Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution

by BooMan
Tue Jan 6th, 2009 at 11:17:08 PM EST

This is so predictable, but it nevertheless is dispiriting, disheartening, discouraging, and plain dishonorable.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Top Democrats are planning to introduce a non-binding congressional resolution supporting Israel's goal in its Gaza Strip operation.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the U.S. House of Representatives majority leader, told JTA he was looking at such a resolution, which is being drafted in the office of Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Certainly it would not demand a cease-fire," Hoyer said. "It would speak to the conditions that would justify a cease-fire. A cease-fire is not a just cease-fire when it's just Israel" holding fire.

The best thing to do in a situation like this is to refrain from empty non-binding resolutions of any type. In this case, there is no other reason to do a resolution than to try to identify the 'enemies of Israel' and mark them for punishment. Many members will feel pressured to support Israel even though they object to what they are doing. Since there is nothing to be gained by opposing the resolution and much to be lost, it is assured that the vote tally will be nothing less than a distortion of the true opinion of the Congress.

This, then, creates the false impression that there us near unanimity of support for whatever it is that Israel wants to do. And let me frank about this...sending such a message does more to put Americans at risk than it does it protect Israelis.

Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 3)

I think this is a great move by steny.
let's send him to Gaza to deliver it personally!

"Since there is nothing to be gained by opposing the resolution and much to be lost, it is assured that the vote tally will be nothing less than a distortion of the true opinion of the Congress."

Oh puh-LEAZZZE, Boo: everyone knows the congress and senate are way out of step with the american public on this. It's not a "distortion of the true opinion of the Congress" at all, but an accurate reflection. You say "israel" at most of these people and it's like ringing a bell at one of Pavolov's dogs, except instead of salivating they start dashing off resolutions of support.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 08:35:58 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

Hey, Brendan, I like your style. Does that mean that AIPAC has become a contemporary Pavlov? And, our congress persons salivating dogs?

Suppose you scrub your ethical skin until it shines, but inside there is no music, then what? Kabir

by Dongi 2 on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 10:14:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

personally, i think our congresspersons are more like pigs at the troughthan anything else.

As for whether AIPAC is pavlov, that's up for debate. i do knwo that when AIPAC talks, most of our reps listen and do as they're told. Glenn Greenwald has written reams of eloquent arguments demionstrating this.

Whether this is due to "true belief" or just fear of AIPAC's money and power, i do not know, but the result is the same.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:02:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

And the next time someone with Middle Eastern ties feels the need to shoot at or blow up something American, everyone will just shake their heads and wonder, "Why do they hate us so much? We've never done anything to them. All we've ever tried to do is give them the opportunity for freedom and democracy."

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity"

by MikeInOhio on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 09:35:00 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 3)

This is insane. Regardless of how one feels about the rights of israeli or palestinian people, there is simply no excuse for supporting this sort of slaughter of civilians, anywhere, at any time. I really don't understand why there is not more outrage against this behavior on the part of Israel.

by charlie on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 10:50:27 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

First order of business? People have said that DC is Israeli Occupied Territory.

How true that is.

Any guesses on how many courageous people will say no?

by Cee on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 10:59:30 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

See Jon Stewart's jan 5. program.

Banned but hopefully not forgotten.

by Mattes on Thu Jan 8th, 2009 at 03:27:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

Fail. Fail. Fail.

Recommended by Hideo Kojima

by robertdsc on Tue Jan 6th, 2009 at 11:43:42 PM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

What upsets me about Berman doing this is that he does not seem to care that sending this message of support for blowing up UN schools/shelters provides people with an incentive to want to bomb our schools. And for what? What do we get out of it?

by BooMan on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:01:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

Check out his AIPAC contributions. They own his ass.

by Cee on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 11:00:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Moreover, what does shit like this have to do with the people in Hoyer's district? Not a goddamned thing.

Recommended by Hideo Kojima

by robertdsc on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:07:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

pretty much true.

by BooMan on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:26:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

considering over an eight year period 17 Israelis died from those home made rockets and let's ignore the reasons why.

worth a repost:

and we will ask.....

Why do they hate the West so much - Robert Fisk
So once again, Israel has opened the gates of hell to the Palestinians. Forty civilian refugees dead in a United Nations school, three more in another. Not bad for a night's work in Gaza by the army that believes in "purity of arms". But why should we be surprised?
Have we forgotten the 17,500 dead - almost all civilians, most of them children and women - in Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon; the 1,700 Palestinian civilian dead in the Sabra-Chatila massacre; the 1996 Qana massacre of 106 Lebanese civilian refugees, more than half of them children, at a UN base; the massacre of the Marwahin refugees who were ordered from their homes by the Israelis in 2006 then slaughtered by an Israeli helicopter crew; the 1,000 dead of that same 2006 bombardment and Lebanese invasion, almost all of them civilians?

any of those congresscritters expect the U.S.A will be considered an honest broker? At the U.N. we veto resolutions we view as one sided or too harsh a condemnation of Israel. So what do we do?

