>I saw the speech by Sweeney on C-SPAN-- actually it was pretty decent if not
>all I'd want. He talked about travelling to Israel where he and other labor
>leaders met with trade unions in both Israel and with the Palestinian unions
>and noted how they both wanted peace. He noted the need for Israel to be
>secure and the need for fulfillment of the aspirations of the Palestinian
>people. He noted how violence was spreading dispair "among all people" and
>how poverty was feeding despair and violence.
>
>Unlike many on the podium, he promoted strong intervention to bring both
>sides to the negotiating table and talked about working to rebuild the
>region after the violence. He emphasized the goal of a "just and lasting
>peace".
John Sweeney said, according to the transcript Tim Shorrock forwarded:
>Thank you very much, Stuart Applebaum. I'm happy to also be
>joined with Morton Barr, the president of the Communication Workers of
>America and a vice president of the AFL-CIO.
>
>On behalf of the 13 million working women (and) men of the AFL- CIO, I stand
>with you to express our support for the people of Israel in this darkest of
>hours. The AFL-CIO condemns all acts of terror directed against Israel and
>its citizens. America's working families, seared by the horrors of September
>11th here in our own country, can begin to imagine how terrifying the
>suicide bombs have made daily life in Israel.
>
>These assaults on innocent civilians at their places of work and rest should
>be named what they are -- crimes against humanity that cannot be condoned.
>(Applause.) These acts of terror will not succeed. The AFL-CIO joins with
>you in calling for an end to all acts of terror. We call on all parties to
>make respect for life and for the dignity and rights of all people the
>cornerstone of peace.
>
>When violence escalates, it is working families who pay the price in loved
>ones lost, homes destroyed and dreams crushed. The American labor movement
>has a long and enduring relationship with the state of Israel, a
>relationship grounded in our solidarity with the Israeli Trade Union
>Federation, the Histadrut. We join with you in asserting the simple reality,
>Israel has the right to exist in security and in peace. (Applause.) We will
>work with you toward that day.
Nathan, your paraphrase is just a touch tendentious, wouldn't you agree? "The AFL-CIO condemns all acts of terror directed against Israel" - and has not a word to say about the Palestinians, who are being killed in much larger numbers, whose physical infrastructure has been wrecked. He was worse than Wolfowitz, for god's sake. What the hell is "decent" about this?
Doug