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How much clout does AIPAC have?

Thread ID: 18382 | Posts: 6 | Started: 2005-05-24

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Recluse [OP]

2005-05-24 23:13 | User Profile

AIPAC's Big, Bigger, Biggest Moment

By Dana Milbank

Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A13

How much clout does AIPAC have?

Well, consider that during the pro-Israel lobby's annual conference yesterday, a fleet of police cars, sirens wailing, blocked intersections and formed a motorcade to escort buses carrying its conventioneers -- to lunch.

The annual meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has long produced a massive show of bipartisan pandering, as lawmakers praise the well-financed and well-connected group. But this has been a rough year for AIPAC -- it has dismissed its policy director and another employee while the FBI examines whether they passed classified U.S. information to Israel -- and the organization is eager to show how big it is.

Reporters arriving at the convention center yesterday were given a list of "Food Facts" for the three-day AIPAC meeting: 26,000 kosher meals, 32,640 hors d'oeuvres, 2,500 pounds of salmon, 1,200 pounds of turkey, 900 pounds of chicken, 700 pounds of beef and 125 gallons of hummus.

Another fact sheet announced that this is the "largest ever" conference, with its 5,000 participants attending "the largest annual seated dinner in Washington" joined by "more members of Congress than almost any other event, except for a joint session of Congress or a State of the Union address."

READ THE REST HERE: [url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301565.html[/url]


Sertorius

2005-05-25 02:20 | User Profile

[QUOTE]Well, consider that during the pro-Israel lobby's annual conference yesterday, a fleet of police cars, sirens wailing, blocked intersections and formed a motorcade to escort buses carrying its conventioneers -- to lunch.[/QUOTE] Where's Osama when he's really needed?


Recluse

2005-05-25 02:45 | User Profile

[QUOTE=Sertorius]Where's Osama when he's really needed?[/QUOTE]

My thoughts exactly. If the Arabs had any brains this would be Job One.


Angler

2005-05-25 04:34 | User Profile

[QUOTE=Sertorius]Where's Osama when he's really needed? [QUOTE=Recluse]My thoughts exactly. If the Arabs had any brains this would be Job One.[/QUOTE] Yes!


Sertorius

2005-05-25 04:36 | User Profile

Recluse,

Yes, if they had any brains, this is exactly what they would do. They would gain the advantage of doing it in a socially conscious way by going after those who really are resposible for the mess while giving a pass to those who through ignorance have no control over matters.


Okiereddust

2005-05-25 07:38 | User Profile

[QUOTE=Recluse]AIPAC's Big, Bigger, Biggest Moment

By Dana Milbank

Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A13

How much clout does AIPAC have?

Well, consider that during the pro-Israel lobby's annual conference yesterday, a fleet of police cars, sirens wailing, blocked intersections and formed a motorcade to escort buses carrying its conventioneers -- to lunch. Unreal. I doubt if any other group get's this much fawning period, including the President. But underlings usually don't.

Reporters arriving at the convention center yesterday were given a list of "Food Facts" for the three-day AIPAC meeting: 26,000 kosher meals, 32,640 hors d'oeuvres, 2,500 pounds of salmon, 1,200 pounds of turkey, 900 pounds of chicken, 700 pounds of beef and 125 gallons of hummus. What's hummus?

Also I note someone on the catering crew left off the pork chops and ham sandwiches! :lol: