Wow, simply wow. I was going to title this "The Founding Fathers on Israel" (and briefly "Bibi's Poodle"), since obviously those great men had to foresee the unbreakable bonds we would have with Israel, and recognize the already evident shared values and common ideals.

And even though Herzl & Co. had courted the Ottomans, Brits and Russia/Soviet Union for this Big Brother role,  it's important that she finally settled on us, the U-S of effin' A. Let's not bicker over who she slept with on the way to the altar - the important thing is she settled on us - and for that reason, she's always been true.

While I'm sure Churchill meant to include Israel in his "Sinews of Peace" (Iron Curtain) speech in Missouri, the ineluctable implication of Israel's foremost position in the Cold War is as inescapable as that land in Palestine's pivot point importance at the time of his "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" speech, and probably even moral support back when Churchill led the Allies to decimation at Gallipoli.

And as for Israel being the "greatest political achievement of the 20th century", what could possible come close or surpass that enlightened moment of international cooperation and farsightedness? Certainly not the alliance to stop Hitler and Tojo on their way to world domination, or the mutual efforts to dig the world out of the Great Depression, or the creation of the United Nations as a counterpoint to parochial selfish national interests, or the rebuilding of Europe including Germany post-war as a sign of optimistic responsibility over foolish vengeance, or the isolation efforts leading to the fall of The Wall. All of these would be short-sighted, compared to that little oasis in the desert that's brought so much of value to us, in terms of cultural inspiration, and enlightened diplomacy, of human rights and cherished beliefs, of economic independence and market creativity? Certainly we owe much - even more - to the land we've been blessed to help out so deeply, to which we'll continue to give for the foreseeable future.

While the Republicans have their obvious motives for playing up this connection, including pleasing the Sheldon Adelson-styled Conservative donors and relishing the coming rapture, and politicians like Diane Feinstein and Al Franken have obvious ethnic-religious ties to the Holy Land that go past religious jokes, one must admire those non-denominational devotees such as Nancy Pelosi and Dick Durbin who recognize the entrenched historical, bipartisan support for Israel (at least since Jews became accepted in the "Welcome Back Kotter"/"Taxi" period),

And for those nay-sayers who wonder what a tiny monolithic single-culture country in the desert living off the subsistence of others could have in common with a huge, prosperous symbol of justice and the free market, a powerful melting pot that spans a continent of huge resources, the simple compelling answer is "Why not?". And don't forget Jesus and Moses and all that.

So thanks to our Congressional leaders, especially those non-invested Democrats who found inspiration where there was none, for recognizing and further cementing our most exceptional relationship for our exceptionalist country, and making it clear for the sake of our dearest ally, in the opposition party there will be no opposition. This spirit of cooperation even with its most ardent, intractable and intolerant foes is what's made the Democratic Party what it is today.

It would have been only fitting for Obama as leader of this great land to let Bibi sit in his chair for one day, just so this aspirational partner could know how it will one day feel. Because just as Haman (and his king Xerxes) became Esther's bitch, one day we too can all aspire to be Bibi's bitch. So come on, Bitchez - let's pitch in and Get Out That Israeli Vote!

The unbreakable bonds between the United States and Israel are rooted in our shared values, our common ideals and mutual interests. Ours is a deep and abiding friendship that will always reach beyond party. Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli people. The state of Israel stands as the greatest political achievement of the 20th century, and the United States will always have an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.

That is why, as one who values the U.S. – Israel relationship, and loves Israel, I was near tears throughout the Prime Minister’s speech.... - Nancy Pelosi

Postlude: A little background info - far from being just the Knesset on the Potomac, our mutual bonds lie deeper - the ties that cut, whether Israel as the 14th Colony, Roanoke as The Lost Tribe, or in Laurie Anderson's extended version of USA I-IV, the Ark that landed in upstate New York, explaining much of the CatSkills Borscht Belt. Even Yahweh II harkens to our mix of old and new traditions and affinity for raspberry Koolaid - while some laugh at our self-styled evangelists in Congress, it's quite possible these conservatives see things we can't. Within the straight-jacket confines of American politics, they seem restrained, but perhaps it's just a matter of time and a little nudging from Bibi on a world stage that they'll finally realize their true potential, whatever that might be. One can only imagine the potential when the mobile GOP comes to a country near you - a paradise and reckoning not seen since the time of Eisenhower   The Prophet   The Messiah   The First Temple  The Shire  well, in a long time.