One year ago my brother and I stood shoulder to shoulder in the bitter cold with 1.8 million people on the National Mall, watching as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Nearly 38 million Americans, including our children and parents - who helped start the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs nearly 29 years ago - watched the televised coverage of the inauguration. Americans and people around the world were optimistic about the future with President Obama in charge of US policies.
Now it hurts to recall the elation and relief we felt on Inauguration Day as we heard Obama say: "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect ... We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."
One year later Obama's supporters, especially young people, who volunteered their time, treasure and talent, are disappointed. Today it is Obama's opponents - and sadly, some of his current advisers - who are elated: Those who support attacks on people living in Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and other nations. The president has escalated the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan, increased drone attacks, and ratcheted up the rhetoric. He has not closed the US military prison camp at Guantanamo and now supports routine profiling of visitors to the United States. Worst of all, he hasn't even tried to implement a more even-handed approach to end the Israeli-Arab conflict, or called for an end to Israel's cruel siege of Gaza. Israel continues to evict Palestinians and build apartments for Jews only in Jerusalem, not to mention attacking and arresting Palestinian civilians.
All of this country's tough rhetoric, use of drones and other oppressive actions may worsen in 2010, against the backdrop of midterm congressional elections. But this is not the time to give in to our disappointment and sit on our hands. It is more important than ever for us to demand more from our elected leaders - and to elect people who really will bring change to our country.
President Obama is trying to do the right thing on so many critical fronts, including providing jobs, health care and homes for Americans in need. This president also is doing his best to help Haitians survive an epic disaster but he continues to ignore a man-made disaster in Gaza. On the first anniversary of Obama's inauguration we wish that he'd remember his promises and the hope he inspired in three generations of Americans who voted for him. People around the world hope that he will change US foreign policy and help bring an end to wars without end in the Middle East, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
We are truly devastated that contributions to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs have plummeted just as we are gearing up to publish our biannual "report cards" on congressional voting records, and track pro-Israel PAC contributions to candidates for the House and Senate. Americans need to use their pens and pocketbooks to support candidates who will change the status quo and give peace a chance. But they must first be informed as to who those candidates are - and are not.
We urge you also to support independent bipartisan media - especially the Washington Report. We know you are probably suffering during these economic hard times. But we also know that checks for $5, $10, $20, or $100 turned the tide in the 2008 elections. Your donations and subscriptions could make all the difference to our publication today, and help us keep our doors open in 2010. We have a superb idea to transform traditional information sources in the coming decade - but we need your help!
Please visit the Washington Report's website, www.wrmea.org, to subscribe or make a secure online donation; or mail a check to Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, P.O. Box 53062, Washington, D.C. 20009-9062. You can also help by asking your employer to match your contribution or by giving us contact information for possible corporate sponsors or contributors. If you cannot afford to donate at this time, please consider sending us an e-mail [email protected] explaining why you think this magazine must keep publishing. We may not be able to take your words to the bank, but we can take them to prospective donors!
- Delinda Hanley is the news editor/executive director of Washington Report. She can be reached at: [email protected]
