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False! Well, not everywhere, but at Daily Kos it sure is.
It has been nearly a month since I decided to start cross-posting most of what I write in my blog to my diary at Daily Kos. The diaries at Daily Kos are more or less make for a personal blog, where members can publish their essays and engage in comments and dialogue with other members, if they wish to comment. Daily Kos is advertised to be the liberal-progressive front of the Left Wing in the Democratic Party of the United States. In other words, they claim to be the voice of Progressive Democrats, and that's what I thought, until few days ago.
It is worth to mention that I'm one of many blog owners (Sabbah's Blog) to cross-post at Daily Kos [see Daily Kos FAQs: . . . "11. Cross-posting from your own blog is welcome. Remember, though, that you can only write one diary a day at Daily Kos."], activists, authors, etc… coming from different backgrounds and religions, we are Americans and non-Americans, Jews, Christians, Muslims, non-believers alike. What we have in common is being pro-Palestine, pro-Peace, and anti-Occupation. Among the group from this side, there are many ideas and opinions about what is best to resolve the Israel/Palestinian conflict. We might not agree all the time, but we all agree that Israel's Occupation should end.
For an unknown period of time, there was a very active member on Daily Kos who went by the name, Shergald. He was one of the most active Kossacks members who never missed a day without publishing a pro-Palestine diary. Actually, the majority of his diaries were about the peace movement in Israel, Palestine, the US, and the around the world. Obviously, life is not that easy, and what everyone thought to be a 'freedom of speech' forum turned to be an occupied Zionist zone. Shergald was attacked and attacked thousands of times by this Zionist gang until, when they could not stop him by countering the truth and the facts he presented in his diaries, they started to overwhelm the administration at Daily Kos with complaints about him supporting the worst lies that you can imagine, such as his being anti-Semitic, etc. What Daily Kos administration did was surprising. The progressive left wing voice of the Democrats decided to silence Shergald, to ban him from writing diaries or having any functionality on Daily Kos. He was frustrated and disappointed by the unjust and biased decision to ban him (twice), so he decided to come back, but under different ID's. To cut long story short, his new IDs were hunted one after another until it reached a stage that anyone who knew or knows Shergald, or had any association with him (no matter what association means, you will see examples later), was kicked out of Daily Kos on behalf of the Zionist gang.
Unfortunately, after Shergald was silenced and banned from appearing on Daily Kos, the frequency of I/P diaries went down in volume to the level that it was hardly noticed to the pleasure of the Zionists. That meant that American readers of Daily Kos (nearly 0.5 million a day) were not going to read the facts behind the news or hear the hidden stories or history of the Palestinian catastrophe or the daily injustices that they go under by the Israeli occupation, or about the many peace organizations that have evolved to stop the injustices. Nor would they hear about the influence of AIPAC on American foreign policy at a times when Democrats are preparing from the next presidential election, a topic progressive Democrats are highly interested in.
What happened next was not very surprising. Several pro-Palestine/pro-Peace bloggers, authors, writers, activists, etc… started appearing at Daily Kos and bridged the gap that Shergald left. The number of new pro-Palestine Kossacks increased during the last 60 days or so to a level where the balance of true facts compared to propaganda/lies turned toward the pro-Palestine side. To name some of those new members, Steve Amsel (a.k.a. DesertPeace), Ben Heine (his blog here), Umkahlil (her blog here), Anna (her website here), Eileen Fleming (her website here), Jon the Anti Zionist Jew (I was told that Jon was posting for long period), and many more. I, Sabbah, was there too. I don't think that anyone mentioned above expected that their time on Daily Kos would fly smoothly, but at least it was a more even match than anyone thought.
The Zionist gang reopened their propaganda operating manual and started shooting accusations left and right that this one is anti-Semitic, that that one is pro-terrorist, and so on and so forth. They first managed to ban Ben Heine in no time at all for the following drawing:
Defenders of Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's most racist government official, who advocates the transfer of Israeli Arabs into Bantustans, were incensed. A couple of days ago, Steve Amsel was banned because someone from the Zionist group complained to the administration that Steve might be Shergald in disguise. The complainer later admitted that he was wrong, but the Daily Kos administration decided to shoot the messenger (Steve) anyway and let the venom of the Zionist gang spread more lies around Daily Kos. So many tried to justify the banning of Steve Amsel, thinking it was the result of his being associated with Shergald. Of course, the biggest evidence they have to blot this association were a comment or two of Shergald's on Steve's blog, where Shergald was not saying any more than "well done" or "great post" following one of the master pieces that Steve writes.
