In the aftermath of President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo, Egypt there are many things that happened and are currently happening. Frankly I and a few of my colleagues expected these issues to raise sooner or later. On June 3rd during his Middle East trip I received a letter from the White House and Obama in response to a previous letter I sent him concerning the Israel/Palestine issue. I stated that I looked forward to working together to solve the conflict. In his June 3rd reply he stated that now was "the time to work together" and I was ready to give it. However, on the 4th Obama stated in his speech that Israeli settlements in the West Bank would no longer be tolerated by the US. This stance I believe is "politically understandable" similar to what one journalist stated in Haaretz, because by showing that there is no favouritism given to Israel then that opens up real communication with other countries that are against Israel and think the US is bias on the subject of Israel. In addition, Obama stated in both his Cairo speech and restated in his Moscow speech that the days of one nation suppressing another nation are over. So from an outsiders perspective in the case of Israel when Israeli settlements are established within the UN set borders of the Palestinian people then those settlements are consider like an invasion and violation of a UN policy... and so must be removed. Obama has currently taken the position to reset Israel/ Palestinian borders to the original UN borders and also making Jerusalem an internationally or UN controlled city. This concepts comes from the Crusaders era when Jerusalem was established to be a Christian focus-point city (as displayed in most Byzantine and later European explorer maps of the area).
On June 3rd protesters in Israel gathered in front of the US Embassy in Jerusalem to speak against stopping settlement construction in the West Bank and shouted how Obama is anti-Semitic. I personally agree that settlement construction shouldn't be halted in the West Bank (I support Netanyahu's actions of approving new settlement construction and in a moment I will go into why the idea of halting settlements from a Torah view is out of the question), yet trying to accuse Obama of being anti-Semitic because he has an anti-settlement view isn't fair and more importantly is a contradiction because Obama's views on the subject came from both the Jewish advisors in his administration and a few Jewish foreign policy organizations in Israel that are promoting the idea of a West Bank Palestinian State. I think that people should remember that not too long ago PM Arial Sharon and President Bush were moving the very same plan across the table in Israel.... Obama is just considering if it should be continued. (I'm hoping that you will help me answer to him a NO! But also give another idea that could solve this conflict).
My communications with the US President have shown one consistency from him... he will only promote an idea that is supported by both the Israelis and Palestinians. So because the current idea of a Palestinian State in the West Bank is supported by both Israelis and Palestinians then that is what the US President will support. However, on the 7th of June I sent a letter to President Obama and the White House to express my opposition to his statement on Israeli settlements and to ask that he keep an open mind to other potential solutions to the two-state concept. One idea I requested that he review is the two-state solution proposed by Rabbi Howshua Amariel in which the Palestinian State would be setup in extended borders of the current Gaza strip and the West Bank area would be dissolved fully into the State of Israel. Within this proposal is the idea of fully helping setup a financial independent system for the Palestinian people.
On June 14th after Netanyahu's response to Obama's speech, I did an interview with Baruch Spier on Rusty Mike Radio.com in Jerusalem on my opinion of Obama's speech and the state solution concepts. I stated to Mr. Spier the same thing that I said to President Obama in my reply to him. I believe that his speech was very necessary for the Moslem world to hear and it was given in a way that only Barack Obama as president of the United States could have done. I think in that moment it was made clear to all those that supported or didn't support Obama why he was the right choice for the job. However, in the interview I also said that I didn't agree with the President's tough stance against settlements in the West Bank. In fact the promotion of a Palestinian state within the West Bank is only a temporary fix to a problem that goes much more deep than Obama is realizing. If we will solve this conflict it must be done showing a sincere respect for all religions involved rather than ignore them.... as if they don't matter when to every party involved they do. This conflict is based out of a religious concept rooted in the very essence of who the Jewish people are.
Ben-amen Netanyahu recently allowed for settlement constructions to continue in the West Bank.... WHY? For those of you who do not know this year is a Jubilee Year. The Jubilee year comes out of the Torah and basically states that every 50 years regardless of if one has sold there land or it was taken it is required that they or their relatives come back to reclaim it (either by purchase or force). Right now in Israel all sorts of properties are in review for future construction settlement projects and settlements within the West Bank are not excluded.
I find it funny that history has a habit of repeating and it seems that all of the usual players are in this same scenario today as was 2000 to 3000 years ago; a foreign Empire (US and European Union)..., the Jewish people....., and the Philistines (Keep in mind that in Arabic they don't call these people Palestinians... they call them Philistines and have done some for centuries.) The fact of the matter is that since the time of Joshua the Philistines have existed in the land... they were never conquered.. nor should they have been (they should only been kept out of the borders of the land of Israel).
