The Black Republican

A long time ago, I signed up for some sort of email newsletter from The Jerusalem Post. I found it informative, and it let me see what was concerning our friends in Israel. On a very basic, emotional and subjective level, it also let me see their ads and read their stories to observe how much alike Israel and the United States are, even while being very different. I like and greatly admire the Israeli people, and believe their success is vital to our own economic, cultural, and national security interests.

Eventually, I found I didn't have time for the newsletter. Though I unsubscribed, I would occasionally get advertisements for subscriptions and requests for donations to their affiliated charities. I never tried to get off that mailing list, because I thought it was harmless, and still more fun and informative that most of the other spam I get.

Similarly, I like Rudy Giuliani. He seems like a nice guy in most cases, and I can imagine it might be fun to be able to sit down to dinner with him. I believe him to be a strong economic conservative, with good federalist tendencies, regardless of any compromises he might have had to make to get along in liberal New York. I think he has strong pro-defense and foreign policy instincts. I don't like his social liberalism at all, and I am offended by some of his seemingly anti-Catholic, cafeteria Catholicism. I will not vote for him in a primary. But between him and any Democrat in a general election, I would not hesitate to vote for him.

That all said....

The following just popped up in my email. I am quoting it in its entirety.

(click to enlarge)

Dear Friend,

As a longtime friend and staunch supporter of Israel during my entire public life, I want to share with you my deep concern for the Jewish state and ask for your support as I campaign to become the next President of the United States.

We are at a crucial moment in history. We are once again at a point where the free world's resolve in fighting evil is being tested.

In the 1990's, we had the blinders on with regard to Islamic terrorism. Coddling terrorists-even applauding for winning the Nobel Peace prize as was done with Yasser Arafat-is a policy we cannot return to.

Yet, these blinders are still worn by some people who wish to lead our country.

In neither of their debates did the Democrats mention Islamic fundamentalist terrorists and the threat they pose to our country. One candidate has even said that the global war on terror is nothing but a bumper sticker slogan. It makes the point that I've been making over and over again - that the Democrats, or at least some of them, are in denial.

I promise you that if elected President, I will make sure this country remains on offense against terrorism. But I need your help and support to get there. Will you consider giving $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or $50 to my campaign?

Israel and the United States share common values. We cherish freedom, democracy, and human life. Our shared values have attracted common enemies. The terrorists Israel is fighting are the same terrorists America is fighting, and we must continue to fight them together.

Last week Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, announced that the world would soon witness the destruction of Israel. This 2008 presidential campaign will determine how we deal with statements like these and the madmen who make them.

I stand by Israel and I'll never embrace a terrorist like Arafat, a tyrant like Ahmadinejad, or a party like Hamas.

Will you join me and support my campaign for President so we can continue to work together? Your contribution of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or $50 will go a long way in helping us to ensure victory.

Please consider signing up for my email list as well. Doing so will keep you up to date on the latest news from my campaign.

A Giuliani administration won't accept business as usual. We will stay strong amidst the threats of tyrants and we will stay on offense against the terrorists.

Sincerely,

Rudy Giuliani

As you can see if you click the links, they lead to the joinrudy2008.com domain. Confirmation is required by the donating person that (among others) the following statement is true:

I am a United States citizen or an individual lawfully admitted with permanent residence status (e.g., a "green card holder")

There is also a disclaimer at the bottom of the page that includes the following statement:

Contributions from corporations, labor organizations, federal government contractors, and foreign nationals without permanent residency status ("green cards") are prohibited.

Rudy, please tell me there's no law against your campaign paying The Jerusalem Post (a foreign corporation) to send out this email from their servers.

If there isn't, please tell me you really did pay them, because otherwise it's a contribution prohibited by the statement I just cited.

Most of all, tell me how you're going to deride the Democrats for any foreign donations from Communist countries or for direct income from foreign nations to a candidate's spouse when The Jerusalem Post is acting as your liaison to Israeli dual-citizens.