Home
Archive
Newsletters
Video
Blogs
Discuss
About
Search
Donate
Advertise

Tragedy in Gaza -- Desperately Seeking Leadership from Obama

By Sunera Thobani, rabble.ca. Posted January 5, 2009.


Unfortunately, Obama is missing in action and silent on this first foreign policy challenge to his presidency.
Advertisement
Upcoming AlterNet stories on Digg

The new year has begun with Muslims around the world being taught a lesson in the crudity of racial equations: 400 Palestinian lives equal four Israeli lives.

Reeling from having learned that over a million Iraqi and Afghan lives equal 3,000 American lives, the logic of this racial mathematics is certainly no new thing. After all, the first U.S. Constitution engaged in just such calculations of human worth, and Katrina demonstrated their ongoing effects. But the lesson has the power to shock every time: the images of Palestinian bodies being pulled out of the rubble in Gaza that flood news reports are unbearable to witness.

Surely the lesson cannot be lost on President-elect Barack Obama. That such violence can be waged on so defenseless a population with the support of the Bush administration is unconscionable. That Obama chooses to remain silent is nothing short of cowardice.

Why is Israel able to continue its deadly assault on Palestinians in Gaza? Because Western governments (and their Arab quislings) are willing to allow the carnage to carry on into day three, four, five ... After all, these governments enabled the Israeli blockade of Gaza for the last year-and-a-half, they aided and abetted Israel's criminal meting out of collective punishment to the population for daring to vote for Hamas.

The mainstream media faithfully reported as true every lie told by the Bush administration about Iraq. Now the media upholds the fiction that Hamas is responsible for the violence waged by the Israelis. Israel probably calculated, and rightly so as has turned out to be the case, that the support it enjoys from these governments could withstand whatever murmurs of regret politicians might be moved to express by anti-Israeli demonstrations in their capitals.

The current Israeli attack is being attributed by some commentators to the machinations of Israeli politicians jockeying for power in the upcoming elections in that country. But there is another consideration that is far more important. Of all the Middle Eastern countries, it is Israel that stood to lose the most with the incoming presidency of Obama later this month.

Obama promised to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq and committed his administration to pursuing diplomatic and political solutions ahead of military ones, not only in Iraq, but also in other conflicts within the region. Iran has been strengthened by the U.S. defeat in Iraq, while Israel was outmaneuvered by Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006.

The writing has been on the wall for the Israelis. The carte blanche given to that country by past U.S. administrations to destabilize the region and pursue its territorial ambitions could no longer be counted upon.

The worldwide enthusiasm for the election of Obama signaled a global desire for change, people around the world are sick of the lies and wars, of the guns and bombs.

A return to the rule of law and an end to the Iraq war is what Obama promised, not only to the American electorate, but to the entire world. The election of the first black president was an ecstatic moment for people of color around the world, as it was for those white populations sickened by the racism and violence of American empire-building. People around the world took Obama up on his promise of hope, daring to believe that political change was coming.


Digg!    Share on facebook   submit to reddit    Bookmark on Delicious   Stumble This  

See more stories tagged with: obama, palestine, gaza, hamas

Sunera Thobani teaches women's studies at the University of British Columbia.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from World! Sign up now »


Advertisement
Advertisement

 

Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.
View:
What Kind of People Are We?
Posted by: AlexLawyer on Jan 5, 2009 12:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This appalling silence isn't unique to Obama, nor is aggression unique to Bush. No one can expect Obama to commit political suicide by directly criticizing Israel, but it's costing us the respect of most of the world and recruiting terrorists.

It's richly ironic, if not thoroughly disgusting, that the majority of Americans, especially conservative Christians, think the US is a peace-loving nation. Yet we account for over 50% of the world's military spending, are the world's leading arms merchant, have attacked more countries than any other nation, are currently slaughtering civilians in three countries and contributing to it in several others, have repudiated the Geneva conventions and disappear and torture people, persist in making and using landmines and cluster munitions, and have the highest murder rate of any developed nation. We're also the stingiest with humanitarian aid.

The logic leading to the conclusion that we are peaceful escapes me, as does our insistence that people around the world hate us because we're so virtuous.

