From The Mailbag…I’m Concerned About Mikulski
June 20th, 2007 by Kenneth Burns
If you don’t have any comments for the story that I post to MarylandPT and would like to comment in general on issues or individual leaders, I always welcome them. The email address to do so is comments@marylandpolitics.us. Just keep in mind, depending on the size of the letter, it will be edited for length purposes. The letter below came in via the news inbox, which is perfectly alright, but please remember the preference in mind for organizational purposes.
This letter came in from Ray Barnes in Anne Arundel County who describes himself as an independent:
I have as of late been very concerned about our Senator Barbara Mikulski which is why I am trying to reach out to other Marylanders. As you know, the internet can supply us with information that we may not find on TV, newspaper or radio. It’s not all true of course, but I have no reason to doubt Gregory Levey’s article concerning our senator’s blatant remarks at a Washington DC convention in March of this year. Senator Mikulski was heard saying that she contacted the special interest group AIPAC “like everyday.” Please see the salon.com article or just do a keyword search–Mikulski, Gregory Levey. Â
I find it particularly interesting that Mr. Levey used to work for the government of Israel. He appears to be among the growing number of Jews/Israelis who are increasingly concerned about the machinations of AIPAC. AIPAC and groups like it have succeeded in hog tying congressmen and senators across the country into supporting what it wants. This has been a gradual process over decades. Senators such as Paul Findley (founder of Council for the National Interest) have learned what happens if you don’t tow their line. The lesson of their experiences has not been lost on the current batch of representatives and senators. Does this organization which Senator Mikulski calls “like every day” truly represent what is in the best interests of Americans and Marylanders? Do we want our representatives calling special interest groups “like every day”?
Both parties have a history of pandering to this organization because they know how skillful it is in playing both sides of the aisle. Both parties also have those who refuse to see any connection between the problems in the Middle East (which have become our problems) and US foreign policy (which is very much influenced by AIPAC).
Where do you stand? Please ask yourself…Is this really what we want our elected representatives to be doing? Most people have never heard of AIPAC and I think that is the way they want it.
So Mr. Barnes asked where I stood. OK, he’s right. Admittedly, I have never heard of this organization. And now that I have heard of it and found the account according to Salon.com involving Mikulski and Levey, I think that she should have them on speed dial.
As a Christian, I stand by and with Israel. As a person who believes that America is a Christian nation, I expect the leaders of this country to do the same thing. If they don’t God help them. If I do use this forum to sway others, it will be to favor God’s promised land to his people.
Mr. Barnes, I hope you are not a Christian. If you are, I would seriously have to ask you what do you have against Israel and why won’t you acknowledge that God gave that land to the Jews, his people.
raybarnes Says
June 21, 2007
Dear Mr. Burns,
Thank you for publishing my comment on your site. Freedom of religion is one of the things which makes our country truly great, so great in fact that it almost makes up for things about this country and it’s policies which are not so great.
I find disturbing the fact that you are not concerned that your senator has been so influenced by a group which you admit to have just found out about for the first time. She didn’t say “monthly”, Mr. Burns, she said “like every day.”
You are exhibiting a particular flavor of Christianity known as Christian Zionism. Many people who consider themselves to be Christian are not Christian Zionists. I suppose you would take strong exception to their views on Christianity; and that is my point; if you engage in religious certainty, you polarize and in so doing you actually move away from what the founders of this country were trying to put in effect. Fortunately for us, they didn’t just try, they actually succeeded…hence we can have this discussion.
Mr. Burns, you are a young man. I was serving in the armed forces of this country in the middle east before you were born. Age doesn’t always give us more wisdom, but sometimes it does…it at least puts us in situations and for lengths of time where we may be able to judge things more accurately. Please continue to learn about AIPAC…read what others including many Jews have to say about this organization. I would suggest reading some of Norman Finkelstein’s work.
Sincerely,
Ray Barnes
Jun 21st, 2007 at 9:39 am
P. Kenneth Burns Says
OK, now I am a little groggy. It’s bad enough people spell my last name ‘Barnes’….even when I spell it ‘Burns’ for them.
I AM PRO-ISREAL.
And just in case you missed it, I did not miss the fact that she said “like every day.” That is why I said “I think that she should have them on speed dial.”
Trust me, you are not the only person that served in the armed forces before I was born. I would also like to point out that my grandfather, God rest his soul, served in World War II, which was probably before YOU were born. It was that war in which Isreal was finally recognized for what it is.
I am sorry that you find my Pro-Isreal stance disappointing. And for the record, that based on before I have heard of AIPAC.
Jun 21st, 2007 at 11:31 am
raybarnes Says
Okay…my father was probably born before your grandfather, but who cares…no age card this time. I would like to comment that I noticed that you are African-American… (Race card?).
