Keeping fellow Democrats in line about Israel: Pelosi letter to Dean.

[madfloridian]

September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings


http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[still_one]

1. Why is the letter dated 2003?

[madfloridian]

3. You changed your subject line.

I keep the letter handy when I see things like these attacks going on. It reminds me what happens to candidates who truly want to be fair to both sides.

I changed mine because it was confusing.

[still_one]

7. Then vote them out., but maybe they represent their

district

[still_one]

8. I know, because I thought it was a current letter

I was not playing any sort of game

[shance]

10. Thank you Floridian. This is good material to have on file.

In watching the genocide take place being created by the governments of Israel and the United States makes me remember who within our government is complicit in the genocide as well.

[madfloridian]

14. I watch the carnage, and yes, we need to remember.

We need to remember the ones who support in an unwavering way the right of Israel to do this, in part with money from us.

It is breaking my heart, and it is just beginning.

[jonnyblitz]

13. aah i see , he didn't give the official bullshit pro Israel spin

he must have acknowledged that the Palestinians where human beings. damn i bet he almost cost them some money for stepping out of line!!

[madfloridian]

5. Because that is when it was written.

He said we should not take sides in the middle east and should work in an even handed way.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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

[still_one]

4. did it ever occur to you they are representing their constituents?

[mmonk]

11. are you saying all Jews support Israel's every action?

I haven't seen that. And remember, Israelis don't vote here. AIPAC is huge with alot of money and members, but Jews aren't monolithic.

[ShockediSay]

12. Surely AIPAC represents their constituents

and it's not the majority of the American people, IMHO.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGGL,GGGL:2006-23,GGGL:en&q=%22The+Israel+Lobby+and+U.S.+Foreign+Policy%22

[cali]

18. "Time to end Abramization of our government"?

Ooh, nice way to say the Jews control the government of the United States.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. You saw that too...

...just when you get a handle on the "codewords" they go and change them. :evilgrin:

[mmonk]

6. What about the Lebanese?

Do they have a right to exist or do the US and Israel determine if they do? I support Israel's right to exist but I'm getting queezy about some of our party's leaders when a real moral dilema creeps up over something like this.

[BeFree]

9. In other words

The long arm of America must continue to reach overseas to beat down and destroy anybody who disagrees with us.

Too bad if we piss off half of the world's population in so doing.

[madfloridian]

15. Yes.

I am afraid you are right.

[madfloridian]

21. And now our government is sending bombs to Israel.

I just feel sick inside today.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/072206Z.shtml

[DELUSIONAL]

16. so she is demanding "unequivocal support" for bush?

something really nasty is happening . . .

[KoKo]

20. Nancy Pelosi is a disappointment. If we take back the House, I hope

she is challenged. Steney Hoyer should go, too. Time for new leadership.
Pelosi has challenged Dean more recently about fund raising, too.

[madfloridian]

17. Comment from MyDD how we are complicit in shelling Americans.

Matt Stoller is right on this in many ways.

http://mydd.com/story/2006/7/21/16218/0538

"It's really quite mystifying why the media isn't reporting the fact that Bush is allowing Israel to shell thousands of Americans stuck in Lebanon. Rush Limbaugh is on the case, of course:

Even in the eyes of our ingrate, spoiled-rotten little children, brat-type ingrate citizens in Beirut, it's our fault. (Crying.) "It's a war zone. It's a war! How do I get out? (crying) We're having to shield ourselves from the sun in cardboard." (sobbing) That's embarrassing.

Bush's inaction on Israel is a marked departure from America's traditional 'honest broker' status in the Middle East. While the press is making this war seem like it's a fight between Israel and Hezbollah, it's clear that Bush has taken Israel's side. Just listen to his allies."

Rush Limbaugh is a truly heartless and sick man.