A U.N.-backed report published in mid-March found residents of Gaza are facing “high levels of acute food insecurity.” According to aid groups, the number of people in Gaza experiencing “catastrophic hunger” has doubled since December.
Please, send this article to President Joe Biden. No matter what, we cannot be the country responsibile for the ruination of Gaza and the murder of innocent human beings who happen to be at the mercy of Hamas. They are at the mercy of Hamas because Bibi Netanyahu had been supporting Hamas because he thought he could control them, and knew he couldn't control Abbas, who knows he could never trust Netanyahu.
Biden, why are we doing to Gaza what Putin is doing to Ukraine? (Of course, Ukraine never had an evil element like Hamas.) We are supplying excessive weaponry to Israel while the Putin backed Republicans in Congress refuse to arm and support Ukraine.
Netanyahu is a ‘war criminal’ bent on genocide of the Palestinian people. His rationale is his determination to destroy Hamas but for every child he murders there is a corresponding increase in Hamas supporters by at least two - the child’s parents. It is long past time to stop providing him with the weapons of war.
Mark, you are right to call Netanyahu a war criminal. He is absolutely conducting a war against a non-state entity that will never be eradicated by such a campaign. It is analogous to using a double barrel shot gun in the living room to kill the flies that got in when the windows were open. The flies may die, but the living room will be a wreck. Now imagine if the living room were full of guests. There is no military solution for eradicating terrorist organizations. Netanyahu knows this but justifies what is clearly genocide anyway. It is reprehensible.
It's long past time for Biden to stop expressing outrage and FUCKING DO SOMETHING. Cut off the flow of weapons. Call for the people of Israel to boot Netanyahu. Support South Africa's charge of war crimes in the Hague. Recall the US Ambassador. Enough is enough.
As you know, in Democratic governments, it is not for an outside nation to decree that their leader be booted, but Israel's citizens are again demonstrating to accomplish that end. Hopefully, this time they will demonstrate until these results are met. As in our country, we have to stand up against a malevolent leader.
Netanyahu will never give up power willingly or peacefully. If these demonstrations grow to fierce, he will start jailing or gunning down the demonstrators as "Hamas sympathizers." I fear nothing short of an internal revolution will remove him and his cabal of false prophets..
He and his government have tried to demonize the demonstrators - and the US. A relatively small number of arrests from what I’ve read, but it has gotten messy when some block road/bridges. Israeli news says the demonstrations picked up more steam after the hostage family protestors joined in also calling for immediate elections.
I suspect this turmoil is part of the reason US policy is so conflicted. There is Hezbollah stirring up trouble from Lebanon. If Israel falls into too much chaos, the Houthis / Iran will have a much larger influence in the region and global shipping. Not the occasional problem. There is also the issue of a US weapons stockpile maintained somewhere in Israel.
It’s no secret Gantz is a big political threat to Netanyahu who was not a huge favorite when chosen by his own party. Or that Bibi was wildly upset when Gantz went to the US & UK without his approval. (Bibi would not allow the embassy to assist with security for Gantz as is normal.)I believe the hope is enough members (like those in Gantz’s party) of Bibi’s coalition in the Knesset will read public sentiment and agree to new elections because he sure won’t. Meanwhile, the Knesset is not in session.
I'm proud of my senator, Chris Van Hollen, who is leading the effort to get the U.S. to withhold offensive weapons until Israel stops restricting aid and stops using U.S.-supplied weapons in contravention of international law. A report will be issued on May 8, and it could mark a turning point.
Anyone reading this should contact your senator. If their name is on the list below, thank them. If not, urge them to publicly join Sen. Van Hollen's group. Fifty-five percent (55%) of U.S. voters oppose Israel's conduct of the war in latest Gallup poll, including 75% of Democrats. Some of those will abstain from voting for Biden if he doesn't change course, thus possibly handing the presidency to Trump.
LIST OF SIGNERS: Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)
Unfortunately, my Senator’s - Blackburn (R-TN) and Hagerty (R-TN) are in Trump’s pocket and will vote to block the resolution. That said, I will try but have little hope they even read my emails anymore.
