If Asked, Who Do You Support: Israel or Palestine?

B’Man: I think there is really only one thing that my cohort and beautifully “skinny” friend, lrose and I disagree on, it is the Israel/Palestinian conflict (although I am not sure what it is we disagree upon, exactly). My stance about Israel and the lobby that reigns in American politics is that we do Israel’s bidding. They rule our foreign interests, when I am not convinced (as lrose is) that Israel is a wonderful ally or that their interests are actually “our” interests.

I have many reasons for thinking this way, but it is the hypocritical stance we have taken with them, but hold other countries in the ME to a totally different standard (but what else is new for our government who has flirted and propped up Dictators and rogue leaders for many years).

It boils down to this, if AIPAC loves Bush and Cheney so much and Bush and Cheney are the monsters they are known to be, I have no faith in Israel’s judgment of character and can only come to the conclusion that they are complicit and both untrustworthy.

Is there anything, whatsoever, that the Bush/Cheney admin has done that is honorable or trustworthy?

I can’t think of a thing. So, why would I consider their opinion and support of Israel anything other than more of their neocon bullshit?

But forget what this clueless redneck thinks. Let’s get the opinion of more of the world:

Don’t take sides in Israeli-Palestinian conflict: poll

WASHINGTON (Courtney C. Radsch, Alarabiya.net)

The first global public opinion poll about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict released Tuesday found that majorities in 14 out of 18 countries polled believe their government should not take sides in the decades-old Middle East conflict.

It also revealed that most people support a greater role for the United Nations, from guaranteeing security of the countries involved to sending peacekeepers to enforce an eventual peace agreement.

According to the poll – which was conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org and covered 18,792 people in 18 countries and the Palestinian Territories – 58 percent of respondents said they did not believe their country should take a side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Twenty percent said their country should support the Palestinians, while only seven percent supported the Israelis. Egypt, Iran and Turkey were the only countries favoring the Palestinians.

American view

Even Americans overwhelmingly said their government should not take sides.

In a finding that goes against the common assumption that Americans overwhelmingly support Israel, seven out of ten Americans said they thought their country should not take sides in the conflict. Of the rest, 21 percent said it should take Israel’s side compared to only 3 percent who supported taking the Palestinians side.

“Israel is liked a lot more and if you force them (Americans) to choose, Israel gets more sympathy,” Steven Kull, director of WorldOpinion.org, told AlArabiya.net in an interview.

“You ask them which side they blame more, and more blame Israel than the Palestinians, but if you look more closely there are huge numbers that refuse to answer or say they don’t know.”

Americans, said Mr. Kull, are unequivocal that U.S. policy needs to be even handed in dealing with the situation. “There is a discrepancy in this sense between the public and government foreign policy,” he added.

At 86 percent, Egypt was the only country to overwhelmingly support taking the Palestinian side and to say that Palestinians are doing their part to resolve the conflict. A similarly large percentage said neither Israel (88%) nor the U.S. (86%) is doing their part well.

Country assessments

Israel received the worst ratings about whether it is playing a positive role in the conflict, with majorities in thirteen out of fifteen countries asked this question saying that the Israelis are “not doing very well” or “not doing well at all.”

Arab countries and the United States did not fare much better.

Fifty-nine percent of those polled view America’s role in the conflict negatively, as do 46 percent of Americans themselves. A majority, 54 percent, of those polled also said that Israel is not playing a positive role while 47 percent say the same for the Palestinians.

The United Nations Security Council, however, fared far better in terms of people’s perceptions about the role it should and could play. Respondents said they believed the United Nations should play a greater role in the conflict, especially if an agreement is eventually reached.

All but one of the 17 countries asked had majorities or pluralities that supported sending U.N. peacekeepers were an agreement reached, with an average of 67 percent favoring and 20 percent opposing such an idea.

The predominantly Muslim countries of Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia and the Palestinian territories in particular supported U.N. involvement, from protecting Arab countries in case of an Israeli attack to sending peacekeepers.

Israel: America’s Pussy

My family are cat people. I like cats because by and large they can fend for themselves and don’t require constant petting and care. They pretty much decide when and where to be petted and bothered. They insist on us doing their bidding when they need it, at the moment they need it. Our cats, in many ways, control us, more than we do them. Such it is with Israel.

Have you heard recently that Israel is reaching out to its enemies and offering peace? Have you wondered why and why now? Is it a change of heart of the Israeli government?

Do you think that they have “listened to their hearts” and realize that what they have done is wrong and want to give Syria back its lands? Or that they finally realize that Hamas was democratically elected or that the Palestinian people need to be treated better than dogs.

Or do you think that the Israeli government is trying to pursuade its neighbors that it is really a loving country that is misunderstood… that they are really, at heart, nice guys.

