[Peace-discuss] Anecdote from Minnesota

[Morton K. Brussel]

FYI: Mazin Qumsiyeh relays this anecdote:

 From Bill:
At last night's Democratic Party precinct caucus in Northfield,  
Minnesota, I was able to get two resolutions passed.

The first one called for the United States to restore diplomatic  
relations and direct negotiations with the government of Iran.

The other resolution said that, until Israel removes its military  
presence from the West Bank, that the United States should end all  
financial aid to Israel, except for humanitarian aid specifically  
intended for those who have suffered due to the conflict between  
Israel and the Palestinians.
Bill McGrath, delegate for U.S. Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
--
 From Andy:
Great job, Bill.

I attended the Republican caucus held last night at the Greenvale  
Town Hall, with the intention of supporting a genuine peace  
candidate, Ron Paul.

My resolution was short and sweet: that all foreign aid payments from  
the US treasury should cease immediately, until our government gets  
its debt and deficit spending under control.  This resolution was  
first met with stunned silence-- most of the resolutions at this type  
of event are usually routine:  pro-life stuff, support for the  
troops, etc.

In the discussion that followed, I pointed out that the largest  
recipient of our foreign aid dollars is Israel, a country with a high  
standard of living (at least for those Israelis getting the money).   
I argued that the aid was more a function of who had lobbying power  
in Washington, and that the aid going to such nations as Egypt and  
Pakistan is really at the behest of Israel, to prop up unpopular  
regimes there that are to Israel's liking.

My resolution failed, but only by a razor thin margin.  It was the  
old guard who voted against it; I was pleased to see most of the  
newcomers and younger folks voting in favor.  I think there is broad  
grass roots opposition to foreign aid out there among both liberals  
and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans.  I believe the root of  
the problems in the Middle East is our government's support of the  
Zionist regime.  An effective method of confronting this policy that  
is sure to gain broad-based support among our fellow citizens is to  
question the whole idea of foreign aid payments in general.

-Andy Korkven

P.S.   Ron Paul received only three votes out of 35 at our caucus's  
straw poll.  Romney won by a couple votes, followed closely by McCain  
and Huckabee.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a great deal of  
vocal hostility to McCain's candidacy.  Several people, including  
myself, declared publicly that if McCain receives the nomination,  
they would cross the aisle and vote for Obama in the general election.
-------------------------
(Must read) Questions They Weren't Asked: The Great Clinton-Obama  
Debate By RALPH NADER, CounterPunch, February 2/3, 2008
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader02022008.html
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