Loeb

THE ISSUES CAMPAIGN:

This campaign by whomever is nominated by the Democrats should be
on issues.

Already established is that state-terror by the US and Israel is unimportant.
Who cares about ARABS??? (Incidentally, I just bought a magnificent CD
by Mavis Staples --formerly of "The Staples Singers"-- dedicated to her
pastor Jeremiah Wright of "my Trinity Church".) For information on
the US, Israel and Palestine see: "The Fateful Triangle" and
the more recent---by a few years---"Perilous Power" together with
Gilbert Aschcar.

Universal healthcare anyone? (I guess we have junked that...)

Immigration reform? ( Perhaps there are insufficient Hispannic
votes in PA...?)

Closing loopholes on the wealthy? (But they are funding these
endless campaigns...)

Ending the War in Iraq and other similar military ventures.???

Remember Willie Horton?? George H.W. Bush's campaign featured
Mr. Horton to scare white voters to Republican sides. It seems
we are repeating that model. MUDSLINGING perfected. posted 04/17/2008 at 16:08:06

Kevin P: "an well-known academician" should be "a well-known academician".
PLEASE !!!

To the point: The market-centered wreckage (aided by mainstream
media propaganda---See: "Necessary Illusions" by Noam Chomsky)
as obscured and obliterated the fact that to obtain the domestic programs
needed by a civilized society and ADEQUATELY FINANCED requires
that the wealthy be taxed. Read: "The Squandering of America"
by Robert Kuttner. Health care (to take one example of many)
is expensive. Kuttner (and others) have put forth many methods
of obtaining needed funds. Most of these are beyond possibility
of enactment and implementation. No one has the guts (I changed
that from alternate verbiage) to oppose financial powers.
Elections depend on billions of dollars. Other developed nations
have imperfect health care programs but they are PAID for.

Americans have been trained to expect everything for nothing.
The wealthy with whom I mix perceive taxes on hedge funds,
equity funds, and other forms of "economic engineering"
as next to treason. Therefore, it is dishonorable .

It is nice to see that Kevin Phillips perceives that SOMETHING
is wrong. Many somethings, in fact. No one has the nerve
to act. Agression against defenseless nations is a good
"sell" (to use a market term). You get glory etc. And you win or
can make it seem (in the US) like victory (it doesn't seem that
way in the nations we demolish). posted 04/16/2008 at 15:25:12

WIN OR CHANGE?

One of the threads which always stalks liberal/progressive efforts is that
in the end liberals always choose WINNING over doing something.
"No,no, no," goes the cry. "If we say that/do that we won't win..."

Liberals used to be for universal health care (to take one
example). But if retreating on your anti-war position(s) seems more
popular, that trumps anything else. To hell with universal care !

And let's take care of the wealthy! After all, in this billion dollar campaign
they are taking care of us, aren't they?? So (says Obama) let's all
get together on CNN.

Let's follow Obama's "mentor", that famous anti-war Senator from
Connecticut, Joe Lieberman. CHANGE !!!

Let's go to war instead. "They" love it". Glory and so forth. From Obama
because he opposed going to war ---seemlessly ---to Obama because
war is a great thing. (Just not in Iraq...) Bomb the hell out of
civilians in Afghanistan. Or Palestine. After all, Obama is an
American, isn't he? (I'm being sardonic, please note!!!)

Let's all vote for WAR, for "change". posted 04/15/2008 at 06:04:03

I was a member of SCLC and marched with Dr. King in 1965. I still cry when I hear a record
of the April 3 sermon in Memphis. April 4 was the most important day in my
young civil rights life (I was a "follower", not a "leader" and I am "pink").

I believe Dr. King whom I met only briefly would have supported Rev.
Jeremiah Wright of Chicago in his criticism of the state terror being
carried on against Palestinians. After all, Dr. King was no stranger
to criticizing his own nation when he felt it warranted (such as at
Riverside Church, NY, a speech against the Vietnam War which
horrified many white liberals...)

Re: Rev. Wright read the article in "The Nation" of April 14,08,
by Alexander Cockburn. For history of the conflict in the Middle
East in greater depth see: l:"The Fateful Triangle" by Noam
Chomsky and 2. "The Perilous Power" by Noam Chomsky and
Gilbert Achcar.

For information on Jewish Voice for Peace: www.jvp.org posted 04/05/2008 at 07:05:05

This is an excellent, insightful piece of work.

I have commented on this above. I know that Dr. King was no stranger
to criticism of his government. I believe that he would abhor the
state terror of Palestinians by the State of Israel backed by
the US.
For info about Jewish Voice for Peace (an organization of about
20,000 Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Other contact:

www.jvp.org

For one of many articles re: Wright and Obama read Alexander
Cockburn in "The Nation", April 14.

