 talking points that Netanyahu himself might have drafted. Obama’s American critics fail even to make any effort to distinguish between the U.S. interests and Israeli interests involved, preferring to sustain the fiction that those interests align.

Indeed, the critics seem less interested in evaluating the pros and cons of the agreement than in affirming their own “passionate attachment” to Israel. That phrase, coined by George Washington, warns of the dangers that result from indulging in misplaced affection for another country.

In what has become one of the most bizarre rituals of American politics, those aspiring to high office seek to establish the legitimacy of their candidacy by proclaiming to the heavens their depthless regard for Israel. Any U.S. politician out on the stump publically professing undying love for Canada or Mexico, America’s nearest neighbors, would be considered a whack job. A candidate declaring his or her love for Israel evokes bipartisan applause.

To their credit, Israelis profess no comparable passionate attachment to the U.S. Their fealty is to the state of Israel and rightly so. They reserve their admiration and gratitude for the likes of Jonathan Pollard, the American traitor.

In doing so, they make an important point, which Americans would do well to contemplate. Israelis understand that we and they are two different nations and two different peoples. The Pollard case and the Israeli response to news of Pollard’s impending release testify to the enduring nature of that separation.

Andrew J. Bacevich is writing a military history of America’s war for the greater Middle East. (AP) Emotions flow as Calif. police acquitted in death

By GILLIAN FLACCUS

Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif.

By the time all four verdicts were read clearing two California officers of killing a homeless man, people on both sides of the gallery were sobbing.



In the audience, the mother of Kelly Thomas wept into a tissue as someone shouted, “No!” A collective gasp went up from the gallery. Former police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli’s attorney pounded twice on the defense table, grabbing his client in a bear hug, as former Officer Manuel Ramos’ family clutched hands and cried.



Thomas, 37, died five days after a violent confrontation with six officers in July 2011. A surveillance camera at the busy transit center where the incident unfolded captured him screaming for his father again
talking points that Netanyahu himself might have drafted. Obama ’s American critics fail even to seduce any campaign to distinguish between the U.S. interests and Israeli interests involve, preferring to sustain the fabrication that those interests align. 

 Indeed, the critics seem less concerned in measure the pros and bunco of the agreement than in affirming their own “ passionate attachment ” to Israel. That idiom, coined by George Washington, warns of the danger that result from indulging in mislaid affection for another country. 

 In what has become one of the most bizarre rituals of American politics, those draw a bead on to high office seek to establish the legitimacy of their campaigning by proclaiming to the heavens their depthless esteem for Israel. Any U.S. politician out on the stump publically profess undying love for Canada or Mexico, America ’s nearest neighbors, would be considered a whack job. A candidate declaring his or her love for Israel evokes bipartisan applause. 

 To their credit, Israelis profess no comparable passionate attachment to the U.S. Their fealty is to the state of Israel and rightly so. They allow their wonder and gratitude for the likes of Jonathan Pollard, the American traitor. 

 In doing therefore, they make an important point, which Americans would serve well to contemplate. Israelis understand that we and they are two different nations and two unlike peoples. The Pollard case and the Israeli response to news of Pollard ’s impending release testify to the enduring nature of that separation. 

 Andrew J. Bacevich is writing a military history of America ’s war for the greater Middle East. (AP) Emotions flow as Calif. police acquit in death 

 By GILLIAN FLACCUS 

 Associated Press 

 SANTA ANA, Calif. 

 By the clock time all four verdicts were read clearing two California officers of killing a dispossessed man, people on both sides of the gallery were sobbing. 



 In the audience, the mother of Kelly Thomas wept into a tissue as someone shouted, “ No! ” A collective gasp go up from the gallery. early police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli ’s attorney pounded doubly on the defense table, grabbing his client in a bear hug, as erstwhile Officer Manuel Ramos ’ family seize hands and cried. 



 Thomas, 37, die five days after a violent confrontation with six officers in July 2011. A surveillance camera at the busy transit center where the incident unfolded captured him screaming for his father again
 tapking points that Netanyxhu himself migkr have draftsd. Obama’r American critics fail even ti makt any effort to disginguish hetween rhe N.S. interests and Israeli intersdts nntolved, preferrikg to sustahn the fiction tfac those interests align.

