Must read. Jonathan Tasini: "Touching the third Rail of Politics"

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-tasini/touching-the-third-rail-_b_25859.html

I’ve touched the “third rail” of politics in New York: the Israel-Palestine conflict, the dreadful occupation and the never-ending violence that is spinning out of control, in large part because the United States—and politicians like Hillary Clinton—continue to blindly pursue a one-sided policy in the Palestinian-Israel conflict, a policy that is causing more death and sorrow for civilians on all sides of the conflict.

From the beginning of this race, I was committed to speaking the truth, whether about the Iraq war/occupation or abusive corporate power or the corruption coursing through our political system. People are simply fed up with the pandering, the triangulation and the inability to speak the truth that is endangering our country’s future, our relations in the world and our well-being at home. We need a real opposition party, a Democratic Party with a vision that has the spine to stand for something authentic and honest.

It’s worth voters in New York knowing a little about where I come from on the issue of Israel-Palestine and the raging conflict engulfing the region today. I speak about Israel out of love and pain, in the same way that I am a deeply patriotic American who is harshly critical of our government and its behavior in Iraq—and of Hillary Clinton’s vote to send our men and women to die into an illegal, immoral war.

My father was born in then-Palestine. He fought in the Haganah (the Israeli underground) in the war of independence; my father’s cousin, whose name I carry as a middle name, was killed in that war. I lived in Israel for seven years, during which I went through the 1973 war: a cousin of mine was killed in that war, leaving a young widow and two children, and his brother was wounded. My step-grandfather, an old man who was no threat to anyone, was killed by a Palestinian who took an axe to his head while he was sitting quietly on a park bench. Half my family still lives in Israel. I have seen enough bloodshed, tears, and parents burying their children to last many lifetimes.

For that reason, I believe passionately in a two-state solution, which includes a strong, independent, economically viable Palestinian state existing along side a strong, independent, economically vibrant Israel. It is the only solution that will bring peace to the civilians who now live in fear of death raining down from above—either because of the missiles of Hezbollah or the bombs of Israeli aircraft.

<>The problem is not the debate in Israel. The problem is the debate—or lack thereof—in the United States.

more...worth reading in its entirety

[DistressedAmerican]

1. Kicking For My Boy!

:kick: Hillary is our next Joe.

[BurtWorm]

2. I love honesty in a candidate!

:kick:

[Armstead]

3. 1,000 Kicks

Fer Pete's sake this guy should be considered one of the bright lights of the Democratic Party.

Guts and truth. Wotta concept.

[Armstead]

4. 1001

[w4rma]

5. Good guy. He should run for an office he can actually win.

He should get involved in politics for the long term, rather than than pushing a short term protest run.

[Armstead]

6. Maybe -- But he represents a real democratic Democratic Party

It is sooooooo depressing that people like this -- whose basic views reflect6 a wide swath of Americans -- are dismissed as "fringe" candidates.

[w4rma]

8. He doesn't have to be a "fringe" candidate.

The only reason he is one is because he's acting like one and running in an election against the wife of the previous Democratic president. He's a protest vote in this election, but he could be a top candidate in another.

[Armstead]

11. Possibly, but I think there need to be more challenges too

You may be correct that he might be taklen more seriously if he ran fopr a lower office he could actually win.

Maybe he will after this.

But I do know that theree need to be more primary challenges like this, to oopen up the process to at least a debate of new ideas outside of the Corporate Centrist Box that Hillary represents.

[readmoreoften]

20. Heh heh. What lower offices has Hillary held. I'm just curious.

I really don't know. I know that she's been on corporate boards, etc. Is first lady an office?

[The Count]

10. He could win the Senate - if the party machine didn't roll over him

How many Tasini threads on DU - vs how many ned Lamont? And why the difference?

[w4rma]

14. She's the former President's wife. Of course he's going to get rolled.

I would expect nothing less than him getting rolled. In fact if Democrats couldn't defend the seat of the former President's wife, in a progressive state, I'd be extremely worried about the Democratic Party.

