Dear Paul Bramscher, One might consider our Indian fellow citizens. There is an Indian diaspora throughout the world, commonly observing their religion and culture in their own neighborhoods as a clearly identifiable group and tending to be a merchant class. In this day of available transportation and cheap communication, very close ties are often held with the mother country. I assume that the politics of India is of great importance to many of them and that many do what they can to aid her politically. Often their role as a merchant class, in combination with accumulated national influence, has brought them difficulty, as in present day Fiji.

Good to see this, American Jews have generally been liberal to progressive though the nationalism encouraged by Zionism has been a negative influence. As Palestinian activist Ramzy Baroud has pointed out, the most active Americans in support of the Palestinian cause and opposed to Zionism are Jews.

Somebody tell Hillary Clinton.
Somebody tell congressman Patrick Murphy, who although was swept in on the antiwar mandate, panders to Zionism, pounding those drums to attack Iran.
Somebody tell the entire Congress.
But, I don't see, aside from the usual suspects in the US and Israel-generally referred to as "self-hating Jews" much speaking out and any criticism of Israel is still taboo.
So, I take this, along with the line that Israel warned the US not to attack Iraq, with a grain of salt.

The reactionary Jews and their organizations mentioned at the top of the article truly DO NOT represent most Jews. They certainly don't represent me. They can all drink seawater since they are abetting the suicide of Israel (and the USA) which is what will happen as long as the Israelis think they're playing the cavalry to the Palestinians indians. The kind of oppression the Israelis are subjecting the Palestinians to is historically self-defeating, as well as obviously immoral. Just remember that the ignorant fanatics of the Christian right hate the Jews' guts. They presently support Israel only because of their meshugas about Armageddon and the end of the world. Empty-headed louts have been predicting the end of the world since the dawn of time. Ain't happened yet, fools. And God didn't create global warming.

Around this geographic area I've never met any liberal, non-Zionist Jews. Every last one of them (that I've met) claim to support local arts and local community spirit, and support the local library and give money to local charities, but they are all seem to be Bush-supporters if pressed. And you'll never read anything concerning Israel/Palestine on the editorial page of the local newspaper. But throughout the rest of the paper it's always the Zionist company line from AP releases. And the rich Jewish doctors make political contributions to the Republican National Committee. And the public library is filled with romance novels and war stories and biographies of Ronald Reagan and about the only progressive books on their shelves I've personally purchased and donated. And even then I've gotten resistance or they have been checked out and claimed to have been lost. Now I understand this is a so-called conservative area of the country but it's just reactionary-lockstep as far as I'm concerned. That goes for the Jews as well as for the thousands of Christian Zionists.

In general, the fact that the decisions of the ruling elite in this country don't match the polling data that shows what the American people want is not new. Its good to have yet another data point\talking point on the issue.

What we have is a more general failure of democratic rule. Our representatives don't represent us. And the media does more to propagandize in favor of policy they've already decided they want as opposed to presenting information to a citizenry that will then make their own judgements and decisions.

Those problems go far beyond this single issue. The same can be found with health care, trade policy and jobs, the very basic concepts of the role of government in society, and all through our foreign policy.

I keep saying it, but read Naomi Klein's book "The Shock Doctrine". The very basic core of the book is that what the elites want for their own profit and power is very, very different from what the citizens want. Therefore, democracy, that very basic notion of a government of the people, by the people and for the people has to be one of the very first things to be destroyed.

In so, so many ways we are NOT as we are portrayed -- no matter what ethnic, racial, age or gender group we belong.

That small circle of perverse power uses such stories profiling us --in order to divide and cause us to feel isolated in our views and values. These stories are also used to cause us to turn against our fellow neighbors and human beings. Over the years, the media (which has been bought up by centrailized power circles) helps to pound projected profiles of people onto people. As the saying goes "We hear it once, twice, thrice -- it must be so!). the more we hear something -- the more our brains come ot believe it.

