House joins Senate, lines up behind Israel

[sabra]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003140434_webhousemideast20.html


House joins Senate, lines up behind Israel
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The House, displaying a foreign affairs solidarity lacking on issues like Iraq, voted overwhelmingly today to support Israel in its confrontation with Hezbollah guerrillas.

The resolution, which was passed on a 410-8 vote, also condemns enemies of the Jewish state.

House Republican leader John Boehner cited Israel's "unique relationship" with the United States as a reason for his colleagues to swiftly go on record supporting Israel in the latest flare-up of violence in the Mideast.

Little of the political divisiveness in Congress on other national security issues was evident as lawmakers embraced the Bush administration's position.

[acmavm]

1. Gotta keep that money coming in to their campaigns don't

ya know.

[saigon68]

2. August 1914

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Here is the roll call vote:

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml

[KamaAina]

11. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI 1st) voted No!

He is also among the most inspiring political speakers I have ever heard. I heard him at an MLK Day dinner in '04, right at the start of that lackluster primary season. My reaction was "Get this guy on a plane to New Hampshire!"

Unsurprisingly, the only (R) voting No was Ron Paul, who is actually a Libertarian but runs repuke in order to assure his continued re-election.

And McKinney? She's listed as Not Present; she may well be down in Ga. raising $$ for what promises to be a nasty primary runoff battle.

edit: Man, is Neil gonna take it on the chin in the local press! But it won't be the first time; he's weathered many a similar storm before.

[ShortnFiery]

13. Good, perhaps he knows of AMERICANS trapped in the war zone.

These votes (House and Senate) are Dear Leader's equivalent to "Bring em On."

Guess nobody in either of these houses truly gives a damn about the stranded USA Citizens. IF THE DID they would be working to reach a "cease fire."

WARMONGERING A**HOLES! :thumbsdown:

[jonnyblitz]

21. someone with principles finally.

rare. nt

[IronLionZion]

26. hmm..Lebanese and reps with many arab constituents

I think Boustany and Issa are the only Lebanese-Americans who voted Yea but with reservations.

[bdamomma]

48. I may be getting away from the topic but

what is the American-Lebanese organizations doing during this crisis.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

34. Does "answered present" mean abstaining from the vote?

I notice that there are 4 in this category

[Freddie Stubbs]

39. It means too chickenshit to take a stand on the issue

[KoKo]

4. Unique relationship is all those Weapons we've sold and all that money

we are responsible for in giving aid to Israel. Plus our complicity with Great Britain in creating the State of Israel. There's really nothing much else Congress could do...just like supporting Iraq Invasion. We are stuck.

:-(

[DELUSIONAL]

5. Thanks for the target on our backs -- you fools.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Are you implying that Hezbolla will attack Members of Congress?

:shrug:

[DELUSIONAL]

10. no -- ordinary Americans citizens who are overseas

--

The target on our backs -- refers to Americans overseas --

better work on a Canadian accent -- French Canadian.

[lumpy]

7. John McCain sez tough luck.

"I certainly sympathize with the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told CBS' "The Early Show" today. But, he said, if Hezbollah is "going to launch attacks from the Lebanese territory, then tragically the Lebanese government and people pay a price for that."

Have any of our represntatives in either houses called for cease fire, let alone a solution?

[donkeyotay]

8. No. Blind obedience. Commitment to doing more of what hasn't worked

"Have any of our Representatives in either houses called for cease fire, let alone a solution?"

How we ever got from saying we would side with Israel if they were attacked to taking part in what many see as aggression with the full consent of the same administration that was going to have the Education President and shun nation-building is beyond me. Friends criticize. Subordinates kiss ass. Reminds me of the quote Gore included in his movie about a man's ability to a truth being tied to his financial need to not see it.

Our congress should go back to doing what they do so well: flag-burning amendments and other crayola activities. They should at least have the courage to let the American people know what the true financial cost will be for the new, improved permanent war on, oh say, 3 billion people. And they should tell the truth to our aging population that the Muslim population is young, very young. There's lots of them and we're pissing them off. We'll be fighting them in our dotage.

[54anickel]

29. Finish the thought McCain!!! "The Lebanese might want to consider

turning against Hezbollah to save their sorry asses". That's the entire Repuke thinking in the matter. They believe they can get people in the ME to turn against Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran and Syria and somehow weaken them. Wasn't that the thinking behind Fallujah as well? I think it may just have to opposite effect. Bush may very well go down as the "Uniter" he claims to be. :grr:

[progressivebydesign]

9. Ooh.. that Israel lobby's money talks loud and clear.

Sickening. If you read the articles, a huge amount of 'yes' voters said privately that they dont' really support it, but felt they had to vote for it... damned if you do, damned if you don't. Total bullshit that the AIPAC said most americans support what Israel is doing. Not one person.. not one.. that I've talked to, Jewish friends included, SUPPORTS the destruction of Lebanon right now. Talk about using a sledgehammer to kill an ant.