If we review the history of the children of Israel and the Jewish people when it came to this land it is very clear that there is a pattern. Aside from the original possession of the land by Joshua and Israel; when Israel came from Babylon they rebuilt so much of their former land to the end that their neighbours wrote to the Emperor warning against Israel's habit of reclaiming their territory. This same pattern happened during Alexander the Great's reign and the Roman Empire's reign to the point that after 100AD Jews were restricted from the entire Judean area by Emperor Hadrian of Rome for this same fear incited by our Philistine neighbours. Yet that never stopped the Jewish people from returning time after time again to the land. Why? The Jubilee Year... So the idea of the UN that somehow the Jewish people will now forget this part of ourselves I think is very nieve.
In 1948 the UN divided the land borders of Israel into the Gaza Strip, Israel and the West Bank. Because the Palestinians stated that Israel took Ashkelon and Ashdod from them they went on a crusade to reclaim their former territory. Also because a very large portion of the mountains of the ancient land of Israel was given to the Palestinians... the Jewish settlers went on a crusade to reclaim them. Thus, since this conflict is largely based upon ancient territorial rights of both the parties then the true solution to the problem is to push the so called 'reset button' on borders back to the very ancient guidelines that motivate both parties.
Therefore, today I am announcing a new campaign that I am asking both Jews within Israel (right and left) to support. Leave your prejudices at the door! Because this is for all of those that share the views of President Obama in that the Palestinian (Philistine) people need their own state; view of Prime Minister Netanyahu's that such a state should be financial independent from the State of Israel and also for the benefit of the Palestinian people; and also the views of the Torah & Tanach in that the Palestinian & Israelite people were covenanted to respect each other's borders (according to treaty at the well in the South called Beer-Sheba or well of the oath between Abraham and the king of the Philistines).
I have spoke to about hundred people on this subject and although most begin the conversation with the thought that such a idea isn't realistic I say that the same could have been said about a Black President of the United States not too long ago. What determines if something is possible is only the willingness of the parties to make it possible. This idea is definitely possible... but the question for the Jews that believe this proposal is very controversial I ask you to consider what do you prefer... an undivided beach alone the coast or an undivided Jerusalem for the State of Israel.
As for the Palestinians that may so happen to read this who believe that this is just another way for Israel to gain control over you and your land... I say that this proposal has Israel concede just as much as the Palestinians will have to concede, but any other extra-requirements are accompanied by sufficient compensations enough to help every Palestinian family moved and the State as a whole achieve financial independence from the State of Israel. In other words this is a win-win situation.
I ask you all to support this new two-state proposal that will hold true to all of these ideas by establishing a Palestinian State in the Gaza Strip, but also return some borders along the coast that are proven to be the original land of their ancient people. This will fulfil the same proclaimed goals of the both the Hamas and Palestinian government (as verified in Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech). Within these borders resources will be left to them that would aid in the establishment of an independent financial system for the Palestinian people. A sign if any that Israel is ready to make concessions.
But I suggest that you get Hamas under control with its statements against Israel... the Torah states that if a people will proclaim peace to Israel then we should be at peace with them, but if they declare war then war is what we give them. If you want peace then express it for others to clearly hear you.
If both parties that I have addressed will express their support for the idea then it will get Israeli leaders attention, it will get UN attention, it will get American attention. The fate of the country is literally in the hands of its inhabitants.
I will finish with one more statement… I continue for the most part to support President Barack Obama and I wouldn’t take back my decision to elect him… after all McCain would have done the exact same thing because it is in the road map to peace Bush followed. Yet with President Obama I look forward to working this issue out with foreign policy experts, him and the administration and working together as planned because after all it was Obama who once said that he welcomed debate in the White House. In this case that is what I will do… I invite others to join in.
Sincerely,
Yeshiyah Amariel
Israel for Obama
Hey what do you guys think about the economic speech that he gave today? Do you think it adequately dispells the fears and anxities of the american public?
President Obama promised transparency of government when he was elected, yet since his inauguration the average person is under the impression that information concerning controversial issues such as the economic plan are not available to them in order to review. Over the last month the mainstream media (especially Fox News) have played this perception for all it is worth. Most programs on the Fox News Cable Network talk against Obama’s plan to recover the economy (which is officially entitled the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’). If you listen to what most publications on the economic package say you will only hear that it contains many earmarks (or pork) that have nothing to do with recovering economy. They all say that the plan is very massive and that is was hardly read through… yet most of them show a stack of papers that they refer to as the ‘economic stimulus plan’. On the ‘Beltway Boys’ they criticise the economic plan because it has socialist philosophies and will not help the problems immediately within this year.
The truth of the matter is that the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’ can be found on online government websites (such as the House Appropriations Committee website). The package is around 260 pages and is purposed for “making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.”
Whether the American people agree with every program that is being given money, unlike the media madness against this economic plan, I’m giving the people a chance to read the full plan for themselves and conclusion concerning the details of the plan. The fact of the matter is that this plan puts money into the all of the agriculture department (which in detail actually means rural developments that will create jobs for those who need them), Educational department (a campaign promise to students), $16,126,000,000 for STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (a campaign promise), $500,000,000 for STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS, Housing Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing insurance fund, as follows: $22,129,000,000 for loans to section 502 borrowers, Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 loans, $500,000,000, Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) $100,000,000, and along with several other important job creating public construction projects (such as building roads and bridges) that exist within the United States this package also supplies the ‘‘Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General’’, $10,000,000, the ‘‘Social Security Administration—Office of Inspector General’’, $2,000,000 and every military branch new funding (a total of $4,500,000,000 for ‘Operation and Maintenance’ of the military) to remain available until September 30, 2013, for oversight and audit of programs, grants, and projects funded under this Act.
I suggest that anyone that seeks to support or criticise this plan will take the time to seriously read over the programs and projects that will be stimulated. (http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf) I should also note that most of the ‘pork’ statements that were made on Fox News such as the purchase of motorcycles, automobiles, and etc. I did not find anywhere within this package. Feel free to read over the proposal yourselves and come to your own conclusions, but in my opinion the plan has enough positive benefits for the simultaneous creation of jobs, aid to the unemployed, and start for fulfilling campaign promises from Obama during his campaign to be supported by the general public that elected him. This package is designed to help the poor, middle class and help build State government projects in return and reduce taxes.
The additional tax cuts for top companies that the Republicans are pushing for is the current issue… Remember that conservatives don’t like big government because of increase taxes on the rich and decreased taxes and social programs for the poor and middle class. What they prefer are tax-cuts and social programs for the wealthy… so they are pushing that ‘Bush styled’ tax-cuts be given to companies and social programs be cut.
The fact of the matter is that average citizens can either work for one of the two powers that exist within the world… for government programs or for companies that without government restrictions wouldn’t give a damn about the average American’s well-being (remember workers rights in the 1920s and the current issue over the Peanut butter company… I rest my case).
It’s time for a serious economic conversation in the United States. We hear politicians all over the news on both the Democrat and Republican sides, but it is time for the citizens of the America to think for themselves and stop believing everything that they see on the news. What’s going on in the Congress, the DNC and the RNC right now are political games to put it politely.
We elected for change… but we must remember that a large percentage of people that voted in the United States also voted against Obama. The RNC is on its last leg and there is only one way for them to survive… that is to make Obama a failure. They are seeking to destroy Obama’s creditability as quickly as possible (You can tell the name of the game by watching Fox News or Hannity). At the same time there are big power struggles going on in the DNC to keep Obama in line with whatever they want. Remember, Obama never really got support from the Democratic Party (for the general election the DNC hardly raised a dime for the Obama campaign, even when the RNC raised millions for John McCain)…. His success came out of a support from the people (internet contributions and donations from the famous and rich). Because famous people supported him the media supported him…, but the media never really like him. The truth is that Obama’s policies threaten the powers-that-be in Washington (because when ordinary people begin to exert their power that upsets the social Darwinism philosophies that most power-players operate on). Companies that spend most of their time buying politicians have to subdue the Obama administration in order to bring-in projects and money from the government on the backs of the every day citizens.
When these politicians talk about their different methods for fixing the economy they all use words that never helps the average person understand what will or won’t help in the end.
What is the National Debt? It is the money barrowed from either another country or itself from future income from taxes from its citizens’ children.
What is the real solution to the economic crises? Companies’ are playing big games with the lives of normal people (social Darwinism at its best). To defeat the power they have average citizens have to do what Kind did with the civil rights issues and boycott certain companies that are playing these games and then redirecting their support to either companies that will support job production or give their support to smaller businesses that exist and do the same things the big companies do (this will catapult the small companies into the major leagues of the stock market and force the other companies to compete by conforming to the people’s needs or buy the new companies out keep the same pro-American job policies).
