Friday, October 20, 2017

And This Is a Democracy?



I know, I know, it's Texas. But still.

In the hurricane battered town of Dickinson, 30 miles southeast of Houston, disaster relief comes with some pretty weird strings. Those applying have to commit to not boycotting Israel.

The city of Dickinson, Texas recently posted applications online for relief grants "from the funds that were generously donated to the Dickinson Harvey Relief Fund," the city's website says. The application, however, includes a provision requiring applicants to promise not to boycott Israel.

Section 11 of the four page document is titled: "Verification not to Boycott Israel".

The text reads: "By executing this Agreement below, the Applicant verifies that the Applicant: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement."

The city attorney for Dickinson told a local television station he was only following a state law forbidding state agencies from doing business with Israel boycotters.

That's what happens when you skip straight to the 2nd Amendment without reading the 1st.

In May, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed the Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) bill into law. The statute "prohibits all state agencies from contracting with, and certain public funds from investing in, companies that boycott Israel," according to the governor's website.

"Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas," Abbott said at the bill's signing. "We will not tolerate such actions against an important ally."

How the law would apply to individuals seeking disaster relief - rather than businesses seeking contracts - is unclear.

6 comments:

Trailblazer said...

The USA Republican and perhaps the Democrat evangelists just love to push the Muslim 72 virgins myth.
At the same time they push not just vocally but military and trade wise the myth of Armageddon .
We have in power,in the USA, making life and death decisions people who relish the thought of the ending of the world.
They are NOT alone;Canada and the UK suffer these religious extremists who operate quietly in the background.

TB

the salamander said...

.. its doubtful many folks are aware of the demographic evolution within Texas. Like Florida & California, the population has swung drastically as many generations of hispanic speaking folks have been born n raised as 'texans'. Unsurprisingly, the presumed majority are not your typical white folk in boot cut jeans and alligator skin cowboy boots..

What then to think when such State laws exist?

Sounds to me like powerful vested interests at work.. Entirely dubious 'reasoning' or rationale of course. Israel can't seem to help itself ethically or morally.. Gaza alone should make that clear. Israel now seems like a non humble nation intent on stealing more land while screetching 'anti semetic' at any question regarding their behavior. They would probably nuke Gaza if they didn't actually want the land and sea access & offshore energy resources. But for now just let some Israeli 'settlers' bulldoze or chop down the olive trees of the folks in Gaza, and build condo style residences etc. And OK there have been the odd atrocities, badly aimed air attacks on the innocents of Gaza. You know, to take out vital infrastructure such as hospitals, water purification, electricity.. so sad, too bad..

But Israelis are precious n valiant 'Allies' .. (of Texas ? ?) In what context ? In what scenario ? Say what ? (Oh, sorry.. I must be anti semetic) Just remember, how many Israelis have died yearly or in total.. from rockets launched in Gaza. I'm not sure if its reached double figures yet. Please look up the annual death toll in Israel from traffic accidents if you want to be horrified.. they may lead the world in that category

Tal Hartsfeld said...

Disaster relief should only be for the sole purpose of disaster relief and nothing else.
These types of undue Catch-22s are totally uncalled for and have absolutely no relevance whatsoever to who deserves (or doesn't deserve) to be entitled to necessary assistance.

The Mound of Sound said...


I have to agree with most of your observations, TB. I really wish that wasn't the case.

The Mound of Sound said...


Sal, I think the "pro-Israel" business is the result of courting evangelicals. Benjamin Netanyahu understands quite well their value to Israel both in tourism but especially in shaping political opinion in Israel's last two foreign backers, the US and Canada.

The Mound of Sound said...


Tal, this is a malaise that is in no way confined to the United States.