It is no coincidence that large numbers of younger generations (children of the broadcast) tend to believe celebrities are the heroes of culture -- having little understanding that everyday people are the real heroes in the world and in life.

We must learn to talk back -- rely on our direct experience -- and not allow carefully crafted stories to shape our realities. If we trace the string to where such stories are manufactured -- we come to see the self-serving motives and interests that create such stories. It's real "Wizard of Oz" stuff. These story wizards are strange creatures with very sick agendas.

These so-called non neo-con jews are heavily invested in the mass media that allows the neo-con talking points to be distributed all over the country and world.

It is time for them to show their opposition in print, radio or tv if they really do not support these neo-con types...if not, we will continue to get more of the same...

And, why does the senator from New York have to toe the Israeli policy line?

It's called "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is".

I have been talkin about this all my life and it is about time the truth is coming out.

It is amazing how right wing propaganda can dominate for 60 years about this.
The truth is the truth and there is nothing they can do.
We are on a roll now.

These are a special time we all share... we are at the Crossroads of Destiny.

This is a big change.

On second thought, it's probably the Big Money holders who are the problem. The common people still have their senses.

Those blinded with greed and power control the media and claim they represent the consensus. A SNOW JOB! Just like we are getting.

That's why it's important to judge people on a personal basis.

Miftin: In what geographic area are you? Just wondering because your experience mirrors mine. I'm Ohio.

The Zionists are indeed a very small minority; nevertheless, all Zionists are Jews. They only occupy the top echelons of our State Department (aka the other occupied territory). They and their bought-and-paid-for friends also occupy our Congress as well as some top policy-making positions, especially on the Middle Eastern issues.

The purpose of this article is to launder Democrats and Jews. The Jews who oppose Israel's behavior vis-à-vis Palestinians are indeed a very small minority, or else, they have kept silent, which is the sign of consent. But those living in Israel only sign their names on bombs to be dropped on other people's homes, as they did in the last Israeli invasion of Lebanon. That said, the Jews are generally decent people, if we factor out the Palestinian issue.

The nastiest Zionists I have ever met are the right wing Christians. They believe in purifying Israel for the fulfillment of Bible prophecies. Most Jewish people are far less extremist in this sense.

Mr. Greenwald's article is very welcome. Words and opinions however are not enough. As long as AIPAC holds such sway over the viewpoints of our Senators and Congressmen, little will change. Perhaps the American Jewish Committee could raise additional funds and apply them to counter the hegemony that AIPAC seems to hold over American politicians. That would be a very welcome change.

OK. But here's what still bothers me about this AJC survey.

12. In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?
Favor 46
Oppose 43
Not sure 12

Alarming isn't it?

13. In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction?
Yes 36
No 58
Not Sure 7

Surprised?

14. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "The goal of the Arabs is not the return of occupied territories but rather the destruction of Israel."
Agree 82
Disagree 12
Not Sure 6

Dispicable

15. In your opinion, does the United Nations treat Israel fairly or unfairly in its deliberations?
Fairly 27
Unfairly 61
Not Sure 12

Let's see who's spreading this misinformation? Seems to me AIPAC et al are winning the information battle.

Why do those who were surveyed think this way? What are the reasons? That's what's missing and I think could explain a lot more why they answered the way they did on the Israeli-Palestine crisis.

Perhaps Israeli Jews and American Jews differ in that regard. Then, if so, why do we not see more speaking out against how they're represented by the media? Like here, in the US, is their silence a kind of apathetic or frustrated complicity? Clearly, the recent incident in Lebanon represents a different "Jewish" faction, and and has served to further destabilize the region, as is the talk of attacking of Iran, which Joe Lieberman (a prominent Jew) seems to support. In my view all nationalism and religious identification is infantile at best and destructive/divisive at worst. For better or worse, Israeli and other Jews will be judged by the actions of a nation said to represent them. And recently those actions have been less than beneficent. Obviously, there is more than meets the eye here.

they must all be in Conn. then, because SOMEBODY keeps electing Lyin' Joe Lieberman

YOU SAY WHY DON'T MORE JEWS SPEAK OUT?

