(Rep.) McCollum, Israel lobby at odds

[katinmn]

http://www.startribune.com/587/story/444154.html

The St. Paul Democrat says local activist Amy Rotenberg mischaracterized her April 6 vote on aid to Palestinians.
Greg Gordon, Star Tribune

McCollum, Israel lobby at odds
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum says a Minnesota activist for Israel's leading U.S. lobbying group maligned her and she wants an apology.

Amy Rotenberg says she did no such thing and that the St. Paul Democrat's charge is "a serious distortion."

Word of the six-week-old flap hit the Internet on Friday, triggering about 150 phone calls and e-mails to McCollum's office.

The mini-tempest stems from McCollum's vote on April 6 as the International Relations Committee approved a bill that would sharply restrict U.S. aid to the new Hamas-led government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

more

[acmejack]

1. Interesting, young Amy got carried away.

I would like see how this plays out. Nothing has changed over the last month that you know of?

[katinmn]

2. No, It says the story hit the Internet last night.

First I heard of it. Is DU behind the times? LOL.

I will be watching this, too, for any coming smears against McCollum.

[Poll_Blind]

3. "During my 19 years in elected office, including the past five years...

...as a member of Congress, never has my name and reputation been maligned or smeared as it was last week by a representative of AIPAC,"

--snip--

Without naming her, McCollum said Rotenberg told McCollum's top aide, Bill Harper, "on behalf of herself, the Jewish community, AIPAC and the voters of the Fourth District, Congresswoman McCollum's support for terrorists will not be tolerated."

Why am I not surpised this conversation occurred? Oh, I've been seeing alot more of these charges being levied against anyone not willing to toe AIPAC's line.

PB

[Voltaire99]

4. Read McCollum's letter to AIPAC

Great stuff: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19063

Our Betty isn't one to take fascist bullying sitting down; cf. her calling for the resignation of education secretary Rod Paige for calling the NEA "a terrorist organization."

[Poll_Blind]

6. As someone said earlier, she is a profile in courage.

PB

[The Stranger]

8. She is going to need support to get re-elected.

Methinks the deluge of telephone calls were not well-wishers.

[drduffy]

5. F' AIPAC

They don't like Chomsky either. Because he tells the truth.

[Poll_Blind]

7. Isn't that the dead giveaway, btw? Chomsky is emiprical in his analysis..

...and I the neocons are all about faith. Have faith in those WMD's. Have faith that Iran wants to destroy the world.

I'll believe any country is plotting to destroy US, Western Civilization- whatever. But show me. I'm not going to send our National Treasure, our young men and women in the armed forces, to an early grave on faith.

Give me facts, this rhetoric is disgusting and worth nothing.

PB

[katinmn]

9. Jewish Voice for Peace says Thank You to McCollum

Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 05:17:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jewish Voice for Peace <[e-mail]>
Subject: Thank Rep. Betty McCollum for standing up to AIPAC

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-4th District) has banned the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) from her office until she receives a
formal, written apology from AIPAC for equating her vote in the House
International Relations Committee against HR4681, the Palestinian
Anti-Terrorism Act, with "support for terrorists". Please take a moment
to thank Rep. McCollum for her stance against HR4681 and for her courage
to stand up to AIPAC's mischaracterization of her. You can call her office
directly at 202-225-6631 or call the Capitol switchboard toll-free at
1-888-355-3588 and ask to be transferred to her office.

If no one is able to take your call, please leave a brief message of
thanks along with your name and address so that Rep. McCollum can get
in touch with you. Please call as soon as possible!! If you're Jewish,
make sure to note that in your message to Rep. McCollum. She needs to know
that Jews oppose AIPAC's bullying tactics as much as anyone.

[shance]

10. Thanks Kat for the link.

n/t