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Update – Daily Kos: Quote IOF, you are peace maker; Quote Palestinian, you are a terrorist

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False! Well, not everywhere, but at Daily Kos it sure is.

Daily_Censor__Ben_Heine

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!

Daily_Censor__blue_spirit__Ben_Heine

(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.

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{ 55 } Comments

  1. another American | May 16, 2007 at 10:22 pm | Permalink

    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.

  2. kinzi | May 16, 2007 at 10:23 pm | Permalink

    My.Oh.My!

  3. sokari | May 16, 2007 at 10:52 pm | Permalink

    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.

  4. Haitham | May 16, 2007 at 11:07 pm | Permalink

    Everyone, please meet one of the venomous Zionists I talked about, another American!

    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.

    How relaxing. I'm flattered by your kindness.

    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."

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

  5. curmudgiana | May 16, 2007 at 11:12 pm | Permalink

    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.

  6. My Name is Peaches | May 16, 2007 at 11:13 pm | Permalink

    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.

  7. Haitham | May 16, 2007 at 11:13 pm | Permalink

    sokari,

    You are right, we had to learn the hard way the truth about the lies called Daily Kos.

  8. DesertPeace | May 16, 2007 at 11:32 pm | Permalink

    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.

  9. Haitham | May 16, 2007 at 11:33 pm | Permalink

    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.

  10. sokari | May 16, 2007 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    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.

  11. Ben Heine | May 17, 2007 at 1:10 am | Permalink

    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.

  12. Sean | May 17, 2007 at 1:32 am | Permalink

    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.

  13. kimmy | May 17, 2007 at 1:41 am | Permalink

    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.

  14. curmudgiana | May 17, 2007 at 4:24 am | Permalink

    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.

  15. sokari | May 17, 2007 at 1:33 pm | Permalink

    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

  16. eileen fleming | May 17, 2007 at 4:18 pm | Permalink

    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/

  17. Haitham | May 17, 2007 at 4:46 pm | Permalink

    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.

  18. eileen fleming | May 17, 2007 at 5:09 pm | Permalink

    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

  19. Rob Giczey | May 17, 2007 at 9:53 pm | Permalink

    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?

  20. Haitham | May 17, 2007 at 10:25 pm | Permalink

    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…

  21. Judy19 | May 18, 2007 at 12:52 am | Permalink

    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?

  22. Stephen | May 18, 2007 at 1:06 am | Permalink

    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?

  23. Tatterdemalian | May 18, 2007 at 1:19 am | Permalink

    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.

  24. Kurtlane | May 18, 2007 at 1:21 am | Permalink

    "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?

  25. Haitham | May 18, 2007 at 1:28 am | Permalink

    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/

  26. Guy | May 18, 2007 at 1:28 am | Permalink

    Everytime I read an article like this it makes me more non-Progressive. Whine on you crazy diamond!

  27. Haitham | May 18, 2007 at 1:40 am | Permalink

    Judy19,

    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".

    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.

    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.

    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!!

  28. Haitham | May 18, 2007 at 1:49 am | Permalink

    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).

  29. Haitham | May 18, 2007 at 1:55 am | Permalink

    Guy,

    I don't blame you!

  30. IwllNOTsubmit | May 18, 2007 at 2:26 am | Permalink

    I see you censor comments that are not favorable to your ignorance!

  31. dave dudet | May 18, 2007 at 3:41 am | Permalink

    why does allah hate arabs so much.
    we have you done,
    think hard ??????

  32. Robin | May 18, 2007 at 5:25 am | Permalink

    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.

  33. Ruth | May 18, 2007 at 6:04 am | Permalink

    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.

  34. al | May 18, 2007 at 6:41 am | Permalink

    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.

  35. Concerned American | May 18, 2007 at 8:24 am | Permalink

    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.

  36. Haitham | May 18, 2007 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    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.

  37. martin | May 18, 2007 at 1:11 pm | Permalink

    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
    space and electromagnetice spectrum, its borders (and may only have the tiniest border with one foreign
    state other than Israel—Egypt at the southwest end of Gaza), no real control over its domestic and foreign policy, and which will not be allowed to have an army worthy of the name. Such a state would be an independant state in name only. The only real power the rulers of such a Palestinian state would have would be the power to control, repress, and suppress its own people as quislings—capos—in the service of their Israeli masters.

