Pelosi appoints

Editor's Note: I am moving over to the other blog.
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Jan 25, 2006

By W. Rolley

It seems to me that all of the discussion here about Ellen Tauscher is a real waste of time and energy and only serves to support the concept of an idealogical orthodoxy. If that were truly the case, then there are much better targets that Tauscher, and from right here in the Bay Area.

I would put Tom Lantos, the new Chariman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs at the top of the list. This Committee was previously known called "International Relations". Gary Leupp at Counterpunch, described Lantos as "probably the most virulent Zionist in the entire Congress" and considers him a Neo-Con of the top (read dangerous) order.

I am not anti-Israel. I firmly believe that the US should try to recapture the moral high ground it once had and which the current administration as squandered with such lack of (insight, intelligence, compassion, honor, take your pick). Such a position would be to address the nuclear question with Iran by stating we will not provide aid to any country that is not a signatory to the Nuclear Arms Limitation Treaty. (That includes both Israel and Iran).

Tauscher was an easy target. A self-identified blue dog Democrat, she is never going to be the person that will appeal to the members of this list. However, one needs to remember that this is a conservative district. That Tauscher was the first Democrat to win there in a long time. And, she is no where near as "dangerous" as Lantos.

The appointment of Lantos to this powerful committee chairmanship signaled to the entire world that the Democrats are not ready for any change regarding Middle East Policies. We will continue the support for whatever Israel wants to do, as we did in Lebanon where they destroyed a country and built Hezbollah into an even greater power, as evidenced by their latest general strike.

If we want to make real change in Washington, it is not be targeting blue dog Democrats like Tauscher, but by curtailing the power of Democratic Neo-Cons like Lantos. This is not a case of "he works for us." We know that Lantos works for Israel.

I personally much prefer the call for an even handed policy in the Middle East. That is what is truly in the National Interest.