Vox Populi
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Michael Simms: A note to our readers concerning Vox Populi’s coverage of the war on Gaza
I’ve received a number of complaints that Vox Populi’s coverage of the current conflict in Gaza is one-sided, and I have to admit that it’s true. Vox Populi’s articles, editorials and poems have presented only the viewpoint of the Palestinians who have suffered occupation, bombardment and invasion while we’ve ignored or discredited official statements from the Israeli and American governments which attempt to justify the attacks.
According to the United Nations, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, about one-third of them children, and almost 2,000,000 people have been displaced and are now unhoused. The Israeli blockade has systematically created shortages of water, food and medicine creating many more casualties, and the IDF has bombed hospitals, food supplies and aid stations, killing international humanitarian workers. There is also strong evidence of mass executions of civilians.
To cover-up these war crimes, the United States government, the mainstream news media, multi-national corporations, Washington lobbyists and even American universities have engaged in systematic disinformation about the war. Even worse, people who work for these organizations have been dismissed, discredited and/or arrested for speaking the truth.
In this Orwellian milieu, Vox Populi plays an important role. Vox Populi offers free subscriptions and accepts no outside funding whatsoever. No advertisements. No donations. No grants from foundations or governments. We have no ties to any corporation, government or university. We cannot be bought. We cannot be intimidated. As a result, Vox Populi is one of the few American media organizations which presents a viewpoint uninfluenced by pro-war propaganda. Our sympathies are not for warring parties or their apologists, but for the children of Gaza.
So, will Vox Populi continue to cover the war on Gaza from the Palestinian perspective?
You betcha.
Michael Simms, founder and editor
Vox Populi 
A couple of things: the liberal establishment’s brutal and broadly approved response to campus protests against the Occupation and Israel’s war of extermination–for what else could it be called when children are among the principal targets?–reminds us, should we need reminding, of the moral and political bankruptcy of America’s farcical political system.
Just as Trump–a idiot savant who understands, as no one else has since Huey Long, the extent of elite hypocrisy–demonstrated the fundamental weakness of “our democracy” by subverting every institution of government w/o breaking a sweat, so too do the rampaging cops drawing guns on college kids indicate that any nostalgia we might have had for civil rights has gone the way of…well, everything.
And, more to the point of this editorial, with its honest reckoning of the facts, we who support the Palestinians must remember that the IDF and Netanyahu are reprising a script that goes back to the founding of Israel, to the Irgun and Ben-Gurion: use any Palestinian provocation or, in the case of Hamas, atrocity, as an excuse to retaliate twenty-fold (probably in the Book of Leviticus someplace), resist or ban any serious discussion of a political settlement, and use Israel’s considerable leverage in US political and media circles to insure that only one side of this sordid history is ever told.
And finally, for goodness sake: my writing these things doesn’t make me anti-Semitic–this accusation, trotted out by AIPAC and the ADL every time a public figure utters a word again Israel, is the go-to, unquestioned defense that justifies any crime committed by Israel.
Seriously, does any other country in the world have carte blanche to imprison, deny civil rights to, and, when considered necessary, murder those trapped by geopolitics into lifelong statelessness? Where else would this behavior not only be tolerated, but extolled, lavishly funded, courted? Yes, South Africa in the bad old days, but is that the model of statehood even the hardliners of Likkud wish to emulate?
Sadly, Israel is now in the position of having only one friend in the world–and the US pot of gold will eventually run out. If you wish for Israel to continue to exist as a pseudo-democratic state, than you have to work for Palestinian rights. And, alas, only one country can make this happen, and it’s not going to be the U.S. under either Trump or Biden.
As we used to say (and still do), “No justice, no peace.”
Thanks for reading.
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Thank you.
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Keep On. What were the objections to the post?
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One of the more eloquent protests is in the thread below — John Balaban.
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Keep on!!
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Thanks, Lex!
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Little importance has my voice that comes from the other side of the ocean and that does not write well in English. But I would like to thank Vox populi for its line in defense of the Palestinian people, who unjustly pay for the mistakes and horrors of Hamas, and the firm condemnation of the position of the American government (but not only – a good part of the so-called Western democracies have shared and share the support for Israel) that has done nothing but incrinate the plague.