For in depth history and analysis read:
l. "The Fateful Triangle" by Noam Chomsky
2."Perilous Power" by Noam Chomsky and Gilbert Achcar

Former member, SCLC (a follower not a leader)
Member: Jewish Voice for Peace posted 04/05/2008 at 07:24:53

This in an insightful analysis which goes beyond the hoorays of
a football field.

No one ever maintained that politics was clean or angelic. I doubt this
is true only for American politics.

When Abraham Lincoln was being considered for his first
Presidential electoral run, the convention was held in Chicago.
As he awaited the results in Springfield,Ill., it was learned that
several trainloads of delegates-to-be were enroute from
New York State which favored another candidate, William
H. Seward. The Lincoln forces in Chicago had enough
fake tickets to the convention hall printed up to fill the hall
and when the New York delegates arrived they found the hall full.
with Lincoln supporters. So much for "democracy".

"The rest is history."

Despite his lack of FORMAL education and, of course, of
experience, Lincoln ---President No. 16--- is considered
to have to be up there with our greatest Presidents.
(Seward became his admiring Secretary of State.)
There is a statue for him and a Federal Holiday on
his birthday.

He was known for off-color stories while a circuit judge
and these would not play well on "You Tube" in the
21st century. He ran as "Honest Abe" of what then
was "the West". posted 04/04/2008 at 07:27:21

I was never for Hillary. She is too "hawkish" and would never take
steps to recognize HAMAS and establish a sovereign,independent
State of Palestine, lift embargoes, stop murder, exploitation, get
The Geneva Conventions enforced (Articles 45,47 prohibit
occupation), push for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle-East.

Neither would Barack Obama. He models himself after his
"mentor" Joe Lieberman of Conn who is doing the Democratic
Party many favors. A holocaust survivor, Lieberman cannot
comprehend the holocaust the State of Israel is itself
running with Jews as the SUPERIOR RACE (not "Aryans").

HOWEVER, I have marveled at the development of Hillary
Rodham Clinton as a campaigner. I have been through some
campaigns in my day and don't expect finalists to bow
out politely.

I think many will find Senator Liberman...excuse me...
Senator Obama much more conservative and more
cautious than he is in their dreams. (a "neoliberal"?)

(See article by Daniel Levy in "The American Prospect"
April 08)

Member, Jewish Voice for Peace, at www.jvp.org, an organization
of Jews, Muslims, Christians, and "Other", currently
20,000 strong. posted 04/01/2008 at 06:48:59

As many have pointed out, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Al Quaeda
are by no means to be equated. Rev. Wright courageously pointed
to extreme racism by the US and our "stalwart allies" The State
of Israel against the people of Palestine. He perceived the
racism, perceived the Israeli/US STATE-TERROR against the
democratically-elected governemnt of Palestine, perceived
massacres, perceived labor exploitation of Palestinians, perceived
the occupation of GAZA, perceived the appropriation of Palestinian
land and water "for Jews only", perceived torture. Rev. Wright
perceived this against international law. Barack Obama wants
to dump all Muslims into one pit, to treat Palestinians like
a subspecies, not really human, not near the equal of those who
read the Torah. That is prejudice and discrimination.(See Ackerman
in this week's "The Nation", or Daniel Levy in "The American Prospect"
of April,08). Senator Obama is following his "mentor", Joe Lieberman
of Connecticut.
Member: Jewish Voice for Peace (Jews,Christians,Muslims,Other
20,000 Members currently posted 04/01/2008 at 06:23:39

We should have either a black Muslim or perhaps even a white one
(who must be a citizen, of course, it says so in the US Constitution)
as President of the United States.

It seems Americans love to hate.It's either immigrants (Hispannics,
others are great it seems). And the mainmedia, the government
and Israel have worked tirelessnessly in making ALL Muslims
into "murderous fantatics". Like slaves in North America,
whites feel entitled to treat Palestinians as they will, as
exploited labor " for Jews only", to appropriate their
water and land, to destroy their homes, to torture them,
to assassinate them and murder them or anyone who associates
with them (families, healthcare givers and the like). And they
are expected to be slaughtered with equanimity.Surrender their
homes and lives to the supposedly supperior Israelis backed by
the US government. Defying the Geneva Conventions (settlements:
in defiance of Articles 45 and 47.)

As a member of JEWS FOR PEACE, we comprise 20,000
people who are Jewish,Muslim, Christian, and "other" (I am
"other"---atheist) who believe that we must negotiate with
HAMAS, the elected government of GAZA, and work toward
a sovereign and independent State of Palestine.
(Contact www.jvp.org).

You are not getting the full story because the
powers that be don't want you to know. posted 03/29/2008 at 06:25:09

J_E.Mugford is driving with blinders on. Those who dare
to question have said some important things and are to
be applauded.

Add: STATE TERROR AGAINST PALESTINIANS BY ISRAEL/US

Rev. Jeremiah Wright touched on this with courage. Join Jews for
Peace, currently a group of 20,000 Jews, Muslims, Christians, and "Other"
at www.jvp.org or contact Communications Director Cecilie Surasky
EMAIL: cecilie@jvp.org or info@jfp.org

Jews for Peace supports negotiations with HAMAS as do others
(eg "The Jewish Dailey Forward"...).

