Obama Advisor Brezinski Calls for U.S. to Defend Iran Against Israel
As a political junkie, one the most baffling aspects of national elections is the Jewish vote. American Jews vote overwhelmingly for Democrat candidates in national elections. 2008 was no exception, as reported in an editorial at HAARETZ.com immediately following the election:
Despite the tense rift between Republican and Democratic Jews over the course of the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, exit polls on Tuesday showed that Barack Obama received about 77 percent of the Jewish vote.
These numbers were higher even than the 2004 election, when Democratic candidate John Kerry received 74 percent of the Jewish vote. Al Gore received the highest percentage of Jewish votes in 2000, with 79 percent.
My puzzlement over these voting patterns is based on the fact that the Republican Party has been far more supportive of Israel than has the Democrat Party. This trend of decreasing support for Israel by Democrats and increasing support for Israel by Republicans was confirmed by a Rasmussen Poll in January, 2009.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Republicans back Israel’s decision to take military action against the Palestinians, but only half as many Democrats (31%) agree. A majority of Democrats (55%) say Israel should have tried to find a diplomatic solution first, a view shared by just 27% of Republicans.Probably the most anti-Israel president the US has ever had is Jimmy Carter. Three decades after he left the presidency, Carter continues to blame Israel for the conflict in the Middle East. Some say Carter's continuing animosity toward Israel is based on his hatred for Menachem Begin, the Israeli Prime Minister, who Carter blames for the failure of his Mideast peace plan and, ultimately, for his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. This implies, of course, that Carter didn’t blame the breakdown of the peace process on Yassir Arafat, perhaps the most effective terrorist leader of all time. It also implies that American voters would have ignored the utter mess Carter had made of the economy and everything else during his presidency. But I digress.
While 75% of Republicans say Israel is an ally of the United States, just 55% of Democrats agree. Seven percent (7%) of Democrats say Israel is an enemy of America, but only one percent (1%) of Republicans say the same. For 21% of Republicans, Israel is somewhere in between, and 28% of Democrats agree.
Jimmy Carter's national security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was fully on board with Carter's anti-Israel policies. Brzezinski is now working on Obama's foreign policy team and, it appears, is giving advice similar to that which he gave Carter. In today's Weekly Standard blog, Michael Goldfarb has a post which I find quite startling:
In a little noticed interview with the Daily Beast (presumably little noticed because serious people don't read the Daily Beast), Zbigniew Brzezinski suggests that Barack Obama do more than just refuse to support an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites -- the American president must give the order to shoot down Israeli aircraft as they cross Iraqi airspace:DB: How aggressive can Obama be in insisting to the Israelis that a military strike might be in America’s worst interest?
Brzezinski: We are not exactly impotent little babies. They have to fly over our airspace in Iraq. Are we just going to sit there and watch?
DB: What if they fly over anyway?
Brzezinski: Well, we have to be serious about denying them that right. That means a denial where you aren’t just saying it. If they fly over, you go up and confront them. They have the choice of turning back or not. No one wishes for this but it could be a Liberty in reverse.
So basically Brzezinski is raising the possibility that US warplanes will shoot down the planes of one of our best allies in order to defend one of our worst enemies, Iran. In other words, America will defend Iran against Israel. Think about that.
Let's contrast the Obama Administration's views on Israel and Iran with Governor Palin's stated position. In September 2008, she was set to deliver a speech on this very topic when, at the last minute, she was abruptly disinvited for fear she would upstage other speakers. However, the McCain campaign eventually released the text of this great undelivered speech. Here's an excerpt:
But Iran is not only a regional threat; it threatens the entire world. It is the no. 1 state sponsor of terrorism. It sponsors the world's most vicious terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah. Together, Iran and its terrorists are responsible for the deaths of Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s, in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, and in Iraq today. They have murdered Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and other Muslims who have resisted Iran's desire to dominate the region. They have persecuted countless people simply because they are Jewish.Read her entire speech here. I continue to be amazed at the complete ineptness of McCain's campaign. It is inconceivable that they could not find another venue in which she could deliver that speech. I also continue to be amazed at the inexplicable support the Jewish American community gives to the Democrat Party. An administration they supported with 77% of their vote believes it is a reasonable policy option to defend Iran against Israel.
