A New Smear Email: Obama Gave an Anti-Israel Speech at a Black Church
| Thu Feb. 21, 2008 2:06 PM PST
Barack Obama is a secret Muslim who refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance. During the Democratic primary campaign, the junior senator from Illinois has been hit repeatedly by virulent viral emails pushing false claims like these. The latest: Obama, due to his Muslim background, secretly favors Palestinians over Israelis.
An unsourced email being disseminated claims that "someone taped former Muslim Barack HUSSEIN Obama at a black church when he was in South Carolina" and that Obama said:
It's clear that we give too much money to Israel. [cheers] Why... do you know that every American gives approx .20 cents A DAY to Israel? [jeers] We keep hearing how tough the Israelis are... how great an 'ally' they are... --but what if we gave the SAME AMOUNT of money we gave THEM to the poor Palestinians--I bet THAT would bring them finally to the table. We could have a two-state solution... a two-state solution--just like former President Carter outlined in his latest book. We can't have peace in the Middle East until we solve that problem down in Palestine. George Bush should have thought about that before he went into Iraq...[etc.]
The email goes on to note that Obama sounds "a GREAT DEAL like Malcolm X." It asks, "Instead of the 'Manchurian Candidate,' is Obama the secret 'Farrakan Candidate'"? It then seeks to explain his purported anti-Israel bias:
Will Barrack's [sic] Muslim roots cause him to favor the Palestinians against Israel?
Continues Below
Continued From Above
Because he's a "person of color," will Obama be more sympathetic to 3rd World Peoples' struggles in that they have "darker skin" like him?
Does Obama distrust the lighter-skinned, more "European"-looking Israelis and tend to favor the "darker complexioned" Palestinians and other Arabs (al Qaeada? [sic]) because his Muslim African father and cousins?
Obama's father was raised as a Muslim but was not a practicing Muslim as an adult. He was either agnostic or an atheist. He left Obama and Obama's mother when Obama was two years old. Obama has said he has never worshipped in a mosque--which would mean he is not a former Muslim. And he has recently moved to demonstrate his pro-Israel credentials.
The email is not just anti-Obama; it's racist: "Will his election in America temper or EMBOLDEN the 3rd World Terrorist Groups he physically resembles around the world?"
This missive clearly is directed at Jewish American voters. It calls on the "pro-Israeli lobby" to investigate Obama: "He DOES have Muslim roots, you know! Is he a Trojan Horse for anti-Israeli interests? Maybe the American Jewish community ought to THINK about all that." The email adds, "We already KNOW the Clintons are pro-Israeli."
Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman, says that Obama campaign was unaware of the email until Mother Jones asked about it. And the campaign issued a statement: "This is the latest in a string of outlandish and false attacks against Barack Obama. Obama has a strong and consistent record of speaking out for and voting for economic and security assistance for Israel because he believes in a strong U.S.-Israel alliance."
The note yields no clues as to who's behind it. For what it's worth, it does seem to encourage American Jews to vote for HIllary Clinton instead of Obama. But there's no telling what that says about its origins. (Could someone be trying to make the Clinton camp look bad?) But it's another sign of how easy it is for political dirty tricksters to spread malicious and untrue innuendo. Should Obama become the Democrats' presidential nominee, he can expect a flood of similar attacks. In the meantime, the unknown author of this email says, "We're putting [the tape of Obama at the South Carolina church] up on YouTube." So far, nothing is there.
Photo by Flickr user transplanted mountaineer used under a Creative Commons license.
Comments
D. Malcolm
You wrote:
"Everybody who speaks out about Israel is not an anti-Semite. Don't people understand how dangerous it is to assume otherwise?"
Yes. Not every critisism of Israel is so motivated. I should hope not, because I have also been critical of Israel from time-to-time.
On the other hand (IMHO) many remarks are anti-Semitic and most of those who make such remarks also refuse to admit it.