Once the war started, it didn't stop. Other pro-Palestine authors such as Umkahlil, Anna Baltzer, and me were included. In fact, it started only seconds after any of us posted his/her first diary there. One can only wonder how many agents the Zionist gang and AIPAC recruited to act as watchdogs 24/7, sifting through every single word published on Daily Kos, observing every single move of Daily Kos members. It is evident that the Zionists on Daily Kos are very organized and I would not be surprised if they are supported by their biggest allies from the Bush administration Department of State. I'm sure that you all remember my own story about the State Department official who attempted to interfere in my blog (more here).
Yesterday, which marked the celebration of the Nakba, Daily Kos blew the last bridge it had with the Palestinian voices. Midday GMT, the news started coming. They first banned Umkahlil, later on they banned me, and last but not least, they banned Anna Baltzer. Why? Nobody knows. No reason is given. No warning or any notice from the 'busy' Kos administrators to let any of us know the circumstances under which the decision was taken and what valid reasons they gave for throwing these poisoned donuts at us. All that we heard from unofficial sources: we are associates of Shergald, again!
It is sad to believe that Daily Kos administration based its decision on such meaningless illusions. It would not have taken them more than a minute to check the history of each of us and see that we all are established pro Palestine peace activists, just by looking at our blogs and websites. We don't have to have any association with anyone, not even with other banned Kos members or other groups that might also talk about the plight of Palestinians. Our blogs and our work, online and offline, have their own merits and stands on its own. I do not deny knowing Shergald, in fact I'm proud to know a tough fighter like him, but he is not the reason why I started posting on Daily Kos. The main reason is the same reason I write here in my blog, which all of you know is about presenting the truth about Palestine historically and about the daily catastrophes that result from the criminal occupation of the Zionists of my homeland. I never hid my objectives, which are to bring justice to everyone in this conflict, including Israelis.
Today I'm left with no access to publish anything more on Daily Kos. That's bad. Not only for me, but for my American friends who know nothing more but the false Zionist narratives of the occupation. It is sad to confirm now that Daily Kos is the latest "Zionist Occupied Zone." It is unfortunate that they still advertise being a "Progressive Voice" for the Democratic Left Wing. It is also bad to believe that the Left Wing will let it go as is, but I hope not. But imagine the credibility of the Left Wing if this remains the case at Daily Kos, especially as they are preparing themselves for next year's elections. No one denies that the Israel/Palestine conflict is a central topic of the US foreign policy. If it remains as such, I will not be surprised to see AIPAC ads on Daily Kos soon. And need I say so, there will be another five or more years of support for Israel's illegal occupation by the new US "Democratic" administration?
Having said all the above, I'm not really interested in going back to cross-post diaries on Daily Kos, even though there is an open invitation to do so in the FAQs. It is not because it is not important. To the contrary, when 0.5 million people read what is published there, it is very important to keep the pro-Palestine view live. But to know that the Zionist gang have taken over the blog, it is next to impossible to make any move without expecting to get hijacked by the venomous Zionists of the site. Venom only seen elsewhere at Little Green Footballs. In other words, until and unless Daily Kos administration corrects its policies, and the mess its created because of its fear of Zionist members and their propagandists, it will be waste of time fighting the winds of colonial Zionism, while they have the control keys of Daily Kos in their hands.
Last but not least, I really feel sorrow for leaving because I will miss the peaceful voices of the silent pro-Palestine majority at Daily Kos. However, I'm glad that I made more friends than enemies while there, no matter what happens. Just keep in mind that if you want to be seen as a peacemaker, stop applauding the war criminals and supporting the IOF terrorists. On the other hand, watch your back if you quote any Palestinian. You will be tagged as a terrorist.
Good bye "Zionist Occupied" Daily Kos!
(Drawings by: Ben Heine)
Update: This diary is a must read - Restoring The Palestinian Voice To Daily Kos
You will be shocked to know that the reason we (Nancy and I) got banned for is nothing to do with Shergald "association" thingy, but even more silly than that. It is because Nancy and I recommended another pro-Palestine diary there (Anna'a), and the administrators think that that diary promote "terrorist" views.
The DKos claims were defeated and the banning now has no merits. It was a racist action.
There is too much to read in this post and comments, but out of the +700 comments (and counting), this is the most important part to read.
{ 55 } Comments
Sabbah–
When I first learned at myleftwing that you and Umkahlil had been banned, I was perplexed. I'm not aware that either of you had committed a bannable offense. Indeed, I wrote as much at myleftwing.
That said, I do not think you were a model DKos citizen, primarily because you too often refused to engage substantively with those who disagreed with you. And I think you may have come close to the line in trying to slap down Amos Oz as a "racist ideologist."
Your current diary is so over-the-top, however, that I no longer feel inclined to defend you. It is absurd to call DKos a "Zionist Occupied Zone." "Pro-Palestinian" members continue to be active.
