N.Y. Mayor At Closed AIPAC Gala: Part Of My Job Is To Defend Israel

[Purveyor]

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a heartfelt speech praising Israel at a private gala event hosted by AIPAC at the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan Thursday night, the local website Capital New York reported.

According to an edited audio recording obtained by the site (below), de Blasio said that "part of his job description is to defend Israel" and that it is "elemental to being an American, because there is no greater ally on earth, and that's something we can say proudly."

The Israel lobby's event was closed to journalists and the speech did not appear on the mayor's public schedule, arousing suspicion and making the event all the more intriguing. A reporter with Capital who tried to get into the event was escorted out by security.

De Blasio said in his speech that he had visited Israel three times, most recently with his wife and son, and that he was especially moved by visiting Sderot, on the border with the Gaza Strip and often the target of rocket attacks.

“You can’t have an experience like that and not feel solidarity with the people of Israel and know that they’re on the front line of fighting against so many challenges.”

MORE w/free subscription...

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.570442

[enough]

1. Jesus Christ. (nt)

[hobbit709]

2. I thought your job was to run NYC.

[whathehell]

3. That's an interesting statement...

[TwilightGardener]

4. Defending a foreign country is "elemental" to being an American?

Why would his job have ANYTHING to do with a foreign country? Bizarre and disturbing.

[Historic NY]

5. Wait a minute just where is that in the oath your took...

on FDR's bible that you almost lost. Its time that people stop bowing to Israel.

[PCIntern]

6. I know that stuff really burns you guys...

LOL. It is what it is. Forever. Too bad...

You know, my father of blessed memory told me that the most difficult part of being a political liberal in his life was that his compatriots had a natural disdain for Israel. He was right.

But not all that difficult!

Never, ever again!

On edit: I'm even gonna rec this post because I'm so appreciative that you brought this to my, and everyone else's attention. I'm sending a link to all my buddies....

[Electric Monk]

8. (Hypothetical) - Mayor of Fargo: "Part of my job is to defend Paraguay"

equally

Whatever their opinion about Paraguay, it has nothing to do with their job as mayor. Wouldn't you agree?

[PCIntern]

9. No...I would not agree.

Israel obviously needs to be defended vigorously. Witness this message board, for example.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. By the Mayor of New York?

[PCIntern]

14. ...and by a dentist in Philadelphia.

As I said...too bad for you-all (sic).

75% winner of an election in a city ruled by so-called liberal Rethugs continuously for TWENTY years...arguably the second highest-profile administrator in the Nation...a Progressive heralded by many here...and he says THAT. Go figure!

WTF is this country coming to? Bwa...ha...ha.

[scarletwoman]

15. "Israel obviously needs to be defended vigorously." Why?

Please understand, I have no problem with the fact that YOU want to vigorously defend Israel, I just don't agree that I ought to feel the same way.

Israel makes its own choices, why should it be up to those who live in the U.S. to support them?

[PCIntern]

16. Of course you are entitled to any opinion or action you may wish to choose or follow

He has chosen.

Like you and me, he has the right to choose as well. And he has. And he just happens to disagree with many on this Board.

And to quote MAD Magazine of the 1950's parody of Superman, entitled "Superduperman": Wotta burner on you.

[1000words]

17. Actually, he stated it as a job responsibility

Job responsibilities do not fall under personal choice.

[PCIntern]

18. He seems to disagree with you.

And he is the Mayor of New York.

[seveneyes]

32. Why? Because they are surrounded by those that want to destroy them

They are but a small speck surrounded by enemies. Defense is a good thing.

[Violet_Crumble]

38. That's not true...

While some of Israel's neigbours have peace treaties with them, those that don't have offered full recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel ending the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Not recognising a country because it's violating international law is a very different thing from wanting to destroy it. It'd be closer to the truth when it comes to talk of destruction to say Israel wants to destroy Iran, but even then it's not close...

[Jesus Malverde]

106. Fairly well documented IDF cooperation

with the Saudi, the Jordanian, and the Egyptian armed forces.

Lebanon and Syria are the only countries on the border that could be said to be hostile to Israel. The respective governments can't even control their own territorial integrity, much less project their armed forces as a serious threat towards Israel.

