"It was a moment to savor beating back dark money without sacrificing one’s principles or wrongly assuming voters cannot think critically about a given race." A key observation. I wish it was true in 2024 presidential election. But hopefully for 2028.
I get money begs from AIPAC every day - if I go to my spam folder to look at them. It has become a right-wing dirty money collective. We simply have to get money out of politics.
There is no doubt that we need campaign finance reform so that the individual's vote means more than the corporate influenced interests. While at it, it's time to get rid of the lobbyists who make sure that the corporate interests are treated well in Congress.
Problem is, given the current political configuration of the country, the US Constitution is effectively un-amendable. Barring some kind of radical reset we’re more or less stuck with what we’ve got for the foreseeable future.
There is a school of thought that says a much bigger dose of federalism—and a significant devolution of power from Washington—is our long term solution to creeping authoritarianism. It needs more fleshing out, but it’s conceptually attractive.
Thank you Jennifer Rubin for this post. Although I live in Chicago and Daniel Biss in nearby Evanston, we share the same views about Israel. Sadly, many Jewish friends condemn our criticism of Netanyahu and his war tactics. The same group bashed us for supporting Mamdami. I appreciate Biss's brave stance, knowing his email will be filled with "how could you's" and "you're a traitor to Israel." Why are Jews expected to behave like a herd, following the leader blindly, without comment or criticism? Just the fact that Netanyahu and Trump are buddies is enough for many Jews to turn our backs to this Prime Ministor and his warring activities. I'm grateful that Evanstonians uplifted this Jewish young man and in their vote confirmed whether Jewish star around our necks, or Mezuzah on our doorposts, or none of the above, we are proud of our heritage. And especially proud of our willingness to speak our own opinion. Neither Netanyahu, Trump, or a best friend can put a hand over our mouth, and bark, "Shush."
Although I am an atheist, I grew up in a Jewish household, in NYC. All my friends are liberal/progressive, and just as we were not adherents to "my country right or wrong," we do not believe "Israel, right or wrong."
How is AIPAC allowed, given that campaign funds for a foreign entity are prohibited by law? I'm also Jewish, named after a Holocaust victim, and firmly opposed the extreme, right-wing, authoritarian government of Benjamin Netanyahu. How can a nation founded by Holocaust survivors support a man who has perpetrated a holocaust on the Gaza Palestinians and been indicted for "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" for it by the International Criminal Court in The Hague? No Jew can in good conscience sanction such brutality and genocide.
The nation of Israel as a whole most likely does not support Netanyahu any more the entire country of the USA support Trump. Certainly many Jews in this country do not support the government of Netanyahu.
I too am Jewish and the daughter of holocaust survivors. I don’t like Netanyahu. He is like trump but not stupid nor demented.
I disagree with you when you claim that Israelis are perpetrating a genocide or holocaust in Gaza. IMO the onus must be on Hamas for purposely putting Gazans in harms way. It was Hamas that started the war knowing full well that bombs would fall on hospitals, churches, schools and apartment buildings because that’s where the chicken shits Hamas were hiding and from where they launched bombs at Israel. They built tunnels to from which they invaded Israel instead of bombs shelters for their civilians. Israel should not be blamed for Hamas’ disdain of Gazan women and children. The onus was and still is on Hamas.
Those who say that to be pro-Israel you have to be pro-Netanyahu is like saying that to be pro-USA you have to be pro-Trump. That is rubbish, pure and simple.
Netanyahu has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for his actions in Gaza that include starvation and the wanton murdering of civilians. Since 2020, he has been charged and is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Israel but the proceedings have been stalled for a number of reasons including his duties as prime minister.
It is high time that our very own homegrown criminal was charged with war crimes by the ICC.
Too bad neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the ICC.
The US response to Netanyahu's ICC indictment has been - to invite him to the US several times and be welcomed by both the GOP and Dems, including allowing him to address Congress...while sanctioning the ICC judges that indicted him.
