Decorative detail, Mosquée de Paris. Photo by Jordana Shalhoub.
Thanks to the Bush administration's penchant for secrecy, we've been virtually powerless while he vetoed better education and health care for children (complaining we didn't have the money) but gave billions to fuel the Israeli military. An excerpt of Robert Bryce's investigative piece in Salon:
"...It's well known that the U.S. supplies the Israelis with much of their military hardware. Over the past few decades, the U.S. has provided about $53 billion in military aid to Israel. What's not well known is that since 2004, U.S. taxpayers have paid to supply over 500 million gallons of refined oil products -- worth about $1.1 billion –- to the Israeli military. While a handful of countries get motor fuel from the U.S., they receive only a fraction of the fuel that Israel does -- fuel now being used by Israeli fighter jets, helicopters and tanks to battle Hamas.
"According to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, between 2004 and 2007 the U.S. Defense Department gave $818 million worth of fuel to the Israeli military. The total amount was 479 million gallons, the equivalent of about 66 gallons per Israeli citizen. In 2008, an additional $280 million in fuel was given to the Israeli military, again at U.S. taxpayers' expense. The U.S. has even paid the cost of shipping the fuel from U.S. refineries to ports in Israel..."
Read more here about how the underhanded actions of Bush & Co. have made the American people unwittingly complicit in the Israeli attack on Gaza. Outrageous; immoral; possibly criminal. Tuesday can't get here fast enough!
Meanwhile, the Guardian reports new evidence of Israel using white phosphorus against Gaza's civilian population.
You clearly are ill-informed. In the interest of presenting both sides, I'm publishing your comment. You should never make assumptions when you don't know what you're talking about. First of all, I've lived in the Middle East and in England. As a journalist, I covered the Middle East for years and I am very familiar with the situation vis a vis the Palestinians and the Israelis and personally know many of the players on both sides. I have Israeli friends and Palestinian friends. And I am not anti-Israeli, anti-semitic nor am I pro-Hamas. In fact, if you knew anything at all about me and bothered to read other pieces I've written about the Middle East, you'd notice I don't like Hamas and believe they've done the Palestinians no favours. When you use that anti-semitic refrain, that shows how ignorant and ill-informed you are about me, my life, my politics and the world in general. I do support human rights for all, which includes the Palestinians and I believe in the two-state solution.
The healthcare system in England is not perfect - nor is it perfect in any country - but it does treat its citizens with quality care at low costs. It does not discriminate against those with low incomes. And your claim about Obama implementing socialist programs is a stupid Republican talking point that was disproved in the election. There is absolutely no basis for such a claim. Why don't you stop being such a poor loser and see what you can do to help make things better in the world?
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 23 January 2009 at 12:05
It is sad that there are actually Americans who are anti-Israel and pro-Hamas/Palestinian. You guys have been drinking too much of the Obama Kool-aid. All I can say is wait and see, wait and see how Obama will implement more and more socialist programs and we start resembling Western Europe. If you have ever lived in England or Canada, you would understand that National Healthcare is dangerous and provides poor quality care for its recipients, but no, you know nothing about that. You don't seem properly informed at all. I am assuming you are also anti-semitic.
Posted by: Kashia | 23 January 2009 at 04:35
I am so disgusted that Israel has done this in the last few weeks of the Bush administration then pulled out just as Obama takes over the White House. Was this a last ditch attempt to kill as many Palestinians as the could with the approval of the US government?
It was wonderful to see Bush fly out of the White House. Day one of the rest of our lives!
Posted by: Di Overton | 21 January 2009 at 11:16
Who knows about all the machinations behind the scenes, where the Bushes are concerned? Of course Bush Sr. was long in the Saudis' pocket, receiving financial support and rushing certain Saudis out of the US after Sept. 11th. The less we see of the Bush family, the better.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 11:42
My sentiments, exactly!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 11:40
It makes you wonder what the Israelis have on Bush. I mean, why is he sacrificing his own people's economy to help what is in all respects a foreign country.
hmmm...
Posted by: Colette Copeland | 18 January 2009 at 06:27
If it were not for Tuesday, I just might give up. Come, Tuesday, come!
