Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: elogio del banchiere ebreo

nel discorso di Obama.
Che non sembra proprio intenzionato a giocare la parte del paparino
che richiama il discolo Israele a comportarsi "come tutti gli altri".
(se lo augurava il Logi. eh)
Jewish banker sets heartfelt tone for Obama speech
By Ron Kampeas · February 25, 2009
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In times like these, "Jewish banker" might seem an
unlikely descriptor for "hero," but that's who President Obama chose
to make his point about being generous in hard times.
Obama's salute to Leonard Abess in his state of the nation speech
Tuesday was likely to bring a dose of pride to a community that has
been unnerved by the 24/7 coverage of another Jewish banker, Bernie
Madoff, and allegations of Madoff''s robbing from the poor (and the
wealthy) to keep himself rich.
Jewish groups in general were quite pleased with the speech, which
emphasized economic recovery through government-directed stimulus.
Obama also briefly touched on foreign affairs, stressing his
commitment to outreach when it comes to dealing with the Middle East,
but also hinting at toughness should recalcitrant nations like Iran
not be forthcoming.
The most emotional Jewish moment, perhaps, was that involving Abess.
"I have also learned that hope is found in unlikely places; that
inspiration often comes not from those with the most power or
celebrity, but from the dreams and aspirations of Americans who are
anything but ordinary," Obama said in the first of a number of
references to the upper reaches of the Capitol, where a president's
chosen "heroes" sit with the first lady.
"I think of Leonard Abess, a bank president from Miami who reportedly
cashed out of his company, took a $60 million bonus and gave it out to
all 399 people who worked for him, plus another 72 who used to work
for him," Obama said, as Abess barely contained his emotions. "He
didn't tell anyone, but when the local newspaper found out, he simply
said, 'I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old. It didn't
feel right getting the money myself.'"
According to the biography of Abess posted by City National Bank,
Abess is a board member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the
Anti-Defamation League.
"Leonard Abess, who gave millions to employees, is a Miami Jewish
federation leader," William Daroff, the United Jewish Communities'
Washington director, Twittered with pride.
"Leonard and his family have been very generous supporters of the fed
for as long as I can remember,” Jacob Solomon, the executive vice
president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, told JTA.
"They really bring to life what we mean when we say the Jews should be
'ohr la-goyim,' " a light unto the nations.
Obama's warmth was returned by Jewish lawmakers, who were among the
first to stand and applaud the president's initiatives. Chief among
them was Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who rollicked with laughter
after Obama countered Republican heckling about the spending portions
of the stimulus package with a grin, a pause and a sentence that
began: "With the deficit we inherited …"
The night contained several other Jewish moments, whether poignant,
political humorous or stylish.
There were plenty of hugs and cheers for Supreme Court Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg, who is recovering from pancreatic cancer treatment.
After the speech, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) got a hug from the
president even though Lieberman supported Obama's Republican opponent
during the election. During the speech, Lieberman delivered his
trademark avuncular applause at Obama's pledge to make sure tax-funded
loans go to taxpayers.
Though the speech wasn’t an official State of the Union address, U.S.
Rep Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) kept tradition going, managing to get through
to the front lines to shake the president’s hand on his way out. So
did Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schutlz (D-Fla.), sans her recent perm. But
Jewish fashion watchers still had something to discuss thanks to Sen.
Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who sported a Miami-ready light green blazer.
Officials at several Jewish groups praised the speech and the
direction of the stimulus.
"We felt at home in the speech," said Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive
director of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs, the public policy
umbrella bringing together the synagogue movements, several national
Jewish groups and local communities across North America.
Gutow noted that the three main pillars of Obama's agenda -- energy,
health care and education -- are all major priorities of his
organization.
Daroff said he particularly liked the focus on "Jewish virtues," such
as education and health care, noting that caring for those in need is
a pillar of the federation system. And he was glad to see Obama focus
on energy at a time when the price of oil was relatively cheap.
In addition, "There were admirable nods toward bipartisanship," said
Daroff. He also called Obama "Reaganesque" for the "optimistic and
upbeat" attitude he conveyed.
"It was about what we as Americans can do," Daroff said.
In Obama's brief references to foreign policies at the end of the
speech, he coupled his calls for expanded diplomatic outreach to his
quest for peace for Israel and its neighbors.
"In words and deeds, we are showing the world that a new era of
engagement has begun," he said. "For we know that America cannot meet
the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them
without America. We cannot shun the negotiating table, nor ignore the
foes or forces that could do us harm. We are instead called to move
forward with the sense of confidence and candor that serious times
demand. To seek progress towards a secure and lasting peace between
Israel and her neighbors, we have appointed an envoy to sustain our
effort."
he speech did not mention Iran, but Obama's emphasis on the
"negotiating table" reflected his pledge to reach out to Iran's
leadership in a bid to have the Islamic Republic stand down from its
suspected nuclear weapons program.
"To meet the challenges of the 21st century -- from terrorism to
nuclear proliferation; from pandemic disease to cyber threats to
crushing poverty -- we will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones,
and use all elements of our national power," he said.
The reference to "all elements" of national power could be read as a
subtle invocation of threat of American might should all else fail
with Iran.
Americans for Peace Now liked the emphasis on re-engagement.
"Friends of Israel should support the president's commitment to work
for secure and lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors," said
Ori Nir, the APN spokesman. "Regional leaders ought to take advantage
of this new era of engagement that President Obama is ushering in. The
president's refreshing approach to the region, emphasizing the role of
diplomacy, is a valuable opportunity for those seeking Mideast peace,
stability and prosperity."
Orthodox Union public policy director Nathan Diament said it made
sense that the Jewish state was one of the few countries that Obama
referenced in the speech because "the Middle East is the central venue
for America's greatest foreign policy challenges."
"From the Obama perspective, constructive engagement is the central
component of not only supporting Israel but advancing American
interests," Diament said.
Not everyone approved.
"He ignored 15 years of tragic failure" since the Oslo Accords "and
said 'continue with the ways of the past,' " said Zionist Organization
of America president Morton Klein. "He should have said we're going to
work to transform the Palestinian culture" and "demand they jail
terrorists."
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/02/25/1003278/a-jewish-banker-sets-the-heartfelt-tone-for-obama-speech

 (se lo augurava il Logi. eh)
e tu no, come quelle persone che ritengano che la propria nazione
abbia il diritto di fare quello che vuole. Come si chiamano quelle
persone che la pensano così e fanno ironia sulle ronde fasciste?