Over the past 6 ½ years it seems we, as a country, have learned nothing. In 2002 our government used the heinous attacks of 9/11 as an excuse for going to war with Iraq. During the buildup, an earsplitting caravan of twisted intelligence and opinion rolled over our nation. The president and his hoard, worked the media, banged the drums of fear and war, and bullied the public into buying the “need” to invade Iraq. Since then, the vast majority of the American public realizes this war is a big mistake, and they urgently want to find a way out.

Now, along comes Iran. Bush and his cronies have dragged out and dusted off the same old drums. In a slowly increasing crescendo of fear and false patriotism, they are pointing to Iran and accusing them of fomenting instability in the region. Instead of launching an intense diplomatic effort with all of the neighbouring countries, they have decided instead to goad the American public into expanding the war into Iran. Sadly, much of the force pushing in this direction is coming from Joe Lieberman and AIPAC.

Working with the Neocons, Joe and AIPAC helped push America into our war in Iraq by emphasizing how necessary that action would be for Israel’s security. Their bellicosity and inflated rhetoric insinuated that those Americans who did not support the invasion of Iraq were not supportive of Israel and probably even anti-Semitic. They are now engaging in the same tactics to push America into invading Iran.

I will state loud and clear that I DO support Israel, just as I believe in nourishing the Jewish community through my work with the Gantseh Megillah. I do not, however, believe in blindly subscribing to what others tell me is good for my country and Israel.

It is mindless jingoism to say that disagreeing with the continued occupation of Iraq means you do not support the troops. I am also appalled by the notion that refusing to expand the military aggression into Iran means that I do not love and support Israel. I become even more incensed when I read columns, and hear rightwing orators who point their fingers, and use words such as “anti-Semite,” towards anyone with whom they disagree.

We must be able to separate ourselves from our political beliefs, and our religious background. As a Jew, I can agree, or disagree, with anyone’s notion of what is good for Israel, and yet still want to see Eretz Yisroel thrive and prosper in peace. I resent anyone who tells me their way is the only way. This is not how a democracy works.

We take pride Israel’s successes and we like to remind ourselves that it is the only Democracy in that area of the world. We say we are fighting to spread Democracy throughout the Middle East, and yet, when it comes to our own country, we are faced with people who trample all over our principles in order to garner support for their point of view.

Joe Lieberman and AIPAC have got to stop intimidating us with their insinuations of anti-Israeli or anti-Semitic sentiments if we have the temerity to question anything the Israeli government does. They must not be permitted to bully people with outrageous comments based on incomplete intelligence, and drummed up statements for which they have no evidence.

It is a tremendous leap of faith to say that if the United States does not attack and destroy Iran, then Israel is doomed. Those of us who believe in peace, whenever possible, and who are reluctant to simply exploit military might for a quick solution to an alleged problem, must be able to stand up and speak our piece without being declared persona non grata to our community as a whole.

In this instance, I believe it is Joe and AIPAC who are a threat to our democracy.