There is actually a formula, which is not perfect or exact but goes something like:
1. Those who hold Israel to a higher standard of morality and/or justice then other nations; {Phillis Chesler, PhD}
2. Those who are singly concerned for the wellbeing of the Palestinian-Arabs, while paying little or no attention to other suffering peoples ? especially other suffering Arabs and double especially, to other suffering Arabs, who are suffering at the hands of other Arabs; {Bernard Lewis, PhD}
3. Those who consistently lie or warp reality, profoundly embellish or deliberately confuse what are otherwise simple precepts, in order to emphasize their point(s), whereas such fallacious emphasis always cuts against Israel. {Trollstein}.
Most Anti-Semites will engage in all three. However, only one tendency is required to qualify.
Lastly, Jews are one of the few populations who can, plausibly be anti-Semetic (while also being Semites themselves).
Sandy wrote:
"Israeli lobbyist have a lot of money and influence."
"AIPAC does not call the shots all by itself. The fact is that American public opinion is decisively with Israel, and to the extent that it isn't, it is still not with the Palestinians. Consider this?
In August 2006, with the Lebanon War in full swing, with Israel having recently pounded Gaza, destroying the airport there and severely damaging its power plant, with Israel's image taking some serious hits, Americans were asked whether they sympathized more with Israel or with the Palestinians. 52% said Israel, and only 11% said the Palestinians. These findings, from the Pew Research Center, also reflect a consistent pattern. Since 2003, support for Israel has fluctuated between 37% and 52% while that for the Palestinians between 9% and 13%."
(Above quote from M. Plitnik, on his generally pro-Arab web site).
Now, I see all sorts of "special interest" political ads on TV, all day, every day. From medical issues to the "Surveillance Act" and everything in between, except I do not see pro-Israeli political TV ads. The closest thing I see is when certain evangelical TV preachers speak about "Gods Chosen". Perhaps the "lobbyists" have gotten to them.
Speaking critically of Israel is not racist. Lying about Israel is. The propagandic creation of an "evil empire" in the form of an all persuasive "Israel Lobby" also is.
It is not unilatterally up to the Jew-haters to define what constitutes a "racist" either.
Many of my friends had wanted to consider voting for Sen Obama but the media is not doing its job in following up with him about many questions that they (and I ) and other voters have on the following:
-Times UK investigation 2/26/08 article ?did British Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi really lend millions of $ to Barack Obama's fundraiser weeks before Mansion land deal in Chicago?-
-What is the true relationship (if any exists) between Mr Auchi, Mr. Rezko and Sen. Obama?
-How much $ does Sen. Obama receive from various industry sectors ?not lobbyists? How does HE define a Lobbyist?
--How much does he receive from in-house lobbyists who work solely for one company, union,trade association, or other group? I understand that these people may lobby but their contributions are grouped in the totals (acc to a recent article posted in CJR)for the various industries they represent, along with contributions from other employees in the sector, their relatives, whatever PAC money has been raised, and donations from trade and professional associations.
-On what basis did the politically controversial former advisor to former president Jimmy Carter Zbigniew Brzezinski endorse Sen. Obama last summer, for president?
-Some claim that it was Brezinski's misguided actions (during the 1960's and '70's in Afghanistan/Soviet Union conflict) that led to the present day military strength buildup of Osama Bin Ladin's ?including others- terrorist groups. Any comments from Sen. Obama about this?
-On what basis did Sen. Obama select Brzezinski to serve as a foreign policy advisor for him?
-During this weeks' debate-Sen. Obama brought up his Terri Schiavo experience as one in which he regrets supporting the unanimously-arrived at decision of the Senate. How does he feel about the way in which the decision was arrived at (Voice votes because 97 Senators were out of town and only 3 were on the floor during the vote)
-What does Se. Obama think about the fact that the law which was "unanimously" approved by Voice Vote was a violation of the separation of powers. Many historians and constitutional lawyers argued that Congress had exceeded its powers by substituting its judgment for that of the courts and directing the courts . Judge Stanley Francis Birch Agreed.
-Who decided that there would be no formal record of this vote and what does Sen. Obama think about this? Does he view it as going against his position of supporting transparency and accountability in government? Why or why not?
-Sen Obama sponsored a bill in February 2007 which defined a legal structure to prosecute State Dept. contractor crimes in US courts. There is a good possibility it will not pass until the next pres. takes power. Even if it passes, there are serious unresolved questions about how contractor crimes can be monitored effectively. The US Embassy in Iraq is slated to become the largest embassy in the world. If Sen. Obama as president maintains that embassy (and its army of diplomats and US personnel going in and out of the Green Zone) a significant armed force will be required for protection. That job is presently being contracted out to private contractors including Blackwater, DynCorp, and Triple Canopy. Based upon the wording of the sponsored bill (which is considered weak in the area of providing accountability measures ) some legal experts and Justice Department officials claim that the new president may be forced to continue using these "unaccountable" forces in Iraq. What is Sen. Obama's opinion of this statement?
D. Malcolm
You wrote:
"Everybody who speaks out about Israel is not an anti-Semite. Don't people understand how dangerous it is to assume otherwise?"
Yes. Not every critisism of Israel is so motivated. I should hope not, because I have also been critical of Israel from time-to-time.
On the other hand (IMHO) many remarks are anti-Semitic and most of those who make such remarks also refuse to admit it.
There is actually a formula, which is not perfect or exact but goes something like:
1. Those who hold Israel to a higher standard of morality and/or justice then other nations; {Phillis Chesler, PhD}
2. Those who are singly concerned for the wellbeing of the Palestinian-Arabs, while paying little or no attention to other suffering peoples ? especially other suffering Arabs and double especially, to other suffering Arabs, who are suffering at the hands of other Arabs; {Bernard Lewis, PhD}
3. Those who consistently lie or warp reality, profoundly embellish or deliberately confuse what are otherwise simple precepts, in order to emphasize their point(s), whereas such fallacious emphasis always cuts against Israel. {Trollstein}.
Most Anti-Semites will engage in all three. However, only one tendency is required to qualify.
Lastly, Jews are one of the few populations who can, plausibly be anti-Semetic (while also being Semites themselves).
Sandy wrote:
"Israeli lobbyist have a lot of money and influence."
"AIPAC does not call the shots all by itself. The fact is that American public opinion is decisively with Israel, and to the extent that it isn't, it is still not with the Palestinians. Consider this?
In August 2006, with the Lebanon War in full swing, with Israel having recently pounded Gaza, destroying the airport there and severely damaging its power plant, with Israel's image taking some serious hits, Americans were asked whether they sympathized more with Israel or with the Palestinians. 52% said Israel, and only 11% said the Palestinians. These findings, from the Pew Research Center, also reflect a consistent pattern. Since 2003, support for Israel has fluctuated between 37% and 52% while that for the Palestinians between 9% and 13%."
(Above quote from M. Plitnik, on his generally pro-Arab web site).
Now, I see all sorts of "special interest" political ads on TV, all day, every day. From medical issues to the "Surveillance Act" and everything in between, except I do not see pro-Israeli political TV ads. The closest thing I see is when certain evangelical TV preachers speak about "Gods Chosen". Perhaps the "lobbyists" have gotten to them.
Speaking critically of Israel is not racist. Lying about Israel is. The propagandic creation of an "evil empire" in the form of an all persuasive "Israel Lobby" also is.
It is not unilatterally up to the Jew-haters to define what constitutes a "racist" either.
Many of my friends had wanted to consider voting for Sen Obama but the media is not doing its job in following up with him about many questions that they (and I ) and other voters have on the following:
-Times UK investigation 2/26/08 article ?did British Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi really lend millions of $ to Barack Obama's fundraiser weeks before Mansion land deal in Chicago?-
-What is the true relationship (if any exists) between Mr Auchi, Mr. Rezko and Sen. Obama?
-How much $ does Sen. Obama receive from various industry sectors ?not lobbyists? How does HE define a Lobbyist?
--How much does he receive from in-house lobbyists who work solely for one company, union,trade association, or other group? I understand that these people may lobby but their contributions are grouped in the totals (acc to a recent article posted in CJR)for the various industries they represent, along with contributions from other employees in the sector, their relatives, whatever PAC money has been raised, and donations from trade and professional associations.
-On what basis did the politically controversial former advisor to former president Jimmy Carter Zbigniew Brzezinski endorse Sen. Obama last summer, for president?
