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Along with our Jewish family in this community and around the globe, we have waited anxiously for the announcement of the proposed diplomatic agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. The threat of the world’s leading exporter of terrorism obtaining nuclear weapons is of the gravest concern and utmost urgency to our people and to the world.
We appreciate the U.S. team’s extensive efforts in the negotiations, and we recognize the critical role that Congress will now play in approving or disapproving it. We look forward to the 60-day Congressional review period as a time of open debate as we learn the specifics of the accord to understand its implications and efficacy.
jfedsrq 
I am jewish, a student during my early years at Yeshiva in Brooklyn, and I have been a long-time zionist. But I am an American FIRST and a Zionist SECOND. I have love for Israel, and I have been a visiting Professor at Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheva. So I would hold my love and care about Israel second to none. But if anyone listened to Obama’s press conference on Wednesday, and can take exception to what he said specifically about keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran for the current and future decades, let that person speak now. The explanation of the “deal” was Obama at his most Brilliant. And until you listen to the press-conference, or read the transcript, you will not understand that this is a great breakthrough for eventual peace and quiet in the Middle East. I suggest that the Sarasota-Manatee Federation should not reflexively criticize this deal unless they can point out a better path. With no deal, Iran has weapons tomorrow or in a year. With a deal we have time to work on moving forward. As Obama said, we are not expecting the Iranian regime to become Angels in a moment, but at least they will not have a nuclear bomb (which complicates all other aspects of middle-east politics). I ask what is best for the United States, and I will not let Israeli domestic politics or foreign affairs views direct american pollicy. We are not a servant of Israel, and Netanyahu has to let the United States do what it must for our own best interests.
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
I am surprised no one else commented, either positively or negatively on the statement of JFSM or my reply–is no one out there interested in this topic? I am eager to see more comments and thoughts. And let us have a true discussion of this issue.
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
Stephen, what you lack is information. It seems you are one of those kids who get their news from Jon Stewart. Read Commentary Magazine, the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, or Frontpage Mag. Then come back and try again.
Dear Philip Reinstein and all members of Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
It is a truism that when one has no good arguments against an idea or proposal, the fallback positions are ad hominem arguments. Attacking me as someone who does not read the Wall Street Journal, or Commentary, or Frontpage magazine is a front for failed ideas and concepts. I read the New York Times, the New Yorker, and read many statements from a large number of scientists supporting the deal (many among them Jews), statements from the defense administration of Israel saying that the deal is good for Israel, and I have also listened carefully to the arguments for and against the Deal. Until Philip Reinstein can answer, point by point, the arguments presented by President Obama in his August 5 speech at American University, I feel that his arguments have no validity. Here is the source of the complete speech. Everyone should read it, completely.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/05/text-obama-gives-a-speech-about-the-iran-nuclear-deal/
I am not a “kid” but a retired Professor from the University of Michigan who has taught at Ben Gurion University in Beer-Sheva. I hold my love and care for Israel second to none. I recently saw a picture on-line of a young woman holding up a sign “No Nukes for Iran”, and my first thought I had “was she for or against the deal.” We are all against a Nuclear Iran and a Nuclear Middle-East. The question is what is the best approach.
If the deal is rejected then Iran will have a bomb in six months or less. With the deal we can prevent this for many years until we have a chance to have normalized relationships with Iran. I have listened to and studied the arguments for and against “The Deal”, and the arguments for the deal are extremely compelling.
One should also consider the economic problems the failure of the deal would entail, as outlined by Jacob Lew in an article in the Times. The complete article can be seen at:
If we pull out of this deal we will not be able to deal with such countries as China and Russia who will just go ahead and lift their Economic Sanctions and we will be alone in the world, a pariah among nations for not taking diplomacy seriously.
I await a detailed response to the Obama and Lew statements on “The Deal”, and I await hearing from others for or against the deal. I am saddened that the Federation appears to be taking a political position that may be very different from the feelings of the Jewish Community. I know many of my Jewish compatriots in the Sarasota-Manatee area who are for the deal, because they see how this is a path to peace and not to war. If we have a war, it will be young people from Podunk, USA who will die and be maimed fighting a war that could be avoided through Diplomacy. Yes, Diplomacy may need compromise, but that Iran would agree to inspections is something that would never occur in the United States so we have gotten a lot from Iran. The USA would never countenance a foreign country monitoring our security or weapons establishments, and that Iran has given in to this shows the power of Diplomacy.
