There is no point in worrying about accusations (always one sided) of anti-Semitism. If you say you are not, then you go down the Jeremey Corbyn path of never ending apologies. The accusations are themselves a weapon and a smear, not to say an insult. Best answer, in my opinion, is to ignore it. If you have to answer, the best is to ask why, or ask what the term means. An effective reply is "you are confusing ant-Zionism with anti-Semitism".
“There is literally no criticism you could possibly level at Israel that would not get you accused of antisemitism if you said it to a large enough audience, but this isn’t about Jews, it’s about abuse and injustice. The majority of the most moral and upstanding people I follow for ideas and information about the world happen to be Jewish; Jews are some of the best people I know. You either support an abusive apartheid ethnostate which can’t exist without being in a constant state of war or you don’t, and the majority of the people who do are not even Jewish. Anti-semitism is just an accusation that shitty people level at good people to divert criticisms of their shitty position.”
Caitlin Johnstone, WORRYING ABOUT TIKTOK DURING AN ACTIVE GENOCIDE 10 Mar 24
Unfortunately, Bill, that would first require exposing the corruption that exists on Capitol Hill from the recycling of that Israeli aid back to the Congress. And that would begin with the reclassification of AIPAC as the foreign agent it is. Genocide is occurring in Gaza and neither party is interested beyond "thoughts and prayers" and the usual prattle.
The further right-wing and homicidal a government is, the more likely the US is to support it militarily. This happened all throughout the world in the name of stopping communism and socialism anywhere. So, the far-right, homicidal Israeli government is at the top of the support list, and that is never going to change as long as The Blob has its way, or until the Israeli government suddenly goes too socialist for The Blob's liking (not going to happen).
I agree that Miko is a treasure. He is courageous and speaks with integrity. Miko provides a very rational description and understanding of the Palestinian plight and the zionist state of Israel. I have intended to read The General's Son for some time. At your urging, Bill, I will purchase it this weekend.
Could not agree more with your take here, Bill. "Stop all aid"---it's verbatim what I've been saying on various forums for months. The latest response was, "But Biden's doing his best." Ummm....no. Not when the U.S. vetoed two U.N. ceasefire resolutions (for what they're worth).
I was encouraged, though, by reading several NY Times comments to the effect that Biden's remarks re Israel in the SOTU were, "completely mealy-mouthed." I think there are more U.S.ians who agree with you than MSM might lead us to think.
There is a bully in the neighborhood. You go up and offer him a baseball bat and brass knuckles that you have made yourself. You then give him a handout so that he can afford to pay you for the baseball bat and the brass knuckles. Of course he takes you up on your offers.
What do you think these actions would do to his behavior?
You would be turning a bully into a monster and that's what we have done. We have rewarded arrogance not with needed restraint but with impunity. We've reached an astounding low in two ways, first that we have become a victim of the bully and two, that we expect mere words to have an impact on the bully.
All this in full view of the entire world, yet we expect respect. Can we still dare speak of liberty and justice for all, of a new way in the political world represented by the American Revolution? There is no greater hypocrisy that that of the US as it kow-tows to a tiny colony. A colony! The very thing that we once refused to be and that later we denounced when colonization was European common practice, Zionism the last one to the party.
Talk about scoring an "own goal", and the man who didn't hesitate a second before jumping into this mess expects to be re-elected. He thinks he is in a position to warn us about what might happen to us under Trump.
We've arrived at a point where we can go no lower. We are groping around at the bottom of the barrel.
One thing to remember about all this is that ~ since its post-Holocaust conception, inception, and implementation ~ Israel was intended and designed to be, has been, and is a critical tactical and strategic Forward Operating Base for American foreign policy and military means, methods, and mechanisms in that part of the world, with all its fossil fuel and other wealth.
And Israel has done a Great job of meeting that purpose and of fulfilling that function. To say nothing of its contribution to the well-being of America's MICC.
It’s a shame Donald Trump wasn’t on the ballot for the Nevada Republican Primary held last month.
But it’s not hard to figure out Why. He would have had to compete with “None Of These Candidates” and very probably would have got his ass kicked, just like Nikki Haley did… :
NIKKI HALEY IS TROUNCED BY THE ‘NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES’ OPTION IN NEVADA’S REPUBLICAN PRIMARY by Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper and Gabe Stern / Associated Press 7 Feb 24
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nikki Haley was swamped in Nevada’s symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the “none of these candidates” option on the ballot in a repudiation of the former U.N. ambassador who is the last remaining major rival to front-runner Donald Trump.
Trump didn’t compete in Tuesday’s primary, which doesn’t award any delegates needed to win the GOP nomination. The former president is instead focused on caucuses that will be held Thursday and will help him move closer to becoming the Republican standard-bearer.
That leaves the results Tuesday as technically meaningless in the Republican race. But they still amount to an embarrassment for Haley, who has sought to position herself as a candidate who can genuinely compete against Trump. Instead, SHE BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FROM EITHER PARTY TO LOSE A RACE TO “NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES” SINCE THAT OPTION WAS INTRODUCED IN NEVADA IN 1975.
What needs to be remembered is that 90% of that Military Aid to Israel will ultimately end up in the pockets of the workers, supervisors, managers, executives, and shareholders of America's MICC. And simply added to the National Debt.
And that the remaining 10% goes into the pockets of Vested Special Interests in the government and among the Peoples of Israel.
And this just amplifies the point made by Alex earlier: "I'm guessing that such 'aid' comes with the condition that they buy US weapons systems as opposed to European. And our national debt gets bigger. Shooting for $40 trillion."
I'm sure that the US will be acting on double time getting that pier built. Just think, the ships supplying the aid will be passing by the houthis firing missles at them. Most likely unescorted vessels with HUMANITARIAN AID FOR PALISTINIANS and a big bullseye painted on the side. Would anyone be surprised if a couple got sunk so the US had a "real" excuse for invading the middle east? Oh, what fun! Soggy MREs.
And a slightly off topic question for you having military experience. What is your opinion about the national guard patrolling the subways of New York city armed with M16's? Slight overkill for purse snatchers maybe? Or is it just part of the required dress attire? Full metal jacket or hollow point ammo?
"No we can't justify using the guard for the border! That's what they are for! Put them in the subway where they don't belong!"
i think its total purpose is to give New Yorkers something else to be terrified about.
And, more importantly, to give the government something else to do to convince its citizens that "We, the Government" have everything under control, and will take care of You and everything that is important to You.
All You have to do is exactly what we, Your government, tell You to do. Like You did as "Lockdown Nation" during The COVID Event.
And You all remember how well that went, don't You? With 4.2% of the World's Total Population, the US suffered 15.9% of the Total COVID Cases, and 18.1% of the Total COVID Deaths.
And that is not even considering the Economic, Education, Social, Cultural, and Community casualties suffered by the American Peoples as a result of their federal, state, and local governments' handling of the first Pandemic of the 21st century.
And the New York National Guard has no need or reason to be on America's border with Mexico. That's what the Guards of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are for.
The NYNG might come in handy when hordes of Canadians attempt to get into New York illegally; but that's another scenario.
It may sail through the Red Sea well within reach of houthis weapons range. It may have explosive charges just below the waterline. Iran sold houthis long range missles. The possibilities are really endless since the gullible Americans will believe anything they are told. Putin blew up his own pipeline. Israel has a right to defend itself. It takes a long long time to inspect those trucks crossing the south side.
Why would the IDF let trucks in from the north when they won't from the south? There are probably no roads left from the north to the south.
After 6 months of being cut off how many missles and weapons can Hamas have? Along with fuel for electric? That was supposed to run out a month into the war.
And where is the proof of all the tunnels? Haven't seen anything about that for hard proof.
The fact is that we could sink an aid ship at the dock in New York or San Francisco, blame the houthis or Hamas and it will be believed. The fact that the aid trucks are parked just outside the border unable to gain entry should say it all. There is no need for a pier. Period. Stopping weapons shipments to Israel would solve the problem instantly.
And by the way, the rusty old freighter will have a brand new lifeboat. But you got the picture anyway in your reply.
The "picture," as You put it, Toma, is a False Flag Operation.
It worked brilliantly on 9/11, and it will work brilliantly again when those who benefitted most from the first 9/11 determine that they have even more to gain ~ politically, economically, and above all, psychologically ~ by having a second 9/11.
And when that determination and decision is made, Who and/or What is going to stop them?
Have any heads rolled in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem for the apparent failure to first suspect, then detect, then prevent, then successfully defend against what happened on October 7? Any at all?
Did any heads roll in Washington DC for the obvious failure to do the exact same things on September 11? Any at all?