-Some claim that it was Brezinski's misguided actions (during the 1960's and '70's in Afghanistan/Soviet Union conflict) that led to the present day military strength buildup of Osama Bin Ladin's ?including others- terrorist groups. Any comments from Sen. Obama about this?
-On what basis did Sen. Obama select Brzezinski to serve as a foreign policy advisor for him?
-During this weeks' debate-Sen. Obama brought up his Terri Schiavo experience as one in which he regrets supporting the unanimously-arrived at decision of the Senate. How does he feel about the way in which the decision was arrived at (Voice votes because 97 Senators were out of town and only 3 were on the floor during the vote)
-What does Se. Obama think about the fact that the law which was "unanimously" approved by Voice Vote was a violation of the separation of powers. Many historians and constitutional lawyers argued that Congress had exceeded its powers by substituting its judgment for that of the courts and directing the courts . Judge Stanley Francis Birch Agreed.
-Who decided that there would be no formal record of this vote and what does Sen. Obama think about this? Does he view it as going against his position of supporting transparency and accountability in government? Why or why not?
-Sen Obama sponsored a bill in February 2007 which defined a legal structure to prosecute State Dept. contractor crimes in US courts. There is a good possibility it will not pass until the next pres. takes power. Even if it passes, there are serious unresolved questions about how contractor crimes can be monitored effectively. The US Embassy in Iraq is slated to become the largest embassy in the world. If Sen. Obama as president maintains that embassy (and its army of diplomats and US personnel going in and out of the Green Zone) a significant armed force will be required for protection. That job is presently being contracted out to private contractors including Blackwater, DynCorp, and Triple Canopy. Based upon the wording of the sponsored bill (which is considered weak in the area of providing accountability measures ) some legal experts and Justice Department officials claim that the new president may be forced to continue using these "unaccountable" forces in Iraq. What is Sen. Obama's opinion of this statement?
That may be the dirtiest lie of the campaign, how do people believe that kind of crap? I've seen some comments on the MoJo bloogs like that as well as stuff from previous campaigns and I'm left to wonder what kind of people pedal this kind of trash, Hillary is a lesbian, McCain had a illegitimate black baby, etc. I know this stuff has been going on throughout American political history so it will probably never stop, but aren't the voters supposed to be more educated than that? Who would be fool enough to buy it and still be smart enough to vote? Will people ever wise up?
Submitted by Karoli (not verified) on Thu Feb. 21, 2008 2:44 PM PST.
What part of the email encourages a vote for Clinton? Maybe you should post the whole thing.
Michael Z, I agree. Unfortunately people aren't as educated (and often "decent") as most of us would like to believe. I've received similar emails about the Senator in the past.
If those who hate and despise this man would spend more time constructing serious, analytical criticisms and less time espousing false and hateful rhetoric than anti Obama discussions could become more meaningful.
Fear drives many to lie and distort the truth . . . what are they afraid of is the question . . . is the fear rational and supported by legitmate facts or just B.S.
Have a great day America!
Submitted by BloggerRadio (not verified) on Thu Feb. 21, 2008 2:52 PM PST.
Michael Z wrote: "... how do people believe that kind of crap?"
I don't think they do (believe that crap). Just check the results at the polls.
WE-THE-PEOPLE are letting our votes do our talkin'. Let the swift-boat types keep trying this crap ... the way it's working out, it's almost as good as a campaign donation to the Obama campaign. I expect they'll keep-on comin' too. They'll keep trotting out this baloney coz they're too thick-headed to realize what impact their junk is having THIS time around. C'mon swifties, keep that junk c'mon ... it's like coal to this steam engine! Just lay yourselves down on those tracks.
Obama is in fact, the perfect candidate for the benefit of left-leaning American Jews and even not so left-leaning ones.
Assuming he is being honest and sincere in his campaign statements, he is the "golden-child" for American Jews--even ones who don't care much about Israel (and that variety can be found on both the left and right).
I recognized this fact many months ago.
It might even be better, had he been a former Muslim and if he really, really meant what he says, still better--if he was today a practicing Muslim. This short-circuits most of the vitriol which has been carefully constructed by the anti-Israel and Anti-Semitic activists.
