Obama: In the Thrall of the AIPAC

Obama is not really in the thrall of AIPAC. As Beattie notes, not to support Israel is tantamount to committing political suicide but Obama's weaknesses go far beyond that. He is as much a US imperialist as Bush. He just thinks that Bush is doing a terrible job of it. He may be right about that! Obama's great virtue is that he can create magical illusions that make US liberals think that the Democratic Party might be an agent for change towards realising their ideals. This is sure to attract more money if Obama's star keeps rising.

In the Thrall of AIPAC
Why Obama Can't Save Us
By MISSY COMLEY BEATTIE

01/05/08 "Counterpunch" -- -- Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh recently said that Barack Obama is our "only hope" to "lead a reconciliation between the Muslim countries and the US." Why? Because Obama's father was a Muslim.

I simply don't follow Hersh's logic here. Seems to me the actions of a president are more important than some familial affiliation with a particular religion-not to mention that candidate Obama has aligned himself with Israel.

These are some of Obama's comments during a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC):

"Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region, "Our job is to do more than lay out another road map."

"That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: Our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy. "That will always be my starting point."

And calling for sustained military support to Israel, Obama said: "We must preserve our total commitment to our unique defense relationship with Israel by fully funding military assistance and continuing work on the Arrow and related missile defense programs."

For Barack Obama to say that "our job is to lay out another road map" for peace while we are providing military support to Israel as the country launches attacks on Palestinians is hypocrisy. There is more than a conflict of interest for the US to go to the table, act as peace brokers, and make demands. But, then, that is what we do as self-appointed police officers to the world. We decry the violence in Kenya. Condi Rice has just made a statement that it must stop. But the violence perpetrated on the Iraqi and Afghan populations by her boss's policies continues without end. Our violence is good violence. Anyone else's is barbaric.

It matters little to me that Barack Obama says he was against invading Iraq. After all, he votes to continue funding it. If this presidential candidate wanted to mend relations with Muslims, he could start by voting against additional war funding.

And he could say no to AIPAC-but this would be political suicide.

Missy Beattie lives in New York City. She's written for National Public Radio and Nashville Life Magazine. An outspoken critic of the Bush Administration and the war in Iraq, she's a member of Gold Star Families for Peace. She completed a novel last year, but since the death of her nephew, Marine Lance Cpl. Chase J. Comley, in Iraq on August 6,'05, she has been writing political articles. She can be reached at: Missybeat@aol.com