9/11 gave America ~ specifically, the MICC ~ that "Forever War" it needed so desperately after the USSR collapsed and Cold War I was won. And that "War" lasted until Russia had reincarnated under Putin, and China emerged from the madness of Mao and Deng under Xi.
And now we have Cold War II, getting hotter every day with Fortress America's Proxy Wars in Ukraine and Palestine.
it is interesting to speculate as to exactly what sort of abomination ~ like October 7 or Putin's SMO into Ukraine ~ will launch the Proxy War in and around Taiwan.
I'm guessing that such "aid" comes with the condition that they buy US weapons systems as opposed to European. And out national debt gets bigger. Shooting for $40 trillion.
There is no point in worrying about accusations (always one sided) of anti-Semitism. If you say you are not, then you go down the Jeremey Corbyn path of never ending apologies. The accusations are themselves a weapon and a smear, not to say an insult. Best answer, in my opinion, is to ignore it. If you have to answer, the best is to ask why, or ask what the term means. An effective reply is "you are confusing ant-Zionism with anti-Semitism".
Another possible response: I'm not anti-Semitic. I'm pro-humanity.
“There is literally no criticism you could possibly level at Israel that would not get you accused of antisemitism if you said it to a large enough audience, but this isn’t about Jews, it’s about abuse and injustice. The majority of the most moral and upstanding people I follow for ideas and information about the world happen to be Jewish; Jews are some of the best people I know. You either support an abusive apartheid ethnostate which can’t exist without being in a constant state of war or you don’t, and the majority of the people who do are not even Jewish. Anti-semitism is just an accusation that shitty people level at good people to divert criticisms of their shitty position.”
Caitlin Johnstone, WORRYING ABOUT TIKTOK DURING AN ACTIVE GENOCIDE 10 Mar 24
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/worrying-about-tiktok-during-an-active
The US should stop all Military Aid to Ukraine, as well. And to the members of NATO. And to any and every Nation getting that kind of Aid.
In short: The US should stop funding War and the preparation for War everyplace on the Planet,
Starting with the Military Industrial Congressional Complex and the Secrecy Security Surveillance Censorship Propaganda Panopticon, or S3CP2.
Unfortunately, Bill, that would first require exposing the corruption that exists on Capitol Hill from the recycling of that Israeli aid back to the Congress. And that would begin with the reclassification of AIPAC as the foreign agent it is. Genocide is occurring in Gaza and neither party is interested beyond "thoughts and prayers" and the usual prattle.
The further right-wing and homicidal a government is, the more likely the US is to support it militarily. This happened all throughout the world in the name of stopping communism and socialism anywhere. So, the far-right, homicidal Israeli government is at the top of the support list, and that is never going to change as long as The Blob has its way, or until the Israeli government suddenly goes too socialist for The Blob's liking (not going to happen).
I agree that Miko is a treasure. He is courageous and speaks with integrity. Miko provides a very rational description and understanding of the Palestinian plight and the zionist state of Israel. I have intended to read The General's Son for some time. At your urging, Bill, I will purchase it this weekend.
It's a good book. I got my copy from the local library.
Great suggestion: the library! Thanks.
Could not agree more with your take here, Bill. "Stop all aid"---it's verbatim what I've been saying on various forums for months. The latest response was, "But Biden's doing his best." Ummm....no. Not when the U.S. vetoed two U.N. ceasefire resolutions (for what they're worth).
I was encouraged, though, by reading several NY Times comments to the effect that Biden's remarks re Israel in the SOTU were, "completely mealy-mouthed." I think there are more U.S.ians who agree with you than MSM might lead us to think.
There is a bully in the neighborhood. You go up and offer him a baseball bat and brass knuckles that you have made yourself. You then give him a handout so that he can afford to pay you for the baseball bat and the brass knuckles. Of course he takes you up on your offers.
What do you think these actions would do to his behavior?
You would be turning a bully into a monster and that's what we have done. We have rewarded arrogance not with needed restraint but with impunity. We've reached an astounding low in two ways, first that we have become a victim of the bully and two, that we expect mere words to have an impact on the bully.
All this in full view of the entire world, yet we expect respect. Can we still dare speak of liberty and justice for all, of a new way in the political world represented by the American Revolution? There is no greater hypocrisy that that of the US as it kow-tows to a tiny colony. A colony! The very thing that we once refused to be and that later we denounced when colonization was European common practice, Zionism the last one to the party.
Talk about scoring an "own goal", and the man who didn't hesitate a second before jumping into this mess expects to be re-elected. He thinks he is in a position to warn us about what might happen to us under Trump.
