Leahy Likens Palestinians to His Irish Ancestors, Urges Rejection of Kyl Amendment
I reported earlier today on Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl's (R-AZ) amendment to this week's 2009 spending bill, which appears to be directly inspired by a debunked internet rumor about plans to resettle Palestinian refugees in America.
Earlier today, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) gave a refreshingly candid speech urging rejection of the amendment and comparing today's everyday Palestinian citizens to his Irish ancestors, who were "hunted because they wouldn't renounce their religion" and concluding: "Thank goodness the United States had open arms for them."
A brief excerpt of Leahy's remarks is after the jump.
You know, I have to think back -- I read about my family 150 years or so [ago] when they came to Vermont, on my father's side, the Irish. I'm sure we had a law like this in place; it is questionable whether they could have come in. The Irish were fighting to keep their land. If they were fighting to keep their rights, fighting for the ability to vote, and they live[d] in what is now the republic of Ireland, they were considered terrorists.
Thanks to Mondoweiss for pointing out the speech.
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Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Kick the baby, Kyl!
March 9, 2009 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, do I agree with the sentiments? Absolutely. Was this a smart move? Absolutely not. Come on, I don't want the dems in the minority again. Baby steps for pete's sake. This grandstanding will not help at all. Baby steps. Let's wipe out the republican party and get back to a rational government and then we can have these types of speeches. Now, is not the time. Comparing palestinians to the irish? Holy sh*t, that's going to go over like a lead balloon.
March 9, 2009 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to see this play out. Leahy has given the Republicans something to be uncontrollably irate about but I suspect much of the populace is indifferent on the issue. Every minute that Fox spends ranting about the characterization of Palestinians as "humans" is one not spent railing against the budget, health care or union reform.
The Democrats are starting to get good at pushing the Republicans' buttons. It seems like every interview of a right wing politician includes an obligatory question about whether they want Obama to fail. Do you piss off your increasingly shrinking base or everyone else? And while we're at it, do you still beat your wife? If the left can start defining the battlefield and the rules of engagement then they will start winning consistently on policy.
Or as one of our country's weakest military minds once said "we're fightin' them over there so we don't have to fight them over here".
March 9, 2009 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holy Christmas, Michael A.! You are a smart and thoughtful poster, and this is the 21st century. I really didn't expect this from you. Hitler's gone, Pol Pot had some strange death, and Milosevich didn't live to be sentenced.
As Americans, are we a Christian nation? If so, it's not in the Constitution.
Michael, I'm Irish! Got lots of courageous Arab friends who supported us in our crazed Iraq escapade. How are they less worthy than me?
Take your time in answering! I got time, I'm just some Irishman. Not, "everybody knows," not "anyone with a brain;" please explain it to me. I was in Missouri once, *show me.* Inform us!
Don't rush your comments out the hatch. Explain it specifically. What in the holy fuck are you talking about? Focus on details, please. Erin go bragh, and whatnot.
I MUCH want to know, specifically, why Palestinians have less claim to make than we Irish. (I wont' go on, it's too disturbing.)
March 9, 2009 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't have less of a claim. That wasn't the point. I said that I agreed with the sentiments, but politically I don't think its a good idea to make the comparison. I could be wrong, but I just don't think it was a smart comment. I guess leahy doesn't have to worry in vermont, but the comment will be attached to all dems. In the simple minds of most people when they hear palestinian that equals terrorist. It is wrong and the palestinians are suffering horribly, but it is unfortunately reality. I would rather the help and work go on under the radar to relieve the suffering of the palestinans and that the us beats the isrealis over the head to get a peace deal and stop the carnage. Remember the outcry over carter's comparing the arab-isreali situation to apartheid? It actually is, but remember the outcry? That's the point.
One other point, people fighting for their rights have been labeled terrorists throughout history. One person's freedom fighter, is another person's terrorist. Does that sentiment make sense? Yes. Is politically viable? No.
March 10, 2009 8:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I don't agree with you, but somebody obviously did. I think it should be okay to have honest views in government and not try to hide behind doubletalk and doublethink.
Apparently we're not there yet.
March 10, 2009 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Total and utterly unrecoverable fatigue on this case. But two things: It's good that someone has the stamina to follow the story, as we need the Senate seat filled. And this has confirmed my decision to never, ever vote for a Republican again. Never. Ever. Period.
March 9, 2009 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, let's see.
The Irish: Squeezed into a tiny corner of their own homeland. The Palestinians? Ditto.
The Irish: Not allowed to own property. The Palestinians? Ditto.
The Irish: Not permitted to vote. The Palestinians? Ditto.
The Irish: Not allowed to hold office. The Palestinians? Ditto.
The Irish: Persecuted for practicing their own religion. The Palestinians? Ditto.
The Irish: Free to roam around the country eating grass. The Palestinians? No freedom of movement.
The Irish: Subject to summary court martial and execution. The Palestinians? Who needs a court martial?
Comparison sounds valid enough to me.
March 9, 2009 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pleasantly suprised he had the balls to say it.
Now watch AIPAC and their fundementalist doomsday maniac allies go to work.
March 9, 2009 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
As the son of a Russian Jewish mother and an Irish Catholic father -- Good for Leahy! It's about time.
March 10, 2009 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
More kudos for Leahy. My own Irish ancestors started in this country almost 300 years ago as indentured servants, having chosen transportation to the colonies as the only alternative to being hung as petty thieves.
They wouldn't get to within sight of shore under what we laughingly refer to as our immigration "policy" today.
Even so, I'll bet they were better chances for good citizens than the swamp creatures that produced Kyl.
Michael A: We won the whole government back last year because we finally stood up on our hind legs and proudly said what we stand for. Being afraid to speak the truth and publicize our values is what LOST us elections for 30 years.
March 10, 2009 8:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit! HANGED. Alternative to being HANGED.
Grammar Nazi needs more coffee.
March 10, 2009 8:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I do like the comment. It sounds really good and makes sense to a certain extent, I just don't like the possible ramifications.
I would submit what lost dems elections for 30 years was not failing to express dems values, they did. The problem was in some respects the values expressed were not where the voting population was at the time and in other respects the values being expressed have been dropped to win elections, like gun control. The policies currently being expressed by the dems in alot of ways are different and more geared toward the "center." The "center" has moved incrimentally left and the dems have moved more toward the "center" and viola the dems are in power. Throw in a horrible war that america was lied to to get in and an economic meltdown which obviously helped. I don't think it ever was a failure to express values.
March 10, 2009 9:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
the quotation is slightly wrong -- and can be found correctly in the congressional record:
March 10, 2009 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
March 10, 2009 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
No crying at work!
March 10, 2009 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink