26 April 2004Dear Rafah Sister City Project,
Below is a letter that I sent to the Kerry campaign this morning. Should they reply, I will certainly forward their explanation to you.
Regards,
Roy Flanigan
7015 Colonial Drive, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
716.297.2343
royflanigan@netzero.net
26 April 2004
Dear Kerry campaign,
About a year ago I met with three others in Buffalo at the first Kerry for President "Meet-up," and have been active in the campaign ever since. I attended Senator Kerry's "Town Hall" meeting in Buffalo this past February, and was impressed. What I am not impressed with and what has caused me to begin to loose interest in "our" campaign is the Senator's reluctance to tell us the truth about the problems in the Middle East. Lakhdar Brahimi recently told us that the problem infecting the entire region is the occupation of Palestine. Those of us who have studied the problem of terrorism, and the roots of anti-American sentiments in the Middle East already knew this. I was hopeful that Senator Kerry would take the courageous, rather than the politically expedient path, and begin to address this honestly. Instead, it is politics as usualÖ Jewish and Israeli influence is again, exerting itself.
Why has Senator Kerry not condemned President Bush's endorsement of the illegal, and immoral policies of the Sharon government relative to the occupied territories? My guess is that Bush cares much less about a just peace in Palestine than he does with gaining votes among Jewish Americans, and evangelical Christians, thus his abandonment of the "Road Map" (rhetoric aside). Regarding Iraq, anyone who denies a connection between anti-American sentiment among Iraqis, and our radical, pro-Israeli policies (i.e. George Will) is either a liar or a fool. In this election, more than anything else, Senator Kerry should differentiate himself from George Bush by a willingness to be open and honest with the American People. Here is the opportunity. What will you do? My son is in the Military (Air Force) and I believe that you particularly owe it to him, and to all the others in our Armed Services to honestly speak to the issues in Iraq, and the entire Middle East.
Below is a letter from Yasmine Abu Libdeh, writing about her friend, Rachel Corrie. Please read this before your write me back. I hope that Senator Kerry reads this letter as well. Now explain to me why we Americans are supposed to turn a blind eye to the REAL "realities on the ground."
Sincerely,
Roy Flanigan
7015 Colonial Drive, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
716.297.2343
royflanigan@netzero.net
One Year Later: "Rachel, My Mother"