The other goal is to push Congress to create and support laws that will help job creation within the United States and aid those who have lost their jobs because of these political games. Let’s have no misunderstanding here… the United States doesn’t lack productivity, workers, or finances. There are 360,000,000 million people in the United States, we have a 20 percent unemployment rate which depending upon the work force. If the work force is half of the population, then the number of unemployment is 72,000,000. The stimulus plan just reached $925,000,000,000 billion dollars which if given to every unemployed worker $12,847 is enough to re-stimulate the economy in a heart beat. Those who have credit card and mortgage debts will repay them… those that without debts will put there money in banks (thus supplying them with investment money) and others will spend the money in the auto industry (solving that problem by busting the companies and creating jobs), create small businesses that will give lower income families money and the final group will invest the money into the stock market (at least 128 shares of a 100 dollar stock per investor) and cause the NASDAX to skyrocket. So the real power is in the hands of the people to solve their economic troubles and politicians (the people’s reps) to support them.
Many will jump to say that this is a socialist philosophy, however, the government giving companies money and calling it a bale-out is a socialist philosophy.... one that Republicans had no problem supporting before. Yet when it comes to saving the jobs of thousands of Americans and aiding those hurt by the recession they say it is un-American... when that is the most patriotic thing we can do.
Recently, a new two-state concept has been proposed to the upcoming Obama administration. The report-proposal was released by Rabbi Howshua Amariel and the conflict-resolution department of the Yisraelite Organization of Unity in Israel. It is being review by the Obama transition team and also Israelis as a posibility, but it basically states that original agreements made by Philistine and Israel ancestors at the well of Beersheba insured that the those territorial borders would be respected. However, the report also blames the UN for inproperly dividing the territories correctly between the Israelis and Palestinians in 1947 not considering that Israelis would continue to settle in the West Bank because it is the core of ancient Israelite land; also that Palestinians would continue attacks Ashkelon because it is was Philistine territory given away to Israel.
The report-proposal suggest that the final two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to establish the Palestinians (whom have identified themselves as descendants of Philistines) in the former territory of the Philistines and give them the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod (forming a new State of Philistine). In return, the proposal states that the territory of the West Bank (including Jerusalem) should be re-absorbed completely into the State of Israel.
map of the ancient Philistine State.
There is an obvious religous theme to this proposal yet the full version basically suggest that the proposal is a trade concept of an extended territory of two wealth cities for Jerusalem and the West Bank region. As far as I know a few Israeli officials are aware of this proposal at this time, but it is under review by the Obama foreign policy team. I suggest readers that a look at it at http://younation.bravehost.com/peace1.htm
Rabbi Amariel, the Israel director of the Yisraelite Organization of Unity has also stated that he supports the State of Israel in its current battle with Hamas, but the proposal is a final solution to the idea of two separate states when that point is reached.
Happy Chanukah to all of my Jewish friends out there who are celebrating the first night tonight! Spin the dreidel, eat some latkes, and dance the night away. What else is ther in this horrid weather! May your first candle burn bright and illuminate the night.
After Obama's election to the Presidency of the United States, the next day I contacted him to offer our continued support and teamwork with an Obama administration and also to inform him of the new created Israel for Change "think tank" group (if you are interested in join visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/israelforchange/; or http://groups.google.com/group/israelforchange?hl=en).
The following is the actual Nov 5th letter to Obama and is followed by a link to his response on Nov 14th.
"I am sorry that I could not call you Mr. President-elect, but I want to offer from all your supporters in Israel our sincere congratulations to you, your family and your staff on your victory. American-Israelis are overjoyed that you have been elected president of the United States because when we said 'Yes we can' support you, we did! We have supported the movement for change since your arrival on the national seen, and we made your case to the Jewish people when the smear campaign had tried to mislead voters. We are confident that as President of the United States you will understand the complex issues concerning Israel and the peace process.
In your speech last night you stated that "To those who seek peace and security: We support you." Nevertheless, there are still many concerns within Israel as to if your administration will consider Israel's concerns over security issues. To aid with this problem we will soon be announcing the formation of an organization that aims to continue the movement of change that Israelis can believe in, not just in respect to the United States but also with consideration to the Jerusalem issue, the Palestinian peace process and Tikkun Olam. The "Israel for Change" organization stands ready to work with the Obama administration in these next steps in the global movement toward change we can believe in.
