When The U.S. Sold Out On Israel

Remember that this is where it all started.

Bush: Bad for the Jews

Very well put together and informative booklet

Kerry Writes in the Forward

An Unwavering Commitment To Reforming the Middle East

The greatest long-term strategic threat to U.S.-Israeli relations is U.S. dependence on Mideast oil. A new national security policy demands an end to that dependence. For too long, America has lost its voice when talking about the policies and practices of some governments in the Persian Gulf. If we are serious about energy independence, then we can finally be serious about confronting the role of Saudi Arabia in financing and providing ideological backing for Islamic fundamentalist jihadists. This is a problem that this administration has ignored — and one that must be addressed.

I have a plan for energy independence from Mideast oil in the next 10 years. I will invest in the research and exploration needed to develop renewable energy sources. I will take the lead in developing the new technology and production methods needed to ensure that resources such as coal and natural gas are used more efficiently and cleanly, and fully integrated into the new energy economy. I want an America that relies on its own ingenuity and innovation and not the Saudi royal family.

As president, I will use bold diplomacy to get governments to recognize the growing crisis of resurgent anti-Semitism, and take action to deal with it — not hide it. Silence will never prevail — either abroad or at home. As president, I will support the creation of an office within the State Department dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, as well as adding reporting on acts of anti-Semitism around the world to the State Department's annual human rights reporting.

Bush Campaign Sinks To New Low

With a new campaign ad that uses images of Adolf Hitler for political gain. See it for yourself - it is right there in the front of the campaign website - they emailed it out to 6 million people.
From Kerry Campaign Statement:

"The fact that George Bush thinks it's appropriate to use images of Adolf Hitler in his campaign raises serious questions about his fitness to spend another four years in the White House. Adolf Hitler slaughtered millions of innocent people and has no place in a campaign that is supposed to be about the future and hope of this nation. The President's use of these images during a month that evoked the memory of World War II is remarkably insensitive to the sacrifices of the millions of people who lost their lives during Hitler's reign of terror.
"The Bush Campaign should immediately remove these hateful images from its website and apologize for using them. The use of Adolf Hitler by any campaign, politician or party is simply wrong."

And via email:

Yesterday, the Bush-Cheney campaign, losing any last sense of decency, placed a disgusting ad called "The Faces of John Kerry's Democratic Party" as the main feature on its website. Bizarrely, and without explanation, the ad places Adolf Hitler among those faces.

The Bush-Cheney campaign must pull this ad off of its website. The use of Adolf Hitler by any campaign, politician or party is simply wrong.
...
If he were a real leader, George Bush would be talking about his first-term accomplishments -- and his second-term vision for America. But he has cast aside that opportunity because he has nothing to offer except a string of broken promises and a steady stream of fear and deception.

NYTimes: Hitler Reappears in '04 Campaign, This Time in Bush Ad

UPDATE: A TTC commenter asks: "where the hell was kerry when moveon.org used their images?"
Besides the fact that they removed it right away, I think that maybe the President of the United States should be held to a higher standard of decency than an independent web-site.
ALSO: Mobius' Redux of the Hitler Issue & The Newsweek article on the controversies.

John Kerry and Israel -- The Record (source: NJDC)

June 18, 2004
John Kerry and Israel -- The Record

Leadership in the Senate:
** Fact: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has
made note of "Kerry's 100 percent pro-Israel voting record in the
Senate" (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, May 18, 2004). John Kerry has
a perfect, unblemished 20-year voting record on Israel in the
United States Senate -- including some 60 pro-Israel votes and
signatures on key congressional letters. He took a leadership
role in cosponsoring many of these efforts, dating back to his
co-sponsorship of a 1987 resolution disapproving missile sales to
Saudi Arabia.

Israel's Security Fence:
** Fact: John Kerry has strongly supported Israel's right to
build a security fence. During a debate in February, he described
the fence as "a fence necessary to the security of Israel until
they have a partner to be able to negotiate" (New York Times
transcript, February 29, 2004). He has stated his support for the
security fence repeatedly in public forums, including during an
April speech before newspaper editors when he again said, "I
support the building of the security fence" (Speech before the
American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 23, 2004).

