Richard Engel -- on Assignment -- a must see

Not only does Richard Engel do a segment on Steve Bannon's attempt at subverting Pope Francis and creating an uber conservative Catholic Church but he also does a segment on Russian systems in Moscow and maybe elsewhere that are dedicated to foment discord among adversarial groups especially in the western democracies.

It is why those of us dedicated to humanitarian causes and nonviolence should not get into shouting matches with extremist right wing fanatics religious or otherwise or use profane language in heated arguments. I will try to follow my own advice.

The best way to fight this onslaught is either by not reacting or by reacting with peaceful sentiment and humanitarian beliefs. Watch Richard Engel's On Assignment if you haven't to see how this is being done. [linked below].  The Russian attempt is brazen and getting worse as time goes by probably into the 2020 election!

Think for yourself and do not allow them to destroy what is good and humane in our nation.  Pass this on to anyone.

https://www.msnbc.com/onassignment

The Politics of Peace--My letter to Congresswoman Rashida Talib

Dear Congresswoman Talib: I want to address the right wing violence and ugly verbiage levied against you in particular and Muslims in general.  I am a Jewish woman and heretofore an ardent supporter of the State of Israel. Since, however, the election of the aggressive and in my view closed minded Netanyau with the help of the corrupt, inhumane, mendacious and cruel Trump I have changed. I want to tell you why I have changed which includes both the etiology of my historical position and the one to which I subscribe today. My political bent has formed since 1958 when I as a child viewed the first film on the Holocaust. The devastating Holocaust history of the Jewish people became the footing on which my politics stood. My politics is still left of center BUT the historical rationals in our era have changed. I joined J Street, a progressive Jewish organization, which seeks peace not against Palestinians but WITH Palestinians. I believe in fundamental fairness, justice, and I believe human beings can work together to find that commonality which can work against violence, against war, against hate but for understanding and peace. I seek not to move away from what you say but urge you to soften what you say so that it falls on more receptive ears. I ask you to try to use my experience as your own guide to speak to Palestinian hardship as well as the Jewish Holocaust experience to talk to people with an understanding of both sides and a standing against hate both Netanyahu and Trump perpetuate but do not ameliorate.

I was against placing the US embassy in Jerusalem, so cavalierly talking about expanding settlements and the appropriation of the West Bank. This cruel and inhuman treatment of Palestinians cannot stand and should not stand. Recognizing the Holocaust taught us to speak out against injustice and is its most profound instruction. Those of us who desire humanitarian and just politics must not let cruelty stand because I believe it will mean more violence and death for both Palestinians and Israelis if not to the world at large. Your points are listened to by me. References to old antiSemitic memes provoke anger in all Jews but understanding of both positions will speak for truth, justice and peace! That is what must be emphasized by you and should speak to the politics not of war and hate but of understanding and peace.