Hey guys - despite what some folks on MyDD might think, I'm a commited Democrat looking to help fellow Democrats get elected.

So that being said, I'm posting up some info about a fundraiser for Mike Signer, a really good guy running for LG in Virginia.  Please excuse my ham-handed attempt to raise money for a political candidate...(there's a reason I don't do this professionally).

Without further ado, then, here is my pitch:

I am, along with members of Foreign Policy Professionals for Obama, hosting a fundraiser for a Democratic candidate for Virginia Lt Gov, under the theme of the importance of electing foreign policy/national security progressives to state-level office because today's state legislator is tomorrow's Member of Congress!

Mike Signer was a foreign policy advisor to John Edwards during the last Presidential campaign, speaking frequently and passionately about the importance of how America engages the world. Mike also has a very strong background on Homeland Security; he was deputy counselor to former Governor Warner on Homeland Security and National Guard policy. He also served as senior policy advisor and director of the Homeland Security Presidential Transition Initiative at the Center for American Progress, and is a principal at the Truman National Security Project.

Please join me on June 1 to help support a great candidate for office.  Go to: http://www.mikesigner.com/newl... if you are interested! And if you think the guy is worth a shot, you should forward this on to your friends as well!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  

I struggle mightily with the current humanitarian dilemma in Gaza - I understand Israel's reluctance to do anything that empowers Hamas, but share with many people the frustration of seeing innocent people suffer.

And, apparently, a frustration that Secretary of State Clinton also has.  So when a friend of Israel - as she has long been - expresses concern that Israel is dragging her feet on getting aid to those who need it most, I think it merits serious consideration.

What is does NOT merit is shreiking and finger-pointing from Israel's supporters in the US.  It's one thing to be worried that Hamas gains strength for every dollar or shekel that crosses one of the Gaza checkpoints, but it's quite another to scream invectives and cast aspersions upon someone who very clearly has Israel's well-being in her expressions and deeds.

The subject of how to deal with the Middle East broadly and the Israel-Palestine conflict more specifically has been elevated to the highest offices, and the presence of someone like Hillary Clinton smack in the middle of the discussion should be a point of comfort for the Lobby.  Don't let her concern for the plight of those who suffer distract or distort from what is an impeccable record on Israel, nor let it serve as a wedge on an issue that everyone can agree upon - needless suffering is just that: needless.  Whether Jew or Muslim, Arab or Israeli, NO ONE'S interests are served by the suffering of the innocent.

So do all of us who love and support Israel a favor - shut up.

If the UN sees fit to call out Hamas because, well, they're dirty, why should it surprise anyone that Israelis are leaning right in the upcoming elections?

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1062 219.html

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340, L-3655758,00.html

The rise of Israel Beiteinu is very saddening indeed, but I'm consistently amazed that many folks are quick to point out Israeli complicities (of which there are, sadly, many), but are utterly silent when Hamas is responsible for atrocities.

It is the double standard that I find troubling.

I post this more for conversatoin than anything else, but my personal take is that a "right" government in Israel may be exactly what we need to get peace moving along.

In a very dispassionate and analytical way, I can see it being MUCH easier for a (gulp) Netanyahu-led government to cut a deal knowing that they would have support from the center-left in the Knesset (where any deal would have to be approved) than it would for one led by the left (having to get support from the right).

In addition, I think the public is more likely to swallow concessions driven by the right than the left.

The ball - IMO - is now in President Obama's court - to cajole and convince the next gov't to make it happen.

Discuss (or flame - whatever).

I love Israel.  I'm not ashamed to admit that, and I don't moderate that view depending on where I am.

But there are times when even someone like me has to step back and say - LOUDLY - that something is wrong.

No, this isn't about Gaza.

This is about a decision that was recently made that, in my opinion, crosses any threshold of what is acceptable or decent.  Israel's Central Election Committee just banned Arab-only parties (there are two parties who are mixed and have Arab-members) from running in the upcoming Knesset elections.  Say what you will about Israel, but I have always held that as long as Israel conducted itself as a democracy - however flawed - it deserved the same level of respect as any democratic country.

But I draw the line here.  It is a sad day for me that I have to say that I am SEVERLY disappointed in Israel.  Regardless of what happens, the fact that this has even happened is devastating to me.