Finally, I do not understand how you can call yourself "pro-peace" when you actively promote a position — an unfettered right for Palestinians to emigrate to Israel — that entails the destruction of Israel, something that only could be accomplished through war.
As I've written several times at DKos, I would be eager to ally with people like you and Umkahlil, if you supported an end-of-conflict peace settlement based on the creation of a free and independent Palestine, in
Gaza, the West Bank, and the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem (subject to mutually-agreed territorial swaps), alongside Israel. Seeking an end to the occupation and a Palestinian state on that basis is what I would call being pro-peace.
My.Oh.My!
Haitham but none of this surprises me at all - the idea of an American + liberal+ progressive is an anomaly. You and all the other bloggers did your best to put your point of view and facts across in the face of the zionist mafia and lies. Who knows maybe they are the ones that own the Daily Kos in the first place since it is the Zionists that have a tendency to disguise themselves as "liberals" and "progressives" except of course when it comes to Palestine and Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Personally I have never bothered with the Daily Kos for this very reason though in my case in relation to their discussion on issues of race.
At least now it is all in the open and we all know who is who and what is what and who runs the Daily Kos. Keep up the pressure - you and all the other Palestinian and pro peace bloggers are doing a great job. The truth will prevail.
Everyone, please meet one of the venomous Zionists I talked about, another American!
How relaxing. I'm flattered by your kindness.
First of all, I'm happy to know that I didn't fit the same model you fit in to be a DKos racist.
Second, are you calling your group crap and personal attacks a dialog that I should have engaged in? I can't remember a single time that you engaged in the topic of the diary.
Third, I don't recall a new 'prophet' called Amos Oz. He is nothing but another Zionist, racist, propagandist. I gave you links to resources about this fact, you didn't answer a single one.
Oh, I'm touched. Of course they will continue to be active. Even I will be, promise you. We will not leave that ground for racist, pro-apartheid, pro-War Criminals like you.
I only promote just. Right to return is one of them. I don't care if the political, apartheid system called Israel is destructed, but I don't promote killing Jews like Zionist promote killing Palestinians. Jews and invited to live along with Palestinians as far as they give other their right, they will enjoy their right to live in peace, side by side. Call it latter Palestine, Israel, Isratine, it does not matter.
I'll be happy if this happen, however, we know that it will never be. As long as you and alike refuse 'right of return' no peace will be archived. Dreams such as your will keep fire on. In other words, you are promoting war and killing of more Palestinian. In short, warmonger.
Don't care to respond. I won't allow Zionist of your type to comment and hijack on my blog like DKos. It is enough to show you one time to display your color. You are already banned here now. I'm sorry, but I can't allow my blog to be another "Zionist Occupied Zone" like DKos.
By the way, I'm not surprised that you were the first one to appear here and comment. Minutes after I published this post you pop! Just proves what I said about people like you in my post.
The Zionist faction at Big Orange Kosball is a definite minority there, but vocal beyond their numbers. They attempt to position themselves as the majority, as the representatives of the Democratic Party mainstream, but in fact, whenever there is an open poll of the membership, their position is soundly repudiated. But as Karl Rove has proved, a fanatical minority can prevail by turning up the volume of their smear campaign until no other sound can be heard.
I think the proper response is not to give in but to attack it as censorship and abuse of blogging.
Have a label that says: We refuse to publish on Daily Kos. Ask all bloggers to not cooperate with daily kos and put this on their blog with a link to a special web page that explains the whole story.
Hopefully a lot of good bloggers will understand that allowing this kind of gate-keeping to go unchallenged is dangerous to all. Let DailyKos feel the damage.
sokari,
You are right, we had to learn the hard way the truth about the lies called Daily Kos.
So sad that the so-called Democrats seem to be the biggest enemy of Democracy.
They may have banned us on their site Haitham, but they cannot nor will not silence us.
curmudgiana,
What you said is true. I just hope that someone wise from the DKos sponsors force them to change the Zionist tape and replace it with the real sound of the liberal-progressives left wing before it is too late.
My Name is Peaches,
I like the idea. If someone starts something like this, I will be happy to join and support.
Peaches@ Great idea, I too would support that.
curmudgiana@ Are you saying that if the Democrats win the next election there will be an almighty about turn in US/Israel relations? What evidence do you have to support the notion that "mainstream" democrats are any less likely to support the Zionist / pro Israel lobby than any other US mainstream politician in the history of US/Israel relations? Calling the Zionist lobby fanatical is a way of excusing their behaviour "oh they are just a bunch of fanatics". I do not believe they are fanatics - they are Zionists and represent the majority Israeli point of view - this lot just happen to be more vocal but as we saw during the invasion of Lebanon sooner or later they all show their true colours.
What a brilliant essay.
Thanks a lot Haitham.
It's really much clearer to me.
I'm sorry that you were banned too, and I'll continue to follow on your Blog your daily work, passion and defence for a free, independent and peaceful Palestine.
Good post, Haitham, even if I don't totally agree with your point or conclusions. I think you explained your side opf the story well and I thank you for providing it so everyone can read about what happened.
On another note, what the f*ck is going on in Gaza? Is this the start of a civil war? Hamas burning down apartment buildings, Fatah shooting at ambulances and both sides shooting at peace demonstraters!!! It seems that no matter how many truces are put in place by the leaders of both parties, the rank soliders just have bloodlust on the brain.
Also, Hamas is drawing in Israel now too. This situation is getting dire. I would love a post, Haitham, about the complexities of this situation when you have a chance. And if anyone from Gaza is listening, my church is praing for you. God Bless and keep your head down.
Try cross-linking to this site
http://www.agonist.org/
They are more understanding and compassionate.
I have become more attached to your site than you will ever know.
The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train coming towards me, thanks to you.
Sokari: I was speaking of the users at Daily Kos, not the Democratic politicians. The Democratic politicians are almost all deep into the pockets of AIPAC, but this is what some of us are trying to change, by exposing the reality of the Israeli occupation to as wide an audience as we can, attacking the prevailing Zionist myth.
This, above all, is what the defenders of Zionism most fear, and the group of them gathered at Daily Kos are particularly zealous in making sure that any voice critical of Israel is silenced. They are a minority at the site, but they have succeeded in poisoning the atmosphere to the point that most sane people simple avoid the issue altogether, lest they choke on the prevailing hate. In this, unfortunately, they have been successful.
curmudgiana@ thanks for the clarification. More so then that whoever runs the Daily Kos should be ashamed of themselves for so easily bowing to pressure from the Zionist lobby. So much for all the blah about freedom of speech, democracy etc etc which the US throws at the rest of the world especially the global south but when it comes to their own space all that goes out the window. On a positive note the reaction of the Zionist lobby to Haitham and all the banned bloggers shows that they were clearly making an impact in countering the zionist lies and myths. Hopefully others will take up the space they left and if they get banned others will come on board. Meanwhile I hope all the supporters will spread the word and do as Peaches suggests: Link to this post and refuse to publish on the Daily Censor
THANK YOU for this post and I add re:
The New Fourth Estate and Being Banned and De-Banned
Last March I had a three day career on the Daily Kos.
I posted an article first published by The Peoples Voice: Hillary Clinton: The Democrat Demimondaine and Consummate Pandering Politician
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2007/02/26/p14797#more14797
I was immediately attacked, for the DailyKos is read by democrats, and they did NOT appreciate me pointing out uncomfortable truths.
I was grateful for having hit a nerve and the following day I posted:
Neo- Christians: The Cult of Christofascsism, http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2007/03/14/p15193#more15193
The people loved that one, but it got me banned by the Daily Kos cops…
The next day, when I attempted to post another article on the Daily Kos, I received an email alert that I had broken a copyright rule and must respond that I understood before I would be allowed to post again.
I did NOT understand at all and had no clue as to what I had done or how to contact anyone, but I checked OK, thinking it was;
But it was NOT.
I was still denied access to post a diary and so, I began emailing the Daily Kos powers that be, as far as I could discern them. I began with technical support, and after three emails and being ignored, I emailed over half a dozen of the people listed as Authors hoping they would know who at Daily Kos could help me rectify my sin against their empire that got me banned;
But, NOT one of them emailed me back.
I forgot all about it until the other day the Editor of Peoples Voice alerted me to another's article about two peace activists being banned by the Daily Kos: http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php?s=eileen+fleming&sentence=AND&submit=Search
I being one of them.
Nobody had ever written an article about me before, so I was flattered, but also began to cogitate more deeply upon my third and final article at the DK, and why I was banned.
The best I can surmise is my banning was a technicality.
I did NOT include the BROKEN link to a few quotes I sited from the newspaper article I quoted from above, from the neo-Christian Zionist's pep rally where John Hagee-the epitome of the Anti-Christ-was igniting the lust for Armageddon of fear-filled, miss-informed, uninformed, apathetic, cold hearted Stage 2 souls that flock to Anti-Christ leaders such as Hagee.
I then received another email informing me, that the Daily Kos never banned me at all and I should try posting another article.
I did!
The New 4th Estate + Freedom of Speech Denied in ME 'Democracy'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/16/15312/3407
The attacks have came fierce and fast and some have expressed hope that I will soon be banned again for what I wrote:
On April 30, 2007 , in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, Mordechai Vanunu was convicted on 14 [out of 21] counts of violating a court order prohibiting him from speaking to foreign journalists in 2004.
