JBE, firstly, I really like your voice. I think I would like you in person quite a lot.
Secondly, re: why aren't we celebrating the peace accord. I agree with you. I guess I'm taking it for granted, in terms of what to bitch about on this forum. But as far as Clinton's achievements go, I think it's a biggie. He deserves much credit. And I think he's getting it. He deserves it.
Thirdly, re: Pollard, other spies for "friendly" countries, and the like.
Firstly, I think the reason he was not sentenced to die is that the death penalty for spies came in after he was first charged.
Secondly, I do not believe that any other spy for a "friendly" country has ever stolen information which remotely approached the level of importance of what Pollard stole.
Beyond that, I don't think that any foreign country is fully friendly. Certainly not Israel. Probably at the moment (although 1987-90 is really the most relevant period) Canada and Great Britain would be our closest allies. Israel is an ally, but mostly of the takes, and doesn't give, variety.
However, the primary thing is this. It is not up to any Jewish American to decide just how much the national security agencies of the United States should give to Israel. It is up to our democratically elected President, and Congress. It is perfectly legitimate for Jewish Americans to lobby, give money, and vote, to increase the sharing. It is criminally illegitimate for them to decide to violate our national secrecy laws and give unreleased secrets to the Israeli government.
I passionately believe that is a hanging offense. If Pollard was convicted in a pre-hanging era, well, at least keep him in jail forever.
Doug
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