[Peace-discuss] Vox clamantis in deserto

[E. Wayne Johnson]

Progenies viperarum quis demonstravit vobis fugere a futura ira

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z6vMAoFwf4

C. G. Estabrook wrote:
>     January 10, 2009
>     Gaza Resolution One-Sided and Unwise
>     by Rep. Ron Paul
>
> [Editor's note: The following is Rep. Ron Paul's statement on H. Res. 
> 34, "Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from 
> Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and 
> supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process."]
>
> Madame Speaker, I strongly oppose H. Res. 34, which was rushed to the 
> floor with almost no prior notice and without consideration by the 
> House Foreign Affairs Committee. The resolution clearly takes one side 
> in a conflict that has nothing to do with the United States or U.S. 
> interests. I am concerned that the weapons currently being used by 
> Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza are made in America and paid 
> for by American taxpayers. What will adopting this resolution do to 
> the perception of the United States in the Muslim and Arab world? What 
> kind of blowback might we see from this? What moral responsibility do 
> we have for the violence in Israel and Gaza after having provided so 
> much military support to one side?
>
> As an opponent of all violence, I am appalled by the practice of 
> lobbing homemade rockets into Israel from Gaza. I am only grateful 
> that, because of the primitive nature of these weapons, there have 
> been so few casualties among innocent Israelis. But I am also appalled 
> by the long-standing Israeli blockade of Gaza – a cruel act of war – 
> and the tremendous loss of life that has resulted from the latest 
> Israeli attack that started last month.
>
> There are now an estimated 700 dead Palestinians, most of whom are 
> civilians. Many innocent children are among the dead. While the 
> shooting of rockets into Israel is inexcusable, the violent actions of 
> some people in Gaza does not justify killing Palestinians on this 
> scale. Such collective punishment is immoral. At the very least, the 
> U.S. Congress should not be loudly proclaiming its support for the 
> Israeli government's actions in Gaza.
>
> Madame Speaker, this resolution will do nothing to reduce the fighting 
> and bloodshed in the Middle East. The resolution in fact will lead the 
> U.S. to become further involved in this conflict, promising "vigorous 
> support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and 
> survival of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state." Is it really in 
> the interest of the United States to guarantee the survival of any 
> foreign country? I believe it would be better to focus on the security 
> and survival of the United States, the Constitution of which my 
> colleagues and I swore to defend just this week at the beginning of 
> the 111th Congress. I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution.
>
> http://www.antiwar.com/paul/?articleid=14027
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