Cynthia McKinney: Boat Attacked By Israeli Forces

Ha'aretz reports that a boat carrying aid to Gaza clashed with Israel's navy. The activists on board the boat say they were shot at; an Israeli spokesman denies this account.

An Israel Navy ship clashed on Tuesday with a small boat carrying international activists with aid destined for Gaza, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

There were no reported casualties from the incident involving the small cabin cruiser "Dignity" that sailed from Cyprus late on Monday.

One of the boat's passengers was former congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney.

The 66-foot yacht Dignity, flying the flag of Gibraltar, left Larnaca Monday with almost 4 tons of Cypriot-donated supplies and 16 passengers, including former US Representative Cynthia McKinney, Cypriot lawmaker Eleni Theocharous and activists from Britain, Australia, Ireland and Tunisia, organizers said.

"Our boat was rammed three times, twice in the front and one on the side," McKinney told CNN Tuesday morning. "Our mission was a peaceful mission. Our mission was thwarted by the aggressiveness of the Israeli military."

Comments

[diggg]

This is the same woman who hit a Capitol Policeman because he didn't recognize her... she has discredited herself so many times. Cue eye roll.

[papapj]

"Cue eye roll"

...Drunk again?

I mean, are we to disqualify all of her actions because of that incident?

[Cheesemelt]

No, but her record speaks for itself.

She lost in '02 to an unknown in the Democratic primary by a voting spread of 42% to 58%.

That you're evidently unaware of her larger record is no reason to accuse anyone else of being drunk. Cynthia McKinney was soundly rejected by her own party. That alone serves as abundant testimony to her incompetence and public record.

Frankly. I think she's a few fries short of a Happy Meal, but that's not argumentum ad hominem as the facts support this analogy on multiple levels.

[diggg]

You mean the way you attempt to discredit my comment by insinuating that I am drinking? You've done yourself proud.

[diggg]

By the way- that's an argumentum ad hominem in case they don't teach that at Columbia any longer. You may want to file it away for further refrence.

[protagonia]

You do not consider Cynthia McKinney to be fit for the job.

Who then IS qualified, in your opinion?

[rwellsrwells]

I heard Ms. McKinney speak about a month ago, and was quite taken by what she had to say, until she got to the great "East Coast/West Coast Gangster Rap Conspiracy­." She claims the thuggery between rival rapsters was a conspiracy perpetrated by the Feds. Now, I have heard stranger things, and strange things often prove to be true, but my "oh, oh, possible screw loose," radar pinged and got me to wondering. Regardless, should Cynthia McKinney be delivering humanitarian aid in a cabin cruiser; should young women be standing in front of bulldozers? Well, the acts may be courageous, they may be plain foolish - it's a thin line. The better question may be: what good do they do? Sad to say, very little - blips in the news cycle that may get extended by other well-meaning people, but blips none the less.

[rudiy]

If she were a real humanitarian I would be more convinced of her motives. However both she and her father are unrepentative anti Semites. Read her history. The ship was flying a flag of Gibraltar and no humanitarian agency markings.
In the middle of a battle they claim to be bringing aid and they believe the Israel's should have known that. Although I think Israel may have not been completely open to how this event occurred, McKinney's view is no better.
I love the writers that believe because of her actions here and not all her previous off the wall antics and comments she should be the President. Scary that these people can vote.

[jotunloki]

You are aware that Arabs are Semitic people, are you not?

[clevelandchick]

No, of course he/she doesn't.

[Cheesemelt]

Anti-semitism is defined as is prejudice against or hostility toward Jews as a group.

While the term's etymology might suggest that antisemitism is directed against all Semitic peoples, since its creation it has been used *exclusively* to refer to hostility towards Jews.

Do you not have a dictionary anywhere in your home, school or office?

Assuming you do, please go look up the word antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) and feel free to report back what you learn.

That ends this lesson in word definitions.

[clevelandchick]

Yes, I forgot. If you criticize Israel in any way shape or form that makes you an anti-semite. They are the worlds' only perfect country that has never ever done anything wrong ever.

[janeinmia]

What does "unrepentative" mean?

I think it means you are uneducated and your opinions are poorly informed.

[Cheesemelt]

It would be a logical fallacy to assume the previous respondent is "uneducated" based upon his/her misspelling of a word.

Spelling flame wars are never productive and on the Internet, where English may not be a first language, they say more about the flamer than the flamee.

If you disagree with a posted opinion, disagree with the substantive content and not the spelling, grammar or anything else ancillary to the central argument.

[rigormrtis]

Cynthia McKinney is a highly skilled manipulater. No doubt, her presence on that ship was for her own ego and will somehow be marketed by her down the road when she tries to run for office again.

[clevelandchick]

McKinney's been speaking out on the plight of Palestinians for years which has earned her many political enemies. This may have been a stunt but Israel was still wrong. No getting around that.

[rigormrtis]

Which in no way means that she was doing anything other than grandstanding. She'll take any issue she can to get in front of a camera.

As for whether Israel or right or wrong, that's an argument that exists regardless of whether Cynthia McKinney is there are not.

[wml209]

FYI,
There was also a CNN correspondent on board this ship. Live on the tele this morning, I heard him say the Israeli Navy followed them for half an hour then "deliberately rammed" this boat. There was no previous warning...

Bringing humanitarian supplies to Gaza was the mission, plain & simple!!

[Bitsko]

Not to defend the government's actions, but Ms. McKinney doesn't mention any shots being fired.

[Prattvictory2]

And your point is?

[Lemmy]

Attention - it's all she wants. Look at me! I'm on a yacht!