Yeshiyah AmarielIsrael for Obama campaign"
Click Here to read Illinois Senator (President-elect) Obama's response: (http://amarielfamily.tripod.com/ObamaLetter3.pdf)
Attention fellow Jewish supporters of Senator Barack Obama, the last few weeks have arrived in this election and early votes are being made as you all read this letter. Obama’s campaign has done good to create the Fight the Smears website, however, tons of blogs exist on the net that over shadow that one site. I, among others, have received the letter from Obama’s campaign directors concerning the Jewish vote. They are asking us to do whatever we can to put an end to the smears and get the truth out about Obama’s support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Therefore I’ve come up with a last strategy for FIGHTING THE SMEARS on the Jewish blogs about Obama. We have been letting right-wing bloggers get away with posting smears on their pages for far too long… WE MUST INVADE!!!!!
What I am proposing is from now until Election Day that in groups of 2 or 3 we invade Jewish blogs on the subjects concerning Obama and completely tackle the questions that have been out there using the evidence provided to us.
DA-Israel Vice Chair Hillel Schenker recently had a debate in Israel with right-wing supporters that can be read on the Israel for Obama blog that may answer many questions. Because of the teamwork of many in the United States and Israel we have been provided with the tools (like the ‘Jewish Americans for Obama’, ‘Israelis for Obama’ and ‘Right man for the job’ videos, and also the IsraelforObama Youtube Channel) to prove that not all Israeli Jews believe the smears against Obama and many support his campaign for president.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VFRt5W4FM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96chUuvoe0
We must attack the smears head on and to go over a few of the questions out there like:
Is Obama a Muslim? No! We have the ‘Israelis for Obama’ and several videos from Israel (1, 2) that help show that many Israeli Jews understand that he isn’t a Muslim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCVnnh4yUuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbyF30edeMU
On the overall question of Obama character and will he support the Jewish community, we have Jews like Jeff Schoenberg (Illinois State Senator), John Levi (Chicago Civic Leader), Cindy Moelis (Civic Leader), and Ab Mikva (Former Congressman, Federal Judge and White House Counsel) all expressing the Illinois Senator’s “Jewish soul”, Jewish connections and constant support for Jewish causes.
On the all important question of rabbinic support in the Jewish community, we have Rabbi Sam Gordon and the group rabbis for Obama, Rabbi Howshua Amariel and also the Jews for Obama website have a number of rabbis who are endorsing Senator Obama (http://jews4barack.com/endorsements/?cat=16 ).
Within that subject and on the question of Orthodox Jewish support for the senator we have the group Orthodox Jews for Obama, an Israeli Rabbi and the video ‘Israelis for Obama’ that displays both ‘religious’ and ‘non-religious’ Jews in Israel.
On the question of Israel’s security and Iran, Obama has continually stated that Israel’s security is first (one is the Second letter from Obama provided on the Israel for Obama blog), and he has promised continued or increased funding of the Israeli military. Current Israeli leaders have commented that Obama has shown himself to understand the situation in the region. And we also have top former Israeli generals like Amnon Lipkin-Shahak (Chief of Staff of the IDF), Shlomo Brom (IDF commander of the Strategic Planning), Shaul Arieli (IDF commander of the Gaza region), Amram Mitzna (IDF Commander of the Central region), Giora Inbar (IDF Commander of Lebanon) and Naomi Chazan (Former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee) all supporting Obama’s positions on Iran and potential as president of the United States. People can say Israeli left-wing or right-wing but the fact of the matter is that top Israeli officials welcome of Obama’s ideas and quote on quote “trust him”. Not to mention the many Israeli citizens (like Tony Jessen in his video ‘An Israeli-American voting for Obama’) who have served in the IDF as soldiers expressed their support for Obama. As for Yossi Alpher (Former Mossad Senior Officer), Uzi Dayan (retired army general), and Efraim Halevy (former Mossad chief) they back out, but we still have well over enough top officials who stand by their statements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3FgbaJaZkA
We even have Israeli actors like Moshe Ivgy and Amos Schocken, the publisher of the Ha’aretz Newspaper on our side.
On the key issue of Jerusalem, Obama believes it should be un-divided for the Jewish people (AIPAC speech), but also points out that the final decision on the subject is left for Israel and the Palestinians to decide. The bottom-line is that Obama is open to any plan that would have Jerusalem ‘undivided’ for the Jewish people just as long as a deal can be reached with the Palestinians. The only thing McCain has said is that he will put a US Embassy in Jerusalem when there is already one there (nonsense)!
I have asked Jewish bloggers what has McCain ever said or done that has shown his support for American Jews and what plan does he have to support Israel and deal with the Israel-Palestinian situation? No one has ever given me an answer, because the fact of the matter is that McCain has no real plans for situations in Israel and no confirmed support of the Jewish community. So the real wild card in respect to the Jewish community is McCain and not Obama, because he has made his positions as clear as Obama has.