    It appears that Israel and the US believe that Abbas and Al Fateh may provide a willing partner for this scheme. See an article on this at http://www.conflictsforum.org, which discusses US-Israeli effort to supply Fateh and Abbas with money and guns in preparation for a call for new elections. If only Fateh could manage to win an election against Hamas. Perhaps this can be achieved by blockading and strangling the freely elected Hamas government (now the "unity" PA) and the Palestinian people along with it, arming and bankrolling fascist, collaborationist elements in al-Fateh, and holding an "election" after banning the Hamas slate from participation, and turning a blind eye to all manner of intimidation to force the Palestinian people to vote in such fraudulent process. Then Abbas can agree to renounce their right under international law to resist the occupation of their homeland by any means necessary and renounce the right of five million Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland.

    In exchange for an "independant state" that any truly democratic country—much less revolutionary or socialist country—would recognize. How many pieces of silver would this be worth?

    About Palestinian violent in-fighting. Of course the Zionists and the US imperialists are doing everything they possibly can to promote this. Economically starving the PA and the Palestinian people, racheted up after Hamas's victory at the polls. (strangling the economy is not new of course) Giving Fateh weapons and money. Favoring one group over another. The one it thinks will be the most compliant. This is the Palestinian version of divide and conquer, fomenting sectarian division—religious and political—that they are doing in Iraq with a vengance, and trying—so far unsuccessfully—in Lebanon. But the Israelis and American do not bear full responsibility for such problems. (given their nature, what else should we expect of them?) They have done this here in the US when we had anti-war movements, workers' union organizing drives, and liberation movements among our minorities, especially the black people who they fear greatly. (and it did get to shootings in the 60's and 70's). It is worth noting what Sayeed Hassan Nazrallah said about this. After denouncing the Americans and Israelis for interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs, he also stated, "Whoever among us foments civil war and kills another Lebanese to solve poticial disputes IS an Israeli." Yes, the occupation and its agents create the conditions where such things are more likely to happen and instigate and pay people to do such things. But people must resist this also. and control their own tempers and trigger fingers.

    In this matter, there is an encouraging article in Ma 'an where it is reported that fighters from four different armed Palestinian had a meeting and demonstration pledging not to engage in fratricidal violence and calling upon all leaders to struggle against this tendency.

    Martin

  38. bluepilgrim | May 18, 2007 at 1:52 pm | Permalink

    Sean…
    Check out http://www.fromoccupiedpalestine.org/node/1707

    Elliott Abrams' Uncivil war
    MARK PERRY and ALISTAIR CROOKE
    Conflicts Forum, 7 January 2007

    Is the Bush administration violating the law in an effort to provoke a Palestinian civil war?

    Deputy National Security Advisor, Elliott Abrams — who Newsweek recently described as “the last neocon standing” — has had it about for some months now that the U.S. is not only not interested in dealing with Hamas, it is working to ensure its failure. In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas elections, last January, Abrams greeted a group of Palestinian businessmen in his White House office with talk of a “hard coup” against the newly-elected Hamas government — the violent overthrow of their leadership with arms supplied by the United States. While the businessmen were shocked, Abrams was adamant — the U.S. had to support Fatah with guns, ammunition and training, so that they could fight Hamas for control of the Palestinian government.

    While those closest to him now concede the Abrams’ words were issued in a moment of frustration, the “hard coup” talk was hardly just talk. Over the last twelve months, the United States has supplied guns, ammunition and training to Palestinian Fatah activists to take on Hamas in the streets of Gaza and the West Bank. A large number of Fatah activists have been trained and “graduated” from two camps — one in Ramallah and one in Jericho. The supplies of rifles and ammunition, which started as a mere trickle, has now become a torrent (Haaretz reports the U.S. has designated an astounding $86.4 million for Abu Mazen’s security detail), and while the program has gone largely without notice in the American press, it is openly talked about and commented on in the Arab media — and in Israel. Thousands of rifles and bullets have been poring into Gaza and the West Bank from Egypt and Jordan, the administration’s designated allies in the program.

    [...]

  39. Servant | May 18, 2007 at 2:24 pm | Permalink

    Hello again Haitham

    I've been intentionally looking away from this since Benjamin got banned. I haven't been following the blow-by-blow, so thank you for this wonderful documentation. It just makes me sick. I could see the train wreck coming which Shergald created when he returned to blog there with sock puppets.

    The bannings are collective punishment for those who support Shergald, not for the pro-Palestine position. When Shergald stops creating new accounts under different names and agrees to stay banned all this will stop. I don't have to explain how collective punishment works to this audience – especially the representatives of Israel – since they invented collective punishment.

    The obvious schadenfreud of the Zionist hunting pack lead by Another American reveals that they lie to themselves as well as each other.

    Why is this, Servant? How can you see what is in other people's hearts?

    Well, when you see other people doing a victory dance and you know that they won this round because they used every kind of truth twisting distortion and censorship and false accusations and crying to the management to ban people they disagree with their positions —- when you see all that you know that the people dancing think that their cause is still just even though it is obvious that no cause can be just be just which requires lies and deciet and coordinated character assassinations.

    If you use dishonorable means then by definition it brings dishonor on whatever goal you are trying to accomplish. Filling up every pro-Palestine diary with troll ratings and accusing people of being anti-Semites. Accusing people of subscribing to the Protocols of the Elders just to make them deny it. Making racist comments about Palestinians that would make any sane Jew puke who truly remembers what it is like to be oppressed. All these things are done in the name of truth in Daily Kos Palestine diaries.

    To the Zionists proclaiming that a two-state solution is the ONLY way that is possible, please think again.

    If you build a new kind of Israel and it is still based upon racism and lies then you will be building the hell that you will live in forever.

    If you want to build a new Israel the right way, then work for justice. Let everyone vote. Let everyone who lived there before the Nakba apply for return. That is the only fair way to settle this. Make reparations for your terrible war crimes. Go to the United Nations and ask for help. The world will throw money at you like the Prodigal son to help you implement a just solution.

    But as long as you persist in deluding yourselves that the occupation is caused by Palestinians – you will not be able to perceive the just solution and you will continue live in an country which relies upon injustice to justify its existence.

  40. thecutter | May 18, 2007 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

    Great post, Haitham, and good comments here from a lot of people.

    My own observations will mean little, but here goes! Gatekeeping is a fulltime activity in "progressive circles". I usually battle the stuff coming from the UK, since most of my detractors come from there, and yes, one learns to develop a hard skin. I love how Eileen said, the Govt and military are reading me everyday as it is! (what a brilliant way to look at things!)

    We can't fit into lables of progressive or non-progressive. There is really one question: are we humanists? Do we support equal rights for the human person, without conditions? If we don't, then we are not progressive, no matter what we try to say.

    Internet has divided us into factions, and that is probably a necessary evil, but the issues remain the same, and we can't look for "balance" and fairness in the face of what is happening to Palestinians, and the laissez faire attitude of 99% of progressives. not to mention our "real" adversaries, the Zionists.

    Again, on DP blog, someone mentioned the pumped up stats for DK and I believe it! As far as I can see, we are making headway, and we don't need their 0.5 million people, which is probably half that anyway, and most of them are more concerned with very secondary matters like Gay Marriage or Gun Control, when FREE SPEECH is a concept that is alien to them. When they have no real future because the State does not protect the basic rights to health and adequate means to live if one is out of work or retired. Deflecting attention from American problems, they can worry about how "bad" everyone else is. This is part of progressive blindspots.

    Keep up the fight!

  41. fatima | May 19, 2007 at 12:32 am | Permalink

    I cant believe it . I used to trust dailykos a Lot . even THEY are afraid of the Lobby too ? Shame .

  42. sean | May 19, 2007 at 1:38 am | Permalink

    Thanks blue pilgrim.

  43. kimmy | May 19, 2007 at 2:55 am | Permalink

    All comments against Haitham,
    You do not know this person. You only judge him by the fact that he is a Palestinian!
    If you searched his site, you will know he is more understanding than your beloved leader Bush.
    Judge only the person as to who they are, not what they are!

  44. Wassim | May 19, 2007 at 12:07 pm | Permalink

    It's amazing how subtle the attacks on Haitham have been by those who have hounded him off of Kos. They talk about peace, but they want you to surrender. Some, such as "Concerned American" seem to think that as American's, they now have a cause of concern because they had 9/11. I'm sorry but what marks you as so special from everyone else who has suffered from terrorism? I find it hard to see how you're "trauma" compares to an Iraqi civilian, a Palestinian growing up in Gaza, a South Lebanese villager, a Vietnamese suffering from your agent orange, a Cambodian, a Korean, a Latin American. You think 9/11 gives you a license or place to speak amongst these long suffering people? No.. it does not, tragic as the event was.

