the USA, Israel, and national interest

The Storm over the Israel Lobby

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201627.html
(free registration required)

And an online discussion with the author of the piece:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/07/14/DI2006071400780.html

I wish I knew a way I could specifically contribute money against AIPAC.

http://www.tikkun.org/

Yes, that's true- I think it's important to remember that AIPAC is no more secretive or conspiratorial than any other lobbying organization. They make no effort to conceal their aims and activities. To call them a conspiracy would be improper, and -- due to the unfortunate history of anti-Semitic myths about Jewish international conspiracies -- anything that even hints of a conspiracy theory is sure to get some hackles up, and rightly so.

The Iraq war is a great example - did the Israel lobby push for it? Yes. Were some of the neocons that supported it Jewish people who were big Israel supporters? Sure. But if you want to explain why we really went to war in Iraq, it's pretty obvious that you'd have to put energy security and business interests high on the list, followed maybe by the neocon policy of "spreading democracy" (making regions more U.S.-friendly). I mean Ahmed Chalabi did a lot to push the war too but no one's accusing anti-Baathist Iraqis of pulling all the strings.

uh, what? you do know about curveball or screwball or whatever the dude's codename was, right?

More later when I reach the chapter where he talks about the REAL REASON why USA wuvs teh Israel.

I'd say the Lieberman loss is more evidence against the Walt-Mearshimer theory.

The Israel lobby is a powerful lobby, but I don't think it's "The" Lobby.

I wish someone would come up with a new explanation for the US-Israel friendship. what about the Lions and the Rotary Clubs? Hamas' charter fingers them, so they must be up to something.

The centrality of the Middle East for many "religious conservatives" is due to several factors: some religious conservatives see war against Muslims as a religious battle in defense of Christianity, some see it as necessary to secure the existence of a "Greater Israel" which many Christians believe is a prerequisite for the return of Jesus, while still others see bellicosity as a test of loyalty to the Cause or even as proof of one's belief in the exceptionalism of the tribe, whether the Tribe is "America," "Christianity," or "conservatism."

Walt was on Terry Gross just now. He was pretty reasonable and nuanced, much moreso, even, than he was in his own article in the LRB, which makes me wonder if he's either learned to be moreso, or if Mearsheimer is harsher.

They followed with Abe Foxman, but I had to turn it off because I couldn't stand listening to the man hyperventilate. He distorted everything Walt said, but I think he really believes his own distortions. I still came away thinking Walt overemphasizes the role of the Israel lobby and the impact of our support for Israel, but Walt maybe brought me a bit closer to his viewpoint.

Looks like it's archived:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14154082&ft=1&f=13

Here's the Foxman part:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14154089

"There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the Middle East - the Israeli defense ministry and its 'amen corner' in the United States." Pat Buchanan - September 15, 1990

pat buchanan is such a monumental jackass

sorry, i mean "patrick j. buchanan" lol

still lolz @ "amen corner"

a year after making that quote buchanan, when running for president, visited a confederate cemetery but wouldn't cross the street to visit the black cemetery