Iraq used to be a huge threat, The Americans took care of that.

Sudan used to be a threat, now it's been partitioned.

Libya used to be a threat, NATO took care of it... now it's a basket case...

Did I forget someone? Oh yeah Iran, lets see how that plays out.

The surrounded by enemies meme is old and played out.

[Le Taz Hot]

44. So are the Palestinians. n/t

[Jesus Malverde]

112. Boston Mayor At Closed NORAID Gala: Part Of My Job Is To Free Ireland

Couldn't resist.

[1000words]

10. Heh ... An angry, spiteful thread rec.

Whatever it takes, I guess.

[muriel_volestrangler]

47. Are you also happy with him saying it's his job to stand by AIPAC at any time?

"City Hall will always be open to AIPAC," he said. "When you need me to stand by you in Washington or anywhere, I will answer the call and I'll answer it happily 'cause that's my job."

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/01/8539257/de-blasio-praises-israel-closed-door-aipac-event

[whathehell]

48. Oh sure, because all of us goyish liberals are secret anti-semites, right?

Give me a break.

When you consider that American support for Israel, unlike Europe, for instance, is SO unbalanced

you might reconsider that "disdain" as not some "natural" anti-semitism but a simple preference for FAIRNESS over blind,

knee-jerk nationalism.

[snooper2]

56. It would probably be cheaper and safer to just move Israel

Morocco has some pretty good real estate to the south they might be willing to part with. The land is even more holy there


Then the water wars would go away as well!

[postulater]

7. Will he defend all the other countries in the world?

Aren't there people from all over in that city? Why defend only Israel?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Sadly, Politics-as-usual from another hack.

[WillyT]

12. Oy Vey...

[GeorgeGist]

19. same old shit

[Cha]

20. Not liking that so much.. especially

with ol hard ass Bibi in there running the show.. he's an "ally"?

Not sure why it's part of his job to defend Israel.. doesn't he have enough to do with being the first Democratic Mayor of New York City, New York, USA.. in 20 years?

"It was a spectacle of peer-on-peer admiration, with a touch of peer pressure, for Mr. de Blasio, the first Democratic mayor of New York City in 20 years, whose every liberal-leaning move or utterance is being watched for national implications and reverberations."

de Blasio

I like de Blasio.. just don't agree with him on this.

Edit: Finished thought..

[PCIntern]

21. Ummm....

You may want to review that last sentence a bit. I happen to recall quite a few Democratic Mayors of NYC in my lifetime.

[Cha]

22. You're right! thank you. I didn't

finish my thought on that sentence.

[PCIntern]

23. Happy to assist a member of the Loyal Opposition! nt

[jsr]

24. NYPD Now Has an Israel Branch

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2012/09/nypd-now-has-an-israel-branch.html

[PCIntern]

25. And for very good and obvious reasons.

Unless one is to believe that nothing conceived overseas could possibly happen in NY. And note there are a few other countries mentioned in the article. Where's the outrage?

FLOL!

[whathehell]

39. Likud and AIPAC are Right Wing organizations.

I think it's sad that American Jews who identify as progressives, feel they have to support them or they're failing in their

duty to "support Israel". There are other parties in Israel and therefore other choices.

[PCIntern]

40. YeaH well the difference between Left and Right there vs. here is not obvious...

but pigeon-holing works well, so why stop?

Meanwhile, again, the Mayor has spoken.

,,,and believe me, he is not alone.

[whathehell]

45. Judging by the fierce arguments that go in the Knesset, I'd say that's not at all true..

Maybe you and some others should actually do a little digging instead of just jerking your knees.

There is, for instance, is one American-Jewish organization called J Street which does NOT support Likud.

Remember: Knowledge is Power and Research is your friend.

[PCIntern]

51. Not your best post:

Of course they're not unified...that is politics
Survival is their number one priority. That is not an issue in the USA.
It is much more complex than you would have anyone to believe with YOUR knee-jerkisms.

Meanwhile...the Mayor said that and I'm taking him at his word. Too bad.

[whathehell]

86. Nor is this yours..

"of course they're not unified...that is politics".

So why should we Americans be "unified" in supporting right wing leaders and parties in Israel?

You are telling ME it is "much more complicated than you would have anyone believe with YOUR knee-jerkisms"?