Never give up, but it does get discouraging to see how duped the Republican’s are by Rupert Murdock and his minions and Vladimir Putin. For a look at the past for a glimpse of the future check out Rachel Maddow’s latest book, Prequel. It is frightening in the similarities of the 1930’s and 1940’s and today.
We all empathize with you! Is there any way that the issue of abortion could come up for voting during the next election for TN's House of Representatives?
Marsha Blackburn's questions during Judiciary hearings are among the most cringeworthy and despicable. But, at least you have Nashville and it's amazing musical history [have been watching Ken Burns' long documentary on Country Music].
Of course we all want our country to stop sending military weapons and huge bombs to Israel, which they use to destroy Gaza. Most important, we must find a way to cut through the reasons why Israel continues to receive this unconditional aid in killing any and all Palestinians--or WE are also due to be accused by the Hague. The Guardian reveals the details of this dilemma in a long January 18, 2024 article " ‘Different rules’: special policies keep US supplying weapons to Israel despite alleged abuses". If you read this article, you'll understand that we cannot just snap our fingers and clean it up. Unless, the brilliant legislators among these Senators draft an appropriate bill to do that.
Our goal is to get rid of Fascist republicans. Sending weapons to a country that most of the world is against puts the Democrats in a very dangerous position when we need every single Democratic vote to ensure our way of life. Why the hell does the Biden admin think Netanyahu should be supported? Like trump, Netanyahu refuses to listen! The correct response is some form of punishment from the US, not a helping hand.
Can we EVER have an election where our stress levels aren’t through the ceiling because of these kind of decisions that go against the will of the people?
We need to defeat trump and we cannot lose sight of that. We also need to hear explanations from Biden and a far tougher stance.
You are absolutely correct. From my discussions with people about voting, I am hearing from many that they refuse to consider Biden for this very reason. If he continues down this path, America becomes an agent of the worst kind of genocide and possibly a fascist dictatorship led by a convicted criminal. God help us...please.
The thing about the Biden administration's claims is that they are not even remotely plausible in their denial of Israel's human rights abuses. When Israel isn't admitting to atrocities outright, with expanded access to mobile phones and social media, these violations of international law are highly visible. Biden et al. can and should be challenged daily on this.
I am going to beg to differ. Israel is our ally, and initiate the beginning action. In that way, we can see that they are attacking back with a goal to wipe out Hamas. I wish we would support Ukraine attacking Russia in the same way that the USA is supporting Israel attacking Hamas. I do not think it is acceptable that Israel is killing so many civilians, but I do remember that Hamas initiated the war. What I would like to see is a negotiated settlement that stops the killing, gets the hostages back and ends up in a two state solution. Do you think we will keep our allies if we back away from supporting them? Also, aren't there American hostages that Biden is still trying to get out? What I know is that if Biden is not elected he will not be the one suffering, it will be the people of Gaza and the people of the USA and the people of Europe. So, one has to examine what life will be like if Trump, who is the only other alternative to Biden, is in charge. Anyone who says they won't vote for Biden is not punishing Biden, but they are punishing me, and everyone else living in the USA under Trump. At least Muslims won't suffer under Trump once he gets rid of all of them except those who pay him like the Saudis. I don't consider them Muslim, but opportunists who claim a religion that they don't really practice. Trump's plans for the USA will make the USA like Russia, which will not be about bringing peace and enlightenment to the Middle East. It will be about fomenting war and anger around the planet. If you are not satisfied that Gazans, Israelis and Syrians and Lebanese and Yemenites and Somalians, and around 16 countries in Africa are at war, but want the USA to be living in a civil war, then don't vote for Biden, but don't be surprised when what is bad now turns to absolute HELL!
In one hand, Biden sends aid. In the other hand, he sends bombs. What is his reasoning? I don't understand how he can justify these decisions. Doesn't the U.S. have conditions for the military aid. Help me understand.
