Intimidation by Israeli Lobbyists

This thread from Juan Cole shows how Israelis use strong-arm tactics to silence critics. It's well worth a read (as is his blog, Informed Comment), especially if you're a concerned citizen who wants to understand why Americans were (and still are) so ignorant of the hatred that motivates terrorists.

James Wolcott makes a related point:

Juan Cole, who kindly mentions me today, had a post yesterday rounding up the international protests against the U.S.'s Fallujah campaign. Clicking through the cable news channels, I've seen nothing about this, though they seem to have endless clock to replay the "basketbrawl," explore the ramifications of Dan Rather's retirement announcement, and flash the eBay auction listing for grilled-cheese Virgin Mother. So once again Americans are kept blinkered to how more and more of the world is rallying against us in condemnation. Anything, anything, to preserve our "innocence." Until the next time we lose it.

Here's a link to the post he talks about.