www.wrmea.com>, under "Activist Resources: Congress & U.S. Aid to Israel."
Downloading Postcards
We have always appreciated the "postcards" feature of your magazine. We routinely take the text and use it for a letter to our legislators.
However, while the magazine states, "…you can download these postcards into an e-mail message," the "Postcards Index" page at <www.wrmea.com/component/content/article/376-postcards/10795-postcards-index.html> does not show the current issue's card text, which makes it necessary to transcribe the whole card by re-typing it.
There is no reason the current issue's postcard text should not be available along with the rest of the current issue.
(Also—make the postcards easier to find on your Web site!)
Rashid Patch, Oakland, CA
Thank you for taking the time to write us with your suggestions, which we have taken to heart. While we do not post our latest issue on our Web site (in order to encourage subscriptions and hence survive), we agree that the current postcard should be immediately available to all. We've also given "Postcards to Your Legislators" its own link under "Activist Resources."
Salve on a Wound
First, thank you. Thank you for your bravery in taking up the cause of justice and sanity, when so many are apathetic or aggressively opposed to it.
I am currently incarcerated and am using my time constructively. Because of the massacre in Gaza (aka Operation Cast Lead) I refocused my life on calling for, and working toward, a sane approach and just resolution to Israel's conquest of Palestine. Now that I am incarcerated I am working on a book that I hope will add to these ends.
In so doing, I am taking on a topic that is aggressively marketed, from a place where I am aggressively manipulated. My point is your heroic attempts at bringing truth to light are salve on my wound. I don't have a subscription yet, or the financial wherewithal right now for a full subscription, but am including $15 for a subscription to "Other Voices."
Raphael McNamara, Cumberland, MD
We read about your case at <http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/2010/04/nonviolent-american-peace-activist.html>. Thanks to one of our many angels, we are able to send you "Other Voices" as part of a full subscription to the magazine. We know you will put both to good use!
