Hardly noticed in all the political drama leading up to Congressional action on the Iraq war spending bill is a provision proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi which would, according to Congressional Quarterly:
…With some exceptions, require the president to seek congressional approval before using military force in Iran.
So who do you think opposes this? I’ll give you one guess…AIPAC of course:
Hawkish pro-Israel lawmakers are pushing to strike a provision slated for the war spending bill that would, with some exceptions, require the president to seek congressional approval before using military force in Iran.
The influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee also is working to keep the language out, said an aide to a pro- Israel lawmaker.
Everyone in this country including Republicans in D.C. (note Bob Mueller’s abject apology today about FBI snooping) have noted that the Bush agenda is on the wane. Only AIPAC hasn’t yet received the memo. It’s one of the few lobbying groups that’s trying to roll the boulder back up the hill. Political momentum has turned against endless Mideast war; against unbridled presidential war powers, etc. Yet here’s AIPAC trying to turn the clock back.
As M.J. Rosenberg wrote:
The blogosphere really has a job to do on this one. Back Pelosi. Keep the language in there. Let them know we are paying attention.
M.J. also brings the “welcome” news that AIPAC’s annual national policy conference, when all of Congress and the executive branch must bow down and pay obeisance before the assembled multitude, happens this weekend. I can almost feel Michael Ledeen’s fiery breath singing my eyebrows–as he calls for war against Iran–all the way out here in Seattle. 6,000 Jews looking for a war that they think will protect Israel, but which, in reality, will embroil both the U.S. and Israel in even deeper and more insoluble violence for years to come.
Aipac is the entity that ought to be placed under the scrutiny of the american public, once the public sees a foreign lobby excercising so much power and control over our government they will place political pressure on our elected officials to do something about them , maybe aipac will chose to come to their senses and purge their collective hearts of the hatred that governs their policies.
true power never relinquishes its hold willingly, it ought to never be underestimated.
best of luck as your quest for peace progresses.
I absolutely agree with Samuel. AIPAC should be required to register as an agent of a foreign government.
March 12 Protest: Congress Stand Up to AIPAC
Mon.Mar.12.2007@6:00PM to Mon.Mar.12.2007@8:00PM
Call to Protest AIPAC’s Annual Conference Issued 2/21/07 MONDAY, MARCH 12 – 6 to 8 PM DC Convention Center, Mount Vernon Place between 7th & 9th Streets NW
CONGRESS, STAND UP TO AIPAC
Stop Funding Crimes Against Palestinians And Iraq and Iran Wars
See endorsement list below
DC Antiwar Network invites other peace and justice organizations to endorse and/or participate in a peaceful “Congress Stand Up to AIPAC” demonstration on Monday, March 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. We will protest the “Gala Banquet” of the 2007 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference
Dozens of congressional representatives and executive branch officials will attend the AIPAC banquet. Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell and house leader Nancy Pelosi will speak. We encourage those inside and outside of D.C. who cannot attend to take other action:
* call congressional representatives, especially Reid, McConnel and Pelosi, and ask them NOT to attend the AIPAC conference.
* lobby congressional representatives in person or via phone on March 13th for Palestinian rights and/or against Iraq and Iran wars. On the afternoon of March 13th one thousand or more AIPAC conference goers will be lobbying congress in person against Palestinian rights and in support of war against Iran.
Location: Mount Vernon Place between 7 & 9th Sts NW, across from Convention Center, Washington, DC
Metro: Gallery Pl/Chinatown
wish i could attend…best of luck. please let us know about any future events as soon as your’e aware of them. i would love to know the number of attendees to the protest.
Samuel,
In order to be kept informed about such events, I suggest Muzzlewatch.org; Jewish Voice for Peace, and US Campaign to End the Occupation.
best,
ellen