Letters to the Editor
AnaHadWolves
Published Letters: 477 Editor's Choice: 26
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ISRAEL IS NOT NECESSARILY OUR BEST FRIEND
[Read the article: Rethinking Israel's David-and-Goliath past]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]To hear that Israel's Six-Day War may have been a war of choice rather than necessity doesn't surprise me a bit; they have a long history of dissembling when it comes to dealing with the United States.
In 1967, Israel attacked, without provocation and with full knowledge, the USS Liberty in the Mediteranean. Many of our sailors were killed and Israel claimed ignorance that it was an American military vessel that they attacked. Intercepted radio traffic from the Israeli jets, boats and combat-command show that the Israelis lied. They even have a commemorative display in their "Pentagon" that applauds that scurrilous sneak-attack.
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli-oriented US employee, spied on the US at Israel's behest. He is jailed here on espionage charges, but, Israel continues to whine that he should be released. No apology from them at all has been forthcoming.
Israel's constant complaint is that Palestinian "terrorists" target innocent Israeli civilians to further their cause. In 1948, future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing innocent British men, women and children. No apologies or admissions of culpability have ever been issued by Israel. Ever. Not ever.
Have you seen the rather interesting video of the six or seven young Israeli men, dancing and laughing atop their car, as they watched the 9/11 attacks from just across the river in New Jersey? Several of them have Israeli military backgrounds. Found in Israel, they were less than eager to provide details about how they happened to be where they were to have such a ring-side seat for the attacks, why they were laughing and dancing atop the car or why they were even here in the first place. As Desi Arnaz might say..."they got some 'splainin' to do." Of course, by my QUESTIONING Israel's actions and motives, you can expect at least one of their apologists to trot out the tired "anti-Semitic" drivel.
However, America does need to re-examine the relationship we have with Israel. We are not their client state and we do suffer the consequences of their actions. Be especially mindful over the next few months how Israel tries to convince the US to attack Iran over the nuclear situation since an Israeli attack alone on Iran would have terrible consequences for them.
Once again, the Israeli lobby in America puts the needs of Israel over the best interests of the United States in the Middle East. Israel is a friend, no doubt. However, even friends need to be told "no" when it is NOT in our best interests long-term.
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STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE; SUBSTANCE OVER STYLE
[Read the article: The Democratic Don Quixote]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Poor Bill Richardson. He seems to please no one or hardly anyone at all. He gets less respect than the iconic Rodney Dangerfield. Most pundits seem to enjoy seeing Mr. Richardson in a "gotcha" moment, a faux pas here and a stumble there. And, that's a shame; he deserves much more. I fault both the media at large and the Governor himself for the virtual dearth of positive press.
The press, who seem more fixated on and entranced at the latest Paris Hilton non-news event, are hell-bent on "exposing" Mr. Richardson's grammatical errata or his occasional venture into darkest non-sequituria. (Note: America elected George Bush...who can barely utter a simple declarative sentence without crib notes on the podium.)
For his part, Mr. Richardson's own political ads seem to treat him as some sort of "Everyman". That's nice if you're auditioning to be the new Maytag Repairman, but, not for the Presidency. If he can't take himself seriously, why should we?
Blame, like manure, needs to be spread evenly to be believed. And, in politics, there's a substantial supply of manure with which to work.
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Scooter, Meet Reality & Your New Cellmate "Bubba"
[Read the article: The Libby lobby's pardon campaign]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The ease with which the NeoCon clique and coterie claim victimhood on behalf of Scooter Libby speaks volumes about their detachment from reality. It also shows their complete disconnect from the spirit and rule of law. In their eyes, poor Scooter is the victim of an over-zealous prosecutor, probably inspired by his liberal/left-wing handlers. Never mind that the only people who believe this tripe are the hardest of hard-core NeoCons...the true KoolAid drinkers.
Truth be told, Dick Cheney should be standing in the prisoner's dock where Scooter finds himself now. However, since Mr. Cheney has neither the class nor character to admit his hand in the Plame imbroglio, Scooter will now face his new cell-mate, "Bubba", in his stead.
You'd think that Mr. Cheney would at least offer Scooter a reach-around since he is, metaphorically, screwing him.
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The Certainty Of Hubris
[Read the article: Better to be Hamlet than President George]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]George W. Bush is the most visible of the current crop of hubris-driven politicians of "certainty"; the rest of them follow in only a slightly-lesser order.
Mitt Romney's current crop of television ads show him as a pompous, bloviated windbag with the warmth of a reptile. He talks right past the viewers...in the ads and in person. Mitt's "certainty" is that he lacks empathy, is "certain" that his 180 on gay rights and abortion will be missed by the Republican base and that he has inherited the Reagan mantle.
John McCain's "certainty" is that blind fealty to George W. Bush's fatuous foray into Iraq will be seen as rectitude or strength by the Republican base. To paraphrase Civil War Admiral David Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay, McCain's campaign slogan should be "Damn the truth; full-speed ahead!"
Rudy Giuliani's incessant squeal that HE was the difference between the total breakdown of Western Civilization and his leadership as St. Rudy of Manhattan during the events of 9/11 is "certainly" self-serving at best and disingenuous at worst. He was simply a by-stander...much like the other several million people in Manhattan that day.
One can be self-assured without being arrogant, inspired rather than simply perspired and a leader who manages by consensus and consultation rather than "certainty".
The only thing Bush and his erstwhile syncophants share is the "certainty" of hubris.