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Eminentoes
Obama Rahms His Agenda
No one will question his commitment to Israel now.
Barack Obama sent a reassuring signal to Jews who doubted his commitment to Israel by choosing Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff. Rahm’s father is an Israeli who fought for the Irgun under the late Menachem Begin. Rahm himself went to Israel to volunteer on an army base during the Gulf War of 1991, making sure the weaponry was in a functional state.
To the Palestinians, hearing that a Jew was the first pick can’t be encouraging. To hear he’s an Israeli must be galling. But to hear he comes from an Irgun family will enrage them to a fever pitch.
The Arabs, even the most simpatico among them, are not fans of the Zionists who liberated Israel from British rule. The fact that Ben-Gurion, Weitzmann and their Haganah force were political leftists endears them but little. Still, through gritted teeth they learn to tolerate. But try and mention Begin’s Irgun or Yitzhak Shamir’s Lehi to any non-Jewish Middle Easterner and watch smoke coming out of their ears. The Irgun and Lehi were the right-wing, and a much tougher crew. The story of Anwar Sadat is rendered far more amazing by his willingness to make peace not only with Israel, but an Israel led by archenemy Begin.
The Irgun (full name Irgun Zvai Leumi, i.e. National Military Organization) was a group that used guerrilla tactics very effectively to undermine British confidence. They even successfully stormed a British prison in Acre to free some of their arrested comrades. Once the British left, the Arabs took up the fight, including Muslims from countries as far away as Yugoslavia.
The bloodiest battle in the Jerusalem area took place in a village called Deir Yassin. There are many competing versions of what happened there between April 9 and 11 of 1948, but over one hundred Arab villagers were killed. This became a major public-relations coup for the Palestinian combatants, who claimed it was a massacre of women and children. The clearest fact to emerge from that troubled event is this: Palestinians hate anyone associated with the Irgun.
For them to see Emanuel as the first pick out of the box is certainly not helping their digestion any.
At the same time, Republicans are not very thrilled, because his political style is strictly of the Chicago-junkyard-dog variety. He attends a modern Orthodox synagogue named Anshei Sholom, which means ” people of peace,” but his path to global tranquility is through the Republican jugular. Like many peace activists the world over, he views straight-laced conservative types as the dogs of war in drag. Don’t ask me to explain it, that’s just an odd fact of life; maybe a stern teacher once rapped his knuckles too hard.
Still, the symbolic message to the people who thought their boy Hussein was going to put out the prayer mats and the welcome mats for the imam-mullah-ayatollah brigade is ringing loudly in their ears. Emanuel was also the only Chicago Democrat in Congress to vote for the Iraq war in 2003. Jews on the right who believe the Oslo Accords were misconceived may have cause to grumble; Emanuel was in on that deal, in the selling if not in the shaping. But they have to like that Obama’s first thumb went into someone else’s eye.
The best guess at this point would be that Israel will limp along in its usual way, taking a pot shot here, making a peace overture there, and continuing to thrive as a Western country in the Eastern world. Presidents of the United States will come and go, each hailing the newest version of the old plan, and the newest negotiations with the old troublemakers, and the newest proposals from the old playbook. Eventually one of two things will happen: the Messiah will come or everyone will just decide to embrace a perpetual state of war.
Then again, perhaps the better plan would be for Obama to hire Rahm Emanuel’s brother, Ari, the high-powered Hollywood agent. Send him to the Middle East with a deal: everyone signs on the dotted line, George Clooney will play Abbas, Russell Crowe will play Olmert, Johnny Depp will play Ahmadinejad, and everyone gets royalties. Peace on earth, no more massacres, and everyone lives happily ever after, with the possible exception of John McCain.
About the Author
Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.
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jack| 11.7.08 @ 8:25AM
How deep was this political prostitute involved in the scandal at Freddie Mac when he was on BOD? Clinton placed Jamie Gorelick and Franklin Raines at Fannie and they looted it for Dem contributions and personal wealth. We know the same thing was done at Freddie. What role did Emanuel play in that financial debacle?
Why does Obama keep choosing advisors with this kind of background? First there was Franklin Raines. Obama did not know this guy was the architect of one of the great thefts of all time. Then he hires Johnson,the CEO who came after Raines and also cooked the books. Is Obama an idiot? If these two thieves were republicans they would be in prison. Obama was clueless. Now he hires Rahm Emanuel, a guy who was on the BOD at Freddie as it was being looted by execs and Dem for contributions. I seem to remember a much stronger paper trail on donations to Dems with Freddie than Fannie. Would one of Clintons best fund raisers been involved in these crimes? Has Obama asked these questions? I dont think he knows. I think he is an imbecile.
