"The problem here is a totalitarian uniformity, a cult-like mentality such that even allies are enemies if they fail to follow the Exact Party Line. " - Phyllis Chesler

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

My Call To Congressman Gary Ackerman's Office This AM

I called Congress at the following telephone number: 202-224-3121. I urge you to do the same in support of Israel and the Armada of Hate that showed up with military weapons, knives and bats and pummeled the IDF when they boarded the ship after the ship refused to go to the port the Israeli's offered to take in and inspect their "peaceful products" and pass along for ya know "humanitarian" reasons.

My Congressman is Gary Ackerman. I said the following:

"I support Israel and their defense against the armada of hate and I expect my Mr. Ackerman to support Israel as well and strongly condemn the UN and Turkey."

Mr. Ackerman's phone answerer was Vanessa. Vanessa stated that she is only the staff assistant and she coordinates tours and facilitates operations in the office and she could not tell me what he thinks on this issue. I continued to ask her what Mr. Ackerman's position was on the Armada of Hate. I reminded her that I was a constituent and I vote and I'm a registered Democrat and I have a right to know what we pay him for, which is his stance on these issues and his voting record. 

Vanessa then asked me for my name. I asked her why she needed my name. "Well, I need to know if you are indeed a constituent." Hmmm really, so my name will tell you that Vanessa will it? Please do tell me how my name will tell you I'm actually a constituent? Am I am on some list. 

I told Vanessa that I didn't appreciate being put in the hot seat like I was in court and spoken to as if I had to defend myself. I should not have to prove I'm an actual constituent to speak with and ask about my Congressman's positions on issues. 

She then told me "Oh I'm sorry. We ask this of everyone and I didn't mean to put you on the hot seat." So I asked her why that wasn't her answer initially to me. COUGH COUGH. She really couldn't answer.

Vanessa let me know that since this issue was so recent it would be hard to know Mr. Ackerman's position.

I let Vanessa know that I thought it very odd that President Obama came out within hours of the incident to make a horrible statement against Israel yet it took him weeks to speak about the oil spill in our own country. 

Vanessa knows I'll be watching the news for Mr. Ackerman's statement whether or not he supports Israel against these terrorists or if he stands with President Obama and that I'll be calling back.

Hey Mr. Ackerman and all of Congress, here's my question I want you to answer "Is this where the world needs to send humanitarian aid? Have you dined here with Abbas?"

This is in GAZA (below)

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Ackerman Blasts International Condemnation of Israel; Holds Hamas to Blame
June 1, 2010

Congressman Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, today released the following statement:

“I strongly support Israel's right to defend itself, and the right of Israel's naval commandos, who were executing a legal mission, to defend themselves by using force when they were brutally attacked. I strongly condemn the action of those who assaulted the Israeli troops and made the use of violence by Israeli troops necessary in self-defense. The loss of life is regrettable, but wholly the fault and responsibility of the organizers of the effort to break through Israel and Egypt’s legitimate closure of terrorist-controlled Gaza.

"If the true intent of the people on the boat was humanitarian, their goods could easily and readily have been delivered to Gaza through the Israeli port of Ashdod, as has been the result of other ships intercepted while trying to break the blockade. Clearly, their intent was cynical, and political; to provoke a confrontation with Israel for the benefit of Hamas and as part of the international effort to delegitimize Israel’s existence.

"Israel is confronted in Gaza by a de facto authority, Hamas, a violent, terroristic and extermination-minded enemy. The naval blockade and the closure of access points into Israel from Gaza are entirely justified, legal, and necessary to preserve Israeli lives and to minimize the smuggling of more and more powerful arms into Gaza to be used against Israeli civilians.

"Instead of spastically and outrageously attacking Israel, the international community should be focused on the true villain in this drama, Hamas, which if it cared about the people of Gaza in even the slightest measure, could end the blockade and closure within hours. How?

"Very simply, by publicly and emphatically accepting the conditions established by the United Nations, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United States (“The Quartet”) which calls on Hamas to accept Israel's right to exist; to reject the use of violence against Israel; and to adhere to all the prior political commitments made by the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.

"The fact of the matter is this: the tragic events that occurred over the weekend are the responsibility of Hamas, not Israel. Failure to recognize the moral responsibility of Hamas for these events is possible only by confusing cause with effect, or by holding Israel to an unacceptable double standard."

A New Yorker said...

Well, I don't know if what Mark posted is true because he didn't leave the site attribution but I let it up. I hope it is legit.