Concerns About Environment Outweigh Concerns About Israel with Democratic Jews

American Jews' History of Being Democrats Can't Be Broken

Nadene Goldfoot

It seems that many American Jews cannot break the habit of voting democratically. Though research shows that our one Democratic contender is not exactly friendly towards Israel, most are ignoring this fact among the many others that are being ignored. Some use the argument that eight years of Republicans have been too much, and other use the excuse of "Can you picture McCain dead and Palin in his place?" McCain's skin cancer is scaring many away as possibly being fatal. Some are even having nightmares about Palin." Others feel that since the USA has always been supportive of Israel as their only democratic partner in the Middle East, nothing will change.

Well, Obama is the man who has been preaching "change" for some time, now, and I fear that change may just be the attitude towards Israel.

Ted Belman has listed some statements of Obama has made which the press does not gleam onto, except for people sensitive towards any comments that are negative about Israel.

1. Obama feels Palestinians are suffering more than anyone.

2. Foreign Policy team: McPeak, Hamilton, Kurtzer, Brezezinski: all anti-Israel and anti AIPAC. (I have written several articles in my blogs about these people). McPeak lives right here in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

3. 20 years with Reverend Wright who doesn't like Jews, and is influenced by his association with Louis Farrakhan who is very strongly against Jews. Wright's church posted a Hamas manifesto, and the Islamic world favors Obama. Wright's church reprinted the claim that Israel planned an "ethnic bomb" to kill Blacks and Arabs.

4. Obama is endorsed by Hamas. This is the terrorist group who are ruling in Gaza, shelling Israel daily! That should be the kiss of death, only no one comments.

5. Other endorsements: William Ayers, USA terrorist, Tony Rezko, Louis Farrakhan, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (more terrorists), Raila Odinga of Kenya and Obama's cousin who is a fundamental Islamic candidate, Daniel Ortega, Raul Castro, Communist Party of Illinois and Socialist Party of USA, The New Black Panther Party , and Mosques in the USA., Ali Abunimah at The Electronic Intifadah.

6. Ralph Nader mentions that Obama was pro-Palestinian when he was in Illinois before he ran for the state Senate. I can't forget Acorn, a group signing up Democratic voters, who have stuffed the ballot boxes with non-existant people or people voting dozens of times, and all, of course, for Obama.

7. Referred to "cycle of violence" in Middle East, equating Arab violence of shelling, killing Israelis with legitimate Israeli self-defense. It's like comparing apples with oranges.

8. Finally,Obama  was a paid director on a board that granted funding to Arab group that mourns the establishment of Israel. They call it a catastrophe. Has spoken at fundraisers for Palestinians living in refugee camps.


Rashid Khalidi is co-founder of group, and worked for PLO when it was a terror group. Khalidi held a fundraiser in 2000 for Obama to get into US House of Representatives. Ayers also held a fundraiser for Obama, and Obama, as intelligent and inquisitive as he must be, either did not know of his background, or it didn't matter to him which says more. Surely he could have found a more reputable person when he is involved with voting in America. He knew lots of people at U. of Chicago. Somebody else could have loaned him a living room and felt honored to do so.

No matter what Obama's history is or what his history lacks, Jewish Democrats are not giving it a thought. The old adage, "If ever I forget thee, Oh Jerusalem, may I lose my right hand" is not a part of the souls of the new Jewish American Democrats. Obama calms their fears with, "of course I am concerned about Israel, " and they trust in him. Perhaps the time has come when American Jews are more concerned with our immediate environment than they are with Israel's environment. Who is left to be Israel's spokesman, now?

This comes at a time when the UN spoke about Israel on October 8, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland in the Durban Review Conference. They have a "demonize Israel" agenda. This is a group of 53 states in the Asian region listing their demands. They are contending that Palestinians are victims of Israeli racism. The whole thing is about the Palestinians. History and facts do not exist with this group. This is the time when we need a strong leader who has been involved with Israel and can speak up on a positive note.

Reference: http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/article/php?id=3221

http://www.israelunitycoalition.org/news/article/php?id=3223

Dangers for Jews with Obama

Obama is now the Democrat's choice for the presidency. I note that just before he announced that he would run, his Reverend Wright prayed with him. He had chosen the president of a Moslem group, a woman who wore head covering, for the convention's opening, but I heard a Rabbi, instead, much to my surprise. Perhaps others were as shocked as I was, due to Obama saying that he is a Christian. Having a Muslim speak would have caused people to really question that.