Its one thing to proffer names like Wolfowitz and Lieberman and label everyone a "neocon", but its entirely another story to try that on an inner-city brother--leftist--populist, like Obama. While the Jewophobes insist that George W Bush is a mere puppet of the evil "Zionists lobby", it begins to sound profusely paranoid to add Obama to that list.
I love him. When I learn how to dance, I want to be just like him.
I am not speaking exclusively about Israel mind ya. Put them aside momentarily. I am nauseous-sick of the angry eyes and angrier words, from resentful Americans, who see my Jewish ethnicity--as a symbol of their perceived oppression. When I was single, (and as a leftist) I lost women to this un-popularity contest.
Obama may have a "Messiah" complex but if he can deliver peace to Israel and/or free myself from the shackles of perceived crimes against humanity, he can have a shrine (with incense) in the corner of my house.
Barack-and-roll!
Submitted by /pd (not verified) on Thu Feb. 21, 2008 3:15 PM PST.
just another freaking crapoloa post.. why dont write soemthing that really makes sense ?
Ahhh...what would politics be without comedy?!
A two-state solution?! Oh no! Heaven forbid!!! A chance at lasting peace?!!
Because he's a "person of color," will Obama be more sympathetic to 3rd World Peoples' struggles in that they have "darker skin" like him?
Well I hope so!!!
If these are the smear tactics that Hillary supporters keep warning us about, I can't wait for the general contest!! This stuff is pure fun!
"When I learn how to dance, I want to be just like him.", Trollstein, this is a racial stereotype and therefore racist. Please refrain from such posts in the future. We find it highly offensive. You may want to learn from Senator Biden about not making offensive remarks.
Willy:
It was said complementary and therefore not a racist remark. People don't complement people they hate (or even mildly resent).
Moreover, Mr. Obama started this joke himself, when he was asked what he thought about Bill Clinton's longstanding claim that he (Clinton) was the first Black U.S. President.
Obama replied:
"Lets see how he dances and then I'll tell you what I think".
This is not a foggy quote off an obscure web page, I actually witnessed the exchange on national network TV.
Lastly, Mr. Obama (probably because he does not play a saxophone) did an entire dance-set on Ellen deGeneres.
I will accept your apology now, please.
Submitted by capt (not verified) on Thu Feb. 21, 2008 5:53 PM PST.
"Joel: Ed, are you hallucinating?
Ed: Oh, yeah, but not right now."
~ Sy Rosen and Christian Williams, Northern Exposure, On Your Own, 1992
Willy:
I certainly did not offer any apology. I told you off. The fact that you may not appreciate that you have been told off is more the pity.
Joe Biden's comments were 'back-handed' because his inference was that other Black politicians were somehow less "clean".
My comments were pure complement and requires no apology--for various reasons stated. Your first reaction was merely ignorant. Your second reaction was far closer to racially motivated hate then mine.
Barack Obama seems to have some good qualities, and it's easy to sympathize with him now that he's under attack by the Clinton machine. However, Caroline Glick finds serious fault with Obama over his association with the enemies of Israel and his support for Islamists seeking to take control of a state allied with the U.S.
Building on the work of Ed Lasky of the American Thinker, Glick identifies three instances of Obama's connection with forces hostile to Israel. First, his spiritual adviser, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., has called for divestment from Israel and refers to Israel as "racist." Indeed, there's reason to believe that Wright is hostile to Jews. He is a friend of Louis Farrakhan, upon whom he has conferred a "Lifetime Achievement" award. According to Glick, although Obama recently condemned Farrakhan for his anti-Semitism, he did not disavow Wright, who married him and baptized his daughters, and he has taken no steps to moderate his church's anti-Israel invective.
In addition, some of Obama's key financial backers and foreign policy advisers are anti-Israel. They include George Soros, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Susan Rice, and Robert Malley. Rice served as an adviser to the Kerry campaign and, according to Glick, persuaded Kerry to announce that he would appoint Jimmy Carter and James Baker as his envoys for Middle East peace talks. Malley has claimed that the 2000 Camp David summit failed because Israel wasn't serious about giving the Palestinians a state, a view that Bill Clinton disputes.(Menorah Blog) All real Jews support Ms Clinton and not Obama.
