Amitai Etzioni Notes

J Street: In the Wrong Corner

Finally, there is a new Jewish lobby, said to be dedicated to the security of Israel, called J-Street. Sadly, from day one it defined Israel’s number one enemy as —another pro Israel lobby, another group of American Jews, namely, AIPAC. Jews have excelled in many areas, but in none have they done nearly as well as in hating each other and in generating factions and sub factions that fight one another, even when the enemy is at the gate. (There are already fights within J-Street).

Let Them Wear Scarves

Can you explain to me why thoughtful people, including several renowned public intellectuals, oppose the right of women to choose to wear headscarves--on campuses out of all places? The same people,  commentators, editors, and other talking heads who strongly hold that a woman has a right to do with her body whatever she pleases—third trimester abortions, abortions without notifying her husband, piercing everything that sticks out and a lot that does not—but not to cover her hair with a piece of cloth.

The Limits of Internationalism

In reaction to the busted unilateralism of the Bush Administration, internationalism is again in vogue. Watch out, lest you get what you are praying for. For a reminder of what the United Nations, the premier international body, is often like, see its recent treatment of hate speech.

Hillary: The Next Secretary of State

Rahm Emanuel, where are you when we need you? It is time for the elders of the Democratic Party, especially those not committed to either Clinton or Obama, to get off their duff (while staying on the fence) to figure out the best way to end the intra-Democratic contest. Even if Obama continues to garner a majority of the delegates, Clinton will be left with a substantial number of delegates committed to her. Such situations tend to lead to prolonged and bitter conflicts. As the Republicans are unifying around their candidate, it is time to float ideas to end the Democratic contest.

Change: A New Foreign Policy

Even if you listen to all the presidential debates, you will learn precious little about the kind of foreign policy the next president plans to follow. “Change” is on all lips. The fact that the foreign policies the Bush Administration followed are wrong-headed is commonly understood, even by many Republicans. However, what is going to replace these policies is barely discussed. We hear plenty about Iraq, some about Iran, a bit about restoring our reputation overseas and the merit of talking to our adversaries, but little about what we are gong to tell them.

Sickening Meds: Rather Depressing

In a series of previous postings (which start here), I bemoaned the fact that not one of the political candidates has picked up the issue raised by the fact that drug companies often hide data about side effects caused by medications they peddle, and do not report adverse reactions, even when these include fatalities. A new round of such sickening conduct is not as grievous, but is troubling enough. Where is the voice?

Supreme Court to throw another election?

Gloating about doing wrong is a higher degree of venality than just committing evil. Several Republican judges openly acknowledge that the Indiana law—and 23 others like it, enacted in other states—will hurt the Democrats, but nevertheless champion such laws. Judge Richard Posner, who wrote in the majority opinion upholding the Indiana law for the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, affirmed that “no doubt most people who don’t have photo ID are low on the economic ladder and thus, if they do vote, are more likely to vote for Democratic than Republican candidates” and that “the new law injures the Democratic Party by compelling the party to devote resources to getting to the polls those of its supporters who would otherwise be discouraged by the new law from bothering to vote.”  Now the Republican-dominated Supreme Court seems inclined to follow suit —and rule that these laws are constitutional.