Untouchable Issue
Is Netroots Nation Taking On The Israel-Palestine Question? Er, Maybe…
One of the most untouchable issues in America today is the Israel-Palestine situation. Whenever I blog about this subject, I seem to lose friends — not to mention getting irate e-mails and death threats. No other issue in politics today seems to have such a third rail. But now things seem to actually finally be changing.
For instance, this is the first year that Netroots Nation has actually agreed to host an Israel-Palestine caucus, which I attended — being very interested to see who would show up and also what their positions would be. Would we have right-wing rabbis screaming at us about Hamas rocket attacks? Would we have sad-eyed Palestinians in black and white checkered scarves mourning a homeland that they could never return to? Would there be confrontations or what?
But what we actually got were about ten participants, mostly from J Street. And we actually had a very nice talk. No one even yelled at anyone, not even me. But there were a hecka lot of issues to bring up and discuss. Too bad we only had the room booked for one hour.
“How can we make this issue less of a third rail so we can discuss it rationally and maybe even find some solutions?” was our first question. Good luck with that one.
“We need to talk about how Israel’s behavior is effecting our own national security,” was the next question. Okay. Let’s talk. “Israel and some of the policy-makers there are actually starting to change their position on Hamas.” But in which way?
“Israel is America’s foothold in the Middle East,” said an Israeli at the caucus. Ah. There’s the crux. You can’t exactly expect the Israeli power structure to behave itself when the American power structure does not. Torture? Land grabs? Illegal attacks? Even illegally dumping nuclear waste. Could Israel simply be copying the US’s bad behavior? Er, yeah.
“The right wing in America does something very well — they raise the cost of bringing this subject up, raise it to the point where the cost of discussing it becomes too high and the subject is then dropped. They change it into an emotional issue.” But the Right is now finding this harder and harder to do. “For instance, J Street has now become suddenly cool. We now get about a bizillion new resumes. We have tried to move this issue away from emotionalism. For instance, when you bring up cap and trade, no one calls you anti-Semitic. We want to see it that same way regarding policies about Israel.”
A rep from Media Matters was also at the caucus. “We are going to start delving into this area more — so things really ARE changing.” You mean that this area is finally becoming less of a third rail and that we can finally start discussing this issue intelligently? Yeah right.
“And what about the fallout from the flotilla?” I asked. “And what about dual American-Israel citizenship? Can we discuss that too?”
But just as I’m typing up the replies to my questions, Brad Friedman and John Fund walk into the media room and start arguing about Fund’s speech against ACORN on Fox News. Fund was upset by Friedman’s aggressiveness. But I’m upset because I’m trying to concentrate and write this I-P caucus stuff up before I forget it.
But no one seemed to want to discuss Israel’s brutal treatment of the humanitarian aid flotilla where nine people were killed in cold blood and many more were beaten and tortured. And what about dual citizenship? If the spit hits the fan, will these American side with America’s interests or with Israel’s? No one wanted to touch that question either.
“The Right offers the illusion of facts,” said another caucus participant. Not facts themselves — but the illusion of facts.” Then someone else added, “The urgency issue here is also being ignored.”
And I’m still trying to ignore Friedman and Fund, who are now yelling at each other again. “Do you think it was right to secretly videotape the ACORN interview?” Friedman is asking. Do I think it is right for Israeli commandos to secretly videotape their illegal attack on the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza!
Back to the caucus.
“The Israel-Palestine conflict is now under slow burn, even despite the flotilla media coverage. It’s like the environmental issue — where if we wait until it’s too late then it WILL be too late.” Yes, an Israeli attack on Iran could start World War III. That would definitely heat things up.
“There’s a polemic of fear in Israel regarding Iran. Plus U.S. behavior since 9-11 has created the feeling that regarding the ‘War on Terror,’ anything goes. And Israeli policy-makers have followed that cue. So it’s now like a piano falling from the sky — the way that anti-Israel sentiments are building up in America. But if we don’t continue this debate, then the child will continue to be spoiled.” Yes. And America needs to be stopped from acting like a spoiled child too.
Then Friedman stalked out and Fund went on blogging. And I went back to writing up my notes.
“The Israeli government always justifies their actions by bringing up Gilad Shalit. But even Shalit’s family is starting to feel that he is being used by the Israeli hard-liners.”
“We need to change the frame of the debate,” was the general consensus. Sure, but to what? To what is best for America, perhaps? And to what is best for Israel and Palestine too — because someone around here has to represent justice and democracy and not just to be out there grabbing up land and selling useless piles of weapons and trying to get a jump on the next decade’s resource wars. Oops. Too late. We are already engaged in the next decade’s resource wars now.
Then our caucus decided to ask Nancy Pelosi a question when she speaks at NN on Saturday — and the question that most of us finally agreed upon was this: “Do you support President Obama’s view that a two-state solution is in the U.S. national interest and that U.S. leadership is essential to achieving that goal?”
Me? I just wanted to ask her what she thought of Bibi Netanyahu’s statement that he could make the U.S. do whatever he wanted it to do — but that suggestion was shelved.
And then the caucus ended. Whew! And now that we’ve managed to solve all the problems of the Middle East, and Friedman and Fund are friends again (sort of), I gotta go run off to hear the next speakers.
Plum Good
I have fond, if hot, memories of my parents making plum and grape jelly. I remember accompanying them to pick the plums at least once when I was very small, probably too small to do much actual picking. I can definitely conjure up the feeling of intense heat in our kitchen during the creative process. It was memorable. (And it was the same when they put up pickles a little later in the summer). This was before we had central air and heat.
