Dems Plan Pro-Israel Resolution Supporting Israel's Goal In Its Gaza Strip Operation.

[Purveyor]

January 6, 2009

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Top Democrats are planning to introduce a non-binding congressional resolution supporting Israel's goal in its Gaza Strip operation.

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the U.S. House of Representatives majority leader, told JTA he was looking at such a resolution, which is being drafted in the office of Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Certainly it would not demand a cease-fire," Hoyer said. "It would speak to the conditions that would justify a cease-fire. A cease-fire is not a just cease-fire when it's just Israel" holding fire.

Israel launched its major operation Dec. 27 in a bid to end rocket attacks on its South. Such attacks, carried out by militants allied with Gaza's Hamas rulers, drastically intensified last month following the end of a six-month cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

JTA: http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/06/1002014/dems-plan-pro-israel-resolution

[HeraldSquare212]

1. "We will demand a ceasefire when everyone is dead."

God, this is just like Lebanon.

[cali]

2. oh fuck 'em.

disgusting.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

16. hear hear.

:puke:

[Barack_America]

47. On this we can agree.

[Sultana]

3. Damn them all

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

:nuke:

[Scurrilous]

4. Craven toadies. n/t

[Skidmore]

5. Perhaps they all need to hear from us.

Loudly! Break you phone lists out again.

BTW, Hoyer and Pelosi are hardly disinterested parties.

[leftynyc]

22. What makes you think

that the numbers calling this a mistake (DU, Kos and the like) wont be drowned out by the numbers supporting it?

[High Plains]

6. This is part of the reason I'm an independent.

Steny Hoyer, representing the liberal wing of the Single Unified Capitalist War Party.

[bunnies]

7. Is this a fucking joke?

Someone should clue them in on the fact that the majority of Democrats OPPOSE this fiasco. What a fucking disgrace.

Represent your constituents you self-serving assholes!

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Mudoria]

11. Got a link for that assertation?

[bunnies]

13. sure do ---->

Dem leaders out of step with voters on Israel's attack on Gaza

(snip)
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 percent to 41 percent, with 15 percent undecided), but Democratic voters overwhelmingly oppose the Israeli offensive -- by a 24-point margin. By stark contrast, 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 percent to 27 percent).
(snip)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. Wow... I'm shocked, actually.

Given media portrayals, I really thought it would be far more slanted. Makes me ever so slightly optimistic.

[balantz]

19. Don't believe corporate-media propaganda n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. I surely don't, however...

When you typically only hear about Israeli casualties on any given day outside of the extremity of recent actions, you can't even really blame Americans for having a slanted opinion. A study a few years back showed that while about 90% of all Israeli casualties were reported in the media, only about 10% of Palestinian casualties ever made the news. I'd like to cite it for you, but it's from 2003 and I can't remember who published it (though I believe it was a university). Take it for what it's worth, I suppose.

[balantz]

24. I hear you. n/t

:)

[bunnies]

26. Now if only our "representatives" would actually represent us.

:eyes:

I share your optimism though. At least the Democratic citizens of the US are getting it. Imagine what it would be like without the internet though. Its a scary, scary thought.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

33. I firmly believe that NOT having the Internet is largely the source of the problem.

If people had gotten greater wind that exactly this has been happening in Gaza for the past 60 years, I doubt our policy towards Israel would be what it is today. It'll probably take another 10 years - at a minimum - before the nation truly comes around.

[bunnies]

38. I couldnt agree more.

My post was worded poorly. :banghead:

I think the internet is *finally* stripping the M$M of its power to brainwash the people. Sad thing is that those in government and the M$M KNEW the truth all along. Now they're shocked that people are catching on and putting their feet down. Shocked that people are calling them on their bias and propaganda.

The Democrats in congress really must have their heads up their asses if they think this resolution is a good idea. Who are they trying to please? Republicans? :shrug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

43. We get the same story every election cycle

"Candidate X makes appeal to Jewish voters"

It's always a big story, and one that confuses me, but that's likely why they think it's a good idea. Approximately 2.9% of our population is Jewish, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. That's one of the smallest minority populations in our country - far fewer than, say, Asian Americans, whom receive almost no attention from politicians.

I'm unsure exactly why that is, but there is a firm perception that Jews are a vital electoral bloc, when really, they are not, at least not by any reasonable metric. They are overwhelmingly liberal (not a swing voting bloc), highly concentrated in otherwise liberal areas (thus further diminishing their standing, in theory), and are relatively few in number. Not only that, they are not monolithic by any means in their support of Israel's military policies. It's a mystery to me. :shrug:

[bunnies]

44. Meanwhile,

the 20% or so of Atheists/Agnostics get completely and utterly ignored.

Its *got* to be something to do with religion. It must ultimately keep the Christians happy for some reason. Its the only thing I can think of that touches on any sort of logic.

I'll never understand it.

[Broadslidin]

8. Simply, Paid-off greasy U.S. politicians promoting more and more Murder and Misery.

:nuke: :patriot: :nuke:

[balantz]

9. What Dem Party? Oh them? They aren't Dems anymore, are they? n/t

[bvar22]

12. No. They aren't.

Haven't been for about 35 years.

Sad.


NOW we have Your Children’s Money too !!!
And there is not a fucking thing you can do about it!
Now THIS is “Post-Partisanship” !
Better get used to it!!
Hahahahahahahahaha!

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. If you were to read the party's platform, you would know that we support Israel

[balantz]

27. I know "we" do. But we don't support mass slaughter, and neither should they. n/t

[Occam Bandage]

10. Absolutely reprehensible. Fuck Hoyer. nt

[spanone]

14. ....and we wonder why the arab world hates us

[thewiseguy]

15. But they are not the prezident!

[Zodiak]

18. They make me sick

Absolutely sick

They act like the only dead people are Israeli. Fucking soul-less scumbags!

This kind of one-sided propaganda reminds me time and again why I never officially joined the party.

Who wants to be part of a one-party corporate warmongering system masquerading as a choice?

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. My prediction: It will pass overwhelmingly

[MadHound]

23. More of the same old shit

This is why Israel feels secure in doing whatever it wants to, because they know that no matter what they do, whatever atrocities and war crimes they commit, the US government will back them to the hilt.

And Americans wonder why the Arab world hates us.

[Karenina]

28. The Palestinians are getting theirs for having elected the murderous Hamas.

The Israelis (and Jews around the world looking for an "exit, stage left") will soon be getting theirs for having elected the murderous Likudniks.
And Amis will soon get THEIRS for electing the murderous Neo-Cons.

See how that works?

[slipslidingaway]

29. Congress Defends Gaza Assault 404-1 - HR 951 - March 2008

http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2008/03/05/congress-defends-gaza-assault-404-1/

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll093.xml

"Today Congress passed a resolution (HR 951) condemning Palestinian rocket attacks that include a strident defense of recent Israeli tactics in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also condemned Iran and Syria for “sponsoring terror attacks,” and demanded that Saudi Arabia publicly condemn Palestinian actions.

The resolution was originally introduced in January, but contains new language including a passage saying that that “those responsible for launching rocket attacks against Israel routinely embed their production facilities and launch sites amongst the Palestinian civilian population, utilizing them as human shields” and “the inadvertent inflicting of civilian casualties as a result of defensive military operations aimed at military targets, while deeply regrettable, is not at all morally equivalent to the deliberate targeting of civilian populations as practiced by Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups.”

Although 23 Congressman abstained or voted “present,” only one bravely voted no: Rep. Ron Paul."


House defends Israel on Gaza

http://jta.org/news/article/2008/03/05/107371/housegaza

"The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution strongly defending how Israel has repelled rocket attacks.

The non-binding resolution, passed 404-1 on Wednesday, was substantially rewritten since its introduction in January to include a strident defense of recent Israeli tactics in the Gaza Strip..."


