It is well known to Washington political observers that politicians invited to speak at the annual, giant AIPAC convention ask for suggested talking points from this powerful pro-Israeli government lobby. Hillary Clinton’s pandering speech must have registered close to 100% on AIPAC’s checklist. Of course, both parties pander to AIPAC to such depths of similar obeisance that reporters have little …
ROBERT JENSEN – The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel’s Public Relations War in the United States
In the conflict over the land of Palestine, Israel’s overpowering military superiority has produced decisive battlefield victories. But just as crucial to Israeli dominance in that region is its supremacy in the U.S. news media, which is captured in the title of an important new film from the Media Education Foundation, “The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel’s Public Relations War …
American elections ranked worst among Western democracies. Here’s why.
The world is currently transfixed by the spectacle of American elections. From New York, London and Paris to Beijing, Moscow, and Sydney there is endless heated debate in the news media and across dinner tables about the factors fueling the remarkable success of Donald Trump, speculation about a brokered convention shattering the old GOP, and the most likely outcome of a polarizing Trump-Clinton battle …
Critics Aghast at ‘Disgusting Speech’ Clinton Just Gave to AIPAC
Palestinian and human rights advocates were aghast over remarks made by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) convention on Monday, saying the her speech represented “everything that is bad” with U.S. imperialism and policy in the Middle East. During the address, Clinton vowed to take the U.S.-Israel relationship to “the next level”—a …
Leid Stories – Cuba and Israel: The Media and Their Messages – 03.21.16
President Barack Obama yesterday began a historic, three-day visit to Cuba—the first by a U.S. president in 88 years, and the result of Obama’s diplomatic effort, which he began in December 2014, to normalize relations with Cuba since U.S.-imposed isolationist hostilities in 1959.
Also yesterday, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, considered the most powerful and influential lobbying group for Israel, began its three-day 2016 policy conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. All presidential candidates, with the exception of Bernie Sanders, are slated to address the group.
Both events, fraught with implications for U.S. foreign policy, are receiving intense media attention, practically equating the weight and importance of both events. The tone of coverage, however, differs markedly. Leid Stories explains why.
Mike Lofgren – How Washington’s New Rich Live
In 1927, H.L. Mencken rode by train through the Pennsylvania coal country. The houses he saw along the way were so hideous, at least in his eyes, that he was moved to pen his famous essay, “The Libido for the Ugly.” Mencken was writing about towns inhabited by coal miners and railroad brakemen, but what would he say if he …
Anthony Bellchambers – Ten Facts Everyone Needs To Know About Israel
1. Out of the 14.2 million Jewish people in the world, (in 2016), only a minority of 43% reside in Israel. 2. Whilst 75% of Israelis are Jewish, 21% are indigenous Arabs with restricted civil rights. 3. Israel has the highest birth rate in the developed world, with an average of 3 children per woman. 4. The Netanyahu government now …
Lawrence Wittner – American Casualties of the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Program
When Americans think about nuclear weapons, they comfort themselves with the thought that these weapons’ vast destruction of human life has not taken place since 1945—at least not yet. But, in reality, it has taken place, with shocking levels of U.S. casualties. This point is borne out by a recently-published study by a team of investigative journalists at McClatchy News. …
The Final Edition – 09.03.15
Best of the West. No New Yorkers were harmed – or used – in the making of this episode. It’s just Hitler and suicide and anal feeding, and all that other mellow West Coast stuff.”
Nadia Prupis – In Passionate Letter to Congress, Hundreds of Rabbis Endorse Iran Deal
More than 300 rabbis “from all streams of Judaism” on Monday sent a letter to all lawmakers in U.S. Congress urging them to approve the historic nuclear deal with Iran, calling it “the best arrangement possible given current international realities.” “As rabbis, we support the agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia and Iran– The …