Thank You, 60 Minutes!

[MrScorpio]

Last Sunday, 60 Minutes ran a segment entitled "Christians of the Holy Land,"with Bob Simon, shedding light on the struggles of Palestinian Christians living under Israel's occupation. In the segment, Palestinian Christians affirm their commonality with Palestinian Muslims in suffering under and struggling against the same oppression. The segment also includes an interview with Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, which exposes how the Israeli government tried to censor the story.

According to Israeli government figures, tourism is a multi billion dollar business there. Most tourists are Christian. Many of them are American. That's one reason why Israelis are very sensitive about their image in the United States. And that could be why Ambassador Oren phoned Jeff Fager, the head of CBS News and executive producer of 60 Minutes, while we were still reporting the story, long before tonight's broadcast. He said he had information our story was quote: "a hatchet job."
Michael Oren: It seemed to me outrageous. Completely incomprehensible that at a time when these communities, Christian communities throughout the Middle East are being oppressed and massacred, when churches are being burnt, when one of the great stories in history is unfolding? I think it's-- I think it's-- I think you got me a little bit mystified.

Bob Simon: And it was a reason to call the president of-- chairman of CBS News?

Michael Oren: Bob, I'm the ambassador of the State of Israel. I do that very, very infrequently as ambassador. It's just-- that's an extraordinary move for me to complain about something. When I heard that you were going to do a story about Christians in the Holy Land and my assum-- and-- and had, I believe, information about the nature of it, and it's been confirmed by this interview today.

Bob Simon: Nothing's been confirmed by the interview, Mr. Ambassador, because you don't know what's going to be put on air.

Michael Oren: Okay. I don't. True.

Bob Simon: Mr. Ambassador, I've been doing this a long time. And I've received lots of reactions from just about everyone I've done stories about. But I've never gotten a reaction before from a story that hasn't been broadcast yet.

Michael Oren: Well, there's a first time for everything, Bob.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/26/1086323/-Thank-You-60-Minutes-

[Scurrilous]

1. Thanks.

K & R

[tech3149]

2. There are two subjects I try very hard to stay away from Israel and Iran

It just seems like you can't make a cogent argument with the facts because they are discounted as a flawed interpretation or you can't convince people to question what they hold so close to their heart.
As far as Israel, I think stealing Palestinian territory to make a new nation was just stupid beyond belief. Forgiving that, the actions of the nation of Israel against Palestinians is beyond reprehensible. There is not a human rights organization anywhere in the world that wouldn't agree with me.

With regard to Iran, only one question needs be answered. When in modern history has Iran taken aggressive action toward another nation? As far as Iran becoming a nuclear state? Please!!
They are currently surrounded by US armed forces, three of neighboring nations are already armed and not signators to the NPT. If I recall Iran is. Back in 2007 the NIE reported that Iran had most likely dropped its nuclear weapons program.
I don't doubt for a minute that a nuclear armed Iran could be a threat. But seriously, do you think they are suicidal enough to use nukes to attack someone when they would be obliterated by pretty much everyone?

When you live and work with people from different cultures there's on thing you learn quickly. We all have the same goals in life, to love and nurture our families and live in peace.

We need to stop looking for enemies around the world and start making more friends. And holding friends responsible when they do something wrong.

[Jefferson23]

3. +1 n/t

[MrScorpio]

4. Great reply!

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[oberliner]

5. Frightening

"I think stealing Palestinian territory to make a new nation was just stupid beyond belief"

Wow.

Even scarier that two other regular posters here endorse these comments.

[tech3149]

6. Should I refer to you in the future as "Israel Uber Alles?" n/t

[shira]

7. "Israel Uber Alles"? Yet another Nazi reference? I guess that's...

...becoming more mainstream now.

[oberliner]

10. Thanks for that

I appreciate your comments.

[Jefferson23]

8. Appears you're easily frightened, this and polls. n/t

[oberliner]

9. Only by the degree of ignorance

Almost as frightening as the sight of teenagers cheering Nazis in a play about a Jewish ghetto.

[Jefferson23]

11. Ignorance regarding AIPAC and the Israeli governments influence and

their settlement expansion...not viewed as theft. I see that often, lots of excuses.

Just another day on this subject.

You might want to work on your fears, the teens haven't been given an opportunity
to explain themselves yet, as far as I know...may not be as frightening as you imagine.

[shira]

12. Exactly how was Palestinian territory stolen to make a new nation?

Here's the quote:

"As far as Israel, I think stealing Palestinian territory to make a new nation was just stupid beyond belief."