This half Breed will tell you:
Lots of us do. And lots of us own lots of the media that runs to make a profit and goes along with common Corporate practice of not rocking the boat.... Don't stick your neck out and it is a business interest to follow the money.... War Economy.... Rich War profiteering Wasps and Jews and folks of color too... this reality of Fear is what keeps more Jews from sticking their necks out in the big media world where one comment can get you Death threats by the hundreds....

Fear is what keeps the majority of White Anglo Saxons form getting in the firing line too.

Any Volunteers? The Folk Intelligence Bureau wants you!

I welcome more Jewish people speaking out against AIPAC, AEI, and the neocons. I also welcome more Jewish people speaking out against the hate and discrimination directed at Muslims and Arabs by these groups and people like Pipes and Emerson. Many Jews privately say these things. Problem is I don't hear these voices enough in the mainstream press. In alternative press like in the Washington Report for Middle East Affairs and in Tikkun with Rabbi Lerner I hear these voices and I applaud them. They need a mainstream platform. Perhaps its like how it is for Muslims. Majority of Muslims have repeatedly made statements condeming terrorism and 911. Muslim leaders recently wrote a latter to the Catholic Pope calling for peace and dialogue between Christians and Muslims. CAIR is always releasing such statements against terrorism and pro-peace but they aren't picked up enough by the mainstream press. Perhaps progressive Jews and Muslims need to come together as one and demand that their views be heard in the mainstream media.

While we're at it lets hear from the Progressive Christians. I'm tired of radical conservatives going against Christs teaching and calling themselves Christians.

American Jews, check out Rabbi Michael Lerner:

http://www.tikkun.org/rabbi_lerner

miftin December 12th, 2007 12:41 pm wrote: "Around this geographic area I've never met any liberal, non-Zionist Jews."

Miftin, same here, except that I would say "hardly ever" instead of "never". Some Jews are honest enough to admit the immorality of what we are doing in Iraq. Most Jews, however, merely say that the job was botched; they completely ignore the moral issues. And they are very quick to call you anti-Semitic if you dare to notice that nearly all neocons are Jewish.

I'm not surprised at any survey showing that Jews have turned against the Iraq war: nobody loves a loser. It would be more interesting, and probably more revealing, to read a survey of American Jewish opinion -before- the invasion. I am betting that such a survey, if honest, would have shown overwhelming Jewish approval of the war.

Remember, Jewish approval for Israel's most recent invasion of Lebanon was over 90% at first; but because the attack failed, hardly any Jew is now admitting to having supported it. Similarly, I have little doubt that Jews were hugely in favor of the invasion of Iraq -- initially.

And why not? The U.S. was going to do for free what Israel could not have achieved at any price in blood and treasure: the total destruction of one of Israel's major enemies in the region. Never mind that the cost to the U.S. has been immense, possibly bankrupting; Israel is far more important.

And now the neocons are desperately trying to sucker us into destroying another of Israel's enemies: Iran. If we fall for it again, we deserve whatever happens to us.

Progressive views in general need to be heard in the mainstream media too. The word "demand" coming from someone who wants to get heard is kinda ridiculous... We should demand this and demand that.... Hey we are all struggling to get heard and fight the good fight... Don't wait for some group or race to go do it... You my friend must do it first!

You are responsible for what comes down. Expecting the Jews or expecting any group to solve our dilemma in Life will get you nowhere but in a place where nobody will want to be around.

Shalom

Gracias por esta escritura. Muchos de mis amigos Judios tambien opinan que estar contra zionismo puede afectar negativamente la reputacion de ellos. Estos judios quieren co existir con todos, cooperar, crecer y ser respetados. Son respetados por nosotros, queremos paz, simpatia y entendimiento. Porque no?

Shalom. Paz, Mir, Peace.

TruOrange December 12th, 2007 1:19 pm
Miftin: In what geographic area are you? Just wondering because your experience mirrors mine. I'm Ohio.
Well, I'm in Milwaukee, and that's what I see too. I did a lot of work on the last presidential campaign and the Jews here voted pretty much in block for Bush. Why? Bush would guarantee continuing the massive aid to Israel was the dominant view. But I think it was also because he would keep the pressure on Palestine.
But then, come to think of it, so would pretty much any of them. So what gives?
I have to say that looking at this critically it has the appearance to me of being just another Zionist propagandist attempt to clean many Jews' hands. There, call me an anti-semite. It's easy! I criticized them! Crucify me!
And here's another criticism of many of them: you can't be half jewish! Anybody that says they're half jewish needs to be laughed at out loud. Judaism is NOT a nationality! If you're half jewish, then I'm half catholic, half jewish, half Buddhist, half pagan, half everything, because I can agree with about half of anything any of them preach.
Final criticism, if the typical Jew wants to be considered open-minded they should learn to accept criticism of their belief system just like everybody else has to. We all know that it's gotten to the point that any criticism of the Jews instantly marks one as anti-semitic. My Jewish friends know me and my views, and are alright with them (otherwise they wouldn't be my friends), but when discussing them openly often the non-Jews will look aghast and you can see the discomfort when these subjects are broached.
If Jews want to be perceived as being liberal they should vote that way. Or is Israel/Judaism a microcosm of our whole society? America seems to be slightly more liberal, yet we can't get a president elected. They should also be more openly critical of their Israel. Otherwise I'll continue to call a spade a spade.
And I still can't even get an acknowledgement from my representative when I write asking that we stop the massive aid to Israel until they learn how to play well with their neighbors.
I'd also like to ask people to consider the precedent that is set by the creation of Israel. Just because it was here before most of us were born doesn't mean it has a right to exist. Didn't the jews walk away from it some 2500 years ago? OK, maybe it was taken from them. When do the Native American Indians come and ask for their land back? Hmm, there is precedent after all….

I'm very skeptical of this article.

Demerara:
"These so-called non neo-con jews are heavily invested in the mass media..."

Are we? Kindly explain that to my accountant -- and me, while you're at it.

"It is time for them to show their opposition in print..."

Are you aware that you're responding to a piece in print by a Jewish author? Irony, thy name is Demerara.

andrew.herman:
"The nastiest Zionists I have ever met are the right wing Christians."

Try explaining that to Saila, who claims that "all Zionists are Jews." What's galling is not the colossal ignorance of the claim, but Saila's need to voice it in public.

chessgames56:
"...why do we not see more [American Jews] speaking out against how they're represented by the media?"

Catch22, thy name is chessgames56. Plenty of Jewish Americans -- Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, Joel Kovel, Howard Zinn, and many others -- speak out against the misrepresentation of Jewish American opinion in the mainstream media. Do you honestly expect their voices to be heard in the very media they criticize? And does their exclusion from the MSM entitle you to infer that they don't exist? Your deafness shouldn't be interpreted as "their silence".

dcbeltway:
"Many Jews privately say these things."

Many Jews publicly say these things, too.

"Problem is I don't hear these voices enough in the mainstream press."

Oy vey, here we go again.

"Perhaps progressive Jews and Muslims need to come together as one and demand that their views be heard in the mainstream media."

Perhaps, but don't expect the MSM to provide a public venue for the voicing of that demand.

qbaldsmoove:
"If Jews want to be perceived as being liberal they should vote that way."

LOL! http://aai.3cdn.net/70392c6c9708b2d5f1_0dm6bh9x6.pdf

I just finished a book titled "How to Lie With Statistics". Scary stuff. It is a whole lot easier that I believed possible. The UN needs to develop guidelines for the proper (not misleading) use of stats in the media. Otherwise we will keep getting duped into misconceptions that lead to intolerance that lead to conflict.