"We Should Never Pressure Israel:"
** Fact: John Kerry has repeatedly and clearly stated that a
Kerry Administration will never force Israel to take steps that
compromise her security: "And I want you to know that, as
president, my promise to the people of Israel is this: I will
never force Israel to make concessions that cost or compromise
any of Israel's security. The security of Israel is paramount.
And we [are] an ally and we are a friend and we have a special
relationship, and we must remember that. We will also never
expect Israel to negotiate peace without a credible partner"
(Speech before the Anti-Defamation League, adl.org, May 3, 2004).
He had previously noted in a statement, "Our commitment must be
clear: We should never pressure Israel to compromise its
security; never coerce it to negotiate for peace without a
credible partner; and always work to provide the political and
military support for Israel's fight against terror" (Statement by
John Kerry, April 27, 2004).

No Palestinian Right of Return:
** Fact: John Kerry has clearly noted his opposition to any
Palestinian "right of return" to Israel: "Now I think what the
President did in the last few days is to recognize a reality that
even President Clinton came to: if you're going to have a Jewish
state, and that is what we are committed to do and that is what
Israel is, you cannot have a right of return that's open ended --
you just can't do it. It's always been a non-starter. I
personally said that at a speech I gave to the Arab community in
New York at the World Economic Forum. I've said that. I've also
said that it is realistic because we know that at Taba they
negotiated the annexation of certain territory. So it's really
stating a reality" (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).

Taking On Saudi Leaders:
** Fact: John Kerry has strongly criticized our unwillingness to
condemn the Saudis for their failure to fight terrorism.
According to CBS News, he has vowed to "end a 'sweetheart
relationship' that allows money to flow through Arab countries to
terrorist groups and criticized President Bush over a report that
he had struck a deal with Saudi officials to lower gasoline
prices before the election. ...'I have a 100 percent record ...
of supporting the special relationship and friendship that we
have with Israel,' Kerry said. 'I can guarantee you that as
president, I understand not just how we do that but also how we
end this sweetheart relationship with a bunch of Arab countries
that still allows money to move to Hamas, Hezballah and the Al
Aqsa Brigade'" (CBSNews.com, April 18, 2004).

Targeting Hamas Leadership:
** Fact: John Kerry has clearly supported Israel's right to
target Hamas leadership for assassination. When asked whether he
supported Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Rantisi on NBC's
"Meet the Press," he replied: "I believe Israel has every right
in the world to respond to any act of terror against it. Hamas is
a terrorist, brutal organization. It has had years to make up its
mind to take part in a peaceful process; and they refuse to,
Arafat refuses to" (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).

Ruling Out Arafat:
** Fact: John Kerry has ruled out Arafat as a legitimate
negotiating partner for Israel. As he said in March, 2004, "As
far as I'm concerned he's an outlaw to the peace process. ...and
he's proved himself to be irrelevant" (Associated Press, March
10, 2004).

Condemning Saudi Anti-Semitism:
** Fact: John Kerry has blasted anti-Semitic comments emanating
from the leaders of Saudi Arabia, saying: "Saudi Arabian Crown
Prince Abdullah's outrageous anti-Semitic comments this week
blaming 'Zionists' for the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia
raises serious questions about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's
commitment to combating terrorism. President Bush has said
nothing. As President, I will never permit this kind of attack to
go unanswered" (Statement by John Kerry, May 5, 2004).


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Dubya's Resume

(via email, author unkown)

GEORGE W. BUSH
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20520

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Law Enforcement:

I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.

Military:

I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use.
By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.

College:

I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. I was a cheerleader.

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:

I ran for U.S. Congress and lost. I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but I couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.
I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.
With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union. During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.

I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.

With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:

I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.

I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.

I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.

I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.

I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.

I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market. In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.

I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.

I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. President.

I am the all-time U.S and world record-holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.

My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron.

My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the US. Supreme Court during my election decision.

I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip- offs in history.

I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.

I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.

I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.

I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any President in U.S. history.

I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.

I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.

I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.

I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.

