There is only one word that can respond to this soliloquy, "Amen"

Fred in Boston

Beautifully written -- I hope Obama reads it. I am in awe of those who put themselves on the front lines in an effort to protect the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israel needs to separate church and state, or in this case, synagogue and state, and grant all of its people equal rights. It's the law of the land in this country, and it should be a requirement of any country that receives u.s. military aid.

Whenever members of one ethnic group or religion are granted special privileges, it becomes a breeding ground for intolerance.

It is a beautiful letter, and I do not mean to take anything away from it. But Obama most likely won't read it, and if he does, he discreetly will discard it. He is a puppet of Wall St. and AIPAC, and like a Pavlovian dog, knows not to upset his puppetmasters.

A beautiful and heartfelt piece of writing but Obama isn't going to to ANYTHING for the Palestinians. He's already demonstrated that. He made the biggest suck job speech at AIPAC in years, he's probably still wiping his chin. Then he played hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil over the massacre in Gaza. The whole 'there's only one President' line of BS was disgusting and manipulative. There was certainly room for Obama to be presidential in respect to the bank bailout during that period but not for Palestine. If you're Palestinian, nothing ever changes in respect to the US and Israel.

'Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.' - Pete Townsend

I also remember the same passage, but remember it as an example of Obama realizing the only way for him to get the crowds attention to the "causes" he felt important was to play into theatrics. And so, theatrics transformed very well in his presidential campaign and his road to convincing viewers and voters to believe.

The sad part is when viewers wonder if Obama's autobiography is a truthful testimony or sly tool of political propaganda designed for later use. Often his autobiography is used as a reference of the man, as is the case with the author. . So often one is expected to believe the personal testimony is truth. I suppose this is why the great finale in "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the wonderful parody of Royal scribing his epitaph:

"Royal O'Reilly Tenenbaum 1932-2001 Died Tragically Rescuing His Family From The Wreckage Of A Destroyed Sinking Battleship"

-----

So, it appears, much to the above author's concern, Obama isn't living up the image she led herself to believe was found in the pages of a young politician. And now she pleads for his swift return.

Beautifully written and moving. Unfortunately, Obama has already sold his soul and his voice to AIPAC. BDS is where we need to work, not to appeal to the diminished humanity of Obama.

In Peace

I appeal to you President Obama, to change USA Policies and stop supporting through military aid, etc, Israelis occupation of Palestine.

Never happen.

Royce

As ever, the cynics dominate the replies here. Cynics believe they offer intelligent criticism, but they rely on old disillusionments, gross simplifications, and narrow characterizations. In short, cynics are lazy. They rarely-- if ever-- have anything positive to say. A left wing cynic is certainly no improvement over a right wing cynic.

Obama in Washington is, at this juncture, making a little difference. In heart, I agree with you cynics, that the difference is not enough. However, screaming until we're hoarse should produce results. I never expected changing the party label of the White House resident would mean policies change at the snap of the president's fingers. This is representative democracy, after all, not an absolute monarchy-- and representative democracy is not for political purists.

Those of us, the internet paeons that we are, who want a change in Israel and justice for Palesine need to go deeper. We need to strengthen our political alliances here and abroad.

First, recognize that AIPAC is as well-organized as the NRA. At the drop of a hat, they can get letters to the editor in every local newspaper in the country. Not only that, but as you recall following the last Gaza invasion, they have American journalists and TV reporters who can weasel time and column inches into the American media. Add to that the AIPAC political money that contributes to so many Congressional officeholders, and you get a very muscular organization

Second, and countervailingly, are lesser media savvy groups such as Jews For Justice who believe that peace will come to Israel only when justice comes to the Palestinians. Maguire points out that there are many peace activists in Israel who accept this premise. However, these groups are not sufficiently unified to match the media control AIPAC exerts. The last time I browser for Jewish-American groups opposed to AIPAC, I found 8-10. The UK has its own "Jews for Justice" with a more international reach than the American version. Beyond that, among European groups and homegrown Israeli groups, there is too much diverging message and no real voice that can speak to an American president or member of Congress.

So scream till you're hoarse. Jews in your locale may be AIPAC supporters, but you need to seek out the Jewish voice and organization that is against AIPAC and its militant policies. They are there. You need to support their voice. If you need to, begin internet dialogue with key Jewish resistance groups in Israel. Prior to the February election, if Letters to Jerusalem Post and Haaretz are any guage, I estimate that the current Israeli government has support of only 53%-58% of its Jewish citizens. Certainly less than that for the Arab citiziens whose votes were suppressed.

Ending apartheid in South Africa took years. NOW everyone recognizes the long injustice. This is going to be very, very long, so long as AIPAC's voice is respected in our halls of power.