We've arrived at a point where we can go no lower. We are groping around at the bottom of the barrel.
It's called a "circle jerk".
Heh.
Caitlin Johnstone’s State of The Union address: I DON'T NEED GUNS I NEED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Pointing pistols as the man burns,
as Gaza burns,
as civilization burns,
as the planet burns.
I don’t need guns
I need fire extinguishers.
Raytheon racketeers and Pentagon pimps
swollen fat from the blood of unnamed victims
glossed over in headlines by The New York Times
while National Guard troops patrol the New York subways
and babies with legs like toothpicks fill our screens.
Pouring arms into Israel
while humanitarian-LARPing aid airdrops. ***↓
Waving around armageddon weapons
while accusing peacemongers of treason.
Well sure I’d ask for seconds mister president sir,
but see I don’t need guns
I need fire extinguishers.
I need someone to put some fat back on those babies.
I need someone to get the plastic out of the oceans.
I need the bombs to stop and the siege to lift
and a healthy planet for the kids to play in.
I need kids to stop getting their limbs blown off
so they can run and play in that healthy world.
Can you drone strike me a thriving biosphere?
Can you ICBM those Gazans some food?
Can you extinguish this fire with your weapons and wars?
No?
Then get outta the way man.
We don’t need guns
we need fire extinguishers.
“Free Palestine,” the man on fire said.
“FREE PALESTINE!” he screamed.
And then the cops showed up with their guns and their bullets,
because of course they fucking did.
And Gaza still burns,
and the world still burns,
and our eyes still burn,
and our lungs still burn,
and our hearts still burn,
and our rage still burns,
and they promise us the burning will stop
if we just add in a few more guns.
We don’t need guns you stupid cop.
We need this burning world to heal.
Source: https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/i-dont-need-guns-i-need-fire-extinguishers
*** https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/LARP
One thing to remember about all this is that ~ since its post-Holocaust conception, inception, and implementation ~ Israel was intended and designed to be, has been, and is a critical tactical and strategic Forward Operating Base for American foreign policy and military means, methods, and mechanisms in that part of the world, with all its fossil fuel and other wealth.
And Israel has done a Great job of meeting that purpose and of fulfilling that function. To say nothing of its contribution to the well-being of America's MICC.
It’s a shame Donald Trump wasn’t on the ballot for the Nevada Republican Primary held last month.
But it’s not hard to figure out Why. He would have had to compete with “None Of These Candidates” and very probably would have got his ass kicked, just like Nikki Haley did… :
NIKKI HALEY IS TROUNCED BY THE ‘NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES’ OPTION IN NEVADA’S REPUBLICAN PRIMARY by Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper and Gabe Stern / Associated Press 7 Feb 24
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nikki Haley was swamped in Nevada’s symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the “none of these candidates” option on the ballot in a repudiation of the former U.N. ambassador who is the last remaining major rival to front-runner Donald Trump.
Trump didn’t compete in Tuesday’s primary, which doesn’t award any delegates needed to win the GOP nomination. The former president is instead focused on caucuses that will be held Thursday and will help him move closer to becoming the Republican standard-bearer.
That leaves the results Tuesday as technically meaningless in the Republican race. But they still amount to an embarrassment for Haley, who has sought to position herself as a candidate who can genuinely compete against Trump. Instead, SHE BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FROM EITHER PARTY TO LOSE A RACE TO “NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES” SINCE THAT OPTION WAS INTRODUCED IN NEVADA IN 1975.
Continued at https://apnews.com/article/nevada-2024-presidential-primary-biden-trump-haley-d731bf8ab1e7d4a7379c07d3a37b581b ; EMPHASIS added.
Vote NONE OF THESE CANDIDATES in 2024: “The Best Man Or Woman For The Job.”
NOTC: The Alternative To and Antidote For the “choices” America’s Ruling Political Class will give Voters on Election Day 2024
What needs to be remembered is that 90% of that Military Aid to Israel will ultimately end up in the pockets of the workers, supervisors, managers, executives, and shareholders of America's MICC. And simply added to the National Debt.
And that the remaining 10% goes into the pockets of Vested Special Interests in the government and among the Peoples of Israel.
And this just amplifies the point made by Alex earlier: "I'm guessing that such 'aid' comes with the condition that they buy US weapons systems as opposed to European. And our national debt gets bigger. Shooting for $40 trillion."
