Looks to me like AIPAC is becoming IRRELEVANT and more importantly a DETRIMENT in their lobbying efforts to sway American elections and ultimately political policy. I hope they crash and burn!
'The Family' and other Christo-fascist shit you write about, it has its Israeli equivalent, which is a step ahead or a step behind the U.S.'s march towards theocracy - depending on the difference in government structure - and like tRump in the U.S., Netanyahu is the hood ornament of that vehicle.
I love the way you braid the news with some humor. You create such a buzz with it. I feel we have been conditioned to accept such bad reporting from the mane stream media. Hopefully more journalists will part ways and become independent. Otherwise they will just fade away.
"El-Sayed successfully turned AIPAC’s spending into proof of his independence from pro-Netanyahu money. (I’m trying not to reflexively say “pro-Israel,” because is supporting Netanyahu pro-Isreal? Really?)"
Jonathan, you did it again: “Pres. Joe Biden pardoned Fauci for … whatever bullshit Republicans might come up with. But Senate Republicans argue that that doesn’t include contempt of Congress, which honestly we’re all guilty of”. I will be chuckling about that for days. Thank you again.
With all the jokes about the wind blowing his 6 strands of hair the other day, it was just a matter of time before he got a new golden dome. Is it another one of those paid for by the taxpayers as well 🤔
"assuring voters that, no, El-Sayed was not the antisemitic terrorist they’d been introduced to by AIPAC"
* Being anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian ≠ antisemitic. I know a shitwagon full of Jewish people who want nothing to do with the current Israeli regime and their actions, allegedly in support of a Jewish homeland. This includes friends from the 1960s who went on Aliyah that I'm still in contact with. (To be sure, these friends are, by definition, Zionists but not all Zionists are evil assholes who want to see Israel as ***the*** dominant country in the Middle East as opposed to being an equal among equals.)
* AIPAC ceased representing the average American Jew years and years ago. They push monied interests and support for Bibi over what's best for all of Israel and all who live within her borders. Hopefully AIPAC dies a quick death with the space to be taken by a Jewish-American PAC that promotes a democratic, peaceful Israel: J Street:
> "J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans to promote US policies that embody our deeply held Jewish and democratic values and that help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people. We believe that only a negotiated resolution agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians can meet the legitimate needs and national aspirations of both peoples." https://jstreet.org/about-us/
* AIPAC isn't the only Jewish-American group that doesn't practice what it preaches, for example there's the American Jewish Committee:
> "We are concerned by El-Sayed’s framing of American politics as a zero-sum game that too often casts those who disagree as the enemy. He has said that he has “a lot of contempt” for the current political system and frames those who disagree with him as being corrupt and bought by special interests rather than simply having opposing viewpoints. It’s one thing to disagree over policy, it’s another to delegitimize those with whom you disagree. This approach is fundamentally at odds with the principles of civility, pluralism, and robust democratic debate that are central to our democracy. Of particular concern to the Jewish community is El-Sayed’s portrayal of supporters of Israel as illegitimate and morally corrupt, while simultaneously demonizing Israel itself." https://www.ajc.org/news/ajc-statement-on-el-sayed-nomination-as-michigan-democratic-candidate-for-senate
Perhaps the AJC should reconsider this statement since they have a problem in that they disagree with El-Sayed and want him to just fuck off and die, so they are stifling "the principles of civility, pluralism, and robust democratic debate that are central to our democracy[,]" and are delegitimizing him for this. But where does El-Sayed really stand on the issues surrounding Israel?
> "I believe in equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination, for Palestinians and Jewish Israelis alike. And I believe that it is not my job as an American policymaker to decide what the ultimate peace should be. But it is my job to make sure that our resources are stewarded correctly for the people I’m responsible for....
[...]