The sad, sad tale of current day Israel closely reflects our sad tale of life with Trump and his enablers in America. In both democratic countries, the idealistic dream of a "melting pot" civil society, where ethnic and religious differences are tolerently respected rather than disparaged is sadly dying, replaced by a politics of vicious hate. In Israel it has led to a terrible genocide. We, as Jews, who have large families in Israel, know the Palestinian genocide is an utter humiliation, not just for Israel but for Jews worldwide. The fact that Trump seems fused to the hip of Netanyahu tells us much that we fear about Trump's politics in America and where he wants to take our country.
Mayor Biss 29.5%. Kat Abughazaleh 26%. Mayor Biss was a good candidate but I would have voted for progressive Kat Abughazaleh. Will Mayor Biss have the true independence he claims to clearly reassess the relationship between the US and Israel? I doubt it. Hope I am wrong.
But Mayor Biss will be a test case whether so-called progressive J Street supporters of Israel will ever truly standup to Israel or just tut tut.
This article totally ignores the several victories AIPAC had in the Illinois elections.
For one thing, late in the IL-9 nomination race, AIPAC turned its sights on Kat Abughazaleh, who has been a much stronger opponent of Israel's war crimes than Biss.
AIPAC also backed former Rep. Melissa Bean, who won against progressive Junaid Ahmed, and AIPAC-backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller beat progressive state Sen. Robert Peters.
Overall, AIPAC's publicly stated, bigger goal of defeating 'Squad' style progressives who are not restrained and compromised in their criticism of Israel's US-backed atrocities was a success. In AIPAC's own words on X, "Life looks pretty good".
Even in Biss's case, AIPAC said "While disappointed Laura Fine didn't prevail, the pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat would-be Squad members Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala."
Even Juliana Stratton's win wasn't really a defeat for AIPAC, who said afterward that the lobbying group ' looks forward to continuing our long-standing partnership” with Stratton.
The Contrarian only shows concern when so-called 'moderate' Democrats who only give tepid lip service against Israel's increasing violence are challenged by AIPAC.
This outlet's coverage of both Israel's US backed actions, and domestic US policy and events concerning Israel, continues to be tepid and conditioned at best. There has been barely a single word about Israel's killing over over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple of weeks, after months of nearly-daily killings in Lebanon by Israel during the so-called 'ceasefire', or anything about the escalating violence by the IDF and its proxy settlers in the West Bank.
Instead, it continues to approvingly quote supporters of Israel's actions like Biss, who proclaims Israel's right to 'defend itself' while not explaining how genocide, apartheid and constant invasions of sovereign countries are actions of defense.
I am sorry I do not dutifully lavish praise on every word published in 'The Contrarian'. Maybe you are reading the wrong journal and thought you were reading 'The Sycophant'?
Ignore AIPAC’s fascist hasbara; it had a very mediocre night in Illinois on Tuesday. And spent far more against victors Biss and Stratton than Kat and Raja.
And another congressional candidate AIPAC spent millions of dollars attacking, La Shawn Ford, also won against its preferred candidate, Melissa Conyears Ervin.
You are right that it wasn’t all bad news, my main point was I thought Rubin was overstating the good news.
But, yea, it looks to me like AIPAC has shifted their strategy somewhat after their debacle in New Jersey. The fact that AIPAC is now more ok with settling for less critical candidates over more critical ones, rather than actually getting the candidates they want, does say something good about the shifts in the Democratic base.
Excellent points, Jason. But I actually think AIPAC is more frightened by a congressional candidate who disagrees with it 50% of the time than one who disagrees with it 100% of the time, if it believes that the candidate who disagrees with it 50% will be more effective in getting at least some American weapons transfers to Israel suspended.
Hence, the millions AIPAC spent against Malinowski and Biss, even though the woman who beat Malinowski and Kat disagree with it a lot more.
Lebanon has been colonized by Iran and hezbollah. They constantly launch attacks against Israel and have killed too many civilians. They are heartless ideologues. I can’t wait until the Lebanese get their country back. Btw, the Muslims of Lebanon have murdered and ejected most of their Christian and Jewish populations.
How are Iran and Hizbollah any more “heartless” and “(colonialist)” than Israel? Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians after Zionist militias violently displaced them from their land, when Israel was established, in 1948. And doing so with American made weapons.
