Many reasons... money, arms -- who knows... ?

Me, I personally don't know enough about 'how' The Sudan Tribune operates, is funded etc., how 'corrupt' the sudanese government is -- but if the Sudan Tribune has been 'outed' before with misleading * cough * possible propaganda == then all I'm saying -- this story maybe shouldn't be given that much credibility unless we can get verifible, hopefully multiple 'concrete' sources?

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ 2009/03/26/israels_shadow_war_against_ha mas_arms_smugglers

I'm gonna link to another foreign policy geek to give you a breakdown why this story doesn't smell right.  

Israel's Sudan Bombing Report Is Likely Nonsense
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2009/03/isr aels-sudan-bombing-report-is-likely-nons ense.html

So, IMO I would just put a very 'Big Red Question Mark' as to why this story has come out now.

... I think we all know 'left-wing' jews have many difficult views on 'security' and 'nationhood'...

That's why is refreshing to have this debate in the open.

Has Dennis Ross got a balanced view on Israel -- or on Iran for that matter -- of course not!  It was an Israel Lobby witch-hunt and unfortunately, for this country's national interests the Israel Lobby won.

Freeman's role had nothing to do with Human Rights, nor even setting policy... and those people who actually knew the guy, instead those who didn't said that the Administration has lost a good guy...

Two more on Chas Freeman and China
http://jamesfallows.theatlantic.com/arch ives/2009/03/two_more_on_chas_freeman_an d_c.php

The actions of the rabid pro-israel front were disgraceful.

But what is more important, is the action of our Israel Firsters democratic congress members.  Do not forgot what has happened over the last couple of weeks.... Watch them... watch them very carefully when Iran comes back on radar.

Senators Push For War With Iran
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Senator s-Push-For-War-With-by-Jim-Dawson-090311 -6.html

Yes Pelosi has strong ties to the Jewish Community and helped with the attack on President Carter.  So it didn't surprise me when she came out against Freeman.

From the Jewish Week: [Reva] Price (aide to Nancy Pelosi), a former Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) official, played a major role in formulating strategy and lining up supportive statements and op-eds by Democrats in response to potential crises--including pre-election leaks about an inflammatory new book on the Middle East by former President Jimmy Carter.

"That was one we dreaded because we feared it could go mainstream," Dorf said this week.  Statements blasting Carter from Democratic leaders like Pelosi and Dean, as well as Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), a leading Israel critic, helped prevent that from happening. "We were able to get in front of the story," Dorf said.

Members of the team headed off another crisis during the summer by convincing the DNC to kill a resolution calling on Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), who enjoys iconic status in the Jewish community, to drop out of the Senate race when it became apparent he would lose to anti-war newcomer Ned Lamont, who won the August primary..."

Above link has expired, but the full article might be available on Lexis Nexus?
The Forward: Pelosi's Price is Right for Jewish Community By Matthew E. Berger
http://www.forward.com/articles/9012/

Part of the reason that the Brits and Scots are coming out in such numbers is they have a DIVERSE media that actually makes an effort to inform and educate as to what is going on in the World WITHOUT the extreme bias you get here.

why should we still subsidize...?

I get your point.

You've said some truth there.  But the economic angle is not the whole story.

However, I haven't got the trade figures to hand, but we import massively more from Israel than we export to Israel -- why?  Isn't Israel 'small-fry' to us -- why aren't we producing and manufacturing their stuff here?  Plus, as you say we 'subsidize' them to buy our stuff...  [as well as bribe them to not sell to other countries].  I question why can't other countries, that happen to be our allies have those amazing discounts?

I agree...

Plus, another blogger over @ TP fished out some news coverage from Condi's last trip:

Rice Israeli settlement announcement 'unhelpful,' US says
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Rice_Israel i_settlement_announcemen_03102008.html

Basically, Clinton is using the same language of the neocons...  Her stern words weren't that ground-breaking afterall.  However, from the propaganda we're hearing from the US press you'd think she'd kicked Netanyahu in the balls.

Most of what the Israel lobby etc. is is way over my head, but I know bs when I see and hear it.  We have to keep peeling back the layers, we can't back down his time -- enough is enough.

a) a Majority of Democrats did not vote for the war, but yes she was part of the hawkish band of Democrats who we itching for war from the beginning [code pink ladies will vouch for that].  Plus, regardless if she thought there was a chance Bush migh not have gone to war [ha], which I have no doubt she knew -- she should have AT LEAST read the NIE.  The woman is a neocon.  Brain turned to mush by listening to AIPAC to long.

So, are you trying to say people don't change over a 10 year period?  People do change, and politicans are reknown for their rebirths.  A speech is a speech == you need to get into this century -- she's not the Hills of the 90's standing by her man now.

I really don't want to re-hash the primaries, but really if you like and 'trust' her that much you are gonna have to provide more evidence to prove to me she is 'now' a crusader of peace, human rights, and a decent even-handed honest broker.

I really really don't trust her -- sorry.  And I would really like to be proved wrong.

My thoughts...

A lot, A lot can happen in 10 years.

Just some quickies:

"...do what is best for the PEOPLE. For the U.S.. Voting for the Iraq war without even bother reading the NIE?

"fighting for the little guy, for Human rights" Her recent China visit?

Please, please write some backup material instead of writing a love letter that just doesn't project reality.

ahhh...when talking about dynasties it can be so confusing.

I always believed Clinton I was less antagonistic and hawkish than his wife...  scary thought that.