Maybe a dumb question, but when someone writes an "open letter", does a copy actually get sent to the intended recipient? Or,

does the writer assume the recipient will read it because "open letters" get publshed in magazines or the internet? Or,

Is an "open letter" just a rhetorical device used to express an opinion.

If the first, fine, if the second, it is very doubtful that Obama will ever even know about this letter, as he probably hasn't even heard of the publications it would appear in, - even ones like The Nation or The Progressive. If the third, than what's the point?

wow

get me some of the meds this chick is on

i want to go to happy town too

wish me much love sweet cheeks

caress me

gently

softly

enthrall me

tell me ya love me too

for my sins

but before all that - please post the din number for the meds

c u in happy town

I sincerely hope that your words reach Obama's big ears. In too many cases the needs and concerns of the people seem to fall short to the demands of lobbyists. It's a damn shame when so-called representatives ignore the will of the people and allow lobbyists to write or dictate policy.

The one thing that Obama had done that showed an awareness toward the problem with Israel was to select Charles Freeman to chair the National Intelligence Council. Mr. Freeman would have brought critical thinking and hopefully a more rational discourse to the table. I wasn't sure Mr. Freeman would be welcomed in an office with Rahm Emanuel. Apparently Mr. Freeman found the challenge to daunting.

So here we are and it's 'business as usual politics' when AIPAC dictates policy and appointments. We wouldn't want any critical thinking to get in the way of the unholy alliance between the US and Israel.
Partners in crime standing back to back on the world stage.

re-Leftist May

Several months ago I sent a letter to Obama through a series of tubes but I never got a response, so it's hard to tell what gets through to him.

At whitehouse.gov there is a limit of 5000 characters.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/Contact/
I wonder if anyone tried that.
Copy & paste..

Was it Capone who said "You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone'?

No guns on this one, I hope, but some sharp political pressure would be nice.

While I wish Obama well and I love what the author wrote to the president, I am afraid that we must first find a way to bring back the old Obama who existed prior to 2005. Otherwise, this letter will be ignored by the current one. As it is, Obama is not showing real courage or true leadership. This kind of "make me do it" attitude towards the voters is NOT leadership. In fact, it's called being stubborn or worse, cowardice. There is no hope or change to be realized when a leader continues playing kissyface with AIPAC and even escalates wars such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan and adding Pakistan and possibly Iran to the mix. It is utterly embarassing to have such milquetoast "leadership". If MLK, Gandhi, Nader, etc ... had been like President Obama, America would have failed so miserably already.

You'll won't read this on the MSM.

On November 19, 2008, during the final day of Sabeel's [Arabic for The Way] 7th International Conference: THE NAKBA: MEMORY, REALITY AND BEYOND, Mairead Maguire was a keynote speaker and she said:

This year also the State of Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary.

I recognize the right of all people including the Jewish people to a peaceful existence. I also recognize the state of Israel but believe many of the Israeli Government's domestic and foreign policies are racist and uphold an apartheid system.

I believe such policies do not reflect the profound wise Jewish values of justice and peace. In an interdependent, interconnected world, where countries are made up of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, groups, we are challenged to build Government structures which reflect the plurality of all citizens and whose laws are inclusive of all members of that society.

Governments cannot marginalize or have second class citizenship for whole sections of the population, as such injustice will result in violence. We learned this lesson in Northern Ireland, and are now moving towards a power-sharing all inclusive Government.

I believe to have genuine peace, the Israeli Government needs to move from a Jewish state to a power-sharing democratic state which is equal and inclusive of all its citizens and not just its Jewish citizens.

There is great hope for peace in Israel/Palestine, as this is a political problem with a political solution and the Israeli Government and USA, by treating Palestinians on a Fair basis, and with real political will can help solve this historical conflict which has resulted in this inhumane occupation.

I recognize there is a deep fear of ethnic annihilation amongst many Israelis, but we, as the human family, must all learn to deal with our fears non-violently, and realize our best hope for human security is not in occupation but in implementing just and equal policies for all the people, and making friends with our enemies.

Our security as the human family does not lie in militarism, nuclear weapons or war. Another courageous voice who reminded us of this is Mordechai Vanunu.

Mordechai told the world Israel had nuclear weapons. He was concerned that possessing such weapons endangered Israel as it too could become another Hiroshima. For his act of truth telling he was punished by the Israel Government and continues 22 years later to be held in East Jerusalem unable to leave Israel or speak to foreigners or foreign press.

For those of us who work to see a Nuclear Free Middle east, a nuclear free world, we remain indebted to Mordechai for his sacrifice on all our behalf, and we hope that Israel will uphold it International obligations to human rights and let Vanunu go free, and give leadership in the Middle East by abolishing its Nuclear weapons.

We are all challenged to move from a Culture of violence, to a Culture of non-violence.

Last year the Nobel Peace Laureates launched a Charter for a world without violence, in which they endorsed the words of the WHO 'Violence is a preventable disease'.