Iran is responsible for attacks not only on Israelis, but on Jews living as far away as Argentina. Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial are part of Iran's official ideology and murder is part of its official policy. Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government's threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments.
[...]
Senator McCain has made a solemn commitment that I strongly endorse: Never again will we risk another Holocaust. And this is not a wish, a request, or a plea to Israel's enemies. This is a promise that the United States and Israel will honor, against any enemy who cares to test us. It is John McCain's promise and it is my promise.
This has been quite an instructive week for those trying to get a handle on Obama's foreign policy philosophy, such as it is. This past Thursday Obama decided to appease Putin and abandon two of our most loyal allies. Now this. I'm afraid to speculate on what may be next. An invasion of Canada perhaps?
If Governor Palin were in charge, there can be no doubt that Israel, one of our most loyal and trusted allies, would not be second guessed in their right to defend themselves. Earlier in this post I noted that Jimmy Carter was the most anti-Israel U.S. president. I may have spoken too soon.
Posts
33 comments:
1. the Mccain camp was a total joke.
2. sarah is laying out the ground work for 2012, and expect her message to be anti D.C, anti establishment, limited govt, strong natl defense, and energy independence.
American Jews are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel; worse yet, they have a death wish. That's the only conclusion I have come to after years of observation of their devotion, in terms of votes, to a political party that is both anti-Semitic and anti-Israel.
This is so unbelievable! How the president of this country could have someone working with him who believes that it's smarter to help our enemy defeat our ally is incomprehensible! Over the course of the last 8 months, Obama has shown his naivety when it comes to economics and now, after a week of mind boggling foreign policy decisions, he has shown it in this arena as well. It seems he is completely and utterly clueless on both the domestic and international fronts. Great.
AKReport: I am 100% onboard with that platform! It's like Sarah read my mind!
Well he was one of his professors at Columbia, maybe he advised the trip to Pakistan.
i made a comment on the open thread that, IMHO, Mrs. Clinton will be the Dem candidate in 2012 because of support in the large Dem block in the Northeast.
I went to the largest Jewish college in the USA. I think the Jewish people are not self hating. I don't like to see comments like that on this site. I think you should stop it now.
They will continue to vote for the Dems. I think they will switch their votes from Mr. Obama to Mrs. Clinton.
I think the progressive instincts and certain cultural cues, fanned by the media,do lead them toembrace
candidates that they wouldn't ordinarily do otherwise. WE knew who Brezinski, Scowcroft were, who
Samatha Power, Robert Malley are
Doug great post as usual. Thanks.
To even suggest that we would stop Israel in any way from defending itself from the current Iranian regime is crazy.Ahmadinjad is an apocalyptic nut and was backed by the mullahs in the recent fraudulent election. They will nuke Israel at the earliest opportunity, they feel it is their destiny.
One of the best recent books, IMO, to explain the Jewish vote for the Democrats in recent years is playwright David Mamet's book "Bastard Son" published a few years ago. If you read this book, you were not all surprised at his "coming out" in the Village Voice last year as a pseudo-conservative. Mamet scratches his head more & more as to why modern Jews are so lock-stock with a political party that would sell them out to the PLO/Iran at a moment's notice.
With my once liberal Jewish friends in NYC, who grew up in families who had never voted for a Republican, their eyes are open wide now. I'm praying only the Noam Chomsky/George Soros Jewish crowd will still be diehard Democrats by the end of Obama's four-year reign.
AKreport,
I'm also with that platform, it's so pro American, just like the founders.