I refused to allow inspector's access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.

I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).

I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.

I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period.

After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.

I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protests against any person in the history of mankind.

I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation.

I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. citizens, and the world community.

I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families -- in wartime.

In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.

I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.

I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.

I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden [sic] to justice.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES:

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's library, sealed and unavailable for public view.

All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.

All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.

PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004.

Bush Again Delays Move Of US Embassy to Jerusalem

In a letter to Colin Powell, Bush claims that it is a necessity to postone transfer of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem "to protect the national security interests"

Jews For Kerry

Get this cool poster and other stuff

Did you know?

In 2000, the American Jewish Committee awarded Senator Kerry the "Congressional Leadership Award" for efforts on religious freedom in the workplace.

Speaking of money..

"The inaction by the Bush Administration to stop the flow of money from Syria and Lebanon continues to threaten the lives of every member of our Armed Forces now serving in Iraq"
- Senator John F. Kerry

AJC Letter to Bush Cheney Campaign

Regarding reports of partisan abuse of religious institutions to solicit votes

Who they calling a flip flop?

ZOA: Bush's Call For Return To 1967 Borders Conflicts With Promises Made To Sharon

In his remarks at the United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony on June 2, 2004, President Bush described his "Road Map" plan as "the most reliable guide to ending the occupation that began in 1967." (See www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040602.html)

But in his April 16 meeting with Prime Minister Sharon, at the White House, President Bush said that "it is unrealistic to expect ... a full and complete return" by Israel to the pre-1967 borders.

Bush / Saudi Connection

Thanks for asking. Here is the story about Kerry challenging Bush on his Saudi ties.

The Jews in Bush's Lincoln Bedroom

It seems the President has a history of courting only those Jews who share his political views.
If you continue to criticize the president," Goldman had said, "you will get nothing from this administration."

Food For Thought

Many religious Jews say they plan to vote for Bush because he is "so good for Israel" because he "stood with Ariel Sharon" - except that many of these people are also those who are against the gaza pullout - but don't even bother to think that far ahead.

Earth to Brooklyn: Gaza Pullout means no more bug-free veggies from Gush Katif!

Kerry Speaks to the ADL

"When I am President of the United States, my promise to the people of Israel will be this:

We will never pressure you to compromise your security.

We will never expect you to negotiate for peace without a credible partner.

And we will always work to provide the political and military and economic help for your fight against terror. "
[FULL TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH]
- John Forbes Kerry 5/3/04

Kerry on Israel

I wouldn't be a good American citizen if I decided who to vote president for based soley on what I think might possibly perhaps be the best choice where Israel is concerned. It is therefore difficult to comprehend when religious Jews say to me that they are voting for Bush because "he is great for Israel." When I ask how, there isn't much substance in response other than "he just is." If there was any doubt in anyones mind, what John Kerry's record on Israel is (not to mention his 100% pro Israel voting record all his years in the senate), here is an actual speech given by Mr. Kerry on the house floor in 2002 way before he was even a viable candidate for the presidency. If i didn't see the byline, I would think some of these quotes came straight out of an Avi Weiss / Curtis Slewa Dag Hammerskold rally.

"Mr. President, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the resolution introduced by Senators Lieberman and Smith demonstrating our continued solidarity with our ally, Israel, in its efforts to defend itself against terrorism. Suicide bombings and the taking of lives of innocent civilians are terrorist acts by anyone's definition. No moral or political justification exists for the bombing of civilians on buses or in restaurants or at religious celebrations. This resolution makes it clear that we oppose these acts of terrorism and that we recognize and support Israel's right to defend itself against them...
And it is equally important that those Arab states who say they want to work with us in the war on terrorism do all that they can to help bring about an end to all forms of terrorism. They must make it clear that like us, they too oppose suicide bombings and that they expect the leadership of the Palestinian authority to live up to its responsibility to bring them to a halt...
Israel exercised its legitimate right to self-defense when it used force to root out and break up the terrorist networks threatening its own civilians."
- United States Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) on the house floor Thursday, May 2, 2002

Memo to Jay Footlik - Where the heck are you???

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