Re: Jeff Burke's remarks

Submitted by John W. McGinley (United States), Jan 28, 2006 at 16:27

With a name like "McGinley" it is difficult to speak up on the sad state of affairs concernng Jewish political proclivities in North America, and especially in the USA. The story of Jews in America today is one of relative disbelief of how INCLUDED Jews now are in the American polity. A multi-generational struggle for such standing in American life has probably made the majority of American Jews fearful of losing it. Doubtlessly it was through the Democratic Party -- a party that I myself championed like my father before me up until the early seventies -- that Jews have achieved most of what they achieved as far as political influence is concerned. But that was yesterday; this is now. Jewish interest is no longer well serviced by the Demoncratic party. The party of Roosevelt, Truman, Scoop Jackson, Kennedy, and even Johnson is history. Yeah. It's true. President Clinton knew how to play the game as evidenced by his remarks at Rabin's funeral. But the deal he was presurring Barak to make in September of 2000 so that he, Clinton, could retire as the great peace-maker was a deal which would have been tragic for Israel. Stunningly, it was the murderer Arafat himself who did the Israelis a favor by rejecting the deal.

Don't get me wrong. I cringe when Bush gets all sloppy about Jesus and such. And, admittedly, there is nothing "cool" or "suave" about this President. But was anyone listening to his remarks about Hamas after their electoral victory? Was anyone listening when -- yes, back on the ranch at Crawford -- Bush became to first American president to acknowledge that "facts on the ground" in the West Bank would have to be taken into account in future peace negotiations? Further, as long as Bush is president, you can be sure that Israel will not stand alone if diplomatic and econmoic efforts to thwart Iran from becoming a nuclear power fail.

It is very sad to see so many American Jews vote for style over substance PRECISELY ON MATTERS OF GREAT CONCERN TO JEWS. So, Mr. Burke, I celebrate your remarks. John W. McGinley

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