I've read the Gospels, and the divinity there described sounds nothing like the one that advises George W. Bush and his political and ecclesiastical water carriers. To think so is to mistake the Prince of Darkness for the Prince of Peace.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What Kind of People Are We? Posted by: adempatriot
Israel has the right to defend itself
Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars on Jan 5, 2009 1:14 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I know you people that President Obama can wave a magic wand and heal all wounds but let the reality hit it in face a few times and leave the man bee. Yes this is me saying this: Let Obama governed when it comes to things he can control like domestic policy. Don't think this guy is going to get on the bat-phone to Jerusalem and say "Israel chill out." Really you are expecting too much from the guy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» how pathetic Posted by: weathered
» RE: how pathetic Posted by: IPF
» RE: how pathetic Posted by: Quannah
» Amusing Posted by: improperly_sedated
» RE: Amusing Posted by: IPF
» RE: Amusing Posted by: laoma
» RE: Amusing Posted by: riondluz
» RE: Amusing Posted by: Quannah
Bush is the current U.S. President! Obama will not be sworn in until 1/20/09!
Posted by: MindyB on Jan 5, 2009 2:14 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This author seems to forget that there is a certain level of protocol and process that takes place during the transition period of our Presidency. Although Obama did speak out about our economy, he did so first in the capacity as a US Senator. Once he resigned the position, he had to maintain a certain level of distance in order not to step on the current President's toes and cause diplomatic nightmares. Like it or not, Bush is still our President until January 20th, 2009. Bush is the one who has remained silent and complacent with the Israel-Palestine situation. This has happened on Bush's watch! DO NOT put this on Obama, that is not fair! Obama cannot say or declare much about this conflict right now or it will cause a diplomatic nightmare! He cannot speak out against the Bush position, not yet anyway, if he does so now, it will diminish his credibility for stepping on the current President's toes.
It is frustrating seeing the destruction that is happening, but Obama can't really do anything right now, he needs to wait until he is officially our President.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Wait and see what? Posted by: americansheep
» RE: Wait and see what? Posted by: Erin
» RE: Wait and see what? Posted by: MausMasher54
» Thank you, MindyB Posted by: TruthBeTold
» What baloney! Posted by: logansafi
Inaction?
Posted by: davewuxi on Jan 5, 2009 3:58 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Several people have commented on various editions of Alternet that all this nonsense about Obama not doing anything on this or that issue is just that - NONSENSE. He is NOT President until January 20th. When will you get this into your heads and stop blaming him for inaction? He cannot take any action at the moent. "There is only one President at a time" - remember?

However, that said, the situation in Gaza is certainly being made worse because Israel thinks she can do waht she likes and the USA will support her - as they did in the Security Council the other day.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Inaction? Posted by: Erin
» Right you are! Posted by: logansafi
where is the Alternet editor who will grasp the fact that Obama is a president in waiting?
Posted by: Suzon on Jan 5, 2009 4:17 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To usurp presidential powers (or even to seem to usurp presidential powers) before inauguration day would be the kind of high-handedness that we've all had entirely too much of with Bush-Cheney.

Unless there is a deliberate intention to rile Alternet readers, then it has to be poor--very poor--judgement on the part of Alternet editors.

My guess is that the editors are more than happy to publish rubbish if increases the clicks. Come on, guys (of whatever gender), give us a break and let your better instincts prevail.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» AIPAC will be Obama's undoing Posted by: weathered
dmloucas
Posted by: dmloucas on Jan 5, 2009 4:33 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Did I miss the inauguration? Because if I did then perhaps the criticisms of our President-Elect are justified. Your claim at this time: 'Unfortunately, Obama is missing in action and silent on this first foreign policy challenge to his presidency.'- is premature and very unfair.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: dmloucas Posted by: MausMasher54
Interesting distortion and omission of the facts
Posted by: IPF on Jan 5, 2009 4:34 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Of course find it on Alternet - home of all one sided, biased and uniquely prejudiced articles.

Fan the flames of conflict Alternet - good choice to increase the violence and the hatred. I wonder, how much money is being donated by Palestinians , muslims and arabs for the editors of this e-rag to take this position - over, and over, and over again - ad sickening infinitum,

The facts of course contradict this coprophagus' assertions, and more. Israel has a right to defend itself, and should. If Hamas does not stop bombarding innocent civilians with explosive missiles packed with ball bearings and metal nails, then Tzahal should do what it takes to stop this threat to the population.