In 2004, "60 Minutes" [In Australia, NOT CBS] and Amy Goodman of DemocracyNOW!
Both interviewed Vanunu.
Neither has yet to do a follow up.
But The New Fourth Estate; civilian journalists/bloggers have.
On May 13, 2007 Vanunu learned that all the restrictions against him will continue for another year.
On July 25, 2007 he will learn how much more time he will spend behind bars for speaking his mind in a Mid East 'Democracy'.
Anyone who goes to east Jerusalem and speaks with Vanunu for ten minutes knows the only way Vanunu can harm Israel is with bad PR.
The original intent of "30 Minutes with Vanunu" was to raise funds for Vanunu's Defense Team, but now I am hoping even more that it raises awareness of what democracies can get away with, when the government claims everything it does:
Is for SECURITY.
This civilian journalist also wonders if "30 Minutes with Vanunu" will be the NEXT testimony used against Vanunu in the 'democracy' of Israel.
This civilian journalist, a member of The New Fourth Estate will feel a sense of RESPONSIBILITY if it is.
I wonder too, if feeling a sense of responsibility just might be the difference between 'professional' journalists and The New Fourth Estate.
"30 Minutes with Vanunu" freely streaming on
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
eileen fleming,
Thank you for enlighten us about your case with DKos.
Honestly, I won't be surprised if they ban you for no reason at all, it has happen several times before.
The DK is but one of many, so if they ban me again; no biggie!
Big Brother USA Government and Military read me daily,
And if they were the only one's,
It is well worth the effort;
For the truth sets one free to be who they were created to be;
My ethics, philosophy and morals compell me to speak out for the poor, oppressed and voiceless.
"Never doubt that a few, thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead
Only in Solidarity do "We have it in our power to begin the world again" Tom Paine
Do something,
e
http://www.wearewideawake.org
For two days now Gaza is on the edge of war. Fatah and Hamas fighters firing into buildings and ambushing each other. Palestinians are locked-down in their homes and your 'Palestinian' blog has nothing to say about it. WTF? Please let me know when someone has some thoughtful insight about the current situation in Gaza. Otherwise why does your blog exist?
My blog is one of thousands pro-Palestine blogs and not necessary that all these blogs write about Gaza clashes. However, claiming that no one wrote about it is misleading and lack any credibility. Here is a link to some of Palestine and pro-Palestine blogs aggregator:
http://www.palestineblogs.org/
Check it out and you will find enough material about Gaza clashes.
Having said that, what is the reason behind all what is going on Gaza? Guess what… it is the OCCUPATION! That's why my blog exist… fight the fu*king occupation.
Move…
Haitham, when Hamas shoots at Fatah shoots at Hama and peaceful Palestinian demonstrators in the streets are gunned down and journalists are in hiding because Hamas is trying to kill them and when guys who defend your side consistently time and time again like Al Joonston are kidnapped and vanish, how can you blame that on "the Occupation".
You proPalestinians blame Israel for everything and never take an responsibility for the actions of your own elected leadership. Israel pulled out of Gaza, you elected a terrorist orgnaisation Hamas as your government in free and fair elections.
So how come Israel is to blame for the current mess?
" seems that no matter how many truces are put in place by the leaders of both parties, the rank soliders just have bloodlust on the brain."
You think maybe this bloodlust might have something to do with the current mess or is bloodlust the fault of the occupation too?
I thought this was a satire piece. Apparently not. But it got me thinking: Blogs are a great place to write satire pieces. Question: Is everyone either Zionist or Anti-Zionist?
The election season has started in the US, and that means all those Kossacks espousing a point of view that doesn't help liberal candidates get elected are getting thrown under the wagon. Even the tiniest hint of being pro- anything the US defines as "terrorist" must be eliminated, lest any liberal candidate associated with DKos get smeared by the association.
It ain't fair, but it's politics, and DKos is a political blog. You'll be welcomed back with open arms and broad smiles as soon as the US elections are over, I'm sure.
"It is evident that the Zionists on Daily Kos are very organized and I would not be surprised if they are supported by their biggest allies from the Bush administration Department of State."
This is so funny. I wish I had some assistance from the State Dep. How do I apply?
Kurtlane,
Indeed it is funny and ironic, but why don't you give it a try. Maybe if you write to Karen Hughes, US State Department, she might recruit you. Start here:
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2007/03/29/the-us-state-departments-digital-outreach-team-watching-arab-blogs/
Everytime I read an article like this it makes me more non-Progressive. Whine on you crazy diamond!