How ironic that you would try to "school" me on that when I was the first one to speak of the

complexities and the dissent, and by the way, where are MY "knee-jerkisms"?

Oh, and please don't tell me that "survival" is their number one priority and that is NOT an issue in the US,

not, at least, after 9/11, and especially after we've seen and heard Bibi tell us how it was "good" that America was

attacked on that day.

Sorry, bro, Many of us SAW his reaction on television (yes, they removed it from the airwaves quickly)

and for those with short memory, the video is out there with people like Amy Goodman from Democracy Now

speaking of it.

[El_Johns]

93. “It’s very good”: Recalling Benjamin Netanyahu’s words on the day of the 9/11 attacks

Eleven years ago on this day, as the world looked on in stunned horror as the towers came down in New York, the same Netanyahu was already thinking strategically. Here’s how The New York Times reported it:

Asked tonight what the attack meant for relations between the United States and Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the former prime minister, replied, “It’s very good.” Then he edited himself: “Well, not very good, but it will generate immediate sympathy.” He predicted that the attack would “strengthen the bond between our two peoples, because we’ve experienced terror over so many decades, but the United States has now experienced a massive hemorrhaging of terror.”

Even after generously allowing Netanyahu to “edit” himself, the Times did not conceal that Netanyahu was not thinking in terms of sympathy for the victims of 9/11 and the United States, nor what a “friend” could do to help America. Rather, he was already thinking on the day it happened about how 9/11 could be manipulated to get America to do more for Israel.

http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/its-very-good-recalling-benjamin-netanyahus-words-day-911-attacks


http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/us/day-terror-israelis-spilled-blood-seen-bond-that-draws-2-nations-closer.html

[whathehell]

96. Oh, my mistake..Yes, he said "It's VERY good"...Such a lovely reaction from our close "ally",

right?

Were he anyone else he would have been EXCORIATED and he SHOULD have been.

I heard the piece of shit brags about how he "has America's foreign policy in his pocket" too.

[Cha]

26. Thanks jsr..

[Iggo]

27. Glad he ain't my mayor, 'cause I'd be fuckin' pissed right now.

Last edited Sun Jan 26, 2014, 12:29 AM - Edit history (1)

[PCIntern]

28. Yeah...good thing for him.

I bet he's glad you aren't his constituent right about now.

[1000words]

29. Unless the poster is an AIPAC member, apparently.

Cause, you know, he/she needs vigorous defending.

[PCIntern]

30. Not even a nice try

"HA!" - Tweety

[Iggo]

36. No, good for me.

Nice twist, though.

[dballance]

31. That's as bad as Romney.

Remember when Mitt said he'd pick up the phone and call Bibi for instructions on Iran? Yep, he promised to let Bibi run US foreign policy.

[stevenleser]

33. If you don't like that, try seeing who you have to cozy up to in order to be mayor of Clearwater FL

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-09-23-clearwater_n.htm

[Fumesucker]

34. N.Y. Mayor At Closed AIPAC Gala: Part Of My Job Is To Support Likud

[okaawhatever]

35. I'll take this article with a grain of salt. I'll pay more attention if it's reported in more

sources, especially a US source.

[Bluenorthwest]

43. The writer puts quotes around an obvious paraphrase and that is dubious stuff

The piece states: de Blasio said that "part of his job description is to defend Israel" Party of his job? The mayor does not say 'my job' but says 'his job'? Of course not, but the quotation marks mean it is a quote. But it is not a quote. Dubious intentions are indicated by such tactics.

[muriel_volestrangler]

46. He said 'my' - that's in teh audio, which is in the OP link

though here it is separately:

at around 1:36: "I feel a part of my job description is to be a defender of Israel". This was first reported by Capital New York (ir the US source okaawhatever wanted)
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/01/8539257/de-blasio-praises-israel-closed-door-aipac-event
and he ended with:

"City Hall will always be open to AIPAC," he said. "When you need me to stand by you in Washington or anywhere, I will answer the call and I'll answer it happily 'cause that's my job."

So it's not just the defence of Israel he sees as part of his job - it's the support of the right wing AIPAC organisation. That's hugely disappointing from a man who claims to be a progressive.

