Obama, please! when your are denying beign muslim...

noodles_jefferson
noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
edited June 2008 in A Moving Train
could you please add some kid of qualifier like "Not that there's anything wrong with being Muslim!"

Seriously, doesn't anyone think it's incredibly insulting to peace-loving, law-abiding Muslim Americans when they have to hear a politician sit there and go "i'm not a muslim!" as if it's some kind of horror.

Now i know Barack Obama doesn't think it is, but I really think he needs to say something publicly like "you know, it's terribly insulting to our Muslim community when we have to answer questions like this as posited by many right wing surrogates and talking heads that suggest I must be part of something that they are clearly insinuating is a bad thing."

maybe he has but I've never heard it. nobod i know has and many in the Muslim community are upset by this and the moving of the muslim women away from him in that TV shot, whether it was done by a stafer without his knowledge or not. If he doesn't address this stuff head on, it will become a bigger problem for him as time goes on.
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

- Ben Franklin
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    what is truly sad is that it even matters
  • Staceb10
    Staceb10 Posts: 675
    polaris wrote:
    what is truly sad is that it even matters

    You can't say that is completely the fault of the American people though can you? If Canada were attacked by Muslim extremists, wouldn't you be just a tad bit leery of one running your country?
  • noodles_jefferson
    noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
    polaris wrote:
    what is truly sad is that it even matters
    that's waht i'm saying. i wish Obama would say that. He has an opportunity to make those who sugest it look like morons, but instead he's just alienating muslims. I know it's a very tricky thing politically, but come on.He's supposed to be the guy who's going to chagne the conversation and bring a new perspective.
    "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

    - Ben Franklin
  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    Staceb10 wrote:
    You can't say that is completely the fault of the American people though can you? If Canada were attacked by Muslim extremists, wouldn't you be just a tad bit leery of one running your country?

    i live in a city where all religions, race, sexual orientations walk freely and "relatively" harmonious ... i don't see the world that way ...

    i think americans need to see the world differently - believing terrorist activity is a war based on religion is a diversion to what is ultimately what's wrong ...
  • noodles_jefferson
    noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
    Staceb10 wrote:
    You can't say that is completely the fault of the American people though can you? If Canada were attacked by Muslim extremists, wouldn't you be just a tad bit leery of one running your country?
    that's not a perfect example because he's not Muslim, but you have to be sensitive to your audience and say "While i am not Muslim, it is wonderful faith practiced by millions of Americans and it's terribly insutling for those making these sugestions to insinuate that there is something inherently wrong with bein Muslim. it's just more of their racist scare tactics"

    like i said, maybe he has made such statements, but you don't see it anywhere. if he's staying away from it because he's scared of losing the pissed off republican vote, then that's pretty sad.
    "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

    - Ben Franklin
  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    noodles_jefferson wrote:
    that's waht i'm saying. i wish Obama would say that. He has an opportunity to make those who sugest it look like morons, but instead he's just alienating muslims. I know it's a very tricky thing politically, but come on.He's supposed to be the guy who's going to chagne the conversation and bring a new perspective.

    well ... is it barack obama's fault americans subscribe to these notions? ... is it his fault that if he said something like what you propose - the conservative christian zealots will have a field day with it?
  • noodles_jefferson
    noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
    polaris wrote:
    well ... is it barack obama's fault americans subscribe to these notions? ... is it his fault that if he said something like what you propose - the conservative christian zealots will have a field day with it?
    How would they have a field day with the comment that there isn't anything inherently wrong wtih being a Muslim without soundign totally racist? And if they do, don't you think most Americans are tired of that garbage?
    "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

    - Ben Franklin
  • noodles_jefferson
    noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
    if the majority of Americans bought into the crap spewed by Right wing Christian zealots, I don't thin Obama would still be in this race.
    "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

    - Ben Franklin
  • RainDog
    RainDog Posts: 1,824
    noodles_jefferson wrote:
    that's not a perfect example because he's not Muslim, but you have to be sensitive to your audience and say "While i am not Muslim, it is wonderful faith practiced by millions of Americans and it's terribly insutling for those making these sugestions to insinuate that there is something inherently wrong with bein Muslim. it's just more of their racist scare tactics"

    like i said, maybe he has made such statements, but you don't see it anywhere. if he's staying away from it because he's scared of losing the pissed off republican vote, then that's pretty sad.
    He's already lost a majority of the Republican vote simply by being a Democrat. The Muslim denials are more to keep him from losing the white working class Democrats - which Republicans are actively courting by using the "Muslim" whisper campaign. Judging by the reactions of my Democratic leaning relatives, it is having an affect.

