This Discussion about President Obama ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

and the Jewish vote got this Black Man wondering ...

I wonder if America, and more specifically Liberal America, would be as accommodating of African-Americans if we were to advocate as forcefully for the interests of African Nations, as Americans of the Jewish faith do for the State of Israel?

Would Liberal America be willing to listen to African-American demands that the U.S. government support African nations, even when those African nations institute policies and/or governance that directly contradicts U.S. stated policy/governance preferences?

Would Liberal America tolerate African-American threats that our support of U.S. politicians, particularly the Presidency, is contingent on the U.S.'s support of African Nations?

[geek tragedy]

1. Fuckno. Next question. nt

[villager]

2. Kind of a broad brush there. A lot of we Jewish voters don't think blind support of all Israeli

...policies, especially those promulgated by militarists and rightwingers, are, in fact ultimately in the "interests" of Jews.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Point taken

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. Agreed, but ...

these Jewish voters capture neither the headlines, nor the attention of U.S. policy makers. So I really don't think it is my brush.

[villager]

13. so then it's really a critique of a militarized media, and what they choose to emphasize

...to benefit the same corporate sponsors the political class has, rather than "Jewish voters" en toto...

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. Forgot ...

about the attention of the policy makers?

[readmoreoften]

11. Exactly. I don't give a shit about a nation that pulls children out of their beds at night

to put them in prison for throwing rocks. And when I say children, I mean, 7 years old...

The US government will only take you seriously if American Black people starting advocating for the occupation of African lands in collusion with the US government. If former slaves organized to get the US government to reclaim West Africa as their homeland and if American Blacks were willing to fight and die to exile the current occupants of West Africa for profits shared with the US--maybe in the range of 40% kickback, then the US government will stand by you and help you fight.

[Firebrand Gary]

3. This is a pretty provocative question.

The issue here is that the US does have a strategic interest in Israel. So for me it's difficult to answer your question as you directed it to liberal America. Now, I will say this. I and many of my liberal counter parts are far past the point of patience with Israel. People are wary of the never ending negotiations and are starting to see Israel as unwilling to move forward with the two state solution.

If the truth is that Israel does not want a two state, then say it. If they do not want to give up the West Bank then say it. Its this sitting down with arms folded in a fillibuster manner that people are fed up with.

That includes a section of the Tea Party and many Independents.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. Yes, I agree with what you have written ...

But the U.S. has strategic interests in the vast majority of the continent of Africa, yet she does not engage African Nations as she does the state of Israel.

I think part of the reason is Jewish advocacy; and I'm sure you can guess the other reason.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. We have a strategic interest in Israel because we made the conscious decision to

Back in the 1950's we could've sided with Nasser and the Arab states or Israel or just stayed out of it altogether. We picked Israel, the Soviets picked the Arab states in response and that was that.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. That response is not gonna be well met! n/t

[pnorman]

10. Against the "Secular Islamism" of Nasser and others of his type,

"we" (federal government) backed to the hilt the ultra-fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood.

[Hippo_Tron]

9. I think they absolutely would

The fact is that most Americans don't give a shit about the nuances of foreign policy. The only time they really care about it is when we're at war. Supporting African nations would cost the Democrats nothing politically with the general public. So if they could excite or even pacify their black constituency by supporting African nations, there really is no reason not to.

Of course, the reality is that most black Americans probably give about as much of a shit about Africa as most white Americans do.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. I think ...

Pan-Africanist would think differently ... as they are cast by Americans, including liberals, as radical separatist and racist.

And what "reality" would that be, where African-Americans probably give about as much of a shit about Africa as most white Americans do?

[LuvNewcastle]

12. If you really want America to support

a homeland for dispossessed blacks, maybe you should write a holy book that says blacks are God's chosen people and that God gave you the Congo. If Americans accept such nonsense from the Hebrew scriptures, it seems only fair that they should also believe in God's providence for the world's black people.

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. Israel's claim to the territory ...

is more based in a political decision than any historical/Biblical claim. But the historical/Biblical claim was the easier sell.

[TBF]

14. Interesting question - but like most questions I think you have to follow the money for your answer

If Israel didn't exist we'd have to create her - it gives us a "legitimate" reason to have our fingers in the arab world (where the oil is).

Notice that Empire is now headed to Africa ... I think as we are less reliant on resources in the middle east there will be much less interest in Israel. My two cents ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. Ahhh ...

Do you think my question popped up out of the blue?

[TBF]

21. Yeah, I thought that might be on your mind.

Solidarity my friend.

To answer your question, only if you can give enough $$$ to their campaigns ...

[unkachuck]

18. "Would Liberal America be willing to listen to African-American demands..."

....yes, but only if those demands were accompanied by a proper amount of cash....

....Liberal America is still America and in America 'U.S. stated policy/governance' can be purchased; all it takes is money or the opportunity to make it....

....deliver that in a large-scale way to the appropriate corporate pigs and their politicians, and the African-American threats will be massaged, sweetened, tolerated and accommodated....

[ellisonz]

20. We did once upon a time: hence Liberia.

[1StrongBlackMan]

23. Liberia ...

Was no more the result of African-American advocacy than the Haiti plan was from the freedmen. While some may have signed onto both plans (including Fredrick Douglas in the latter case). <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm> The fact is with the creation of both states, the oppressed peoples were told, "We love you, but you can't stay here!"

[bemildred]

22. A good questiom.

:thumbsup: