To: Readers and
Supporters of MID-EAST REALITIES
Date: 1/5/99
Website: http://www.MiddleEast.Org
Re: MER and
1999
In a little twist from what they say
on the so-called Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in the US during their
bi-yearly fund-raising drives, "If MER doesn't do it, who will?"
It's an apt question of course because
in today's world the means of information is as important as the means
of production. Control of resources goes hand-in-hand with control of thinking.
Those who are most visible writing about, commenting on, and provide analysis
about the events of our time to a very considerable extent control how
our world looks and feels to most people. And that of course explains why
so many governments, especially those in the Middle East, work so hard
at controlling what information is easily available, how and where it is
presented, and who is able to provide it -- thus shaping and molding public
perceptions and public opinion to their desires. In Western countries,
especially the U.S., big money, big corporations, and the institutions
they either control directly or through their advertising dollars, usually
make these same determinations.
As you know we have recently been forced
to suspend regular publication of MID-EAST REALITIES. We did this very
reluctantly and with considerable regret; but we are working hard to do
something about this situation; and we very much need your help and your
support.
One of the additional "realities" about
the Middle East that few wish to openly and honestly discuss is that nearly
all of the organizations and institutions that deal publicly with Middle
East affairs are controlled and manipulated in one way or another by the
sources of funding they continually court or which helped establish them
in the first place. And these sources of funding are, with very few exceptions,
tied into governments in one way or another, organizations and persons
associated with the Israeli/Jewish lobby in one way or another, or those
working in tandem or under-the-table with the various Arab "client-regimes"
in one way or another.
The main reason we have so few organizations
and media persons able and willing to speak up knowledgeable and honestly
about what is really happening in the Middle East, as well as about what
is really happening in Washington about the Middle East, is this financial
predicament. If one allows oneself to be manipulated and twisted into conformity
-- at minimum to cut many corners, pull many punches, and refrain from
discussing many subjects -- funds of various kinds are available. If one
insists on being independent, honest, and forthright about what is really
happening in our world and in the U.S. capital -- and of course these are
the basic hallmarks of MER which explain our growing following around the
world -- the opposite is the case; and indeed all kinds of pressures result
to push one under or force conformity.
Now we think we are all facing this
situation together; and so we need your help not only to continue, but
to expand. We have established MER on the Internet, as well as the weekly
half-hour TV program we'd like to also start showing on the Internet. And
among other things MER has made it possible for all of us come together
and to help all of us know and understand what is really going on -- both
in the region and in Washington which increasingly dominates the region.
Information is power. Without it people are lost and confused. And expert
analysis of information is like a gourmet chef preparing one's dinner from
the selected, but raw, ingredients. Special dinners have to be paid for.
So does good information and analysis.
Some of you can afford to contribute
substantially to this unique and vital effort, some less so. We want to
keep making MER widely available to all; we do not want to set up specific
subscriptions and access restrictions. We want all who are concerned and
interested to be able to continue benefiting from MER -- as the many messages
and calls we keep receiving make so clear. Read for yourself at: http://www.MiddleEast.Org/commentsx.htm
which we have now updated.
It is all of us collectively now who
in effect publish MER; and that is why it is so uniquely insightful and
valuable. Not the oil companies through their grants to such places as
the Middle East Institute. Not the Arab regimes through their many means
of providing funds to various Arab and Muslim "client organizations", among
them the "Arab Network of America" on TV and Zogby's "Arab-American Institute"
so often quoted by the Washington media. Not the Israel-oriented Jewish
organizations that either control or manipulate so many publications and
media outlets including B'nai B'rith International and the "Washington
Institute for Near East Affairs", also so often quoted by the Washington
media. And not the U.S. government which now has so many ways of providing
funds and support to so many groups, more and more indirectly and often
covertly, including the U.S Institute for Peace and many think-tanks scattered
throughout Washington which rely in one way or another on the Congress,
the CIA, or the Pentagon for their support.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
At this time, since we have already
laid the groundwork and set MER in motion, your financial support is the
key. As we told you on 21 December, we need to raise at least five thousand
dollars right away to cover last year's unpaid expenses if we are to be
able to resume and hopefully then expand MER, including the weekly TV program
a few clips of which we do now have on the Internet. We're raised about
half of this and we need your help urgently with the rest. Checks should
be made out to MER and sent to:
MER
POBox 18367
Washington, D.C. 20036
We expect this year just started is going
to be an exceedingly difficult and historic one. So we have no time to
loose. The forces of misinformation and disinformation are stronger than
ever; and they are being provided with more funding and capabilities all
the time. The U.S. and Israeli governments, and the cooperating Arab "client
regimes" including that of Yasser Arafat, are working harder and harder
to support those who will do their bidding and to undermine those who will
not. In general you know this depressing situation, and that's probably
why you are among the many thousands of MER readers all over the world.
Let's make sure we continue to do something about this by at least revealing
what is going on with ever-growing sophistication, expertise, forthrightness,
and occasional humor.
Indeed, what we really should do in
the year ahead is not only continue MER, but expand it, including adding
a search capability o the Web site so that everyone can easily search through
the entire library of articles and editorials for subjects of interest.
Meanwhile, for the time being, we have
been republishing the best of MER's past articles, editorials and statements
-- especially since many of you have come to MER since those items were
originally published going back to 1996.
And we urge all of you who have not
done so recently to visit our unique web site which we will continue expanding
and improving if you support makes this possible -- http://www.MiddleEast.Org.
Thank you again very sincerely for
your support, your encouragement, and in general for your ongoing concern.
