Opinion  Ray Hanania
Chutzpah needed
Ray Hanania
Published: 21.05.06, 10:03
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31. I disagree
Yehuda ,   USA   (05.21.06)
While its true that AIPAC is well organized and effective at what it does, it does not compare to some of the corporate lobbies that have allowed oil prices to jump through the roof financing the likes of Saudi kingdom and Ahmedinejad. Ray, Arab's use their political influence for their own corrupt selfish interest. They use the Palestinians to create a common enemy for all Arabs distracting the Arab population from their corruption. I hate to tell you this Ray, but your hero Arafat was as corrupt as these regimes and he profitted personally. Of course he did not personally spend that money, but he certainly kept it and that makes him corrupt and stupid. Ray, Arab and Iranian regimes spend much more money lobbying than AIPAC to make much more money in turn. They'll give the Palestinians verbal support, but the buck stops there. If they stop being so corrupt and they do lobby for a just cause, as does AIPAC, then there might be peace and the American public will stop giving the Arabs so much oil money. Ray, Palestinains must take control of their own destiny and see the Arabs for what they are. They should spend their money on creating a lobby organization vs suicide resistance and support for extreme leaders. If they start focusing this way, peace will come sooner than any of us believe, which right now seems like never.
32. McCollom Not McCullom, misteK Hannia
Ron ,   LA   (05.21.06)
33. Betty C. McCollum not Mc Collom, mivtake Ron
Mohammed Rabinovitch ,   Mwcca / Zio Entity   (05.21.06)
34. I’ve yet to be invited by the U.S. Congress...
Mohammed Rabinovitch ,   Mecca / Zio Entity   (05.21.06)
Hanania sez: “I’ve yet to be invited by the U.S. Congress, but we know they are Israeli occupied territory, too.” Hanania complained previously that he is not invited to interview Olmert yet...( because he is Palestinian) Mohammed Rabinovitch sez: Of coarse Hanania is not invited since he is not member in AIPAC. The reason is NOT him being nobody, mediocre “comic” who doesn’t know how to put two words together... It reminds me I haven’t been invited for tea in Buckingham Palace yet...this queen Charles must be real anti-Semite...
35. to Ray
HIlda ,   USA   (05.21.06)
Get your facts straight Bnai Brith is NOT an Israeli organization. It is strictly an Ameircan organization and as such sometimes does not act in the best interest of Israel. It is also known to stand up for the rights of blacks. Hispanics and yes, even Arabs. Hillel is the college group of Bani Brith. and while Hillel is mostly a Jewish organization, it also has been known to have non Jews as members. I know because I was one of theorganizaers Hillel on the campus of my college some 50+ years ago. I also organized the Intercollegiate Zionist Federation of America there too. Oh for an organization like IZFA today. You sure would not have been invited to speak there not with your attitude, which is not to say that we did not have our share of Arab speakers. --but why pay good money to our enemy? To bring it up to today, I'll bet you have not been invited to TAGAR. I find it very disturbing that you are on the payroll of this newspaper and receive good money to spout the rhetoric that you do, I don;t think that Aljazeera does not employ Jewish reporters let alone pro Israel ones.
36. Ynet needs to have a column by Jackie Mason.
Daisy ,   USA   (05.22.06)
Jackie Mason is a real comedian and actually makes sense.
37. Methinks the lady doth protest too much
ELLE ,   NYC   (05.22.06)
Second article in a few months about "The Jewish Lobby." I think someone has a little obsession. To reiterate some of the previous posts. The Arabs already have a VERY powerful lobby and it trumps AIPAC. It is the Saudi Royal/ any Arab dictator/oil lobby. They say "Jump" and America asks, "how high?"