Clinton is extremely popular among Democrats. Btw, I say this as one who is very critical of President Clinton's actions, both during (NAFTA, losing Congress by using his Democratic majority to pass NAFTA, merger-mania, not going after Iran-Contra) and after (support for every war Bush has started, closeness to Bush 41, not doing the kinds of things that President Carter has been doing, often providing cover for Repuke policy, campaigning for Lieberman) his presidency.

Lieberman, however, has spent as much time as he could on TV burning Democratic bridges.

[readmoreoften]

18. How is that different from Ned Lamont's protest run?

I definitely agree that he's a good guy. I'm going to campaign for him as if I thought an upset was possible, even though I think that's very slim.

First of all, I'm not sure Tasini is just putting up a protest run. I think he's been really inspired take a stand since things have gotten so out of control. I believe that he's in it for the long term. Ned Lamont ran a business and put up the money. Tasini was the president of a labor union for something like 13 years, I think. He has lobbied with the best of them. So he's familiar with the system. I think he's as qualified as any.

I'm not sure that there is an office that he can run for that he can win in NY right now. Tasini is also a New Yorker, I don't see him moving anywhere. I guess Manhattan Borough President wouldn't be a bad move-- and then to Mayor. But I really see Tasini more interested in National politics. I also see that's where his talents lie.

It's a shame that our system is beaten down with movie stars and famous wives and politicians kids. Maybe that's why we have so few statesmen (statesfolk, to be pc) and so many suck-ups and posterboys.

[laura888]

7. Just beautiful! n/t

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MissWaverly]

12. I was thinking about this last night

you can't vote for somebody because they are related to someone you like,
voting for Hillary because you like Bill is the same as all the Republicans
who voted for GWB because they liked his dad, George is not his Dad, and Hillary
is not Bill and thinking that he will somehow be there and overseeing what she
does is naive and wishful thinking.

[laura888]

13. I'm proud of his insurgency also. n/t

[chill_wind]

15. "We must never be silent."

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Senator Clinton’s spokesperson has called my comments “beyond the pale.” With all due respect, it is Senator Clinton’s behavior, lack of leadership and failure to call for a respect for international law that should be questioned by the press, the Jewish community and the voters of New York. At a time when the violence against people on both sides of the border has killed hundreds of innocent people (mostly Lebanese), Hillary Clinton has fanned the flames of the conflict by recognizing and condemning the violence only against Israelis and effectively encouraging military action. I, too, have stated clearly, from the outset, that Hezbollah’s actions violate international law. But, to ignore Israel’s actions is abhorrent, weak and cowardly.

K&R!

[jsamuel]

16. Great discussion. Thank you.

Suicide Anti-Terrorism

It would be of great benefit to have a Democrat like him arguing for our (Democrats') side (on whatever issue). That is where we need to start.

[OneBlueSky]

17. Excellent! . . . he has my vote . . . n/t

.

[readmoreoften]

19. Damn. I hope Tasini gets his televised debate.

<snip>

I have challenged Senator Clinton to come out into the public arena, stop hiding behind her spokespeople and spinners and image consultants. Let’s debate the future of Israel and Palestine, publicly, on television, in front of the voters. Right now, in the coming days because the violence in the Middle East is rising. Pick the time and place.

I would end with this thought: As a Jew, I have always been proud of the Jewish concept of “Tikkun Olam” or “repairing the world.” I like to think that that is what brought so many Jews into the civil rights and labor movements in the 1960s and 1970s, and into the current anti-war movement—and, personally, guided me into the world of social justice work. I feel great sorrow that Israel is an occupier of another people and I believe that Israel can never be whole and can never be at peace until that occupation is ended in a just way. And I also believe that the concept of Tikkun Olam means that we must never be silent.

<snip>

[Armstead]

21. She should debate him on everything

[hedgehog]

22. We've got to get the word out!

I've already contacted three New York State voters who are going to vote for Tasini now that they know he exists! It's up to us to counter the big bucks with simple grass roots effort. Pick up the phone today and tell another New York Democrat about Tasini!

[readmoreoften]

23. I am getting all the no-count youngins I know to the polls.

Get thee to a voting booth, my child.

[hedgehog]

24. Don't let the college kids back to school without an absentee ballot!