No ifs, ands or buts. Israel must take Gaza back and expel the trouble makers to Syria and Iran - their choice. It is a pity that Palestinians have for so long been misled, abused and murdered by their own leadership. In our side of the world this type of corruption is not tolerated - in the Arab world it passes for religion.

50 Years after the partition, if Palestinians had opted for freedom and nation building, instead of death and terrorism, they would enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world with the envy of the entire Middle East.

Instead of nation building they engage in nation destruction, destroying their own country through their efforts at the annihilation of Israel and the Jews.

Is it possible a people can withstand such a total lack of leadership for so many years? Sad indeed.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» No, he has a point. Posted by: mjabele
What Pres. Obama should say...
Posted by: AJR Journal on Jan 5, 2009 4:50 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
President Obama to the Gaza Stripians:
"This place is a dump! Look at what you have created here. You don't have a pot to piss in much less a window to throw it out of. Meanwhile, those Isrealis on the other side of that border over there have built a modern, tolerant, sophisticated society with all the features that come with it. Is this what you want for your children?"
"Stop blaming Isreal for your crappy society."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Which is the crappy society? Posted by: americansheep
» RE: What Pres. Obama should say... Posted by: MausMasher54
Expect more of this, not less.
Posted by: laoma on Jan 5, 2009 5:24 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are a few of us that predicted this series of events during the campaign, i.e. Obama's lack of concern about the humanity of Palestinians, Middle East in general. Actually, it was quite clear to see in the form of Obama's advisors and kowtowing to AIPAC. In short, Obama's election to the presidency was historic ONLY for the color barriers that he broke. What should have been obvious and will become increasingly so is that the color of one's skin nor the spirit of one's religion are not predictors of a champion for justice and moral democracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: xpect more of this, not less. Posted by: kackermann
Now now there, don't worry. Obama will be sworn in on 1/20/2009 and then, he'll uh
Posted by: maxpayne on Jan 5, 2009 6:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
what'll he do again ???

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Missing in Action?
Posted by: SgtCedar on Jan 5, 2009 6:36 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How can Obama be "missing in action and silent on this first foreign policy challenge to his presidency"? He has not even taken office yet. Maybe in Canada a newly elected leader takes office right away. In the United States the President-Elect does not have any responsibility for foreign policy until January 20th.

President Bush is acting like he has already left office and is simply spouting the same propaganda lines, but he is still in charge.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: OBAMA'S TONGUE TIED DOWN Posted by: americansheep
» RE: OBAMA'S TONGUE TIED DOWN Posted by: MausMasher54
Where are the ordinary Jews?
Posted by: 876 on Jan 5, 2009 7:12 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama has responded with deafening silence? What about American Jews? Where is their outrage to this genocide? One has to assume that the American public supports genocide and occupation since they are also silent. The entire Muslim world is expected to speak out for every lone random Muslim who acts out yet here we have not one word from American Jews on their beloved Israel and its repeated state sponsored campaigns of slaughter.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

cap
Posted by: barrypac on Jan 5, 2009 7:25 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Please give the man a chance to become President before condemning him for policies not yet his to make. It sure in easy to criticize.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: cap Posted by: Erin
I do believe members of the Bush Administration are controled by Demons
Posted by: peacekeepertwo on Jan 5, 2009 8:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I was reading from the Christian Bible today as I do everyday, the words jumped out at me about how Christian need to beware of Demon's, who try to make you think they come from God. Its time that Christians Obey the Ten Commandments without exceptions. No more ignoring, those Commandments that get in the way of us doing as we please.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

President Bush is the current leader of the U.S.A.
Posted by: mcubed on Jan 5, 2009 9:26 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I just had to add another post with this message. Previous posts went into more detail and were more eloquent.

Barak Obama is President-Elect, and will not be in a position to do anything about this until January 20, sometime in the afternoon after his motorcade/parade to the White House.

The lack of US response is unfortunately a very sad continuation of the Bush Administration's status quo.

Blaming President Elect Obama is unrealistic and extremely unfair.

Michele

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Well, he isn't president yet...
Posted by: adempatriot on Jan 5, 2009 9:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So until he is, he can't be. Don't give up on him yet, before he is even inagurated. However, I am also disappointed that he has not spoken out against the 100 to 1 killing in Gaza; and that his pledge to end the war in Iraq has -seemingly- fallen by the wayside.