See also a recent article in the April issue by Daniel Levy
in "The American Prospect". Many of us are reaching the
same conclusions. To read:"The Fateful Triangle" by
Noam Chomsky or "Perilous Power" by Noam Chomsky
and Gilbert Achcar (see especially pp. 220-221) posted 04/02/2008 at 16:14:34

To Spoons:

HEALTH CARE: Clinton ("HRC") and Obama (O) are to the right of all who
favor single-payer health care. Not many were for HR 676 either and
most specifically neither were Nancy Pelosi nor Chairman John Dingell
of the Energy and Commerce Committee. All health care legislation MUST
originate in Energy and Commerce ("E & C") as well as pass several
other committees (eg Ways and Means). Most politicians are marketing
"universal coverage" as interchangeable with "UNIVERSAL HEALTH
CARE". Instead, they are marketing versions that guarantee health care
under the control of private profit-making entities and they are laughing
all the way to the bank. They are also supporting the state guarantee
of more business, higher "premiums" and they have given in large
sums to everyone who supports this momentous lie. Where do you
think all those billions came from? Dimes on street corners???

Bills such as "MEDICARE FOR ALL" imply health care by public
entities and TAXES to support it. This is how it works in foreign
lands with variations in taxation structures depending on
the nation. Health care, not health insurance !!!
WAR:
All progressives have modeled the candidates to their liking and
according to their dreams. They will be surprised. McCain is
worse. Neither HRC nor O are "liberals" or "progressives". posted 04/02/2008 at 15:59:15

None of these comments address central points of Rev. Wright's
sermons.

As for me, I am "pink" but I marched with Dr. King in the 60's,
have read about lynching, fugative slaves.

Rev. Wright was talking about the racism by which the US and
Israel victimize Palestinians. That is not long ago. It is
now. Murders, sexual harrassment, robbing Palestinians
of their land and their water, exploiting their labor "for Jews
only", defying the Geneva Conventions Articles 45-47 which
would prohibit occupation.

Of course some in the Jewish community consider themselves
holy. All who oppose their racist and murderous policies
are "anti-Seminitic". And so we in the US know very little.
The own us and we are being manipulated for their ends.

The US not only funds the unlawful settlements but has through
the "special relationship" with the US made Israel into
the fourth most heavily militarized nation in the world.
The US looks the other way when Palestinians are starved,
put under embargo. When children playing in a field
are killed.

Rev. Wright did NOT look the other way. Barack Obama favored
"our stallwart allied [Israelis]" as against "Muslim fanatics".

There aren't many Palestinian votes. Or donors.

Not everyone agrees with this cruel racism. In "Jews for
Peace" there are over 20,000 of us who passionately
disagree. I am one of the "NON-JEWISH" members.
Christians, Muslims, and "Other" are included. I am
an "other". posted 03/27/2008 at 15:03:05

Rev. Jeremiah Wright spoke as a man with moral courage. The Prophet
Jeremiah felt morally obliged to criticize his country and he paid
for it dearly.

The hard-line supporters of Israel (backed by the US) don't want you
to know:

about the Israeli seiges
Israeli starvation of Palestinians
exploitation of labor of Palestinians
torture of Palestinians
murder of Palestinians
commanding Palestinian men to lay down and take their
clothes off to perform sexual acts for Israelis
aout the defiance of the Geneva Conventions
Articles 45 and 47 by the settlers
about the opposition by Israel to a sovereign,
self-determinating and independent State of
Palestine recognized b y Israelis and the US
lifting of all embargoes and seiges

And more.

Rev. Wright spoke truth to power.

Member: Jewish Voices for Peace posted 03/26/2008 at 16:26:09

This is an excellent contribution by Arianna H. I am glad that the H. Post
continues to monitor since there are two issues involved.

l) There is still quite a bit of hate speech in "comments". I have
myself wondered if my own contributions should be MORE
hateful, not LESS. Perhaps, I have thougt to myself, I have
been bering much too wimpy. Instead, I have stayed with
the modes of expression taught me as I simmered up.
Less than magnificent "Churchillian" prose, but...less
than mud-slinging name-calling.

2) Many "comments" could not conceivably be judged on
any legalistic basis (free speech, free expression etc.).
Often, however, they are totally meaningless
and contribute nothing at all to any informed decision.
I often just think to myself: "Those folks belong on a football
field instead..." But there is nothing Huffington Post can do.
These useless tidbits harm not the "right" of expression
or "speech". They make for hundreds of contributions
which end up being so utterly dull that many of us give
up reading altogether. "I'm sorry" we say to ourselves,
"I don't have time for hundreds of absurd answers from
Huffington Post today." That is too bad for all those
who really have something to add to public
debate. posted 03/22/2008 at 06:58:22