This country exists as the fulfillment of a promise made by God Himself. It would be ridiculous to ask it to account for its legitimacy."
-- Golda Meir, Le Monde, 15 October 1971

If you are a Jew, a Christian, or a Muslim that thinks the same way as Golda about God giving your group some real estate, you are a threat to the civilized world.

How is this a surprise? The majority of Americans are opposed to every Cheneybush policy on every level - why should American Jews be any different? American Blacks oppose this administration 98 to 1, with 1 undecided. American Atheists - 80% against. Hell, the vast majority of American plant and animal life opposes this administration - why single out American Jews? Because a handful of them are part of traitorous gang who stole our government and set about destroying it while raping the world for every possible cent?

What "majority" would ever support such an agenda? American Turncoats? American anti-Americans? Who?

Hey qbaldsmoove,

OK so your an anti-Semite.. Gee ..OK you are also an ignorant Ass to think that you can define what being a Jew is all about.

I run into ignorants who claim Jesus was not a Jew too....

It is a Mystery... It is about people who want to live in peace but They are ruled like most on the planet by People who like to make loads of money and power from dividing up the Human race into boxes and then get them to fear each other which is great for investing in security.

And it is a Great Story as my Grandma Cohen used to say...

And if you got any more insults for Us contact me at jimglover@verizon.net
so we can arrange a more intimate discussion.

Shalom

doc j

See above post about lying with statistics. You're stuff is crap.

Same to you Jim Glover.

I don't care about Jesus, I'm not a christian.

I do care that as far as I can see the Israelites have an eye for an eye old testament attitude that will keep them being blown up. If the Jews have acted through history the way they are acting now it is no wonder they've been persecuted.

You want my email so that your Jewish hitmen can come get me? You are scary. Very.

I rest my case about ya'll needing to learn how to take criticism.

Thanks for the laugh!

just curious Where are all these guys before the public outburst on AIPAC?

Yeah, that's funny, Jim Glover.

You're calling me an ignorant Ass for expressing my views. You don't like my views, my opinions, so you call me anti-semitic. How very played out – that's exactly what we're talking about here. I have no idea who you are or what you're capable of, but religious zealots scare the hell out of me. I'm a god-fearing-christian—fearing-atheist. OK, now I'm a god-fearing-jew—fearing-atheist. People of faith scare the hell out of me because you can't prove your gods exist so "now I must kill you in the name of my god." You never hear an atheist say "I will kill you in the name of aethism." Or how about "stop believing or die." And you want me to give you my email address. Scary.

Remember, even if it is decent, law-abiding Jews who try to bring the Podhoretz-Kristol type of person to justice: it will still be called 'anti-semitic'.

Many of those Jews who are unlike the neocons would describe themselves as Zionist. If you want to laud the vast majority of Jews do not demonize Zionism.

Zionism, though problematic in the way that all nationalism are, is not a swear word as some here see it or is (necessarily) equivalent to racist. ALL nationalism can be reactionary and racist and self-serving.

Oh, and to those people who "don't hear it in the mainstream media, we say it all the time, perhaps you should listen. Just like Black folks criticize each other but whites never seem to hear it.

And Jewish is an ethnicity, anyone knows it...it is not just a religion...

I possess a Masters in Social Science and I have passively and sometimes actively worked with left-wing oriented groups or protests.

I have done so in the Midwest and the West coast. (Unfortunately, I'm presently living within a small town in FL...no actions pending there.)

Everytime I have dealt with social justice work, I have met many individuals who were ethnic (albeit secular) Jews.

They were creative, productive and contributed considerable amounts of energy and thoughtful input to each project, group action or organization.

That is why I was so suprised when I met my first neoconservative professor who had been brought up as a religious Jew. (However, he was secular.)

Unforunately, I had to sit through his graduate seminar on authority relations; the whole project was a slam against any form of participatory democracy. Instead, he promoted a form of expertise-based authoritarian democracy...whatever that is.