Submitted by Trollstein (not verified) on Fri Feb. 22, 2008 3:59 AM PST.
Josh:
There are no "perfect" candidates (speaking for any single cause) because even if that candidate says exactly what the hearer wants, they can always be accused of lying, or temporaly placating, to get elected.
(see part 2 below)
Submitted by Trollstein (not verified) on Fri Feb. 22, 2008 4:00 AM PST.
Is he perhaps "over-compensating" for issues mentioned in your post?
I can accept that without loosing respect for him.
You wrote:
" . . . All real Jews support Ms Clinton and not Obama."
You don't get to decide who is a "real Jew". Chances are that your ancestors were Huns while my family is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.
(See part 3 below)
Submitted by Trollstein (not verified) on Fri Feb. 22, 2008 4:02 AM PST.
Moreover, there were "real Jews" (Hasids) marching in the Anti Israel rally in Washington DC. As a religious matter, they believe that Israel is religiously prohibited until the arrival of the "Messiah". This is not "far fetched". When the chief Rabbi of the Balkans (Judas Alkalai) proposed the re-establishment of Israel (as a religious movement) in 1865, his proposal was roundly rejected (on religious grounds) from all the world's rabbinical leaders. When indeed Israel was established in 1947-48, many such ultra orthodox groups rejected the notion for the same reason. (This, incidentally, helps explain why Israel was a leftist cause in the 1940's and 1960's, because the secular and leftist Jews found themselves at odds with the conservative ones).
(see part 4 below)
Submitted by Trollstein (not verified) on Fri Feb. 22, 2008 4:08 AM PST.
Obama can not (as a practical matter) tell his preacher what to preach.
And there is no supporter of Israel more convinced or convincing then a converted one.
So the question I pose to you becomes: Is Obama being truthful?
The answer I pose to you is:
Real, (real) Jews have built-in radar and don't need rhetoric to enlighten them on this point. That is how we have survived the variety of geno-cides for thousands of years.
The thing we most have a hard time surviving is our own tendency to "outsmart" ourselves.
(Done in 4 parts to navigate the spam filter that was blocking the full posting)
Click on my name for URL reference to Obama's comments.
I am not a Muslim and I would like to see the conflict between Israel and Palestine come to an end. The US needs to be fair to all people and I hope and pray that when the Democratics (Obama) are in office we finally solve the dilemma for the beginning of peace in the Middle East.
To Willy:
In the 1960s the most we could hope for is hope that some day, if we were patient we might overcome. Now, white people who complement us and support our African-American candidate become "racists"? Do you hear yourself? If Obama was the exact same person only he wore a Jewish cap, would we support him?
The problem is there are people out there who believe these things. I was present at a dinner table when an arch-conservative has already started his 'Osama Obama' rhetoric. The politics of fear work. The e-mails are circulating more and more. People are going to believe what they want, and they want to believe that he is a Muslim what can you do?
I didn't find the remark offensive at all, but probably because my background is in dance. Also, I think "Trollstein" was using the term as an analogy or affectionate compliment (like "I wanna be just like you when I grow up").
It's hard to differentiate sometimes when something is racist, and I understand how it could've been misconstrued as such. But I wanted to speak up in defense of that post because it was clear to me that he was complimenting Obama, and not trying to be offensive.
Cool your jets, guys.
I'm 54 years old and remember very well the rumors flying and outright lies told during the political campaigns and civil unrest of the 1960s. I sat in Westbrook Baptist Church listening as the preacher warned us about the communist leanings of and Chinese financial support for M. L. King, Jr. They even had pictures! Most of the propoganda about the Muslim world reminds me well of the stuff I heard at school and church in the 50s and 60s about the Communists. Americans love to have an enemy.
dem- are you serious? Couple things pop into mind. 1) you are full of $hit; he is christian, and 2) since when is one's religious beliefs grounds for excluding them from an office? Even if he were Muslim, so WHAT? Have you taken time to read the Qu'ran? It has as many teachings about peace and love as does the Bible. Followers of Islam are as diverse as Christians; you have those that are not practicing and those that are dow-right frightening in their zeal. But remember, this country was founded on the basis of equality and fairness and justice. Deciding that someone is unworthy based on their looks, their affiliations, or beliefs is borderline Nazi, well, certainly fascist.
