U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) addressed U.S. and Israel security concerns during his talk, “Thoughts About National Security in the Post 9-11 World,” held at The Pfister Hotel last Friday, as part of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Economic Forum series.
Speaking to an audience of over 350, Feingold talked about the importance of maintaining a strong alliance between the U.S. and Israel, as well as the results of the Palestinian election that took place earlier in the week.
But, unlike other audiences, this group was like family, Feingold said. He mentioned the members of his staff who grew up in the Milwaukee Jewish community. He also praised the work of the federation in supporting Jewish people locally, around the world and in Israel.
Of the Palestinian election, he said, “We cannot give even an inch of thought to negotiating or working with” Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. government.
Feingold discussed his position on the U.S. war with Iraq and how he “didn’t understand how that was the next logical move” in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The war in Iraq has “sapped the strength of the army,” Feingold said. “The army is in collapse” and “recruiting is way down,” he said. And because of the concentration of military in Iraq, “we’ve weakened our ability to be effective in other places.”
Feingold said the U.S. needs to “finish our job in Afghanistan” as well as “focus on China.” In addition, “We need to be very focused on the Iranian threat” and on Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has openly denied the Holocaust and called for the destruction of Israel.
Feingold answered several questions at the end of his talk, including one about his opinion on the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito, who was confirmed and sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 31, as the 110th justice in the history of the court.
“I respect him as a legal mind,” Feingold said, but “[believe that Alito has] too much of a pre-determined ideological” perspective as a Supreme Court justice.
Feingold, who is from Janesville, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1982, on which he served until he was elected to the U.S State Senate in 1992.
Sponsored by the federation, the Economic Forum features speakers on topics that appeal to the community. John Jones, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Green Bay Packers, will speak at the next forum, scheduled for Friday, June 9.
Craig Adelman is chair for the 2005-06 series. It is co-sponsored by Green Realty Company, Sattell Johnson Appel and Associated Bank.
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