Judy19,
Believe it or not, if there was no occupation, there would not have been Fatah, or Hamas or demonstrators in the streets, or guns, or kidnapped journalist, and Al Joonston probably would have been watch Manchester United football match. The truth is that all of this is not true. The biggest truth is the OCCUPATION is behind the existence of all the above.
lol… one man freedom fighter is other's terrorist. remember Mandela was once a terrorist?! And please, save me the crap of Israel pulled out of Gaza. Last time I saw them there was five minutes ago and they were shelling civilians. If your news TV channel didn't show you that… maybe it is time to buy a new TV!!
Stephen,
I thought they teach you that in the university you come from; http://www.umw.edu
Why don't you try to read some history books? Israeli ones like Ilan Pappe would be good for you (The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine).
Guy,
I don't blame you!
I see you censor comments that are not favorable to your ignorance!
why does allah hate arabs so much.
we have you done,
think hard ??????
I must say, I would like to get a couple of things straight. First, the definition of "progressive" when it comes to politics:
For the sake of the context here, I will take the words off of dkosopedia ITSELF under this link http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Progressive
"Support of Palestine - The linchpin to peace in the middle-east and root cause of fundamentalist Islamic terrorism is the Israel-Palestine conflict. As long as the U.S. props up Likud positions opposing peace there will be no peace in Israel-Palestine."
MIND YOU, this is FROM THE DAILY KOS PEDIA
So, from there, how did their OWN definition hold up in this "war of the diarists"
Well, when it was Sabbah's, Umkahlils' and Eileen Fleming's time to write their diaries there which criticized the policies which are being played out BY THE LIKUD PARTY, they were told they were "bashing Israel"
Now it has been suggested another site be set up and the whole "IP" subject as the DKos likes to call it should be taken there because the whole purpose of the DKos is to elect Democrats.
I ask, any old Democrat? Or does it matter? We are currently here in the US in "vetting process" of who will be the Democratic candidate for President as well as other offices, but primarily president. The primaries have been moved up, so now as early as February, state primaries will be held. There has even been debates put on for both the major parties.
We have already seen that AIPAC is watching each candidate like a hawk. The Israelis themselves even "rate the candidates" in Ha'artz. Which political party in Israel does AIPAC represent? LIKUD and those even further to the right. How many articles have we all read about Hillary and the others not only appearing at AIPAC conferences, we have also seen poor O'Bummer have to flip-flop simply for stating, "No one has suffered more than the Palestinians".
Again I ask, is the DKos basic purpose to get ANY Democrat elected, or do they wish to also be part of the vetting process themselves, a more active role, one in which conversation takes place from ALL sides and a consensus is made choosing the "best man for the job". Furthermore, as stated in THEIR OWN DEFINITION OF PROGRESSIVISM, the root cause of "Islamic terrorism" is the LIKUD party. Is not taking on a role in lessening "Islamic terrorism" a GOAL of the Democratic party? Because if it is, NOT JUST ANY OLE DEMOCRAT WILL DO. And the DKos is a WIMP for banning those very diarists who are fighting on the SAME PAGE they CLAIM they are.
Now, for the case of "Progressives" supporting Israel as a Zionist state. The GENERAL definition of "progressivism" is as follows:
"Progressivism is a term that refers to a broad school of international social and political philosophies. The term progressive was first widely used in late 19th century America, in reference to a general branch of political thought which arose as a response to the vast changes brought by industrialization, and as an alternative to the traditional conservative response to social and economic issues. Political parties such as the American Progressive Party organized at the start of the 20th century, and progressivism made great strides under American presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.[1]
Progressivism historically advocates the advancement of workers' rights and social justice. The progressives were early proponents of anti-trust laws and the regulation of large corporations and monopolies, as well as government-funded environmentalism and the creation of National Parks and Wildlife Refuges."
I ask a few simple questions:
1. How does a "progressive" justify supporting a theocratic state?
2. How does a "progressive" justify supporting a state whose NEW
citizenship is based on religion?
3. How does a "progressive" justify TWO states exclusive of each other
BASED ON RELIGION.
4. How does a "progressive" who SHOULD stand for social justice, deny
the right of return of a people whose lands were taken from them
BY WAR.
5. How does a "progressive" support a state which denies land ownership
BASED ON RELIGION.
6. How does a "progressive" who is supposed to be anti-monopoly, support
a state whose very existance is BASED ON ONE RELIGION.
7. How does a "progressive" not stand against the occupation 1000%
and support the VERY PEOPLE who are affected by this, the
Palestinians, and in THIS case, the Palestinian diarists.
8. How does a "progressive" who is supposed to be pro-environmentalist
not SHARPLY criticize the occupation which is a PURE HELL HOLE? Why
have they chosen to ban the diarists for "bashing Israel" over the
occupation.