Wright was a family friend that Obama did not want to drop, as he said it was like dismissing a family member. Wright is a scary guy. He was best friends with Louis Farrakhan, a Muslim with an attitude against Jews that Wright probably shares.

Last year the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award was given to Louis Farrakhan, a man who "truly epitomized greatness, " they said. To me, he epitomizes racism, mainly anti-Semitism. He has made many statements that are offensive to Jews. He has denigrated the Holocaust by saying we cooperated with Hitler by getting the Third Reich on the road. He tells so many lies, and no one checks him.

Obama and Wright may not agree with Farrakhan on all points, but praising an anti-Semite demagogue is not proper when his views are so widely known. What does that tell people? They wiggle out of this by saying tht it was the magazine who gave the award and not them. I wouldn't want an award given out in my name to someone so hateful.

Farrakhan's lies abound. He shies away from the true facts. Jews marched for civil rights for Blacks, and died for this cause in Mississippi. Both men besmearch the names of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and their black friend, James Chaney by their lies. Farrakhan hates whites and blames Jews for every sort of crime. He has said we played a dominant role in the slave trade. He speaks of Jewish conspiracies in the media. He rants and raves against us like Hitler.

Farrakhan's attitude cannot be shrugged off by anyone. History reminds us that anti-semitism can grow at anytime, usually the rough periods. We're in one right now.

How strong a president would Obama be when in the Illinois legislature, he only voted "present" when trying to decide on tough issues. When Israel is in a tough position, as it is right now, will he just pass on any decision, or will the words of Farrakhan come to mind. This is what I worry about.

On the other hand, Martin Luther King's dream was that all of G-d's children, black and white, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, can join hands and work together. How can this happen if people like Farrakhan are running around telling damming lies about Jews?

Reference: Richard Cohen Op-Ed: Obama's Farrakhan Test, Jan. 15, 2008 Page A13.

Obama and Rashid Khalidi

The Oregonian's article about Obama's trip to the Middle East and Europe contained another friendship to have worries about. Another one of Obama's friends who has close ties with the Palestinian sympathy is Rashid Khalidi, an adovcate of "Palestinian rights and the director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. "

Khalidi is a Palestinian, born in 1950. His birth comes two years after Israel was created. He is said to be the Edward Said of Columbia University, and Said is very much anti-Israel. Khalidi glorifies anti-Israel Palestinian violence and said it contributes to "political enlightenment", and even admires those who carry it out. He dedicated his 1986 valentine to the PLO, Under Siege, to "those who gave their lives...in defense of the cause of Palestine and independence of Lebanon." He does not see Israel as a democratic ally of the USA but an "aparatheid system in creation" and a destructive "racist" state. He makes up accusations such as his claim that Israel's army has "awful weapons of mass destruction that it has used in cities, villages and refugee camps." This is an outrageous lie.

Bobby Lopz-Albright, 75 years old in Philadelphia, saw reason to be worried about his influence on Obama. Khalidi is only one of many that cause me concern.

Starting with the fact that Obama's father is Muslim and that his beginnings were of a Muslim nature, he chose for 20 some years Reverent Wright to be his pastor, a man who was finding fault with Jews and Israel many times. Couple that with Wright's involvement with Louis Farrakhan, a known anti semite, and then finding that Obama was also friendly with other anti-Jewish anti-Israel people and I'm really concerned.

David Edward Bonior is his right hand man and is against Israel.
Zbigniew Brzezinksi and General McPeak were closely involved as advisors, and just recently let go. They were outspoken against Israel.
Robert Malley and Samantha Power are advisors who are anti-Israel.

By having so many people in is sphere of influence that are biased against Israel makes me believe that he has also been influenced against Israel, but to gain votes is hiding it rather well.

After giving that wonderful speech to AIPAC convincing everyone of his support of Israel, he caved in within less than 24 hours when reminded by a Palestinian of their aims. He didn't hold up to what he said in the meeting. He caved in. He makes nice talks when not attacked, but if confronted, bends to their will. To me, he did not believe in what he was saying in the first place. It was just rhetoric.