I would encourage you to study this and campaign for your Governments, religious Institutions and NGO's to consider endorsing this Charter.

The non-violent message in this Charter is not new. 2,000 years ago Jesus said 'Love your enemies, do not kill'.

The Cross is for me the greatest symbol of non-violent love in action, and in the words of the late Fr. McKenzie 'you cannot read the bible and not know that Jesus was totally non-violent'.

Also to remember the words of one of the early Christians 'I am a Christian, I cannot be a soldier'.

What a great contribution we can all make to the world in helping bring peace, if we only take the message of love and non-killing seriously and live by it. Then we could with our brothers and sisters of all faiths and none, build a no killing, Non-violent Middle East and world together.-Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Shanti, Mairead Maguire.

Excerpted November 26, 2008: THE Ongoing NAKBA
http://www.wearewideawake.org

Eileen Fleming, Author, Founder WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu"

Would anyone take this letter seriously if it was addressed to Bush or "Bibi"?
I doubt it, because everyone knows where they stand. The letter would be tinged with hopelessness or irony.

But for some reason, despite all the easily available information to the contrary, for some reason, we are supposed to keep on presuming that Obama is different than his predecessors. How long must we continue this cowardly charade?

Despite the massive amount of willful ignorance employed by many progressives in order to achieve "HOPE" (copyright 2008), we also know (from his words and actions over the past 3 years) exactly where Obama stands on Zionism - he stands like a Siamese twin shoulder to shoulder with Bush and "Bibi".

At least when Bush was president people were waking-up from a bad dream, instead of futilely attempting to enjoy their nightmare by hitting snooze.

So forget about Obama's style or "swagga", re-branding is not meaningful "CHANGE" (copyright 2008). Wake up! The POLICIES of Bush just got a four year extension.

Nice try, Mairead, but Obama's not swayed by appeals to conscience or law. Show him the money!

Public ignorance is maintaining Israel's apartheid--we need to blitz our congresspeople with calls and call the white house comment line to protest (202-456-1111). Obama is just one of the good old boys now and he'll keep Israel safe for them. There will be no accountability from Israel until the press begins to report the truth about the fascism and racism in that country, and until it stops covering for Israel's war crimes. The pressure from the public is going to move the press, congress, and the white house.

Bring America Back !!!!..........Thank Mairead McGuire for sharing her letter to Prez Obama with us ! There;s nothing wrong with pouring out your soul in words to the leader of the free world !

**Thanks also to the post below, from eileenfleming, which is a speech of McGuire in November last year.

**Keeping these inspiring words utmost in mind, let's infuse the facts:

====His very first public speech when becoming the Democratic Party presumptive nominee last year, was Obama before a DC convention of AIPAC==the radical Zionist right wing political Neocon Lobby of Israel in the USA ! He pledged his everlasting fielty to Israel !

====The week of His Inauguration, both Obama and then Pres. Bush refused to chastize Israel for its repeated attacks and genocide in GAZA ! Obama is quoted as stating:...'if my daughters were in the area of incoming rockets, I would do exactly the same thing as Israel',sic==is doing!! Some 300 to 400
innocent kids are dead at Gaza, along with 1100 others ! There was one or two
Israeli fatalities claimed from Gazan rockets !

====On Inauguration Day, the invitees to the Obama Inaugural Balls danced on the graves of 1500 dead Gazans, as the Israeli forces quietly marched triumphant out of the Gaza Strip. Another blood victory over defenseless humans.

====Obama appointed Hillary Clinton, Sec of State, who is legendary for worshipping at the altars of AIPAC, and their lucrative campaign contributions to her causes !! She has not only pledged her fielty to Israel but she has stated she would "Obliterate" Iran !!!

====This past week, the Obama Dept of Justice dropped its own case against two spys of AIPAC, who were indicted for criminal espionage against the USA !!

====The Obama Judicial System is constantly obstructing legitimate lawsuits and investigations into the war crimes and activities of the Bush Administration !

**So then would Mairead McGuire do better using her award winning influence to Motivate the oppressed peoples of Palestine to form a resistance movement such as was "Solidarnos' in Poland; the North Ireland Resistance; or examples from our own Civil Rights Movements here ????

**The ultimate Futility of appealing to Barak Obama, where Israel is involved, seems obvious, for instead of changing the DC Culture of Corruption as He promised us to do, He has become part and parcel of It !! All in 100 Days !

The Northern Irish Catholics continue to support their brothers and sisters in Palestine. Thank you Ms. Maguire as you too know what it likes to live under an occupation by a foreign army. Thanks for your peace efforts. Free Northern Ireland and Free Palestine!!!!!!!

A beautiful, thoughtful letter, Ms Maguire. Thank you.

Sadly, I fear it was just a case of "casting pearls before swine."