100 Years of Contrary-ness
A summary of the long life of a dedicated contrarian, William Blau.
The UK Israel Lobby
Just as bullets from Israel Defence Force soldiers started finding their target in the bodies of non-violent Palestinian protesters in Gaza, the UK press lit up (again) with charges of anti-Semitism in the ranks of the Labour Party. It does not take a very penetrating analysis of the situation to see the link between the…
Holocaust Victims Forever?
Stuart Lyle My grandparents came from Eastern Europe. Jews who escaped discrimination, but who got out long before the Nazis sought to change the face of Europe. Does that make them somehow special, “survivors?” And what about my beloved godmother who came from Stuttgart, Germany, her family literally leaving on the last train out before…
I Have Traveled to the Mountain and Now I Am Looking Over the Precipice
A World War II Veteran I am 90 years old. I have lived through much. My parents were immigrants from post-World War I Europe. Following the Crash of 1929 we were very poor. Our country was awash in poverty, and anti-Semitism was widespread. When I was about ten years old, my father, who had been…
Israel, Russia, and the USA
b. traven Richard Silverstein, who authors what I consider the most authoritative blog on Israeli politics and policy, has a take on a shift in Israeli foreign relations that should interest those Americans who are following affairs in the Middle East. In an article titled “Israel Turning from U.S. to Russian-Arab Autocratic Alliance” (read the entire article…
Dissent and Democracies
W.J. Astore Dissent is fundamental to democracy. Or so we claim. Until such dissent makes us angry or uncomfortable. Then we yell at the dissenter to shut up; better yet, we denounce him or her as a traitor to … well, whatever fits. But responsible criticism of the actions of one’s government is not disloyalty;…
“What’s a Nice Jewish American Boy to Do?”
Richard Sahn When I was in the middle of my Bar Mitzvah celebration at age thirteen in Brooklyn the furthest thing from my mind was that fifty seven years later I would find myself highly critical of Israel–specifically, the Israeli government–the refuge for European Jews after the Holocaust. I’m fortunate, or maybe unfortunate, to have…
Kerry Led Bankrupt, Failed Peace Talks; Now He Wants Bankrupt, Failed Ceasefire
By Richard Silverstein. Introduction by b. traven. Richard Silverstein is an insightful American-Jewish commentator on Israeli affairs. His web site, http://www.richardsilverstein.com, offers a contrarian perspective on Israeli policies and coverage of them by the American mainstream media. Read on for some refreshingly critical perspectives on U.S. cease-fire and peace initiatives, such as they are. b.…
Wake Up, America! Time to Set a New Course
b. traven Israel is a big disappointment to many of us. Israel, once a David, is now a Goliath. A former Israeli leader, Ehud Barack, had this to say about Israel’s situation: “We live in a dangerous neighborhood.” So true. Israel is surrounded by generally hostile and tribal regimes. Nevertheless, that is where Jews chose to…
David versus Goliath in the Middle East
W.J. Astore When I was a kid, I was a big admirer of Israel. I saw Israel as being surrounded by implacable enemies bent on its destruction. Israel was the plucky underdog, David against Goliath, with Goliath being Arab countries like Egypt and Syria, having militaries trained and equipped by the Soviet Union, sworn enemy…
The Contrary Perspective 