I have read a lot of articles on it. There are so many diplomatic situations at play. Just as South Africa took Israel to court for Genocide, today I read that Nicaragua (the country that the USA messed around by arming right wing rebels in the 1980s) is bringing genocide charges against Germany for providing arms. Now, if Germany were not to support Israel everyone would be calling them Nazis again. But in the USA, we have a lot of political things at play. We are Israel's ally, we are Ukraine's ally even though neither is a member of NATO. With both we are providing them with arms and expertise. Each they may or may not take. Both are more likely to take the arms than the expertise because they have their own ideas. The USA does have conditions, but we are in an election year. Let us see what Biden looks like after he does not have the election hanging over his head. Until then, he has to play both sides, because everyone is his constituency. That is the Jewish citizens and the Muslim citizens. Israel was attacked. They have the right to defend themselves. That is our policy. Whether we agree with how it is playing itself out, or whether all Israelis or all Jews support it and Netanyahu is another piece of this. We are at a point where we are demanding a cease fire, but Netanyahu is a dictator just like Putin, he is not just going to listen. He has to be convinced. He can only be convinced if he thinks he has more to lose than to gain. How is that situation created? At which point was it decided that Israel has gone too far? I think that we should be looking at the big picture of US diplomacy and say, while we may not agree with it. Right now there are no good solutions. Should Hamas go on governing Gaza? Won't that lead to another situation like we just had in October? Just wondering. We need the negotiators to negotiate a settlement and Netanyahu to be brought to the table at a point where he has something to gain by negotiating. Look at the set up in Israel. Hamas is not the "good guys." Not for Israel, not for Gazans. We have no one to govern and Israel has not been ready to accept many things that need to happen for their to be a negotiated settlement, one that hopefully sees our citizens returned to us, and sets up a situation where we do not just have repeat after repeat of this. It has been a mess for decades. One pronouncement from the USA is not going to fix this overnight. Biden does not have that power, but as usual he gets the full blame for whatever the USA does.
As this absurdity continues, arms transfers without conditions coupled with building piers to facilitate aid to those targeted by those arms, Biden is losing credibility, support and respect. As does America. This must end.
He still has credibility with me. He does not have to handle all things well, and foreign policy includes being a reliable ally. If we are perceived as country that does not stick by our allies when the going gets rough or because we do not agree with what they do, then we will not have any allies. At which point do we decide to pull back? Everyone was for the support in the beginning and one cannot just stop like that. One has to set it up. That is happening even if the average citizen cannot see it.
Hamas has no Air Force. F-35 and F-15's must be for some other mission. I urge President Biden to suspend the "transfer" of those planes until a new and more responsible government is in place in Israel. No more bombs!
Young people don't have the same view of lesser of evils as we do. I have every feeling that Trump re-elected will be the end of Democracy and have said so many times on here.
Cathy b We need every vote and I will support the Democratic ticket to survive Fascism. Baby Boomers are closer to the realities of Fascism, younger people aren’t. For that reason, the Biden admin needs to stop being tone deaf and address Netanyahu in stronger terms.
My daughter and her peers refuse to vote for Biden for this very reason; they cannot see any other way to live with themselves. Biden needs to reconsider NOW.
Tell your daughter about my friend in Florida who voted for Ralph Nadar in 2000. She did end up regretting that vote. Third party candidates can be spoilers, especially in swing states. OTOH--not voting or undervoting (what I did) in the primary is a completely legitimate way to voice discontent. There were plenty of down-ballot issues/candidates to vote for in our primary, so I did vote--but did not vote for Biden. Couldn't bear to. Even so, I will hold my nose and vote for him in November, mostly because I'm old enough to remember the 2000 election, and I'm well aware of how disastrous a second Trump term would be.
What? It was TRUMP and NETANYAHU who provoked the Hamas attack by moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. Your daughter is going to throw a “hate vote” to tRump ? That makes no sense—and Biden is NOT the ruler of Israel, a sovereign nation. WTF?