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 09:54:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (4.00 / 2)

Israel, like its mentor and provider of various weaponry (USA), is also adept at killing and maiming children. Just look at Vietnam, Guatemala, Iraq before and after the blockade, Afghanistan and the record becomes eminently clear - Israel and the United States outdistance everyone in the modern world (and most nations in history) at killing kids. And both these monsters are into deep denial over the horror of their actions. For the welfare of the entire planet, maybe the economic meltdown of America can't come soon enough.

Suppose you scrub your ethical skin until it shines, but inside there is no music, then what? Kabir

by Dongi 2 on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 10:08:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Glad you qualified your statement with "modern world." Parts of Africa must take the infamous prize for the slaughter of innocents.

In any case, the hypocrisy of both our citizenry and our government in this matter drives me wild and is deeply shameful.

by Heart of the Rockies on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:17:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

But "empty non-binding resolutions" are so fluffy and cute.

Like children. When they aren't being torn apart by bombs.

there is no such thing as history. there are only historians.

by S2 on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:08:11 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

If a member of congress vote against it, does that mean he will loose the next election for sure? I mean how do Kucinich and Ron Paul always get reelected when they are quite critical of Israel, or at least America's support for it? It seems that a few more congressmen could take a stand and get away with it. It is important, not just symbolic. If the lobby feels its grip is weaker, they will be more cautious about demands they make and that will reflect in Israeli policy.

by Lysander on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:23:23 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

no, many members are in safe districts. but few need the headache of opposing such a resolution and some might invite primary challengers.

by BooMan on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:26:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Well it could be a test for the new congress...either you're with us[zionists] or against us...

Banned but hopefully not forgotten.

by Mattes on Thu Jan 8th, 2009 at 03:29:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

In an actual democracy controlled by an actual liberal party, AIPAC would be under investigation as an illegal arm of a foreign government.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 03:29:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Steny Hoyer is too conservative for me, and way too close to the electronic voting vendors. Can we PLEASE dump Hoyer and get a progressive in that seat????

"If you look for the social economic motive, you will not have to wait for history to tell you what was propaganda and what was truth." - George Seldes

by Real History Lisa (lpeaseRemoveThis@gte.net) on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 03:19:46 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

You want to run and get crushed? Because that's the calculus. The first step is a credible candidate who can live with being attacked by the entire establishment and possibly ending their political career with a loss.

by MNPundit on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 03:32:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Donna Edwards won with the entire establishment against her.

by Heart of the Rockies on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 12:19:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Stupid is as stupid does (none / 1)

sending such a message does more to put Americans at risk than it does it protect Israelis.

You can say that again, Booman.

by Alice on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 09:46:04 AM EST

Re: Stupid is as stupid does (none / 0)

Do Americans and their leaders always have to be so damned delusional? Particularly on foreign policy, especially when it involves Israel?

Suppose you scrub your ethical skin until it shines, but inside there is no music, then what? Kabir

by Dongi 2 on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 10:16:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stupid is as stupid does (none / 0)

Americans are at risk because the Christians in this country led the nation into an insane war in Iraq that killed over a million people. It's thousands and thousands of times worse than anything Israel has done. But I assume that when the attacks come the Christian majority will blame the Muslims or Jews or somebody else for whatever happens. They just don't know how to take responsibility for their actions. It will be just another reflection of their absurd position that the Bush and the Republicans were responsible for the Iraq Genocide, when of course the Democrats were there pushing for war every inch of the way.

by mikep on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 03:47:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 1)

So what is Israel's goal? To stop the Qassam rockets from blowing up their bus stops? Can Congress be explicit and say, we want Hamas to stop shooting those rockets into Israel because they might hurt someone? No, because Israel is hurting someone in attempting to prevent those rockets from hurting someone. And the rockets will keep coming.

The rockets are too easy to manufacture and Hamas supports this low-level warfare, not for any military reason but for their own domestic consumption. And no one in Gaza wants to admit that the Jews won't be driven into the sea. To do so would be to give up on the magical thinking that keeps them from facing the reality of a very poor, very overcrowded, very small piece of land.

by Bob In Pacifica on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 09:51:51 AM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

I wish assholes like Hoyer would just stick to resolving to remember the children and stand fearlessly for goodness.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 03:25:57 PM EST

Re: Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution (none / 0)

Hoyer has always done the bidding of aipac. There are congresscritters who were elected with the support of j-street too. Why doesn't j-street push an "even-handedness" resolution, to neutralize Hoyer?

Stray Roots Message Board,Thus far unmoderated! Dameocrat Blog

by StrayRoots (dameocrat@STUFFTOREMOVEpeacemail.com) on Wed Jan 7th, 2009 at 05:52:40 PM EST

Steny Hoyer Wants Pro-Israel Resolution | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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