All this pales after seeing him speak in Berlin yesterday and gathering an audience of immense proportions. It was as if the Messiah were speaking to the masses. Obama can sway people with his words. Hitler was able to do this, also. One has to look into their hearts to really hear the message clearly. His message of tearing down walls that separate people made me stiffen. Was he thinking of the wall in Israel built to protect Israelis from the killers coming from the Palestinian side? Did he not understand the need for this particular wall? He saw the wall, then spoke about walls. How can I not connect the dots? Oh Obama, it's not what you say that will sway me; it's what you have been doing and how you react. It's how much you have been brainwashed by your past and your present advisors.

Reference: Oregonian 7/25, 2008, A4
http://noquarterusa.net/ article by Larry Johnson, More on Rashid Khalidi
past articles in my blog on Obama and advisors

TODAY'S OBAMA SPEECH ABOUT RACE

This morning Obama gave a speech in Philadelphia to address the problem about his pastor, Jeremiah Wright. I'm really surprised that Obama sat in church on and off for twenty years knowing what his pastor stood for. He's well-known and everyone knows of his connection to Farrakhan. If he disagrees with what Wright says, why didn't he talk to him and try to change his opinions? Why did he just accept it? His speech says that he disagrees but did not say what he did about it. In my opinion, what he should have done was to leave the church and find one that reflects his views. By staying, he's accepting his pastor's values. His children have been in this environment, and so has his wife. I feel that her last speech reflects this attitude that she has picked up in her church. I refer to the fact that this was the first time in her life that she was proud of America.
If he couldn't talk to his pastor and his grandmother and change them, how does he think he can change America. He has helped to enable Jeramiah Wright to spew venom about America and white people and Jews by remaining as a member of this church. Even if he is friendly with him and feels that he is family this is all the more reason why he should have had a heart to heart talk with him a long time ago. One thing Obama is is an influencing speaker. He could have made changes.
He mentioned that everyone has heard things in church or synagogue that they didn't agree with. I haven't had that experience, thank goodness. I've been in many synagogues and no rabbi has ever said anything bad about any group of people in a sermon. In fact, every synagogue I've been in has a prayer at the end for the United States.

Not a word was said on TV about Wright's connection to Farrakhan and his feeling towards Jews and Israel. This is what I worry about. If Obama doesn't agree with Wright about whites and doesn't feel it right to damn America, what does he really feel about Israel after all that condemning.

Update: Thursday, March 20, 2008
According to the National Enquirer of March 17, admittedly a gossip scandal newspaper, states that Obama was a board member of a nonprofit Woods Fund founded by Rashid Khalida, a harsh critic of Israel, who is a university professor. As if Farrakhan's association isn't enough, he has found another that might sway his feelings against Israel. It is his foreign policy advisor, Robert Maley, who blames Israel for anything bad and suggests that we ought to be doing business with Hamas. This information came from Bill Hobbs, the communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party. Hobbs feels Obama will be putting Israel in the crosshairs of America's enemies. More was reported about Farrakhan. He has referred to Jews as "dogs" and "pigs." Farrakhan called Obama "the hope of the entire world." Obama calls Farrakhan "Minister Farrakhan." So basically, Obama has consorted with Farrakhan, who is antisemitic, and his Pastor Wright is his faithful friend who is also a dear friend and follower of Farrakhan, and continues to collect aides who are against Israel. This does not look good at all for us.

Israel, Barak Hussain Obama and his friend, Louis Farrakhan

Nadene Goldfoot
Yesterday's Oregonian had an article in it that Farrakhan is giving his support to Obama. Obama had attended the church that was very friendly with Farrakhan. I wondered about Farrakhan's background and feelings towards Jews and Israel.

Farrakhan is the acting head of the Nation of Islam. He is a well-known advocate for African American interests. How does this affect his views about Jews and Israel? He is known to be antisemitic, though he denies these charges. One reason he is charged with being antisemitic is because when Jessse Jackson ran for president in 1984, Jesse referred to New York City as "Hymietown". He thought he was speaking off the record, but it was printed in the paper. In retaliation, Farrakhan said, in reply to Jesse Jackson receiving death threats, " If you harm this brother, it'll be the last one you ever harm." The chairman of the anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith (ADL) called Farrakhan "the new Black Hitler", and others called him that, also. My personal feeling about all this, from only this piece of information, is that Jesse Jackson was anti-semitic. Farrakhan was just mad about the death threats. However, Farrakhan took things too far with a speech praising Hitler. He was censured by the United States Senate for the speech. In fairness, Farrakhan did mention that he wasn't proud of Hitler's evil toward Jewish people. ..and don't compare me with your wicked killers.

