Anti-BDS passed in the Senate
It's vile that a law aimed at suppressing our democratic rights and silencing those fighting for solidarity with Palestinians would even make it to the Senate floor. Shame on our community's establishment for pushing this bill forward. https://t.co/IEAqXqKspd
— IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) January 29, 2019
What does it say about Washington, that the very first bill the Senate passes after the longest government shutdown in history is an anti-1st Amendment bill?
In the Senate's first vote since the government shutdown ended last week, 25 Democrats teamed up with the Republican majority Monday night to advance anti-boycott legislation that Palestinian rights groups and civil libertarians have denounced as a brazen attack on the First Amendment rights of those protesting the brutal Israeli occupation.
...Here are the 25 Democrats—including Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the Democratic Party—who voted with the GOP to advance the anti-boycott legislation:
The 19 senators—18 Democrats joined by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—who voted no were:
Seven senators did not vote, including 2020 presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Cory Booker. An unsurprising lack of backbone from these two corporate "progressives".
The House has not taken up the bill yet.
Two federal courts have already ruled anti-BDS laws to be unconstitutional.
“A restriction of one’s ability to participate in collective calls to oppose Israel unquestionably burdens the protected expression of companies wishing to engage in such a boycott,” U.S. District Court Judge Diane Humetewa of Arizona wrote in her decision issuing a preliminary injunction against the law in a case brought last September by the American Civil Liberties Union...
A similar ruling was issued in January of last year by a Kansas federal judge, who ruled that state’s Israel oath law unconstitutional on the ground that “the Supreme Court has held that the First Amendment protects the right to participate in a boycott like the one punished by the Kansas law.”
So a lot of Democrats, and virtually every Republican, is willing to toss the 1st Amendment in order to protect Israel from justified criticism.
But even that isn't enough for some Democrats.
With polls showing that liberals and younger voters are increasingly less sympathetic to Israel, and a handful of vocal supporters of Palestinian rights arriving in Congress, the new group — the Democratic Majority for Israel — is planning to wage a campaign to remind elected officials about what they call the party’s shared values and interests with one of America’s strongest allies.“Most Democrats are strongly pro-Israel and we want to keep it that way,” said Mark Mellman, the group’s president and a longtime Democratic pollster. “There are a few discordant voices, but we want to make sure that what’s a very small problem doesn’t metastasize into a bigger problem.”
...According to a survey conducted earlier this month by Pew, the share of liberal Democrats who sympathized more with Israel than Palestinians has plummeted from 33 percent to 19 percent in just three years.
Once again, we are talking about a conflict between corporate Dems and progressives.
26 states have already enacted anti-BDS legislation: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky* Louisiana*, Maryland*, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York*, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin*.
Some counties have also passed anti-BDS bills.
Comments
So, you're saying the Muslim ban was good?
Because those countries are bad?
And therefore we must support Israel.
Which stereotype do you want me to embrace here? I'm losing track. Either Muslims are good people and the ban was bad, or they're awful people if they come from those countries, therefore the ban was good and Israel's policy is correct.
You can't have it both ways.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
No problem with disagreeing
However, making it illegal to disagree is a bit extreme.
But about this Jew thing, as a Jew I resent the Israeli government deciding they speak for me. One thing we've learned is to question everything, even (and maybe especially) our political leaders.
That's a huge part of our heritage and this legislation, in my opinion, is a baddie, saying we can't question or form opinions opposed to the state.
@Shahryar
I agree we should never follow Israel blindly
But to agree to try and cripple Israel economically is beyond appalling.
There is such a thing as proportional response.
But instead of that reasoning, it just comes down to trying to assimilating and forgetting their heritage for many.
When I was a kid, Republicans used to red scare people, now it's the Democrats. I am getting too damn old for this crap!
An economic boycott to you is "appalling".
The massacre of a group of people who are not even allowed to leave an area is NOT? I am beginning to question your moral bearings here.
In my view, Israel has become such a monster in the world it has lost all its claims to persecution. Our government has become so ensnared by this Christianity/Judaism buddies forever scenario that Israel is a LOT more dangerous to our democracy that Russia could ever hope to be. CASE IN POINT.. the fact that our government at both the national and state level are willing to throw out our Bill of Rights to make Israel happy.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
Trumps Muslim ban isn't a ban on all Muslims
just a ban from certain countries. I'm not sure if this is what you meant to write?
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
Not even close.
Religion is a choice. If you know that you will be persecuted for your religious beliefs, then have a choice. If you don't want to be persecuted you can simply disavow your religious beliefs.
That is not the same as discrimination based on race or gender which you have no control over.
@davidgmillsatty
Seriously? Is that the argument you want to go with?!