I encourage all members of the Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to read the articles I cite above, and get back to me with your responses. If these articles are read and understood, it will be clear that a “Deal” is best for America, best for Israel, and best for the world.
Philip Reinstein said I “lack information.” I do not lack information. I have more than enough information and arguments for the Deal. I suggest that Reinstein reads a select set of media that have agendas that are poorly thought out, not supportive of the safety of Israel, and hold positions that will lead to disastrous results.
I look forward to more comments from the community, hopefully after they have at least read the Obama and Lew arguments cited above.
I write in the name of sanity, of peace, and a love of Israel.
Sincerely,
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
941-383-3049 (home phone)
734-474-5533 (cell phone)
4430 Exeter Drive, M303
Longboat Key, FL 34228
Dear Friends of the Federation of Sarasota-Manatee:
Let me add one more article of interest. Here is an article from the Forward, a very jewish magazine/Newspaper. Please read in its entirety:
http://forward.com/opinion/319025/how-anti-obama-zealots-have-gone-off-the-rails-on-iran-deal/#ixzz3jBQrJaXZ
I was very impressed by your credentials as a retired professor from the University of Michigan, which like most of American academia is a hotbed of Leftists. Benjamin Netanyahu is Sayaret Matkal, MIT, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, a protege of Menachem Begin, has been in the Israel government in all the key ministerial positions for forty years, and the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history. Who should we rely on for an accurate assessment, you or him?
From a common sense perspective: why should America agree to legitimize and protect the nuclear weapons program of a state that has been our blood enemy since it came into existence, killed thousands of Americans, and still roars “Death to America” from every public platform, when eliminating the threat would be an afternoon’s work for the U.S. Air Force.
The Jewish community of Sarasota is not that stupid. Let me suggest again, without any intention of “attacking” you that you read something other than the New York Times and similar publications.
Dear Philip Reinstein and Friends of SRQ Federation
Yes, I am rather lefty, and I wear that label proudly. Here are two articles, one showing the errors, again and again of Netanyahu, and one about the economic consequences of no deal.
I would say that Netanyahu has domestic considerations that may affect his beliefs and statements, but as an American, I put America first, and will not have our Foreign Policy controlled by a foreign state.
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
ARTICLE SHOWING ERRORS OF NETANYAHU
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/02/brief-history-netanyahu-crying-wolf-iranian-nuclear-bomb/
ARTICLE BY JACOB LEW ON ECONOMIC DISASTER OF NOT DOING DEAL: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/opinion/the-high-price-of-rejecting-the-iran-deal.html?_r=0
What is there to say to a Leftist? I’ll paraphrase Isaiah, They put wrong for right, bitter for sweet, darkness for light.
I tell you again, Stephen, educate yourself. Read the publications I suggested, some or all, for a week. It might change your mind and your life.
My last comment was edited without my permission. That is dishonest, but a typically Leftist tactic. I’ll repeat the point I made that you removed:
What a kind of Jew are you that you would use the canard of “dual loyalty” against fellow Jews? You would do well to leave that to the anti-Semites.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee encourages lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee reserves the right to approve and edit any comments made on this blog.
Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
In this age of Fox News which is notorious for false information, inflammatory rhetoric, ideological purity despite facts, it is to be expected that other people would take argument to this new low level. I suggest that Philip Reinstein has done just that.
Rather than argue facts, or present any facts, he calls me a “kid”, a “person who lacks information”, attacks the University of Michigan as a “hotbed of Leftists”, and suggests that the New York Times is in some way “anti-Israel” (I would think that the Ochs’s and the the Sulzbergers’s would be turning over in their graves to be accused of being “anti-Israel”).
I am not a kid, I am a Graduate of Rockefeller University, I was a professor at the University of Michigan for 40 years, I have been a visiting Professor at Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheva, and for good measure as a young man I was a Yeshiva Student at Etz-Chaim Yeshiva in Brooklyn (the same school where Alan Dershowitz went, and in fact were were probably in the same class.). I am a Jew, a Zionist, and an American. But I am an American First. I will not bow to another country interfering in our affairs as Netanyahu has done over the years. I have pointed out in one of my comments at this site how wrong-=in fact, very, very wrong—Netanyahu has been over the years. He is a minority president that formed a coalition to be Prime Minister.
