Minnesota Independent

Ellison, McCollum and Oberstar urge Obama to lift Gaza blockade

By Andy Birkey | 01.26.10 | 8:37 am

Democratic U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum, and James Oberstar sent a letter urging President Obama late last week urging him to use diplomatic pressure to resolve the blockade affecting Gaza. Spearheaded by Ellison and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., the letter acknowledges the difficult position facing Israel and notes that the blockade is strengthening Hamas. Fifty members of Congress, as well as a number of religious groups and denominations, have signed on to Ellison’s letter.

Did Bachmann read the Goldstone report before condemning it?

By Andy Birkey | 11.12.09 | 3:25 pm

On Thursday, Rep. Michele Bachmann condemned the Goldstone report, a United Nations-commissioned report on possible war crimes during the Israel-Palestine conflict in the Gaza strip in 2008 and 2009. But it is clear from her press release that…

Ellison urges caution when condemning Goldstone report

By Andy Birkey | 11.03.09 | 5:53 pm

Rep. Keith Ellison is urging members of Congress not to scrap the Goldstone report (pdf) on war crimes allegedly committed during the conflict culminating in December 2008 and January 2009 between Hamas and Israel.…

Kucinich: In Gaza, Israel has violated arms export act

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.07.09 | 11:07 am

Yesterday, Rep. Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice arguing that Israel is in violation of the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (AECA), which says U.S. military exports may not be used…

Jewish community to protest ‘brutal’ Israeli strikes at Sen. Klobuchar’s local office today

By Paul Schmelzer | 12.30.08 | 9:21 am

With Israel’s air strikes against Hamas in Gaza now claiming more than 370 lives (including at least 62 civilians) and extending into a fourth day, Jews around the world and in the Twin Cities are…

Off-base TV ads for Chambliss and Palin earn nods for new Slaughtered Turkey Awards

By Chris Steller | 12.02.08 | 3:02 pm

Who knew that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s classic turkey-slaughter TV interview would usher in a golden age of uncomfortable, Thanksgiving-themed television ads featuring conservatives? Two ads that surfaced in the past few days qualify in separate categories for…

McCain v McCain: Two years ago he took same line on Hamas that he’s blasting Obama for now

By Steve Perry | 05.16.08 | 10:11 am

For more than a month now, John McCain has been blasting Barack Obama for his alleged “endorsement” by Hamas and for his willingness to, as future ex-President GWB phrased it the other day in his…