    Also, the poisoned olive branch you offer Haitham is nothing more than an ultimatum to surrender a fundamental right. The Right of Return. You equate the destruction of Israel's racist and apartheid apparatus to some kind of new Holocaust which is ridiculous since anti-semitism as we know it emerged and continues to be a factor in Western societies but has historically never been an issue in the Middle East. The Palestinians will return, those who choose to remain in the remnants of Israel can either choose to continue living there in peace, or go back to Europe, the United States or wherever else they came from. Israel does not have a "right" to exist, only "force", which can come and go.

  45. truth | May 19, 2007 at 9:06 pm | Permalink

    Fatima,

    Hunter and Kus are inculcated with the lobby. Kus even declared himself a strong supporter of "states' rights" and the Salvadoran oligarchy.

    Hunter has finally been compromised. The proof exists in all that have uprated him and all who have received his recommendations and upratings. I also noticed that Kus uprated a post for the first time in 18 months. One was once calling for a cynical "head in the sand" approach to I/P. And the other was from a Likosnik. Why doesn't he have anything to say? The coward!

    Please read Francis Holland's aggregate, The Truth about Kos.

    (please excuse my profanity it was for rhetorical flourish)

  46. Demize! | June 6, 2007 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    Hello,I have read the posts re.Kos and am not surprised,Kos himself always sort of struck me as a know it all twit.But aside from that,if people can't understand a bit of vitriolic rhetoric coming from someone who's actually living under occupation then they are either insensitive or solipsistic.Now my Mother is Jewish and I could give two shits about the phony "antisemitism" the right and zionists are continually harping about.I am a big guy and I would take equal pleasure in kicking the shit out of a nazi or zionist if so inclined,cause to me the ideology may be different but the sentiment is the same,both ugly,both rascist.And frankly this particular ideology is doomed to the trash heap of history.Zionists have never had any compunction with allying with virulent "antisemites" they did it with the National Socialists,and they're doing it with the christofascists now.so stay safe and keep up the fight Americans are getting sick of suporting a gangster state by proxy.The elites of course aren't but the populace is coming around.Just look at SA.one of Israels bff's.God Bless!!

  47. eileen fleming | June 6, 2007 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

    Hi,

    Although I have been denied access to post a new diary, or respond to comments and attacks against me, others have continued to.

    On June 4, 2007, zemblan-one of the most relentless and slanderous of all the attack squad wrote:

    Just a quick note about Eileen
    About Eileen

    I don't think she'll be posting here anymore…Poor Eileen. There's only one possible explanation. Obviously, she's just another victim of the Zionist Thought Police. Her advertising and crossposting on a hate site were simply irrelevant and could not possibly have factored into her departure in any way. If you think otherwise, you're a victim of Zionist mind control, just like the DKos editors. And it wasn't even really a decision the DKos editors agreed with; they were simply cowed into banning Eileen by a well-organized campaign of email harrassment that was most likely promulgated through GIYUS a-and I'll bet there were thousands of emails from Tel-Aviv pretending to be from Poughkeepsie, a-and…

    No other possible explanation could possibly be possible, especially the plain and simply one given. She is clearly another victim of the Infantophagy Lobby.

    by zemblan on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 11:26:13 AM PDT

    * And one other note

    Remember when someone was hopping up and down about how this controversy is really all a put-on by Thuh Zionist Thought Police, and that we secretly didn't give a damn about the hate site, just about trying to silence Eileen's daring and controversial blappity-blap?

    by zemblan on Mon Jun 04, 2007 at 11:42:40 AM PDT

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/3/85645/97104

    What peaked my interest immediately is that I have a link attached to my website that informs me, where my readers are coming from; not email addresses, just country of origin.

