Rahm Emanuel - Another excellent choice Mr Obama!
I am sure the conspiracy theorists in Pakistan like elsewhere see Rahm Emanuel’s pick as a triumph of the Jewish (hem-hem Zionist) lobby but I am elated. Folks when a man with his middle name Hussein can make it to the presidential post should we be worrying about a man with judaism as faith. I think not. The best thing about the Democratic party is that when it comes to the religious orientations they do not let religious sentiments come in the way of their better judgement. This is the day we had been crying out for in the last eight years. This is the league of great men faced a horrible amount of challenges. All we have to do is wish them luck and if possible help them make the world a better place. I should not have brought up this subject but unfortunately it seems that some of the less informed columnists of the Urdu press here it will become a big issue.
Anyone who has followed the Illinois Congressman’s work will know how aggressively he has confronted the Bush administration’s horrible policies. Again it shows that while believing in reconciliation with the other side of the partisan divide Obama does not intend to let the criminals, the thugs and the McCarthy fear mongers off the hook who have really damaged the standing of the United States around the world. I personally do not care what Rahm’s relationship with Israel have been. I know one thing for sure. He is a tough guy when it comes to defending the democratic base, and he has done so when the oligopoly of the neo-cons was absolute of the United States. He is a person of unimpeachable integrity and his faith (I have known some very fine Jewish friends) is neither here or there for me. At a time when Obama is forming his government, he is sending messages neither to Israel nor to any other country through the constitution of the cabinet. He is simply embracing the best people he can find around him. It is a time to stand up for pure merit and on merit it is an excellent choice. I am seriously disgusted by the way Fox News is parrotting about Rahm and Israel. Another reason to kick them in their a** folks. To me Rahm is a patriotic American and only just. Period.
Unfortunately the level of stupid propaganda in my part of the world is such that people forget that not every Jewish person or even Israeli could be thirsty of our blood. No sir, on my programs too I have tried to remind my Urdu speaking viewership that how little reported is the positive side of Israel and the Jewish people in our press. Why is it that when Israeli soldiers refuse to shoot at the Palestinians putting their jobs and life’s work at stake for the sake of humanity nothing of this is reported in our media, I ask. Why is it that we chose to ignore the fact that when Andalusia was conquered by the Christian Spain Jews suffered equally duing the Inquisition. The new government forming is the coalition of the willing to put an end to the global inquisition which has just divided the world. As long as the new government of the United States stands for the American national interest and its founding principles with transparency everyone is around the world is bound to gain. My best wishes to you then Mr Emanuel.
And lastly just for the record speaking as a patriotic Pakistani I believe Pakistan has no conflict of interest with the State of Israel.
We all thought Bush has been completely beholden to neo-conservatives and Likud-leaning Israel lobby in the US. Well, Rahm Emanuel has been critical of Bush for the mildest of criticism of Israel’s policies in Palestine.
In June 2003, for example, he signed a letter criticizing Bush for being insufficiently supportive of Israel. “We were deeply dismayed to hear your criticism of Israel for fighting acts of terror,” Emanuel, along with 33 other Democrats wrote to Bush. The letter said that Israel’s policy of assassinating Palestinian political leaders “was clearly justified as an application of Israel’s right to self-defense” (”Pelosi supports Israel’s attacks on Hamas group,” San Francisco Chronicle, 14 June 2003).
Emanuel’s father was a member of the Irgun, a terrorist organization that carried out acts of terror and atrocities against Palestinians to drive them out of their homes in 1948. Rahm is in fact named after a Leh terrorist Rahamim, according to his father.
Riaz I mean I don’t know where do you get it. Why is it that we have to take everything out of context? While you have cared to quote his remarks on Israel have you seen what else of the Bush policies has he not criticized? From Iraq policy to transparency? Of all the people I did not expect this coming from you. But anyways never you mind. First I believe that any criticism of Bush’s Israel policy which in any case was stronger and more impulsive than Clinton’s whom Rahm actually served reflects not his Israeli representative status which clearly does not exist, but his partisan stance which was critical of everything which Bush handled naively. Second let us be honest that Bush’s support for allowing elections which included Hamas without renouncing militancy was a mistake. You may not agree but you can see where has it led Palestine. Third I don’t think Rahm’s parenthood or name has anything to do with it. Why? Well my father was an army officer. Does it make me an establishment guy. You must have known my track record. I know even twice I felt that you were only slightly short of calling me a traitor. I am not a traitor, it is only a more pluralistic set of values I believe in. Likewise Rahm Emanuel is a patriotic American. That is all I know. Four and last, I believe that there is no clash of interest between Pakistan and Israel and that we should have formally recognized by now already. Cheers.
Thank you for this article. Although your insights are merely intelligent and humane, they are also no doubt brave. I am Canadian, not a Jew, and have traveled many years in Muslim countries — I hope that your post-’racial’ point of view is a sign that the Obama phenomenon is occurring generationally across the world.
Thanks the hum, I am glad that someone agrees with me on this issue. And I agree on your post racial point. cheers
During his first press conference as president-elect, Obama was asked about Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s letter of congratulations addressed to him. Mr. Obama said Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons was “unacceptable” and he would “respond appropriately” to the Iranian leader’s letter. On Nov 3, there was a report of bipartisan plans for aggressive action against Iran in the beltway debate in New York Times. Carl Giacomo wrote in the beltway opinion column that “it is a frightening notion, but it is not just the trigger-happy Bush administration discussing — if only theoretically — the possibility of military action to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program”. Obama’s mandate to negotiate with Iran in the face of the Israeli opposition is likely to be the tested soon. Given the past experience of other US presidents’ inability to stand up to the growing power of the Israeli lobby in the US, I am not too sanguine that Obama will succeed. If Obama does succumb to the Jewish lobby’s pressure, his entire agenda of fixing the ailing economy, defeating the Taleban and improving the US image in the world would be scuttled. In fact, your favorite Rahm Emanuel would help lead the gutting of the Obama agenda.
It is settled then. Isn’t it? If something is written on your blog it is a divine word. Isn’t it Haq? Otherwise I see no reason to believe in your reductionist world view. Or is it that you are supporting Iran’s nuclear program? I don’t know with Musharraf lovers like that when he was in power even Israel was good but now that an American president has vowed to support democracy in Pakistan you find fault?
Take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdphzxz64BY
I think you’ll enjoy it.
Thanks Riaz, you are absolutely right. I absolutely loved it. It is great to have a laugh in the hour of global crises. The good thing though is that this time the president elect is showing great sense of humor rather than being subject of humor like the previous prez W. Have you by any chance seen the movie W. thus? I think you should, even though Dubya is portrayed a bit too politely.
The bit about giving high four and a half made me laugh out loud. Even though if my memory serves me right role modeled upon Rahm’s person was not in Sopranos but in West wing. Cheers.