By M.J. Rosenberg - June 30, 2009, 10:23AM

Max Blumenthal writes that it is wonderful that we all empathize with Iranians killed or wounded in the struggle for freedom but points out America's utter indifference to identical tragedies in the West Bank and Gaza.

Of course, as Max explains, it is hard for Americans to become outraged by events they rarely see. The American media decided long ago that reporting honestly on the occupation was dangerous. Advertisers and pressure groups don't much care about Iran but they do care about anything related to Israel.

Fortunately, the public mood is changing. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are changing our ridiculously one-sided Middle East policies. And, according to the polls, the public at large agrees with them.

But the media lags behind and no wonder with the MSM in such financial problems. Not so the blogosphere which is entirely (with the exception of the crazy right) opposed to Israel's current policies. It is no coincidence that the blogosphere is immune to pressure from big advertisers and from highly paid lobbyists. That may be one reason an Andrew Sullivan can move from being a typical New Republic type friend of the occupation to its most powerful and persuasive internet opponent.

I'm not saying that Sullivan wouldn't have changed his mind if he had to respond to powerful advertisers (he's brilliant and no one with even half a brain supports the occupation) but it might have been harder.

Nonetheless, as Max writes, the MSM is still significant and it is still in the business of keeping the West Bank Story off your television screens. Read Max and watch those videos he posts.

One day videos like them will be on cable, but not now. For now, rely on Max and youtube.