Meanwhile, do we even HAVE a president now? Doesn't seem like it. The Bush administration has blocked the U.N. in trying to get a cease-fire in Gaza. And of course, a lot of U.S.-made armament is being used to kill the people in Gaza. Who makes the bombs, the bullets, the planes? Many are made here in our "land of peace".
In my opinion, any person who holds stock in, or works for, an arms manufacturer is as guilty as the man who pulls the trigger on his weapon, or drops U.S. made bo mbs on other people, whether it be in Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else. I hate war, no matter what. War is hell, yet "Christians" seem to love it. Go figure.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Let the People Decide in Gaza and Israel
Posted by: jbpazz on Jan 5, 2009 10:03 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why not let the people in the region vote on the clauses in the peace agreement? Let both sides draw up their list of demands. Voters would judge each one up or down.
If they okayed all the demands, the fighting would end. If not, they would battle until another vote.
The world leaders blubbering for a cease fire only would extend the conflict. After 60 years of frustration, every child knows that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

He'll do.......................
Posted by: ZPaul on Jan 5, 2009 10:08 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
........as he's told.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

O-blah-blah will continue with more of the same only better spoken
Posted by: DCostello2 on Jan 5, 2009 10:18 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The ONLY difference between O-blah-blah and Bush on Israel is that O-blah-blah has a somewhat better command of the English language - he is a lawyer after all and they get paid by the word. His views, opinions and such are the same as Bush IF NOT MORE supportive of Israel. Those of us who DIDN'T drink the Kool Aide and who looked at what O-blah-blah DID instead of just listening to the Sermons, know this. We know that O-blah-blah gave the biggest "I love Israel" speech to AIPAC ever - bar none, including the Chimp - that's my term of endearment for W. He's publicly stated, more than once, that Israel has the right to defend itself. And, in case you missed all of that, he chose as VP Joe "I am a ZIONIST" Biden. So, given all of that, what do you expect him to do differently?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» DCostello- his surname is Obama. Posted by: adempatriot
This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
The Truth About Gaza.
Posted by: yellow on Jan 5, 2009 10:55 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Beginning in 1993, the Israelis, after having put aside decades of serious reservations about negotiating with the PLO and recognizing them as the sole leader of the Palestinian people, engaged the PLO, and its leader, Yassir Arafat in face to face talks regarding the political future of Palestine. Soon after the Declaration of Principles were signed in September 1993, something heralded as a breakthrough for peace throughout the world, Hamas, a violent and fanatical Jihadist group in Palestine, went on a frenzied campaign of murder and terror in an endeavor to destroy the peace process. This power mad bid for political partisan advantage cost many lives and succeeded in enabling Israeli rejectionist efforts to prevent Israel from making ground breaking concessions to Yassir Arafat at Camp David in late 2000. The fact that thousands of Palestinians and Israelis would suffer and die in Hamas's ruthless pursuit of its own rejectionist cause meant nothing to its fanatical leadership. Between April 1994, widely acknowledged to be Hamas's first suicide bombing and January 2006 when they won the PLC elections, well over 100 suicide bombings had occured with nearly 600 Israeli dead and thousands injured.

In January 2006, Hamas won 59% of the Palestine Legislative Council(PLC) election vote giving them 76 of the 132 seats on the PLC. Considering that voter turnout was only 77%, Hamas could be considered to have the support of only half the total Palestinian population at best and very probably less. It surely had no mandate to assume control of the entire Palestinian Authority by armed force in Gaza in June 2007.

Though displeased, Mahmood Abbas of Fatah honored the results of the election. He thus proceeded in good faith to form a National Unity Government(NUG) with Hamas despite the clear risk of isolation due to Hamas's stated refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel. The following 18 months would consist of violent factional conflict mostly instigated by Hamas over cabinet appointments, basic procedures and control and integration of the Palestinian security forces and foreign policy issues. The single most important point of contention was Palestinian security infrastucture. Hamas stubbornly refused to either disarm its separate militias or integrate its forces with those of Fatah's Preventitive Security Forces leading to repeated violent conflicts, mostly in Gaza. Hamas violence led to a Saudi/Egyptian brokered attempt to save the NUG in February 2007 but to no avail. By June 2007, factional disputes regarding control of the security forces and related issues led to armed conflict and the ultimate siezure of all of Gaza by Hamas. Abbas responded by appealling to the EU, US, UK and other Arab States all of whom condemned the Hamas action in no uncertain terms and turned to give financial and other support to Fatah's new Emergency Government in hopes of isolating Hamas.