So it’s time to put our game faces on and use these facts and the pro-Obama Israeli Jewish supporters to tear down the smear walls of the right-wing Jericho which have obscured the view of many Jews in swing states nationwide.
Manager and Strategist
“Israel for Obama” campaign
The following was written by DA-Israel Vice Chair Hillel Schenker, Oct. 2, 2008 and posted by DA-Israel Chairwoman Joanne Yaron on the 5th.
Debate between Mr. Hillel Schenker, Vice Chair Democrats Abroad-Israel and Adv. Marc Zell, Co-Chair Republicans in Israel
Hosted by IPCRI, the Israel-Palestine Center for Research & Information at the Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem, Wednesday, Sept. 24th, 2008
The following is the outline of my presentation at the debate, and some of the exchange which followed. The Republican spokesperson Adv. Marc Zell was very much on the defensive, feeling (correctly) that the audience would be more empathetic to my views, and asked me to speak first. I begin with an outline of my introductory remarks.
•1) HONEST, CREDIBLE BROKER
Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan to secure America and restore its standing. America is incapable of promoting peace without restoring its standing in the region. Post 9/11 reaction included:
•2) IRAN
•3) IRAQ
•4) SYRIA
•5) NUCLEAR WEAPONS
•6) ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
•7) JERUSALEM
•8) DENNIS ROSS
•9) PALIN FACTOR
•10) THE AUDACITY OF HOPE
BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF THE EXCHANGE THAT FOLLOWED BETWEEN DA-ISRAEL VICE CHAIR HILLEL SCHENKER AND ADV. MARC ZELL, CO-CHAIR OF REPUBLICANS IN ISRAEL:
Jonathan suggested that we post things that are not specifically about the Jewish community to this blog page. My dad sent me this article about White privilege, which I thought was good and thought might interest you all:
>> This is right on. It was sent to me by a friend
i think i recognize Barrack Obama; i think i see who he is. That doesn't seem difficult to me - to hear, to feel this outstanding human being, who has worked so hard to become a teacher, a father, a leader. He has paid his dues, and then some, to be able to Be Here Now -- not just for himself and his family -- but for all kinds of different people: - the old folks at home, the uppity kids, the privileged few, the wounded, the ambitious, the inheritors of the dream, the killers of the dream. He knows what has happened to the Dream Deferred, and he has undertaken to motivate us all to pick up our weary feet, and start singing again, marching on to Freedom Land. Truly he is well named, Barrack - we pronounce Boruch, in Jewish. A Blessing - he is our blessing, all of us. We are blessed by him; and when we hear his words, and feel his joy and his empathy we feel suddenly that hope, that courage, that love we had lost sight of, in the clouds of doubt, suspicion, fear and loathing. The fog of war lifts, and we see again that city on the mountain, and we remember that we are part of that Beloved Community; and that many, many are counting on us to do our part. - those whom we had to leave behind where they had fallen, those who have yet to be born, those whom we have yet to meet. i want to speak to those of you who do not yet hear the sound of that distant drummer, and so are still full of doubts and fears; unable to Believe that a Dream can ever be realized, that Hope is not a trojan horse unless we make it so, by lying to ourselves.
Hey guys I got a question that may seem weird but I wanted to know what are your core beliefs as a whole. I find myself being pulled in two different directions because of two things abortion, and gay marriages. I do believe what the bible says however, I have a real problem with Christians who are conservative because I believe they live in a fantancy world were everyone is nice and believes in a Christian God. I do believe in the Christian God however, there are two questions I want to pose for the group.
Abortion, personally I believe it is wrong however, I don't believe that the government has the right to regulate peoples choices. I believe that it should be left up to the indivdual and if they made the wrong choice they alone should suffer the consequences. My background is this I am a Labor and Delivery Nurse, but I have also worked with children with severe gentic and developmental deficits and I have seen them suffer, also a close friend of mine was raped and as a result was pregenant she chose to have an abortion, and I have friends who have been raped thankfully no pregency resulted from this. but its hard for me to imagine a woman being forced to carry a child that is the result of an sexual assualt it just seems so cruel. So I am looking for your comments on these issues for when I go infront of the conservatives so that I can debate why they should vote for Obama and Not McCain. Alot of people that are chosing McCain are chosing him because of the abortion and gay marriage idea.
