A very important episode of the Dutch documentary program “Tegenlicht” about the Israel lobby in the United States of America.

This documentary (Aired April 2007) was created as a result of the controversy created by Mearsheimer and Walt’s “The Israel Lobby” article. Featuring interviews with Mearsheimer, geostrategist Lawrence Wikerson, Richard Perle, historian and critic Tony Judt, John Hagee, former Congressman Earl Hilliard, Kenneth Roth of Human Rights Watch, Michael Massing and Daniel Levy.

‘Tegenlicht’ (’Backlight’) is a program from the Dutch VPRO public television. English elucidation at the VPRO website. Listen also to the revealing 2002 BBC radio reportage ‘A lobby to deal with‘.

- Another related video: Republican Senator Paul Findley Speaks Out to expose the AIPAC:

From McCain’s speech to AIPAC (America’s Pro-Israel Lobby):

“The threats to Israel’s security are large and growing, and America’s commitment must grow as well. I strongly support the increase in military aid to Israel, scheduled to begin in October. I am committed to making certain Israel maintains its qualitative military edge. Israel’s enemies are too numerous, its margin of error too small, and our shared interests and values too great for us to follow any other policy.”

“The people of Israel reserve a special respect for courage, because so much courage has been required of them. In the record of history, sheer survival in the face of Israel’s many trials would have been impressive enough. But Israel has achieved much more than that these past sixty years. Israel has endured, and thrived, and her people have built a nation that is an inspiration to free nations everywhere.”

“The State of Israel stands as a singular achievement in many ways, and not the least is its achievement as the great democracy of the Middle East. If there are ties between America and Israel that critics of our alliance have never understood, perhaps that is because they do not fully understand the love of liberty and the pursuit of justice. But they should know those ties cannot be broken. We were brought together by shared ideals and by shared adversity. We have been comrades in struggle, and trusted partners in the quest for peace. We are the most natural of allies. And, like Israel itself, that alliance is forever.”

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As a movie addict, I must say I’m disappointed with the performance of Fox’s new middle east movie channel.

When i first heard about the channel i was excited, i thought to myself, finally a channel that’ll deliver some premo quality movies, admittedly being somewhat of a couch potato myself i hoped this channel will keep me glued to the TV screen. sadly it has not come even close.

Ever since the channel started airing, the overwhelming majority of its movies were old and boring, and the “somewhat” new movies it showed were dull, I mean, how many low budget B rated movies can one tolerate? not much. I wish they’d at least show some good old Classics instead, That’d be quite alright.

So yeah, so far I’m really disappointed, compared to other channels that broadcast movies such as, mbc 2, mbc 4, and Dubai One, I’d say Fox Movies has done a poor job so far in terms of attracting the viewer. which is strange the case should be quite the opposite.

In his recent post about the Dunkin Donuts ad, Naseem states:

“seriously, when malkin and her army of gonads start having enough power to sway corporations, that’s when you know we’re in big trouble.”

Now, this phrase raises a number of interesting questions. isn’t this the whole point of alternative media, especially blogging? is the power of blogging always a good thing?

We have always talked about blogging as an integral part of the new media and how blogging has become a new form of citizen journalism, and as bloggers we have always wanted to have that kind of influence not only over the general public but over traditional media as well, and then that actually happens. do we have the right as bloggers to condemn it?

I respect Nas and his views, but isn’t there a bit of hypocrisy in that statement? what gives us the right to loath another blogger just for having the kind of power that he/she has, regardless of their political agenda. do we (as bloggers) hail blogging only when it works for us?

Just some thoughts to ponder about.

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Enjoy.