...and another thing..
I think one of the big factors as to why Jews are big Democrats as a whole: it's an urban vs rural thing.
American Jews are urbane & the modern Republican party derives a big part of its support from small towns, rural areas. The Republican Party in the early 1900's was the urban party. Jewish voters, particularly the Eastern European ones, were mostly TR supporters.
Wow. I didn't realize that the text to that undelivered speech was available.
More and more, it seems that the Obama administration has completely backwards understanding of economics, the role of government, national security, energy independence, foreign policy, and pretty much everything else. In one sense, it is extremely saddening and frustrating. In another sense, it allows Gov. Palin to easily be the opposition to Obama's policies, worldview, and philosophy simply by standing firmly on her principles as she has always done.
By the way, didn't VP Biden say during the debate that he was Israel's best friend?
grapp
Agree with you american jews are completely detached from Israel.They completely dont care about their interest .Lets remember liberalism is religion it goes beyond patriotism,ethnic and national interest .Liberals dont care about well being of his country or his people all they care about is their own idiotic agenda.
Brzezinski is just as delusional as his own old boss (Carter)
Most democrats are Jews, and most Jews who live in America who were NOT raised in Israel are what I call, Self hating Jews, I know this because I am jewish and I know this. My parents, aunt and uncles were born in Israel, they all voted for McCain, their kids, all Dems, voted for Obama, and when I asked them before the election about Obama not supporting Israel they said "Oh thats not our problem" self hating jews are jews who live in America, but hate their religeon, hate Israel, or dont care about it. I care about Israel and will always defend her right to exist. That Berzinski idiot is the father of Mika, ya know, good ol Mika on MSDNC..she has said anti israel statements too, gee I wonder why
Israel is God's country, its in the Bible, and any nation that demeans Israel in any way is asking for economic ruin, disease and poverty to the people. O'Zero better wise up, as this clearly shows he is not ready for prime time.
Sarah 2012!
Us selling Israel down the river? Why the big surprise? Let me see:
Honduras - Down the river.
East Europe - Down the River.
Israel now - Down the River.
Iranian election protestors - Down the River.
LEbanon - All Damascus has to do is an under the table deal that they do not have to keep and Obama will sell Lebanon out to Syria.
AMerican people - Down the River.
But Hugo Chavez. Great photo op.
Castro Bros. Great photo op.
Iranian thugs - Awaiting great photo op.
Putin - Great photo Op.
Neville Chamberlin is looking better and better for our allies compared to Obama.
Proletariat of the World, Unite!
that is obamas slogan.
Did not Chavez deport thousands of jews?On the other hand why should we care about them they all voted for obama.Next election they will still vote for a democrat.So ,Im starting not to care.
The communists are all the same all over the world.
They were mostly disliked in Europe in 20 and 30s because they sympathetic to russian revolution and collaborated with communists.
OMG! Zbig B. is on the B.O. foreign policy team?!
Why not just open up a jumbo size can of mixed nuts and go dig up Christopher Warren and Ramsey Clark!
Obama may send a tingle up Chris Mathews leg, but he sends a chill down my spine!
God help us.
Interesting read
http://www.truthtellers.org/alerts/whymostjewsdontlikepalin.htm
Sarah is a great supporter of Israel.
I don't know if any of you noticed but the picture of her taking to oath as Governor she is standing with her hand on the Bible and she is wearing the Star of David necklace. I cannot upload the picture but you can see it in the video America, the time on the video is 2:37 (two minutes an thirty-seven seconds).
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-G2n91wKtY&feature=channel_page
Please remember to keep Sarah in your prayers as she travels to Hong Kong this week to give a speech.
Blessings, Irma
Prayer Warriors for Sarah Palin
I'm left a little bit speechless after reading this. We are offending ally after ally in order to accomplish what?
