Edmunicate me: What has Israel ever done for anybody?

[devilgrrl]

Seriously, what have they ever done for humanity that allots them all the US tax dollars they're given every year? What makes them so special?

You tell me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. I'd give it a try, but I doubt this thread will last long enough.

[soothsayer]

2. They invented our favorite God, for one!

[bryant69]

3. They are Allies.

I don't know that we should look at any kind of aid as a reward or a gift - it's an investment. We invest in Israel because, rightly or wrongly, we believe there is some value in having Isreal a strong nation in the middle east.

I can certainly understand people who would argue we could spend our money better or, alternative, we should use our aid to Israel as a lever to get them to the bargaining trable.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Lerkfish]

4. they've kept peace in the middle..ea....um.....

no wait, nevermind.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

5. Count down begins...

123... Boom Banned.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. I suspect you don't care but for the others who might...

Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees. This gain was achieved in an area considered mainly desert.

The cell phone was developed by Israelis working in the Israeli branch of Motorola.

Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.

Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.

Israeli researchers developed a device that helps the heart pump blood and has the potential to save the lives of those with heart failure.

Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East.

Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin - 109 per 10,000 people --as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.

Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 in the U. S., over 70 in Japan. With over 25% of its work force employed in technical professions. Israel places first in this category as well.

Israel has the world's second highest per capita of new books

Consider yourself...edumicated!

[mzteris]

7. where were all of these

scientists educated?

Also why do all those "inventions" entitle them to so much "foreign aid" - which I think was the original question.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. .

I don't know where they are all educated...many are educated in Israel.

I didn't say those inventions entitled them to anything. The OP asked what Israel had done for humanity. She made a false assumption that Israel is getting funding for acts to humanity. I pointed out that Israel has many accomplishments.

Continue with your Israeli hate-fest....

[mzteris]

16. au contraire

she didn't "asked what Israel had done for humanity" she was asking what entitles them to Federal Dollars.

You've also erred in thinking I'm some type of anti-semitic. I'm not. One can question a government without questioning their religion.

I don't like Israels POLITICS doesn't mean I'm anti-Jewish.

I don't like Bush's Politics - doesn't mean I'm anti-Methodist. Heck, I'm still a member of the Methodist church myself.....

See the difference?

Now, DO you know WHY Israel gets so much federal funding? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Behind the Aegis]

18. Try reading it again....

She said, "...what have they ever done for humanity that allots them all the US tax dollars... She has made the assumption that they are getting funding for deeds to humanity. It is not why. I listed accomplishments of Israel.

"You've also erred in thinking I'm some type of anti-semitic." Au contraire, indeed. You cannot know what I am thinking, nor did I accuse you of anti-Semitism. I clearly said, "Continue with your Israeli hate-fest...." See the difference? But, it is interesting you felt it necessary to defend yourself against an non-existent charge.

They receive funding for multiple reasons. A quick Google search can help you out.

[uppityperson]

12. I thought there were lots more trees in the USA too, where is fact from?

The number is more, but they are really little trees. Where are these facts from? Thanks. I am truly curious here, would like to know. Thanks again.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. From here...

http://judaism.about.com/od/culture/a/israel_pride.htm

[uppityperson]

17. Thanks.

I am always amused at statistics, especially the "more trees" thing since this is something bushites have made a deal out of, there being more trees these days. Again, they are tiny little trees, but there are more of them in number. Wonder what "net gain" means? Thanks for the link.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. You are welcome.

I don't know the actual number of trees in Israel. But if they had one tree in 1999, and then had two trees in 2000, it is a net gain. :crazy: However, I am sure they more than two trees. :) Personally, I thought the US was starting to bounce back from all the de-foresting we have suffered, but I don't think we have.

[barb162]

49. Yeah

they cut down the giant sequioas and put some 3 foot high saplings in their place. Hey, but there's more trees. hahahahahaha

[Howardx]

22. Israel has the highest average living standards in the ME

thats a great reason for sending our money

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Perhaps that is NOT the reason?!

[Howardx]

26. im sure the reason is ultra effective

lobbying

[Scurrilous]

27. Bingo! n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

28. That sounds like a good reason...

....good for them!

[Howardx]

31. indeed

n/t

[tucoramirez2005]

46. The standard of living is false

provided by US subsidies.

I've never seen anything in my travels that was "Made in Israel".

[Behind the Aegis]

47. Care to back that up with some facts?

As for never seeing "Made in Israel" tags, perhaps you haven't travelled very much...a trip to "Toyr R Us" and you can find toys "Made in Israel." Also, many computer chips are "Made in Israel."