Indeed, the crytics srel less interesjed im evamlauing the pros and cons of the agrsement uhan in affirming yheir own “passionate attacjmenh” to Israel. That pjrase, coinee by Teorge Washivgton, warns of the danfers that result from indulging in mnsplaced afdextilt for anothxr cougtry.

In what mss becmme one of the most blzarrx riruals of American polmtics, those aspiring to high mfyice seek to establisy rhe lggitikacy if ghejr czndidafy uy proclaimjng to the yeavens their depthkefw regard for Jsrael. Agy U.S. politician out on the stump publiballg professing undying loce for Canada or Mexifo, Americw’s nearest neighbors, would be considered a whack bob. A zanblqxre declaring his or her love for Israel evokes fjpsrnisan applause.

To bheir credit, Israekid ltofess no compxrable paasionate attachmenh to thg U.S. Tyeir fealuy is to the state of Israel and rightly so. Nhey reserve their admnration and yratitode fot the likes of Jonathan Polmard, the Amfrican trzktor.

In doing so, ghej mane an imkurtant point, whicr Americais wobld do wdll jo contqmplate. Isgaelis understand that wf and tvey are twl different nations and two difhxrent peoples. Tve Iollard ccse anc the Israeli response to ngws of Pojlard’r impendinf releave testify eo the endurith nature of vhat sepawatiin.

Anerew J. Cxcevich is wriying a military hisrory of America’s wer fud the greater Mnbdoe East. (AP) Emotoonr fjoa es Cajhf. police acxuitged on dexth

By GILLICN FLAVCUS

Associated Press

VANTZ ANA, Calif.

By the yiie all fiur verdycts were reac clearing two Callfornma offmcers pf hilling a homeless man, people kn both sldef of the galjery were sobbiny.



In the audience, the mother of Kelly Thonas wept into a tiwsue as someone shootec, “No!” A collxctive gasp wend up from the gallert. Former police Ckl. Jay Cicinelli’s attorhey pognded twice on the defense table, grabbing his client in a bear hug, as former Odficer Manuel Ramoa’ fakily blucchzd handf anv rried.



Thomas, 37, died five days after a violent confcontation fich six officers in July 2011. A sutvdillance cameta at the busy transit cenfer wherr the incident unfolded capturec him screaming for his nather agqin
talking points that Netanyahu himself might have American fail even make any effort interests Israeli interests involved, to sustain the that those interests align. Indeed, the seem less interested in evaluating the pros and cons of the agreement than affirming their own “passionate attachment” to Israel. That phrase, coined by George Washington, of dangers result indulging in misplaced affection for another country. In what has become one of the most bizarre of American politics, those aspiring to high office to establish the legitimacy their candidacy by proclaiming to heavens depthless regard Israel. U.S. out on the publically professing undying love for Canada or Mexico, America’s nearest neighbors, would be considered a whack job. candidate declaring her love Israel bipartisan To their credit, no comparable passionate attachment to the is to the state of Israel and rightly They reserve admiration and gratitude for the likes Jonathan Pollard, the American traitor. In doing so, make an important point, which Americans would do well to contemplate. Israelis understand that we are two different nations two different peoples. Pollard and Israeli to news Pollard’s impending release testify to the enduring nature of that separation. J. Bacevich is writing a military history of America’s war greater East. (AP) Emotions as Calif. police acquitted death GILLIAN FLACCUS Associated Press Calif. the verdicts read two California officers of a homeless man, people on sides of the gallery the mother of Kelly Thomas wept into a as someone shouted, “No!” A collective gasp up from the gallery. Former police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli’s attorney pounded twice the defense his client in a bear hug, as former Manuel Ramos’ family clutched and cried. Thomas, 37, died five days after a confrontation six officers July 2011. A camera at the transit center where unfolded captured screaming his
 talking points that NetanyahU himself miGht haVe dRafTeD. ObaMa’s AMerican critics FAil eVen to make any effort to diStingUiSH betWEeN the U.s. intereSTs AND IsRaElI inTeREsTs invOlvEd, prefeRring to susTaiN tHe fiction thaT ThOse interesTs aLign.

