Posted on 08/08/2002 5:25:40 AM PDT by SJackson
I just attended an informative lecture on the state of current affairs among the Untied States, Israel, and the Palestinian people. A representative from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Bruce Barrett, took the time to come and share his insight with a dismally small group of American, mainly secular, Jews. The presentation of information was excellent. The outcome was disastrous. The liberal Jewish audience attempted to pick apart the AIPAC representative. Mr. Barrett was able to dodge the barbs and semantic traps set for him, but I still couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
This lecture took place in an exclusive, affluent vacation and resort area of the United States - Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The attendees were from all over the country - and all quite wealthy. One would have inferred that this was a representative sample of the highest economic echelon of American Jewry.
Aside from the several hundred million Arabs who would like to see the destruction of the state of Israel (and Jews everywhere), the greatest force working against Israel is liberal secular Jews who wish to follow the Clintonesque path of appeasement – a path that led to the current sad state of affairs. The majority of the group attending the lecture was mainly concerned with Israel exasperating the situation by occupation and expansion of settlements in the West Bank. The attendees subscribed to the short-sighted vision that a lasting peace could be attained if Israel withdrew from the occupied territories. Even if the rest of those in attendance disagreed with the ones raising objections to Israeli policy, they kept silent. And silence is agreement.
Even more alarming was the vigor with which those Jews, again, overwhelmingly upper middle class, attacked the conservative stance that was presented by AIPAC. How could this happen? Mr. Barrett clearly spoke of the resurgence of Anti-Semitism in Europe and even on university campuses in the United States, but the group sat unmoved as they questioned what they saw as antagonistic Israeli policies. Who would have thought that American Jews would be such a strong voice of anti-Zionism? Participants sat stone-faced as the AIPAC representative provided vast amounts of information showing that Yassir Arafat has never bargained for peace; information that would lead the average person to conclude that Arabs have one goal - pushing Israel into the sea. He was met with scoffing, even hostility. Some Jews debated the fact that there is an anti-Israel slant in the media, something even CNN has admitted to (and deftly repurchased allegiance with a quick executive trip to Israel).
As far as the media is concerned, we all know that the overwhelming majority of Americans get their news from the mainstream sources. How is it that American Christians are able to see the bias against Israel and act somewhat in a unified manner, while American Jews uphold the criticisms of Israel fronted by Media, Inc.? With only a few exceptions have Jews stood up and cited outright bias in favor of the Islamists. It is this division that gives the Arabs a foothold in the emerging trend, in the tradition of Neville Chamberlain, of appeasement.
The united Jewish voice that was once a plumb line for American policy in the Middle East is now a fractured shadow of what it was just ten years ago. I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Is this group representative of Jews across America?” I sadly concluded that the balance of American Jewry has so distanced itself from the struggles of World War II and the ensuing trials associated with the creation of the state of Israel that they no longer even view Jews in Israel as brothers and sisters. For thousands of years, struggles for the faith have been an essential part of Judaism; persecution has been so much more prominent than times of (relative) freedom that a few decades of religious tolerance have left the American Jewish psyche in a vacuum. For some, that has fostered a materialistic, short-sighted worldview.
It is a sad day when after centuries of struggling for a homeland, Jews on the front lines are abandoned by those living comfortably in safety thousands of miles away. The propaganda machine of anti-Semitism, now rampant in the media, has spun its web of deception even among American Jews, upon whom - second only to G-d - Israel desperately needs to depend. As the state of Israel stands alone on the world stage, it looks like American Christians will be the ones to stand up - along with a minority of Jews.
More than that. In America today, a Leftist, non-religious Jew cannot be both pro-Israel and pro-Left. The positions are incompatible
Why would a Leftist jew be pro-Israel?
Pray for GW and the Truth
You can start counting when Sharon surrenders the territories and the de facto and de jure onus is on Arafat and his thugs.
Until then every Jew killed is excused by the Arabs because Israel has not returned the settlements.
Will the Arabs embrace Israel if and when Sharon actually gives up the territories? Of course not; none of us should accuse the other of putting our head in the sand. But let's face it, Sharon's (Netanyahu's) way has not "solved" the killings so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from the half dozen European countries shich will stop blaming Israel for the impasse.
You are incredibly wrong if you think anyone, Jew or Gentile, hasn't figured out that dealing with Arafat is best left to crooked lawyers like Clinton.
My point is simple. Give them some more rope and let them hang themselves.
Yeah, that's what Chaim Rumkowski told the folks in the Lodz ghetto. That they should just quietly get on the trains and go for a nice vacation at a seaside resort.
Einstein left in '33. Most stayed until the end - despite repeated warnings. They just couldn't face the losses and hardship that accompanied emigration.
I thought this article was going to provide an intelligent segue into the subject that is really transforming Free Republic---the struggle to define whose Civilizations are clashing in this latest round of The Clash of Civilizations; also, the attendent struggle to understand past Clashes of Civilizations and come to terms with their connection to THIS Clash of Civilizations.
Sadly, instead, we have another de-natured Christian missing the boat entirely by whining about all them rich American Jews and wondering why they don't stop acting like rich American Jews. And entirely mis-interpreting the allgedly "luke warm" support evinced for Israel by these Jewish Jackson Holers.