[drdon326]

8. Lithos.......and *I'M* wrong ???

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. They share intel

They steal our intel, our intellectual property and our military secrets, then share them with others.
the list so far?
China
India
USSR
Russia
and probably others.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. So has Great Britian and a few others...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. no kidding.

It is rather amusing that the two enemies from WWII, Japan and Germany, tend to treat our secrets with the most respect. Even after all the Germany bashing from the Bush administration neo cons, they did not take it personally, but kept things clean.

Germany respects our intel. property to the same degree as Japan. It is a shame that all three of us suffer because others do not offer the same kind of respect - Israel, China, Malaysia and others.

[Journeyman]

13. Joseph Heller believed Israel was important because. . .

it gives us a place to dock our fleet in the Middle East and get our boys laid.

Submitted with no comment.

[drdon326]

19. Drive by posting......

throw out a firebomb and run like hell.

NICE

[Behind the Aegis]

21. maybe the move from GD to I/P confused her?

:shrug:

[drdon326]

24. "What has Israel ever done for anybody?"

DOESNT seem to confused to me.

I know EXACTLY why it was posted.

[Behind the Aegis]

25. I am sure I know why it was posted too...

I was just saying maybe she got confused when the post got sent down here....thus, no follow-ups on how she reached the conclusion that Israel is given aid money because of contributions to humanity.

[Peace Patriot]

29. I would ask this question about the US Defense Department.

When was the last time they defended us against anything that was truly a threat?

WW II.

And what have they done since?

Utter disaster in Vietnam, genocidal war (2 million slaughtered; countryside laid waste; 55,000 Americans killed) for nothing. Vietnam had voted in a communist gov't fair and square--UN monitored election in 1954. We created a sham gov't in the south, and proceeded to "defend" it. (--and don't tell me the Defense Dept. didn't pump for that action--that it was just the politicians.)

Korea, Kosovo--maybe justified, but not exactly qualifying as "defense" of our homeland.

9/11? Hm-m. Total Air Force stand-down. Couldn't even defend the Pentagon.

And now Iraq, a repeat of Vietnam--unjust meddling and warfare, that has made us LESS safe.

Okay, maybe there has been a fascist coup in the Pentagon, as in the country--in fact, there is good evidence for it--and the real Defense Dept. wasn't crazy about this latest venture, having learned the lessons of Vietnam (that they are no match for little brown people in sandals and straw hats who love their country).

BUT, there are all those defense CONTRACTORS, who are the ones who really call the shots--and THEY wanted Iraq. Oh, they wanted it bad. And so did some of the generals and colonels and admirals who sit on their boards of directors.

And so, where are we now? There is not a country in the world who could invade us. We are top dogs, with the most bloated military in human history. Who is the Defense Dept. defending us against? Why are we--the little people, the non-rich--giving them billion and billions and billions and billions and billions of dollars...to "defend" us against whom?

I think we got Iraq--and maybe 9/11 as well--because there is little or no threat in the world, and no justification for our military expenditures. They had to invent one--and that is why, too, the Democrats are so...what is the word?...two-faced about Iraq. They want to run this boondoggle. (That's what they said during the election--not that it was wrong, but that they would run a better war.)

WHAT are we paying for?

Just asking.

--------------------

As for Israel, our money is supposed to be a carrot, to help them behave. No more. Bush has given them carte blanche, and they are building this snaking, high wall all around themselves, and living more and more within a medieval fortress, bristling with armaments. They need to learn diplomacy, and give up war.

---------------------

Yeah, there may be some pissed off Arabs and Muslims. But the Bush Cartel seems to be doing everything it can to, a) piss them off some more, b) unite them in their hatred of the west, c) support the worst dictators in Arab and Muslim countries, to make them hate us even more, d) steal their oil, and e) arm them (starting with our arming of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein under Reagan, and continuing to this day with dirty Cheney arms deals all over the world, which the pissed off underclass have seized or will be seizing...).

All to the benefit of Defense Dept. contractors and arms dealers--paid by our tax dollars.

Taxation without representation. That's what we've got.

58% of the American people opposed the Iraq war BEFORE the invasion. I'll never forget that stat. Feb. '03.

Way back in the old days they used to have arguments about whether or not to have "a standing army"--that is, maintaining an army in readiness when there is no threat to the country. What is it FOR, except for presidents to make mischief with?

[H5N1]

33. Yes, our tax dollars being used to expand bad will

USA is real good at that.

[Behind the Aegis]

34. huh?

"When was the last time they defended us against anything that was truly a threat?

WW II."

You do know that Israel was not even a nation during WWII, correct?

[Peace Patriot]

38. Behind the Aegis, I wasn't talking about Israel. I was talking about the

US Dept. of Defense. Sorry if I didn't keep my subject clear.

I was converting the question, "What has Israel ever done for anybody?" to the question, "What has our own Defense Department done for anybody?"--"When was the last time they 'defended' us?"

-------

I don't think a country has to do "anything for anybody" to receive aid, if they need it and we can give it. People sometimes need aid--especially people who have been horribly exploited by European colonialists or, currently, by our own US-based global corporate predators. Israel doesn't qualify as poor--but it DOES quality as a homeland for the people who were nearly exterminated in WW II. I think that's why Americans support Israel, on the whole. And that Israel has not found a way to peace in the Middle East is a failure of theirs, ours, and of predatory capitalists and warmongers--of which the Bush Cartel is the prime example and the worst offender.

My comment on Israel is above. They need to learn diplomacy, and give up war.

[Behind the Aegis]

40. GOTCHA!

THAT makes more sense! Thanks for clearing it up!

[H5N1]

30. They don't deserve one damn penny

not a cent

[number6]

32. What has Israel ever done for anybody?

provide a home for Jews in the middle east
(at the expense of Palestinians)
is an ally of the USA (but not a good one)

[Behind the Aegis]

35. Seems they have done quite a bit...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=97384&mesg_id=97390

[number6]

37. that would be, what have they done for thier own citizens ...

question is, what have they done for Palestinians and
the World ?

[Behind the Aegis]

39. Are you kidding?!

Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.

Israeli researchers developed a device that helps the heart pump blood and has the potential to save the lives of those with heart failure.


Those accomplishments don't help people worldwide?!

[number6]

41. yes those medical advances help

but how overall has the creation of Israel helped
the world,..net minus or plus --political ?

[Behind the Aegis]

43. I can think of one thing...

...it gives people a country to hate and blame the world's ills on.

[drdon326]

44. Touche

.

[H5N1]

36. That sounds like no bargain for the US tax payer,

no bargain at all. Why do we give them all that money?

[pelsar]

42. ok....one of those absurd questions...

what has israel done for humanity....israel doesnt have to do ANYTHING for humanity, i dont recall that being a condition for its independance.

what has israel done to deserve US aid?...nothing...US aid is given to countries because the US a country has decided in its own best interests to give israel grants and loans...

[Peace Patriot]

45. I mentioned that above. The Jews have a right to be in the Middle East.

The trouble is, a) Arab hostility to them, which has been handled as a war situation, rather than a situation requiring diplomacy and generosity, and b) arms traders and war profiteers and oil companies who have zero interest in the well-being of the people of the Middle East.

It is delusional to think that Israel can exist as an armed fortress in the midst of Arab and Persian countries. US diplomacy and funds have been used in the past to try to smooth it all out--to establish peace in that region. At least that has been the overt goal. The Bush Cartel is NOT DOING THIS. They are doing the opposite. They've got Iran so freaked they're trying to get nukes (apparently). Israel has nukes. We've turned Iraq into a cauldron of hostility. The place is a tinderbox.

And the Bushites and Israel's Sharon gov't keep throwing more fuel on the fire. They are not seeking peace. They are provoking hostility and undying hatred.

The US keeps giving Israel more and more armaments and encouraging a war mentality--as if armaments could make them safe. Well, armaments can make you TEMPORARILY safe, but they WILL backfire if you don't do the hard work of creating a SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, of insuring happiness and prosperity for all, of overcoming prejudices and joining together in common humanity and common cause--the hard work of diplomacy, combined with the gifts of generosity and open-heartedness. Your gun can't make you safe, in the end. It might make you safe temporarily in very particular circumstances. What makes you safe, in a deep and long-lasting way, are your SURROUNDINGS, your links to people.

And Israel is cutting its links. They are building a WALL around the Palestinians. It is a completely untenable situation.

And the Bushites are encouraging them along this wrongful and unjust and unlivable road.

Yes, we SHOULD question the use of our money for this purpose. For what it's worth. As long as Bushite companies own and control our election system, we will have no say in the matter.

[barb162]

48. On 9-11

Israel offered its highly trained bomb squads to us. They offered their highly trained troops and german shepherds to fly out immediately to NYC to help look for people still under the rubble. And you know what? I thought thank God for the Israelis. I contrast this with the pictures of the Palestinians and other peoples of the Mideast who were dancing and cheering in the streets, shooting their guns off in joy, etc., that there were 3000 Americans dead that day, etc.

[Scurrilous]

50. On 9/12:

http://web.knoxnews.com/advertising/wtc/315.html

[Behind the Aegis]

51. How noble.

I am sure it was right before he ran off to join his people in celebration. It was a good photo-op.

[Scurrilous]

52. Yes.

It was noble of him. :thumbsup:

[Lithos]

53. Locking per I/P guidelines

Not based on a recent news or op-ed article.

Lithos
I/P Forum Moderator