Mary MacElveen: Does AIPAC unduly influence the United States Congress?

[babylonsister]

http://www.marymacelveen.com/blog/_archives/2007/3/13/2801282.html

Does AIPAC unduly influence the United States Congress?

By Mary MacElveen

March 13, 2007



In reading this piece, AIPAC conference opens to controversy starting with John Hagee the quote that I zeroed in on was one made by Senator Barack Obama who is a Democratic presidential candidate when he said, “We should take no option, including military action, off the table, and show strong support for Israel’s actions in last summer’s war against Hezbollah,” The option he speaks of is a possible attack upon Iran by the United States. I would like to ask Senator Obama is any attack on Iran by the United States in our best interest or Israel’s?

When Israel pummeled Lebanon last summer, as an American, I did not support those actions. In fact, I angrily blasted our government for funding Israel’s fighter jets to the tune of $280 million dollars. That money I felt could have been better spent here at home. I would say that money could have been used for our soldiers at Walter Reed while they were living and suffering in such squalor. As this story has broken wide open for all to witness that is where our tax money should have been going. But, then again, many have known of these abuses that our soldiers have been facing for years.

When I read, “AIPAC will again put a heavy emphasis on efforts to prevent Iran from going nuclear and on expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation to meet the weapons of mass destruction threat, “especially from Iran.” All I will say is that Israel should speak when they own a large arsenal of nuclear weapons. Seeing how they pummeled Lebanon last summer one must ask; who is the bigger threat?

In a previous piece written for my blog titled, Note to Prime Minister Olmert: We already knew that Israel had a nuclear stockpile, I wrote:“It is no secret and has not been for years as to how many nuclear warheads Israel presently owns as one reads Israel has now over 400 nuclear warheads. The cat has already been let out of the bag as one reads, “According to retired US Army Colonel Warner D. Farr, M.D., Israel is the fifth largest nuclear superpower in the world. By 1967, Israel already had 15 atomic bombs in its arsenal. In 1976, their nuclear arsenal grew to 15 to 20 nukes, and by 1980 jumped to 200. According to Farr, in 1997, Israel now has over 400 nuclear and hydrogen weapons.” Why is there no talk of their nuclear capability as we speak of weapons of mass destruction in that region? No, we invaded a country that did not have any and look at the price we have paid as a country.

Now here we stand years later worried about Iran when Israel has shown the propensity to attack another country namely Lebanon? They have also applied pressure on Palestine and have attacked the Palestinian people as well. In fact, last year they blew up a power plant in Palestine and we the tax payers of the United States gave Israel $48 million dollars to repair that power station.

While some may blast me for even writing this article as Palestine has used suicide bombers who President Bush labeled “homicide bombers” But that is a blow-back affect. No, I am not excusing such violence, but the world grows weary of this endless violence.

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[Demeter]

1. Frankly, ANY Influence Is Too Much

Foreign nationals and nations should not influence US policy with money and favors and political domestic pressure.

[Tom Joad]

7. Any influence FOR war, from any group... is too much.

any group that lobbies against basic human rights for others... is too much

[aquart]

2. Wow. According to DU, there isn't one other influence on our Congress.

Constituents don't have a say. Rich guys don't have a say. Corporations don't have a say. Only Israel.

Gosh, for a teeny tiny nation smaller than New Jersey, and dependent on us for aid, that's one whole hell of a lot of influence.

Oh, and suicide bombers are a "blowback effect"? And the writer does excuse it to focus solely on Israel.

Gosh-a-rooney. Let's all remember that being anti-Zionist (wanting Israel not to exist) is NOT being anti-semitic. Of course not. Not a bit. Suicide bombers...well, they were upset.)

[rockymountaindem]

3. Yeah. Where's the outrage against the Cuban-Americans for their influence on our Cuba policy?

More to the point, when's the last time anybody around here mentioned that snake Chalabi? I'd wager he had ten times more to do with this war than Israel.

[Mojorabbit]

4. But they are the one's pushing us to more war

and it is not in our best interests. I don't like any country having influence over our government's policies.

[Tom Joad]

6. Comparing apples and roller blades.

Just because aipac has little say in for example... health policy, does not mean it does not have say in issues regarding foreign policy on the Middle East... its specialty.

and yes, despite its plea for the US to stay in Iraq... the people are going to win that one. Despite aipac's desire to bomb Iran, i think the people are going to win there too, and stop the aipac insane push for war.

aipac did lose a hero when bolton was forced from office -- it is not omnipotent, after all.

But yes, as progressives most of us believe it has more influence than it should, just as we reject the poisonous influence of christian fundamentalists (a group aipac is courtin')

[classysassy]

5. Facts

Just the facts,let them speak for themselves.

[Lithos]

8. Locking per I/P guidelines - vanity site.

A note on sources:
Please use discretion when referencing obviously biased or factually questionable material. Vanity websites are generally not as credible as the New York Times, the Washington Post or the UK Guardian and are likely to be locked. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself is the author readily identifiable and likely to be cited by the mainline world press or encountered in an alternate format (mass-published book, academic journal, newspaper article, radio or TV show).

Lithos
DU Moderator