U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman addressed a whole host of national and international issues, as he spoke to the Great Neck Democratic Club Monday Aug. 7, at Great Neck House. "This administration sabotaged the Constitution," the congressman told an overflow crowd, as he went on to state that the administration then went on to blame "those who take the truth public."

Mr. Ackerman began his presentation with a brief focus on Israel (which he addressed in depth later in the evening) and then quickly changed to the national scene. Having first visited Israel in 1983, the congressman returned "countless times" and each time the current prime minister would tell him "you have come at an interesting time."

Today, he emphasized, the situation in America is "more challenging and more dangerous, more complicated" than ever before, a really interesting time. "This is our most serious war, the domestic war against our Constitution," he said. "I'm concerned about the state of our democracy."

Mr. Ackerman said that, even though he is a pacifist and does not believe in violence, twice he voted to authorize a president to use force. "I am realistic and I know that there is evil in the world; values must have opposites ... if you believe in good in the world, then you must believe there is evil, and we must stand up to evil and confront it," he said.

Continuing in this vein, the congressman said that the world is growing smaller and where this country once felt secure in the knowledge that the United States is "blessed" by two great oceans and wars were fought far away from American shores, September 11 changed all that. "We are now a borderline state to every terror organization and we must learn to protect ourselves and deal with the world as it really is," Mr. Ackerman said, adding, "People have a right to protect themselves and their families."

Mr. Ackerman said that when he asked former President Bill Clinton how President George Bush got elected, the former president raised the theory of how the public would rather elect a president perceived as strong, yet wrong, than a president who might be "right but weak." According to the congressman, the nation believes that the Republicans are strong and the Democrats are weak. "The real solution," said Mr. Ackerman, "is to elect strong and smart leaders, strong and honest leaders, strong and decent leaders, and not leaders who try to deceive the people they would lead."

(Mr. Ackerman's words rang true just days later, when the terror alert was raised in London's Heathrow Airport. As the news spread, and flight restrictions piled up, many polls did show President Bush's ratings going up, as the fear escalated.)

As for deception, the congressman stated "It happened to us as a country, it happened to the Congress, it happened to me." Mr. Ackerman told about being deceived regarding weapons of mass destruction and "fake evidence" pointing to an immediate attack on the U.S. by Iraq. "They (the administration) lied; we voted (to use force in Iraq) based on a rigged system, and that's not a democracy," he firmly emphasized.

Mr. Ackerman also addressed the current domestic and foreign policies, both "faith based, and they believe in it." He stressed that the entire foreign situation should be re-evaluated.

"Faith is fine, but it isn't a plan," the congressman stated. "We have hardly a prayer to come out of Iraq in a way that makes sense," he said. 'If we continue we will slowly bleed to death, with no plan and no end in sight," he continued, noting that he has been to more wakes and more funerals (as a result of the war situation), in his district, than the president has all totaled.

"We must find a sensible time that we can get out (of Iraq) as quickly as we can without doing more damage than Saddam Hussein has done," Mr. Ackerman stated.

And the congressman returned to his initial concern, upholding the Constitution. "I am a patriot and I have a right to speak out under a free society," the congressman strongly emphasized. And he was supported by a strong round of applause when he further stated that everyone has a right to speak out.

"This president must listen to the American people," Mr. Ackerman said, adding, "There is no clear end in sight."

Turning to the war in the Middle East, Congressman Ackerman noted how so many people, Jews and non-Jews, and so many nations, always took pride in Israel, but now there are people who claim that "Israel (Jews) should know better" and thus, Israel should not fight back. "There shouldn't be a separate standard," the congressman stated.

Mr. Ackerman continued, saying that "Israel is the only country that can't survive losing a war." He spoke of the "bad press" that Israel has received and how Hezbollah puts out unflattering photos and press, while Israel does not. According to Mr. Ackerman, Hezbollah tells women and children that certain buildings are safe houses and then puts out the word that these houses have weapons; as a result, not the men, but the women and children are blown up. Israel, he says, will not do this.

"There is a difference in the valuation of human life," said the congressman.

Coming back to the United States, Congressman Ackerman spoke of an attack on American shores, "not if, but when." He said that this country must find methods to use to uncover such terrorist information. "We must look at treaties," he said, "and the civilized world must think about this."

The congressman continued, stating that the U.S. set the standard in the world, but now our image is tarnished. "There is so much work ahead of us," the congressman said, adding, "We need real, honest national leadership and everyone must feel a part, even if they do not agree."

Answering questions following his remarks, Congressman Ackerman touched on several subjects, including Cuba. He told of a meeting with Fidel Castro years ago and he did say that he does expect changes in that country.

Regarding questions on the U.S. involvement in Iraq, and Mr. Ackerman's original vote for use of force (following being misled with "lies"), the congressman was quite firm in stating that he is not in favor of voting for funding for this war.

Addressing a concern if the U.S. would ever become involved in battle in Israel. The answer was a firm "no."

And he added that "the more terrorists that the Israelis kill, the better off the world is." Additionally, he assured that the feeling in Congress is "overwhelming" that Israel has a right to defend itself.

And the congressman did state that President Bush has shown strong support of Israel.

As for an end to such wars, Congressman Ackerman stated: "It's the Middle East; it never ends!"