If one looks at Israel it is now clear that the entire Intelligence, Security, and High Level Military of Israel is FOR THE DEAL.
Further more, why does Reinstein attack me for “lack of facts” when 340 Rabbis, and many other Jewish Leaders (some of which had to leave Aipac because they could not stomach their position) who have come out for the deal. Does Reinstein think that they have not considered all aspects of the deal, for and against? Does Reinstein think that all these Rabbi’s are secretly in collusion to destroy Israel? Does Reinstein think that he alone has a line to God and he gets the only truth there is? Does Reinstein give any reply to the enormous amount of material and detail I have presented in my arguments at thius site?
The answer is NO, NO, NO.
I repeat, here the three comments of Reinstein for the convenience of readers of this site.
——————————————–
FIRST PHILIP REINSTEIN COMMENT
Stephen, what you lack is information. It seems you are one of those kids who get their news from Jon Stewart. Read Commentary Magazine, the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, or Frontpage Mag. Then come back and try again.
SECOND PHILIP REINSTEIN COMMENT
I was very impressed by your credentials as a retired professor from the University of Michigan, which like most of American academia is a hotbed of Leftists. Benjamin Netanyahu is Sayaret Matkal, MIT, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, a protege of Menachem Begin, has been in the Israel government in all the key ministerial positions for forty years, and the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history. Who should we rely on for an accurate assessment, you or him?
From a common sense perspective: why should America agree to legitimize and protect the nuclear weapons program of a state that has been our blood enemy since it came into existence, killed thousands of Americans, and still roars “Death to America” from every public platform, when eliminating the threat would be an afternoon’s work for the U.S. Air Force.
The Jewish community of Sarasota is not that stupid. Let me suggest again, without any intention of “attacking” you that you read something other than the New York Times and similar publications.
THIRD PHILIP REINSTEIN COMMENT
What is there to say to a Leftist? I’ll paraphrase Isaiah, They put wrong for right, bitter for sweet, darkness for light.
I tell you again, Stephen, educate yourself. Read the publications I suggested, some or all, for a week. It might change your mind and your life.
——————————————–
I feel that the Federation must consider all aspects of this issue. If the Federation bows to pressure from large donors (a la Sheldon Adelson) and ignores the feelings of the Jewish Community of Sarasota-Manatee the Federation is playing with fire. The community will rise up and make its voice heard.
I look forward to hearing an open debate (of which I would like to participate) on this subject so that no secret board or executive committee meetings make decisions at variance with the community.
I am “waitin’, willin’, and wantin’” to meet with the Federation officials to talk about this issue. The ball is in their court, (and even in Philip Reinstein’s court), and I hope that this issue is made public.
As ever,
Stephen Cooper
Cooper@umich.edu
4430 Exeter Drive M303
Longboat Key, Florida 303M
Phone: 941-383-3049
Cell: 734-474-5533
P. S. I hope to hear from other members of the community, one way or the other. This issue is too big to maintain silence.
To the readers of this web site of the Federation:
I want to comment about Mr. Reinstein calling me a “leftist.” Actually, I am, and am proud of that label. What has the left done for America:
Created social security
Created Medicare
Created Medicaid
Fought against Jim Crow
Fought for civil rights.
Fought for ease of voting
Fought for LGBT rights
Fought for Women’s Rights with regard to Reproductive Health.
Eliminated Child Labor
Given us the Eight Hour Day (yes, that is a victory for the Left.)
Promoted Unionism to strengthen families
Promoted regulations to make America Health (EPA, FDA, etc.)
Fought against unjust wars (Vietnam, Iraq, etc.)
And what has the Right given us:
Jim Crow
Slavery before the Çivil War
Union destruction
Destruction of regulations to make America Safe.
Promoted unnecessary wars that killed many Americans
Promoted the Military-Industrial Complex
Allowed Banks to grow so large they could not fail—so we have to bail them out.
I could go on and on and on, but that is enough to show you that being a “Lefty” is not a pejorative title but one of great honor.
So I thank Philip Reinstein for noticing that I am of the Left, and that I wear this title proudly and fully.