    The 24 hours from June 3rd at 4 AM until June 4th, proved that visits from Israel increased so greatly, that Israel went from 17th place into 5th place out of the total countries who had visited my site during that time period.

    eileen fleming

  48. Haitham | June 6, 2007 at 3:36 pm | Permalink

    Eileen,

    Welcome to the Zionist watch-list. I'll be surprised if your name is not yet listed in SHIT list. If you are not, you are not working hard enough to have that honor yet :-)

  49. eileen fleming | June 6, 2007 at 4:05 pm | Permalink

    Hi H,

    I am aware of the "SHIT" list, but as I am not 'legally' a Jew, I will not receive such an honor!

    My grandfather was a Polish Jew who died before I could ask him how many of our relatives were gassed and fried because GOOD PEOPLE did nothing for far too long.

    My Jewish friends tell me that unless ones mother is Jewish, they are not considered to have Jewish blood.

    My grandfather's Jewish DNA, just doesn't count in their legal system!

    e

  50. Francis L. Holland | June 28, 2007 at 5:45 am | Permalink

    DailyKos is the progressive from of the American Central Intelligence Agency, according to the article by Stu Piddy posted at MyLeftWing today. Kos acknowledges that he worked for the CIA for six months in 1991. And now? Ever since I learned that Kos' family was from the Salvadoran oligarchy, I've known something stunk to high heavens in Kosdom. That's why I started "The Truth About Kos Blog

  51. uncensored-truth | October 3, 2007 at 3:58 pm | Permalink

    I was barred also (http://uncensored-truth.dailykos.com/) and that gave me the motivation I needed to distribute information about Israeli apartheid terrorism to hundreds of thousands in America, perhaps millions, via hand leafleting, road signs, the internet forums, direct mail, etcetera. I know that I have informed more people this way and encouraged them to boycott Israel than if I had stayed at Kos.

    Also I recently found a way to get the Al Jazeera English Channel… via World TV Satellite.

    Recently I found this post on http://kurtnimmo.com/ which explains a lot…

    Daily Kos: CIA Engineered Controlled Opposition?
    Thursday August 09th 2007, 8:04 am