Submitted by Del "Abe" Jones (not verified) on Fri Feb. 22, 2008 1:14 PM PST.
Yes We Can, Stand For Change We Can Believe In!
Are we finally coming of age
Are the answers within reach
Can we take our Country back
Fight what the corporations preach?
Will it be for, we the people
The way, it was meant to be
Can we stop the loss of our rights
Return to, the land of the free?
One man cannot change it all
He can't take it all apart
But with our help it can be done
And at the top, is where we start.
The status quo, has got to go
We all know, it's got to change
We can't wait, till it's too late
Now, is the time to rearrange.
It all started out with NAFTA
Bill Clinton could have stopped it cold
Now, the China Trade Agreement
Has them make most all that's sold.
The Congress and the Senate
Let it all snowball and grow
We borrow from the Communists
They'll bankrupt us, don't you know?
They give King Bush a free hand
To do most anything he likes
Like torture and wiretapping
And so-called preemptive strikes.
We must hold them all accountable
If they won't do the People's will
We merely have to kick them out
And vote for someone who will.
We can bring our Troops home
From Bushes ill begotten war
Give them the care they all deserve
Before we lose too many more.
On the other hand we can vote
To stay a hundred years in Iraq
Where we should have never gone
So sad, we can't take it all back.
All that we've been wasting
We can start to spend on us
If it's not too late already
If our treasury's not gone bust.
People caught in our disasters
Could get aid instead of rhetoric
And told they will not be forgotten
While they live in trailers and get sick.
We could develop other energies
And get away from foreign oil
Like cheap, renewable sources
Grown here on American soil.
We can take tax cuts from the rich
And give the middle class a break
Bring jobs back to our People
That corporations want to take.
Maybe, fix some roads and bridges
Have health care for everyone
Fix schools and pay the teachers
Just some things, that can be done.
As far as the "super delegates"
They best listen to, what voters say
Not just put in, who they want
With some arrogant power play.
It surely is a time for change
It's time for the People to rule
Instead of the corporate politicians
Headed up, by some other fool.
Maybe we'll restore our image
And be what, we once stood for
A beacon that the World will see
Once more, leads to Freedom's door.
But, we can't show them anything
Unless, we first, see the light
And guide our Nation to the place
Where we the People, have the Right.
Some may not get past the color
That's sad, in this day and age
It's time for them to get over it
So, we can turn another page.
Let's hope he'll do what he says
That we won't get the shaft again
And when he wins the election
It will be all of us who'll win.
We may not get another chance
At the least, not one like this
It's a once in a lifetime choice
That, would be a shame, to miss.
Del "Abe" Jones
2.14.08
I didn't read the whole article, but I think I read enough. Why would Mother Jones even suggest that Obama is a muslim. If the comments you stated were actually said by Obama, he's absolutely correct. I am so sick and tired of backing Israel to the umpteenth. And I'm sick of all previous and current presidents not dealing with this issue to a conclusion. I'm sick of the Israeli lobbying. Good bye Mother Jones; you're slip is showing.
STRASBOURG - European Union lawmakers urged Israel on Thursday not to inflict "collective punishment" on Gaza's population, saying its isolation of the territory had failed and its actions were endangering civilians.
They urged Israel to lift a blockade which has cut supplies to the 1.5 million people in Gaza, run by the Islamist group Hamas, and let in aid and essential goods and services.
"The policy of isolation of the Gaza strip has failed at both the political and humanitarian level," the European Parliament said in an adopted resolution.
"The civilian population should be exempt from any military action and any collective punishment." "The European Parliament calls on Israel to cease military actions killing and endangering civilians, and extrajudicial targeted killings," The resolution said.
Gee, Josh maybe Carter was suggested as coappointee because they wanted bipartisan heavyweights respected domestically and abroad. Susan Rice is hardly anything but an establishment figure. Brezinski was National Security Advisor and TriLateralist analyst. Come on.