Israel is a sensitive topic for me as I spent a semester of college there. My feelings on Israeli and Arab relations are kinda complicated. However one thing is very clear for me with regards to Israel, they have a right to defend themselves, and we should honor that.
Doug,
Absolutely chilling comments by ZB! When I look at that with PEC's narrative, I feel like I'm in the old Superman comic book Bizarro World, where right is wrong, left is right, good is bad, etc.
Here's an explanation I received:
"The liberalism of American Jews is as stubborn as it is longstanding.
Jews have voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1928,
and, with the exception of Jimmy Carter in 1980, no Democrat in all
those decades has attracted less than 60 percent of the Jewish vote.
The average has been closer to 75 percent.
WHY ARE JEWS LIBERALS?
By Norman Podhoretz, 337 pp., $27
Last November, 78 percent of American Jews voted for Barack Obama.
That was 25 percentage points higher than the 53 percent he drew from
the electorate as a whole, and 35 points higher than the pro-Obama
white vote of 43 percent. Not even Hispanics, who gave Obama 67
percent of their vote, surpassed Jewish voters in supporting the
Democratic nominee.
It isn’t only on Election Day that American Jews lean so strikingly to
the left side of the argument.
On issue after issue, Jews are far more likely than other Americans to
embrace liberal positions. More than 80 percent oppose prayer in
public schools, for example, while only 38 percent of non-Jews feel
the same way. Three-fourths tell pollsters they want more government
spending on health, education, and the environment; among non-Jews the
figure is 57 percent. On race, abortion, the military, civil
liberties, marijuana, euthanasia, gun control - name almost any
controversial political issue - American Jews can be trusted to come
down firmly and disproportionately on the left.
Why?"
continuing explanation:
"This persistent liberalism perplexes many non-Jews and non-liberals.
Why should Jewish Americans be so out of step with their socioeconomic
peers? And why, they ask, do Jews remain so loyal to the left when
hostility to Jews and to the Jewish state is increasingly a left-wing
phenomenon, and when the right - especially the Christian right - has
become a bulwark of support for Israel and the Jewish people?
“I cannot remember ever being asked any question as often as I have
been asked why so many Jews continue clinging to the Left and why they
still vote as heavily as ever for the Democratic Party,’’ writes
Norman Podhoretz, the former editor-in-chief of Commentary and one of
America’s leading public intellectuals. “Usually I respond by saying
that it is a very long and very complicated story.’’ In “Why Are Jews
Liberals?’’ he sets out to tell that story, and does so with insight
and verve."
"Podhoretz is known today as a founding father of neoconservatism. But
he began as a committed liberal who underwent a metamorphosis. A
radical stalwart in the 1960s, Podhoretz began moving rightward a
decade later, repelled as much by the “open expression of hostility to
Jews’’ that he encountered in the New Left as by its apparent growing
contempt for traditional American values and institutions.
Few in the Jewish community, however, followed Podhoretz across the
ideological divide. Evidence and argumentation have failed to budge
what Podhoretz calls “the stubborn Jewish refusal to rethink the old
political pieties.’’Continued...
For a long time, those “pieties’’ had made sense. Podhoretz spends the
first half of “Why Are Jews Liberals?’’ briskly surveying 2,000 years
of Jewish history, from the birth of Christianity in the Roman era to
the defeat of Hubert Humphrey in 1968. It was that history, he
explains, that forged Jewish liberalism. Time and again during those
20 centuries Jews had suffered persecution and ostracism in a number
of nations, and time and again the most hostile elements of society
had also been the most conservative and/or Christian. Jews reasonably
internalized an intense aversion to what came to be known as the
right, the source of so much that had sought to destroy Jewish life:
medieval blood libels, czarist pogroms, Nazism.
