"Kite Runner" Author Blasts McCain, Palin: They Lack "Moral Courage"

Washington Post :

I prefer to discuss politics through my novels, but I am truly dismayed these days. Twice last week alone, speakers at McCain-Palin rallies have referred to Sen. Barack Obama, with unveiled scorn, as Barack Hussein Obama.

Never mind that this evokes -- and brazenly tries to resurrect -- the unsavory, cruel days of our past that we thought we had left behind. Never mind that such jeers are deeply offensive to millions of peaceful, law-abiding Muslim Americans who must bear the unveiled charge, made by some supporters of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin, that Obama's middle name makes him someone to distrust -- and, judging by some of the crowd reactions at these rallies, someone to persecute or even kill. As a secular Muslim, I too was offended. Obama's middle name differs from my last name by only two vowels. Does the McCain-Palin campaign view me as a pariah too? Do McCain and Palin think there's something wrong with my name?

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[TJWombat]

What the McCain campaign has failed to realize is that by invoking the notion of terrorism and Obama they are essentially saying that all who vote for him support and thus ARE terrorists who believe in the violent overthrow of America! They have achieved something quite unique. They have a campaign strategy that is offensive across the boards to all Americans! Congatulations, fools!

[cmarmonhalm]

I was wondering when someone would address the open hatred and racism towards Muslims that has been accepted during this election year. Why is it OK to call Obama a Muslim as if that was an insult? Racism towards Muslims has been accepted and I haven't heard anyone talking about that. Racism against Blacks is veiled but racism against people from the Middle East is acceptable? It is NOT acceptable.

[jeanrenoir]

McCain, Palin, and their desperate advisors are coming off, above all, as idiots, just like the imbeciles in the mob they're pandering to. John Lewis was, on the face of it, right on target, and uncompromisingly gutsy as ever, when he righteously blasted the McCain-Palin George Wallace act. These dolts don't realize that the ground has shifted beneath their moronic feet, for good. The times they are a changin' even more with the new generations, from Obama's Gen-X on down. The Archie Bunkers are descending into their final senility now, sucking McCain, their poster boy, into oblivion with them. This country will NEVER again be the paradise for racist panderers it has been for forty years, since Wallace showed the Republicans in Michigan how to pander to ignorant, white, auto-workers as successfully as he'd always pandered to their poor white brethren in 'Bama. Having driven a stake through the Boomer heart of the Clintons (and the Bushies), Obama is now in the process of driving the racist geezers into the sea as well. Martin King is smiling somewhere. The warped era begun by the polarization of "black power" against the nationwide Klan is being swept into the dustbin of history by Obama's sanity, maturity, and post-racial humanity, which has made him the most popular and charismatic politician not just in America, but the world.

[lioness39]

I cringe when I think of the disenfranchisement millions of Muslim families that are citizens of America must feel since 9/11. The light at the end of the tunnel is an outstanding candidate named Barack Hussein Obama.

[ellawensmom]

Yes, they do think something is wrong with your last name.
What McCain and Palin are doing is diminishing the American Spirit, the theme of America as the Melting Pot, and the poem that is written on the Statue of Liberty.
They should be ashamed of yourselves.
Please call Republican Senators and Congressmen/women and tell them they need to take McCain and Palin to task for this.

[pangeaprogress]

Becker wrote,


“The last thing man can admit to himself is that his life-ways are arbitrary: this is one of the reasons that people often show derisive glee and scorn over the ‘strange’ customs of other lands—it is a defense against the awareness that his own way of life may be just as fundamentally contrived as any other. One culture is always a potential menace to another because it is a living example that life can go on heroically without a value framework totally alien to one’s own.”

I think Becker's observation is quite relevant to the Palin mob mentality that chants USA and spews out hate toward Obama's perceived otherness as if they represented what it is to be American absolutely. It is a reaction and a defense formed from their own insecurities and weak egos. Palinism, racism and xenophobia is against the spirit and the letter of the Constitution of the United States. Sadly these factions are a part of US history but in the context of the US Constitution and American diversity it is anti-american in its spirit and perspective. Palinism is intellectually bankrupt, dishonorable, and lacks the credibility to lead America into the new century in the era of global interconnectedness.

[BDunne]

Oh how I eagerly await to get lost in another novel Mr. Hosseini --- don't make me beg!

[LAB11]

Now , really, just who are those guys on the Rep. ticket? Now there's been a finding that Falin violated the Ethics law thus breaching the public trust. This would constitute a minor campaign distraction about like that old pesky financial crisis--dog gone it! With McSame's ethical violation in the Keating 5 investigation, that makes one ethics violation a piece for those six pack mavericks. Now ain't that some kinda reform we can believe in my fellow prisoners. We should be afraid! We should be very afraid!

[MaryT63]

I read Kite Runner as part of my book club selection a couple years ago. Truly great book and gave a terrific look inside Afghanistan. Thank you, Mr. Hosseini. Your critique of McCain's campaign is right on. The hate mongering of anyone not white christian has been part of the southern strategy since the mid 1960s. I don't think it's going to work this time.

[phatmouther]

It's ok because Palin will just go have another exorcism to rid her of the demons she installs every time she opens her mouth. At this rate she needs one daily.
What a pity these two represent even the smallest percentage of America.

[aworriedobserver]

I think he will lose the base if he comes out to say that Barack is an American, educated and with health care and social security plans, etc.
The way I saw it is that they are conviced that he is an Arab of muslim religion associated with terrorists.all this is because McCain himself with Palin repeatedly told them. They will understand that he is erratic and confusing.
I was sad when that old lady took the microphone to say that she was afraid because Barack is an Arab.

If elected, will McCain be the President of all the Americans?
Will he discriminate by race and religion?

[notthistime]

there is no place for non-whites in a McCain/Palin administration.

So to answer your questions. No, not a president to all Americans and yes will discriminate by race and religion. He is doing it now and is proud of it.

[ibsteve2u]

In my opinion, I think saying that McCain and Palin lack "moral courage" is giving them far too much credit. What they lack is a moral center - they can shift theirs at the slightest hint of a political wind.

It is a characteristic common to far too many Repubicans.

How can the Party that claims to represent the values of America condone lying to get Americans killed in an unnecessary war, if they truly have moral values?

I do not value liars, and I think I am representative of the majority of Americans - at least in that regard.

[GoBarryGo]

They lack moral courage. Talk about stating the obvious. Is the Pope Catholic?

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Cindy McCain looks like she could vomit when Pain is around. They have nothing in common. It is so sad to see Palin push the button on hate. You can tell the way she speaks she isn't a world traveller and is proud of the fact. This will be history repeating its if she is elected. I am sure she will find some way of pushing McCain to the side. She will get all the bible thumpers praying for his death. Surely Cindy can see it. McCain is to busy looking down her dress.

[stamper]

Dear Mr. Hosseini: I read both your wonderful books and The Kite Runner is one of the most beautifully written books I ever read. Your story and historical background gave me a wonderful lesson on the rich traditions and history of your country. Thank you for pointing out the prejudice and racism against Sen Obama as well as other cultures and ethnic backgrounds that don't fit the narrow mold of white christian America.
This election is the defining moment for America. Will we succumb to hate, fear and division or will we rise above and choose hope, unity, peace, acceptance and inclusion? In less than one month we and the rest of the world will find out Who America Really Is!