Netanyahu’s last speech had in itself the political characteristics that made Nazism possible: to be considered superior only because Jews were victims of the Holocaust, the defense to the bitter end of their own work of destruction ‘end at the bottom’, the delegitimization of every international super partes structure, etc.
If there will never be two states (which I continue to hope for) it will be the sole fault of Netanyahu and his far-right government. I am sorry for the Israelis who do not share these positions and who continue to consider the Palestinians a close and friendly people.
Thank you.
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Thank you, Marina!
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Thank you, Michael, for this NOTE!!!
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thank you for reading it!
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Bravo!
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Thanks, Patricia!
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Michael, I think it is a far more complex issue than whether or not one is pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. As someone who worked in Vietnam during the war, evacuating war-injured children to medical care, I am horrified by the 1400 Jews, including children, raped, killed, and butchered by Hamas, as I am sure we all are. But I am horrified, as we all must be, at seeing what is being done to Palestinian civilians. But aren’t Palestinians responsible to some degree for their own present affairs? And while I want to see the end of Hamas, I also want to see the end of Netanyahu and his right wing clique. So, I don’t think much of your editorial. Print this, please.
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John, of course, you have far more first-hand experience with war than I do. However, the ways that the US government and other American institutions have responded to the conflict, supplying huge amounts of arms and unreasonable diplomatic cover for Israel, has made the situation much worse, giving far-right Israelis led by Netanyahu an open invitation to slaughter, starve and unhouse an entire population. As with the Vietnam war, American involvement has made a difficult conflict much worse. There are many people like you who do their best to help children caught in the midst of the violence, but as American citizens, it is our duty to try to limit the amount of damage our government is doing. The claim that Hamas and Likud are both responsible for the conflict is true but irrelevant because the assertion does little to hold our own government accountable for making a bad situation worse.
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Hi John. Although you were addressing Michael, I also want to respond. We’ve been fed the lie that this is a complex situation but it is not. Israel occupies Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians are living in an apartheid state in which they are assigned to military law while Israelis enjoy civil law. Palestinians are forced to endure hundreds of checkpoints, walls, and barriers that prevent them moving freely. They’re not given a vote. Under international law (not that it’s worth anything in terms of righting wrongs), it’s not a crime for an occupied people to resist. Also? The assertions about rape and beheadings have been debunked. In closing, I’m very grateful for the coverage provided by Vox Populi and am glad they will continue writing about this horrific reality. Take good care.
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There’s a common misconception that media outlets are obliged to present both sides (or all sides) of public issues. That was a former rule under the FCC’s “fairness doctrine,” and it applied only to radio and TV broadcast stations — which, the reasoning went, had an obligation to be even-handed about such matters because they used a limited public resource, licensed frequencies on the over-the-air broadcasting spectrum. The fairness doctrine was repealed in 1987. This opened the door to, among other things, conservative talk radio.
Meanwhile, the door has long been open for other sources of content to exercise freedom of speech on controversial issues. As Vox Populi does. To which I would only add that the war in Gaza is more than an issue. It’s a tragedy.
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Thanks for the analysis, Mike.
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Thank you for posting this, Michael. We must stand against brutality in all its forms, from any group, at any scale, and not be afraid to speak up. There are no “sides” when innocents are concerned, and indeed, such dualities must ultimately be seen as ludicrous at human scale.
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Exactly, Jerry. Thank you.
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Thank you for this strong and honest statement. As a Jewish-American and someone who has long fought for justice for the Palestinian people, I think Vox Populi’s posts have been invaluable. After decades of brutal apartheid in the Occupied Territories, the most extreme government in Israel’s history is slaughtering and starving millions of people, half of them children. The infrastructure of Gaza, including schools, universities, hospitals, mosques, churches, libraries, and most people’s homes, have been demolished. As I write this, children are gasping for water and food and cowering under bombs. Nothing can ever justify that, in my view. So keep on being one sided and side with humanity.
I want to add that there is rarely a day when Vox Populi’s posts don’t make me pause and think—about an intriguing new poem, a classic poem or an important essay on our endangered world. I am more grateful than I can say.