38. What hogwash!
Proud AIPAC member ,   Proud to be USA   (05.22.06)
AIPAC is not all powerful and not all knowing. It is one of many effective lobbying organizations in Washington DC. Successful lobbying organizations have the following traits in common: 1) They provide factual, reliable information for the member of Congress. 2) They enjoy a reasonably large base of support. 3) They have a persuasive arguement to make based on facts. 4) They are willing to compromise on bills in order to acheive the most important priorities. Any putative Arab lobby fails on all counts. They are only there to argue for the destruction of Israel or on behalf of those who would and they try to obscure that fact. Bullshitting Congressmen does not sit well with them (although the Europeans seem to eat it up). They do not enjoy a broad base of support in America, mostly because of the first point (we are not into genocide here in the US). The arguements of the "Arab" lobby often cannot be objectively verified and are often little more more than Arab propaganda. Finally, I see no sign of compromise from any Arab leadership out there.
39. How many government institutions and unversities...
Leo ,   Israel   (05.22.06)
have been bought out by oil money from Arab lobbiests? The Havard school of government for example recieved US11 million from Saudi lobbyists right before the walt and meisheimer Israel/lobby essay was released. All over countries like the US and Australia, university faculties and government departments are bought off to lobby on behalf of the Arab world
40. Ray Hanania followers passing fliers...
Ron ,   LA   (05.22.06)
Hanania: ”Envy is the fastest way to push an apathetic Arab American off his laurels. You start a business, they start a business just to keep you from succeeding. You start a newspaper, they start a newspaper, just to keep your newspaper from getting enough advertising.” Apparently Ray “The peace maker” organizes protests before Mason’s shaws are not envy, but just his interpretation of “ piss process” Hanania will promote himself by hook or by crook. Protesting Becomes Fair Game for Jackie Mason By Chris Jones, Tribune arts reporter Protesting before a Jackie Mason show is akin to a college football coach trashing Saturday's visiting team on the Friday night news. All it does is get the opposition fired up. A group associated with Arab-American comedian Ray Hanania was passing out fliers at Mason's opening night performance Tuesday at the Auditorium Theatre, accusing the veteran Broadway comic of being "an opponent of the Middle East peace process." Since most of the audience hadn't seen the protesters, and fights over the Middle East aren't exactly known for setting a comic mood, most performers in Mason's position would ignore the intrusion and move on to safer gags about Jews and cheesecake. Not Mason. The houselights at the Auditorium were still ablaze when the septuagenarian humorist could be seen in the wings, staring out and bouncing around on the balls of his feet like a nervous boxer ready to go out and defend his comic take on life. In apparent absentia, Hanania got the mouthful of the comic venom Mason once reserved exclusively for his nemesis, Ed Sullivan, even as Mason simultaneously professed his support for a Palestinian state. To call the moment complex and the audience bewildered would be an epic understatement—and the show hadn't even officially begun. http://www.jackiemason.com/reviews/protesting_fair_game.html
41. There is an Arab Lobby
AK   (05.22.06)
It is called Saudi and Kuwaiti and Dubai patronage. It dispenses money in the millions to ex State Department and other employees for services during their government service, to Middle Eastern Studies Departments and doles out tens of millions Dollars to famous and prestigious Universities; it buys the most powerful companies. If they don’t like what is being said on Fox news, they buy a chunk of it and dictate the news. They make our President proclaim that Islam is a religion of peace after representatives of that religion murder 3000 of out citizens and that after blowing up our two embassies, blowing up our warship; murdering 300 of our Marines and murdering 6, while trying to murder thousands during previous attack on WTC. This Lobby is so powerful indeed that nobody talks much about it. It is actually the greatest chutzpah that the Arabs should claim that they have no Lobby.
42. If Arabs have a lobby...
adam ,   Jordan   (05.23.06)
Israel wouldn't be building their "Wall" that virtually the entire world deems illegal (except the US - where AIPAC operates). The conflict would've been settled long ago by giving Palestinians their state alongside Israel. Israel would not be getting away with violating dozens of UN resolutions, which the entire world agrees upon (expect the US - where AIPAC operates). The world would not be asking Palestinians to recognize a state that does not recognize them.
43. You've just lost me as a supporter Ray!!
Yehuda ,   USA   (05.23.06)
Ray, I thought you were for real. I understand protesting at an embassy or an institution that makes an anti-Palestinian decision. But using the Palestinian cause to combat another comedian. That's aweful!!! I often go at Jews that use the holocaust to drive guilt for their personal gain - its terrible!! I thought you might be the voice of moderate Palestinians, but you're the voice of corruption. Its this type of activity that causes Hammas to come to power. Perhaps there really are two types of Palestinians: corrupt secular palestinians like Arafat, Dahlan and Hanania and then there are frustrated stupid Palestinians that turn to Islam. Seriously Ray, how could you use this cause for your personal gains?
44. 9-11 and terrorism in general: Arab lobby
(05.23.06)
45. Arab lobby
Hilda ,   USA   (05.23.06)
What nonsense. The Arab lobby is indeed alive and kicking . Probably the strongest in the US. Saudi Arabia acts like it is ruling the US and probably does in a lot of quarters. It controls the price of gas and it controls many powerful corporations in which it holds mucho shares. In addition CAIR makes sure every time there is a slight against anything Muslim, we heard about it loud and strong. It is so powerful that if you notice no more Arab villians on TV . They are usually Jewish or Catholic. If you don't believe me---watch next time. and note.
46. How about:''Peace Now! No seriously.Okok we're only kidding'
(05.23.06)
47. Ray and his demons..........
NS ,   Long Island, NY   (05.24.06)
It seems Ray that you need some type of bogeyman in order to justify the fact that the Palestinians are the biggest losers of the world. AIPAC is convenient for you. A Palestinian is having a problem in business; blame AIPAC. A Palestinian woman is having problems conceiving; blame AIPAC. A Palestinian farmer has a problem with his crop; you guessed it! Blame AIPAC! Ray it is time you get off the backs of American Jews who are exercising their constitutional rights and start worrying about why your people can't get their stuff together. By the way, I don't care who is running against this Congresswoman from Minnesota I am going to send him or her a big fat check to unseat this dumbass McCullom.
48. Suprised people haven't heard of Hanania Mason flap
(05.24.06)
49. Can't trust "Ron from LA"
Solomon ,   Eternal Hope   (05.24.06)
I see "Ron" can't be trusted. The congresswoman's name is spelled correctly (McCollum). Close, "Ron." And, all that Ron posts is available on Hanania's web site including details about his fight with Jacky Mason, the Jewish comedian. Apparently, it was well publicized. There is even a clip of Hanania on the TODAY SHOW with Mason debating the issue. But more importantly, I read some of Hanania's statements against suicide bombings, violence on both sides, and criticism of Palestinian extremism. His only error is that he focuses on Palestinian extremism and clearly, from this web page, ignores the hatred of "Ron" and others. Go seer for yourself on his web page. I did. I can't say I agree with everything. I can say there is much I found encouraging. Maybe more encouraging than the petty attacks and namecalling that dominates this web page. Oh. As a lurking member of a hate list called: "eFreePalestine@yahoo.com" I also know that Hanania is equally hated by the Palestinian terrorists who write on that list. Solomon
50. #49 My twin brother Mohammed Rabinovitch corrected it.
Ron ,   LA   (05.24.06)
Sorry, Hnooonia. Your twin brother Hanania made a misteK ( mccUllOm instead of mccOllUm)and I noticed it. You write too many “articles” so I understand, you are tired to check things up. My twin brother Mohammed Rabinovitch corrected it. Now what is your problem, don’t you have anything worthy to talk about? Why you publish your “articles” in English to Americans? You claim you are “Ray of Hope” so why not publish for Israelis in Hebrew? Why not to publish your “articles” in Arabic? After all they have Ynet in Hebrew too. Why you are not there? One possible explanation is your low quality writings. My answer is very simple; you care about your self promotion-not peace in the ME. This is the reason you are trying hard to promote yourself, using famous people as your leverage. You used Mason as a publicity stunt before. Ray Hanania, you now famous for NOT getting a ten minute opening shot for Jackie Mason Your strategy is well known. You will pick some famous people like Olmert, ask their office for interview and when refused, whining that the reason for refusal is not your “ nobodyness” but because you are a “Palestinian” and everybody else is racist. “Now in fairness, Ray Hanania is not Hitler. He's not Yasser Arafat. He hasn't killed anyone. He's just an American running his fool mouth. You're allowed to do that here. He was also courteous and prompt in responding to my inquiries, and does often make nice concilliatory gestures. He'd probably be ok to make friends with; you could reason with him most of the time. Not being violent, when he starts getting all crazy you can just call it a night and leave. Just hope he doesn't make you come see his lame "comedy" show. I'm sorry, but Arabs don't know from funny.” http://www.morethings.com/log/2002_09_01_culpepper_archive.html#81134382 This is very well documented E-mail exchange...The same accusations, same blame you accuse everybody: racism, hate, racism, hate...Look at the mirror Hnooonia.
51. People, please don't hate Hanania the angel...
Ron ,   LA   (05.24.06)
Well, well as a “hater and racist” I am so happy to be in the same company with such a great haters of Palestinians like Sharansky, Mason, Sharon-the-Nazi, Bush the “moron”, “Ron the “not clever” and others...Since Sharansky who is “engaged in a vicious hate campaign against Palestinians. “ is Bush’s friend , Bush is probably a racist too according to Hanania ( in addition to being a moron) “It’s a convenient shield Sharansky often exploits to deflect criticism that he and many of his right-wing Israeli colleagues are engaged in a vicious hate campaign against Palestinians. “ “For example, Sharansky recently repeated exaggerated claims that Palestinians, as a society, promote anti-Semitism and teach their children hate. “ Of coarse according to Hanania, Palestinians don’t promote hate, but love to humanity, just like our angel Hanania... http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2005%20Opinion%20Editorials/April/17%20o/Sharansky%20Symbolizes%20Anti-Arab%20Hatred%20By%20Ray%20Hanania.htm
52. Hanania conspiracy theory: Jews rule the world
Ron ,   LA   (05.25.06)
"Arrogant lobby Yeah, right. Like AIPAC doesn’t strut through the halls of Congress bragging about whom they’ll nail in the next election or which will get more cash for their campaigns. Let’s be honest, Israelis and supporters of Israel are riding high, these days. So they can demand 100 percent obedience from members of Congress." Hanania, read and smarten up http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/EJ28Aa02.html
53. Hamas is riding high
Susan ,   Philadelphia USA   (05.26.06)
Ray, you seem to forget that in 2000 Arab American groups endorsed George W. Bush and he won. Why did they endorse Bush? They endorsed him because Al Gore was too pro-Israel. I wonder if they still that Bush was the better candidate. AIPAC does not give any money to candidates. You're just wrong about that. I personally think that Hamas is not going to change whatever the US government does or does not do. It's hard for me to get excited either way about something I think is pointless.
54. concluding point
Susan ,   Philadelphia, USA   (05.26.06)
I forgot to add that AIPAC seems much stronger than it is, because of Hamas's win and its actions since it came to power.
55. 'Chuzpah Needed'
Vicki Perkins ,   Calgary, Canada   (05.27.06)
Ray Hanania's article helps me understand the big picture. The humour is great, too. We can always use more of that.
56. Chutzpah Needed
Jehad ,   Calgary, Canada   (05.31.06)
What a true and sad facts in this article. Haninia hit the hammer on the head. Arabs and Muslims need to face the facts, we can't keep hiding behind our leaders and all the lies that are going on in the World. Keep telling it the way it is. Some of us enjoy reading the sad truth. Thank you Jehad
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