Congressmen: Turkey Faces ‘Payback’ for Recent Stances
Reps Slam 'Disgraceful' Effort to Broker Iran Deal
Riled by the recent row between Turkey and Israel, several members of the US Congress are warning that Turkey faces ‘payback’ for its stance on this, as well as on its effort to broker a uranium enrichment deal with Iran.
“There will be a cost if Turkey stays on its present heading of growing closer to Iran and more antagonistic to the state of Israel,” insisted Rep. Pence (R – IN), adding that this cost could include increased support for the Armenian genocide resolution in Congress.
Turkey has expressed anger at Israel for attacking a Turkish flagged civilian aid ship and killing nine aid workers. Rep. Peter King (R – NY) said he believed the deaths were all Turkey’s fault.
Rep. Engel (D – NY) added that Turkey’s criticism of Israel and attempt to broker the deal with Iran over US objections were “even more disgraceful” because Turkey is a member of NATO.
Turkey for its part has insisted that killing aid workers was inappropriate and that attempting to broker a third party enrichment deal the US claimed to have wanted all along was not, in and of itself, a hostile action. Turkish officials have expressed growing disquiet over the US “double standard” with respect to Israeli demands. The Obama Administration has declined to criticize the aid ship attack, and Congress is said to be preparing a bill to laud the killings of the aid workers.
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Jim
June 17th, 2010 at 4:09 am
What is disgraceful is for US Congressmen to show such a shameful behaviour for all the world to see. As a South American, I just cannot understand what kind of obligation forces these politicians to kowtow before Israel. Is it just money?
Sue
June 17th, 2010 at 4:19 am
This behavior makes me ashamed to be an American!
JoaoAlfaiate
June 17th, 2010 at 4:39 am
An enemy of Israel (anyone who doesn't buy its lies) is automatically an enemy of the United States. If you doubt this maxim reread the article.
Able
June 17th, 2010 at 4:51 am
They must have some pretty damning video or other evidence of these guys to get this kind of cooperation!
SammyE
June 17th, 2010 at 5:28 am
Facing failed and very expensive wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia I doubt these threats against Turkey will hold much weight. I also doubt that these congress critters are capable of locating Turkey on a wall chart, much less israel.
Perhaps they should stick with the real domestic issues going on right now in the Gulf of Mexico.
shishani
June 17th, 2010 at 6:17 am
you're no alone
camus10
June 17th, 2010 at 6:47 am
treason goes unpunished and the snowball keeps rolling into a grotesque mass
guest
June 17th, 2010 at 6:50 am
what's that brown stuff on your nose representative Pence?
hash
June 16th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
There is no American in america all are Zionist any anit human and anit world…. USA , UK are the bastered children of Israel thats all amercan people are slaves and Israel are using them and thier money stupid american nation.
Maria de Zosa
June 17th, 2010 at 1:22 am
Well, the money and power of the Rothschild Crime Family, and the other Illuminati banksters. Key positions within the US government are owned and operated by these Jewish banksters, including the presidency.
We must target the Zionist Jews within our government in order to take it back…this is being undertaken as we speak.
This post will be deleted because Jason Ditz is a Jew…as are a number of key people at "Antiwar".com
Ronald Coorman
June 17th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Le chien aboie et la caravanne passe
ghouri
June 17th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Actually it,s a shame for super power politicians who can,t forsee what is coming in future. It will be better if turkey leaves NATO and have good relations with developing world. Turkey was never accepted in NATO or EU this is a marriage of convinience and will loose nothing e.g. after refusal to take part in Irak war middle east investment increased and will further grow and oil money will not go to America but to for for east.
It will be advisable that Congressmen should control their tune it looks like that an illitrate person is talking or better to say an unskilled labour.
They are supposed to be in high positions but their outrage has showed their character. For money they will do everything.
Zia
June 17th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Yep, many Monica Lewinsky's lurking around for sure. Money alone is probably not enough to swing it. The tail's been wagging the dog for years now.
guestalso
June 17th, 2010 at 11:12 am
What's that brown stuff all over your mouth Representative Pence? It makes you look presidential.
Zia
June 17th, 2010 at 11:15 am
All you have to do is reverse the roles: Israeli aid convoy on the high seas attacked by Turkish commandos resulting in 8 Israeli and 1 American lives. What do you think would happen? These so-called US leaders need to decide which side they are on – American or Israeli? Let's not forget that of the nine aid-workers assassinated on board the Mavi Marmara, 8 were Turkish citizen and one American. In supporting the Israeli attack, these "representatives" of the American people have already committed high treason – and supported the killing of their compatriot in international waters. Turkey has had the balls to stand up to the ultra-racist regime in Israel and has every right to condemn the wanton attack – regardless of what some bigots in the US may think. Any decent human being can only support Turkey in its stand: pity, US leaders aren't among them.