Regardless of the result of this strategy one thing was clear; for Hamas the 2006 election was a mere tactic to grab power not a committment to peaceful democratic means or powersharing. Alistaire Crooke, a stern critic of Israel, points to an exchange between a senior Hamas official and Jaamat Islamiyya representitive Fathi Yakan in which Hamas was roundly criticized for even partaking in the 2006 elections. Yakan warned that no MP or deputy, from Islamabad to Cairo, or anywhere in between, has succeeded in bringing significant change to their society. The roots of the collapse of the powersharing government are clear. Hamas is not the representitive of the Palestinian cause, rather they are the representitive of global Jihad in Palestine.

The cycle of violence in Gaza today, regardless of the extreme nature of Israel's use of excessive force, is mostly the responsibility of Hamas. Power must be restored to Fatah if peace is ever to be achieved.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Obama's Lost Moral Highground
Posted by: radhasinha on Jan 5, 2009 11:07 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Whatever political and diplomatic considerations may have dictated President-elect Obama's silence on the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure by the invading Israeli army, it has certainly undermined his credibility as some one who believes in International Law and morality. It will be difficult for him to recover the lost moral high ground. He spoke, and rightly so, against the terrorist acts in Mumbai, but he is keeping silent on a much greater tragedy in Gaza. He is intelligent enough to see that his silence may be interpreted by Israel as an endorsement of Israeli action. Much of the world, let alone Islamic world, will see his silence in this light. He is sharp enough-and certainly not as dumb as George W. Bush- to realize that every Israeli bomb that kills innocent civilians, including women and children, is adding to the numbers of the terrorists severalfold. Thus, Israeli disproportionate response to Hamas's 'terrorist acts' are undermining President-elect Obama's objective of eliminating terrorism. Yet, his silence continues. No body aware of his close association with the Israeli lobbies in the United States would have expected him to make loud criticism of Israeli policies,but he could have used his association with such lobbies to deter Israel from taking actions which might jeopardize Obama's future Middle East diplomacy. There is no indication that he has done so.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» The lie that Hamas broke the truce... Posted by: americansheep
» Oh, give me a Posted by: TruthBeTold
did ya ever think......
Posted by: Racer-X on Jan 5, 2009 11:32 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
did ya ever think that a population that launches rockets @ Israel is really NOT defenseless ?
STOP throwing rocks, shooting guns, setting bombs & shooting off rockets and you will stop being counter-punched ! Attacking an obviously superior opponent and NOT expecting to get SMACKED-DOWN is utterly ridiculous.
If someone shoots at me with a .22, I am not gonna keep my 357 Magnum holstered because I was only shot with a .22 !
Get real, use some logic, THINK !!
Rex

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Some folks never learn. Posted by: yellow
Articles and comments like the ones posted
Posted by: EncinoM on Jan 5, 2009 11:36 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Are evidence that the far left/progessive movement loves to marginalize itself, even when it has a president receptive to its goals ready to take office.

Obama is not President, Bush and Rice are still in charge of dipolmacy, not Obama and Clinton.

Come back after the 20th and complain and whine.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

RE: Bailout Gaza
Posted by: Racer-X on Jan 5, 2009 12:12 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
actually it would be better if "everybody" would help Israel crush Hamas

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: Racer-X
» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: Racer-X
» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: hilaryuk
» RE: Bailout Gaza Posted by: Racer-X
» RE: Better yet Posted by: 876
» RE: Better yet Posted by: EncinoM
Cuz its FUN to be a Jesus Warrior in America
Posted by: Von on Jan 6, 2009 3:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97NFNXk8aFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bB2rt3IKJc

future goon squads in the making

and who says religious fanatics ready to kill do not exist in the United States of America? haha

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

fairplay
Posted by: donkey on Jan 5, 2009 12:02 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's imagine for a moment that within Mexico is a group that daily sends rockets into the US, killing or injuring US citizens. The Mexican government has not stopped them. Economic boycotts and stepped up border efforts have not stopped them. What should the US do?

Our military is told to send rockets of our own into tightly targeted sites, but the Mexican group relocates into highly populated areas, insuring civilian casualties. What should the US do?