Now that the media has won the election for Obama they will start their destruction of him. If it bleeds it leads. The entire Freddie and Fannie corporate and taxpayer thefts will break wide open in next two years. Even the most ardent Obama supporters cant keep the lid on this scandal for ever. It is the greatest of all US scandals. How Dems destroyed the financial system with a socialist housing scheme and looting the GSEs for political money.
jack| 11.7.08 @ 8:27AM
I forgot to add,history will also blame the gutless Republicans who allowed these crimes to occur and go unpunished.
WendyG| 11.7.08 @ 8:56AM
The choice of Rahm Emanuel vis a vis Jews and Israel will mean nothing if Obama puts Chuck Hagel at the State Department, as is being rumored. Hagel is on record as criticizing "the Jewish Lobby" and claiming Israel has too much sway over the US. That sort of talk btw, in my opinion, is veiled anti-semitism.
Tom Paine| 11.7.08 @ 11:05AM
I appreciated this article's information on Israel.
However, the conservative complaints about Emanuel being appointed Chief of Staff are a little misplaced.
The Chief has nothing to do with the partisan activities of the WH. He will not be Obama's Karl Rove.
Rather, his job will be to keep the Democrats in line who will try to influence Obama in one way or another. He's like Obama's personal bodyguard within the W.H.
Obama was smart to choose someone for this position that strikes fear into the hearts of Democrats and Republicans alike -- but his sharp partisan temperament is being harnessed for keeping the staff surrounding the new president in line.
You guys are going to have to face it. Obama is very smart. And this was another very smart move.
jack| 11.7.08 @ 11:26AM
There is no doubting Rahms political talents. He was deeply involved in much of the illegal fundraising done by Clinton. We need to know what he had to do with all the money freddie funneled to dems while he was on BOD. We need to know how much of the 18mill he made was in return for favors while in government and what kind of freddie bus he might have steered to certain people. Look,the Dems destroyed these two GSEs and when the story finally breaks,it will bring everyone down. Obama can not have anyone near him that ever had anything to do with Fannie or Freddie.
It is clear to even the most mind numbed liberal that Dems stopped every attempt to regulate and reign in Fannie and Freddie. Why? just because they wanted poor people strapped with loans they could never pay back? No. Fannie and Freddie were a great way to leverage bus favors in return for campaign donations. It was an excellent way to funnel money directly to Dems and also a great way for Clintons former Budget director to pull of an Enron type crime and enrich himself. Execs at Freddie did the same thing and Rahm was on the freaking BOD!!!! Thats why Barney fought and won every attempt to not only regulate Fannie and Freddie but to investigate them.
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 11:27AM
I can't see why Obama picked the strong willed, abrasive Emanuel for any other reason to have a whip to crack over the rest of his staff. (It may work in reverse, to Obama's dismay.) To many, he will also be seen as a strong nod to Israel's favor, but others remember he was one of the major players in the failed Oslo accords. Bluntly put, he sold Israel out and it didn't even get pottage for its trouble. Ptui.
jack| 11.7.08 @ 11:35AM
I have serious doubts about Obamas intelligence. Tire inflation as an energy policy? When he had a chance to back away from that idiotic statement gracefully he instead kept repeating. He said proper tire inflation could end our dependence on mid east oil. Someone in his campaign said russia was not in the Olympic spirit after they invaded Georgia. Of course the media ignored this idiocy.
His choice of Raines and Johnson,two guys who cooked the books at Fannie and stole millions,as advisors sure isnt very smart. and Now EMANUEL? He was on the BOD of Freddie.
If obama hopes for a second term he must distance himself from anyone who had anything to do with Fannie or Freddie.This will be tough since some the most powerful Dems are wrapped up in this greatest of all scandals. He must stay away from Barney and Dodd,Conrad and any of the Dems bribed by Countrywide. He cant have anyone who was on the BOD of either company is his presence. Now that the media has elected their candidate,they will destroy him,for if it bleeds it leads and there is more blood from fannie and freddie than anything ever.
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 11:38AM
Go 'way Obama Rules troll. Approximately 45% of voting America (before figuring in that traditionally Republicans undervote more than Democrats) wanted McCain. The buyers' remorse over Obama can only steeply grow as he continues to show how well he can torpedo a weak economy. He is going to SO tar the reputation of black politicians, and set racial relations back by decades.
jack| 11.7.08 @ 11:47AM
Obama has some real opps if he can keep the crooked Dems out of his admin. he is off to a very bad start. But he can do many things a Republican could never do. He could cut spending and not be accused of racism or being heartless. He could attack Iran or any of our enemies and not be accused of being a warmonger,stupid,or doing it for oil. Why? Cause he is a Dem. I think Dems are still upset that Bush usurped their reputation as biggest spenders and as the party that starts long stupid wars.
