Posted on 10/22/2001 3:00:31 AM PDT by solmar_israel
I just wanted some of your thoughts regarding an opinion of mine on the Pollard mess. Here are a few points to consider.
1. Pollard struck a plea bargain with the prosecution and thus cooperated fully. At the last moment, they changed the deal right before sentencing. This is legally questionable and morally reprehensible. It projects poorly on the American judicial system.
2. No one here seems to be confronting two basic facts:
A. America continuously spies on Israel, as Israel does on America. It is part of the "game".
B. America was bound by agreements with Israel (prior to the beginning of the Gulf War) to turn over to Israel information it had regarding the targeting of Israeli cities by Saddam. This was in return for Israels waiver of its most basic right of self-defense. America cheated one of its most loyal allies and didn't turn over much of the information. Most of what Pollard stole was information that America had 'pledged' to provide Israel but did not due to political considerations. Pollard himself stated that it was this very fact that motivated him to do what he did.
3. Other spies who stole more sensitive information for Communist countries who were not allies but enemies, got shorter sentences.
4. And as a last note, in regards to Israel passing this information to China, I don't believe there has been any proof of that statement. Also, keep in mind that China's biggest arms supplier is the United States (thanks to Klintoon) and that America arms the most horrible dictatorships in the Middle East which have a very good probability of ending up in a war with Israel using their American weapons.
5. Allies spy on eachother. This is how international relations work. This is what America does. When one messes up, you settle it behind the scenes and squeeze concessions, like has always been done in the past. You do this because you know you do the same and in the end you have respect for your allies. Regarding Pollard I believe, America went over the top with that one.
By the way, I am an American and an Israeli, and I love and believe in both countries with all my heart. I would not hesitate for a second to give my life for either country in a second because I believe they both represent everything good in this world. And these days, good seems to be hard to come by...
Tell that to the families of the 35 men killed on the USS Liberty.
I believe I recall Casper Weinberger say that Pollard should have been shot. Also, I believe Pollard sold or attempted to sell secrets to other countries besides Israel.
Pollard is a traitorous scumbag who is exactly where he belongs. I am sure he makes somebody a very nice girlfriend.
But the old and stale attempts to paint him as a confused and torn Israeli patriot get more lame every year.
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