Nike
June 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
The despicable behaviour of these Israelis and of their lap-dogs alike has become so egregious that a backlash is almost inevitable. Perhaps it's time for another expulsion of their ilk, just like so many times in history before.
Guest
June 17th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Their worst fear. Perhaps suitcase nukes? It used to be bantered about that the former Soviet Union had attempted this as part of their cold-war deterrent.
june8642
June 17th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
It most certainly is money. Israel recieves American tax dollars which are returned to Members of Congress for use in election campaigns. This has been happening since Senator Fullbright held hearings on this matter and was summarily targeted by Israel and the AIPAC crowd to be forced from office. A few members may be allowed to be critical of Israel; perhaps 3 or 4 out of 535 Members. Israel and its cohorts have so corrupted the Congress and Presidency of the US with our tax dollars that Sharon was able to essentially state in the Knesset: "Don't worry about American opinion of Israel's actions, the United States will approve of everything Israel does."
Good luck
June 17th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Turkish flagged – Evidently it was flying a flag of convenience, not Turkish.
RockyRococo
June 17th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
The US has been using Israel to do its dirty work in the Middle East and elsewhere for decades. The result is that the Israelis know where a lot of the bodies from US blacks ops are buried, because they're the ones that did the burying.
MoT
June 17th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I suppose one dirty hand washes the other dirty hand, no?
MoT
June 17th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
The Turks need to get over their involvement with NATO and deep six that lying "alliance". Nobody is coming to their rescue and they know it. That they're doing what DC only pays "lip service" to, tells you all you need to know.
Zion
June 17th, 2010 at 6:53 am
We have to keep the sequences of events in front of us to show that these people value Isreal that they value US.This is why immediately following Flotila incidents they came out of AIPAC dog house barking at the Turks.To cover Isareli angle of their chronic criminal mind these zionists are using Iran connection
Brodajo
June 17th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I hope Israel gets so bad that their supporters in America will pray for HITLER to come back instead of the Lord. After all (if you can believe them) He is on their side.
Wolfgang
June 17th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Just wait what will happen to your troops here in Germany when we turn off water and electricity!
And this is not so far from now!
W.
Jeremiah
June 17th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Dirty indeed . . . with blood.
Phonk
June 17th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Us congress and 99% of the political apparatus do not operates vis-a-vis justice and right or wrong.
these peoples function with regard to their personal interest and not US interest.
IF Israel was a threat to USA these politicians would do their best to pretect their interest than blame Israel
Remember there is a resolution that ban American official criticizing Israel.
Roger Lafontaine
June 17th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
American politicians no longer know how to think for themselves, how to see 'the other side's' pt. of view, how to live with other nations and peoples. They only want to 'pound the table', to pound the earth with bombs, to scream at everybody, to demand special treatment, to demand to always be first, to always be right, to always be followed. Failed leadership. Failed morality too.
Harry
June 17th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Look on the bright side. At least the Lobby hasn't started demanding American members of Congress dispense with ties and start wearing shirt collars on top of their jackets like the Knesset. At least not yet.
TrickyDick
June 17th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
The interesting thing is that the rest of NATO is unlikely to agree.
So, would the US threaten to destroy NATO to get its 'payback' on Turkey?
Lawerence
June 17th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
American politicians know that right now money is the key to winning elections. Thus, saying these sorts of things keeps the AIPAC money flowing to them.
What we need to do is to organize and create the grassroots power than can defeat money. Start organizing now, to try to build towards having thousands of volunteers going door-to-door to win an election.
Once we show that sort of power. And especially once we get back to the point where having the most money doesn't guarantee an election win, then the politicians will stop acting like this.
The one thing you can count on a politician to do is to look out for number one first.. We have to create the sort of grassroots power that says their political career is doomed if they oppose us.
And we can start today. Organize your neighborhood.
SunTzu
June 17th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Actually, its only the US that's saying this.
Europe has been rather uniform in condemning Israel's acts. And many of the NATO countries have large Turkish ex-pat communities.
Staying in NATO is one of Turkey's trump cards. Because if Israel were to attack a Turkish warship escorting the next aid convoy, then Turkey could call upon its NATO allies to honor their defensive treaty commitments to come to the aid of an ally that's attacked.
Obviously, the US would oppose this. But, what about the rest of NATO? They would then be in the position of having to choose which side to back. Its seems unlikely that they'd back Israel these days.