Gay marriage I don't have anything against those that are gay however, I don't think that they should be allowed to be married. The bible is very clear on this matter. It disturbs me to think that they are calling it marriage for the simple reason If I have to obey the rules for marriage ie not marry someone elses husband I think they should as well. I am conflicted also because techically you cant discrimnate against someone because of their sexual orientation however, If we allow for the term marriage it will go against our spirtual beliefs. There has to be a happy medium. Also it has not been proven either way whether sexuality is learned or genetic I would hate to discriminate against millions of people for something that they cant control. Just wanted your thoughts on it. So that maybe we could have a debate about it
On July 31st I received another letter from Senator Barack Obama on his support for Israel and also a message to the Israeli people on the conflict in the region.
In the letter he stated; "First and foremost, I firmly believe in a strong American commitment to the security of Israel. An empowered Iran and emboldened extremist groups in the Middle East present a threat not only to Israel, but also to the United States and the rest of the world. The United States must maintain its historic relationship with Israel, our strongest ally in the region and the only established democracy in the Middle East."
Senator Obama further stated, "With regard to the broader Middle East, developments such as the June 2007 Hamas military takeover of the Gaza Strip, domestic political turmoil in Lebanon, and the Palestinians' struggle to form a unity government all underscore what a critical time this is in the region. The Annapolis Conference in November was a hopeful development because Israelis and Palestinians engaged in serious discussions and neighboring countries were involved, and I commend Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas for making the effort. Diplomacy can save lives, and it is my hope that the Annapolis talks are just the start of a sustained push by the United States, the Israelis and the Palestinians to achieve the goal of two states living side-by-side in peace and security.
Ultimately, this peace can only occur through an agreement that fulfills the aspirations of both the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples. I will work with the Administration and others in Congress toward this end. In the meantime, I encourage all parties to refrain from actions that will cause further loss of innocent life or will delay further a lasting peace.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch with me on this or any other matter of importance to you."
To read the full letter you can view it here (http://amarielfamily.tripod.com/ObamaLetter2.pdf) Also remember to remember to visit http://www.youtube.com/user/IsraelforObama to see Israelis continued support for Obama.
Army Corp of Engineers are attempting to hold back the Mississippi RIver in the Quad CIty area from overtaking the downtown Davenport, Iowa. CIty officials have been working long and hard to protect homes and businesses. More volunteers are needed to help fill sandbags along the river as the MIssissippi swells. This is the only place in the flow of the river where it flows east to west. So far, the handmade levee is holding but there is fear that areas will not hold throughout the entire crest.
What a nightmare and a disaster! Thousands have lost their homes and belongings. Damage in the entire mid-west is in the billions. This is the Katrina of the Mid-West.
Where is President Bush? Oh right. On his last tour of Europe. He can only imagine what it is like. Jerk!
Since the establishment of the new group, Reform Jews for Obama, has just been created I wanted to post this blog once again for anyone who is new to this group or new to this site. This letter was written by the Rabbi from the Temple I belong to in Davenport, Iowa. It has been posted several times in this site and not always by me! It has brought me several new friends and for that I am thankful.
Steve and Jonathon are among those that become my friends from this letter. And come to find out, Steve lives only 45 minutes from me! See how Barack has this way of bringing people together!
I hope this will hit home with some.
It is possible that 2008 could mark the beginning of a fundamental progressive realignment in American politics of the sort that happened in 1932. That year President Franklin Roosevelt and a Democratic Congress were swept into power and changed American life by enacting the New Deal. The New Deal involved fundamental reforms. It included Social Security, labor laws that allowed working people to organize for middle-class wages and a tax structure that ended massive economic inequality. It also included large-scale investment in public sector projects that created the infrastructure that would serve as the foundation for an unprecedented period of long-term economic growth.
The reforms of the New Deal, coupled with the GI Bill that followed World War II, created America's middle class. They made possible the high wage economy and educated work force that lead to sustained, shared economic growth. They were built on a premise that is fundamentally at odds with the Bush-McCain economic dictum that "you're on your own, buddy." That premise is the simple moral imperative that we're all in this together -- not all in this alone.
But to turn our own historic moment into progressive realignment we have four tasks:
1). Elect Barack Obama. After almost eight years of George Bush it goes without saying that progressive realignment requires a progressive president. It requires a president whose success can help elect, and reelect, Democrats at all levels. It requires a president who aspires to make fundamental progressive change. It requires a president who can inspire the voters to demand that Congress deliver on that change. I believe that Barack Obama could be that kind of president.
2). We have to act boldly to create fundamental change. Just as in 1932, there is a massive pent-up demand in America that our leaders deal with the fundamental needs that affect our future.