As for Wright - you can respect someone you disagree with (well some of us can) as he did with Wright over Farrakhan when he rebuked him. It's his neighborhood church, not a mind-control program. The Pope teaches some pretty extreme things, but Catholics often disagree (and they're not even technically allowed to).
You know, every religous text has some problems somewhere - including the Koran. (New Testament & slavery, the Penteteuch & ethnic cleansing, Koran & smiting them on the neck, etc)We shouldn't pretend that there aren't real problems, but it's the culture surrounding the text that redeems its problems.
A new civil court founded in Belgium by human rights organizations will convene for the first time Friday evening and discuss war crimes Israel had allegedly committee during the Second Lebanon War and war crimes the groups claim it is currently committing in the Gaza Strip
Over the past year, human rights groups, in cooperation with Arab and European intellectuals, have been working on establishing the new court, which will be tasked with addressing different issues related to human rights violations and war crimes.
The first matter on the court's agenda will be Israel's operations in the Gaza Strip. Human rights organizations, as well as the victims of these alleged crimes, will appear before the court. The court has also invited Israeli representatives to attend the hearing and respond to the accusations. Ms Clinton should step up and support Humman Rights.
Kathy:
Perhaps the 'collective punishment' has been a failure. However, if the EU was serious about stopping the suffering (on both sides) it would have a plan. It has no plan. It only has condemnation. Apparently, the EU's only plan is to permit endless attacks against Israel to go perpetually un-checked. That is not a plan.
If the EU really wanted an end to the violence and suffering, they would commit NATO forces to keep the peace in Gaza. Why won't they? Because they well know that within one week, their military would be getting kidnapped, tortured and killed, the EU forces would also have to be shooting back at the militants/terrorists and (like Israel) would be hitting Arab civilians in the process.
Some plan that would be.
Everyone is a magnanimous pacifist--when it comes to other people's casualties.
I would welcome a plan to stop the violence. In the mean time, 20,000 anti-civilian rockets were shot into Israel from Gaza in 2007. Each and every one of these 20,000 rocket attacks constitutes an official war crime, because such munitions can NOT be made to comply with the basic requirements of Geneva, namely, the exclusive targeting of combatants.
When I was a teenager in the 1970's, my non-Jewish friends were convinced that the Jews of Europe were lost because "they did not fight back". This was actually the common perception among rough street (city) kids. The shallow way the world is, that explanation may some day return to prominence. Lets hope it does not.
Jack:
Will the Israelis have the leave to press their COUNTER-CLAIMS over 20,000 anti-civilian rockets? If so (and if such claims are successful), which Arab party takes the conviction? Who gets 'boycotted'? Woops . . I nearly forgot . . the 'boycot' of the Arabs is already one of the Israeli War Crimes!
Belgium . . . .
Please. . . .
Why not just have the panel from 'American Idol' do the adjudication?
Don't answer. Why? Cause you probably won't anyway.
Today's Israel is not a "Jewish State." Jack Bernstein, author of The Life Of An American Jew in Racist Marxist Israel explains:
"At the eastern edge of Europe, there lived a tribe of people know as the Khazars. About the year 740 A.D., the Khazar king and his court decided they should adopt a religion for their people. So, representatives of the three major religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, were invited to present their religious doctrines. The Khazars chose Judaism, but it wasn't for religious reasons. If the Khazars had chosen Islam they would have angered the strong Christian world. If they had chosen Christianity they would have angered the strong Islamic world. So they played it safe--they chose Judaism, not for religious reasons but for political ones.
Sometime during the 13th century, the Khazars were driven from their land and they migrated westward with most of them settling in Poland and Russia. These Khazars are now known as Ashkenazi Jews. Because these Khazar Ashkenazi Jews merely chose Judaism, they are not really Jews, at least not blood Jews.
Throughout their history, these Polish and Russian Ashkenazi Jews practiced communism/socialism and worked to have their ideas implemented in these countries.
all i want to see is obamma pledge allegence to the flag of the united states of america.i want to witness it just once,and if he were elected president I hope he knows he must put his hand on the bible, unless they change that rule" also!!!!"