I'm sure that the US will be acting on double time getting that pier built. Just think, the ships supplying the aid will be passing by the houthis firing missles at them. Most likely unescorted vessels with HUMANITARIAN AID FOR PALISTINIANS and a big bullseye painted on the side. Would anyone be surprised if a couple got sunk so the US had a "real" excuse for invading the middle east? Oh, what fun! Soggy MREs.
When did the Houthis start operating in the Mediterranean? Recently?
As soon as the first rusty old freighter full of aid is shipped. Need I elaborate further?
Please do. Especially on the part where the Houthis move their whole operation from Yemen to the coast of Palestine or the Sinai.
Unless, of course, the US and Israel help them pull that off.
Just like the US and Israel helped Hamas pull off October 7.
And a slightly off topic question for you having military experience. What is your opinion about the national guard patrolling the subways of New York city armed with M16's? Slight overkill for purse snatchers maybe? Or is it just part of the required dress attire? Full metal jacket or hollow point ammo?
"No we can't justify using the guard for the border! That's what they are for! Put them in the subway where they don't belong!"
One word: insane.
Thanks Prof.
They'll probably start with the hand grenades tho. Wonder if they got trained for throwing them with low ceilings?
i think its total purpose is to give New Yorkers something else to be terrified about.
And, more importantly, to give the government something else to do to convince its citizens that "We, the Government" have everything under control, and will take care of You and everything that is important to You.
All You have to do is exactly what we, Your government, tell You to do. Like You did as "Lockdown Nation" during The COVID Event.
And You all remember how well that went, don't You? With 4.2% of the World's Total Population, the US suffered 15.9% of the Total COVID Cases, and 18.1% of the Total COVID Deaths.
And that is not even considering the Economic, Education, Social, Cultural, and Community casualties suffered by the American Peoples as a result of their federal, state, and local governments' handling of the first Pandemic of the 21st century.
And the New York National Guard has no need or reason to be on America's border with Mexico. That's what the Guards of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are for.
The NYNG might come in handy when hordes of Canadians attempt to get into New York illegally; but that's another scenario.
It may sail through the Red Sea well within reach of houthis weapons range. It may have explosive charges just below the waterline. Iran sold houthis long range missles. The possibilities are really endless since the gullible Americans will believe anything they are told. Putin blew up his own pipeline. Israel has a right to defend itself. It takes a long long time to inspect those trucks crossing the south side.
Why would the IDF let trucks in from the north when they won't from the south? There are probably no roads left from the north to the south.
After 6 months of being cut off how many missles and weapons can Hamas have? Along with fuel for electric? That was supposed to run out a month into the war.
And where is the proof of all the tunnels? Haven't seen anything about that for hard proof.
The fact is that we could sink an aid ship at the dock in New York or San Francisco, blame the houthis or Hamas and it will be believed. The fact that the aid trucks are parked just outside the border unable to gain entry should say it all. There is no need for a pier. Period. Stopping weapons shipments to Israel would solve the problem instantly.
And by the way, the rusty old freighter will have a brand new lifeboat. But you got the picture anyway in your reply.
The "picture," as You put it, Toma, is a False Flag Operation.
It worked brilliantly on 9/11, and it will work brilliantly again when those who benefitted most from the first 9/11 determine that they have even more to gain ~ politically, economically, and above all, psychologically ~ by having a second 9/11.
And when that determination and decision is made, Who and/or What is going to stop them?
Have any heads rolled in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem for the apparent failure to first suspect, then detect, then prevent, then successfully defend against what happened on October 7? Any at all?
Did any heads roll in Washington DC for the obvious failure to do the exact same things on September 11? Any at all?
9/11 gave America ~ specifically, the MICC ~ that "Forever War" it needed so desperately after the USSR collapsed and Cold War I was won. And that "War" lasted until Russia had reincarnated under Putin, and China emerged from the madness of Mao and Deng under Xi.
And now we have Cold War II, getting hotter every day with Fortress America's Proxy Wars in Ukraine and Palestine.
it is interesting to speculate as to exactly what sort of abomination ~ like October 7 or Putin's SMO into Ukraine ~ will launch the Proxy War in and around Taiwan.
I'm guessing that such "aid" comes with the condition that they buy US weapons systems as opposed to European. And out national debt gets bigger. Shooting for $40 trillion.
Thanks, Ray.
Keep it up, Ray.
I was just reading the Ralph Nader post yesterday and thank you for sharing it! Totally agree with you.