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Can Congress Speak Out Against Gaza Violence? Yes, They Can!
If you're a Member of Congress, and your name doesn't happen to be Dennis J. Kucinich, can you still speak out in opposition to the carnage that President Bush and Secretary of State Rice are actively promoting in Gaza?
Yes, you can!
There are two key issues. Should the U.S. support an immediate ceasefire (international opinion) or should the U.S. insist that the violence continue (Bush Administration position.) Should the blockade on Gaza end (international opinion) or should it continue (Bush Administration position.) Of course, the blockade is also an act of war.
J Street reports (emphasis mine):
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (Jan. 2): "the United States must work actively for an immediate ceasefire that ends the violence, stops the rockets, and removes the blockade of Gaza."
Congressman Joe Sestak (Jan. 2):
"...beginning with bringing a swift end to this ongoing conflict..."
Congresswoman Lois Capps (Dec. 29):
"...the current military operation in Gaza represents a vastly disproportionate response that will further destabilize the region... The numbers of dead and injured in Gaza, and the televised images of the humanitarian crisis now unfolding are truly shocking... I believe an immediate ceasefire is necessary."
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Dec. 30):
"I was particularly discouraged that the U.S. did not try to broker an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas or improve the humanitarian situation on the ground... I strongly urge all parties to usher in the New Year with a renewed ceasefire agreement."
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (Dec. 31):
"The time has come for both sides to end the rockets, end the bombings, and end the restrictions on food, medicine and fuel - all of which inflict intolerable harm on innocent civilians on both sides."
Congressman Keith Ellison (Dec. 31):
"I believe the following actions must be taken at once... restore the ceasefire... The Israeli and Egyptian borders must be opened at once to allow the innocent civilians caught in this violence to seek refuge, and for the flow of food, water and medical supplies into Gaza.... I agree with those who demand strict observance of international humanitarian law, which must be observed immediately and without exception."
What about Dennis J. Kucinich? Dec. 29:
"The attacks on civilians represent collective punishment, which is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention... Israel is leveling Gaza to strike at Hamas, just as they pulverized south Lebanon to strike at Hezbollah. Yet in both cases civilian populations were attacked, countless innocents killed or injured, infrastructure targeted and destroyed, and civil law enforcement negated. All this was, and is, disproportionate, indiscriminate mass violence in violation of international law... The attack aggravated a humanitarian crisis wrought by the Israeli-imposed blockade of food, fuel, and medical supplies."
Can Congress speak out against the Gaza violence? Yes, they can!
But Brit Tzedek v'Shalom reports that AIPAC is preparing a Congressional resolution that would endorse the continuation of the Israeli assault. Don't whine that Congress is "Israeli-occupied territory" if you haven't exerted the minimal effort to ask Congress to behave differently. You can do so in 5 seconds here.
- Posted in
32 Comments so far
Show AllThe real question is "Can Congress speak out against Gaza violence and keep that AIPAC money rolling their way?"
Not a chance.
q
Not a chance, except for the very few that have not sold out to AIPAC.
Can they speak out and get re-elected in broad areas of the country where the vast majority of the people are steadfast supporteers of Israel, probably not. You guys always labor under the false assumption it's "zionist" money that drives our policy, and it certainly effects it. What effects it more is that Israel is viewed in a positive light and as the "victim" by most of the PEOPLE in the US.
Not so NWFisher the nation is VERY divided on this issue 44% support Israel and 41% and 15% undecided think Israel's invasion of Gaa is unjustified:
"This Rasmussen Reports poll -- the first to survey American public opinion specifically regarding the Israeli attack on Gaza -- strongly bolsters the severe disconnect I documented the other day between (a) American public opinion on U.S. policy towards Israel and (b) the consensus views expressed by America's political leadership. Not only does Rasmussen find that Americans generally "are closely divided over whether the Jewish state should be taking military action against militants in the Gaza Strip" (44-41%, with 15% undecided), but Democratic voters overwhelmingly oppose the Israeli offensive -- by a 24-point margin (31-55%). By stark constrast, Republicans, as one would expect (in light of their history of supporting virtually any proposed attack on Arabs and Muslims), overwhelmingly support the Israeli bombing campaign (62-27%)."
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/01/02/israel/
This is actually surprising and encouraging to me as the establishment MSM propaganda is heavily pro Israel and it shows the American people aren't entirely easily brainwashed.
Any other LIES on behalf of Israel's butchering of children you have to offer up nwfisher?
The Quaker peace lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation has mounted a letter writing campaign. http://www.fcnl.org/middle_east/index.htm
The letter format might benefit from the quotes already cited in the article.
I know many feel that letters hardly fit the gravity of the situation - but the link is for those who feel it worth a go.
This narrow focus on the Israeli assault on Gaza is the main reason why policies will never change in the Middle East. Before this, it was Lebanon (http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0731-24.htm). After this, it will be Iran - because Israelis are worried about Iran's development of nuclear weapons (http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0307-28.htm). Meanwhile, how many nuclear weapons does Israel have (http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/nuke/index.html)?