And Israel has killed far more civilians in Lebanon than Hizbollah has killed in Israel. Israel dropping a leaflet warning that it is about to bomb a building does not give it the right to bomb one in order to kill one terrorist, who is hiding inside it, along with many Lebanese civilians who are also inside. That is akin to murder!
Israel has bombed and occupied Lebanon over and over for decades. The IDF killed over 600 people and bombed residences in southern Lebanon virtually every day during the so-called “ceasefire” that started in November.
Now Israel has killed over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple weeks, including hundreds of children as well as EMTs and medical staff.
The notion that Israel is once again wholesale massacring men, women and children in Lebanon to “liberate” them is of course patently ridiculous, and only a truly brainwashed supporter of Israel’s nonstop violence, oppression and apartheid could believe such utter nonsense.
Iran and Hezbollah have terrorized the Lebanese and occupied/ colonized Lebanon for decades. They have taken the Paris of the Mideast and made it into a terrorist stronghold the only goal of which is to murder Jews and eradicate the only Jewish country in the world!
Thank you for saying this. I voted for Kat and was happy to see she did so well for a first-time candidate, and in the fact of AIPAC money, too. She is the sort of young progressive that we need now. I hope she will run again. Biss is okay, but Kat would have been fantastic.
Israeli occupation forces have kept the Al-Aqsa compound closed for Eid prayers for the first time in nearly 60 years. Hundreds of Palestinian Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers at the gates of the Old City after being prevented from entering.
It marks the first time the site is fully closed on Eid al-Fitr—the holiday on which Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan—since 1967 when Israel occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces have kept Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed since the launch of the war on Iran.
Thank you Jason. Sadly you provide news that should be reported elsewhere, but isn't. Is there a point to this latest, needless provocation, this incitement of despair and anger? Whatever, it's all going in a terrifying direction.
It’s just crazy - and on top of this, Israel and the US are right now bombing civilians in the densely populated capital of Iran, on the day of Persian New Year.
Daniel Biss has won elections and served in public office. He’s not only been mayor, but also served in the Illinois house and senate. He’s first came to my attention for his work and ideas to try to solve Illinois’ intractable budget issues. He also ran for Governor, losing to Pritzker—I possibly voted for him then. From my perspective, he earned this win and the result reflects voters’ respect for his integrity and experience. He started out in an academic career (mathematics) and made the switch to politics to use his skills to work on real problems. He’s a good example for Kat of how to build a career in politics if that’s really what she wants to do. We’ll find out if she can accomplish what he has, which has taken time, courage and dedication.
First, I congratulate Mayor Biss and Gov Pritzker on their victories, and I'm very glad to see that dark money failed in at least some of the races on Tuesday. It's a shame that a decent guy like Tom Malinowski was the victim of a smear campaign by AIPAC, which has become more and more extreme over time.
It's never made any sense to me that criticism of the government of Israel and its actions is 'anti-semitic' or 'anti-Israel'. That makes as much sense as saying criticism of Donald Trump or ICE or his misbegotten war in Iran are 'unpatriotic' and 'anti-America.' Given the actions of both governments, sensible people SHOULD be questioning how our tax money is being used and challenging their demands for more.
Kudos to Daniel Biss for rejecting AIPAC. It’s time more in the political sphere start to reject dark money. Capping political donations is going to have to be necessary to stop corruption. Political candidates no matter their party must be held fully accountable for how much they accept from donors.
Kat Abughazaleh was the candidate for actual change. Putting another GOP-lite person on deck to re-arrange the deck chairs on the sinking US Titanic isn't going to help at all.
By all accounts, she ran a terrific campaign and came extremely close to winning. For a newcomer, who doesn’t even live in the district she was running for, to come within 4 points of beating an established politician is remarkable. She should run for something again- lots of successful politicians start their careers with an election loss. Kat should not give up.
AIPAC is at this point receiving substantial financial support from extreme right-wing oligarchs and dark money groups. The Democratic Party can not and should not allow such forces to shape who gets nominated to run for office under the Democratic Party moniker.