9. How does a "progressive" who is dedicated to "progressive" policies
in the US, support a state, Israel which is NOT.
10.Finally, how does a "progressive" MORALLY support a state which
denies FULL EQUALITY with NO separation of church and state as
WITNESSED in the VERY DEFINITION OF ISRAEL, a JEWISH state which
has become so at the EXPENSE of the Palestinian people?
Ya know what, as far as I am concerned, the DKos are FALSE ADVITISORS
when they have acted in this manner.
Haitham , you are such a fucking asshole! You are too stupid for words, that is why you were banned at Daily Kos. You and your friends are such wack jobs! Who in his right mind wants to be associated with you! As for that Eileen person, Vanuunu? Give me a break. He is a certfied loon. Everybody knows that in Israel, even the Neture Karta. And she is your friend? Um Khalil? I visited her blog once. Another Palestinian loon. It is in your DNA I am afraid. I do make an exception for Hanan Ashrawi.
If you are the best Palestine has to offer, then I know for sure there will never be a Palestine! Too bad for Israel because you cunts will never give up even if you self destry in the process.
And by the way , stop calling yourself a peace activist. You are giving peace a bad name.
Wow, all you have to do is replace the word zionist with jews and you guys sound exactly like the third riech.( the Zionist conspiracy controlling, protols of zion stuff. wow.You forgot to mention the 7 bankers. ) I am really taken a back. holy crap, you guys are insane. Listen up boys and girls," The jews are not going to walk into the ovens this time", you bloodthirsty racists. The Germans(at the time) didn't think they were evil either.
I voted for Clinton, Gore and Kerry, but i had no idea of the jew hating this far left. Please just say Jew when you mean Jew. the reason you don't is you think its pc to say zionists. Its not. We know what you mean. You say you don't hate jews, but you support people that kill them. I'd rather you just hate them, but i think that you do anyway. And by the way, your wrong.
its so sad that people are just as crazy as they were back in the 30's and 40's. We certainly have not evolved, Apparently some have devo'd.
I have not posted on your site before, but I can tell you the truth as I see it, and as the people I know see it. You can have peace tomorrow, and you can have some semblance of a decent lifestyle, but you do not get to impose your terms. Peace can only come with a two-state solution where you promise to leave the Israelis alone. Every time a suicide bomber blows up over there, every time a Hamas rocket lands in someone's back yard, I remember what I felt like in September of 2001. You will starve until you can offer a legitimate deal with no more violence.
You can choose resistance, as you have until now. Or you can choose peace. There can be no true peace for anyone who is alive right now, even the babies, because emotions run so deep. However, if you stop indoctrinating your children into murder-suicide, and accept a reasonable solution, MAYBE 3 generations from now you can live in peace. I pray that you choose to negotiate, because otherwise your people have no hope. Violence will result in more violence from the Israelis.
That day in September changed my life forever. I know now what grief feels like, and what resolve feels like. I am not even Jewish. You have two options: fight and starve, or negotiate and prosper. If the Palestinians can give the Israelis six months of no attacks, I will stand with you. As for now, I can offer little pity.
IwllNOTsubmit, dave dudet, Ruth, al, Concerned American,
Well, these are the type of trolls I had to deal with on daily bases when I was on DKos. Ignorance, shameful, hatred, criminal, sick, poisoned minds.
I really feel sorry for the silent majority who is forced to read all of this scum around the hour there. It is sad to believe that such "idols" label themselves as "Left Wing Democrats". I don't see anything more than ignorant extremists, far from being true Left or true Democrats.
Haitham,
Thank you for your presentation on censorship at Daily Kos. There are important lessons here.
First, the fact that an organ which describes itself as the liberal progressive front of the left wing of the US Democratic Party would ban a writer for advocating the right of return for all Palestinian refugees for instance, or a great artist like Ben Heine for his portrait of Lieberman/Hitler is one more proof that the US Democratic Party is part of the problem, not part of the solution. (after all, it is the right of all refugees under international law to return to their homes after the cessation of hostilities. The US and Israel support the rule of law, right? as for the Lieberman and the Hitler shoe….. if it doesn't fit, don't wear it.)
There are, of course, many other proofs, such the Democrats refusal to vote a measure to end all funds for the war in Iraq, except for those necessary to cover the cost of withdrawal (which are already there)(let Bush veto it and call on the American people to come to DC to pay him and the Congress a visit if you really oppose the Iraq occupation), their portrayal of the occupation of Afghanistan as a "good war," their sabre rattling against Iran which echoes the Republicans, their complete absence of a program for jobs, extended unemployment benefits, raising the minimum wage, combatin our unequal school system, etc., and their refusal to impeach Bush and Cheney, despite their myriad horrific war crimes based on a pack of lies, and crimes against the US people such as conspiring to deprive voters (mostly Blacks, Latinos, and soldiers) of their right to vote, warrantless wiretapping of thousands of US citizens and residents, paying right wing jouralists to promote the Bush program in their columns, etc.