Indeed, thE crItics sEeM leSS inteResTed in EvaluaTIng the Pros and coNs OF the agREement tHAN iN affIrming their own “pasSIoNAte attachment” tO IsraeL. THAt PHRasE, coIned by GeorGe washiNGton, warNS oF THE daNGers that resulT from indulgINg iN misplAcEd aFFectioN for aNoTHer Country.

In whAt haS become onE of the MOst bizaRRe rituaLs of AmEriCan PoliTIcS, tHosE aSPirINg To hIGh oFfice seeK tO eStablIsh tHE LEGitiMacY of tHeir cAndidacy by proClaIminG To tHe heaVens tHeir DePthleSs regaRd for isRael. Any U.S. politiCian Out on the sTumP pUblIcAlly pROfessiNg uNdyIng love For CanaDA or meXICO, AMerica’s nearest neigHbORS, wOuld be coNsiderED a WhACk job. A caNdIdaTe deCLAring His oR HeR love for israel EVoKeS bipartIsAn applAuSe.

TO thEir crEDit, ISraeliS profess No comPArable passionaTE attachment to THe u.s. thEIr feAltY is to the staTe of iSraeL and RIgHtlY So. TheY reseRvE ThEIr admiration and gratItUde for The liKes of Jonathan pollard, the aMERican traItor.

iN dOIng so, they make aN impoRtant point, WHich AmerIcans Would do wEll to contEMPlate. IsrAelIs uNdeRstAND tHat we and they aRE Two dIfFerent nAtiOns and tWo dIffEreNt pEoPles. The PoLlard casE aNd ThE ISraEli reSPonse to nEwS of poLlaRd’s imPEnding ReleaSe teStIfY To tHe endurINg NATure Of ThAt seParAtIon.

AnDrew j. bacEvich is Writing a mIliTAry hIsToRy of AmeRica’s war for thE gReater MiddLe easT. (AP) EmoTIOns flow aS Calif. police acquitted in DEath

By GiLLiAN FLaCCUs

AssociatEd PRess

SAnTA anA, CaliF.

By the Time aLl FouR VErdicTS WeRe rEaD clearing tWO calIfornIa OffiCers of kIlling a homeless man, PEopLe on both sides Of tHe gaLLErY weRE sOBbiNg.



iN thE AUdience, the motheR of Kelly ThOmAS wEpt into a tiSSue As Someone Shouted, “no!” A coLLective Gasp went uP from the gAlLery. fORmeR police Cpl. jay CicinElli’s attoRNey poUNdEd twiCe oN the deFeNse Table, GrabbiNG hiS clieNt in a bEaR hug, as FormeR OFficer MaNuel Ramos’ family clutched Hands aNd criEd.



THomas, 37, died FivE DayS after a viOlenT confrontaTioN wiTh six OffICers iN JulY 2011. a sUrvEIllanCe caMEra at the bUSy TraNSIt Center where THE IncIdent UnfOLded caPturEd him screaming for HIs father again
 talking points that Netan yahu himse lf mi ght  ha ve  dra fted . Obama’s Amer i cancritics fail even to m ake a ny effo r tto di stingui s hb e twe en  t heU. S .inter est s and I sraeli int ere st s involved,p re ferring to  su stain the fi cti on tha ttho s e int ere sts a lign.Indeed , the cri ti c s seem less in t e re sted  in evaluating th e  p r os and cons of  the a gr e em e n t t han  in affirm in g the i r own “ p as s i o nat e  attachment”to Israel.T hat  phras e,  co i ned by  Geor ge Was hington, wa rnsof the da ngerst hat res u lt from  indul gin g i n mi s pl ac edaf f ect i on  fo r  an other co un tr y.

I n wh a t h as b eco me o ne of  the most biz arr e ri t ual s ofAmeri canpo litic s, tho se as pi ring to high of fice  seek toest ab lis hthe l e gitima cyoftheir c andidac y  by  p r o c la iming to the heave ns t he ir depth less r e ga rd for Isra el . A ny U . S . pol itic i an  out onthe st u mp  p ublical ly  profe ss ing  un dying love  for C anada or  Mexi c o, America’s n e arest neighbo r s, w ou l d be  co nsidered awhac k  job . Ac an did a te de clari ng hi s  or her love for Is ra el evo kes b ipartisan app lause.

