Informed Comment

Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion

Juan Cole is President of the Global Americana Institute

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Save the Congresspersons, Save the World

Regarding the Congressional resolution on Gaza, The breakdown of the vote is here. (h/t Antiwar.com. You may be looking at an endangered species list.
Cont'd . . .

Actually, although the vote appeared overwhelmingly to favor Israel, it may be only because the resolution was not worded in that way. The representatives were only asked to say that Israel has "a right to defend itself," the the US supports Israel, and that they back the peace process. Hell, I could sign that if it were a statement made with no context (i.e. in a situation where I did not know that 'right to defend itself' is a euphemism for 'right to massacre Gazan children').

Still 5 representatives read it exactly that way and said 'no,' and 22 voted 'present' as a way of abstaining. These American politicians risk being targeted and unseated in 2010 by the israel lobbies. Could somebody please do up a page with their names and hotlinks to pages where donations can be made to their campaign funds? It is no good applauding their courage if we just stand by and let them be unseated by money coming from outside their states on behalf of a foreign power. If you don't give some of these campaigns at least some money, you have no right to belly-ache about US policy toward the Middle East. Here is the info:

BILL TITLE: Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process

Answered "No":

Kucinich

Moore (WI)

Paul

Rahall

Waters

---- ANSWERED “PRESENT” 22 ---

Abercrombie

Blumenauer

DeFazio

Dingell

Edwards (MD)

Ellison

Farr

Grijalva

Hinchey

Johnson (GA)

Kilpatrick (MI)

Lee (CA)

McCollum

McDermott

Miller, George

Moran (VA)

Olver

Payne

Sanchez, Loretta

Stark

Watson

Woolsey


5 Comments:

At 9:56 AM, Blogger David said...

Once again the Middle East has exploded into violence, and US taxpayers are paying for the bombs. The US government squanders hundreds of billions of dollars each year on militaristic policies that are not making anyone safer. True security comes from living peacefully, within the Earth's limits, and ensuring that everyone's basic needs are met.
Sign the petition for a Secure Green Future from GreenChange.org. We're telling President Obama to cut military spending at least 70% and invest the money saved in education, health care, preventing home foreclosures and developing green energy. http://tinyurl.com/7hywk3

 
At 10:29 AM, Anonymous David B. said...

Hi Juan,

I'll get to work on a page of links to these Congresspeople, and let you know when it's available.

Peace Lobby 2.0!

 
At 6:11 PM, Blogger Gary said...

If I were in Congress I'd have preferred to vote Present-but-wish-I-weren't in this mess, but I'm proud of my congressperson Jim McDermott (D-Seattle) for voting Present, and I think AIPAC will have to raise big bucks to shake him in 2010.

 
At 6:14 PM, Blogger Will Shetterly said...

David B., what are you working on? I'm starting up Pax Pac. If people would like to use that as a place to plan, it's open for visitors, though you'll have to bring your own beverage just now, I'm afraid.

 
At 6:20 PM, Blogger SteveMacIntyre said...

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH (NOT MUCH I SUPPOSE), ON THE DAY OF THE VOTE, I SENT THIS NOTE, USING MY NEVADA ADDRESS, TO MAJORITY LEADER REID:

"IT IS DISGRACEFUL AND ASTONISHING THAT YOU WOULD LEAD THE SENATE TO ENDORSE ISRAEL'S CRIMINAL SLAUGHTER OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS MORALLY REPUGNANT AND GEOPOLITICALLY IDIOTIC.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON? WHERE ARE YOUR MORAL BEARINGS? WHY ARE YOU BEREFT OF GOOD SENSE?"

 

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