[Smarmie Doofus]

37. He was off to a good start. That's a shame. n/t

[magical thyme]

41. the people of NYC elected you mayor so you could defend Israel? Seriously?!?

[Le Taz Hot]

42. Knowing virtually nothing about East Coast politics,

wasn't deBlasio being praised to high heaven right here on DU for being such a great liberal? Blindly supporting Israel is NOT being a great liberal. Otoh, maybe you can't get elected in New York without Jewish support which means AIPAC support.

[cali]

49. He is a great progressive. He's also Mayor of a city with a large influential

Jewish population. He gets nowhere advancing his economically progressive agenda without their support.

[whathehell]

50. How nice..

As I said to PC Intern, maybe that large Jewish population should be a little fussier about the Israeli politicos

they support.

Likud Right wingers like Netanyahu really are NOT the ideal, and I'm neither anti-Semitic, nor

anti-Israel, if that needs to be said.

[LuvNewcastle]

53. I agree.

It's one thing to support Israel, which is fine with me, but supporting Likud and Netanyahu is a totally different matter. The Likud party is just as vile as the GOP or worse. The only reason they haven't sent in the military and taken what little the Palestinians have left is that they know their few allies would abandon them. I support sane Israelis. I'm reserving judgement about DeBlasio. I'm not so sure he's all he appears to be.

[cali]

61. it's politics. I'm amazed that you haven't figured that out yet.

[whathehell]

87. Um, sorry, but my post went beyond that and I'm amazed that you would

be so lame as to deliberately "misunderstand" my point.

[ProSense]

52. Wouldn't that

"He's also Mayor of a city with a large influential Jewish population. He gets nowhere advancing his economically progressive agenda without their support."

...be an excuse for every Democrat? I mean, why would any Democrat want to alienate a group that "influential" in NYC?

[stevenleser]

54. Short answer? Yes. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

95. None would want to and understandably they should attempt not to. BUT...

That can't be the governing principle if it conflicts with the overall interests and well being of the people who you are elected to serve. There are lots of shades of gray and a great deal of wiggle room because it is hard to serve an electorate without successfully getting elected, but sometimes you can't keep all your friends happy and still do the job you were elected to do. For the Mayor of NYC this is probably simply sensible politics. New York City is not a nation state. But New York voters elected two Democratic Senators who are part of the national government of the U.S.A. And right now they are both pushing for new sanctions against Iran that would likely doom the negotiations to peacefully resolve issues over Iran's nuclear program. I have a lot of concern about the influence AIPAC may be wielding with my two elected Senators in regard to Iran.

[stevenleser]

55. The gnashing of teeth in response to this information is bizarre.

Can someone tell me whether this is still a site about politics? Should we be discussing Justin Bieber instead?

If you want to be a democratically elected representative of a population of people that has a size-able constituency that wants support of X, chances are you need to support X.

That is what Democracy means. You have to reflect the will of your population and its various constituencies.

[LuvNewcastle]

59. It's just bizarre that the mayor of a city would say that's part of his job.

NYC mayors tend to get all puffed up about their office, but a NYC mayor is just a mayor of one city in a very large country. He's not a head of state. It's certainly not his job to extend relations to foreign countries. It's one thing for a politician to express his personal support, but to say that it's part of his job to support a foreign country is just wrong. He's there to serve his constituency, period. Until Israelis start paying NYC taxes and vote in their elections, he has no business doing that.

[stevenleser]

66. It's not bizarre at all. All NYC Mayors have done it. See my response to PCIntern below. nt

[infoviro]

69. Its also a violation of the Logan Act

[stevenleser]

75. No, it isn't. That law has a specific meaning. It doesn't mean what you would prefer it means. nt

[PCIntern]

60. No, Steve...

to an extent, this is a knee-jerk Israel-is-a-rogue-terrorist-nation response which has gone on here for years. It's ok with me because I have lived with this battle since 1959 and hearing all about how the Israelis were the bad guys when I was in Quaker School. It got quiet after the 67 War but the cheering section by many lefties for the Arab armies in 1973 was palpable. Yes, I have been around a long time and it is always the same.