Last, this long deceased professor was proud of his theoretical and practical contributions to counter-insurgency practices developed while he worked for the State Dept.

His ahistorical counter-insurgency approach was first applied to Guatemala with (in my view, not his) tragic and horrific results.

In addition, when attending this high-level grad school, I also, for the first time, angered someone who was a secular Jew. It started when I placed the Palestinian national flag over my office desk. (What partially contributed to my hoisting the flag was the fact I was dating, at the time, a very attractive Palestinian woman.

Although I accept Mr. Greenwald's efforts at clarification as constructive, I am not yet convinced that a real effort is being made by more moderate Jewish People to change the landscape.

Example: National Public Radio has many Jewish reporters who are not neo-cons. NPR programs are very inclusive of Jewish topics and news. Yet one does not find the kind of neo-con criticism that one might expect from more moderate Jewish People.

This is not a public relations problem, it begs for real action. I sincerely hope it is forthcoming.

Ha Ha,
A very good effort. Look at all those blue links...... Just Like the BLUE Lines all over the world and the one that policemen everywhere never cross. They will not shout down the "bad cops."

Lets see all these self "respecting" people of the twelve tribes speaking LOUDLY and PERSISTENTLY against the actions of Israel for say fifty years and while they at it why not start a group of Israelis,,sorry "Jews" who will renounce their ability to go "home" and be citizens of a country they were not born into, UNTIL all Palestine peoples have been given back their rights to "go home;"

That would be a credible action!!
The above is a puff piece, making the "jews" to be the good guys again......but......NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

Judaism is a religion when it serves the purposes best. It's a nationality when it serves best. That is part of the problem. You can't have it both ways, but seem to think you can. And since there are so many ignorant gentiles you get away with it most of the time. They're the ones that call themselve "half jewish." Kills me (kidding Jim). But you get mad when anyone calls you on it.

But this duality is symptomatic. Included is "most jews are liberal, and if you don't think so you're an anti-semite."

Of course, this is a wide brush. It's just all too prevalent. If you call me anti-semite I'll include you on my ever-growing list of fascists.

Vern notes: "But, I don't see, aside from the usual suspects in the US and Israel-generally referred to as "self-hating Jews" much speaking out and any criticism of Israel is still taboo."

That makes them not much different than most Americans, who are still dozing through these early fascist years.

The American Jewish Committee is part of the problem so this survey is welcome news and maybe a change. Not all American Jews are Zionists but those that question Israel are self-hating Jews. I have been accusecd of that often.

Try running a labor union organizing campaign against a company that is owned by a Jew. The company's owners rally the local Jewish community against the union and accuse the leadership as anti-Semitic or self-hating Jews.

Mr. Greenwald's comments are important to know, but they beg the question. He lacks the power and authority to make an impact.

The only way to show the difference is for a generally recognized leader, preferably Jewish, to take a stand. I have yet to see anybody do so, because its all about money and power, and the well-organized zeal of hard-core radical Christians, Zionists and Muslims.

This now goes for Democrats as well as Republicans.

Mr. Greenwald should also have asked how most Jews feel about ex-president Carter's "Apartheid" book.

Tea party, anyone? or perhaps a Third party?

For another Jewish perspective, on the politics of food, please visit

The Vegetarian Mitzvah at www.brook.com/jveg

Shalom/Salaam/Pax/Peace!

zanychris:
"Many of those Jews who are unlike the neocons would describe themselves as Zionist. If you want to laud the vast majority of Jews do not demonize Zionism."

"Define your terms" is pretty much owned these days by political hecklers and idle tosspots who argue inconsequentially over their beer, but Socrates' injunction still has its legitimate uses. In the case of 'Zionism' it elicits almost as many different definitions as respondents -- which yields how many different ways in which arguments over 'Zionism' can get at cross-purposes? People do manage to join issue occasionally, though.

qbaldsmoove:
"doc j

See above post about lying with statistics. You're stuff is crap."