    http://kurtnimmo.com/?p=950

    Is it possible Markos Alberto Moulitsas Zúñiga, leader of the “Kossaks,” that is to say followers and fawners of the Daily Kos, is a CIA operative? Francis Holland, posting on the My Left Wing messageboard, details Moulitsas’ relationship with the CIA:
    “Markos Moulitsas Zúniga, owner of the DailyKos website, now admits that he spent six months in the employ of the US Central Intelligence Agency in 2001,” writes Holland. “In a one-hour interview on June 2, 2006 at the Commonwealth Club, Moulitsas, also known as ‘Kos,’ admitted that he was a CIA employee and would have ‘no problem working for them’ in the present.”
    “I applied to the CIA and I went all the way to the end, I mean it was to the point where I was going to sign papers to become Clandestine Services,” Moulitsas admits in the interview. “And it was at that point that the Howard Dean campaign took off and I had to make a decision whether I was gonna kinda join the Howard Dean campaign, that whole process, or was I was going to become a spy. (Laughter in the audience.) It was going to be a tough decision at first, but then the CIA insisted that if, if I joined that, they’d want me to do the first duty assignment in Washington, DC, and I hate Washington, DC. Six years in Washington, DC [inaudible] that makes the decision a lot easier.”
    Moulitsas considers the CIA “a very liberal institution,” never mind the agency, according to John Stockwell, former CIA Station Chief in Angola (see my John Stockwell: The Third World War video), is responsible for killing more than six million people.
    This is a very liberal institution. And in a lot of ways, it really does attract people who want to make a better, you know, want to make the world a better place…. Of course, they’ve got their Dirty Ops and this and that, right but as an institution itself the CIA is really interested in stable world. That’s what they’re interested in. And stable worlds aren’t created by destabilizing regimes and creating wars…. I don’t think it’s a very partisan thing to want a stable world. And even if you’re protecting American interests, I mean that can get ugly at times, but generally speaking I think their hearts in the right place. As an organization their heart is in the right place. I’ve never had any problem with the CIA. I’d have no problem working for them
    Is it possible Mr. Moulitsas does not have a problem with the documented fact the CIA’s predecessor, the Overseas Secret Service, imported Nazis to work for the soon to be created CIA under General Reinhard Gehlen? “Gehlen was far from the only Nazi war criminal employed by the CIA. Others included Klaus Barbie (’the Butcher of Lyon’), Otto von Bolschwing (the Holocaust mastermind who worked closely with Eichmann) and, SS Colonel Otto Skorzeny (a great favorite of Hitler’s),” writes Mark Zepezauer (The CIA’s Greatest Hits, Odonian Press, 1994). “There’s even evidence that Martin Bormann, Hitler’s second-in-command at the end of the war, faked his own death and escaped to Latin America, where he worked with CIA-linked groups.
    Or that the CIA financed the P-2 Masonic lodge, connected with the Vatican and the Mafia, and enthusiastically supported Operation Gladio, the “strategy of tension” terrorist “stay behind army” effort in Europe, responsible of train station bombings and assassinations, run by former SS Nazis? Is it possible Mr. Moulitsas supports the CIA effort to create shell banks such as the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, accurately characterized by former CIA director and current Sec. Def. Robert Gates as “the Bank of Crooks and Criminals International”? Does Moulitsas support the idea of MK-ULTRA, a program designed to test “radiation, electric shocks, electrode implants, microwaves, ultrasound and a wide range of drugs on unwitting subjects, including hundreds of prisoners at California’s infamous Vacaville State Prison,” as Zepezauer notes? Or what about the CIA getting into the heroin business with the Corsican Mafia, paving the way for highly profitable drug importation operations in Central America and Afghanistan, money used not only to enrich the “investment” (in death and misery) bankers but also used for the CIA’s black budget? How liberal is it to engage in assassination, genocide, and plotting the overthrow of governments in Iran, Guatemala, Indonesia (where more than 500,000 people were put to death, many of them due to CIA drafted “death lists”), and dozens of other countries?
    Of course, the CIA long ago penetrated the “liberal” as well as the “conservative” corporate media in America. “Among the executives who lent their cooperation to the Agency were William Paley of the Columbia Broadcasting System, Henry Luce of Time Inc., Arthur Hays Sulzberger of the New York Times, Barry Bingham Sr. of the Louisville Courier-Journal and James Copley of the Copley News Service. Other organizations which cooperated with the CIA include the American Broadcasting Company, the National Broadcasting Company, the Associated Press, United Press International, Reuters, Hearst Newspapers, Scripps-Howard, Newsweek magazine, the Mutual Broadcasting System, The Miami Herald, and the old Saturday Evening Post and New York Herald-Tribune. By far the most valuable of these associations, according to CIA officials, have been with The New York Times, CBS, and Time Inc.,” writes Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein (Rolling Stone, Oct. 20, 1977). “From the Agency’s perspective, there is nothing untoward in such relationships, and any ethical questions are a matter for the journalistic profession to resolve, not the intelligence community.”
    Indeed, it would appear Markos Moulitsas finds nothing “untoward in such relationships,” if we are to believe his above quoted comments.
    Finally, Moulitsas’ relationship with the CIA makes perfect sense, as Daily Kos appears to be yet another political front operation tasked with cracking the whip over “progressive” Democrats and marching them off to support the Bilderberger Queen Hillary Clinton and her probable running mate, Barack Obama, both on record as supporting the neocon plan to reduce the Muslim world to a smoldering wasteland, albeit with stylistic policy changes. It is no secret the CIA has long stage managed the controlled opposition and Moulitsas’ admitted relationship with the agency should be considered a coup de grâce, an effort designed to reduce the “progressive” Democrat opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq and the impending attack to be leveled against Iran as little more than an empty and absurd rhetorical slogan.

  52. Heloise | February 23, 2008 at 7:03 pm | Permalink

    I was banned from Daily Kos for being a troll. I am a solid writer and one day I wrote a comment about Edwards and his wife. I have been pro Obama and told them straight out that Edwards was not going to win. And said I did not like his wife.

    That comment got me banned. Plus I was called a troll. The truth is clear, jealousy. Kos couldn't write his way out of a paper bag.

    Heloise

  53. Eileen Fleming | February 24, 2008 at 12:43 am | Permalink

    Hi again,

    I always look to make lemons into lemonade and every week or so, i google my name to see what people are reading that i have written and what people maybe saying agout me.