How many UN Resolutions has Israel ignored (http://www.ifamericansknew.org/stats/un.html)?
How much real support does the Congress and the mainstream media exert in favor of our undeclared 51st state?
Here's what incoming president B.O. had to say in June 2008:
"Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security.
That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat — from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened. As president, I will implement a Memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade — investments to Israel's security that will not be tied to any other nation." (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91150432)
As human beings, do the incoming president and the vast majority of "our" Congress lack a conscience? Apparently, the answer is YES. Why do they continually need to be heard from us on these clear-cut matters. Where's their own morality? The killing of innocent people is wrong - wherever it happens - Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, etc. Are these corporate-sponsored suits in DC basically just little children - and we the people constantly need to tell them how to act?
For real change to take place in the Middle East, major changes in the moral mindsets of U.S. and Israeli politicians need to take place. Otherwise, we are all just pissing into the wind.
P.S. The population of Jews in the U.S. is 2.2% of the total population (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/usjewpop.html). How is it that Jews have so much power? Money, media and lobbyists like AIPAC? Are American politicians and American citizens really that lazy, gullible and dumb to allow this tiny fraction of our total population to maintain such a high level of control over the rest of us?
To that 2.2% of jews you can add the 15% or more of "evangelical" Christians who support Israel unquestioningly an without wavering. To that 15% you can add another 15% to 25% of mainstream Christians who are naturally predisposed to take Israels side in virtually all cases.
Sioux Rose
MAGARULIAN: When I read your post, in particular, the Obama quote--"From Gaza to Tehran," a very scary thought came over me: that what if Israel is being used as a ruse to inflame tensions in the Middle East so that Bush's saber-rattling towards Iran (which never got off the ground, Amen!) takes shape as another inventive approach given as errand to this next administration by those that run it all?
"Can Congress Speak Out Against Gaza Violence? Yes, They Can!"
But they won't!
That would be great, and I'm sure several individual members will have some intelligent things to say, but the Democratic Party is working to draft a pro-Israel resolution at this very moment:
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2009/01/06/1002014/dems-plan-pro-israel-resolution
Yet another reason that we should be calling our reps
202-224-3121
and writing to the transition team
http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision
to voice dissent. Americans are not happy with what Israel is doing. Less than half support Israel's current invasion.
(POLL)
This is the time when activists need to be doing work instead of just complaining.
Nothing illustrates more clearly what a collective den of consciousless, amoral snakes Congress is than the deafening silence they never fail to produce every time False Flag Nation decides to go on another killing spree. This is business as usual and it's gone on for decades now, and there are no indications that an Obama administration intends to challenge it.
Note: Kucinich is the notable bright spot exception in Congress.
Let's start with LEADERSHIP. The voters of San Francisco had a golden opportunity to RECALL AIPAC hack PEElosi and replace her with Cindy Sheehan but they fucking blew it and reelected that pro-war motherfucker. And I'd say the same for most of the 535 members of Congress who are silently complicit. It's time to pay attention to local and state elections in your areas and turn out better pols. In time, Washington won't be an AIPAC puppet. Wouldn't you all agree?
DAMN RIGHT !
If you can hynotize them with bigger money bags than say AIPAC, then maybe. Otherwise, it's off limits !
You may have hit on something there.
The US money machine which has supported zionist aggression is falling apart. Meanwhile, the oil-producing Arab nations just get richer and richer. Within a few years, the balance of financial power will not favor the zionists.
Obviously, the hawks in Israel realize this and are trying to grab as much territory as they can - and kill as many Palestinians as they can - while the advantage is still theirs.
q
The upcoming Peak Oil hell is about to put an end to the luxury of being a country whose economy is oil-based. Oil will get more expensive no doubt as it gets harder and harder to extract but more people will be forced to cut back and switch to alternative ideas.
Yes, they can stop funding Israel. No, they won't.
See this is how it works.
The US Congress approves billions of dollars a year to support Israel. In return Israel funnels monies into groups like AIPAC who in turn funnel that money back to members of Congress to ensure they continue to win office.
Cross them and funding is cut off and their agents go into blitz mode digging up any piece of dirt they can on the person that stepped over the line.
Did the better Candidate win in Nancy Pelosi's riding? I think not.
The Candidate that won was the one who had more monies to spend and who had the support of the MSM.
With the exception of some of those brave individuals in the post, NO THEY WON'T!
Despite this I STILL think it is worth bothering them with letters, phone calls, and highly annoying visits.
And then, start voting in the primaries and voting them OUT!
Common Dreams left out the most vocal of all Congressmen in this article, Ron Paul. Why is that?
Ron Paul has consistently been for staying out of foreign conflicts. And as a doctor, he especially is horrified by the number of women and children being killed in Gaza.
If there were more men of character such as Ron Paul, this country wouldn't be siding with Israel in the power grab for land, denying the Palestinians the right to life, liberty and happiness.