See my reply to Jason above. He and I have had many go arounds over his opinion that Israel has committed genocide. It is convenient, when one hates Jews, to proclaim that they have committed genocide knowing it’s a lie.
Jennifer, it was a great relief to read this column. These are confusing times. Hating what has been done in Gaza and is being done in the West Bank as well as what was done on Oct 7 and not being sure that the Iranian war might not be a good idea while avoiding being branded an anti-semite makes my stomach hurt. It's a relief to find that I'm not alone, or at least that's what I concluded from your reporting on what's happened in Evanston.
This is the dawn of a new day and there is hope to light the dark places.
"It was a moment to savor beating back dark money without sacrificing one’s principles or wrongly assuming voters cannot think critically about a given race." A key observation. I wish it was true in 2024 presidential election. But hopefully for 2028.
I get money begs from AIPAC every day - if I go to my spam folder to look at them. It has become a right-wing dirty money collective. We simply have to get money out of politics.
There is no doubt that we need campaign finance reform so that the individual's vote means more than the corporate influenced interests. While at it, it's time to get rid of the lobbyists who make sure that the corporate interests are treated well in Congress.
Easy (and correct) to say, but very hard to do. We’ll need a new SCOTUS (at a minimum) to pull it off.
A lot of the reforms we need will need to be amendments to the Constitution. That includes court reforms and a whole rethink of the Executive Branch.
Problem is, given the current political configuration of the country, the US Constitution is effectively un-amendable. Barring some kind of radical reset we’re more or less stuck with what we’ve got for the foreseeable future.
We need not just a 50 state strategy for Congress, but one for state legislatures as well.
There is a school of thought that says a much bigger dose of federalism—and a significant devolution of power from Washington—is our long term solution to creeping authoritarianism. It needs more fleshing out, but it’s conceptually attractive.
Thank you Jennifer Rubin for this post. Although I live in Chicago and Daniel Biss in nearby Evanston, we share the same views about Israel. Sadly, many Jewish friends condemn our criticism of Netanyahu and his war tactics. The same group bashed us for supporting Mamdami. I appreciate Biss's brave stance, knowing his email will be filled with "how could you's" and "you're a traitor to Israel." Why are Jews expected to behave like a herd, following the leader blindly, without comment or criticism? Just the fact that Netanyahu and Trump are buddies is enough for many Jews to turn our backs to this Prime Ministor and his warring activities. I'm grateful that Evanstonians uplifted this Jewish young man and in their vote confirmed whether Jewish star around our necks, or Mezuzah on our doorposts, or none of the above, we are proud of our heritage. And especially proud of our willingness to speak our own opinion. Neither Netanyahu, Trump, or a best friend can put a hand over our mouth, and bark, "Shush."
That "group think" is no different from MAGA.
Although I am an atheist, I grew up in a Jewish household, in NYC. All my friends are liberal/progressive, and just as we were not adherents to "my country right or wrong," we do not believe "Israel, right or wrong."
Elaine,
I’’m also an MOT from Chicago who voted and volunteered for, and donated to, Daniel Biss.
Shabbat Shalom and Go Cubbies!
We have failed as a society to teach critical thinking, which results in blindly following false gods.
How is AIPAC allowed, given that campaign funds for a foreign entity are prohibited by law? I'm also Jewish, named after a Holocaust victim, and firmly opposed the extreme, right-wing, authoritarian government of Benjamin Netanyahu. How can a nation founded by Holocaust survivors support a man who has perpetrated a holocaust on the Gaza Palestinians and been indicted for "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" for it by the International Criminal Court in The Hague? No Jew can in good conscience sanction such brutality and genocide.
The nation of Israel as a whole most likely does not support Netanyahu any more the entire country of the USA support Trump. Certainly many Jews in this country do not support the government of Netanyahu.
I’m not convinced that most Jewish Israelis don’t support Netanyahu, as evidenced by the fact that they keep re-electing him.
I too am Jewish and the daughter of holocaust survivors. I don’t like Netanyahu. He is like trump but not stupid nor demented.