A lot of good people in Washington who are used to the gridlock and conservative domination of government think that a new Democratic administration will allow us to pass a series of minor improvements -- slightly expand children's health care, increase funding for education, tinker with the tax code. All of those are fine things, but, like Roosevelt, we must focus on the fundamental structures of our economy and society that will determine the kind of world we leave to our kids.
We need to deliver on the big issues like providing affordable health care for everyone. We must massively redirect resources into alternative sources of energy and end our bondage to the oil companies. Like Roosevelt we have to rebuild the public economic and transportation infrastructure that the Republicans have allowed to crumble. We need to reintroduce fairness into the tax code and reform labor laws so that workers can once again organize to defend middle-class incomes. And of course we have to end the War in Iraq and re-establish a foreign policy that can really make us safer by creating a peaceful, prosperous world.
It's exciting -- and somewhat disorienting -- for Progressives to contemplate making fundamental change in America rather than simply defending our country from a right-wing assault. It's been a long time. It will take some getting used to. But if we win this election, we have to deliver, or we will loose this historic moment.
That brings us to point three.
3). We have to substantially increase Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. Narrow majorities simply won't do. To pass a bold, fundamental progressive agenda we need margins big enough in both Houses so that the more conservative wing of our party can't hold us up at every turn. Increasing the majority in the Senate is especially critical since virtually every major piece of legislation requires 60 votes to end debate.
This is particularly important when it comes to big economic issues like universal health care, where hordes of special interests lobbyists will descend like locusts on vulnerable Members of Congress. The banks, the credit card companies, the insurance industry, the pharmaceutical companies, the Chamber of Commerce, the oil industry -- all of them will use every arrow in their quiver to prevent progressive change. In the House things look bright. Democrats have won three successive special elections in long-held Republican districts. There are literally 54 additional districts where Democrats have a serious chance of taking Republican seats. Many of those overlap the 30 seats left open by Republican members who bailed out rather than run for re-election.
There are about 30 Democratic seats that also require a serious defense. Of these, only one is open (the Hooley seat in Oregon). Most of these should lean Democratic, but nothing can be taken for granted.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is well-organized and well-funded. Its Republican counterpart is short on cash and is reeling from an embezzlement scandal that damaged its fundraising and caused it to spend over a million dollars on a forensic audit.
In the Senate the field has broadened over the last month. Twelve states are now in play. Democrats are on the offense in eleven -- threatening to turn red seats blue. The most likely take-aways are Mark Warner in the open seat in Virginia, Jean Shaheen against John Sununu in New Hampshire, Tom Udall for the open seat in New Mexico, his cousin Mark Udall for the open seat in Colorado. Al Franken has a good shot against Norm Coleman in Minnesota, as does Jeff Merkley against Gordon Smith in Oregon, and Congressman Tom Allen against Susan Collins in Maine.
But the remarkable thing is that many more nontraditional seats are also up for grabs. Recent polls showed Kentucky Democrat Bruce Lunsford leading Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell 49% to 44%; Alaska Democrat Mark Begich leading Republican Senator Ted Stevens 47% to 45%; former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove leading newly-appointed Republican Senator Roger Wicker 47% to 46%; and Democrat Kay Hagan trailing Republican Libby Dole by only 2% in North Carolina.
Of Democratic incumbents, only Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu has a serious challenge.
All told, it would not be surprising for Democrats to pick up 25 to 30 House seats and six to eight Senate seats -- maybe more.
4). Finally, to achieve long-term progressive realignment, we must shift the fundamental value frame for political and economic debate. We must re-establish the dominance of progressive values in the mainstream political dialogue, as the definition of what is political "common sense."
In my book, Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win, I make the case that while some people think that in order to win we must move to the center, adopt conservative values, and split the difference, history shows they are wrong. We don't need to move to the center. We need to move the center. We need to redefine the political center in American politics.
From 1932 to about 1973 -- at least so far as domestic policy is concerned -- traditional progressive values defined the political and economic center in the United States.
By the mid-1970's that changed, and we've been on the political and ideological defensive ever since. For seventy percent of the years since 1968 we have had Republican presidents. President Clinton made many important progressive initiatives. But even in the Clinton years we were forced to battle the dominant conservative value frame.
To achieve realignment, we have to get out of that defensive crouch. To do that we have to forcefully, proudly, consistently stand up for those progressive values. We have to provide a clear contrast between the Right's belief in the unbridled pursuit of individual interest and our commitment to the common good; between selfishness and commitment to others; between division and unity; between fear and hope. We have to consistently assert that fundamental progressive premise: that we're all in this together -- not all in this alone.
Robert Creamer is a long time political organizer and strategist and author of the recent book: Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win, available on Amazon.com.
