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Oregon Governor Kulongoski: Support for Israel Lobby and AIPAC an "article of faith"

All fair minded folks in Oregon should be aware of Governor Kulongoski's recent April 30th speech at a Portland AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) meeting. He stated, among other things, that "Even in these partisan times, support for AIPAC is an article of faith for both political parties." And surely he is correct.
All fair minded folks in Oregon should be aware of Governor Kulongoski's recent April 30th, 2006 speech at a Portland AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) meeting. He stated, among other things, that "Even in these partisan times, support for AIPAC is an article of faith for both political parties." And surely he is correct. Kulongoski's speech goes so far in praise of AIPAC and Israel and says nothing about Israal's own human rights violations. It seems highly likely that his speech was penned directly by an AIPAC official or supporter and Kulongoski read it as instructed.

See his full speech at:  http://www.governor.state.or.us/Gov/speech/speech_043006.shtml

The Democratic Party's leadership seems perfectly comfortable issuing the most outrageous statements of support for Israel's regime without any reference to the dire plight of the Palestinian people or the serious violations of international law represented by Israel's many actions.

The reports we get daily from the field in Palestine are quite grim. Israel is now poised to take 50% of the remainder of the West Bank from the Palestinians, including the side nearest Jordon, virtually assuring continued conflict and negating the chance of a viable two-state solution. What the Palestinians will end up with is a series of disconnected ghettos on 11% of the original historic Palestine connected (if connected at all) by tunnels and passageways controlled by Israel. It is an obscenity, imprisoning an entire people. The Gaza strip is suffering shortages of food and medicine, surly a violation of the Geneva Conventions concerning the conduct of an occupying power. Furthermore, Palestinian Christians are leaving the holy land in record numbers due to Israel's measures; there are fewer Christians in Bethlehem, for example, than ever and they are surrounded by Israel's wall, settlements, and Jewish only roads. (What other system of oppression has ever built roads for the exclusive use of one privileged religious / ethnic group?)

We should all support peace and justice for both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. All Americans to stand up against this powerful Israel lobby. We need start making it costly for politicians to express such one-sided support for Israel and Israel's human rights violations, and start supporting real justice and peace for both sides of this sad conflict in the Middle East.

What Israel is doing will not lead to justice, but perhaps it will lead to victory. If so, Kulongoski will have played his part in Israel's victory over the Palestinians.

homepage: homepage: http://www.auphr.org

What a Piece of Work ! 21.May.2006 13:42

Vic

Kulongowski is a real piece of work......He claims to be a Democrat...supports Bush at every turn...supports the war 100% ..and now he is whoring Oregon out to AIPAC.He is kind of like the Joe Liebetman of the NW...He is correct tho , that love of Israeli lobby money is a non partisan issue. Both Wyden and Smith are in the pocket of the Israeli lobby. Isnt this kind of like treason? Recieving money from foreign interests seems to me to be a clear conflict of interest at best...treason at worse. I dont care if it is Israeli lobby money or Swedish...any elected official who is supposed to be representing us and who panders to fopreign interests for money should be immediately fired.

"Israel comes first" Gordon Smith Aug 20 , 2005

Whose Faith???? 21.May.2006 13:51

Lucy Longslot

So , since Kulongoski is a Zionist , the rest of us Oregonians have to support the ongoing slaughter of Palestinians? How about the mother and her 5 year old son killed by the Israelis yesterday? Or the two 8 year old girls killed by Israeli snipers in one day last month? How does our governors faith deal with that? Or is he so racist that these things dont matter? I like the way he gushed over Ariel Sharon...I bet he would like Pol Pot too. What an asshole! He should reread that part about Separation of church and state. And then he should pack his bags and move to Tel Aviv , where his "faith" can find full genocidal expression.

Duh... 21.May.2006 22:28

TheTroll

virtually assuring continued conflict??? There ain't no "virtually" there bud. ZIonists stealing Palestinian lands and murdering Palestinians who resis the theft as well as Palestinians Zionists decide are in the wrong place IS conflict. It is offensive conflict. And Palestinians fighting back (so far, just a tiny fraction of a percent, something like .000038%) is defensive conflict. Duh.

2 state solution??? Vichi Palestine??? Was Vichi France peace to the French??? ZIonists have NO birthright of murderous theft of ANY portion of the Palestinian's homeland. NONE!

What if Bonnie and Clyde were to promise to stop robbing banks and murdering people IF they got to keep what they already killed for? Q-Would you go for that too??? ZIonists are murderous thieves, and the gov's support of murderous thieves is a crime under the laws we demand for our own protection. Giving bonnie and clyde guns or bullets to reload thier guns would be a crime under our laws. Is there a damned good reason for that??? Duh...

AIPAC coming down hard on the Greens nationwide 22.May.2006 11:49

Brian the Green

The national Green Party voted awhile back to promote the divestiture of Israel due to their treatment of the Palestinian people. This was basically a symbolic vote because the Green Party lacks the power to really do anything.

The vote was taken at the national level and Oregon's 2 delegates to the national board abstained from voting because our state membership had not taken any position on the issue nor was it something routinely and regularly discussed by the Oregon membership.

However, AIPAC caught wind of this vote and has sent agents out to infiltrate the Greens and have been applying pressure for us to rescind this vote.