[He continues] The very same people who tell you you have to believe in a two-state solution are constantly aiding, arming, and abetting an Israeli government that has been dead set on foreclosing on the possibility of a Palestinian state since we’ve been funding them." https://forward.com/opinion/843260/abdul-el-sayed-future-israel-palestinians/
Forward ("JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT") goes on to point out
> "It is, roughly, the view of non-anti-Zionist progressive organizations like the New Israel Fund, J Street, T’ruah, and others: there should be a negotiated solution between Israelis and Palestinians, whatever form that takes, but that the current government in Israel is squarely opposed to finding one" ibid
In case you are interested, I wrote Sen. Gillibrand about my concerns as to how she could embrace the teachings of an anti Semite who also didn't think the government should help the poot, and adequately serve all the people of her State. She did reply the next day. She said:
"Dear Ms.
Thank you for contacting me about the importance of the free exercise of religion in the United States.
The Constitution clearly states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” However, this does not give individuals the right to use their religion to discriminate against and impose beliefs on others who do not share them. As your Senator, I will continue to support and defend the Constitution, to ensure all people, no matter their religious affiliation, are freely able to practice their faith without intrusion from the government or harassment from individuals.
It is a great honor to serve as Senator of New York. Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. I hope that you will keep in touch with my office regarding future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues, please visit my website at https://gillibrand.senate.gov .
Sincerely,"
I will still take what she says with a tablespoon of salt.
Thank you for your presentation of the news in a manner where I can both growl, and chuckle.
I really don't know why trump would say anything bad about El Sayed whose ancestors are Egyptian. After all trump got $10 million in a cash bribe from the Egyptian government in his first term.
Looks to me like AIPAC is becoming IRRELEVANT and more importantly a DETRIMENT in their lobbying efforts to sway American elections and ultimately political policy. I hope they crash and burn!
"Is supporting Netanyahu pro-Isreal?"
Absolutely not.
Supporting Netanyahu is anti-Israel.
'The Family' and other Christo-fascist shit you write about, it has its Israeli equivalent, which is a step ahead or a step behind the U.S.'s march towards theocracy - depending on the difference in government structure - and like tRump in the U.S., Netanyahu is the hood ornament of that vehicle.
I love the way you braid the news with some humor. You create such a buzz with it. I feel we have been conditioned to accept such bad reporting from the mane stream media. Hopefully more journalists will part ways and become independent. Otherwise they will just fade away.
Thanks Jonathan!! I think you are FUCKING AWESOME!
"El-Sayed successfully turned AIPAC’s spending into proof of his independence from pro-Netanyahu money. (I’m trying not to reflexively say “pro-Israel,” because is supporting Netanyahu pro-Isreal? Really?)"
I would argue it's not.
I saw what you did there. That was a hair-raising amount of pun-ishment. LOL
Great stuff as always, brother.
Jonathan, you did it again: “Pres. Joe Biden pardoned Fauci for … whatever bullshit Republicans might come up with. But Senate Republicans argue that that doesn’t include contempt of Congress, which honestly we’re all guilty of”. I will be chuckling about that for days. Thank you again.
I'm confused over Collins.. She says she's voting no on Blanche, but it sounds like her typical flip will occur? Am I getting that right?
I'm guessing she won't flip. It seems like maybe she was allowed to vote no because they have enough votes without her.
With all the jokes about the wind blowing his 6 strands of hair the other day, it was just a matter of time before he got a new golden dome. Is it another one of those paid for by the taxpayers as well 🤔
"assuring voters that, no, El-Sayed was not the antisemitic terrorist they’d been introduced to by AIPAC"
* Being anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian ≠ antisemitic. I know a shitwagon full of Jewish people who want nothing to do with the current Israeli regime and their actions, allegedly in support of a Jewish homeland. This includes friends from the 1960s who went on Aliyah that I'm still in contact with. (To be sure, these friends are, by definition, Zionists but not all Zionists are evil assholes who want to see Israel as ***the*** dominant country in the Middle East as opposed to being an equal among equals.)