I disagree with you when you claim that Israelis are perpetrating a genocide or holocaust in Gaza. IMO the onus must be on Hamas for purposely putting Gazans in harms way. It was Hamas that started the war knowing full well that bombs would fall on hospitals, churches, schools and apartment buildings because that’s where the chicken shits Hamas were hiding and from where they launched bombs at Israel. They built tunnels to from which they invaded Israel instead of bombs shelters for their civilians. Israel should not be blamed for Hamas’ disdain of Gazan women and children. The onus was and still is on Hamas.
Netanyahu is not “demented.” There’s you and me and we just disagree.
Reread. I wrote that Netanyahu is not demented.
I suggest you are demented, Marilyn. An a terrible half a person, too.
You’re gross 🤮.
You're an example of the master race that makes me question the whole idea of a master race.
I was trying to make the point that Netanyahu is demented, Marilyn.
hurt people, hurt people
I disagree. Often the people who hurt others have been hurt themselves. But it does not follow that those who have been hurt will then hurt others.
Or the reverse.
Campaign funds FROM a foreign entity are not allowed, however AIPAC is an American organization.
Those who say that to be pro-Israel you have to be pro-Netanyahu is like saying that to be pro-USA you have to be pro-Trump. That is rubbish, pure and simple.
Netanyahu has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for his actions in Gaza that include starvation and the wanton murdering of civilians. Since 2020, he has been charged and is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Israel but the proceedings have been stalled for a number of reasons including his duties as prime minister.
It is high time that our very own homegrown criminal was charged with war crimes by the ICC.
Too bad neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the ICC.
The US response to Netanyahu's ICC indictment has been - to invite him to the US several times and be welcomed by both the GOP and Dems, including allowing him to address Congress...while sanctioning the ICC judges that indicted him.
It is also time for the ICC to charge with war crimes the Hammas government of Palestine of the crimes committed against Israel in October 7, 2023.
The sad, sad tale of current day Israel closely reflects our sad tale of life with Trump and his enablers in America. In both democratic countries, the idealistic dream of a "melting pot" civil society, where ethnic and religious differences are tolerently respected rather than disparaged is sadly dying, replaced by a politics of vicious hate. In Israel it has led to a terrible genocide. We, as Jews, who have large families in Israel, know the Palestinian genocide is an utter humiliation, not just for Israel but for Jews worldwide. The fact that Trump seems fused to the hip of Netanyahu tells us much that we fear about Trump's politics in America and where he wants to take our country.
Mayor Biss 29.5%. Kat Abughazaleh 26%. Mayor Biss was a good candidate but I would have voted for progressive Kat Abughazaleh. Will Mayor Biss have the true independence he claims to clearly reassess the relationship between the US and Israel? I doubt it. Hope I am wrong.
But Mayor Biss will be a test case whether so-called progressive J Street supporters of Israel will ever truly standup to Israel or just tut tut.
This article totally ignores the several victories AIPAC had in the Illinois elections.
For one thing, late in the IL-9 nomination race, AIPAC turned its sights on Kat Abughazaleh, who has been a much stronger opponent of Israel's war crimes than Biss.
AIPAC also backed former Rep. Melissa Bean, who won against progressive Junaid Ahmed, and AIPAC-backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller beat progressive state Sen. Robert Peters.
Overall, AIPAC's publicly stated, bigger goal of defeating 'Squad' style progressives who are not restrained and compromised in their criticism of Israel's US-backed atrocities was a success. In AIPAC's own words on X, "Life looks pretty good".
Even in Biss's case, AIPAC said "While disappointed Laura Fine didn't prevail, the pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat would-be Squad members Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala."
Even Juliana Stratton's win wasn't really a defeat for AIPAC, who said afterward that the lobbying group ' looks forward to continuing our long-standing partnership” with Stratton.
The Contrarian only shows concern when so-called 'moderate' Democrats who only give tepid lip service against Israel's increasing violence are challenged by AIPAC.
This outlet's coverage of both Israel's US backed actions, and domestic US policy and events concerning Israel, continues to be tepid and conditioned at best. There has been barely a single word about Israel's killing over over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple of weeks, after months of nearly-daily killings in Lebanon by Israel during the so-called 'ceasefire', or anything about the escalating violence by the IDF and its proxy settlers in the West Bank.
