Ralph welcomes Middle East expert and executive VP of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Trita Parsi, to fill us in on the consequences of Israel boobytrapping pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon and how those tactics have the potential to blow back on us in the United States.
I have repeatedly contacted my senators and representative. I got word salad letters justifying our complicity in war crimes. The ability of our legislators to stay in office despite their clear complicity in corruption and murder is frightening. Not to mention their neglect of the real needs of their constituents. Congress has managed to build a wall against their own people. Giving the wealthy free, unfettered, access. We are an oligarchy at a time we’ve needed democracy more than ever.
The complicit big money legislators stay in office because people keep voting for them. Congress built the wall against their own people with their own people.
"All in all, you're just another brick in the wall."
I suggest that citizens contacting their senators and representatives include a declaration that you will no longer vote for politicians that take big money as it results in politicians that ignore their constituents input on important issues such as those discussed in this episode and regularly on the RNRH and that on November 5th you will be casting a write in vote to register a vote against the big money politicians and to create and demonstrate demand for small donor candidates in 2026.
I suggest that citizens that do not contact their senators and representatives also cast the write in vote on November 5th.
I suggest Ralph to get behind this effort as well as get in the front of it.
As usual, Mr. Nader is indeed the "man of the hour." Most of this very important information I had not heard of. And I try to follow several (ostensibly) "progressive" news sources.
The state of new reporting in this country is reprehensible and seems to be declining, the Internet news sources and social media notwithstanding. Very ominous to say the least.
I had read Feroze Sidhwa's letter back when he sent it to the White House and remember thinking, 'G_d - I hope that guy survives.' My heart is full to hear from him again, even though the desperate situation he describes is demoralizing beyond words.
The contrived perception that Biden has real power in this crisis is a fantasy. It has already been demonstrated in at least two ways that this is an illusion: When the oligarch/donors told Biden he couldn’t run again, an historic event, and secondly, by the concurrence of media and almost everybody else in supporting Israel’s barbarism. Everyone is being told stand down and shut up. Biden is incapable of orchestrating this level of servility. Biden is an empty puppet. It’s way time to recognize the real drivers in this horror show.
I get so fed up with people claiming that the United States is a democracy. Even Thom Hartmann, whom I admire to the skies, does this. Mike Rube's comment puts that notion to rest. Yes, we have a verbal wall of election openness that, in some respects, could be seen as the opening salvo for a democracy. But after that, it all collapses. Representatives are free to sell their votes to the highest bidder. That is not democracy, that is corruption. Democracy is a three legged stool. An informed public, a free form of elections and representatives that are forced to represent the people who elected them. Without all three legs, democracy is just a distant dream, as it is here. My solution is to abandon elections and representatives and substitute a computer based bulletin board which gives every American citizen a password and a vote online. Every law and budget should be publicly debated and voted on. No one person should ever have the ability to create or pass a law. I write all about this in my book Parasites Lost on gettingtozerowaste.com.
My level of distress and angst over what the US and Israel are doing is extremely great. My country. In my name with my tax dollars. My US Representative Marilyn Strickland is deeply in AIPAC's pockets. In April 2024 Rep Strickland went to Israel, paid for by AIPAC, and posted photographs of herself with Netanyahu, smiling... When I write her she vomits the propaganda which I know to be untrue.
Yesterday on The Grayzone's podcast Aaron Mate said "Netanyahu is the most dangerous person on this planet. He's just a complete fanatic. The fact that he can come here (to the US) and brag about his putting the whole world in danger as he slaughters tens of thousands of people and is treated respectfully. Its such an indictment of our whole culture."
And then this morning to read that Nasrella has been assassanated is almost just too much! I had immense respect for him and Hezbollah. They fought with integrity an infinitely more powerful opponent without integrity. He didn't stand a chance against the Zionist Nazis.
Gaza and Ukraine are lame brain NEOCON Empire projects.
Most US voters are fine with paying taxes to run the Empire no matter what the costs, no matter how many millions are bombed and blown up by US proxies like Zelensky and Netanyahu.
Thank you Ralph and your two wonderful guests this is really great information to get. I was especially glad to get a view into how horrific this war is for the people in terms of no war has ever been so bad an experience on the human mind. Who needs to make up stories of hell when we have the real thing here the very worst hell man has ever invented yet. And that we have no idea how devastating this is going to be for any survivors here.