Rep. Ron Paul Stands Alone in Voting Against Gaza Bill

http://cnifoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=42

"...Below is Rep. Paul's statement he gave to the House before the vote:

Mr. Speaker I rise in opposition to H. Res. 951, a resolution to condemn Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. As one who is consistently against war and violence, I obviously do not support the firing of rockets indiscriminately into civilian populations. I believe it is appalling that Palestinians are firing rockets that harm innocent Israelis, just as I believe it is appalling that Israel fires missiles into Palestinian areas where children and other non-combatants are killed and injured.

Unfortunately, legislation such as this is more likely to perpetuate violence in the Middle East than contribute to its abatement. It is our continued involvement and intervention – particularly when it appears to be one-sided – that reduces the incentive for opposing sides to reach a lasting peace agreement.

Additionally, this bill will continue the march toward war with Iran and Syria, as it contains provocative language targeting these countries. The legislation oversimplifies the Israel/Palestine conflict and the larger unrest in the Middle East by simply pointing the finger at Iran and Syria. This is another piece in a steady series of legislation passed in the House that intensifies enmity between the United States and Iran and Syria. My colleagues will recall that we saw a similar steady stream of provocative legislation against Iraq in the years before the US attack on that country.

I strongly believe that we must cease making proclamations involving conflicts that have nothing to do with the United States. We incur the wrath of those who feel slighted while doing very little to slow or stop the violence."

[harun]

32. Ron Paul, only one who voted no.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

35. Probably only because his button is stuck on "no"

I'm not sure that man has voted "yes" on anything in his life.

[slipslidingaway]

37. And mentioned the one-sided nature of these resolutions...

"Unfortunately, legislation such as this is more likely to perpetuate violence in the Middle East than contribute to its abatement. It is our continued involvement and intervention – particularly when it appears to be one-sided – that reduces the incentive for opposing sides to reach a lasting peace agreement."

[Cal Carpenter]

30. Doesn't seem like many folks have actually read the Democratic party platform...

So many people seem so shocked by this - but it should be no surprise. The Democratic party has always been quite open and vocal about it's support for Israel on many levels, including military ventures against Palestinians, military funding and other financial support, and so on.

Check out the 2008 party platform. This is what we vote for when we vote for members of the Democratic party. The platform.

[High Plains]

42. It's no surprise, but it is appalling.

Just as bloody-minded as their Republican brethren.

[harun]

31. Fuck THEM! Israel hasn't stated its "goal" any more than the U.S. has in Iraq.

[balantz]

34. I see it all as the same "war"-- Iraq, Gaza, Afghanistan. But the terrorists are U.S, and Israel n/t

[Forkboy]

36. It's a funny ole world.

[Raineyb]

39. Cowardly bastards!

:mad:
:grr:
:puke:

Revolting.

Regards

[slipslidingaway]

40. Write Bush, Congress Now to Save Lives in Gaza

Found here
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/can-congress-speak-out-ag_b_155595.html

"...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."

Foreign Policy
Israel
Palestinian Territories



http://capwiz.com/justforeignpolicy/issues/alert/?alertid=12361911


Write Bush, Congress Now to Save Lives in Gaza
Urge Immediate Ceasefire, End of Blockade


"Please join us in writing to President Bush and Members of Congress, urging them to support an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and an end to the economic blockade of Gaza by using the form below.

"

[Douglas Carpenter]

41. I wish I could say I am shocked. But frankly it is what I expected...shameful

And it brings shame on the United States of America all over the world where people were perhaps naively hoping that a new day was dawning in America....this is not change...and I don't see how anyone can possibly believe in it.

These kind of dangerous and irresponsible pronouncements - perhaps done for myopic political reasons utterly discredit Democratic Party claims of standing for an America that believes in fair play and peace and justice.

This immoral and reprehensible political stunt are a huge gift to Al Qaida and like minded sorts.

Again I wish I could say I am shocked. I'm just depressed and ashamed.

[TheKentuckian]

45. Shocking the party supports it's own public policy

There's quite a few anti-Semites in the GOP, perhaps the anti-Zionist can join up with them and drum Israel out of existence.

[slipslidingaway]

46. ... n/t