Instead, it continues to approvingly quote supporters of Israel's actions like Biss, who proclaims Israel's right to 'defend itself' while not explaining how genocide, apartheid and constant invasions of sovereign countries are actions of defense.
Beyond discouraging.
I am getting really tired of the massive glaring gaps in The Contrarian's commentary on this broader topic.
perhaps joe rogan would suit you better
Another insightful comment from particia.
I am sorry I do not dutifully lavish praise on every word published in 'The Contrarian'. Maybe you are reading the wrong journal and thought you were reading 'The Sycophant'?
thanks
sometimes he says good things
joe rogan not Jason...
Jason,
Ignore AIPAC’s fascist hasbara; it had a very mediocre night in Illinois on Tuesday. And spent far more against victors Biss and Stratton than Kat and Raja.
And another congressional candidate AIPAC spent millions of dollars attacking, La Shawn Ford, also won against its preferred candidate, Melissa Conyears Ervin.
You are right that it wasn’t all bad news, my main point was I thought Rubin was overstating the good news.
But, yea, it looks to me like AIPAC has shifted their strategy somewhat after their debacle in New Jersey. The fact that AIPAC is now more ok with settling for less critical candidates over more critical ones, rather than actually getting the candidates they want, does say something good about the shifts in the Democratic base.
Excellent points, Jason. But I actually think AIPAC is more frightened by a congressional candidate who disagrees with it 50% of the time than one who disagrees with it 100% of the time, if it believes that the candidate who disagrees with it 50% will be more effective in getting at least some American weapons transfers to Israel suspended.
Hence, the millions AIPAC spent against Malinowski and Biss, even though the woman who beat Malinowski and Kat disagree with it a lot more.
Lebanon has been colonized by Iran and hezbollah. They constantly launch attacks against Israel and have killed too many civilians. They are heartless ideologues. I can’t wait until the Lebanese get their country back. Btw, the Muslims of Lebanon have murdered and ejected most of their Christian and Jewish populations.
Marilyn,
How are Iran and Hizbollah any more “heartless” and “(colonialist)” than Israel? Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians after Zionist militias violently displaced them from their land, when Israel was established, in 1948. And doing so with American made weapons.
And Israel has killed far more civilians in Lebanon than Hizbollah has killed in Israel. Israel dropping a leaflet warning that it is about to bomb a building does not give it the right to bomb one in order to kill one terrorist, who is hiding inside it, along with many Lebanese civilians who are also inside. That is akin to murder!
Israel has bombed and occupied Lebanon over and over for decades. The IDF killed over 600 people and bombed residences in southern Lebanon virtually every day during the so-called “ceasefire” that started in November.
Now Israel has killed over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple weeks, including hundreds of children as well as EMTs and medical staff.
The notion that Israel is once again wholesale massacring men, women and children in Lebanon to “liberate” them is of course patently ridiculous, and only a truly brainwashed supporter of Israel’s nonstop violence, oppression and apartheid could believe such utter nonsense.
Which is what Marilyn is. A person without a conscience, without a soul, without a reason for existing other than her hate.
Yea, she’s been trolling my posts here for a long time.
Jew hater.
I like you, Marilyn. You can come to my house, take it over, kill my children and blame me for it. Like a true Isrealy. :-)
Iran and Hezbollah have terrorized the Lebanese and occupied/ colonized Lebanon for decades. They have taken the Paris of the Mideast and made it into a terrorist stronghold the only goal of which is to murder Jews and eradicate the only Jewish country in the world!
Thank you for saying this. I voted for Kat and was happy to see she did so well for a first-time candidate, and in the fact of AIPAC money, too. She is the sort of young progressive that we need now. I hope she will run again. Biss is okay, but Kat would have been fantastic.
Kat is an outstanding young woman, Pamela, and Kats have nine lives. So, Kat has a bright future ahead of her.
more news from the USA's bff:
Israeli occupation forces have kept the Al-Aqsa compound closed for Eid prayers for the first time in nearly 60 years. Hundreds of Palestinian Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers at the gates of the Old City after being prevented from entering.