Its very time consuming to bird dog foreign policies of candidates and their advocates.
The president has the lead on this under Article I, as opposed to domestic issues where the Congress and the states have the lead. It seems to me that the Duopoly on foreign questions is remarkably agreed on most of it. I dont see Trump or Harris disagreeing on much. They are both bacvkers of the proxy wars. Im voting forJill Stein who promises to:
Establish a foreign policy based on diplomacy, international law, and human rights
End existing wars, military actions, proxy wars and secret wars
Cut military spending by 50-75% and ensure a just transition that replaces military jobs with Green New Deal jobs
Invest the peace dividend in a Global Green New Deal to prevent climate collapse, and build toward universal access to basic human needs for food, clean water and sanitation, education, and health care for every human being on Earth
Close the vast majority of the 700+ foreign US military bases
Stop U.S. support and arms sales to human rights abusers
Lead on global nuclear disarmament
End unilateral economic sanctions that primarily harm civilian populations
Remove war powers from the president and restore Congress’ sole power to declare war
Disband NATO and replace it with a modern, inclusive security framework that respects the security interests of all nations and people
Demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, an end to the blockade of Gaza, immediate humanitarian and medical relief, and release of hostages and political prisoners
Immediately end all military aid to Israel and adopt sanctions until Israel complies with international law to put an end to decades of violence, illegal occupation, displacement, dispossession, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing
End the longstanding US practice of vetoing UN Security Council resolutions to hold Israel accountable to international law
Move to end the UN Security Council to ensure the UN is a true democratic body
Remove U.S. troops from Iraq and Syria
Stop fueling the war between Russia and Ukraine and lead on negotiating a peaceful end
End the embargo of Cuba and normalize relations
End sanctions on Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela that amount to collective punishment of civilian populations
End US interventionist policies that drive people to become migrant refugees
End the failed drug wars and stop regime change attempts against foreign governments
Ban the use of killer drones, robots, and artificial intelligence
Close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp
Ensure family-supporting wages and benefits for military service members
Fully fund veterans’ programs and benefits, including healthcare, mental health, housing, and job training, for a transition to civilian life
Protect the rights of service members, including conscientious objectors
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I refer here to your 9/30/24 RN Radio Hour [RNRH] program's, BOOBYTRAPS, BOMBS, and BLOWBACK discussion, when you and your guest expressed incredulity about the rationale for our federal government's manifestly self-defeating - and unpopular - policy of decades of unconditional support for Israel.
Generally, per polls, Americans paying attention to post 10/7/23 events in Occupied Gaza, and more recently, the West Bank, disapprove of our Federal Government’s failure to enforce the Leahy Amendment prohibiting the unconditional provision of taxpayer funded US military materiel to Israel in view of Israel’s documented use of this materiel in violation of International Humanitarian Law, ergo, the spirit of US Federal Law.
Were they aware of it, most Americans would likely also oppose paying for US bombing sites in sovereign, fellow UN Member nations, Syria and Yemen at the behest, and ostensibly on behalf of Israel’s claimed national security, that, in the absence of our Constitution’s Declaration of War requirement, represents a violation of the Neutrality Act.
Frustrated, they claim ignorance, saying they simply can’t figure out why our government is acting so irrationally! Moreover, to say that I was surprised to hear that puzzlement from you is an understatement.
Nevertheless, I think I can answer the "Why?" this ostensibly vexing problem of our Federal Executive and Legislative Branch's lack of an ‘Or else!’ policy in the exclusive case of the Government of Israel's outrageous comportment in light of the fact that in every other instance, e.g., most recently Russia's invasion of Ukraine, our government has no difficulty discerning legal from illegal, moral from immoral, right from wrong, and ad hoc from de jure, reflexively publicly condemning any and all other nations' "Might makes right" actions.
Whereas for a few reasons, particularly the following one, I would welcome being told that the following hypothesis is incorrect, however, after observing the US Government’s “toothless” policy vis-à-vis Israel after its establishment as a sovereign state cf. it’s former status, merely “homeland” refuge subject to the weal of the indigenous Moslem Arab majority of Greater Palestine, I conclude that the fundamental reason for our Federal Government's double standard may be characterized, albeit crudely, by the aphorism, "Money talks, b_ l _ s h _ t walks!"