    I just checked again and on page one for 'eileen fleming' number 1 and 2 positions remain consistent:

    1:

    We Are Wide Awake.org – Eye Witness Reporting on Israel Palestine
    We are progressive Christians of The Beatitudes committed to reporting what the USA MSM will not and what the USA Government … Read Eileen Fleming's Biography, …
    http://www.wearewideawake.org – 91k – Cached

    2:
    eileen fleming
    eileen-fleming.dailykos.com – 5k

    I was banned from the DK on June 7, 2007 and told my side of that story on "It Sure Smells Like a Right Wing Zionist Cabal at The Daily Kos"
    http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=534&Itemid=167

    So, the lemonade is that although the DK censored and banned me, people are still reading the absurd attacks upon me.

    I also was censored and banned from the supposedly free speech site The Democratic Underground:

    WAWA Blog October 24, 2007: Censoring Gravitas, Blowing Out Doors and Tearing Down Walls
    http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=688&Itemid=179

    MORE lemonade is that we do not need either of these Zionist controlled sites, but:

    "We have yet to begin to IMAGINE the power and potential of the Internet."-Charlie Rose, 2005

    Only in Solidarity do "We have it in our power to begin the world again"
    Tom Paine

    "Never doubt that a few, thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

    Sisters and Brothers in the good fight for JUSTICE, Equal Human Rights and International Law do not give up raging against the machine and the in denial Zionists for

    "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. … Genius will not. … Education will not. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."- Calvin Coolidge

    Being a Christian of The Beatitudes -NOT a Christian of any Western institution- i leave you with this meditation-and in Christian lingo-meditation means THINK!

    Once upon a time, there was an old widow, who lived in a certain town with a judge who cared nothing about justice, people or God. But an old widowed crone kept coming to him with her plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary."

    The judge ignored her until she became such a PIA [pain in the ass] he finally muttered to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care a hoot about this old crone, she has become such a pain in my ass, I will give into her, just to get her to leave me alone!" [Paraphrased from a story Jesus told in Luke 18 1-5]

    Keep telling the stories and knock the dust off your feet from the DK for 'the times they are a changin'-Bob Dylan

    xox,
    e

  54. calculum1 | April 9, 2008 at 5:47 am | Permalink

    "You can take the Jew out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of the true."

  55. calculum1 | April 9, 2008 at 5:47 am | Permalink

    Oops correction:

    “You can take the Jew out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the Jew.”

{ 9 } Trackbacks

  1. [...] disturbing post by Haitham of Sabbah's Blog on the banning and censoring of Pro Palestinian bloggers, including himself, on the Daily Kos. [...]

  2. Angry White Kid | May 18, 2007 at 10:11 am | Permalink

    Censoring Palestine on Daily Kos…

    As I couldn't care less about the Democrats, I don't read Daily Kos. They like to call themselves the left-wing of the Democratic Party, but on the political spectrum that's still a pretty right-wing place to be, and I'm not…

  3. Kashmiri Nomad's…

    Dear reader it is that time of week again when we have a look at some of the interesting posts that can be found on weblogs in my blogroll. So without anymore ceremony here are my "accelerated links" for 05/20/2007:

    Haitham Sabbah writes about pro…

  4. [...] Posted by brownfemipower on 22 May 2007 at 09:49 am | Tagged as: the internet/blogging as liberation via Sabbah's blog [...]

  5. [...] Haitham Sabbah, one of the banned bloggers, gives us his take here. Yesterday, which marked the celebration of the Nakba, Daily Kos blew the last bridge it had with [...]

  6. MediaChannel.org | May 23, 2007 at 6:57 pm | Permalink

    [...] Haitham Sabbah, one of the banned bloggers, gives us his take here. Yesterday, which marked the celebration of the Nakba, Daily Kos blew the last bridge it had with [...]

  7. [...] now have yet another reason to not bother to read Daily Kos. Via takingplace: A disturbing post by Haitham of Sabbah’s Blog on the banning and censoring of Pro Palestinian bloggers, including himself, on the Daily Kos. [...]

  8. [...] Almost a year ago, old readers here remember my story (along with many pro-Palestine, anti-Zionism bloggers) with the so called American…. [...]

  9. Daily KOS till Israel | Claeskrantz.com | April 14, 2008 at 11:42 pm | Permalink

    [...] Att det är en del av den globala propagandakampanj som startas av Israel är ganska uppenbart. I Sverige är det ju Fredrik Federley som hade tänkt leda hejarklacken för Israel. Almost a year ago, old readers here remember my story (along with many pro-Palestine, anti-Zionism bloggers) with the so called American…. [...]