* AIPAC ceased representing the average American Jew years and years ago. They push monied interests and support for Bibi over what's best for all of Israel and all who live within her borders. Hopefully AIPAC dies a quick death with the space to be taken by a Jewish-American PAC that promotes a democratic, peaceful Israel: J Street:
> "J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans to promote US policies that embody our deeply held Jewish and democratic values and that help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people. We believe that only a negotiated resolution agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians can meet the legitimate needs and national aspirations of both peoples." https://jstreet.org/about-us/
* AIPAC isn't the only Jewish-American group that doesn't practice what it preaches, for example there's the American Jewish Committee:
> "We are concerned by El-Sayed’s framing of American politics as a zero-sum game that too often casts those who disagree as the enemy. He has said that he has “a lot of contempt” for the current political system and frames those who disagree with him as being corrupt and bought by special interests rather than simply having opposing viewpoints. It’s one thing to disagree over policy, it’s another to delegitimize those with whom you disagree. This approach is fundamentally at odds with the principles of civility, pluralism, and robust democratic debate that are central to our democracy. Of particular concern to the Jewish community is El-Sayed’s portrayal of supporters of Israel as illegitimate and morally corrupt, while simultaneously demonizing Israel itself." https://www.ajc.org/news/ajc-statement-on-el-sayed-nomination-as-michigan-democratic-candidate-for-senate
Perhaps the AJC should reconsider this statement since they have a problem in that they disagree with El-Sayed and want him to just fuck off and die, so they are stifling "the principles of civility, pluralism, and robust democratic debate that are central to our democracy[,]" and are delegitimizing him for this. But where does El-Sayed really stand on the issues surrounding Israel?
> "I believe in equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination, for Palestinians and Jewish Israelis alike. And I believe that it is not my job as an American policymaker to decide what the ultimate peace should be. But it is my job to make sure that our resources are stewarded correctly for the people I’m responsible for....
[...]
[He continues] The very same people who tell you you have to believe in a two-state solution are constantly aiding, arming, and abetting an Israeli government that has been dead set on foreclosing on the possibility of a Palestinian state since we’ve been funding them." https://forward.com/opinion/843260/abdul-el-sayed-future-israel-palestinians/
Forward ("JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT") goes on to point out
> "It is, roughly, the view of non-anti-Zionist progressive organizations like the New Israel Fund, J Street, T’ruah, and others: there should be a negotiated solution between Israelis and Palestinians, whatever form that takes, but that the current government in Israel is squarely opposed to finding one" ibid
True, that.
fnord
You’re hairlarios!
There's still time for all the Mamdani naysayers to hop on board. The man IS delivering as best he can.
I hope that El Sayed moves Slotkin toward the left!
In case you are interested, I wrote Sen. Gillibrand about my concerns as to how she could embrace the teachings of an anti Semite who also didn't think the government should help the poot, and adequately serve all the people of her State. She did reply the next day. She said:
"Dear Ms.
Thank you for contacting me about the importance of the free exercise of religion in the United States.
The Constitution clearly states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” However, this does not give individuals the right to use their religion to discriminate against and impose beliefs on others who do not share them. As your Senator, I will continue to support and defend the Constitution, to ensure all people, no matter their religious affiliation, are freely able to practice their faith without intrusion from the government or harassment from individuals.
It is a great honor to serve as Senator of New York. Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue. I hope that you will keep in touch with my office regarding future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues, please visit my website at https://gillibrand.senate.gov .
Sincerely,"
I will still take what she says with a tablespoon of salt.
Thank you for your presentation of the news in a manner where I can both growl, and chuckle.
Thank you! Sounds like she didn’t respond to what you actually wrote about?
It was a nice tap dance around the subject.
I saw what you did there, weaving hair innuendo into the tangle. Bravo.
Masterful weaving of all the hair jokes. How did you manage to find an actual legislator with hair in his name? Brilliant!
I really don't know why trump would say anything bad about El Sayed whose ancestors are Egyptian. After all trump got $10 million in a cash bribe from the Egyptian government in his first term.