For asking a question about Sherman's representation, I was told to "go live in Gaza." Maybe the next time I should respond with "go live in Israel." Why not? If Israel is their first allegiance, perhaps they should just reside there. My first allegiance is to the United States, which I won't sacrifice for Israel - and neither should Brad Sherman, Chuck Schumer, Joe Lieberman, Howard Berman, Jane Harman, Henry Waxman and more...
It's time to ask the question: When will Jewish and Israeli victimhood finally end? The victim card played out a long time ago. Jews, despite Sherman's demands for special protection on campuses for Jewish students, are in no more danger in the United States than any other group. Yet fear and victimhood permeate their lives.
Sherman's personal requests for pro-Israel call-ins to television and radio shows when he appears, and his offer of talking points to counter criticisms of Israel, are concerning coming from a Representative in the United States Congress. Why isn't Sherman more worried about restoring America's image than restoring Israel's? At what point does Sherman's American loyalty win out? Or does it?
Artzyeli, who speaks with a strong Hebrew accent, ended the evening
with these words:
I'll say again, Israel is not flawless. We made, throughout our 60 years, we made mistakes like any other country but trying to vilify Israel and to accentuate each and every (undecipherable) Israel does and to put a magnifying glass with each and every aspect of any action of Israel - this is un-proportional. This is an obsession with Israel. Again, criticize, if you have criticism of Israel it's legitimate. No problem. All countries can be criticized but this obsession is just beyond out of proportion and it's biased and this when it comes from Jews it's awful... Again, I'm referring to those who believe in the human rights of the entire world except of Israelis...
Here are the two telling examples of fear and aggression from incidents on Wednesday night:
The first involves Mark Reed, Brad Sherman's Republican opponent who won his Republican primary handily. Sherman won't debate Reed, although I believe he should. Reed is a 40% native-American self described "conservative Constitutionalist who happens to be Republican." Reed is also a staunch supporter of Israel, who amazingly, believes he's a stronger supporter of Israel than Sherman - if that's possible. Reed is NOT Jewish.
Reed attended the town hall Wednesday evening and caused no
disruption. At the end of the event he exited and entered the synagogue
courtyard where he was met by Temple security who asked him to leave the
premises and escorted him to the street where he was then met by LAPD
officers who threatened to arrest him if he didn't leave the area. Reed
left, but has since filed a complaint against the LAPD officer. Here's
Reed's press release detailing his several encounters, one of which was
with Congressman Sherman's mother.
Media Contact: Jeff Marks
E-Mail: jmarks@markreedforcongress.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE MARK REED REMOVED FROM PUBLIC TOWN HALL WITH INTIMIDATION AND THREATS BY ARMED GUARDS AND LAPDNorthridge, California (July 7, 2010)
Mark Reed, Candidate for Congress in the 27th Congressional District, was in attendance at a public town hall hosted by his opponent, incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman, this evening when private armed security guards escorted Mr. Reed off the property. There, LAPD officers waited on the street and threatened to arrest Mr. Reed if he did not immediately enter his vehicle and leave the area. As a constituent of the 27th District, Mr. Reed was within his rights to attend. He was not disruptive.
The meeting was being held at Temple Ramat Zion in Northridge California. It was a public forum open to all constituents of California's 27th Congressional District. The topic of the event was the Middle East, specifically, terrorism, US-Israel relations, and Iran's nuclear weapons program. The town hall was hosted by Congressman Sherman and featured Gil Artzyeli, Deputy Consul General of the State of Israel.
As the event was getting underway, Matt Dababneh, Congressman Sherman's District Director, along with an armed guard and two unarmed security guards, informed Mr. Reed that he could not display a sign on his vehicle. Mr. Reed removed the sign from the premises. The sign was then displayed on a van across the street legally parked on public property.
When Mr. Reed entered the temple, he was confronted by Lane Sherman, the Congressman's mother, who informed him that he was "Not welcome there", that he "should leave", and that he was a "bad man." An insult she repeated multiple times. Mr. Reed notified Mrs. Sherman and other bystanders that he was "there to listen." He also reminded Mrs. Sherman that Congressman Sherman has been "ignoring his requests to debate."
During the event, Mark Reed was quietly listening to the public discourse and comments. He was not disruptive. He did not attempt to engage Mr. Sherman or Mr. Artzyeli in dialogue. He was not campaigning inside the event.
At the end of the public forum, Mr. Reed went outside. Several of his fellow constituents engaged Mr. Reed in discussion about the event and the positions offered by Mr. Sherman. At that time, Frank Guzman, a private security officer employed by the temple from Nastec International Security, asked Mr. Reed to leave. Mr. Guzman was armed. Another armed guard, two unarmed guards, and a woman who claimed to be a staff member of the temple, accompanied Mr. Guzman in his request. When Mr. Reed inquired as to the cause for his ejection, the guard simply replied that it was private property and he had to go. Mr. Reed accommodated the request. The guards escorted him to the street.
When Mr. Reed stepped onto the public street, officers of the LAPD confronted him. The officers informed him that he had to "leave immediately or he would be arrested." When Mr. Reed inquired about the reason for his removal from a public area, the officers only responded with increased threats of arrest. Fearing they would take him into custody, Mr. Reed entered his vehicle and left.
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