From at least the 1920s, American Jewish Zionists have compulsively and lavishly funded Zionist organizations, eventually funneling their largesse via the politically powerful lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, its affiliates, and other pro-Israel, Zionist organizations.
This guaranteed source of ample funding is shrewdly weaponized to threaten elected officials daring to criticize and/or act to hold Israel accountable for its transgressions e.g., by generously funding and otherwise supporting their opponents’ primary election campaigns.
If one accesses OPEN SECRETS* and SLUDGE** websites et al., one can learn the names of major individual, corporate, and other institutional donors, (e.g., foundations) and the names of recipient US Government officials and the amounts they receive. It is very illuminating research, and time well spent, because that data is the key to explaining to our perplexed citizens the actual, ignoble reason for their elected officials’ venality and duplicity in re their carte blanche support for successive Israeli Governments' illegal, immoral, unethical policies vis-à-vis the indigenous Semitic Arab, overwhelmingly Moslem inhabitants of Palestine.
I say that I hope I'm wrong that the American People, in equating the US taxpayer enabled carnage in Gaza and the consequent prospect of Americans again suffering 9/11 level retaliatory anti-American terrorism*** with American Jews’ money, because I know the history of post WWI Germany and the Nazis’ rationale for its "Final Solution" policy intended to solve Germany's "Jewish problem."
Thus, the danger is that, notwithstanding the fact that a decisive number of our own elected federal officials, supposedly representing us and sworn to advance the public weal, are demonstrably bought - corrupted - by “Jews' money” via ‘The Zionist Lobby,” if and when US support for Israel’s indisputable persecution of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and victimization of Syrians, Yemenis, Lebanese, and most recently, Iranians via Israel’s US provisioned and sanctioned air raids result in the US - here and abroad – again becoming the target of terrorism, the otherwise entertainment-distracted, ‘sleeping' American Public may awaken, put two-and-two together, and a la the Charlottesville "Jews will not replace us!" crowd, indiscriminately turn their ire against any and all Jewish Americans, engendering a formerly secular, exclusively anti-State of Israel antipathy into genuine anti-Semitism! This would be a tragic - as in “Greek Tragedy' – outcome, potentially resulting in US cities’ “Kristallnachts” with angry so-called “True American MAGA Patriots!” re current polls ~50% of the American Electorate carrying signs, viz.: “Jews are Disloyal!” / “Jews’ Money Controls the Deep State and the Fake News Media” / “Jews are Responsible for Worldwide anti-American Terrorism!”
In arriving at my understanding of the "Why," I have considered, but rejected, other explanations, principally the assertion that sympathy for the Jews' Holocaust experience causes US officials to give Israel a 'pass,' ignoring its transgressions, no matter how egregious and inimical to US national interests.
Likewise, I discount the "Poor, weak little Israel is surrounded by unjustifiably hostile Arab armies!” as, indeed Israel was until ~the 1970s. This blatant canard is countered by the fact that Israel is considered to have the seventh most powerful military in the world, and is a nuclear power with a First World economy, i.e., disingenuous Netanyahoo [sic.] assertions to the contrary, neither Hamas nor Hezbollah – not even their allying – would present a credible 'existential threat' to The Jewish State, especially since, as the AIPAC et.al. funding data demonstrate, the Israeli 'tail' wags the US Congress and POTUS “dog,” invariably giving Israel superpower "cover" for its offensive, no holds barred military strategy.
Mr. Nader, the frustration we heard in your voice during that Saturday’s RNRH discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US Government’s role, was palpable and heart wrenching; we can literally feel how such a conundrum must affect a man of heart, integrity, and indefatigable commitment to fostering Justice like you.
As for me, for many personal reasons I need not mention here, I have compelling reasons for taking this sad dilemma seriously and 'hard,' as you clearly do, and I'm aware that if true, my answer to the "Why?" will not serve as a balm for the many like us who feel deeply for the long suffering, oppressed, wretched Palestinians and other regional Palestinian allies who are also victims of US Taxpayer funded Israeli mechanized terror from the air.
I am aware of your family’s Connecticut connection, so I have included in the footnotes some relevant data I researched, data that, e.g. notably in the case of Senator Lieberman, who from 1990 until retirement received $1,998,774. from AIPAC alone, more than three times the amount his colleagues Blumenthal and Dodd received (~$300+k each) combined, has ever been the staunch, “Israel can do no wrong” shill, illustrates. I think the veracity of my assertion, viz., that money, in this instance principally “Jewish Americans’ money,” has corrupted US decision makers such that they’re willing to violate the very laws they’re sworn to respect, not to mention compromise their humanity, common decency, and morality, has been demonstrated.
I can imagine how many letters you receive, and that you will be unable to respond to all, however, should you be so kind, I will be very grateful if you will reply, however briefly, with an appraisal of my aforementioned hypothesis via e-mail or regular mail**** as, given your extraordinary life's experience, I consider your judgment invaluable!
Thank you for considering my concerns, hypothesis, and request.
***United States support for Israel's treatment of the Palestinians was a reason Osama bin-Laden gave for his antipathy toward the US, manifested by al Qaida’s attacks on US military outposts and other US interests abroad, and, most notably, the 9/11/01 attacks.
Could you elaborate about the status and history of Social Security in an episode? Your remark about S.S. not being increased for forty years grabbed my attention. Please bring more light to this subject? And, of course, continue your excellent coverage of the horrors and tragedy in Gaza and the perverse corruption of our government by corporate maneuvering. Thank you. Laurel Farnham
Once the Muslim military interests start hitting Israel hard as they deserve, the US will step up it's military deployments; this week Biden gave Israel another 8.5 billion dollars in aid. There is no solution to this disaster now; even if Harris takes over she will likely do Israel's bidding. Keep contacting your Congressmen to let their people at least know that you are against this disgusting military support of dictator Netanyahu. The aides listen to the constituents, at least many of them care! Tell them that many of their constituents support charities that are sending support to the victims of the wars they are fueling!
Hezbollah targets izzy military installations in defense of Palestine and Lebanon.
Genocides "R" Us targets innocent, unarmed civilians because they can't fight back. The MO of the invading, occupying, ethnic cleansing, European Zionists since 1947.
Meanwhile, genocide Joe, many of his staff say, wanders around the White House in his soiled diaper, asking his AIPAC handler where his ice cream cone is.
I have repeatedly contacted my senators and representative. I got word salad letters justifying our complicity in war crimes. The ability of our legislators to stay in office despite their clear complicity in corruption and murder is frightening. Not to mention their neglect of the real needs of their constituents. Congress has managed to build a wall against their own people. Giving the wealthy free, unfettered, access. We are an oligarchy at a time we’ve needed democracy more than ever.
The complicit big money legislators stay in office because people keep voting for them. Congress built the wall against their own people with their own people.
"All in all, you're just another brick in the wall."
I suggest that citizens contacting their senators and representatives include a declaration that you will no longer vote for politicians that take big money as it results in politicians that ignore their constituents input on important issues such as those discussed in this episode and regularly on the RNRH and that on November 5th you will be casting a write in vote to register a vote against the big money politicians and to create and demonstrate demand for small donor candidates in 2026.
I suggest that citizens that do not contact their senators and representatives also cast the write in vote on November 5th.
I suggest Ralph to get behind this effort as well as get in the front of it.
To paraphrase:
Mr. Nader- TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!
As usual, Mr. Nader is indeed the "man of the hour." Most of this very important information I had not heard of. And I try to follow several (ostensibly) "progressive" news sources.
The state of new reporting in this country is reprehensible and seems to be declining, the Internet news sources and social media notwithstanding. Very ominous to say the least.
I had read Feroze Sidhwa's letter back when he sent it to the White House and remember thinking, 'G_d - I hope that guy survives.' My heart is full to hear from him again, even though the desperate situation he describes is demoralizing beyond words.
The contrived perception that Biden has real power in this crisis is a fantasy. It has already been demonstrated in at least two ways that this is an illusion: When the oligarch/donors told Biden he couldn’t run again, an historic event, and secondly, by the concurrence of media and almost everybody else in supporting Israel’s barbarism. Everyone is being told stand down and shut up. Biden is incapable of orchestrating this level of servility. Biden is an empty puppet. It’s way time to recognize the real drivers in this horror show.
I get so fed up with people claiming that the United States is a democracy. Even Thom Hartmann, whom I admire to the skies, does this. Mike Rube's comment puts that notion to rest. Yes, we have a verbal wall of election openness that, in some respects, could be seen as the opening salvo for a democracy. But after that, it all collapses. Representatives are free to sell their votes to the highest bidder. That is not democracy, that is corruption. Democracy is a three legged stool. An informed public, a free form of elections and representatives that are forced to represent the people who elected them. Without all three legs, democracy is just a distant dream, as it is here. My solution is to abandon elections and representatives and substitute a computer based bulletin board which gives every American citizen a password and a vote online. Every law and budget should be publicly debated and voted on. No one person should ever have the ability to create or pass a law. I write all about this in my book Parasites Lost on gettingtozerowaste.com.
democracy is just window dressing. your computer based voting proposal would probably get hacked before it began.
My level of distress and angst over what the US and Israel are doing is extremely great. My country. In my name with my tax dollars. My US Representative Marilyn Strickland is deeply in AIPAC's pockets. In April 2024 Rep Strickland went to Israel, paid for by AIPAC, and posted photographs of herself with Netanyahu, smiling... When I write her she vomits the propaganda which I know to be untrue.
Yesterday on The Grayzone's podcast Aaron Mate said "Netanyahu is the most dangerous person on this planet. He's just a complete fanatic. The fact that he can come here (to the US) and brag about his putting the whole world in danger as he slaughters tens of thousands of people and is treated respectfully. Its such an indictment of our whole culture."
And then this morning to read that Nasrella has been assassanated is almost just too much! I had immense respect for him and Hezbollah. They fought with integrity an infinitely more powerful opponent without integrity. He didn't stand a chance against the Zionist Nazis.
Gaza and Ukraine are lame brain NEOCON Empire projects.
Most US voters are fine with paying taxes to run the Empire no matter what the costs, no matter how many millions are bombed and blown up by US proxies like Zelensky and Netanyahu.
-> Im voting for Stein or West.
Thank you Ralph and your two wonderful guests this is really great information to get. I was especially glad to get a view into how horrific this war is for the people in terms of no war has ever been so bad an experience on the human mind. Who needs to make up stories of hell when we have the real thing here the very worst hell man has ever invented yet. And that we have no idea how devastating this is going to be for any survivors here.
Its very time consuming to bird dog foreign policies of candidates and their advocates.
The president has the lead on this under Article I, as opposed to domestic issues where the Congress and the states have the lead. It seems to me that the Duopoly on foreign questions is remarkably agreed on most of it. I dont see Trump or Harris disagreeing on much. They are both bacvkers of the proxy wars. Im voting forJill Stein who promises to:
Establish a foreign policy based on diplomacy, international law, and human rights
End existing wars, military actions, proxy wars and secret wars
Cut military spending by 50-75% and ensure a just transition that replaces military jobs with Green New Deal jobs
Invest the peace dividend in a Global Green New Deal to prevent climate collapse, and build toward universal access to basic human needs for food, clean water and sanitation, education, and health care for every human being on Earth
Close the vast majority of the 700+ foreign US military bases
Stop U.S. support and arms sales to human rights abusers
Lead on global nuclear disarmament
End unilateral economic sanctions that primarily harm civilian populations
Remove war powers from the president and restore Congress’ sole power to declare war
Disband NATO and replace it with a modern, inclusive security framework that respects the security interests of all nations and people
Demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, an end to the blockade of Gaza, immediate humanitarian and medical relief, and release of hostages and political prisoners
Immediately end all military aid to Israel and adopt sanctions until Israel complies with international law to put an end to decades of violence, illegal occupation, displacement, dispossession, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing
End the longstanding US practice of vetoing UN Security Council resolutions to hold Israel accountable to international law
Move to end the UN Security Council to ensure the UN is a true democratic body
Remove U.S. troops from Iraq and Syria
Stop fueling the war between Russia and Ukraine and lead on negotiating a peaceful end
End the embargo of Cuba and normalize relations
End sanctions on Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela that amount to collective punishment of civilian populations
End US interventionist policies that drive people to become migrant refugees
End the failed drug wars and stop regime change attempts against foreign governments
Ban the use of killer drones, robots, and artificial intelligence
Close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp
Ensure family-supporting wages and benefits for military service members
Fully fund veterans’ programs and benefits, including healthcare, mental health, housing, and job training, for a transition to civilian life
Protect the rights of service members, including conscientious objectors
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dear Mr. Nader,
I refer here to your 9/30/24 RN Radio Hour [RNRH] program's, BOOBYTRAPS, BOMBS, and BLOWBACK discussion, when you and your guest expressed incredulity about the rationale for our federal government's manifestly self-defeating - and unpopular - policy of decades of unconditional support for Israel.
