Tue, Oct 17, 2023, 9:08 PM
Dear Amaryllis:
I’ll cut to the chase. Bobby knows of my strong disagreement with him on Palestine. He also knows I can be very helpful to him — before I forget all the things I wrote and speeched about these past 20-plus years :)) . He may also know that, finally, I have acquired a substantial following on TW, FB, other platforms, and, more important, on “Judging Freedom” with Judge Napolitano. I’m on with the Judge for a half-hour twice a week
Amaryllis, I hope this will not strike you as odd, but I know Palestine — been there, done that. It is a matter of conscience. I had the imprint of a tear gas canister on my left breast for a while last time I was in Hebron.
So, please know that however much I want to support him — and to do what I can to help him win — I will not do so unless he denounces the coming genocide by Israel, before it happens.
Again, it is a matter of conscience — a Justice issue. We are called to act with Justice.
You cannot be selective in picking Rabbis. Mine — tried and true — is Abraham Heschel:
“When injustice takes place, few are guilty, but all are responsible. Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself.”
Entre nous, and as you no doubt perceive, I am torn. But one must follow one’s conscience.
Could not support Obama either …
That’s what I did (followed my conscience), despite my initial enthusiasm for Obama, after John Brennan joined him and, first thing you know, Obama bows to the deep state. That was 15 years ago, but I could read the tea leaves. It was Obama’s capitulation to NSA and the giant telecoms that should have raised all our antennae higher.
As soon as Obama-the-candidate went back on his earlier promise, and said he had decided to vote, after all, FOR the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act legislation holding the telecoms and NSA harmless for having trashed the Bill of Rights, I wrote him the following. See text below; it was originally posted on afterdowningstreet.org and warisacrome.org
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Ray McGovern’s Response to Obama’s FISA Explanation
It’s a Deal Breaker for This Intelligence Officer
July 3, 2008
Dear Senator Obama,
I speak from 30 years of experience in intelligence work. I don’t know who actually briefed you on the eavesdropping legislation, but the bill is unnecessary for intelligence collection and POISON for our civil liberties—not even to mention the unconscionable retroactive immunity provision.
You have made a big mistake, Senator, in indicating you intend to vote for it. There is still time to change your mind. That’s what big people do.
Your penultimate paragraph seals it for me. What you are saying relies not on principle—and still less on respect for the law, or respect for our Constitutional rights.
What I hear you saying is an all too familiar refrain: “Tough s___, progressive voter. You know you’ve got nowhere else to go. You want McCain in there?”
A painful reminder that the Republicans have no corner on arrogance. You think you have us over a barrel. Well let me tell you something that those suits from K Street haven’t told you; you need our active support, and you are about to blow it.
Your “explanation” was unworthy of one who has sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States (including the Fourth Amendment).
And your attitude is not that of a person I THOUGHT was different—and would be genuinely for change I could believe in.
We live just a couple of miles from where George Mason is buried. (As you may remember, professor of the Constitution that you have been, Mason actually refused to approve the Constitution—although he and fellow Virginian James Madison had pretty much drafted it—BECAUSE IT LACKED THE BILL OF RIGHTS).
Well, the air is still this evening. Our windows are open and George Mason can be heard tossing and turning in his grave, loudly moaning. Yes, moaning.
I went over to his grave; between the moans he explained that he had just heard of your plan to play fast and loose with his beloved Bill of Rights. “Hard to enjoy the Fourth tomorrow with the Constitution being shredded Right and Left,” he whispered.
Remember, Senator, what Emerson said about those unable to change their “little” minds. Beware the K Street hobgoblins!
Again: Dissing us by the “So-you-want-McCain?” riposte is unworthy. Not only is it clear that you are “mis-underestimating” us but, frankly, I find it insulting.
Please get back on track.
Respectfully,
Ray McGovern
US Army Infantry/Intelligence Officer: 1962-64
CIA Analyst, 1963-1990
CIA Presidential Briefer, 1981-85
Co-Founder, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), Jan. 2003
END of letter to Obama
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In sum: Amaryllis, I am willing — eager even — to make what I think might be a unique substantive contribution, but I need to, well, ‘seek first justice’.
An IMMEDIATE tactical suggestion: As Biden is now flying toward Israel, it might be a good idea if RFK Jr could issue a statement with some balance; could he not come out against genocide?
Screw the Audacity of Hope; I’ll go for a Profile in Courage.
END of my email to Amaryllis