Or do you consider it even remotely possible that this government is simply trying to convince its neighbors that peace is its goal, just to do the magician’s sleight-of-hand where the actual goal is to attack Iran?

At the beginning of this month, Israel conducted a war exercise that seemed to simulate an air assault on Iran (mission was same general distance with refueling planes and rescue operations conducted in the Gulf). Olmert (immersed in controversy, himself, in Israel) had a meeting with Bush recently where he eluded that something is afoot and that there would be action taken against Iran.

The old adage is “follow the money” to find the corruption. Here is a quick breakdown to show how we have supported Israel with far more support than we have given anyone in the world:

Considering economic assistance that the USA has given the world from 1949 - 1996, we gave Israel $62.5Billion (58 Million people) and in the same timeframe gave the REST OF THE WORLD (1.05 Billion) $62.5 Billion. That works out to $10,775 per Israeli and a whopping $59 per person for the rest of the world. Wonder what that kind of investment gets us?

Of the USA’s annual aid, Israel gets a full 1/3 (there are 191 countries in the world).

In March of 2003 America gave Israel $10Billion and we give more and more. From 1946- 2006, US aid to Israel was a conservative estimate of $108Billion.

For a population the size of Wisconsin, we are giving $2-3 Billion per year or $6-8 Million per day. We defend Israel, no matter what they do or violations they conduct in the world. Although the USA strongly held Iraq accountable for breaking UN Security Council violations, Israel has broken these resolutions 40 times and the USA uses its veto strength in the council to save them… EVERY TIME.

It doesn’t matter what Israel does in the world. Lie, kill, starve, steal land. We protect them.

Am I the only redneck in this country who is questioning why we support the biggest destabilizing country in the world ?

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land: Israel and Palestine

The hypocrisy is sickening, but a sure sign of how manipulative Big Money control of the media is on Americans’ perception of things in the world.

I doubt that most rednecks even understand the happenings in the Isareli/Palestinian conflicts, much less how hypocritical our invasion of Iraq is compared to actions with Israel. The first Gulf War was supposedly conducted because Saddam invaded an adjacent land. Israel did the same thing in 1967 after their war with Syria, Jordan and Egypt.

Basically they invaded the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. The United Nations Security Council passed resolution 242 which called for Israel to withdraw from what they now call “The Occupied Territories”. Yet, they have not withdrawn in all of these years and seem to keep creeping out and gathering more and more.

The hypocrisy is heightened by the second Iraqi illegal invasion, which has been justified by every one of the Bushie lying assholes, since they continue to suggest that since Iraq “refused” to adhere to the Security Council resolution 1441, we could invade even without full authorization (and established a coalition of the willingcompelled with strong arm manipulation).

The MSM is complicit in brainwashing America (as is always the case, as long as they are owned by those who profit most from these conflicts) and this video does a great job explaining the situation in a synopsis form.

Another video presented by ChallengingMedia. The official website for the movie “Peace, Propaganda & The Promised Land: US Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” pppl.org

Filed under B’Man’s Hypocrite Watch.

Blood and Oil: The Carter Doctrine

Jimmy Carter: the southern gentleman who is touted as a peaceful, evangelical, Christian president who builds homes for the less able. But was there a dark side that his lovable persona covered up?

The US control of the ME resources goes back decades (almost 100 years). We have never stopped telling that part of the world what to do with their shit… insisting that their oil is related to our national security, when in fact, it is simply related to Big Money and Big Oil’s interests and profits. Alternative fuel sources have been noted and available, just never pursued as they should have been.

Yes, we may still try to control the world by having bases in the area (Bush trying to force 50 bases in Iraq alone before leaving office… tying the hands of whomever is elected next). But the real deal is so simple by following the money.

We have had ample time to wean ourselves off of the petro-chemical stronghold, but as long as Big Money controls our government and elected officials, we will continue to steal and use the stuff, because they have slowed (damn near stopped) any alternative solutions. So, again, the Japanese lead us into the new realms of electric vehicles, while we still demand the rest of the world to give us their shit while we spend more and more for Big Oil’s profits.

This is not brain surgery, people. This is Capitalism that has taken over our government (or, more aptly, fascism).

Impeachment of the criminals is off-the-table for the same rationale. Most of the bastards (Dem and THUG) are complicit. Pelosi, Reid… almost all of them. They are tied to the profits.

History is so easily forgotten when we have an maniac running things. But, we need to remember all of those who have created and perpetuated this idiotic philosophy our government is running on and do something to take it back before all is ruined forever. I don’t think that most rednecks understand how close to ruin we are.