Generally, per polls, Americans paying attention to post 10/7/23 events in Occupied Gaza, and more recently, the West Bank, disapprove of our Federal Government’s failure to enforce the Leahy Amendment prohibiting the unconditional provision of taxpayer funded US military materiel to Israel in view of Israel’s documented use of this materiel in violation of International Humanitarian Law, ergo, the spirit of US Federal Law.
Were they aware of it, most Americans would likely also oppose paying for US bombing sites in sovereign, fellow UN Member nations, Syria and Yemen at the behest, and ostensibly on behalf of Israel’s claimed national security, that, in the absence of our Constitution’s Declaration of War requirement, represents a violation of the Neutrality Act.
Frustrated, they claim ignorance, saying they simply can’t figure out why our government is acting so irrationally! Moreover, to say that I was surprised to hear that puzzlement from you is an understatement.
Nevertheless, I think I can answer the "Why?" this ostensibly vexing problem of our Federal Executive and Legislative Branch's lack of an ‘Or else!’ policy in the exclusive case of the Government of Israel's outrageous comportment in light of the fact that in every other instance, e.g., most recently Russia's invasion of Ukraine, our government has no difficulty discerning legal from illegal, moral from immoral, right from wrong, and ad hoc from de jure, reflexively publicly condemning any and all other nations' "Might makes right" actions.
Whereas for a few reasons, particularly the following one, I would welcome being told that the following hypothesis is incorrect, however, after observing the US Government’s “toothless” policy vis-à-vis Israel after its establishment as a sovereign state cf. it’s former status, merely “homeland” refuge subject to the weal of the indigenous Moslem Arab majority of Greater Palestine, I conclude that the fundamental reason for our Federal Government's double standard may be characterized, albeit crudely, by the aphorism, "Money talks, b_ l _ s h _ t walks!"
From at least the 1920s, American Jewish Zionists have compulsively and lavishly funded Zionist organizations, eventually funneling their largesse via the politically powerful lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, its affiliates, and other pro-Israel, Zionist organizations.
This guaranteed source of ample funding is shrewdly weaponized to threaten elected officials daring to criticize and/or act to hold Israel accountable for its transgressions e.g., by generously funding and otherwise supporting their opponents’ primary election campaigns.
If one accesses OPEN SECRETS* and SLUDGE** websites et al., one can learn the names of major individual, corporate, and other institutional donors, (e.g., foundations) and the names of recipient US Government officials and the amounts they receive. It is very illuminating research, and time well spent, because that data is the key to explaining to our perplexed citizens the actual, ignoble reason for their elected officials’ venality and duplicity in re their carte blanche support for successive Israeli Governments' illegal, immoral, unethical policies vis-à-vis the indigenous Semitic Arab, overwhelmingly Moslem inhabitants of Palestine.
I say that I hope I'm wrong that the American People, in equating the US taxpayer enabled carnage in Gaza and the consequent prospect of Americans again suffering 9/11 level retaliatory anti-American terrorism*** with American Jews’ money, because I know the history of post WWI Germany and the Nazis’ rationale for its "Final Solution" policy intended to solve Germany's "Jewish problem."
Thus, the danger is that, notwithstanding the fact that a decisive number of our own elected federal officials, supposedly representing us and sworn to advance the public weal, are demonstrably bought - corrupted - by “Jews' money” via ‘The Zionist Lobby,” if and when US support for Israel’s indisputable persecution of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and victimization of Syrians, Yemenis, Lebanese, and most recently, Iranians via Israel’s US provisioned and sanctioned air raids result in the US - here and abroad – again becoming the target of terrorism, the otherwise entertainment-distracted, ‘sleeping' American Public may awaken, put two-and-two together, and a la the Charlottesville "Jews will not replace us!" crowd, indiscriminately turn their ire against any and all Jewish Americans, engendering a formerly secular, exclusively anti-State of Israel antipathy into genuine anti-Semitism! This would be a tragic - as in “Greek Tragedy' – outcome, potentially resulting in US cities’ “Kristallnachts” with angry so-called “True American MAGA Patriots!” re current polls ~50% of the American Electorate carrying signs, viz.: “Jews are Disloyal!” / “Jews’ Money Controls the Deep State and the Fake News Media” / “Jews are Responsible for Worldwide anti-American Terrorism!”