The Mexican group says it will not stop until the US is annihiliated. Diplomacy hasn't worked. What should the US do?

If you think that Israel has a right to exist, then they have a huge dilemma -- one that the rest of the world doesn't seem particularly interested in helping solve. If you think Israel usurped Palestinian sovereignty, then Hamas is right, and rocket attacks should continue until Israel disappears.

The simple answer -- if Gaza wants to end the Israeli invasion and boycott -- is for Hamas to end its rocket attacks. Why is no one demanding THAT?

As for Obama, he is not president, and should not act at the moment. But I'm sure you all have seen the video of his answer that if someone were sending rockets at his two children, he would want to stop those attacks. We'll know how in a few weeks.

And seriously, with a good part of America frothing at the mouth about Mexican immigrants taking American jobs, can you imagine the outrage if we were being attacked by rockets? We attacked Iraq WITHOUT provocation -- what makes anyone think we wouldn't immediately invade Mexico to wipe out the rocketeers?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Race Relations
Posted by: dumdumboy on Jan 5, 2009 2:56 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I thought that the author made some good points. However, I also feel that there is a bit of a stretch made to link American race relations with the Palestinian cause.

There is a long relation between Jews and African-Americans fighting alongside one another for civil rights in America. While at times this relationship has been strained - Jesse Jackson's off-hand remark about "Hymietown" comes to mind - there is also the fact that the KKK hated Jews almost as much as people of color, and institutions such as Harvard University had limits on both Jewish and "Negro" admissions at the turn of the last century. At least one of the white boys who were murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi in the early '60s was Jewish.

On the other hand, there hasn't been much, if any, history of any correlation between the prejudice against Arab-Americans and African-Americans. There is history concerning animosity between the two groups: in the major city I hail from, Detroit, there have been instances whereby Arab-American owners of stores and gas stations have opened-fire on African-Americans caught stealing some cheap item, resulting in death and protest marches.

Don't get me wrong, I support the Palestinian cause. It just seems to me that the author of this piece has deliberately slanted it. There is little detail concerning the daily rocket attacks that Israel has endured for over a year either. Israel has over-reacted, but it was, apparently, a reaction, and not simply a pre-emptive strike.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

To Sunera Thobani, rabble.ca. and all of the people
Posted by: TruthBeTold on Jan 5, 2009 2:58 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
who want PE Obama to do something, say something, go somewhere, fly to the moon or whatever.

There is one president of the United States and his name is George W. Bush. It is not PE Obama's responsibility to do something, say something or whatever it is that you folks want.

PE Obama will take the Oath of Office for the Presidency of the United States on January 20, 2009. At that time it will his job to do something, say something, etc.

In the mean while I sugguest that all of you folks go to your local li-berry and ask the liberian to help you check out some books explaining the United States Constitution and the responsibilites of the CURRENT President George W. Bush VS. the PRESIDENT ELECT Barack H. Obama.

I for one am tired of all of the low educated and uninformed people mouthing off when it is so obvious that they are clueless. The school system in this country has done such a poor job but the citizens share much of the blame for their ignorance because they have so little respect for themselves that they don't even bother to learn for themselves.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

More baloney!
Posted by: logansafi on Jan 5, 2009 4:35 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have protested this war from even before 9/11 when Clinton and his entourage were murdering children through their economic war. Are people no top remember where all this started?

The Democrats are pro-war and NEVER speak out against it. If I can open my mouth in protest of this latest Gaza carnage, then why can't the new con, Barack Obama, open his mouth, too? He can, and the fact he doesn't shows the basic lack of character of the guy, the dishonesty of him, and the pro-war generallisimo he will be.

Democatic Party liberal voter apologists for their top dogs take the cake!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

we're all screwed here.
Posted by: acmwallace on Jan 5, 2009 5:20 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Lots of folks here are taking Israel to task for attacking Hamas in Gaza. Is anyone taking Hamas to task for tossing missles at Israel, even during the supposed cease-fire "negociated" by Condi & Co? I mean, if Mexico starts tossing missles at San Diego, would you expect us to sit quietly and take it?

That said, both sides in this conflict are at fault, and have acted badly and like petulant children. One would have hoped that, with Arafat the Obstinant out of the way, things could get better. But that didn't happen.