These young folks have minds of their own. They think it will change the system to vote third party. From what happened on Super Tuesday in Minnesota, other groups aren't happy with Biden either. That 100k "no vote for other" could toss Minnesota to Trump
Your daughter's not that important that she and her friends can get a system to vote 3rd party. Someone should let her know before her world as she knows it, ends quite abruptly.
Back to my soapbox. Once again Netanyahu has disregarded the rules of war and IDF continues to do whatever it wants saying there are Hamas using citizens, humanitarian workers as shields or claiming they are collaborating with them as they used to get UN aid dropped by the US months ago now.
They Palestinian journalists who have reported on Tik Tok have pointed and reported on the atrocities of the IDF war against civilians since October, becoming targets themselves. What Hamas did in October was reprehensible. The Israeli response has been worse and backed by the USA.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, US Senate is ready all of a sudden to ban TikTok in America. I smell a rat. And the new best friend of Donald Trump, Yass is a major stockholer in Tik Tok. I am certainly sure our government already has as much info on each of us that the Chinese can glean.
Google is on the hot seat for incognito mode actually allowing tracking heard that yesterday on NPR.
And the great faux pas never addressed in March of 2020, the great hack of US government agencies under Trump admin.
When was the last time you heard somebody in Congress say we need to get to the bottom of that?
Biden hasn't kept up with the times. I stand by from my microcosm in the world, that a lot of millenials and Gen Z are not supporting him.
This election is the Democratic Party's to lose, and they are dropping the ball.
A vote against Biden is a vote against Biden. He was supposed to be, by his own words a one term president- a bridge. Seems his ego got in the way. He will lose like Hillary lost. And it will be his own fault.
He was supposed to be a 1 term president. Then trump said he was running. Biden thought he was the best candidate to beat him. I agree. A vote against President Biden is a vote for trump and an end to democracy. Read Project 2025, and see what trump is going to do, along with being a dictator.
Right, and I will vote for Biden for this very reason. That said, it's becoming a bitter pill because of his continuing support for Israel, and more importantly, younger voters are abandoning Biden without full understanding of the consequences. We may well be thoroughly f#ck*d.
Netanyahu is a war criminal. What nerve to get in front of cameras with a limp excuse . . . “My Bad!” I don’t believe it was an accident at all to hit the food truck.
This is nothing new. Israel controls every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in Gaza, and has for decades. They restrict the flow of water, electricity, food and medicine. It’s all in the name of fighting terrorism, when in fact it’s genocide.
I've seen a few comments on this post about younger voters and Biden. One thing that I think many older generations often do not consider is the difference between the world they/we have mostly lived in and the world that younger generations are living in. For most of Boomers' lives, the US was an ascendant nation and I do not think many Boomers truly understand that the US cannot act with impunity without there being consequences. Younger generations are the ones that disproportionately are bearing those consequences.
All empires fall, and belief in US exceptionalism apparently prevents many Americans from seeing 'the writing on the wall.' It seems to be easier for younger generations to see it, as they have grown up with limited economic opportunity, increasing dysfunction in the US, and decreasing quality of life standards. Trashing an international rules-based order and showcasing American hypocrisy while the US is losing its superpower monopoly, affects younger generations more than older ones. I don't think boomer+ generations understand this because for most of their lives the US was ascendant.
Shaming younger generations for disliking Biden is probably not effective. It is possible though to talk about the danger Trump poses and be critical of Biden and democrats. Mitchell Plitnick has a few thoughts on doing both on a few posts in his substack.
Young voters just want a healthy world to live in. We only know climate disasters, billionaires and genocide funded by the meager taxes we pay. We don’t care about parties, politicians are not our heroes, and we reject nationalism. It’s really that simple.
Please, send this article to President Joe Biden. No matter what, we cannot be the country responsibile for the ruination of Gaza and the murder of innocent human beings who happen to be at the mercy of Hamas. They are at the mercy of Hamas because Bibi Netanyahu had been supporting Hamas because he thought he could control them, and knew he couldn't control Abbas, who knows he could never trust Netanyahu.