It marks the first time the site is fully closed on Eid al-Fitr—the holiday on which Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan—since 1967 when Israel occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces have kept Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed since the launch of the war on Iran.
Thank you Jason. Sadly you provide news that should be reported elsewhere, but isn't. Is there a point to this latest, needless provocation, this incitement of despair and anger? Whatever, it's all going in a terrifying direction.
It’s just crazy - and on top of this, Israel and the US are right now bombing civilians in the densely populated capital of Iran, on the day of Persian New Year.
Daniel Biss has won elections and served in public office. He’s not only been mayor, but also served in the Illinois house and senate. He’s first came to my attention for his work and ideas to try to solve Illinois’ intractable budget issues. He also ran for Governor, losing to Pritzker—I possibly voted for him then. From my perspective, he earned this win and the result reflects voters’ respect for his integrity and experience. He started out in an academic career (mathematics) and made the switch to politics to use his skills to work on real problems. He’s a good example for Kat of how to build a career in politics if that’s really what she wants to do. We’ll find out if she can accomplish what he has, which has taken time, courage and dedication.
I voted for Biss and have high hopes for him, Lisa.
Or maybe one Jewish man doesn’t represent all Jewish people no matter how his political stances play out.
Very insightful, Wendy; we’ll likely soon know. But I have high hopes for Biss.
First, I congratulate Mayor Biss and Gov Pritzker on their victories, and I'm very glad to see that dark money failed in at least some of the races on Tuesday. It's a shame that a decent guy like Tom Malinowski was the victim of a smear campaign by AIPAC, which has become more and more extreme over time.
It's never made any sense to me that criticism of the government of Israel and its actions is 'anti-semitic' or 'anti-Israel'. That makes as much sense as saying criticism of Donald Trump or ICE or his misbegotten war in Iran are 'unpatriotic' and 'anti-America.' Given the actions of both governments, sensible people SHOULD be questioning how our tax money is being used and challenging their demands for more.
Great article, Jen! Thank you!
Kudos to Daniel Biss for rejecting AIPAC. It’s time more in the political sphere start to reject dark money. Capping political donations is going to have to be necessary to stop corruption. Political candidates no matter their party must be held fully accountable for how much they accept from donors.
Kat Abughazaleh was the candidate for actual change. Putting another GOP-lite person on deck to re-arrange the deck chairs on the sinking US Titanic isn't going to help at all.
By all accounts, she ran a terrific campaign and came extremely close to winning. For a newcomer, who doesn’t even live in the district she was running for, to come within 4 points of beating an established politician is remarkable. She should run for something again- lots of successful politicians start their careers with an election loss. Kat should not give up.
Exactly, Graham! Politics ain't bean bag, as the saying goes, and lots of successful politicians take a few hard knocks along the way.
I'm grateful for you calling out the underhanded tactics of AIPAC. It's encouraging to see any and all saying no to dark money in our politics!
Excellent writing! Thanks Jen! ❤
AIPAC is at this point receiving substantial financial support from extreme right-wing oligarchs and dark money groups. The Democratic Party can not and should not allow such forces to shape who gets nominated to run for office under the Democratic Party moniker.
This is the closest the Contrarian will come to acknowledging the genocide in Palestine. How disappointing. But I guess it's something.
Do not hold your breath.
See my reply to Jason above. He and I have had many go arounds over his opinion that Israel has committed genocide. It is convenient, when one hates Jews, to proclaim that they have committed genocide knowing it’s a lie.
I've noticed you have the same attitude as the caterer at the Wannsee Conference. If you don't see it, you can't feel bad about it, right?
What trump is doing to the reputation and standing of the US in the world netanyahu is doing to Israël.
Jennifer, it was a great relief to read this column. These are confusing times. Hating what has been done in Gaza and is being done in the West Bank as well as what was done on Oct 7 and not being sure that the Iranian war might not be a good idea while avoiding being branded an anti-semite makes my stomach hurt. It's a relief to find that I'm not alone, or at least that's what I concluded from your reporting on what's happened in Evanston.