It may seem that the DK censorship situation is small potatoes compared to all of the above, but it's not. It is highly significant because DK claims to be "left wing."
Over 100 years ago, Frederick Engels, after observing and reflecting on the conspiracy of the Democrats and Republicans to destroy Reconstruction (and complete the national democratic liberation of the black people and poor white farmers) in 1876 and the bipartisan shooting and jailing of workers who engaged in huge strikes in the same year, and the violent, genocidal bipartisan suppression of the Plains Indians
at that same time, concluded that the Democratic and Republican Parties were "two wings of the same bird of prey." He was right.
Second. The American Zionist campaign to suppress its critics is a sign of desparation on the part of the US/UK/Israeli alliance. Check out How Hezbollah Defeated Israel at http://www.conflictsforum.org . And George Galloway speaking of Hezbollah and the July-August 2006 war on youtube. Israel declared that it would destroy Hezbollah militarily and politically. It failed utterly. Despite calling up its reserves, Israel could not occupy an inch of Southern Lebanon and could not stop Hezbollah rocket counter-offensives. This was a tactical defeat. And today, Hezbollah is far stronger politically than it was before the July-August war. As Galloway says, if Lebanon was a truly democratic state, not a confessional quasi-Christian dictatorship where voting rights are based on a 1932 census and religion, Hassan Nazrallah would be the President of Lebanon.
The US and UK are mired in a war they cannot win. All they can do is slaughter hundreds and thousands daily and weekly. And they are still fighting mainly the Sunni resistance. When a truly national resistance finally emerges and the Shia join the battle in force, their days in Iraq will be numbered. The US, UK, and Israel deparately want to attack Iran and Syria, and they may do it before Bush is gone. But are between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, the American army is disintegrating in Iraq and Israel could not handle Hezbollah. How could they possibly attack Iran too without making Hitler's Barbarossa mistake? (many leading retired US generals such as Odum, Battiste, and Clark, and the geopolitical guru Brzezinski have said as much). But they are also afraid that their enemies—the Iraqi and Afghan people, the Lebanese and Palestinian people first and foremost—are gaining strength faster than they are. and the American people are sick of the war. Not a sick as we should be. But opposition to the war is rising. Inside the army and out.
How desparately we need a party which would tell the horrible truth about the wars the US, UK, and Israel are waging and how they are bankrupting our country and preventing spending money here and abroad to help people who need it. We are spending in total almost 900 Billion on war and servicing war debt—almost half our total federal budget. More than the rest of the world combined. It cannot go on forever without causing an economic collapse and great social unrest.
This is why the Zionist censorship is escalating. That is why Dershowitz is frantically and viciously trying to stop Professor Norman Finklestein from getting tenure. I've read the last meeting in the process is to be Friday. Ben Heine or Latuff or someone should do a cartoon of Finklestein-Dershowitz. With Finklestein as Prometheus and Dershowitz as the vulture. Either Prometheus bound, if his tenure is denied, with the vulture Dershowitz ripping at his liver, or Prometheus unbound, striding away victorious, with the vulture Dershowitz skulking away with blood dripping from his beak. In either case, the books have been written and published. the fire just needs to be shared.
About Another American's rant. The Palestinian right of return will not go away. As to whether it would lead to the "destruction of Israel," as opposed to its democratization, I suggest reading some of the many essays of Dr. Salman Abu Sitta many of which are available at http://www.palestineremembered.com . From a legal point of view, no negotiating team or state has the authority to renounce a refugee's right to return. It's an individual's right. Politically, only a fascist Palestinian "leadership" would agree to such a thing. And considering what else such types would agree to, how long would it last?
About two states. It should not surprise that many who are for two states are enemies of the Palestinian people. Bush and "the man of peace" Sharon said they were for two states, if I'm not mistaken. What they mean is a Palestinian state which would be "independant" in name only.
What they have in mind is a a shriveled core of the West Bank, carved up and sealed by an illegal Great Zionist Iron Wall of Enclosure, Imprisonment, and Eslavement and finely minced into a collection of ghettos (bantustans if you prefer—I prefer ghettos) by a myriad of Jewish only bypass roads, surrounded by garrisons of Jewish only paramilitary-"settlements" stretching to the River Jordan and with the IDF's outposts and army bases remaining in place. Gush shalom and umkahlil have good maps showing this.
This would be a pseudo-independant state which will not have control over its water resources, its air
spac