"My stuff", meaning the Zogby poll I cited against your canard that "If Jews want to be perceived as being liberal they should vote that way", implying that they don't.

Zogby is widely recognized as one of the best pollsters in America today and has taught history and political science at SUNY, Utica College and Hamilton College. You have likely taught your dog to drink beer. But it shouldn't take Zogby to clue you in to what every pollster in the country knows: as a demographic group, Jewish Americans are second only to African Americans in voting against conservative candidates and in favor of liberal ones.

You run the painful risk of learning something at the expense of a warmly held prejudice. It's a threshold moment, qbaldsmoove. Step through.

We need to read (British-published) Brian Lapping's 'End of Empire' to understand the historical roots of the very complex Arab-Israeli conflict.
And David Altshuler's 'Hitlers War against the Jews' (with numerous copies of contemporary photos and propaganda posters) to see how much all the recent Jew-bashing in the American media is almost a cloned replay of the Nazi distortions and hatred of the 30s and 40s.
For once I can agree with Jaded Prole. It's good to see this article. The vast majority of American Jews I have encountered, in various professional settings in various states, are very socially conscious, politically progressive, and compassionate. With only a few bad apples the American media seem to love to publicize, Nazi-style. I am so sick of hearing about how evil the bugaboo 'Israel Lobby' is, ad nauseum... it only sounds like propaganda furthered by Bush's Dubai/Emirate/Saudi friends, whose circles were incidentally pro-Nazi during WW2 (covered in Lapping's book) and have probably more negative lobbying influence in American politics now than Jews or Israelis do.
Also I read a year or so ago about how most Israelis are as disgusted with the Likud's slimy tricks as are Americans with Republicans and closet-Republicans polluting and sabotaging the Democratic party. Israel also has had a hijacked government (before Olmert) run by freaks with bizarre covert international connections.
Historically, American Jews have been on the frontlines of Civil Rights campaigns, and actively involved in social service organizations -- ready to stick up for the non-Jewish underdog over and over again. To assume that the oddball Lieberman or Kissinger are typical of American Jews is a blatant distortion and lie.
And I am not Jewish, and had to un-learn grossly unfair anti-Jewish stereotypes taught in my early social environment, until I actually lived and worked with Jews in daily life and saw the truth.
THE OIL COMPANIES will make and break alliances as they are convenient, Jew or Islam makes no difference, and their media-owning friends will do likewise. Bush and his Oil-Friends profit from the Arab-Israel tension, as he would rather have them kill each other off and then take their oil fields.
Now, Bush is helping right-wing Arabs take over the Middle East so social democracy won't spread, and corporate fascism will prevail. The Israelis will be used (or killed) as they are needed during the process.

I've known Jewish acquaintances (some of them now atheist/agnostic), none were neocons.

They're probably stuck in a bad spot, wedged between their own right-wing/orthodoxy on the one hand, and the likelihood of the pendulum swinging back to anti-semitism on the other.

The self-hating thing is a ridiculous accusation. If the US were taken over by right-wing racists and proclaimed to be the White Christian States of America, would it be self-hating to critique this? Many Jews questioned whether a national expression of ethno-religious identity was appropriate. Unfortunately for all of us, the state of Israel apparently wasn't created with genuine pluralism (a prerequisite for any democracy) in mind.

The other part of the problem is that radical Islam isn't exactly a hotbed for sexual/racial/economic equality.

I'd say the whole region is hosed. It's an intractable historical/racial/religious problem and the West's influence has arguably not been positive. Nor has the middle-eastern influence on the West been all roses, since the conversion to Christianity -- religion of Empire.

Hey Vern, You better include Palosi in you grouping. Whether Dems or Repubs. They differ not on Zionism. They will take us all the way to insure a Jewish state. How is this in our interest? The state of Israel will never compromise as long as this group in Washington stays in power.