Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May-June 2010, Pages 5-6

Letters to the Editor

Money for Peace

Thank you for your timely discussions and assessments put forth by the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs,—one of the few, if not the only publication giving the facts, truth and documentation of the complex situation. Our media is so slanted, so biased toward the other side to which our country, the USA, owes allegiance. No matter what administration we have in higher office, these persons always acquiesce to that favored side. What progress has been made—little to nothing—perhaps a few crumbs have been given? Money should be allocated for peace—not making continuous wars all over the globe. There is little money left for the essential programs in the USA that favor the American electorate. We are in a mess! Our foreign policy in the region leaves much to be desired—and reformed.

Dr. Teresa A. Anthony, West Seneca, NY

We are hopeful (but not holding our breath!) that the events of this past March—from the “dissing” of Vice President Biden in Jerusalem, to President Obama’s chilly reception of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington, to Netanyahu’s defiant speech at AIPAC’s annual conference, to the passage of health care reform—might signal that the days of Washington putting Israel first might be drawing to an end. See p. 10 for more views on the subject.

Getting the News Abroad

Recently I returned from some weeks in Asia, especially Thailand. What a joy to have cable stations that broadcast every language from Dutch to Japanese, with many including English subtitles. It seemed BBC and Al Jazeera were available anytime I turned on the TV.

Have you noticed the lack of U.S. coverage concerning the “Israeli assassination” in Dubai? A couple of American friends were even unaware of this incident carried out by the “only democracy in the Middle East....” I can only imagine the coverage this is receiving in the rest of the world!

I await with much eagerness the next issue of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.......

Richard H. Curtiss, Boynton Beach, FL

As we’ve noted with great enthusiasm, cable subscribers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are now able to get Al Jazeera (see April 2010 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, p. 47)—and we believe this is affecting reporters and editors based here in the national capital, who no longer can so easily ignore stories they previously buried. There’s nothing like seeing for yourself, however, so we encourage everyone who wants to be as well informed as the rest of the world to demand that their cable and satellite providers include Al Jazeera English in their programming. For more details visit .

Rethinking Mideast Policy

Thank you very much for the articles that appeared in the March 2010 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs,: “U.S. Placates Israel and Opens New War Front While Ignoring Palestinians,” “The Twin Challenges of Terror and Israel,” “Israel Responds to Palestinian Nonviolence with Violence and Repression,” and “How President Obama Can Earn His Nobel Peace Prize.”

I sincerely hope that all of that will lead to at least a rethinking of the Mideast policy. Have resolutions been introduced in both the House and Senate requiring all members to read the Goldstone Report?

Howard S. Yee, Minneapolis, MN

We’re afraid that, with few exceptions (see below), the American public is way ahead of its elected representatives in Congress! The upcoming November elections, of course, offer the opportunity to rectify that situation. We invite our readers to peruse our first installment of pro-Israel PAC contributions (see p. 27) to find out which candidates are favored by the Israel lobby—and to vote accordingly!

Rep. Donna Edwards’ Record

I’m a pretty politically active constituent of Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD) and have read your publication on occasion. I was surprised to see on Project Vote Smart’s site that you said she voted with the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs,’s position 0 percent of the time in ”˜07-’08, and was hoping you could let me know what positions she was not aligned with you on. I know she voted against condemning the Goldstone report and against funding the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Also, she wasn’t in office for most of 2007, because she was first elected in June of ”˜08 after Rep. Albert Wynn stepped down when he was defeated by her in the primary.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Karen O’Keefe, via e-mail

Edwards didn’t enter Congress until June 2008, and our congressional correspondent, Shirl McArthur, prepared the Report Card in late July. All of the issues, letters, bills, etc. he specified were from 2007 and the first half of 2008, before Edwards took office. We contacted Project Vote Smart to clarify its “Foreign Aid and Policy” rating, but as we went to press its Web site still reads that Edwards “supported the interests of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (Washington Report on Middle East Affairs) 0 percent in 2007-2008.” At best, this is misleading.

Blackwater

The “soldiers for hire,” military contractor Blackwater is back in the news. Recently, two of Blackwater’s former employees were arrested on murder charges involving the death of two Afghan civilians. In an earlier incident, dozens of eyewitnesses witnessed the brutal slaying of 17 Iraqi civilians in the Nisoor massacre by five Blackwater employees. To compound the outrage, the company paid a minuscule compensation of $100,000 for each death and $20,000 to $30,000 to each Iraqi wounded.

It is unconscionable that our tax money should be used to retain the services of Blackwater, which is a repeat offender in the slaying and injury of innocent civilians. What is especially astounding and disturbing is the casual and nonchalant way our government is contracting out its mafia-style assassination attempts. Blackwater’s “007” antics have tarnished the image of the U.S. and evoked seething anger in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany (where one of its citizens was “renditioned” and tortured).

It is encouraging that Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), leading member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, is introducing legislation to stop outsourcing security by companies like Blackwater. She deserves our full support. The Pentagon should follow CIA’s decision by canceling its contract with Blackwater.

Tejinder Uberoi, Los Altos, CA

The private military company—which sounds like a highly un-American concept to us—now goes by the moniker Xe Services LLC. Unfortunately, we suspect your warnings are still pertinent.

U.S. Not the “Great Angel”

Please find enclosed a contribution to help your efforts as you strive for truth and justice in the Middle East.

I find it interesting that prior to 2001 radical Muslim clerics were trying to convince the Muslim world that America was the “Great Satan.” It is truly ironic that since 2001 the United States government has done its level best to prove them right: An illegal war of aggression on Iraq, black site prisons, kidnappings, torture, extrajudicial killings and full support of Israel as it massacres civilians in Lebanon and Gaza.

Sometimes it’s a little embarrassing to carry an American passport.

Keep up the good work and God bless you for all that AET does.

Clyde A. Farris, M.D., Tualatin, OR

We thank you for your support these many years, and your commitment to justice in this world.

Scaling Back

It is now some years since I visited with you and your colleagues in Washington. And I continue to admire enormously what you good people are trying to achieve.

I read your recent circular letter with interest—and some regret, in that it seems you are having to deal with financial challenges—as also are we at Crossways International.

I believe the time has come for me to admit that I can no longer cope with my workload—and doing what I have been doing for many years in relation to promoting your publication. I am now on my way to 80 years of age, but—wondrous to relate—still do not have any grey hair!

I will continue to subscribe to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, for me personally. However, I fear that I shall no longer be able to contribute $250 each year to support your endeavors—and as you know I have contributed this amount for quite a few years to cover the cost of the 10 copies of the magazine that you have been sending me each month.

Rest assured that I shall continue to be in contact with a limited number of people, and will continue to show them a copy of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and encourage them to subscribe.

Please give my sincere greetings to Richard Curtiss and to Andrew Killgore—both of whom I admire greatly.

Harry Wendt, president, Crossways International, Minneapolis, MN

We were honored by your presence at our 25th anniversary party in 2006, as we have been by your support and encouragement over the years. You will always be an angel to us!

A Baker’s Dozen

I dropped off a baker’s dozen copies of your great Report over the past couple or three years to pastors of the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) who recently went to Palestine/Israel. Please accept my shookrans for adding to your list a First UMC deacon and LSU associate professor in curriculum and instruction.

Samear Zaitoon, Baton Rouge, LA

Thank you for your assistance in getting the word—and this magazine—out! We learned from our own experience in 2004 (see October 2004 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, pp. 42-61) that even those of us who are aware of the reality hidden by the mainstream media are shocked to encounter it in person. We trust your local Methodist pastors will be inspired to open many eyes upon their return.