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Thank you for this. I find it admirable that the leadership of the peace movement is made up in large part of Jewish women: Kathryn Levy, Medea Benjamin, Abby Zimet and the leadership of Jewish Voice for Peace, to name a few examples, have been very effective in rallying people to the cause.
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Hello Michael and readers,
I respect your decision to continue to write from the Palestinian perspective. However, I will continue to hold the space for suffering Palestinians and suffering Israelis. There are many layers and nuances in this terrible war, and many sides. I hope with all my heart that we in Israel can get rid of our leadership and hold elections. Many in Israel would like to see a Palestinian State and a peace agreement. I stand with all those who want an end to war, and a journey towards peace. I stand with all those who are suffering the consequences of the Hamas attack and all those who are suffering the bombing in Gaza.
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Thank you for standing with those who are suffering…
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What a breath of fresh air to wake up to your letter today, Michael. Thank you for your courageous stand and principled support of those who are suffering in this genocide, especially the children. I appreciate your solidarity and clarity of vision so much. The poems and writings on VP nourish me in a world that is so brutal and unjust. My deep gratitude to you.
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Zeina, you were our star contributor last year with your poem Write My Name going viral and garnering millions of hits. Please do continue using your wonderful gift to bring the truth to people. Thank you!
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I’m with you, Michael. 100%!
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Thank you so much!
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Thanks, Beth!
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You betcha! thanks as always, Michael!
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Thanks, Jose!
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It is a terrible situation when any hope for a two-state solution is gone and we see students chanting Death to America, among other chants, and Jewish students are spit upon so to create warring elements in our own population. I pray a solution will emerge.
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As do I, Deborah…
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Thank you!
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Thank YOU, Barbara. I look forward to your comments each day.
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You are a trustworthy source Michael. I appreciate the voice you bring, especially to the children of Gaza.
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Thanks, Jan. I appreciate you as well.
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Thank you for the integrity and clarity!!!
Abe Louise Young Writer | Coach | Editor http://www.abelouiseyoung.com Book time on my calendar https://calendly.com/abelouiseyoung
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Thank you, Abe Louise!
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I have no problem in picking a side.
I stand with the Palestinians.
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As do I, Reese. Thank you!
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Bravo. Freedom of speech lives!
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Thanks, Barb!
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Shoukrun, Michael! Shoukrun two and a half million times! You daily give me hope for humanity—which is no easy feat in this time of blatant and brutal inhumanity and hypocrisy. Keep on keeping on!!
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Thank you, Claire. What else can we do in this dark time but keep on keeping on. Shoukrun!
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as always, thank you michael for being so steadfastly on the right side of history – and children – in these dark, fraught times. you are a shining light.
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As are you, Abby!
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It is our moral duty and responsibility to speak the truth to the face of giants. We must not shake, nor tremble, nor show fear when we speak that. Power despises truth, hates the call to morality, cannot stand those who stand in the path of oppression and lies and refuse to compromise or be silent. By doing so, we make it clear that the giants are, in fact, self perpetuating myths that can and should crumble in the face of facts. Michael Simms and VP stand tall in the face of giants and for that deserve our support and thanks.
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Thank you, Mel, as always, for your eloquence and courage.
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Thank you, Michael, for this note and for all Vox Populi does to tell the truth about this war. Keep fighting to make the voice of those opposed to it heard. I am grateful to you.
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Thank you!
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One Thousand Thanks, One Million. For many reasons, this not the least, grateful for VPS!
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Thank you, Emily. Your activism has been an inspiration to me.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for reading and subscribing, Hele!
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My only response is that its so painful to read and added the intransigence of the powers that be, its very difficult to walk through these dark woods. Do not stop until it stops! We must all ever keep our bearing toward the light. We are indebted to you.
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Thank you, Sean.
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You are giving numbers that are facts. Facts that come together into truths. Thank you, Michael!
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Thank YOU, Jackie. You’ve been beside me since the beginning of this journey ten years ago.
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Good on you, Michael. Don’t stop.
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Thank you, Pippa.
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Thankyou.
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Thank you for reading…
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Thank you!!!
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Thank you, Jennifer!
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