Here is another reason why I supported, campaigned for and contributed money to Dennis Kucinich's campaign for president in 2008. He is always one of the few congresspersons to stand up against what is wrong and he is not afraid to speak his mind. Imagine what kind of world this could become if were elected President. Instead we get Bill Clinton's fourth term with an Israeli supporting administration. My heart bleeds for the poor Palestinians.
Yes, fall into the trap of rescue from above.
Christianity's worst contribution to our society is this concept that only a Great Saviour can truly help us.
Tell you what, start working harder at the representative level, the local level and the state level first. I guarantee you that you will get a Kucinich equivalent a lot faster if everyone is used to more local politics that reflects these views.
Instead we get businessmen and developers in all our local councils.
Vermont's Progressive party is the way to start, seriously.
A record number of Jews(45)are now members of Congress, comprising 8.5% of that body, or almost four times their number in the general population. Keith Ellison of Minnesota is the only Muslim representive.
“We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid Galilee of its Arab population.”
--David Ben-Gurion, founding father of Israel
Naiman is full of shit. He says, for obvious reasons, "Don't whine that Congress is "Israeli-occupied territory" if you haven't exerted the minimal effort to ask Congress to behave differently."
Wow! What an astounding idea! Call our reps and ask them to commit career suicide by standing up to Israel!
Like we haven't been doing this for decades. And the list of people with balls he provides seems rather short of Jewish congresspersons, doesn't it?
As for Kucinich, he will again be targeted by Zionist money from out of state as he was last time.
Cameiros
It's an abomination when an American political leader, Michael Bloomberg, goes to a foreign country to support its war of aggression on a civilian population.
Can Mr. Bloomberg, and all other Zionists who support Israel, make the committment to become Israeli citizens and fight the good fight over there and not use the U.S. as a proxy?
Its all too transparent...
hey hootowl,
now that joe the dumber plumber is spending ten days in israel, interviewing jewish joe dumbers - then reporting his intellectual findings to the 46 million americans who love him - expect those poll numbers to change. next up, sarah palin sucking on, uh, the jewish tit.
Dear Friends,
I had a mini-exchange with the author of this article this morning on oped news.
Of course Congress can do anything they want if they obey the laws of physics (the Constitution and rule of law is pretty well dead), but they won't speak out against what is happening in Gaza.
Robert told me that activists have to keep the "door open" not close them.
I can't count the hours I have spent calling Congress, going to hearings, walking the halls, having people call their Congress members; signing petitions, etc; for everything from cutting off war funding and impeaching the criminals.
Many Congresspersons reported phone calls running 95% against the bankster bailout...and what did Congress do? Pass it...how many of you called your Congress critter to vote "no" on the FISA Modernization Act? How many of your Congresspersons have been responsive to you?
It is true, there are some good ones...but they are silenced or marginalized!
We need a new strategy. I did not beat Pelosi last time, but for a brand new candidate who started from less than scratch, we got 50,000 votes...in two more years we could actually win.
We need to take their seats away from them and install people who are not hamstringed by AIPAC and other special interests.
Cindy
PS: COMMON DREAMS DOES NOT PRINT MY ARTICLES ANYMORE.
Please listen to my new radio show: Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox. It's on every Sunday from 2-3 on Green 960am in the Bay Area or podcast, or streamed from our website
www.CindySheehansSoapbox.com last weeks show is up on the site.
"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to every one striking at the root" HD Thoreau
If you want to defeat Pelosi, I'm afraid you'll have to start on the local level elections and move up from there. We the people need to pay attention to our local and state level elections if we are to defeat the goons in Washington. That's how the vested corporate interests especially the NRA and the conservatives did it and they still fight on all levels. We got to do increase voter turnout on the local and state levels so that we can build better pols and in time tear down the fascist wall in Washington.
I periodically write members of Congress with the following question and sometimes get replies thanking me for my support of Israel. Go figure!!
"Why Is it that Israel has 100 senators and 435 representatives in Congress but the States each only have 2 Senators and population proportional # of representatives and the commonwealths/territories/ District of Columbia only have non-voting delegates ?"
Maybe we'd be better off pressuring the Knesset
. Here is the Website for the Knesset which has email addresses for all members:
http://www.knesset.gov.il/main/eng/home.asp
Here are the addresses of the more influential members:
Tzipi Livni- zlivni@knesset.gov.il
Benjamin Netenyahu- bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il
Ehud Olmert- eulmert@knesset.gov.il
I believe the collateral damage would be far less than anything inflicted by the U.S. or Israel if we just hanged them all under the authority of our Declaration of Independance and started all over again.
Humbaba's opinion
Occupied America
Evil has only one tool - that is the disruption of peace - it is applied in infinite ways but it is always the same tool -
About Israel's "right" to exist.
How many Jews actually support Zionists -
I have a feeling it is not that many.
"As the Arabs see the Jews"
His Majesty King Abdullah,
The American Magazine
November, 1947
http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/kabd_eng.html