Saying it out loud
Aref Assaf, April 30, 2007

At a recent one-hour live interview on Dandana TV, I spoke about the imperatives of consistent engagement of the media through letter writing campaigns, op-eds, and emails. A response came that "We can write 1000 letters, and that won't change peoples' minds." I do not subscribe to this fatalistic view; as a journalist and as someone who is intimately involved with several media outlets, I can attest to the fact that letters-to-the-editor significantly impact the paper's continued interest in the issues raised. Editors want to cover stories important to their readers, and this fact should propel us to convey our views, not only on foreign matters, but also on domestic issues as well. Not a day passes by that one cannot find a reason to write to their local paper about their coverage.

This brings me to the recently published full page ad by CNI, the Council for the National Interest, about Speaker Pelosi's recent visit to the Middle East*. Here is an American organization made up mostly of non-Arab supporters for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. CNI, founded by former (AIPAC-axed)  Senator Paul Findley, have advocated a sensible solution to our biased foreign policy and pointed out the inherent and potentially catastrophic future awaiting us if we continue to blindly support Israel. I was so moved by their recent ad installment and their noble mission that I donated to their tax-deductible foundation. I urge you to do the same. Let our friends know that we appreciate their commitment to justice everywhere.

Click here to see the NYT ad by CNI
Click here to learn more about CNI
Click here to donate to CNI

* I took a critical view of Speaker Pelosi's visit to the Middle East