Even in the United States, which in many ways represented a break with
this history, there was much to reinforce Jewish antagonism toward the
right. It was conservative isolationists like Charles Lindbergh, for
instance, who strove to keep the United States from going to war
against Hitler. And it was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a liberal
Democrat, who led the coalition that destroyed Nazi Germany and ended
the Holocaust. It would have been strange if Jews hadn’t felt an
abiding loyalty to the Democratic Party - a loyalty that only
intensified when FDR’s successor, Harry Truman, overrode the
objections of the State Department and recognized the newborn state of
Israel just minutes after its proclamation on May 14, 1948.
But the world has changed, Podhoretz argues in the book’s second half,
and Jews should change with it. Numerous polls confirm that support
for Israel today is far stronger among Republicans and conservatives
than among Democrats and liberals. And while the right has grown far
less willing to tolerate anti-Semites in its midst, much of the left
has gotten more comfortable with anti-Semitism - especially the
variety that expresses itself in malignance for the Jewish state.
But he writes knowing that he will not be heeded. American Jews cling
to liberalism, he concludes, because it has superseded Judaism as
their religion - or because they have come to regard Judaism as
“liberalism by another name.’’ Doubtless that is an assertion many
Jewish liberals will scorn. But then, scorn from the left has never
kept the author of “Breaking Ranks’’ and “Ex-Friends’’ from speaking
bluntly about politics and ideas."
Concluding remarks from Boston Globe's Jeff Jacoby:
"Like its author, this cogent book is pugnacious and perceptive, and
even readers who don’t share Podhoretz’s politics will find his
analysis thought-provoking. “Why Are Jews Liberals?’’ may not change
many votes, but it sheds new light on an intriguing enigma."
Jeff Jacoby is a Globe op-ed columnist, reached at jacoby@globe.com.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company
Israel is our one democratic ally in the middle east. I'm a Christian who was taught since I was a child that Jews are God's people. When I see pictures of terrorists target practicing, the targets have crosses on some, the star of David on others. We are on the same side.
Whatever happened to loyalty?
Ted
Good article ,pretty good explanation but i still think is too shallow, it concludes Jews owe a sentiment to FDR and liberals .I think its deeper than that and goes way back in time.Here is an abstract from Fncyclopedia Judaica:
"The Communist movement and ideology played an important part in Jewish life, particularly in the 1920’s, 1930’s, and during and after World War II…Individual Jews played an important role in the early stages of Bolshevism and the Soviet regime…The great attraction of communism among Russian, and later also, Western, Jewry emerged only with the establishment of the Soviet regime in Russia."
It goes even deeper.
Toward the end of the 18th century, broad characteristics of Western and Eastern Jewry emerged. In the west—influenced by Moses Mendelssohn and the Reform movement—Jews began to strongly identify with the working class. They considered the religious, monarchial, capitalist classes to be exploiters. Meanwhile, Eastern European Jews remained enthralled by Kabbalah’s mystical dreams of messianic world domination.
Bill,
The answer is that we elected Obama. Ignoring the rumors that he wasn't really a Christian until he married Michelle, he did spend at least 20 years sitting in a church where it was preached that everything that is wrong with the world could be laid at the feet of two groups of people- the white man, and the Jew.
Wow!! Obma and his forgien Policy advisor sre nuts!! It sound like somthing takien out of a Joel Rosenberg Novel!!
I think many jews are liberal because of three elements. First FDR. The jews have been persecuted thoughout hisotry. FDR was a leader who did not prosecute. FDRwas seen as a caretaker. Also, a jewish/man or woman is still wating for the Messiah for the jewish nation. That would be discouraging and cause them to not rely on the Scripture that was given to them. In much the same way, generally speaking, liberal Christians do not think of a Messiah in the exclusive sense.
A wolf in sheep's clothing!
It's amazing how realistic a look Obama's sheep make-up was.... that which was provided by Hollywood and BOM media.
Actors, act!... pretenders, pretend!... swindlers, swindle!... deceivers, deceive!
America got the whole package, November 2008!
Send your cash or check to SARAPAC ..... hahahah.
Post a Comment