How many other people here feel the same way on this?!
I guess that goes for sexuality too by your reasoning, and that all LGBT people should just become straight!
Seriously?! Is this what you are going with?
When I was a kid, Republicans used to red scare people, now it's the Democrats. I am getting too damn old for this crap!
I'll say again...
Anti-Israel is NOT antisemitic despite the attempt to make it so.
The nation of Israel doesn't garner my respect. As a US citizen I have a right to protest their aggression, just as I have a right to protest the aggression of the US in Syria and Venezuela. Should we make that illegal too?
Many Jews object to Israel's activities like https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
@Lookout
I totally agree you as an individual have that right. You have every right to support bigoted businesses.
But government agencies should NOT do business with bigoted groups. BDS is anti-Semitic by nature and thus falls unto that.
When I was a kid, Republicans used to red scare people, now it's the Democrats. I am getting too damn old for this crap!
we'll just have to disagree
The point is they just passed a law saying it isn't alright.
I see both the US and Israel as evil, violent countries.
Are you Israeli? Just wondering why you see their bombings in Syria, Lebanon land grab, shooting of Palestinian protestors, provoking war with Iran, and alliance with Saudi Arabia as acceptable....because I find it reprehensible....just as I do US aggression.
Well enough said you ain't changing my mind nor me yours.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
@Lookout
I see both the US and Israel has having faults... no place is an utopia
Hypothetical question...
Should Israel open its borders and the inevitable happens, HOW MANY dead Jews will it take for you to be satisfied?
If the number becomes so large as to make Israel no longer safe for Jews as no other country in the middle east is safe for Jews, would you still support Israel opening its borders with nowhere left for Jews to go?
This is my last response on this topic as THOSE QUESTIONS are the central question involving all Israeli security policies.
When I was a kid, Republicans used to red scare people, now it's the Democrats. I am getting too damn old for this crap!
since most of the jews in the world don't live in israel
i couldn't personally give a flying fuck whether israel survives as a jewish state. gjohnsit differs with me here, but i think israel was an anachronism almost before it was created, and 70 years later it is almost comically so -- almost, because in practice it's much more tragedy than comedy.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
Gimme a break!
So the only options are the mass slaughter of Jews, or the continuing assassinations of unarmed Palestinian children by IDF snipers?
I know a bullsh*t strawman argument when I see one.
@RejectingThe3rdWay
That is a gender issue. Try again.
And I made the same point yesterday and a number of people liked my post.
Wasn't using BDS a big reason why it helped
break the apartheid in South Africa?
Like others here I am not being anti Jewish when I support it. I'm being anti crimes against humanity that are being committed by Israel. And it does go against my first amendment rights if I'm going to be punished if I support it. I support Israel's right to exist. I don't support Israel not allowing people in Gaza that same right. Israel is illegally taking land that belongs to Palestinians. They shouldn't have to suffer the consequences for doing that?
But now my government is saying that I must unconditionally support Israel or I can go to prison. In a country that is supposed to be free that sets a heinous precedent.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
@snoopydawg
I don't even understand the argument that Israel has a right to exist. Does every country on the planet have a right to exist? If so, where does that right come from? Is it some kind of neo-devine right of kings argument?
This delusional thinking comes from believing that
supernatural beings give you your rights instead of knowing that the only rights we ever get are the ones we agree to give each other as human beings.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
Might makes right.
That's the justification for ALL Nation States including the USA, Russian Federation and Peoples Republic of China.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Give me a break.
Boycotts are regularly used in the US to express dissatisfaction with something.
And it is a free speech issue. Show me anyone who has been jailed for using the n word, or any other objectionable word to anyone. Israel cannot force us to buy its goods (but it sure is trying).
You need to read the Constitution, read constitutional history, and familiarize your self with constitutional doctrines, how they developed, what court started them, etc.
dfarrah
Israel smiles, shakes our
hand, pats us on the
shoulder, all the while stabbing
us in the back with the other.
wait, how many hands is that??
whatevs, prolly got another one reaching for our wallet.
They've got all their claws in our Gov't., own our representatives.
What has Israel ever done for this country?
I've got two words for them, and the first one starts with an F.
BDS, baby!
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
BDS doesn't target Jews
it targets the state of Israel and its policies. There is nothing even remotely anti-Semitic about it.
"Obama promised transparency, but Assange is the one who brought it."
Oh Dear!
Was the boycotting movement against South Africa "anti-white-ism"
Anti-Semitism means one is hostile to Jewish people because they are Jewish people.
The BDS movement is not, I repeat not, an anti-semitic movement. It's an economic boycott of a government that is perpetuating violence and apartheid tactics against a group of people who have no power or recourse to live a decent life.