It's official, the House and Senate are nothing but a buncho of greedy cowards, who will stop at nothing to enrich their campaign coffers, or woo special interest voters. The worst thing about this resolution is that it blames the people of Lebanon for this destruction.

Why does this remind me of the Shiite uprising that Bush I encouraged, then stood by while thousands of them were slaughtered? Same thing.. we supposedly help them 1 1/2 years ago to try a real democracy, and then we abandon them immediately.

I cannot even imagine what is going on right now with our exchange student/girl scout friend who lives in Beirut. She had just returned home from being here a year... and no one can get in touch with her. Is it her fault that 3 soldiers were kidnapped? HAs anyone seen the photos of the apartment buildings that Israel has bombed in Beirut and the suburbs? It's disgraceful. Israel has a right to get their soldiers back.. but "defending herself"??? How is this defense?

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. Perhaps Democrats in Congress are simply supporting the party platform

[ShortnFiery]

15. What is that Platform? Israel 1st, Right or Wrong!

I'm disgusted. Arrogant, self-interested political warmongers!

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. This part:

The Democratic Party is fundamentally committed to the security of our ally Israel
and the creation of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors. Our
special relationship with Israel is based on the unshakable foundation of shared values and a mutual
commitment to democracy, and we will ensure that under all circumstances, Israel retains the qualitative
edge for its national security and its right to self-defense. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and should
remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.

Under a Democratic Administration, the United States will demonstrate the kind of resolve to end
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that President Clinton showed. We will work to transform the Palestinian
Authority by promoting new and responsible leadership, committed to fighting terror and promoting
democracy. We support the creation of a democratic Palestinian state dedicated to living in peace and
security side by side with the Jewish State of Israel. The creation of a Palestinian state should resolve
the issue of Palestinian refugees by allowing them to settle there, rather than in Israel. Furthermore, all
understand that it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and
complete return to the armistice lines of 1949. And we understand that all final status negotiations must
be mutually agreed.

http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v002/www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

That's the platform which was adopted by the delegates to the 2004 convention.

[Sam Odom]

14. 410-8 - They voted their conscience

:bounce:

[Scurrilous]

18. 8 of them did...

...the rest, not so much.

[ShortnFiery]

19. Whoa! If you honestly believe that, I've got some swampland in Arizona

that I'd love you to see, and buy. :P

I know that I'm not voting for any Democrat Representative again who voted to support, well, in essence the assurance of WORLD WAR III.

[VegasWolf]

22. 8 people voted their consciensce, the rest are utter fools. nt

[areo64]

36. Bravest congressmen who didn't vote "yay" they are

Of course.

[0007]

45. You serious?

[pyro858]

16. Wow, they voted to support terrorism

And that is exactly what Israel is doing.

[Barkley]

28. Wanna read something real funny?

The U.S. Arms Export Control Act restricts the use of U.S. weapons to legitimate self-defense and internal policing; U.S. weapons cannot be used to attack civilians in offensive operations.

The U.S. Foreign Assistance Act prohibits U.S. aid of any kind to a country with a pattern of gross human rights violations.

BWHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!

[Miss Chybil]

17. Constituents be damned.

Why should we have a dog in this fight? Why didn't they vote for a cease-fire? Bombs. Bombs. Bombs. That's all they like.

[Freddie Stubbs]

40. Constituents can vote their representatives out of office

Which ones are likely to lose their seats over this vote?

[bdamomma]

49. now we can all see where their allegiance lies with that vote

how can they not support a ceasefire? this will backfire on our asses, A CEASEFIRE what don't they not understand about that.

[gully]

20. The problem is that they are NOT confronting the guerrillas.

They are "confronting" innocent people.

However, I'd like to read the resolution and not just the spin.

Rahall joined other Arab-American lawmakers in drafting an alternative resolution that would have omitted language holding Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions and called for restraint from all sides. Rahall said that proposal was "politely swept under the rug," a political reality he and others say reflects the influence Israel has in Congress.

"There's a lot (of lawmakers) that don't feel it's right ... but vote yes, and get it the heck out of here," Rahall said.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who co-sponsored the alternative resolution and also is of Lebanese descent, agreed. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobby "throws in language that AIPAC wants. That isn't always the best thing for this body to endorse," Issa said.

Nevertheless, Rahall and Issa said they were considering voting in favor of the resolution. "I want to show support for Israel's right to defend itself," Issa said.

Another lawmaker with Lebanese roots, Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La., said he too planned to vote in favor of the resolution despite holding deep reservations on its language regarding Lebanon. "I think it's a good resolution. But I think it's incomplete," he said.

[ckramer]

23. 410 congresspersons shouted "Israel is my daddy!"

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ken Burch]

44. Ease off on that shit, ckramer.

You'll be quoting the Protocols next if you keep up at that rate.