Fact: American Jews overwhelmingly support the State of Israel--Lefties as ardently, maybe even more ardently, that middies---there being no true Jewish "righties" for the simple reason that such a position would require support for political, social and economic policies reflecting a Chrisitan majority population. Past Clashes of Civilizations have been entirely devoted to eradicating the very notion of A Christian Homeland. Whether Jewish Freepers care to publicly admit it or not, no Jewish citizen of any Western Country will ever, EVER be conservative in that way. That is why Jews are on record as being overwhelmingly in support of every historical movement away from any "Christian" political, cultural or economic entity. They have supported these movements with their hands, hearts, minds, money and, when they had them, their firearms.
The State of Israel is soviet state---a still functioning Leftist Utopia. And although the United States would not tolerate an Empire of soviets run by Russians, it has---in spite of Mr. McDonald's bizarre assertion that Israel stands alone---poured enormous treasure and time into propping up and defending the doughty little Holy Land soviet.
Mr McDonald is, apparently, not quite sophisticated enough to realize that it is not necessary for wealthy American Jews to demonstrate on the Mall in Washington DC, or to march in Tel Aviv with their fists raised. That is not how the wealthy and powerful operate. It would be a silly waste of time.
All American Jews overwhelmingly support Israel no matter what. However, because their American political/cultural agenda would appear to be somewhat at odds with their political/cultural agenda in the Homland of Israel, it is useful to appear standoffish--for the consumption of the rubes and hayseeds who might stick their noses into a meeting at a fashionable resort area.
A tiny example of this "tight-rope" performance would be Senator Diane Feinstein's visit to the wailing wall in Jerusalem on the duly appointed femaleday. Jewish Fundamentalists have acutally beaten women who attempt to visit on a maleday. A sexual apartheid cultural practice which she would abhor and fight against with all her might in America, was, according to her, one of the most deeply moving moments of her life.
Of course, I am hugely overexaggerating by referring to a tight-rope walk of American Jews. There is really no such pressure at all. Compare and contrast, for example, Senator Lieberman's public statements about the deconstruction of Yugoslavia and our war against the Serbs in that ongoing tragedy, and his remarks about the Israelis in their current struggles. The difference is striking---even shocking. But he seems to be weathering the strain quite well.
The Clash of Civilizations is theological at its most profound. So naturally, being Americans, we will not speak of it that way nor tolerate anyone else speaking of it in our presence.
There is a radical difference in Christianity and Judaism--far more radical than that between Judaism and Mohameddanism---all the insipid blather about Judeo/Christianity notwithstanding; Most Jews and Moslems know this. They have a shared fear and loathing of Christianity--of its theology, not just its horribly imperfect human history.
Allied with the post-Christian Left in the West--especially the leftist cult of capitalism--both Jews and Moslems have found the way to de-fang Christianity---by holding it to a standard of perfection; perfection NOT in the context of the times being analyzed (as even the most crapulent Marxist historian will often do if only to prove that he can read) but rather in the ever-changing judgement of ever-evolving "modern" times. (See: The Inquisition. See: The Crusades)
It is truly remarkable how quickly Western education has shorn the West of its roots. Americans know nothing of their Greco/Roman heritage; nothing of the Great Byzantine civilization; nothing of European history---except insofar as it leads inevitably to the Holocaust. Christian history is just too complicated; too difficult. Let's face it, the life and words of Jesus are simply impractical for the needs of the modern police/welfare State. It is better to Keep It Simple Stupid---as all successful debaters know. (By the way, this should provide a clue as to why the Western White Elite shows such a fondness of Islam. It's an excellent method for keeping the Little People in their place while the Big People do their thing.)
This is how "zionist" Christians are formed. These are people who are not yet ready to convert to Judaism or submit to Mohamendanism, but they are ignorant of huge portions of Chrisitian history; ignorant, fearful and, being good modern Christians, deeply ashamed of whatever it is that so exorcises all those very rich and powerful people who attend important confabs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Some Black Americans embrace the simplicity of the desert God via Mohammedanism---some White Americans people embrace the desert God via Judaism Light---aka Christian zionism. Both Jews and Moslems have the overwhelming support of the post-Christian white Ruling Elite in the West with this" know-nothing" view of history. It is remarkable to observe the incredible similarity of opinion between Jews and Moslems on almost every subject concerning Christian history, European history, American history and the problemsof modern America. Only when they arrive at the subject of that tiny Holy Land soviet do they actually clash. It is an amusing irony---that Jews, Moslems, post-Christian Western globalists and Evangelical Christians agree on almost everything about Western History except Israel and a few minor details of social policy in the USA.
Israel is involved in a Life or Death sturggle with some of its neighbors. It has suffered many civilian casualties. Why hasn't it done what any healthy rational Nation state would do---declare war and prosecute that war to the end? Because, in spite of repeated, vehement denials, Israel is wholly dependent upon the United States for its existence and the United States is controlled by global monied interests---the oil industry being one of the most powerful. Consequently, the government of Israel "tolerates" a certain number of civilian casualties, just as the United States does; just as all "enlightened" modern States do.
In short, in another, and perhaps more bitter, historic irony for Israeli Jews, Jews are repeating the same disastrous behavior that saw them nearly wiped out in Europe--here in America; by supporting political, cultural and economic policies whose purpose it is to keep a Christian cultural consciousness at bay---or to extinguish it altogether. I hope, for their sake, Israeli Jews are not silly enough to believe that "christian" zionism will be of any significant, long term aid. It is merely a passing pop culture phenomena.
"...Aside from the several hundred million Arabs who would like to see the destruction of the state of Israel (and Jews everywhere)..."
How easily and comfortably this "christian" delivers this blood libel against millions of people about whom he knows nothing. Does anybody really belive that the Arabs would like to see the destruction of Jews everywhere? I get the strange feeling that many White Christians are overjoyed at the opportunity to let out a little racism that has been building up inside them. Self hatred gets boring after a while and it's refreshing to be able to strike out against somebody else; especially when that somebody else is straight out of central casting.
"...Mr. Barrett clearly spoke of the resurgence of Anti-Semitism in Europe and even on university campuses in the United States, but the group sat unmoved..."
Posisbly because they recognized a crock of excrement when they smelled it and so, chose not to move for fear of stepping into it. Or perhaps Mr. McDonald needs to visit an American campus so he can learn what has been going one there for over thirty years. It would be too much to ask that he visit Europe. We all know what a terrible place that is.
"... Some Jews debated the fact that there is an anti-Israel slant in the media..."
It would be interesting to know what Mr. McDonald defines as an anti-Israel slant. I suspect it's probably similar to an American feminist's definition of a "controlling male"---that is a man who interrupts a woman's five-year soliloquy with a remark.
"...has spun its web of deception even among American Jews, upon whom - second only to G-d - Israel desperately needs to depend..."
Good news! Does this mean the United States can finally disengage from the Middle East? I mean, with G-d and American Jews on their side--how can they fail?
"...The propaganda machine of anti-Semitism, now rampant in the media,..."
Well, this is a waste of time. The man is delusional.
The presentation was chilling to say the least. At the end there was a Q & A session and a little lunch served. My hand was the first one up! I specified that I had three questions. The audience waited. I was the new kid on the block...an unknown commodity.
Q: "When the nazis came for you in the middle of the night...why didn't you take up arms? Why didn't you FIGHT?"
A: "Well see, the nazi regime passed these GUN CONTROL LAWS years before they put the first JEW on any cattle car bound for a death camp!"
Q: "I see. Okay when were you last in Israel?"
A: "I live there. It has been my home since it's founding."
Q: (THE KICKER!) "UH-HUH. So tell me, what is the incidence of personal firearms ownership in Israel?"
A: (SLAMS FIST ON THE PODIUM...making every teacher jump!) "EVERYONE who is able has a GUN!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!"
Without waiting for a moment I spun to face the audience and said loudly: "Do you see the NEXUS? Do you understand the connection between the personal, individual ownership of FIREARMS and FREEDOM? If you do not now go back to your classes and make this clear, you not only condone the FIRST Holocaust, you invite the SECOND!!!"
The survivor just realized he was in the middle of a PACK of gun haters when nobody said a word to me in reply and refused to meet my eyes. So to add insult to injury he spoke ONLY to me at the coffee and snarled at anybody who approached. We talked guns. At one point he said to me: "You DO realize that you're probably in a lot of trouble with THEM, right?" and I told him that I used to be a Second Lieutenant in the army so I was "used to having my A$$ chewed...and that once you've been nibbled on by a general...any principal...even the entire school board is no big deal."
He was in fact correct. I was in B-I-G trouble but my principal was in fact pro-NRA and so he did as HE had been told he chewed me out for about two hours in his office, but took no further action. The lasting effect was that I was banned from ever attending the seminar again....until THIS past year. The difference? It is now being run specifically by the Israelis. That survivor had returned and spoken of the incident to those in charge and they remembered. Iwas specifically invited if I was still a teacher and still interested. At the seminar, I was invited to share my point of view and got a polite response from those assembled.
A pertinent question. How many are too many? What is the number? A thousand? Five thousand? Six million?
Pray tell. And ask that bastion of civilization, "Europe," while we're at it.
Of course it is! That is their modus operandi. They count on people like you to be ignorant of, forget, or disregard history. In that vein, I ask you, What was their excuse before 1967, when these "territories" belonged to Arab countries?
The so-called occupation is just the latest pretext. If your remedy is applied, they will just find another excuse to continue the attacks they've been mounting for 54 years. And you, the media and the left will buy it.
Arguing with liberals is frustrating because, like criminals do not have a better nature, liberals by and large do not reasoning.
By the way, we are never "ExSoldiers". Once a soldier, always a soldier. It is a state of the heart and not of the clothing.
It is simply criminal that you permit one day to go by without posting here.
Excellent. I can't think of a place where I last read such penetrating analysis - perhaps years ago in foreign press. But then, it would be characterized by the supremely enlightened us stateside as "anti" "-something" or "-other".
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