AIPAC agents have contact the Keating for Governor campaign to get Joe to come out against the Green Party vote. They send agents to our conventions in an attempt to overthrow the party and change the vote. They have a nationwide campaign to register Green in order to overthrow this vote.

AIPAC is evil.

An alternative to Kulongoski 22.May.2006 17:59

Joe Keating (via Mike Munk)

Joe Keating writes:


> Don't see a good choice for Governor of Oregon in the upcoming elections?

> Maybe with all media focused on the DemRep primaries, you haven't heard
I am the Pacific Green party's candidate for Governor . So I'd like to
tell you where we are, what we are planning, and how we can win.
>
> As we look at the results of Tuesday's primary election, we're optimistic.
> Pacific Greens offer the only candidate that is truly committed to peace,
> social justice,labor, the environment, and good government. The only candidate who is not 'business as usual'. The only candidate with fresh ideas to
> generate new revenues for education, universal health care, and the
> environment. Think about that for a second.
>
> We have organized a great campaign team and will run a big statewide
> grassroots effort. We are ready for prime time.
>
> WHERE WE ARE:
>
> The first two months of the campaign have been spent getting the word out
> and securing our base support with our rainbow of progressive communities.
>
> We have campaigned at multiple (10) rallies, candidate forums, and
> events.
>
> We have received multiple media hits: Print (Oregonian, Willamette Week,
> Statesman Journal, Alliance, Alternatives, and Register Guard), Radio (4),
> TV (4 mainstream, and 3 cable access). Pick up this months copy of the
> Alliance, Willie Week, and Alternatives Magazine.
>
> We have a fresh campaign video and have begun work on producing two TV
> spots(one in English and one in Spanish).
>
> We have our new Go Joe! logo; a campaign list serve
> ( http://forum.greens.org/mailman/listinfo/gojoe-annc); and a constantly
> improving Web site (www.keating for governor.org).
>
> The Bus named COOL is primed and ready to hit the campaign trail
>
> Each month we roll out a new issue of emphasis. In April the issue of
> emphasis was Peace and we called for the end of deployment of our National
> Guard to Iraq. In May it was Cannabis legalization. Our issue of the month
> in June is Energy Independent Oregon.
>
> We are rigorously identifying those areas that can generate new revenues
> for the state. We call them 'che-chings' and the 'che-chings' are
> mounting. Right now we are looking at plans that can produce between 750
> million and 1 billion dollars of environmentally friendly new revenue sources for Oregon's education, health care, and the environment needs. We will unveil our'Che-Ching Report' in September
>
> Our bright yellow Keating for Governor safety vests are in. On Thursday
> (5/25) we have our opening benefit event @ the Crystal Ballroom and then
> on Friday 5/26 the Keating for Governor Broom Brigade and the Bike Patrol
> (BB&BP) hit the streets in downtown Portland with our bright new vests
> We have great BB&BP coordinators for key cities throughout the state ready to roll.
>
> WHAT ARE WE ARE GOING TO DO:
>
> We are running a big, ol' fashioned grassroots, positive, statewide
> campaign calling for good government, community building, progressive values, and realistic solutions to gridlock. My 19 years of experience organizing
> issue campaigns with folks from all over Oregon will help us.
> With our brooms, bikes, and message we will have a hot visible presence
> throughout the entire state. We won't have the same money as our
> opposition but we will be creative with the funds we do receive. We will carry a message of positive change with positive leadership. Unlike our opponents
> our words will ring simple and true.
>
> HOW DO WE WIN:
> Four factors makes this election different:
> 1.Very low voter participation in the primaries - 38% (lower in Multnomah,
> Washington, and Clackamas Counties)
> 2.Ben Westlund a moderate Republican splits from the Republicans and runs
> as an Independent.
> 3.Pacific Green candidate Joe Keating runs big statewide campaign
> 4.Incumbent Governor with very poor performance ratings
>
> With us running a big campaign Oregon has a four way race for Governor.
> 35% of the vote will likely swing the victory. So the minimum goal is to get
> 35% of the vote.
>
> Here is where it gets interesting. Westlund, the Independent will pull
> politically moderate support from both Kulongoski and Saxton. We will hold
> sway with the progressive community. The independent and apathetic block
>of voters will determine the winner. Our campaign will have a strong appeal
> to this group. will soon be apparent that Kulongoski can not win this election.
>
>
> It this reality takes hold we finally put to bed the 'lesser of two evils' story. We pull even with our opponents by July, pull ahead in October and WIN in
> November.
>
> It is going to be a nail biter. That's why we need your support now.
> Please send this and my following message to as many folks as you can.
>
> Together we will make Oregon a better place.
>
> Thanks

Anti-Semitism 24.May.2006 10:31

Z

As the hijacking of U.S. sovereignity has made the Zionists bolder, we're starting to get a better look at the impact of Zionism on U.S. policy. The American people have given hundreds of billions in foreign aid to Israel over the last five decades. We have looked the other way while they developed nuclear weapons. It is not anti-semitism to demand that Israel behave like a good global citizen and cease its expansionist and militant tendencies. The new democratically elected, Palestinian government has offered to cease all hostilities if Israel withdraws to the 1967 border agreement that it fought for in the first place. What's wrong with that?