And, it puts the US in a very bad strategic position of having to give up one of its major alliances. If push really came to shove, would the US consider Israel so important that it was willing to destroy NATO to support Israel?
And, if Israel were planning an attack on a NATO warship, would they be willing to take these risks? Would they risk that European NATO countries might honor their alliance with NATO? Would the US be trying desperately to tell Israel not to make such an attack out of fear that it would destroy NATO?
Turkey staying in NATO creates some very interesting strategic questions for all concerned.
Yippie
June 17th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Money.
AIPAC is a big donor. And even worse, if a politician opposes them, AIPAC will go 'all-in' in backing an opponent to defeat them. See Cynthia McKinney in GA for an example.
So, its this combination of wanted AIPAC as an ally and fearing them as an enemy. It is money, but that money translates today into political survival.
There is an obvious counter to this. We need to organize a counter-balancing power. It shouldn't be that hard to argue an "America-first" policy instead. We won't have the money AIPAC has, at least not at first. But we can organize a powerful grassroots opposition of people who believe that we should put our own interests first and spend money on our own people first. In the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the argument that we can't keep giving $5 to $10 billion a year to Israel and Egypt should be an easy one to make politically. Why don't we ask all the unemployed who's checks are stopped because the Senate won't spend the money if we should instead bring that $5 billion home?
Of course, to do this we have to all get off our rears and start to organize.
Vote
June 17th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
We can have a whole new Congress in January.
That's the traditional American response, and one we could be proud of.
And if we don't even try, then that's what we should be ashamed about.
ShoresOfTripoli
June 17th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Don't even need the hypothetical? What was the US response when Somalis started boarding ships on the 'high seas'?
Vote
June 17th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Remember, we can have a whole new Congress in January.
andy
June 17th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Yes.
andy
June 17th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Germany should just kick American troops out of their country.
jeff_davis
June 17th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
There are two factors, both of which impact their re-electability. First is the campaign money AIPAC funnels to them from the various American Jewish organizations. Second are those hoodwinked American voters who still see Israel through eyes long awash in pro-Israel propaganda. It's a one-two punch that KO's any politicians with any vestigial integrity remaining.
Teri
June 17th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
American politicians are all Israeli "Spitlickers". They care more about Israel and Jews than they do
about their own people. They are the reason so many people all over the world hate Americans.
They get lots of money from Joose groups of all stripes. They make sure our soldiers die for Israel.
They classify freedom fighters in the Arab World as "terrorists." : hence they can kill, torture,and
maim men, women and children in the name of self-defense.
It's the most UGLY,and Shameful era in the history of mankind.
jeff_davis
June 17th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Smartest thing I've read yet on the comments page. Of course,grassroots over money has been a dream of mine for some time now, so I guess that explains why I think it's so smart.
ohk17777
June 18th, 2010 at 1:53 am
The first Pledge of Allegiance here in the USA said:
I pledge Allegiance to my flag and
then it was changed to say I pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
Soon it will say I pledge Allegiance to the flag of Israel…
Fielding Mellish
June 18th, 2010 at 2:55 am
"Perhaps it's time for another expulsion of their ilk, just like so many times in history before."
There we have it. An "antiwar" poster openly promoting the ETHNIC CLEANSING of an entire people.
You couldn't possibly be talking about just a handful of neocons, or just a few specific people you consider guilty of treason. By alluding to an "expulsion" reminiscent of those that happened "so many times in history", you could only be referring to the familiar expulsions of a certain ethnic group identified by the Star of David. Therefore, you're advocating ETHNIC CLEANSING. What's more, you've received several affirmations of your criminal sentiments. No doubt the wannabe sondercommando Jeff Davis will applaud you loudly.
You and your "ilk" would presumably justify ANY mass punishment of innocent )ews, predicated on the deeds of a few. You're so deranged with hatred, you'll decry the "expulsion" of Arabs by )ews while screaming for the expulsion of )ews by Americans.
Guest
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 am
and this is called ' Democracy ' believe me Americans are not that important but they know it not
Sue
June 18th, 2010 at 3:28 am
So, I should keep trying? What should I do?
Canuck
June 18th, 2010 at 3:50 am
Most American citizens cannot even find Israel let alone Turkey on a map so it is easy to con the unintelligent into believing whatever they want. Couple that with the leaders willingly giving themselves over to Israel and we see what we see. In Canada we have at least half of our government firmly in the pocket of the Israeli lobby here. Even when Israel killed Canadians in Lebanon our PM said sweet F-all.
The tide of change is coming though. The formally strong Western nations are swimming in debt and the rest of the world is quickly catching up or surpassing us. When that happens Israel will find itself with more powerful enemies than powerful friends. Turkey is just the start of this trend!