Stephen Cooper
Cooper@umich.edu
941-383-3049
cell 734-474-5533
4430 Exeter Drive M303
Longboat Key, FL 34228
I have read a comment by Philip Reinstein where he writes:
My last comment was edited without my permission. That is dishonest, but a typically Leftist tactic. I’ll repeat the point I made that you removed: What a kind of Jew are you that you would use the canard of “dual loyalty” against fellow Jews? You would do well to leave that to the anti-Semites.
First of all, I have no idea what is he talking about since I cannot edit his comments, only the moderator at FEDSRQ can do that. I would love to know what I left out when I quoted him and his previous writings.
And again, he uses words like “leftist”, and accuses me of using the words “dual Loyalty” which I never did–I hope people will read the entire commentary above.
But in fact, while I hope that what is in the best interests of the United States is in the same Best interest of Israel, if there is a difference I would certainly say that as an American Citizen I am for what is best for the United States. To bow down to the megalomaniacal and often wrong (see my comments about about the long-term errors of Netanyahu) Netanyahu who deigns to interfere in our affairs is something I would not do.
My greatest fear is that if, perchance, the deal was defeated (I gather it will go through by veto and the veto will be held) there will be a large increase in Anti-Semitism in the United States and abroad. And this would be understandable (deplorable but understandable) because it will appear as if the State of Israel, a “Jewish State”, is now controlling the United States. The long history of Fascists claiming that the Jews control the world, the economy, and American Policy will appear to be correct, and I would almost begin to believe it.
So I hope that the Federation, and all 151 Federations of the United States take a hard look at the arguments for the “DEAL”, and see that it is best for us, for Israel, and for the world. Remember that it is not only the United States that worked on this deal but five other countries who have a stake in a peaceful middle east. Listen to the arguments of the 340 Rabbis presented above, and see where our best interest lie.
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
4430 Exeter Drive M303
Longboat Key FL 34228
941-383-3049
mobile: 734-474-5533
Be sure to register to President Obama’s web cast on the Iran Nuclear Agreement on Friday, Aug. 28 at 2:10 p.m. http://jewishfederations.org/president-obama
Dear Friends at Federation of Sarasota-Manatee,
I would like to add one more set of thoughts to this discussion, which i read at the site of Moveon.org. Here is a set of thoughts:
Here’s what this fight is really about:
Preventing a war before it begins.
Showing it’s possible to lead with diplomacy rather than war.
Turning away from George Bush’s foreign policy of preemptive, open-ended US wars in the Middle East once and for all.
Not letting Republican war hawks and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu sabotage America’s international credibility, which could harm our ability to reach future international agreements on foreign policy, climate—or really anything.
President Obama has done his part. He’s gotten a deal. He’s used his bully pulpit. He’s held a call with thousands of MoveOn members. And on that call, he said quite clearly: He needs our help.
So i ask alll friends of FEDSRQ to ensure Israel’s safety by backing this deal. We all do not want Iran to have Nukes (as Obama clearly pointed out in his August 5 speech–see above for link) and the only question is whether WAR or DIPLOMACY is the best way. Better Nixon to visit china than to have war with China. Better Reagan to negatiate with Soviet Union rather than war with Soviet Union. Better Kennedy Negotiate with the Soviets rather than World War III over Cuba. We now have a chance to look back and say we took the right way forward. The way of peace. The way of Safety for Israel. The way of Safety for the United States.
Stephen Cooper
cooper@umich.edu
4430 Exeter Drive M303
Longboat Key, FL 34228
941-383-3049
mobile: 734-474-5533
Here is a pithy reply to your ongoing prattle about how good a deal it is to give nukes to the Ayatollahs.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/259466/time-call-obama-and-kerry-what-they-are-traitors-daniel-greenfield
On a matter as conducive to strong emotions and even accusatory comments, it behooves the Jewish Federation of SRQ to present the positions of differing points of view permitting the individuals within the local Jewish community to make up their own minds and express their ideas within the Federation’s means of communication. This does not mean that the Federation cannot express its own view, but should do so while simultaneously publishing countervailing views. And, there may be times when the local Jewish community is so divided in its opinions, that a neutral position or simply an explanation of the varying positions should be taken by the Federation. This comment is for a call to the Federation to make judgments based on actual circumstances instead of ideological dogma. Hopefully, we Jews have and will continue to support Israel, but recognizing that Israel is subject to the vulnerabilities of error no less than other countries. Our loyalty to Israel is to support the State when it is righteous and to remind them of Jewish justice when they act unjustly. While all nations act firstly in their own self interest, it does not mean that those acts of self interest are always in the country’s best interest.
