It is painful to write these words; more painful to know that they are true. The author is a born and bred American patriot who keenly appreciates the singular habits of decency, graciousness, volunteerism, moral responsibility and prosperity built into American life by the values embodied in founding institutions and local organizations. Above all, these habits and customs have included measures to insure that those who govern are accountable to those in whose name and by whose informed consent they govern — or are supposed to govern.

Alas, not only has this kind of accountability been increasingly eroded in America for a century, it is precisely the kind of accountability the Executive Branch of America’s government intends to destroy – indeed, has largely already destroyed – in Israel. (more…)