[leftoflennon]

Israel's true colours are being revealed to the american public en masse

[SantaFeScribe]

As far as I'm concerned, this is Cynthia McKinney Day. Attempting to bring medical supplies to injured Palestinians under extremely dangerous circumstances -- doing the right thing (and not pre-election!)-- is more than commendable; she'a a true American patriot.
Please remember that Israel has blockaded fuel, food, medical supplies, to Gaza for months -- and then attacked them in an imposed open-air prison.
Sound familar? This is exactly the weakened state we (the USj) inflicted on Iraq before invading them for non-existent WMD with a teevee special: shock and awe.. Remember the 10-year sanctions on medical supplies, etc., and 1/2 million Iraqi children's deaths?
We're complicit -- and so are our leaders -- if we remain silent in the face of a well-exposed holocaust by the victims of the same WWII war crime.
How many Palestinian bodies does it take to elect a Zionist politician?
Thank you.

[papapj]

Hear, hear....

[Cheesemelt]

This is the same woman who declared that that the USA had advance knowledge of the attacks and that President George W. Bush may have been aware of the incipient attack but failed to warn New Yorkers. This about 9-11.

""It is known that President Bush's father, through the Carlyle Group, had–at the time of the attacks–joint business interests with the bin Laden construction company and many defense industry holdings, the stocks of which have soared since September 11."

She has long oppposed ANY aid to Israel, and her father lives in infamy with this quote:

"Jews have bought everybody ... J-E-W-S."

Cynthia has been also labeled an anti-semite by numerous organizations, and given her history, it's a label she cannot shake. It's partially why she was beaten so handily in the 2002 Democratic primary.

I'm glad you think she's a patriot. Personally, I find that appellation absurdist, but one should never let stubborn things like facts and history get in the way of one's judgement.

[MNmommy]

Hmm, ever heard about a certain PDB titled "Bin Laden determined to strike in US"?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/10/august6.memo/

[any67ways]

what her father says is absolutely not relevant to this discussion

the days are near over where you can stifle discussions by using the word 'anti-Semite'

People in the US are starting to see through this scam. Name one of these organizations that have said this and I'll bet they have also labeled Jimmy Carter the same for simply using the word 'apartheid'.

[FranklinS]

It's truly amazing that many of these posters have no basis for their powerful beliefs. My suggestion is, attempt to educate yourselves. Cynthia McKinney is a true American hero. Re-read this:

ThePharoah­sApprentic­e Posted 01:15 PM on 12/30/2008

McKinney is one of my she-roes. Her level of courage - past and present - is a lesson 99%of all people (esp. politicians) should be required to take a formal class in. In a time when so many of these cowards measure every sentence and employ speech writers and strategist to craft every line, she's a beacon of straightforwardness that shines blindingly on these cockroaches who would rather run and hide when the light comes on.

These sissies are so politically correct that they can't even bring their cajonies out in public, yet they stand before the world as if they already own it. McKinney got in trouble for what she said about Bush and Cheney and the war in Iraq, lost her seat, but she was dead on AND had the chutzpah to say. Same goes for the what she said about the twin towers - when nearly everyone else was cowering behind their fake patriotism. If you really love this country and this world, be adult enough to admit what's wrong with it and then move on fixing it. Speak the truth, no matter who it offends.

She's a beautiful human being and her political courage is second to none. Obama's...­overly measured responses make me ashamed sometimes.

Go Cynthia!!!

[smag]

Yes, yes mckinney go........­..........

[PoliticalAnimal]

If the Israelis start attacking U.S. Congresswomen, they are setting themselves up as the enemy of all patriot Americans.

LEAVE OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ALONE!

[quiviran]

um, she's actually a private citizen at this point, except for the pension we'll all be paying her later on. EX-congress persons are a dime-a-dozen, again, except for the pension. Then they're worth about three or four median household incomes.

[christopherflynn]

Why don't we just sell Texas and Alaska to Israel so they can establish their homeland and just get on with our .peaceful' lives???

[MovingtoNorway]

Great idea. How about Florida? Then we can just call it a day and let the Palestinians have their land back and we can get unencumbered by the Middle East once and for all.

[AntiSocialite]

Unacceptable, if the United States operated under Israel's "evenhanded," self defense policies we might be forming up right now to mount a ground offensive into Tel Aviv while simultaneously bombing "military," targets. When will our apologist government stop allowing this kind of blatant misuse of power by Israel?

Peace

[DallasFrankie]

If this was any other Middle Eastern Nation, this would be an act of war. Dream on.

[Mary50]

Now there's the one who should have been elected president this year.

[hopeless277]

Sorry, Cindy, you have no credibility against our trusted and benevolent friend Israel.

[11907281]

Has that spy ring trial gone to court yet?

[ICUrTrueColors]

Do you realize how silly that sounds?

[Manchurian]

I'm guessing that was meant to be sarcasm, not silliness.

[me again]

She was a laughing stock in the Congress, now this? McKinney needs to learn to mind her own business.

[davidly]

What she was in the US Congress is not germane to this issue. Just what is one's own business? Is providing humanitarian aid out of line? I suppose they were trying to smuggle Hamas weapons.

[rigormrtis]

Because she's trying to get back there. Running for President with the Green Party? Yeah, a real enviro activist she's been her whole life.

She ran again for Congress too and lost.

Publicity stunt for her. This woman is an incredible manipulator.

[Catfish1968]

This is her business!

[Lemmy]

Good point - she sure doesn't have a job.

[Manchurian]

So, you're saying it's no one's business to provide medical relief supplies to the people of Gaza?