Biden, why are we doing to Gaza what Putin is doing to Ukraine? (Of course, Ukraine never had an evil element like Hamas.) We are supplying excessive weaponry to Israel while the Putin backed Republicans in Congress refuse to arm and support Ukraine.
Done...sent to comments@whitehouse.gov with a cc to my Senator (VanHollen) and a request they also read the comments.
Thank you!
Netanyahu is a ‘war criminal’ bent on genocide of the Palestinian people. His rationale is his determination to destroy Hamas but for every child he murders there is a corresponding increase in Hamas supporters by at least two - the child’s parents. It is long past time to stop providing him with the weapons of war.
Mark, you are right to call Netanyahu a war criminal. He is absolutely conducting a war against a non-state entity that will never be eradicated by such a campaign. It is analogous to using a double barrel shot gun in the living room to kill the flies that got in when the windows were open. The flies may die, but the living room will be a wreck. Now imagine if the living room were full of guests. There is no military solution for eradicating terrorist organizations. Netanyahu knows this but justifies what is clearly genocide anyway. It is reprehensible.
It's long past time for Biden to stop expressing outrage and FUCKING DO SOMETHING. Cut off the flow of weapons. Call for the people of Israel to boot Netanyahu. Support South Africa's charge of war crimes in the Hague. Recall the US Ambassador. Enough is enough.
As you know, in Democratic governments, it is not for an outside nation to decree that their leader be booted, but Israel's citizens are again demonstrating to accomplish that end. Hopefully, this time they will demonstrate until these results are met. As in our country, we have to stand up against a malevolent leader.
Netanyahu will never give up power willingly or peacefully. If these demonstrations grow to fierce, he will start jailing or gunning down the demonstrators as "Hamas sympathizers." I fear nothing short of an internal revolution will remove him and his cabal of false prophets..
Let's think about how much Netanyahu and Trump have in common!
He and his government have tried to demonize the demonstrators - and the US. A relatively small number of arrests from what I’ve read, but it has gotten messy when some block road/bridges. Israeli news says the demonstrations picked up more steam after the hostage family protestors joined in also calling for immediate elections.
I suspect this turmoil is part of the reason US policy is so conflicted. There is Hezbollah stirring up trouble from Lebanon. If Israel falls into too much chaos, the Houthis / Iran will have a much larger influence in the region and global shipping. Not the occasional problem. There is also the issue of a US weapons stockpile maintained somewhere in Israel.
It’s no secret Gantz is a big political threat to Netanyahu who was not a huge favorite when chosen by his own party. Or that Bibi was wildly upset when Gantz went to the US & UK without his approval. (Bibi would not allow the embassy to assist with security for Gantz as is normal.)I believe the hope is enough members (like those in Gantz’s party) of Bibi’s coalition in the Knesset will read public sentiment and agree to new elections because he sure won’t. Meanwhile, the Knesset is not in session.
I'm proud of my senator, Chris Van Hollen, who is leading the effort to get the U.S. to withhold offensive weapons until Israel stops restricting aid and stops using U.S.-supplied weapons in contravention of international law. A report will be issued on May 8, and it could mark a turning point.
Anyone reading this should contact your senator. If their name is on the list below, thank them. If not, urge them to publicly join Sen. Van Hollen's group. Fifty-five percent (55%) of U.S. voters oppose Israel's conduct of the war in latest Gallup poll, including 75% of Democrats. Some of those will abstain from voting for Biden if he doesn't change course, thus possibly handing the presidency to Trump.
LIST OF SIGNERS: Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)
Unfortunately, my Senator’s - Blackburn (R-TN) and Hagerty (R-TN) are in Trump’s pocket and will vote to block the resolution. That said, I will try but have little hope they even read my emails anymore.
I am so sorry, Mark. Don't give up...we appreciate your efforts.
Never give up, but it does get discouraging to see how duped the Republican’s are by Rupert Murdock and his minions and Vladimir Putin. For a look at the past for a glimpse of the future check out Rachel Maddow’s latest book, Prequel. It is frightening in the similarities of the 1930’s and 1940’s and today.