    For example, there's an Obama attributed quote thats circulating the internet that goes "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." Makes it sound like he's holding "them" above his own country. In reality, the quote is:

    "In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
  • noodles_jefferson
    noodles_jefferson Posts: 183
    RainDog wrote:
    He's already lost a majority of the Republican vote simply by being a Democrat. The Muslim denials are more to keep him from losing the white working class Democrats - which Republicans are actively courting by using the "Muslim" whisper campaign. Judging by the reactions of my Democratic leaning relatives, it is having an affect.

    For example, there's an Obama attributed quote thats circulating the internet that goes "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." Makes it sound like he's holding "them" above his own country. In reality, the quote is:

    "In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
    yeah, i saw that. good example. When I mentioned pissed off republicans i mean the ones who are pissed of with their own party and are looking for change. If he's not defending the integrity of Muslims because he's afraid to lose those guys, then it's just politics as usual.

    Hillary was very popular among working class whites and she'll be joining Obama for some stops and getting her base behind him so hopefully that will off-set those who might fall for the whisper campaign.
    "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

    "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

    - Ben Franklin
  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    polaris wrote:
    i live in a city where all religions, race, sexual orientations walk freely and "relatively" harmonious ... i don't see the world that way ...

    i think americans need to see the world differently - believing terrorist activity is a war based on religion is a diversion to what is ultimately what's wrong ...


    Exactly! We should be worried if terrorists were running your country not simply Muslims....and actually most people seem just fine with letting terrorists run our country so go figure.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • Abuskedti
    Abuskedti Posts: 1,917
    Staceb10 wrote:
    You can't say that is completely the fault of the American people though can you? If Canada were attacked by Muslim extremists, wouldn't you be just a tad bit leery of one running your country?

    No
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,830
    polaris wrote:
    i live in a city where all religions, race, sexual orientations walk freely and "relatively" harmonious ... i don't see the world that way ...

    i think americans need to see the world differently - believing terrorist activity is a war based on religion is a diversion to what is ultimately what's wrong ...


    This is not an "American" problem...every country (inlcuding Canada) has the same type of issues. Those that are more of a melting pot just bring them to the surface far more.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    noodles_jefferson wrote:
    How would they have a field day with the comment that there isn't anything inherently wrong wtih being a Muslim without soundign totally racist? And if they do, don't you think most Americans are tired of that garbage?

    for the same reason why the conservative right want to paint him as a muslim and for the same reasons why staceb10 asked her question ...
  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    cincybearcat wrote:
    This is not an "American" problem...every country (inlcuding Canada) has the same type of issues. Those that are more of a melting pot just bring them to the surface far more.

    my comment was aimed at americans because we were talking about the US election and barack obama ... having said that - america is similar in many ways to other countries and NOT in many ways ...

    if we are to look at canada vs. us ... in the US - they seek melting pot ... in Canada - we seek mosaic ... big difference ...
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    noodles_jefferson wrote:
    Seriously, doesn't anyone think it's incredibly insulting to peace-loving, law-abiding Muslim Americans when they have to hear a politician sit there and go "i'm not a muslim!" as if it's some kind of horror.
    ...
    Because to many Americans... being a Muslim IS some kind of horror.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    Because to many Americans... being a Muslim IS some kind of horror.


    Seriously. We pride oursleves on our freedoms then judge so intolerantly when people decide to use them.

    You can be a Muslim all day long and we'll claim to fight and die for your right to do so....then at the same time act as if being Muslim equates to being a terrorist?? :confused:

    I really wonder just how many think this way and would be honest about it.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    Seriously. We pride oursleves on our freedoms then judge so intolerantly when people decide to use them.

    You can be a Muslim all day long and we'll claim to fight and die for your right to do so....then at the same time act as if being Muslim equates to being a terrorist?? :confused:

    I really wonder just how many think this way and would be honest about it.
    ...
    How many Americans were horrified when they saw those Muslims praying at that airport? How many Americans agreed with those horrified Americans and supported them?
    ...
    My question was... If I'm a terrorist whose goal is to blow up an airliner... I'm keeping as low a profile as possible. I'm not goingto stand in the middle of the crowd and draw attention to myself.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,830
    polaris wrote:
    my comment was aimed at americans because we were talking about the US election and barack obama ... having said that - america is similar in many ways to other countries and NOT in many ways ...

    if we are to look at canada vs. us ... in the US - they seek melting pot ... in Canada - we seek mosaic ... big difference ...


    Yep Canada is the greatest thing since sliced bread
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    How many Americans were horrified when they saw those Muslims praying at that airport? How many Americans agreed with those horrified Americans and supported them?
    ...
    My question was... If I'm a terrorist whose goal is to blow up an airliner... I'm keeping as low a profile as possible. I'm not goingto stand in the middle of the crowd and draw attention to myself.


    Unless they are just super crafty terrorists and knew that you would think they would keep it low key so they flipped it around on you! :p
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde

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