For AIPAC, congressional trips are effective way to boost Israel

[Herschel]

http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?strwebhead=AIPAC+ups+congressional+Israel+trips&intcategoryid=3

"The next time Rep. Jim Langevin goes into the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on a matter concerning Israel, no background briefing will be as valuable as what he experienced earlier this month.
Visiting Israeli towns that border the West Bank, the second-term Democrat from Rhode Island said he saw for himself how the controversial security fence Israel is building will prevent suicide bombers and other terrorists from entering Israel, making the country safer.

The trip gave him a new appreciation of Israel’s commitment to putting security first and foremost, he said.

“It gave me a better understanding of why things like the fence are necessary — and a rational response to the terrorist threats Israel faces,” Langevin told JTA.

Even without the visit, he probably would have voted for pro-Israel measures, Langevin said, but now he is more sympathetic to Israel’s plight.

“I will forever feel a closeness to Israel, having been there and seen the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

That’s just what the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the main pro-Israel lobby in Washington, likes to hear.

Through its affiliate organization, the American Israel Education Foundation, AIPAC sent Langevin and 28 other congressional Democrats on a one-week trip to Israel earlier this month, the largest congressional contingent ever to visit the Jewish state."

Wonderful to see the friendship flourish! This is fine work by AIPAC.

[Wwagsthedog]

1. This is Fine Work by the PNAC.

n/t

[jos]

2. Shameful McCarthyism

These folks have to kiss AIPAC's ass or be on their hit list.

[vierundzwanzig]

3. A heinous

self-endorsement of AIPAC. I can just picture the ghoulish grin on their faces when they penned this.

'Once again we managed to screw the American people out of a responsible vote'.

Pat on the back. Good job. Now go become head campaign advisor for Howard Dean.

Abominable.

[Muddleoftheroad]

4. As a point

Can you show me political lobbying groups that DON'T try to convince legislators by meals and trips? Or, at least, can you show me any that succeed?

[Jim Sagle]

5. It's only OK if you're not Jewish.

[ex_jew]

6. I'd like YOU to name representatives of another COUNTRY who

are 1 tenth as successful at getting their "message" across. We're not talking about tobacco farmers, trial lawyers, firearm dealers or big drug companies. For all their faults, those folks are at least Americans. It seems to me that no other country has anything close to the pull which Israel does in Washington, and it's clear to me that standing tall for Israel is going to be a very, VERY expensive proposition.

[cantwealljustgetalong]

7. too easy...

Prince Bandhar...

[ex_jew]

8. But Bandhar has that oil...

If you have something we want, it's not just "pull". Israel has NOTHING we want, yet there is apparently no limit to our willingness to intercede in its behalf.

[cantwealljustgetalong]

9. but we shouldn't want his oil...

we should want alternative energy and we should want gas guzzling suv's turned into scrap metal...

therefore "somebody" is "pulling" us the WRONG way...and it ain't Israel (which does have things that at least some of us want, that i will leave unmentioned in this forum)...