We all empathize with you! Is there any way that the issue of abortion could come up for voting during the next election for TN's House of Representatives?
Marsha Blackburn's questions during Judiciary hearings are among the most cringeworthy and despicable. But, at least you have Nashville and it's amazing musical history [have been watching Ken Burns' long documentary on Country Music].
Of course we all want our country to stop sending military weapons and huge bombs to Israel, which they use to destroy Gaza. Most important, we must find a way to cut through the reasons why Israel continues to receive this unconditional aid in killing any and all Palestinians--or WE are also due to be accused by the Hague. The Guardian reveals the details of this dilemma in a long January 18, 2024 article " ‘Different rules’: special policies keep US supplying weapons to Israel despite alleged abuses". If you read this article, you'll understand that we cannot just snap our fingers and clean it up. Unless, the brilliant legislators among these Senators draft an appropriate bill to do that.
Israel is wrong at this point in time. Hamas first attack on the festival was an atrocity but this response goes beyond overkill. Enough is enough.
Our goal is to get rid of Fascist republicans. Sending weapons to a country that most of the world is against puts the Democrats in a very dangerous position when we need every single Democratic vote to ensure our way of life. Why the hell does the Biden admin think Netanyahu should be supported? Like trump, Netanyahu refuses to listen! The correct response is some form of punishment from the US, not a helping hand.
Can we EVER have an election where our stress levels aren’t through the ceiling because of these kind of decisions that go against the will of the people?
We need to defeat trump and we cannot lose sight of that. We also need to hear explanations from Biden and a far tougher stance.
You are absolutely correct. From my discussions with people about voting, I am hearing from many that they refuse to consider Biden for this very reason. If he continues down this path, America becomes an agent of the worst kind of genocide and possibly a fascist dictatorship led by a convicted criminal. God help us...please.
The thing about the Biden administration's claims is that they are not even remotely plausible in their denial of Israel's human rights abuses. When Israel isn't admitting to atrocities outright, with expanded access to mobile phones and social media, these violations of international law are highly visible. Biden et al. can and should be challenged daily on this.
I am going to beg to differ. Israel is our ally, and initiate the beginning action. In that way, we can see that they are attacking back with a goal to wipe out Hamas. I wish we would support Ukraine attacking Russia in the same way that the USA is supporting Israel attacking Hamas. I do not think it is acceptable that Israel is killing so many civilians, but I do remember that Hamas initiated the war. What I would like to see is a negotiated settlement that stops the killing, gets the hostages back and ends up in a two state solution. Do you think we will keep our allies if we back away from supporting them? Also, aren't there American hostages that Biden is still trying to get out? What I know is that if Biden is not elected he will not be the one suffering, it will be the people of Gaza and the people of the USA and the people of Europe. So, one has to examine what life will be like if Trump, who is the only other alternative to Biden, is in charge. Anyone who says they won't vote for Biden is not punishing Biden, but they are punishing me, and everyone else living in the USA under Trump. At least Muslims won't suffer under Trump once he gets rid of all of them except those who pay him like the Saudis. I don't consider them Muslim, but opportunists who claim a religion that they don't really practice. Trump's plans for the USA will make the USA like Russia, which will not be about bringing peace and enlightenment to the Middle East. It will be about fomenting war and anger around the planet. If you are not satisfied that Gazans, Israelis and Syrians and Lebanese and Yemenites and Somalians, and around 16 countries in Africa are at war, but want the USA to be living in a civil war, then don't vote for Biden, but don't be surprised when what is bad now turns to absolute HELL!
In one hand, Biden sends aid. In the other hand, he sends bombs. What is his reasoning? I don't understand how he can justify these decisions. Doesn't the U.S. have conditions for the military aid. Help me understand.
Biden’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I wish he’d give Bibi the shaft and cut off all weapons to Israel u til they listen to our demands.
Show Bibi and his crazed right wingers it’s not good to screw with us.
We can bite back.
Until then I’ll hold my nose when I vote Blue.
Trump is just despicable.
