Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) broke the record for length of time at the podium this week, speaking about the dangers of letting the current regime continue unopposed.
What Cory Booker did this week was remarkable, but it didn’t change anything. However, it gave us a sense that at least someone is aware of the danger, and that’s encouraging at a time when there’s an ongoing coup and dismantling of our Democracy, and the media keep acting as though everything were normal.
Nothing about this regime is normal, and we have to do all we can to at least stem the damage. Cory Booker stood up and made certain we noticed by continuing to talk for more than 25 hours, breaking the record set by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond as he tried to stop civil rights legislation from passing.
Most of us who are opposed to the current regime cheered him on, but a few of my friends decided he’s the wrong messenger because he supports some things they oppose.
Dammit, people, we can’t afford to administer purity tests right now. If someone is ready to stand up to this gang of thugs and thieves, the least we can do is support them in that. If you’re pissed because he supports Big Pharma, I get that. I find it distasteful, too. If you’re pissed because he supports Israel’s existence, I get that, too. But he does not support genocide.
You can read his actual position statement:
“Prime Minister Netanyahu will perhaps be remembered as one of the worst leaders in Israel’s history. I’ve long had serious disagreements with his actions and those of his ultra-right wing governing coalition — from their actions to erode Israel’s democratic institutions, to their allowance of illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank and lack of accountability for extremist settler violence, to their undermining of the Palestinian Authority — all of which threaten Israel’s security and the prospects for a two-state solution.
“Furthermore, when Israel needed clear-eyed leadership in the wake of the horrific October 7 terror attacks, Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by prioritizing his own political survival over the security of Israelis and the safe return of the hostages held by Hamas – including eight American citizens. Many other Israeli leaders were willing to step up and accept responsibility for their failures; Prime Minister Netanyahu instead pointed fingers of blame. I believe his leadership has led to a prolonged military conflict between Israel and Hamas and horrific levels of death and suffering of civilians in Gaza. His actions have made ensuring true Israeli security, ending the conflict, and establishing a lasting and just peace more difficult.
“At a time when 72 percent of Israelis think he should resign from office, there must be accountability for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s failures and his undermining of Israel’s democracy.
“I support the State of Israel – its security, its flourishing, and its profound potential. I believe there is a deep and unbreakable bond between our two nations – a bond that should never be undermined by partisan politics here at home. Out of respect for this special relationship and my love for the people of Israel, I will attend today’s speech. I remain committed to holding Prime Minister Netanyahu accountable and working toward a lasting and just peace for all the people in the region.
“Ending this crisis starts with an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict that stops the fighting, brings the hostages home, and allows desperately needed humanitarian aid to flow to civilians in Gaza. Working towards a two-state solution is the only pathway to a lasting peace that protects Israel’s right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state and ensures the Palestinian people’s right to human dignity, prosperity, self-determination, and a state of their own.”
So there you go. Senator Booker is not a fascist, and right now, there’s a fascist wildfire going on in DC, and we have to get it under control. Distasteful is hugely preferable to fascist.
Thanks to this regime’s incompetence and corruption, our economy is teetering on the brink of collapse, our public health system is being shredded, our schools are being targeted for dismantling, climate change is speeding up and the rest of the world thinks we’re a bunch of idiots. I can’t disagree with that. If we’re so stupid that we turn away someone who wants to lead the fight against these clowns, we’re pretty damn stupid.
I don’t agree with Booker on every issue, either. In fact, I’ll bet there’s not a politician out there who agrees with me 100 percdent on everything. I wasn’t fond of Biden when he became the nominee, but he did a great job on a lot of issues, and he certainhly was preferable to his opponent. The fact that Republicans succeeded in putting that monster back in the White House is repugnant to me.
My problem is that Democrats refuse to stand up to the Tangerine Tyrant, and when one does, a group of people holds its nose and dismisses him while the rest of the party continues to appease the criminal.
We’re running out of options here. He is consolidating his power and it’s only going to get increasingly difficult to oust him and his gang of incompetents. Let’s let the imperfect warrior have at it while we still have half a chance.