He had his own gripe against us Jews. He said that Jewish distributors blocked his plan for Nation of Islam cosmetics and toiletries sold under the Clean and Fresh label. Important hair product companies serving Blacks refused to do business with him. One company that was worried was Johnson. He felt that if he did business with Farrakhan others would boycott his other products. This caused Farrakhan to feel that blacks would not be free unless they have a different relationship with Jews. What this had to do with Jews, I do not know. I doubt that George E. Johnson is Jewish.

We had amongst our Jewish population a group that is not assisting in Israel's existence in any way. It is the extreme Orthodox group called Neturei Karta, and of course Farrakhan had made friends with them. They feel that G-d alone will bring us back to Israel, and man can not help.

In Febraury 2006 at an NOI event in Illinois, Farrakhan stated that "These false Jews promote the filth of Hollywood. It's the wicked Jews, the false Jews that are promoting lesbianism, homosexuality, and Zionists have manipulated Bush and the American government on the war in Iraq. I'm afraid we see his true feeling about us in this speech.

Other famous quotes are that he wants to see black intellectuals free...I want to see them not controlled by members of the Jewish community. Frankly, Minister Farrakhan, Jews could not possibly control any intellectual. And nobody can control our intellectuals, either. He has gone on to say that "Dewey, Kant and Hegel, and the rabbis that wrote the Talmud, make blacks inferior. Now that is slamming our Talmud and all the rabbis who wrote it; in essence slamming our religion. Whatever has caused him to rant in such a way against us could be his friends in the Muslim environment, who don't like us, either. How he has convinced himself to think that our Talmud makes blacks inferior is beyond me. This tells me that he has never read the Talmud; not one page. Has he read that Moses had a black "Cushite" wife? How does he explain that? How about the Queen of Sheba coming with her entourage to visit with King Solomon? How about the Black Ethiopians who are now living in Israel and were Jews dating way way back. From a very primitive people who tried to cook their lunch on the plane with a bonfire to soldiers in the army who are now becoming commanders, we put faith in people and do not treat them as inferiors. We were slaves for 400 years in Egypt and remember that event every year at Passover. We were treated as inferiors by the Nazis in Germany. One of our commandments that we still follow is to treat others as you would have others treat you. Being people and not angels, some of us must slip up once in a while. But as a group, we try very hard to follow our ethics. Our religion is not a racial one, but a conglomerate of people who have decided to take the faith. How about the young Jewish kids who went to help the Blacks in the south in the 60's? Are we teaching our children that Blacks are inferior? Of course not.

Farrakhan has referred to Jews, Palestinian Arabs, Koreans, and Vietnamese as "bloodsuckers", has said that "Murder and lying comes easy for white people." At least we are not alone in his hatred for others. I think it's delightful that he puts us and the Palestinian Arabs together as a group to hate.

He has called Judaism a "gutter religion," but when called on it, denies it. Instead, he says he called it a "dirty religion," and when he says this, it has a particular meaning. He says it means a distorted faith which emerges from its manipulation by hypocrites or sinners. So he's calling all of us Jews sinners and hypocrites with a distorted religion.

This man is one year older than I am. He appears to be full of hatred for Jews and naturally for Israel since he does not respect Israel's faith. This is the man who has befriended Obama, and being a minister, has given lots of sermons. How much affect does he have on the decisions Obama makes?

Fox News is talking about this subject right now. I'm not alone with this worry. Barak Hussain Obama is younger than my son by nine years, and I'm still telling my son not to go running at night in Portland. I do worry about the feelings towards Jews that this presidential candidate has picked up despite what he says as a politician. Actions speak, too; not just nice words.

One thing that Obama has done is to choose Zbigniew Brzezinski as his Foreign Relations advisor. Brzezinski, a Harvard Professor from Poland who became a US citizen in 1958, was a part of the Carter team. He supports Walt and Mearshimer's criticism of Israel that Rabbi Stampfer of Portland, OR spoke against. Anyone who listens to advisors with this type of opinion is not going to come to the aid of Israel. I have also written about the Walt and Mearshimer tome in this blog below.


Reference: My blog on Democratic Candidates for President, Obama, on this blog below
Wikipedia on Louis Farrakhan. http://www.politico.com/,