[stevenleser]

65. Yes PCIntern. We can say bad things about Scientology and criticize mayors of Clearwater for

kowtowing to them. That is a major constituency in Clearwater, FL. They will all vote as a block against anyone who goes against their interests and that means if you want to win as mayor of Clearwater, you have to reassure them that you won't move against them. That is what Democracy means. We're all always extolling all the bright sides of Democracy, and that's nice, it's the best system out there. That doesn't mean it's perfect.

There is a dark side to it as well and that dark side is that size-able constituencies, sometimes of folks that are for things that may not be palatable to other constituencies, can affect the Democratic process by voting in blocks.

Those of us of Jewish decent do not typically vote in blocks, despite what anti-semites might say. But if you are unequivocally anti-Israel, enough here in NYC will vote against you to the point that you will have a tough time winning.

Those who don't like those things, should come up with a better system.

[infoviro]

70. You've got a messed up sense of Democracy.

Kowtowing to special interest groups because they may pour money into a campaign to get you booted from office. That's your idea of Democracy? LOL!

[stevenleser]

74. In your view of Democracy only people that agree with you get to vote? And you criticize me?

How do you intend to prevent those who disagree with you from voting?

[Fumesucker]

62. The Israeli government is seen as very right wing by many liberals in the US

AIPAC has a well earned reputation of supporting Likud policies, it's not pleasing to liberals to hear a supposed liberal who just got elected to supposedly enact a liberal policy agenda sound like he's supporting the Likud.

Not everyone hears the same thing when politicians speak, the internet has made it much more difficult for politicians to say one thing to one audience and something very different to another and not have any notice of it.

[geek tragedy]

82. The mayor of New York is not supposed to be

an agent of a foreign power. The mayor if Tel Aviv is not so slavishly devoted to the US or Croatia.

It's disgusting pandering to the Israel First crowd.

[stevenleser]

83. See my #77 nt

[so.bc360]

57. :(

That audio made me sick

He is the mayor of NYC not a country nor particular group of people

So anyone who wants to be a leader has to kiss the ring of Israel's lobbying groups in order to get elected or conduct business in NYC ?

So what about the other groups of ppl that make NYC diverse , like the Arabs, Asians, and Afro-Caribbeans is he going to defend all its people and their nations equally ?



I fought for him, spent time organizing ,but he's quickly turning out to be a typical politician. Says anything to get elected and does a total 360

[PCIntern]

58. You mean: 180....

if it were 360 he would be back at the starting point...

[LuvNewcastle]

64. I think NYers are probably in for a letdown.

He ran as a progressive and he says all the right things, but I'm not so sure he's going to live up to expectations. He's a close friend of the Clintons, you know. I think he's got plans to go all the way to the top. We've seen people turn out to be quite different in office than when they were running for office, and I think this is going to be another of those times.

[whathehell]

116. You are correct, and I would bet that

all but the "Israel First" crowd agrees with you.

America should be first for Americans. Period.

If your loyalties lie elsewhere, dump your American citizenship and go live there, because

what's best for Israel is NOT always what's best for America and we are NOT their puppets.

I believe Mr. Obama let Mr. Netanyahoo know that and that's why he doesn't much like

our president, and that's just tough shit for "Bibi"...He's an arrogant prick.

[ecstatic]

63. 16 known terrorist plots against New York City since September 11, 2001....

I don't think De Blasio's statement helps.

[stevenleser]

67. I don't think it hurts either. It's well known that NYC has a large Jewish population and every

mayor has made similar remarks.

[PCIntern]

68. Yup...

I will leave it at that.

They lost...we won. They need to get over it and move on with their own shabby lives instead of blaming Jews and Israel for all the world's ills.

[infoviro]

72. What do you mean by

"They lost... we won" I don't get it.

[PCIntern]

76. Israel is an object of permanence.

Those who seek to destroy her lost.

[infoviro]

79. Man, that is some cultish language

Nothing last forever and judging by its foreign policy, Israel is its own worst enemy.

[Orrex]

85. I don't know. The last 10 minutes of Raiders was pretty cool.

[whathehell]

89. Not without the help of the US, I suspect, and besides, not backing the abusive, RW Likud

is not tantamount to wanting to "destroy" Israel.

[whathehell]

122. I can see they're not rushing to answer, so I'm guessing they mean the "Israel First" crowd wins

I was just told that I "lost" too, and I guess it's 'cause I'm an "America First" American.