As I remember, I gratefully escaped to one of the two rooms with A/C units—-and lost myself in a Nancy Drew mystery book. 
I remember spending many happy summer days that way. If it was too hot to ride a bike, play a little kickball with the neighborhood kids, or climb a tree, I wanted to read, make something, or go to my friend Pat’s house to sit in their one air conditioned room. Pat had brothers, and her brothers had friends. So we might bring out a board game (at which I always lost), play with little cars, or read comic books. If the boys weren’t around, we might haul out the dolls. Whatever we did, it always seemed to be accomplished on the floor.
We all have memories of summer. My own remembrance of plum jelly manufacture unfortunately didn’t include how to actually do it. So when our neighbors kindly offered us some plums last week — and asked if I knew how to make jelly; the gentleman’s response to my negative answer was to suggest it was about time for me to learn! And I agreed.
The first time one does anything, it’s an adventure. Zack chided me for even attempting this project, as busy as I am these days. We have an expression that covers this sentiment perfectly. Like several other of my most beloved expressions, this one was translated badly from Yiddish, by a relative I never even knew. It was passed down — with several of her other gems — by her daughter, my mother’s first cousin, now also sadly long gone. The expression goes like this, “If you don’t have any trouble, go out and buy yourself a little pig.” The point is that if things are going too easily or too smoothly, we always seem to find ways to busy ourselves — so that we become overwhelmed again.
When Zack suggested that perhaps I didn’t really need yet another project, I casually dropped the fact that HE was the one who wanted bees recently. I rest my case. New experiences are almost always welcomed here, for experiences make memories. And the way things often turn out; they give me something to write about.
The next day found me on a ladder picking plums from the overloaded tree. The neighbor admitted that several others had already taken what they needed. I don’t know what he does to that tree, but it was amazing. He and I picked enough for at least one big batch of jelly or jam. His wife offered to share her recipe, and I was grateful. But when I saw it was from Joy of Cooking, I told her not to bother, because I had my own copy. (As it turned out, MY newer edition had NO recipes for jelly. I suppose the editors decided modern cooks didn’t have the time and declared jelly making a lost art). I decided to trust the recipe included with the Sure Jell box, novice that I was.
I believe this must have been a banner year for plums. Both our local groceries had completely sold out of the regular package (as opposed to the variety for low or no sugar jelly) of Sure Jell. In desperation I close another brand and was grateful to find it. (Probably contains the exact same ingredients and formula, like generics and name brand pharmaceuticals). Zack’s father’s wife reported the same shortage at Wal-Mart and another store or two near them. As it turned out, I was forced to delay my jelly making for a day. By that time, Sure Jell was again available, and that was what I used. I suppose I’m a victim of name brand recognition.
So I learned how to make the jelly. (Zack chose that day to disappear into his shop to fashion a workbench that absolutely couldn’t wait). It turned out I had enough plums for two batches of jelly. The time was easier than the first, of course. And if we have as many grapes as I think we might, I plan to make grape jelly as well. There is no doubt that it was/will be hot, sticky, messy work. There was gorgeous, fuscia colored juice on every surface, including me. I was in the kitchen for hours, cleaned up twice, once for each batch. But to show for it, I have 11 jars of gorgeous, plum jelly, and am very, very proud of myself, in the same way I’m proud that I can drive a stick shift, haul hay, stretch fence, write a story, draw, paint, sculpt, knit, or “clean up good” (to the point, thank goodness, that people who see me during my normal work days don’t recognize me. But on the other hand, this certainly says something about my everyday appearance).
Our senses can trigger memories buried deep within our brains — the smell of gardenias or sheets just off the line — the sound of church bells, a train whistle, birdsong, or a screen door — the rough texture of a cat’s tongue, the softness of a baby’s skin, the warmth of a puppy or kitten. The first taste of my very own homemade plum jelly rewarded me with memories of a thousand childhood mornings in an instant — when exactly the same unique taste was part of my breakfast.
Cackleberries….Jokes
Good Answer
A small child was explaining to her younger brother that it was wrong to work on Sunday. “But what about policemen?” said the boy. “They have to work on Sunday. Don’t they go to heaven?”
“Of course not,” replied his sister. “They’re not needed there.”
Really Is?
Undertaker—Are you one of the mourners?
Scotchman—I am, sir. The deceased owed me $50.
Under Oath
Judge—Young man, your face looks very familiar. Have you ever been convicted by this court?
Witness—No, your honor.
Judge—Remember, you are under oath. Where have I seen you before?
Witness—I am the bartender at the nightclub across the street.
Huh?
Hubby: “It’s strange, but the biggest idiots seem to marry the prettiest women.
Wife: “Oh now you’re trying to flatter me.”
Modern
Motorist: “It’s snowing and sleeting and I’d like to buy some chains for my tires.”
“I’m sorry—we keep only groceries.”
Motorist: “How annoying! They told me this was a chain store.”
Good Answer
A small child was explaining to her younger brother that it was wrong to work on Sunday. “But what about policemen?” said the boy. “They have to work on Sunday. Don’t they go to heaven?”
“Of course not,” replied his sister. “They’re not needed there.”
How Much?
Boy:
How much for these collars?
Man:
Two for $5 dollars.
Boy:
How much for one?
Man:
$3 dollars.
Boy:
I’ll take the other one.