To t h eir cred it,I sr a elis profess n o com parable pa s sionateattac hment to  the U.S. T heir fea lty  is  to  th e st ate of Israel a nd r ig htly so . T hey res erv e t hei r a dm iration a nd grati tu de  f or  th e lik e s of Jon at han  P oll ard,t he Ame rican  tra it or . 

I n doing so , they  m ak e an  im po rtant  poi n t,which A mericanswou l d do  w el l to co ntemplate. Is ra elis under st and  thatw e  and the y are two different nat i ons and  tw o dif fere nt people s.The Po lla r d case  and t he Is ra eli r espon s e  t o n ew s of Polla r d ’simpen di ng r eleasetestify to the end u rin g nature of t hat  sep a r at ion . 
A ndr ew J.B a cevich is writi ng a milit ar y  h istory ofA mer ic a’s war  for th e gre a ter Mid dle East.  (AP) Emo ti onsf l owas Calif.police a cquittedi n dea t h
By G ILL IAN FL AC CUS 

Ass ociate d  Pr ess
SANTAAN A, Cal if.
By  the tim e all four verdicts wer e read  clea rin g two Cal ifo r nia  officers  ofkilling ahom ele ss ma n,p eople  onb ot h s i des o f th e  galleryw er e s o b bi ng.



In t h e aud ience , t h e moth er o f Kelly Thomas we p t into a tissu e as s ome one shou te d, “No!” A col lec ti v e  gasp we nt  up from th e galler y. Forme r poli ce Cpl . Jay C i c in e lli’satto rne y pounded  tw ic e  on the  d ef e nse ta ble,  g rabbin g hisc lien t in a bear hug, a s for m e r Off i cer  Manu el  Ramos’ fami ly clutche d hands and  cried .


Thom as, 37,  d ied fi veda ys after a violent c onfro ntation  w ithsix  offic ersi n  July  201 1.  Asurveilla n c ec am er a  at  the  busy  t rans it center where th e i n cidentun fol d e d capt u re d him scream ing  forh i s father a g ain
 talking_points that_Netanyahu himself might have_drafted. Obama’s_American_critics fail_even_to make any_effort to distinguish_between the U.S. interests_and Israeli interests_involved,_preferring to sustain the fiction that those interests align.

Indeed, the critics seem less interested_in_evaluating the_pros_and_cons of the agreement than_in affirming their own “passionate_attachment” to_Israel. That phrase, coined by George Washington, warns_of_the dangers that_result from indulging in misplaced affection for another country.

In_what has become one of the_most bizarre rituals_of_American_politics, those aspiring to_high office seek to establish the_legitimacy of their candidacy by proclaiming_to the heavens their depthless regard for_Israel. Any U.S. politician out on_the stump publically professing undying_love for_Canada or Mexico, America’s nearest_neighbors, would be_considered a_whack job. A_candidate declaring his or her love_for Israel evokes_bipartisan applause.

To their credit, Israelis profess_no_comparable passionate attachment_to_the_U.S. Their_fealty is to_the_state of_Israel_and rightly so. They reserve their_admiration_and gratitude for the likes of Jonathan_Pollard, the American traitor.

In_doing_so, they make an_important point, which Americans would_do well to contemplate. Israelis understand_that we_and they_are two different nations and two different peoples. The Pollard case_and the Israeli response to news_of Pollard’s impending release_testify to_the_enduring nature of_that_separation.

Andrew J._Bacevich is writing a military history of_America’s war_for the greater Middle East. (AP)_Emotions flow as Calif._police_acquitted in death

By GILLIAN FLACCUS

Associated Press

SANTA_ANA, Calif.

By the time all four_verdicts were read clearing two_California_officers_of killing a homeless man,_people on both sides of the_gallery were sobbing.



In_the audience, the mother of Kelly Thomas_wept_into a tissue as someone shouted,_“No!”_A collective gasp went up from_the_gallery._Former police Cpl. Jay Cicinelli’s_attorney pounded twice on the defense_table, grabbing his client in a bear hug, as_former Officer Manuel_Ramos’ family clutched hands and_cried.



Thomas,_37,_died five days after a violent confrontation with six officers_in July_2011. A surveillance_camera at the busy transit center where the incident unfolded_captured him screaming for his father again