About Flying Flip Flops:

Q u e s t i o n .. Everything

Saturday, May 18, 2013

The Jewish Lobby claims another victim: Freedom of speech.


Hussam Salama and Mahmoud Al-Kumi were 2 Palestinian journalists that were targeted and killed by the Israelis.  As journalists, they were civilians armed with cameras and microphones and not  enemy combatants.

Newseum, a privately held organization decided to honor them.  With its many arms, Jewish organizations with many different names, acting as cover and are part of the Israeli lobby went to work.

After defending its position to honor the journalists, Newseum, that had a chance to stand up to the Israeli and "Jewish lobby" bullying, fell to their knees and now Newseum do not even offer an explanation for their decision reversal as reported by "ei" (electronic intifada) and that is typical when blackmail is involved.

By doing so Newseum, as an organization dedicated to the news reporting and freedom of speech did something very, very wrong.  Reversing its decision says a lot:

Now Newseum stands with the an organization, Israel, that supports targeted murder of civilians.  The Israelis and their lobby people in the US justify the killings because the journalists were part of Hamas "propaganda" machine. That is how they put it and to them it's a justification for murder.   By the same logic Hamas and or other Palestinian organization could do the same, target civilian journalists that they think could play as propagandists for the Israelis or against them. Palestinians know that many News organizations are propagandists in a way or another and that the editors at such organizations decide what airs and what does not; they also decide on how to manipulate news and incoming data from the field..  Should the editors also be targeted if one is to follow the Israelis' and their lobby's logic?

That is what Newseum's reversal to honor 2 Palestinian journalists means.  Two journalists murdered by a propaganda machine that wants to control the truth.  

Just imagine how much pressure and blackmailing it takes to have an, now suspect, independent organization like Newseum, to honor, defend and then retreat?

Paul Findley was a US congressman and supporter of Israel.  Once he decided to question a matter related to Israel and that same lobby set out to make an example of him to other US lawmakers.  How dared he "question"?  It was not enough that he was a great supporter of Israel.  The lobby wanted US lawmakers'  unquestionable LOYALTY to ISRAEL.  So at the next term elections the lobby set out to unseat him by supporting another candidate.. and the lobby succeeded.  He lost to his opponent by a tiny margin.  He is an author: "They dare to speak out".  In the book he describes his experience with the lobby.

Newseum is now another occupied territory. It lost its objectivity and integrity by allowing itself to be harassed and manipulated.  What does that say to others?

Congratulations to the board of Newseum! 

Newseum is not the only loser in this episode but as community that thrives on truth and free speech are losers as well.

Newseum could, after giving their decision more thought, do the right thing and restore some of their dignity.  Would they dare to do so, or too afraid?