Gee. who knew?

[whathehell]

94. Who's "they"?

Your fellow DUers who aren't Zionists?....Those who care more about fairness and

simple DECENCY than the slavish devotion to Israel shown by you and Lesser?

Sorry, kids, New York is great, but it's still not the whole of the country, not by a long shot.

But hey, keep up the triumphalist gloating -- It's sure to make you and

your "cause" look even more attractive.
.

[whathehell]

99. Before you and Steve get too smug, PC, you should know that little if anything is permanently "won"

I'll now go on with my quarter million dollar a year "shabby little life", where, somehow, objecting to "Israel Above All"

equates to "Blaming Jews and Israel for everything".

[PCIntern]

102. I'm impressed.

Now get off my foot.

You're gonna need to learn to live with this as you need to live with the fact that guns are for sale and licensed in the USA. Done deal.

[whathehell]

108. I'm glad...

So much for stereotypes, huh?

I don't have to "learn to live" with anything...I don't live in New York and A LOT of people resent the overweening

influence of AIPAC and they are PAST being intimidated with bullshit charges of "anti-Semitism".

As the late, great progressive Molly Ivins, said "Don't tell me I'm anti-Semitic because I argue against Israeli
policies -- They argue like hell among themselves about them."


By the way, bro, NOTHING is a "done deal". Now, go out an pull some teeth, or something.

[PCIntern]

113. Very poetic....

Talking to you is like pulling teeth.

[whathehell]

114. I thought so, lol

talking to you is like HAVING my teeth pulled!

By the way, PC, I feel the need to tell you this, not for any other reason than that it seems "ironic" in some way,

but you have to know that way back, when I was single and living in a rented townhouse in the Art Museum area

(I think we've already acknowledged that we're both Philadelpians) I had an Israeli roommate..She was a young girl of about 23

and her name was "Hilah"...She was a great kid, very warm and genuine, and she stayed with me for

almost a year. She was working in retail at the time, but all I remember about her past was that she was raised on a kibbutz and

served in the army. I remember being surprised when I saw her reading a book "backwards" -- It was

the first time I realized that middle-easterners read from right to left.

I've often thought of her and wonder how she's doing, if she stayed here or went back to Israel.

[ecstatic]

115. I hope you weren't insinuating that

I fall into the category you're referring to. I'm originally from NY and still have family and friends there. With regard to De Blasio's remarks, my only concern is that it could inadvertently attract unwanted attention from "radicals" etc., but based on steven lesser's post, that is unlikely to happen... so everything is fine... I guess?

[L0oniX]

71. Let me know when Israel becomes a melting pot on a scale like the USA is and has been.

No wonder it was a "closed" gala. So when are all the others going to get their "closed" gala?

[whathehell]

98. Good one. n/t

[questionseverything]

101. that is the thing

if there was nothing wrong with what was said..it would not have been closed

according to wiki jews make up about 20% of the population of nyc...1.5 mil out of 8 mil...so it does seem wrong that debassio would pick this group to pander to, seemingly not caring how the other 80% feel about it

[L0oniX]

103. You got it.

[avebury]

73. Per the City Clerk's Office:

http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/services/oath.shtml

If you have been elected, appointed, or hired by the City of New York, you must file your Oath of Office with the City Clerk.

The fee for an Oath of Office is $9 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk.

When you file an Oath of Office, you swear to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of New York, and the Charter of the City of New York.


You also pledge to faithfully discharge the duties to which you have been elected, appointed, or hired to execute.


----


No where in the oath does the mayor swear to support and uphold the Nation of Israel (or any other foreign nation for that fact). For him to claim that defending Israel is part of his job would put him indirect conflict with this oath of office. Does his loyalty rest with the USA, State of New York, and New York City or with a foreign country?

[stevenleser]

77. You're trying way too hard to make a point that isn't there.

You would do yourself much more credit by simply saying you disagree with Israeli policies and wish he didn't say this.

Elected officials express support for various countries all the time, particularly those with whom we have treaties especially mutual defense treaties.