How refreshing it was to read the opinion of Mr. Cooper, whose comments listed facts of significant merit, where as his adversary had little but demeaning accusations. But, even such an uneven dialog added credit of having the expression of differing views.
Having retired after forty years as the Executive Director of synagogues, the last 13 in a 2,000 family synagogue, I learned the hard way that bringing clarity to difficult issues and being receptive to differing opinions can lead if not to agreement, to peaceful association.
Joe Boston
Sarasota, FL
“demeaning accusations”? What are they? As I said before the left is good at name-calling. As for addressing the issues, zero. “refreshing … facts of signicant merit”? What are they? Speak to the issues, instead of cheerleading, and citing your resume. The rabbis opposing this deal outnumber those in favor by thousands.
Reinstein is making ad hominem attacks, not an argument based on favor it reasons…
He has nothing to say. .
Pirkei avot — don’t bother with the fool, to put it in the vernacular.
Yechezkiel Ben Natan
No further comment is necessary.
Professor Cooper clearly stated the facts regarding the Iran deal. We have nothing to lose with this deal and surely war is the other unfathomable option. I don’t understand any argument against this deal. I urge people to listen to President Obama’s clear presentation of the facts.
I am saddened by the attack on Professor Cooper. Clearly Mr Reinstein could not offer an alternative thus he resorted to name calling.
Stephen, first, stop claiming you are being attacked. I know being the victim is the favored position of the Left, but enough already. I have never attacked you, while you constantly attack me, which by the way, I don’t mind. Name-calling is all the Left really has in its arsenal: racist, homophobe, islamophobe, etc., because Leftists have nothing with which to address the issues.
Here is the issue: The current government of Iran, was born under Jimmy Carter’s watch and with his assistance, with a burning hatred of America. Their first act was to attack the U.S. embassy and take all our diplomats hostage. This went on for well over a year, until the day Ronald Reagan was elected, when they were released. Since you are a professor, you can do the math. But you can’t, because your religion, Leftism, doesn’t allow it.
Thereafter, Iran became the world’s premiere terrorist nation. Michael Ledeen wrote the definitive book on the topic years ago, the Terror Masters. You of course haven’t read it
The Ayatollahs’ ambition is world domination, and to that end their main enemy was always America, hence the incessant chanting of Death to America, even after the deal. It has always been bi-partisan US policy to deny them nuclear weapons, hence decades of UN resolutions to that effect. It was even Obama’s stated policy until a year or two ago, although he was lying, and still is.
The deal removes the sanctions and gives them a clear path to nuclear weapons, sooner or later, by hook or by crook. Get it. World domination guys fueled with religious fervor with nuclear weapons. The alternative is to bomb the nuclear installations. As I said before, it is only an afternoons work.
This leaves the realm of Leftism for a new concept, crazy Leftism. But Obama is not crazy. He is doing it deliberately, because he hates America, and loves Islam.
Now go read. Educate yourself. Here’s the list again.
Commentary Magazine
The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal
Frontpage Magazine
Israel Hayom
PJ Media
Try reading some books too, although Leftists don’t read or write political books.
The Terror Masters, Michael Ledeen
Godless, Ann Coulter
Mr Reinstein you lost all credibility stating “President Obama hates America, and loves Islam.” It frightens me that there are Jews that think this way. Sadly there are no facts in your convictions.
No facts? I have given you all the germane facts, not once, but twice. The Iranians are budding Nazis, in word and deed. The President is assisting them, legitimizing them, and delivering nuclear weapons into their hands, not stopping them (If you want the details, read the sources I have given you.) The very educated and pompous Mr. Cooper is passing off pipe dreams and long lists of irrelevant blather, as facts.
Don’t mess up on this one, Cheryl. You are Jewish, and as the prophets teach us, our chief obligation in the world is to be able to distinguish right from wrong, to do the one and shun the other. Take the time to read other opinions by men more eloquent than I. You have the list. Read, or you will be captive to the propaganda of the Left, all of your life. And you will always be on the wrong side.