Hiding YOUR prejudice against oppressed people behind a faux noble shield of using the term "anti-semitic" is pretty low.
Shame on you.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
not to mention the re-emergence of one the most
ancient and odious bigotries in western culture, anti-newfieism, which has led to boycotts of Canadian goods and tourism on account of the slaughter of baby harp seals.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
Got links? No laws against the N word
Why? Because it's unconstitutional. Scream it to your heart's content. I'll choose not to, just as I'll choose BDS, especially if this unconstitutional bill passes. Especially!
Old comment, but it had to be said and even with all the other replies, I didn't see the falacy addressed.
email to my senator RoJo (dipshit - WI)
Compensated Spokes Model for Big Poor.
great work as always gj
Thanks for making sure folks see this, madness. Even if it is a slow motion train wreck.
A couple comments on a couple things said.
R3W:"The point of the bill is for governments NOT to do business with bigoted companies."
gj: "And the neoliberal Israeli government is an apartheid government. That pretty much covers it.
dys: score gj.
===
pnick:
That's what this is about. It has nothing to do with the jewish people and everything to do with the israel government.
dys:
Absolutley, the gov. actions are the problem. Lots of Israelis don't agree with them.
But this view removes the anti-semitic red herring aspect so is unacceptable /s
===
R3W:
But to agree to try and cripple Israel economically is beyond appalling.
dys: Israel has done everything in its power to cripple gaza and Palestine economically, and far beyond that, by factors, which is appalling to most actually. Appalling enough for them to not want to say, support them. Sanctions are war, that is what Israel is doing, whilst calling for others not to do as they do. It cannot only be appalling only in one direction or it is appallingly phony.
R3W: There is such a thing as proportional response.
dys: Which to Israel's management is 'you kill one, we kill 1000'. Or you shoot bottle rocket, we raze with tanks and F-16's.
A persecution complex has gotten so out of hand, the ones that were once persecuted are now the persecutor, doing to others what was wrong to do to them, persecuting even worse. They may be winning a short term battle but they a losing the war of world opinion. I don't think telling Americans what they can think, or do, or how to act, to a foreign country will end well.
edited to correct second two R3W clips, were mislabelled B3W - that is all
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
WH Auden said it all, 70 years ago
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.
http://www.poemdujour.com/Sept1.1939.html
We just got through the "centennial of World War I". Think anyone is going to dredge up anniversaries of World War II? (Don't hold your breath....)
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Every single person who voted for this obscenity
has demonstrated that they have not a single clue as to what the Constitutional protections for speech and opinion mean.
This is the kind of issue that should generate a flood of letters to local and regional newspapers and I request that everyone here to do just that. I already had one published.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
pretty much how i felt about the patriot act.
in the senate only Feingold voted against it. even Wellstone voted for the PA. that was a much worse day for America than 9/11 had been.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
The Patriot Act was one in a long line of laws
and actions our government has taken to relieve us of our rights by instilling us with fear. A really good read on this is Perilous Times by Geoffrey R. Stone. It all actually began with the Alien and Sedition Act.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin
I expected Obama to quickly move...
to repeal the Patriot Act. When he didn't his interests became clear.
Rand Paul didn't vote
apparently, or Hoeven.
Cowards.
"Obama promised transparency, but Assange is the one who brought it."
Both of my Wa. Senators voted for it
@dkmich However it didn't surprise me at all, oh what liberals they are according to the Press and mostly theirs.
Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell also voted in tandem that bill that would allow cheaper medication to be imported from Canada for which they caught a lot well deserved flack to which they answered with Republican talking points about the danger in trusting imported pharmaceuticals.
True that the stuff we'd be getting from Canada is for the most part what we sold to them and yet no reports of Canadians using being harmed by them you gotta ask how does that happen does shipping medications southward across the 49th parallel contaminate them?
Then people talked about the huge amount of things we eat that come from Canada, and similar barbs were directed at our concerned Senators, then people posted links to opensecrets.org and that kinda brought the reality home to many that didn't know already.
Honestly I don't even remember what their final defense was at all (something about taxes?), I'd quit listening I have also quit voting for either one of them for a couple of voting cycles and I ain't changing because neither are they about to ditch their donors/owners.
My favorite person in politics right now is Seattle City Council woman Kashama Sawant a fearless avowed Socialist that was key to getting the $15 an hour wage,and many other things as she is a tireless activist. I'll add that she didn't run against a Republican when she was first elected, it was a Democrat with no blemish on his record other than doing nothing but supporting anything and everything the Party wanted, which is almost alwaysnot what the people want/need.
I want her to Primary either one of those two and I hope it would be Patty 'Cat Food Chair' Murray.
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