In 2002, large out-of-state contributions to their primary opponents led to the defeats of the two sharpest critics of US policies in the Middle East,African-American Congressmembers Earl Hilliard of Alabama and Cynthia McKinney of Georgia. During this period when the US is giving unqualified support to Israel's massive military strikes in Gaza and Lebanon with weapons accumulated from about $3 billion annually in US military aid, our attention should be given to Cynthia McKinney's current primary run-off election on August 8. A Jewish newspaper has reported that again the pro-Israel lobby is supporting her opponent. Similar news is given in Black Commentator. .
Before unsheathing the reflex accusations of anti-Semitism, note that I am Jewish and an Israeli citizen and that I served in Israel Defense Forces. I have dozens of cousins in Israel, the oldest generation of whom are survivors of the holocaust from a Polish shtetl, almost all of whose inhabitants perished in Treblinka. Information that most out of state contributors to Hilliard's and McKinney's opponents in 2002 were organized by AIPAC, the Jewish lobbying organization, was carried in a 2002 article in HaAretz, Israel's leading newspaper, quoted here
I believe that Israel's colonization of Palestinian territories and its policies of ruling over the inhabitants with extreme brutality doom Israel to perpetual conflict and insecurity. It has been my opinion, since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in the 1967 war, that the Palestinians, our neighbors, should be our friends, and that they certainly would be if Israel had not built Jews-only settlements on lands taken from them, had supported their economic and political advancement, and had recognized Palestinians as human beings with rights to life and property equal to those of Jews. I have supported changes in US foreign policy as advocated by Cynthia McKinney because of my conviction that such changes constitute the only hope of influencing Israel to abandon the suicidal madness of war and occupation, and to allow a chance for peace and security in the Mideast.
I also believe that all who truly support peace based on justice and human rights for all peoples ought to support Cynthia McKinney now, for she is the Congressmember who most consistently advocates those goals. Her defeat again by outside interests' supporting her primary opponent would give an unprecedented morale boost to Bush, Cheney, and their entire neoconservative coterie. Cynthia McKinney's website is www.cynthiaforcongress.com/
Andy Silver Cary, NC
orangetoimpeach.blogspot.com
Andrew G. Silver is an epidemiologist living in North Carolina. He is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel and has been involved over 45 years in movements for civil rights for minorities, and against wars, in both countries. Recently his heaviest involvement has been in fighting for honest elections with paper ballots that are counted, first suggesting to his state senator a bill that she introduced that led to the Voter Confidence in Elections Law of 2005.
I have admired Rep. McKinney, for telling the truth when no one else had even figured much of it out, after 9/11.
Nevertheless, from what I know about her opponent, he seems to be a good, decent, man, who would see issues through fair eyes.
AIPAC is already in a losing position, more than it ever has been. So far, they have been accused of spying on America and now Israel is acting as demented as the Bushites. I doubt that AIPAC has much time to worry about one congressional race in Georgia.
Minds have been chaging in the last couple of years, even among liberals and progressives. Many of us are seing that America's knee-jerk, unconditional support for Israel is not in the best interest of America, and probably not in the best interest of Israel.
If we ever regain our Democracy and are allowed to debate issues again, one of the first issues that must be debated is our relationship with Israel, because things need to change.
by
wintefire6 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 87 comments)
on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 12:46:55 PM
1. ETHICS COMPLAINT
Commissioner Hank Johnson used money out of his campaign accounts to contribute funds to the Committee for a Better DeKalb (PAC) to help pass the 2005 Bond Referendum.
2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
"County Commissioner Hank Johnson, whose district includes Hickory Ridge, was accused of accepting a campaign contribution from the owners of that landfill. Johnson denied the charge, but county records show he received $1,000 in July 2000 from Doug Dillard, the attorney representing the landfill. Johnson defended the donation, saying Dillard represents many developers seeking county approval for their projects." Atlanta Journal Constitution 2/20/2002: "More than 200 pack DeKalb landfill hearing seeking answers.
3. LAWSUITS
1. Macy's v. Henry Johnson at al. #88A45456 (DeKalb State Court). Suit filed on June 7, 1988 by Macy's Department store on account. Judgment taken for Macy's in the amount of $490.20 fifa issued
on April 17, 1989.
2. Blazer Financial Services v. Henry Johnson #88A59081 (DeKalb State Court). Suit filed on Dec. 8, 1988. Unpaid bill was $588.00 Case was not contested and default judgment was entered on Feb. 3,
1989. Case " settled" on June 5, 1989
3. Worley v. Johnson # 89A75667 (DeKalb State Court). Suit was filed by court reporting company Worley & Associates. Unpaid bill was $500.20. Case was not contested and default judgment was
taken for $500.20. On April 13, 1990 fifa was issued for $500.20
5. Bull & Associates v. Henry C. Johnson 90A10289 (DeKalb State Court). Suit by Court Reporter on Feb. 5, 1990 for $206.40. Case was not contested. Default judgment entered and fifa issued for
$206.40 plus $37.15 in attorney fees.
6. Macy's v. Henry C Johnson et al., 91M21752 (DeKalb State Court). Suit on account stayed by filing of bankruptcy.
4. GARNISHMENTS
Macy's filed a garnishment action against the Johnsons to collect the judgment. Macy's v. Henry C. Johnson at al. 89G24199 (DeKalb State Court) Money was paid into court by Fidelity National Bank.
5. FEDERAL TAX LIENS
Federal tax liens issued against Johnson and his law practice for over $53,203.80 in back taxes.
6. BANKRUPTCY
On October 28, 1993 Henry C. Johnson and his wife filed a Chapter 13 (payback plan) bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. #93-75181 The case was
dismissed at least once because the Johnsons failed to abide by the payment plan. The case was later reinstated. The plan called for partial payments to the creditors. The case was closed and discharged on
October 23, 1998.
Details, schmetails . . . anything we can do to get rid of that "upitty" Rep. McKinney, right?
by
Bruce Bloomquist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 10:33:59 AM
Whether Rep. McKinney wins or loses, she has done the right thing and has nothing to regret. It takes courage in this day and age to tell the truth and risk your job, but there have been other ages when telling the truth has cost people their lives. Most people go along to get along, and never consider what they are giving up. Honor and integrity take a back seat in this society, greed and ambition sit up front. Unless the majority of Americans wake up and start fighting to get their country back, Bush and his pack of thugs will continue to wreak havoc, and our way of life will be gone forever.
by
Regina Carpenter (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 38 comments)
on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 5:15:39 PM
3 comments
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