Sigh. One hopes for better from grown-ups. But perhaps the children would be better in charge in both Israel and Palestine. They couldn't fuck it up any worse that their parents.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» America's signiture delusion Posted by: improperly_sedated
Peace Is Possible--Carter and Clinton Proved It
Posted by: jimswanson on Jan 6, 2009 12:28 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
James A. Swanson, Los Altos, California, USA
www.bushleagueofnations.com [For FREE download of entire book]

No action would do more to promote peace in the Middle East than for Obama to take a leadership role in brokering a permanent peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians. Yes, the road to peace in the Middle East goes through Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, conventional wisdom in the U.S., including that of America’s rightwing corporate media, is that peace in the Middle East is impossible.

We’ve all heard such assertions: “People in the Middle East just want to kill each other, and they’ve been doing it for centuries. There is nothing we can do.”

This pessimistic but erroneous point of view has a certain appeal, but, at the end of the day, it conveniently justifies doing nothing to promote peace, while it whitewashes misguided warmongering policies that have made things worse for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Notwithstanding the catastrophic setbacks under Bush’s watch, there have been major achievements in the Middle East over the years, and Obama and Obama’s America must not make the mistake of thinking the situation is hopeless.

Peace is possible. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton proved it.

Consider Carter’s sustained efforts leading to the signing of a permanent peace agreement between Israel and Egypt in 1979—a peace agreement that has never been broken by either party. That required Carter’s strength, integrity and moral leadership—in short, diplomacy—something missing from Bush’s and the GOP’s toolkit.

Likewise, Clinton had a key role in supporting the peace process that led to the signing of a permanent peace agreement between Israel and Jordan in 1994, which agreement has never been broken.

With friends like Bush, Israel needs no enemies.

This and much more is discussed in, “The Bush League of Nations: The Coalition of the Unwilling, the Bullied and the Bribed – the GOP’s War on Iraq and America,” by James A. Swanson (2008, CreateSpace Publishing, 448 pages).

Patriots everywhere can download the entire book for free at www.bushleagueofnations.com.

I ask for nothing in return, except that you perhaps use my book to help America restore its many good values while it transforms its many ugly ones.

Jim Swanson, Los Altos, California
www.bushleagueofnations.com [for FREE download of entire book]

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Helloooo DipHeads!
Posted by: greenPuker on Jan 6, 2009 5:22 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That Obama chooses to remain silent is nothing short of cowardice.

Obama has not been sworn in yet! Should I repeat this again for the really dense ones. Obama has not been sworn in yet! He is President- Elect with about as much power as I have! Get off his case....dippees!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

seniorita
Posted by: seniorita on Jan 9, 2009 10:09 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
surprise, surprise - the jew bashing goes on and on - it's not being called that openly, but that's what all the criticism of the Israelis is all about - the jews, original occupants in historic biblical days of the areas now in dispute, were persecuted then and chased out of the region to other countries and continents where they were treated for the most part as second class citizens and continuously persecuted, never allowed a "land" or plalce of their own, despised and blamed for killing christ (a lie, the romans did it) and any reason that those who owned the land on which they resided could dream up for which to dislike them - winston churchhill and the english who oversaw the areas now in contention, made the decision to create the state of israel so that they - the british - could get out and go home as well as give jews a homeland, an offer inspired by the holocaust - the entire transaction was botched from the beginning, i.e., land was taken away from palestinians without remuneration or finding a "homeland" for them and the surrounding arab countries did nothing to help the displaced arabs except allow them to reside in internment camps, have no means of income or hope and be treated like second class citizens - with time, the situation guaranteed that the zionists who then controlled israel and those arabs who rose to power to represent the displaced palestinians would become warring enemies - stir into that pot the muslim hatred of jews and their desire to rid the planet of them forever and the jews determination and ability to defend a piece of land which they could finally call their own and the outcome was inevitable that the battle would never end - add to that the universal prejudice against the jews and, no matter that they were not the original aggressors, they are the ones who are the bad guys, the people who are unreasonable, unforgiving and without regard or concern for others! and all the jew baiters and jew haters have jumped at the opportunity to climb on the bandwagon to enjoy what seems to be an appropriately fine time to put the blame on israel, i.e., the jews - nothing new here -

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

  • AlterNetYour turn

Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.


Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.

Advertisement
Advertisement