To the Editor:

The author of this article imagines that if Jews stop supporting AIPEC that AIPEC will lose its power. The truth is, however, that AIPEC and the Israeli Right have looked for, and have found new, more loyal, powerful and numerous supporters among the Christian Relgious Right. The future of a reckless pro-Israeli foreign policy such as that of the current Bush is not with the backing of Jewish supporters but rather with the backing of the Christian Right. Many right-wing Israeli politicians do not even bother to meet with Jewish organizations when they visit the United States. Rather they now meet with those who represent the real power, financial backing for their cause, and political support now: the leaders of the Christian Right. The point being that it is no longer "The Jews" who support Israel in this country but rather "The Christians" of the Religious and Apocalyptic Right.

This article is correct in pointing out that there is some sort of debate within Israel about what sort of policies should be pursued, but it is entirely inaccurate to imagine that public opinion in Israel leans in any direction but Right. Perhaps 5% of the population reads the liberal newspaper HaAretz and even among that group, a smaller percentage actually shares its liberal views. It is easy to forget when speaking with Israeli liberals, who still represent the "good Israel" of the imagined past, that the general tenor of the political discussion in Israel is Right-wing and that tenor even exists among those who favor a two-state solution. The terms of the mainstream discussion there is never about justice or fairness, it is about what one is willing to give to "The Arabs."

Finally, even if Israel and the United States would adapt policies closer to the Arab positions, there is no guarantee that a true and lasting peace could be achieved. As the experience of Peace negosiations during the Oslo process have proven, it is not at all certain that the Arab side could ever truly sign off on a peace agreement which would truly end the violence against Israeli civillians and thus end Israeli violence against innocent Arab civilians. At best a more conciliary approach would reduce tensions, but will it, for sure, bring real Peace to the region?, Perhaps.

Sincerely yours,

Arthur C. Hurwitz

Dear Salon:

Part of the structural discourse about U.S. politics involves blaming the notion of "professional politicians" whos "play politics" and "take pork" from the government. We tend to forget that politicians are elected and even the most corrupt politician is some how accountable in the end. Part of this discourse suggests that "term limits" be instituted against elected officials to prevent them from accumulating too much power and to prevent them from becoming too professional.

But the true scorn and contempt should be directed not at the politicians themselves, but rather at the mainstream media which enables the most corrupt of them to survive and prosper by giving them a discourse which is amiacable to the political propaganda of the most corrupt of them. A politics based on image, which treats the entire electoral and election process as if it was merely a game rather than a process which has real implications in the real world. Who elected them? To whom are they accountable? Haven't they been on TV for too many years? Who limits their power?

Sincerely yours,

Arthur C. Hurwitz

Dear Editor:

It is interesting to me how,suddenly, when cast as a "National Security" issue, Global Warming will be taken seriously in our country's political culture. Whereas before, Global Warming was a threat to humanity and a threat to human civilization as it exists on the planet now, now it is a threat to our "National Security" which means that it can now become a "mainstream" issue.

In our country's political culture, the fate of humanity, human lives or human civilization is not deemed important but threats to the nation's "security" are.

Earth being in the balance is unimportant but if it threatens us and our country, and is cast in military terms, it suddenly can become a important issue.

Sincerely yours,

Arthur C. Hurwitz