I have read a lot of articles on it. There are so many diplomatic situations at play. Just as South Africa took Israel to court for Genocide, today I read that Nicaragua (the country that the USA messed around by arming right wing rebels in the 1980s) is bringing genocide charges against Germany for providing arms. Now, if Germany were not to support Israel everyone would be calling them Nazis again. But in the USA, we have a lot of political things at play. We are Israel's ally, we are Ukraine's ally even though neither is a member of NATO. With both we are providing them with arms and expertise. Each they may or may not take. Both are more likely to take the arms than the expertise because they have their own ideas. The USA does have conditions, but we are in an election year. Let us see what Biden looks like after he does not have the election hanging over his head. Until then, he has to play both sides, because everyone is his constituency. That is the Jewish citizens and the Muslim citizens. Israel was attacked. They have the right to defend themselves. That is our policy. Whether we agree with how it is playing itself out, or whether all Israelis or all Jews support it and Netanyahu is another piece of this. We are at a point where we are demanding a cease fire, but Netanyahu is a dictator just like Putin, he is not just going to listen. He has to be convinced. He can only be convinced if he thinks he has more to lose than to gain. How is that situation created? At which point was it decided that Israel has gone too far? I think that we should be looking at the big picture of US diplomacy and say, while we may not agree with it. Right now there are no good solutions. Should Hamas go on governing Gaza? Won't that lead to another situation like we just had in October? Just wondering. We need the negotiators to negotiate a settlement and Netanyahu to be brought to the table at a point where he has something to gain by negotiating. Look at the set up in Israel. Hamas is not the "good guys." Not for Israel, not for Gazans. We have no one to govern and Israel has not been ready to accept many things that need to happen for their to be a negotiated settlement, one that hopefully sees our citizens returned to us, and sets up a situation where we do not just have repeat after repeat of this. It has been a mess for decades. One pronouncement from the USA is not going to fix this overnight. Biden does not have that power, but as usual he gets the full blame for whatever the USA does.
As this absurdity continues, arms transfers without conditions coupled with building piers to facilitate aid to those targeted by those arms, Biden is losing credibility, support and respect. As does America. This must end.
He still has credibility with me. He does not have to handle all things well, and foreign policy includes being a reliable ally. If we are perceived as country that does not stick by our allies when the going gets rough or because we do not agree with what they do, then we will not have any allies. At which point do we decide to pull back? Everyone was for the support in the beginning and one cannot just stop like that. One has to set it up. That is happening even if the average citizen cannot see it.
Hamas has no Air Force. F-35 and F-15's must be for some other mission. I urge President Biden to suspend the "transfer" of those planes until a new and more responsible government is in place in Israel. No more bombs!
Really good point. Thank you.
Young people don't have the same view of lesser of evils as we do. I have every feeling that Trump re-elected will be the end of Democracy and have said so many times on here.
Cathy b We need every vote and I will support the Democratic ticket to survive Fascism. Baby Boomers are closer to the realities of Fascism, younger people aren’t. For that reason, the Biden admin needs to stop being tone deaf and address Netanyahu in stronger terms.
My daughter and her peers refuse to vote for Biden for this very reason; they cannot see any other way to live with themselves. Biden needs to reconsider NOW.
Tell your daughter about my friend in Florida who voted for Ralph Nadar in 2000. She did end up regretting that vote. Third party candidates can be spoilers, especially in swing states. OTOH--not voting or undervoting (what I did) in the primary is a completely legitimate way to voice discontent. There were plenty of down-ballot issues/candidates to vote for in our primary, so I did vote--but did not vote for Biden. Couldn't bear to. Even so, I will hold my nose and vote for him in November, mostly because I'm old enough to remember the 2000 election, and I'm well aware of how disastrous a second Trump term would be.
What? It was TRUMP and NETANYAHU who provoked the Hamas attack by moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. Your daughter is going to throw a “hate vote” to tRump ? That makes no sense—and Biden is NOT the ruler of Israel, a sovereign nation. WTF?