Posted by: Joyce Ellen Davis | 18 January 2009 at 03:13
Yes; I think we'll see big changes all around. Change is long overdue, as we all know. Roll on, Tuesday!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 18 January 2009 at 02:12
T'will be quite interesting to see how Obama handles this.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | 17 January 2009 at 23:01
Yes, Elizabeth, thank you! As for the Israeli deaths, three of them were killed by friendly fire (which of course doesn't make their loss any less dreadful). Still the disproportion is horrifying. And of the thousands of Palestinians who are wounded, many of them are expected to later get cancer, due to the content of weapons used against them (according to doctors from Norway working in Gaza hospitals). Just shameful.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 21:23
Did you see the clip of Sir Gerald Kaufman in London?
He is well informed, Jewish, and appalled at what the American and British governments are allowing the Israelis to get away with.
Score
14 dead Israelis
1,100 Palestinians......
Posted by: elizabeth schmid | 17 January 2009 at 21:14
Michelle, I have not forgotten you! I know you're due an email - sorry, this week has been mad, with deadlines and fighting a sinus infection. Will be in touch soon and hope to see you in London within the next couple of weeks. It's so wonderful that you're finally there! As for inauguration parties in London, contact the American citizen services division at the US Embassy to inquire. (I'm afraid all my friends in London are either Brits or foreigners). Yes, we have much to celebrate! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 20:57
Sadly, we have underwritten the economy of Israel, probably since its inception. In 1992, when we were in the first Gulf War, the US was supporting Israel to the tune of $1000 per day, per man, woman and child in the country. Between the Survivor Guilt of the US Jewish community and the odd voodoo dance that fundamentalist Christians have with Israel, blind support has been prevalent. (In case you are not familiar, even though fundamentalists believe everyone else is going to hell, they believe that support for Israel is necessary for their assurance that God will love the US best.)
On a happier note, does anyone know of any inauguration parties in London. I know couple of other Americans who would like to get together and celebrate.
Posted by: Michelle | 17 January 2009 at 20:45
Thanks Tara! The explanation helps.
I do agree Israel has forgotten their own painful history and the US must honour justice for ALL.
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | 17 January 2009 at 20:40
Mainly because of the powerful Israeli lobby in Washington; the Israeli lobby has longstanding and disproportionate influence on government decision-makers, particularly during the days of Kissinger. Most lawmakers never even consider another point of view, as evidenced in their stupid resolution they passed last week supporting Israel.
It's time for the US to again honour justice for ALL, not just one country that considers itself more important than anyone else. Israel seems to forget its own painful history, when inflicting terrible atrocities on the Palestinians.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 18:53
I become so enraged when I think of all Bush has gotten the US into. I noticed in the news that Egypt was helping with a cease fire in Gaza and thought why isn't the US doing more to encourage a cease fire. Yes, January 20th cannot come soon enough. I hope Obama can help in a resolution. My husband has tried to explain why the US supports Israel, but I don't understand why they will not help Palestine and give all the money to Israel to fight Palestine. It is beyond me.
Posted by: Marilyn | 17 January 2009 at 18:43
Like you, I'm very hopeful that Tuesday will usher in a new era, where justice and human rights are honoured and celebrated.
As for the mosque, so many beautiful details in that complex. Jordana took lots of photos; am still finding little gems to share.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 18:42
Constance, I wasn't the one who did the digging in this case, but certainly the story deserves widespread attention. I wonder if we'll ever uncover the full extent of the damages Bush-Cheney foisted on us?
Thankfully, Tuesday - and a new era - is just around the corner. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 18:40
We'll all be happy to see Bush's departure. As for Gaza, am hoping and praying a ceasefire is about to come into effect.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 17 January 2009 at 18:38
It will be very interesting to see what Obama will do. I'm very, very hopeful. T minus three days...
The photo is beautiful. At first I thought it was a closeup of a box or piece of furniture, but then I read your caption.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 17 January 2009 at 18:13
It's a travesty!
Unbelievable!!
Thank you for digging deep and bring to light all the things that seem to get swept under the carpet Tara!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 17 January 2009 at 17:28
Honestly, you would have thought Bush would have hid his antics a little bit better, considering it's time for him to get to stepping out the white house! He is still at it! Ruining things for us, up to the last minute. I will be glad to see him gone!!
Gaza remains in my prayers.
Posted by: Christina | 17 January 2009 at 15:31