In arriving at my understanding of the "Why," I have considered, but rejected, other explanations, principally the assertion that sympathy for the Jews' Holocaust experience causes US officials to give Israel a 'pass,' ignoring its transgressions, no matter how egregious and inimical to US national interests.
Likewise, I discount the "Poor, weak little Israel is surrounded by unjustifiably hostile Arab armies!” as, indeed Israel was until ~the 1970s. This blatant canard is countered by the fact that Israel is considered to have the seventh most powerful military in the world, and is a nuclear power with a First World economy, i.e., disingenuous Netanyahoo [sic.] assertions to the contrary, neither Hamas nor Hezbollah – not even their allying – would present a credible 'existential threat' to The Jewish State, especially since, as the AIPAC et.al. funding data demonstrate, the Israeli 'tail' wags the US Congress and POTUS “dog,” invariably giving Israel superpower "cover" for its offensive, no holds barred military strategy.
Mr. Nader, the frustration we heard in your voice during that Saturday’s RNRH discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US Government’s role, was palpable and heart wrenching; we can literally feel how such a conundrum must affect a man of heart, integrity, and indefatigable commitment to fostering Justice like you.
As for me, for many personal reasons I need not mention here, I have compelling reasons for taking this sad dilemma seriously and 'hard,' as you clearly do, and I'm aware that if true, my answer to the "Why?" will not serve as a balm for the many like us who feel deeply for the long suffering, oppressed, wretched Palestinians and other regional Palestinian allies who are also victims of US Taxpayer funded Israeli mechanized terror from the air.
I am aware of your family’s Connecticut connection, so I have included in the footnotes some relevant data I researched, data that, e.g. notably in the case of Senator Lieberman, who from 1990 until retirement received $1,998,774. from AIPAC alone, more than three times the amount his colleagues Blumenthal and Dodd received (~$300+k each) combined, has ever been the staunch, “Israel can do no wrong” shill, illustrates. I think the veracity of my assertion, viz., that money, in this instance principally “Jewish Americans’ money,” has corrupted US decision makers such that they’re willing to violate the very laws they’re sworn to respect, not to mention compromise their humanity, common decency, and morality, has been demonstrated.
I can imagine how many letters you receive, and that you will be unable to respond to all, however, should you be so kind, I will be very grateful if you will reply, however briefly, with an appraisal of my aforementioned hypothesis via e-mail or regular mail**** as, given your extraordinary life's experience, I consider your judgment invaluable!
Thank you for considering my concerns, hypothesis, and request.
Sincerely,
George J. Robinson
New York, New York
*https://www.opensecrets.org/
Lieberman, J. (D-CT) $1,998,774.
Blumenthal, R. (D-CT) $ 389,981.
Dodd, C. (D-CT) $ 369.950.
$1,998,77
**http://www.readsludge.com
***United States support for Israel's treatment of the Palestinians was a reason Osama bin-Laden gave for his antipathy toward the US, manifested by al Qaida’s attacks on US military outposts and other US interests abroad, and, most notably, the 9/11/01 attacks.
Hello Mr. Nader,
Could you elaborate about the status and history of Social Security in an episode? Your remark about S.S. not being increased for forty years grabbed my attention. Please bring more light to this subject? And, of course, continue your excellent coverage of the horrors and tragedy in Gaza and the perverse corruption of our government by corporate maneuvering. Thank you. Laurel Farnham
Once the Muslim military interests start hitting Israel hard as they deserve, the US will step up it's military deployments; this week Biden gave Israel another 8.5 billion dollars in aid. There is no solution to this disaster now; even if Harris takes over she will likely do Israel's bidding. Keep contacting your Congressmen to let their people at least know that you are against this disgusting military support of dictator Netanyahu. The aides listen to the constituents, at least many of them care! Tell them that many of their constituents support charities that are sending support to the victims of the wars they are fueling!
Wow
Hezbollah targets izzy military installations in defense of Palestine and Lebanon.
Genocides "R" Us targets innocent, unarmed civilians because they can't fight back. The MO of the invading, occupying, ethnic cleansing, European Zionists since 1947.
Meanwhile, genocide Joe, many of his staff say, wanders around the White House in his soiled diaper, asking his AIPAC handler where his ice cream cone is.
Thank you Trita Parsi and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa.
Incredible unknown information. So much yet we often feel helpless. But Thsnks for giving us facts to work with. Trish Dayan