[Tight_rope]

25. Who the fuck selected these deranged people?

:wow: Talk about pissing off your constituents! :spank:
Mine was Tom DeLay and he's gone thank God. My only other pray is that he would drop dead.:grr:

[Freddie Stubbs]

43. John Murtha is deranged?

:shrug:

[Barkley]

27. Why are there no WAL*MARTs in Beirut?

because there's a TARGET on every corner...

"They're hitting everything, not just Hezbollah.
It's like this: If you are Lebanese, Israel will kill you."

- Leila Chahrour, 30


"Beirut residents believe anyplace might be bombed"

Lebanese believe that not a single inch of their country is beyond the
whir of Israeli warplanes, the hiss of a falling bomb or the devastating
explosion when one hits.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15076526.htm

[leesa]

30. All those AIPAC dollars at work. Our government is disgusting.

[manic expression]

31. This is disgusting

supporting this injustice? Ridiculous, just sickening.

[bdamomma]

50. I do not support this continued fighting and killing of innocent

victims either, in Lebanon or in Iraq, what the hell are we doing? where's the outrage??? they are killing innocent people, what if the same thing happened to us??????

[leesa]

32. Yuck. Yuck. Yeah, bombing countries works so well to end terrorism

We support Israel 100% because they's just as stoopid as we are.

[stepnw1f]

33. So They Condone the Invasion and Bombing of Lebanon?

Fuck all of them....

[VegasWolf]

35. So, how many dead and mutilated children do the Republicans think is

acceptable for oil?

[Freddie Stubbs]

41. Republicans??? The vast majority of Democrats voted for this too

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml

[Biernuts]

42. No shit! If American Jews deserted Democrats, or even just stayed

home in November, the Rupublican win would be bigger than in 1994.

So, I ask again: Do you wanna feel better today or on November 8th? You just can't have it both ways. Make up your minds which is more important to you and let us know.

If you want to win, you have to support positions that appeal to more than the hard core left.

[RangerSmith]

46. I think in some cases

it's more important for some to be on whatever side the U.S isn't supporting.

Support for Israel is a big part of the Dem party platform.

[MsMagnificent]

47. Why bother doing what is Right

when you can win

Right?

Such bullshit -- sell our souls so we can become just like them?

Democrats used to have morals and stand behind them. When we lost the spine to defend our ideals is when we started losing.

So what's the answer? The DLC/Republican Lite way, or the way we used to be?

[IndianaGreen]

53. What makes you think that all Jews approve of the bombing of Lebanon?

Some people think that all Jews are robots, just as they think that all Christians want to bring about the Second Coming by allowing a war to rage in the Middle East.

[zara]

37. In US it riles powerful donors and is considered anti-semitic

to believe that warfare should be proportional, or that war is the problem, not the solution.
Sad about our political system. Sad to see the Democratic party just as in the pocket of the Israel PAC as the Neocons are blood thirsty and fooling themselves to believe a military solution to the Israel Palestinian conflict is possible.
Answer to Alan Dershowitz: Proportional military response. Negotiate. Work with moderates and governments to bolster peace.

[Theyareallthesame]

51. It's hard to see how one could go the other way on this one.

If Hezzbolah is unwilling to come into the 21st century with the rest of us, they must be eliminated.

[Gully Foyle]

52. WTF!!!

"Biernuts
Response to Reply #41
42. No shit! If American Jews deserted Democrats, or even just stayed
home in November, the Rupublican win would be bigger than in 1994.
So, I ask again: Do you wanna feel better today or on November 8th? You just can't have it both ways. Make up your minds which is more important to you and let us know.
If you want to win, you have to support positions that appeal to more than the hard core left."

So Jews are a bigger voting block than Blacks or Hispanics? Maybe in a few coastal cities.
But the main point is the MONEY. Jewsih money went to defeat McKinney, probably for this reason
http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/arms/lobbying.html
" In 1995 Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) and Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) introduced the Code of Conduct bill , which would have tied all U.S. arms exports to the customer's democracy record, human-rights record, and its willingness to report arms imports and exports to the United Nations.

At a 1995 defense trade seminar, three influential arms export lobby groups recommended the bill "should be allowed to die in committees." Both the Senate and House versions of the bill were soundly defeated, with the 65 senators and 262 representatives who voted against it collecting some $4 million in contributions from defense PACs.

The undaunted McKinney, who in 1997 had said the U.S. "ought not to be in the business of supplying weapons to dictators," introduced yet another Code of Conduct bill in the House last September, with John Kerry (D-Mass.) doing so in the Senate. The bill passed in the House, but was not taken up in the Senate. McKinney plans to re-introduce the bill for debate by the 106th Congress. "

Why does anyone want to kiss the ass of a nation that continually gets CAUGHT SPYING on US? Why isn't foriegn aid stopped IMMEDIATELY after any spy is arrested? Why are they spending OUR own aid to SPY on the US?



Some of you who are more intelligent may wish to rewatch Helen Thomas on Real Time a few months ago. She repeatedly mentioned the US doing Israels work.