Now we have Mr Change going even further right to appease whom? To appease the Progressives who got him here? Of course not. To win the election? For sure. But, always follow the money and influence. Is there any wonder that AIPAC and those Israeli lobbies have so much control, when they can arrange donations from “individuals” in block? The fact is (sadly noted) that without their support, these candidates feel like they cannot win the election. What I don’t understand is why we allow it when the polls in both America and Israel are suggesting the citizens want more diplomacy, yet the neocon idiots keep trying to force anything BUT diplomacy.

More bombs = more oil = more money = more control of the region/world

Imperialism at its deadliest.

‘The Israel lobby - The influence of AIPAC on US Foreign Policy’

I found this documentary that explains as well as any other I have seen, how we got to the place where the Israeli lobby can have so much influence on our politics and behavior in the world.

It is fairly long but is extremely well done and worthy of the view.

U.S.A.’s Middle Eastern Affairs Failures Perpetuated by Obama

B’Man: I have come to the conclusion that our meddling in the Israel’s government’s affairs is totally counterproductive to our safety and security. Our unending support of this nation, while turning a blind eye to Israel’s own abuses and hypocrisy (especially about nukes in the area), will not give us further security. It makes even more enemies out of the other Muslim countries in the area.

The more I read and learn about AIPAC and its control over America’s foreign affairs, the more I am frightened and confused. How is it that we have gotten to the “Spike the Bulldog/Chester the Terrier” mindset? I will be writing more about this in the near future. Until then, I wanted to share an email I received from the Nader campaign which highlights how the “Major” candidates are all the same when it comes to Israel and our unending support and defense of their foreign policy which is the reason why I can say that the little dog is wagging the Big Dog tail.

Ralph Nader for President 2008

There is one clear choice this year for peace in the Middle East.

Nader/Gonzalez.

Thanks to your ongoing support, the Nader/Gonzalez peace in the Middle East campaign is aiming to be on the ballot nationwide in November.

Only Nader/Gonzalez stands with the courageous Israeli and Palestinian peace movements.

Only Nader/Gonzalez stands with the majority of Jewish Americans and Arab Americans which polls repeatedly show support a two-state solution as a way for peace in the Middle East.

Only Nader/Gonzalez would reverse U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Doubt it?

Then just listen to Barack Obama’s speech from this morning to the militarist and right-wing American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Did Obama make one mention of the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza’s 1.5 million people and the UN-documented resulting humanitarian disaster there?

He did not.

Instead, Obama talked about “a Gaza controlled by Hamas with rockets raining down on Israel.”

Did Obama mention U.S. government supplied Israeli firepower resulting in Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza at a ratio of 400 to 1 (Palestinian to Israeli)

He did not.

Many peace loving Israelis and Jewish Americans will be disgusted by Obama’s speech today.

Like the editor at the Israeli newspaper Haaretz who wrote that the Israeli government has “lost its reason” through the brutal incarceration, devastation and deprivation of the innocent people in Gaza.

Obama told AIPAC today that “we must isolate Hamas.” (In its current form.)

Did he mention that a March 2008 Haaretz poll showed that 64 percent of the Israeli people want direct negotiations for peace between Israel and Hamas, while only 28% oppose it?

He did not.

Instead, Obama said this morning that “Egypt must cut off the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.”

Did he say that Israel must stop bombing the people of Gaza?

He did not.

Obama this morning told AIPAC that “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.”

Did Obama mention that this pledge undermines the widespread international consensus two-state solution peace plan?

He did not.

So, in a nutshell:

In this critical election year, Nader/Gonzalez stands on these issues with the majority of Israelis, Palestinians, Jewish-Americans and Arab Americans.

Obama/McCain stand with the hard-line minority position of AIPAC.

With your generous help, Nader/Gonzalez will work to make the voices for peace heard throughout this election year.

Together, we will make a difference.

Onward

The Nader Team

PS: We invite your comments to the blog.

Your contribution could be doubled. Public campaign financing may match your contribution total up to $250.

Spike the Bulldog and Chester the Terrier

America is Spike and Israel is Chester. If you don’t remember the cartoon names, go here for a refresher. Spike was the Big, Bad Bulldog and Chester was the little bitty tagalong terrier. Chester finally shows Spike what it means to really be the “Big Dog”.

From Al Jazeera:

Israel: Iran building nuclear arms

 Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, says he is certain Iran is engaged in a secret operation to build nuclear weapons.“We are of the view that the Iranians are continuing to pursue their plans to create a capacity for non-conventional weapons,” he said in Berlin on Tuesday at a news conference with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor.

“Nothing we’ve seen so far has changed our view on that,” Olmert said, speaking through an interpreter.Olmert also said he was sharing information with other countries about Iran’s nuclear programme and that no options should be forgotten in trying to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons.

“As [US] President [George] Bush once said: no option is ruled out,” Olmert said.

As Americans we are foolishly allowing this little nation to form our foreign policy… to our total demise, if we continue. They can read and understand our intelligence reports, and totally claim it untrue and expect us to believe it.