[avebury]

88. There is a huge difference between 1) saying that you

defend Israel and 2) saying that it is your job to defend Israel. As far as I know, defending Israel is not in the list of job requirements/duties for the Mayor of NYC. Based upon is assertion, would deBlasio feel obligated to send some of NYC's military over to Israel if Israel is attacked? Would he even have authority to deploy his troops? NYC has military capability greater then a lot of other countries.

DeBlasio is being nothing more then an idiot playing to the pro-Israel factions in this country. It is called pandering.

[Violet_Crumble]

140. I must have missed any US elected official saying that...

...It's part of their job description to defend Australia and that it's elemental to being an American to do it....

As an Australian, I'd find it a bit bizarre to find out that the Mayor of LittleCrackedButt, Arkansas, USA had made such an announcement, as I think our elected officials here have that stuff covered in their job descriptions and US elected officials have enough to worry about with their own country. I dunno, I'm pretty sure if an elected official here proclaimed that about our besty, New Zealand, there'd be mass thinking of 'What A Fucking Weirdo!' amongst the public...

[muriel_volestrangler]

143. He said it's his job to support AIPAC - anywhere, any time

"City Hall will always be open to AIPAC," he said. "When you need me to stand by you in Washington or anywhere, I will answer the call and I'll answer it happily 'cause that's my job."

For a progressive politician, to pledge unconditional allegiance to a RW organisation like AIPAC is awful; to claim "that's my job" is even worse.

[infoviro]

80. You better look out

You've got a Fox Business News "personality" on your tail.

[stevenleser]

84. In other words, you've lost and have no other recourse than to raise that boogey man.

Thanks for the surrender! I accept.

[infoviro]

90. I was warned

about people who talk to themselves in public.

[stevenleser]

120. Then don't do it.

I recommend you stop doing that as soon as possible. By all means, put me on ignore.

[1000words]

111. Posts like this are amusing

So telling as to where the poster is coming from, regarding discourse. Fancy yourself some kind of chess master, oh great warrior?

[stevenleser]

117. And of course, you give a pass to the off topic ad-hominem attack. Telling indeed. nt

[1000words]

118. Nope. Just expected more from you, that's all.

No worries. That's been amended.

[stevenleser]

121. I always have low expectations of people who utter or give passes to ad-hominem attacks.

You haven't given me reason to change that.

[avebury]

91. He can say whatever he wants to,

it does not change the fact that it is not the job for any American mayor to defend Israel. The State of Israel is not listed as one of the entities that an American politicians swears to protect and defend when taking any oath of office for any American elected office.

[godevil10]

78. We need to realize that many politicians, regardless of their political strips, are liars and

will say or do almost anything to bolster their constituency.

[Orrex]

81. Perhaps DelBlasio can help them build those settlements in the west bank

Because they're, you know, totally defending their sovereignty and stuff.

[whathehell]

92. LOL..

When he starts wearing tee-shirts showing pregnant Palestinian women in the cross hairs with

the words "Two for One" like the IDF awhile ago, we'll know he's in trouble.


http://www.richardsilverstein.com/2009/03/20/idf-t-shirts-boast-of-killing-babies-pregnant-women-sodomizing-hamas-leaders/

[PCIntern]

104. Yeah. It's standard IDF issue.

And Americans wear sheets and hoods.

Quit while you're ahead.

[whathehell]

105. Did you even bother to LOOK at the link, LOL?

Nah, I didn't think so.

[PCIntern]

119. Of course I did...

as I said, standard IDF issue, right? Your Subject line implied that.

LOL yourself.

And anyway, you still lose. Get over it.

[whathehell]

123. What did I, and the majority on this thread, it seems, "lose"?

Judging by the responses on this thread, bro, you and Stevie aren't exactly "winning".

Do you have the guts to answer or is this another one you'll take a "pass" on?

[PCIntern]

124. So we are now judging history's successes and failures by the postings on

a message board.

What you lost is the age-old battle to discredit the Jews and their Sovereign Nation. It really does not matter what anyone thinks on DU or any other public venue: what matters is that the United States has very very few allies which possess a significant military presence upon which she may rely upon without question: Great Britain, Australia, Israel, Canada, and um...and um...I really cannot think of too many more right now.

Because this aspect and the brilliance and creativity of so many of its citizens are what make Israel indispensable to our country, like it or not. And so your protestations to the contrary will never dent the fortitude and strengths of a pair of nations whose destinies are so intertwined. It is intertwined in our military-industrial complex. You do not have to like it or accept it. But it is the truth.

[whathehell]

125. Please explain how I engaged in a battle to "discredit the Jews and their sovereign nation"?

Like the majority here, I said nothing about 'the Jewish people" and criticized ONLY their current government,

but thanks for giving away your laughably obvious bias.

The reason Israel HAS a "significant military presence" and IS a "sovereign nation" is BECAUSE

of the United States, and, perhaps, the "brilliance and creativity" of so many of OUR diverse citizenry.

You're claims of Jewish superiority, by the way, are appalling and feed into an unfortunate stereotype.

You don't have to like that or accept it, but it's the truth.

[PCIntern]

132. Race/ethnic baiting doesn't become you

Once again you have deliberately misstated my intent. This is typical. I simply stated that there is much brain power and talent in Israel which is used to our advantage as a military-industrial power. You chose to interpret that as a statement of superiority. Hardly - it is what it is, a resource which like other resources is exploited by others. Do you think anyone would be paying attention to Oranians or Iraqis if there were no oil under their topsoil?
Once again you fail to come to the realization that the existence of Israel is settled. Your wishful-thinking that somehow the USA is going to abandon her is going to be perennially unrequited. Alas!

[whathehell]

136. Nor you, so instead of making false accusations, why not just answer the question?

Again, where in my posts do I "engage in disparaging the Jewish people and their sovereign nation" ?


If you can't do that, your entire premise is transparent bullshit.

[whathehell]

138. So who's the "loser" now, PC, since you've shown you can't back up your accusations?

Hint: Accusing people of being anti-Semites because they don't share your "Israel Right or

or Wrong" stance makes you look bigoted, paranoid and something less than "brilliant"

[PCIntern]

139. Like I care what you think.

Fact is you lose because Israel shall continue to exist no matter what you post on a message board.

[whathehell]

141. "You lose because Israel shall continue to exist"?...LOL!

Keep digging, tooth man...Your paranoia is hilarious!

[H2O Man]

97. NYC has a large,

international intelligence force. This has been true for decades. It is larger than that of many other nations. It works closely with other domestic agencies, as well as other international partners.

These comments are best viewed within that context.

[indepat]

100. Perhaps his honor needs to re-read his job description, re-recite his oath of office, and

remember where his allegiance lies.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

107. I didn't realize the mayor had taken over John Kerry's job?

oops

[Agony]

109. De Blasio's WHOLE job is to defend the US Constitution. eom

[Jesus Malverde]

110. In a relationship, when one sees the need to provide over the

top assurances and comfort. The relationship isn't as solid as it looks.

Most couples don't have to tell the world how madly in love they are, the world can tell.

These events are revealing to the current state of the relationship and the insecurity of the participants in this rapidly changing world.

[Chathamization]

126. NYC has a large Chinatown. I guess some here would be fine with de Blasio saying that

part of his job is to defend the People's Republic of China behind closed doors. Other's might find that problematic, but that's just because they hate Chinese people.

[stevenleser]

127. Do we have a mutual defense pact with China? nt

[Chathamization]

128. Nope. But we don't have one with Israel either...

Their designation as a major non-NATO ally puts them in the same boat as Pakistan and Egypt. I'm sure there'd be no problem with de Blasio saying that part of his job was to defend Pakistan in a closed door meeting with pro-Pakistan lobbyists.

[PCIntern]

133. If the Mayor had said "Pakistan"

Most here wouldn't be posting so vociferously.

[1000words]

134. And there it is ...

Come out and say it, PCIntern. Really commit.

[PCIntern]

135. Way off base.

Just be a gracious loser and slink away.

[1000words]

130. Did you fall over reaching that far?

The position of Mayor of New York City has no responsibility or obligations regarding federally-negotiated foreign aggression pacts.

[hrmjustin]

129. We voted for you to take care of this city not foreign policy.

[MisterP]

131. y la Republica Dominicana?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Trujillo

heck, Washington turned on the DR after only one American butchered in cold blood

[Nye Bevan]

142. Kick

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

144. It's "..part of his job description"? And, "..elemental to being an American"?

Is there a Loyalty Oath to Israel?