Ask yourself what organizations pushed for this war. Ask yourself what organizations want us to stay in Iraq. Ask yourself who mainly is fighting this war…I’ll tell you who…poor, uneducated, blacks, whites and Hispanics; the children of people who don’t know enough to question what is going on. Don’t you get it? The powers that be don’t want a draft…why? Because our international adventurism would be brought under too much scrutiny.
Afro-Americans need black leaders. Recruiters have trolled the cities and rural areas for the underprivileged. Black leadership in this country seems barely to exist. You are an articulate person…don’t you feel any responsibility for your Black brothers and sisters? Did it ever occur to you that the main adherents of Christian Zionism are less educated white people? You can do better.
Jun 21st, 2007 at 3:12 pm
P. Kenneth Burns Says
Now I’m pissed…
If anyone has seen the movie ‘Talkradio’ starring Eric Bogosian, I feel that I am talking to the idiot that is trying to justify that the Holocaust was a myth.
Let’s end the race card right here. Need not apply, especially in this topic. This is just another classic case of trying to stir s*** up when the argument did not go as planned. For the record, you are no more of an authority on Black issues than I am, so feel free to not say what Black America needs. From the sounds of your rantings, I doubt that you would even have a clue, let alone a Black acquaintance. Do you feel responsibility for your White brothers and sisters?
Jun 21st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
raybarnes Says
Okay…you’ve played the holocaust/anti-Semitism card.
I really wasn’t trying to plan the argument. I’ve been raising issues (a number of which have been ignored by you) and basically going with the flow.
Now, you introduce the concept of needing an authority. Who is your authority on black issues?
Yes, I feel responsible for my white brothers and sisters…even for my black brothers and sisters. Because I am white, I might hold more sway with whites than you and vice versa for you.
You’ve accused me of being ignorant about black people. Now tell me why I shouldn’t accuse you of being the same thing about whites?
Jun 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 am
P. Kenneth Burns Says
Because for someone who is a conservative, you are sure playing liberal tricks. And the trick you are playing which set me off was trying to put me in a box. I hate that.
Now to answer your latest question, I am my authority on Black issues. Liberals always try to group black people with a unified voice, when black opinions vary from person to person just like whites.
Now to make it crystal clear in case you missed where I stand on the original issue:
- I STAND WITH ISREAL
- I EXPECT MIKULSKI, CARDIN, SPECTER, BUSH AND EVERY SINGLE POLITICO TO HAVE ANY PRO-ISRAEL LOBBYING GROUP ON SPEED DIAL
- LET IT BE ONE OF THE FEW TIMES WHERE SOMEONE BLACK DOES NOT WHIP THE RACE CARD OUT FIRST. YOU DID THAT SIR, NOT ME.
Jun 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
raybarnes Says
I completely support people having their own opinions. I understand that it makes you mad when people assume that blacks will be one way or the other politically. I guess I would have to agree with you that Democrats assume a lot when it comes to blacks. I think you’ve made a good point on that.
Now about your “I stand with Isreal.†First of all please explain why you are spelling Israel this way. Second, it reminds me of the ubiquitous bumper stickers: “United We Stand†– “Support Our Troops.â€
If you want to support Israel, well fine, but don’t you think that one person’s idea of support might differ from another’s? What if AIPAC’s idea of support is actually not supporting Israel? Do you think that it would be responsible for someone to just accept what this organization is doing as support without investigation?
Jun 22nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
P. Kenneth Burns Says
It’s called a typo. Look at the second Israel reference.
I guess the bottom line is, do you support Israel, because from the tone of your letter, it does not seem that you are Pro-Israel.
Jun 22nd, 2007 at 1:30 pm
raybarnes Says
Mr. Burns,
I do not unqualifiedly support Israel. It appears that you do. I guess we will have to as the saying goes “agree to disagree†on this. I hope that you will come around to a different way of thinking someday. I am very comfortable with my beliefs and I guess you are too. Farewell.
Jun 23rd, 2007 at 9:16 am
P. Kenneth Burns Says
The day I “come around” is a day I become an atheist and I’m sorry that is not happening anytime soon.
Jun 23rd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
raybarnes Says
Mr. Burns,
Your religious attitude brings ups images of Taliban executing women in soccer stadiums for adultery. Religious certaintists like you are being used by people who don’t give a fig about Christianity.
Jul 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am
P. Kenneth Burns Says
Way to chime in almost a month after NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK.
And why we are on the subject, I’m going to have the last word on this one. Remember, you “went there” as some people might say. And I hope you remember this as days go by, it’s ignorant, anti-Semite, atheistic redneck hicks like you that make white people look bad.
Fini.
Jul 18th, 2007 at 10:53 am