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 11:51AM
jack,
You're right, it is to laugh, that Obama snuggles up with these exposed public fiscal enemies. Would any Republican have dared do that? He'd find himself impeached.
Obama will be laughed up and down the blogs, and good luck to the Demoncrats trying to stamp those out any time soon (the Supreme Court, even most of its liberals, is not yet rotten enough to allow that). Oh woe, will the Demoncrats regret Obama.
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 12:03PM
Obama smite Iran? Clearly the chorus of well wishes from the troublemakers of the world shows that he has already promised no such nerve wracking thing. (His visit to the other hemisphere wasn't just for the fresh air.) Anyhow he can't until he's in office.
stuart | 11.7.08 @ 12:08PM
Aside from some paranoiac types among American Jews, most of us were not concerned about the prospect of Obama demanding too much of Israel, but with the prospect of his being soft on Iran and allowing them to go nuclear. It's U.S. policy vis-a-vis the mullahs that counts- and
Obama promises round of the pointless jaw-jaw that Iran loves.
Katelyn| 11.7.08 @ 12:39PM
I am part of the 45% of Americans that didn't want Obama. But NOBODY wanted McCain. I voted for Bob Barr.
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 2:53PM
KKKKKKKaty,
That 45% was votes FOR McCain. This means wanting him more than any other candidate. It's more like 46% now that the final data is dribbling in. The third party votes like Barr and Nader were in total about 1%. They didn't even add up to being a spoiler. Far more like nobody wanted a spoiler.
WendyG| 11.7.08 @ 3:16PM
>>>Your precious GOP lost; you have nothing to offer to America. Get over it. Try again in 2012.
*************
I am amazed at how angry and bitter Dems are - even when they win. Do they enjoy ANYTHING?
Red Neck| 11.7.08 @ 4:07PM
Hey Wendy,
Be not surprised.
That's simply what virtually all Democrats ARE.
True, there's the occasional well meaning, mostly kind hearted fool like Jimmy Carter. Obama is making me wish we could have Jimmy back. Jimmy and McCain. McCain has threatened to jump parties in the past. We could call it the Geezer Party for 2012. Nobody younger than 75 years would qualify.
Seriously, the GOP has a sense of humor. Who else would send both candidates to do successive in-person spoofs on Saturday Night Live? Maybe it didn't help, but it didn't hurt either. Did you know that Mike Huckabee has a rock band? ("Capitol Offense")
sick of it| 11.8.08 @ 3:07AM
veiled antisemetism? get the goddam zionists out of the government, get your own country and fight your own wars. our boys have spilt enough blood. no war with iran for israel.
Former Belgian | 11.8.08 @ 7:53AM
"sick of it": are you Pat Pukecannon in drag?
tony| 11.8.08 @ 8:47AM
To OBAMA RULES:
Get over it like you guys did when Bush won (twice)? Unlike you, we actually wish Obama success because we put country before ideology. Sure, I'd like a republican to win in '12, but not because the nation is in some sort of downward spiral, which is the liberal's approach.
What you need to do is get over your hatred of all things conservative. It would help if you really understood conservatism. It's not the caricature portrayed in the press or on the DailyKos. Would it be asking too much to get you to practice what you preach, openmindedness? Probably.
love of country| 11.8.08 @ 10:20AM
What bothers me the most with the election of Obama is that most of who voted for the man couldn't tell you what he really stands for. I don't care if he is black, Dem., a woman, or Rep. What I care about is the Content of a mans character. What does he believe in? Is he an Honest man? Does he put others above himself? Does he lead with humility? Bottom line, Obama has poor character....He is a man who studied socialism & associated with racists & terrorists. He is a man who then lied about those things. He is also a man who believes in the murder of children even if they survive an abortion. Just look at thins link;
http://www.massmediamail.com/durarealidad/
Bottom line is if Obama were a Republican he would never even have come close to being president, because the liberal media and the reverse racism in this country. People voted for him simply because of the color of his skin. the media would have destroyed him black or not if he were a republican conserv... i.e. Clarence Thomas. Obama got all the passes because he was a Dem. Whats going to be sad is when all those who voted for this man realize he isn't going to do what he has so boastfully promised. What are they going to do when he pushes his own agenda which we know very little about? I'm afraid for our freedom & civil liberties. We have become a nation of lazy bastards who feel they deserve what hard working people get. I'm afraid for my children...I'm truly afraid.
Tim| 11.8.08 @ 11:31AM
Love of Country,
Obama is a very slick and smart politician.
Most lawyers are.
But the fact is that running a well orchastrated campaign is one thing and running a country is something else.
As a conservative, I wish the new president Gods Speed and success in attempting to solve our immediate problems. After all, I don't want to see our country get flushed down the toilet.
But regardless of all of my prayers and good wishes, the fact remains that Obama will become trapped and be a victim of his own left leaning ideology. He can't help it. He is who he is. His friends are who they are. Its in his political DNA so to speak.
Choosing a chief of Staff who is jewish was very smart just like picking a Catholic as his Vice President was a very smart move.
That said, pictures hanging in your office or clothes that you wear don't reflect what is in your soul.
Time will tell what kind of preisent Obama will be.
My guess is that at the end of the day he is who many of us really thinks he is, a Big Brother marxist leaning, pro-abortion, take from the rich give to the poor Chicago Politician who wants to remake America in his own glorious image.
But, Love of Country,
you should not fear him, 57 million people did not vote for him and millions more who voted for him did so because they were voting against Bush and millions more stayed home this year and didn't even bother to come out to vote.
You do the math. 2012 isn't that far away nor is 2010.
Stay active, teach, educate and mobilize. If the left can do it so can the Right.
luckypuck| 11.8.08 @ 1:35PM
Rham is no bodyguard. But he will be Obama's ideology filter.
Tom Paine| 11.8.08 @ 2:38PM
See, part of the problem with not reading newspapers or getting information somehow about topics you'd like to have an opinion on is that you end up frequently looking and sounding foolish.
Emanuel is partisan and does have a reputation for having a quick temper.
However, he is ideologically centrist and more hawkish than most Democrats on foreign policy.
Seeing his appointment as confirmation that Obama is a Marxist is just idiotic.
You people need to become more INFORMED.
Low-information voters put our country in danger of not wisely governing itself.
Erica Brigid| 11.8.08 @ 3:17PM
luckypuck writes:
"Rham is no bodyguard. But he will be Obama's ideology filter. "
I'll take it further. Rahm Emmanuel will be Obama's Martin Bormann, someone to stand between "The Blessed One" and the realities of the Presidency.
Thom| 11.8.08 @ 5:08PM
Jay, you might be entirely correct with regard to how some if not many Arabs or even most might see Emanuel’s appointment but the bulk of Obama’s support came from people who are pacifist by nature and in synch with the thinking of people like Jimmy Carter. If this thing is to be measured as a finger in the eye contest I think a lot bigger fists is coming toward Israel in the not too distant future. Add to this that strictly under Islamic law Obama is Muslin in their eyes things could get a little convoluted in some of the more extreme cultures that Obama will have to ultimately deal with. I think that Israel is going to see things a little differently than you do with regard to Emanuel and the substance of the matter. Obama has promised an enormous amount of “stuff” that he can’t deliver on and many in the world are going to expect him to deliver on that blank check that he has sent them. I think Emanuel’s efforts will be focused on his enemies here.
Tom Paine| 11.8.08 @ 6:16PM
Erica et al --
First, let me explain something to you. When you refer to Obama as "the Blessed One" or "the Messiah," it's extremely retarded.
Obama never referred to himself in those terms, yet you mock him as though he did. Making fun of his aspirational tone is one thing (believe it or not, I'm all for it), but repeatedly suggesting that he himself has used that kind of language is just sub-mental.
Now, Emanuel was often criticized in the Clinton WH for being too conservative. He's hawkish on military matters and not at all progressive on many domestic issues. His reputation as a fighter is being employed to keep Democrats in line and give the president space and opportunity to confront the realities facing this country -- something that hasn't been done by a chief executive in about a decade.
Sowell Disciple| 11.9.08 @ 1:54AM
re: Jack, first comment:
I don't think that Obama lacks intelligence. His decisions are reckless or careless because he learned that he would never be held accountable because of extreme press bias. Last night I heard a panel on the Charlie Rose show praise everything about him. They even praised how he supposedly isn't afraid to admit his mistakes by quoting his "bonehead mistake" reference to his Tony Rezko house deal -- the ONLY time Obama has clearly admitted any mistake! I'm not predicting an end to this media bias, because I believe it's based on the primitive impulse of reverse racism.