These young folks have minds of their own. They think it will change the system to vote third party. From what happened on Super Tuesday in Minnesota, other groups aren't happy with Biden either. That 100k "no vote for other" could toss Minnesota to Trump
Your daughter's not that important that she and her friends can get a system to vote 3rd party. Someone should let her know before her world as she knows it, ends quite abruptly.
3rd party has been around how long? Good grief.
I agree, but I can't make her believe democracy depends on it.
Back to my soapbox. Once again Netanyahu has disregarded the rules of war and IDF continues to do whatever it wants saying there are Hamas using citizens, humanitarian workers as shields or claiming they are collaborating with them as they used to get UN aid dropped by the US months ago now.
They Palestinian journalists who have reported on Tik Tok have pointed and reported on the atrocities of the IDF war against civilians since October, becoming targets themselves. What Hamas did in October was reprehensible. The Israeli response has been worse and backed by the USA.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, US Senate is ready all of a sudden to ban TikTok in America. I smell a rat. And the new best friend of Donald Trump, Yass is a major stockholer in Tik Tok. I am certainly sure our government already has as much info on each of us that the Chinese can glean.
Google is on the hot seat for incognito mode actually allowing tracking heard that yesterday on NPR.
And the great faux pas never addressed in March of 2020, the great hack of US government agencies under Trump admin.
When was the last time you heard somebody in Congress say we need to get to the bottom of that?
Biden hasn't kept up with the times. I stand by from my microcosm in the world, that a lot of millenials and Gen Z are not supporting him.
This election is the Democratic Party's to lose, and they are dropping the ball.
If you vote against Biden it is a vote for trump who will really fuck things up.
A vote against Biden is a vote against Biden. He was supposed to be, by his own words a one term president- a bridge. Seems his ego got in the way. He will lose like Hillary lost. And it will be his own fault.
Only if there are more shortsighted people like you.
He was supposed to be a 1 term president. Then trump said he was running. Biden thought he was the best candidate to beat him. I agree. A vote against President Biden is a vote for trump and an end to democracy. Read Project 2025, and see what trump is going to do, along with being a dictator.
Right, and I will vote for Biden for this very reason. That said, it's becoming a bitter pill because of his continuing support for Israel, and more importantly, younger voters are abandoning Biden without full understanding of the consequences. We may well be thoroughly f#ck*d.
Netanyahu is a war criminal. What nerve to get in front of cameras with a limp excuse . . . “My Bad!” I don’t believe it was an accident at all to hit the food truck.
This is nothing new. Israel controls every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in Gaza, and has for decades. They restrict the flow of water, electricity, food and medicine. It’s all in the name of fighting terrorism, when in fact it’s genocide.
Netanyahu is to Israel as Trump is to the USA - we need to quit supporting a facist leader and start supporting the Country.
I've seen a few comments on this post about younger voters and Biden. One thing that I think many older generations often do not consider is the difference between the world they/we have mostly lived in and the world that younger generations are living in. For most of Boomers' lives, the US was an ascendant nation and I do not think many Boomers truly understand that the US cannot act with impunity without there being consequences. Younger generations are the ones that disproportionately are bearing those consequences.
All empires fall, and belief in US exceptionalism apparently prevents many Americans from seeing 'the writing on the wall.' It seems to be easier for younger generations to see it, as they have grown up with limited economic opportunity, increasing dysfunction in the US, and decreasing quality of life standards. Trashing an international rules-based order and showcasing American hypocrisy while the US is losing its superpower monopoly, affects younger generations more than older ones. I don't think boomer+ generations understand this because for most of their lives the US was ascendant.
Shaming younger generations for disliking Biden is probably not effective. It is possible though to talk about the danger Trump poses and be critical of Biden and democrats. Mitchell Plitnick has a few thoughts on doing both on a few posts in his substack.
Young voters just want a healthy world to live in. We only know climate disasters, billionaires and genocide funded by the meager taxes we pay. We don’t care about parties, politicians are not our heroes, and we reject nationalism. It’s really that simple.