Colin Powell Invokes Image Of Fallen Soldier

Colin Powell has officially endorsed Barack Obama for President. But the big news is that this was not even his most important endorsement of the day. As it turns out, the most important thing endorsed by Colin Powell today was an America that's worth leading and worth fighting for, an America that encapsulates the idea of what some might call a "more perfect union." To that end, Powell invoked a picture to illustrate his point.

"Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no. That's not America. Is there something wrong with a seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she could be president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion that he is a Muslim and might have an association with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel particularly strong about this because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay, was of a mother at Arlington Cemetery and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death, he was 20 years old. And then at the very top of the head stone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith.

And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his life."

This is the picture of Elsheba Khan, taken by Platon for the New Yorker:

So, yeah. Sometimes, America does benefit when we share our wealth with one another. And some people, in fact, do have it harder than Joe The Plumber.

Comments

[lynjs]

General Powell asked the question that reporters should have been asking all along when the Republican Party started spewing that type of poison, "Why should it matter if he is Muslim?"

Yes, why should it? I am from a small town. Unlike some, I read, listen and investigate subjects that I don't understand. That affords me the knowledge of understanding that one's religion is one's religion.

It doesn't matter what one practices, marries or their personal choice. None of that is going to put food on my table, buy clothing, house me, provide health care, employment and generally enable me to survive. It is the basics that matter.

This swill that has been spewed is just in violation of what the Founding Fathers intended. Those that have done that should be ashamed of themselves. The men and women who enlist in the military do so for the love of this country. Their religion doesn't enter into it. Just as Cpl. Khan did. An American hero, our hero.

[ihatefoxnews08]

Amen to that!!!

[Keating5member]

Senator Mccain, I'll like you to take a closer look INTO the eyes (picture of this gallant young man) of our fallen HERO, Cpl. Spec. Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan ( http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Khan&GScid=49269&GRid=20854848 ) and then tell the world you aren't shame of your racial divide! Shame on you, McCain!

[jenrose]

I signed an please send to Obama that Muslims are not all bad people. The falacies they are using to discredit american people.

[spillersgirl]

What a powerful lesson Powell taught us today! We, all Americans, so desperately needed to hear this message from Powell. The story he shared about Kareem makes all of us step back, look at ourselves and realize that we must stop our un-American behaviors. I'm sure, many Americans, hearing Powell share this story, thought to themselves (as I did) "You know, I never stopped to think that we have American soldiers who are Islamic -- I just never thought about -- wow, I really feel bad." Powell opened our eyes to the American family -- reminding us that the diversity of her people is what makes America strong. Thank Mr. Powell, thank you!

And Jason, thank you for finding this photo that gives the visual power of this lesson for all Americans!

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

Sorry, I didn't need Colin Powell to say something for me to ask the obvious question; so what if he is MUSLIM. I have been asking that questions for months. This is America, supposedly the one place in the world where ALL people are welcomed and supposedly treated equally. I didn't need colin Powell to remind me of this.

[GeeWhillikers]

Yes, but clearly some others did.

[Myshkin57]

I was particularly impressed with this part of Colin Powell's endorsement. I am disgusted that the Republicans have been at all successful at creating this atmosphere of blind hatred. Even if he doesn't campaign for Obama, I hope Powell will continue to speak out on this issue.

[macv507]

I am a 61 year old Irish American Vietnam Veteran. Kareem Rashad Sultan Kahn is an American Soldier and my brother, I pray for him and his family.

[JADE2002]

http://buzzword101.com/bw/2008/10/19/sign-spc-kareem-r-khan-guest-book/

This is my site, but there is a link to his guestbook, please sign it :)

GOD BLESS THIS YOUNG MAN

[honestpolitician]

This is America! Great article!! Hoping other Americans will learn from this and that the media expands on this story.....

POLITICAL AD ATTACKS - http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[janmarbol]

I have been saying this from the beginning- he is not Muslim, but what if he were, so what- I have been bashed by Republicans for making that comment. GOOD that ONE Republican backs me up!

When will the (un)Holy Wars end?

[llisa]

Heart-wrenching photo and heart-tugging words. I hope it tugs some minds as well. Thank you Colin Powell!

[JSW1948]

Chills went through my body as I listened to Gen Powell tell the story of the young Muslim man who gave his life so that all Americans could exercise our free speech. Kareem was still his mother's baby although such a brave and wonderful man to the rest of us. My heart and prayers go out to Kareem's family.

[RRonin]

I've never seen this picture before. Every American needs to see it......

[Hare]

He didn't have to die, she didn't need to suffer. END THE WAR IN IRAQ NOW AND LEAVE IRAN ALONE

[Yermammy]

I'm am so mad right now, I can't see to type. Impeach these animals, before they get away.

[SueMVetforObama]

Vote! And take 5 with you!

OBAMA!

[Womanvoter4Obama]

I personally believe people like Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman are ignorant because they refuse to be educated on anything that may threaten their world view. Most people have this experience in college. I'm from a very small conservative christian small town where my family were the only black muslims. Although I was raised muslim I had absorbed a lot of the values of my community. Going away to college opened my mind to different voices and I began to see that me, my town, we were important but so were so many other people and their cultures.

Sarah Palin could learn that this woman whose son was lost. Her beautiful boy, has a great deal in common with her. Both their boys loved this country enough to sacrifice their lives. This is the common thread. Stop looking for those things that make us different and find the ones we have common. Stop dividing Sarah Palin, stop pandering to the conservatives and try to serve the world and you would be more prepared to step in as President if you had to. Your world view must change though and you can't cater to just one segment of the population and you must remember the country was founded on religious freedom. Freedom to practice ALL religions.

[Mariposa27]

Earlier this morning I posted that one of the most significant contribution of Powell's endorsement was his speaking out on behalf of Muslim and Arab Americans. It's despicable, though, that what the conservative talking-heads have decided to focus on is the most insignificant thing between Powell and Obama--the color of their skin.

I just want to say to Womanvoter4Obama that while I agree with the heart of your post--we need tap into your better nature as human beings and end the divisiveness that seems so easy to call forth--I disagree with the following line: "Stop looking for those things that make us different and find the ones we have common."

Absolutely nothing is wrong with being different; we should in fact acknowledge those differences. People have different skin color, body sizes, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc, etc. The problem, however, is when we believe that our positions, whether it's skin, religion, etc, is better than, more important, or more relevant than the next person's. The problem is when we think we should all be the same, or be made to follow the same...

I don't have a problem being different; I have a problem being disrespected and being seen as worthless because of that difference. I think we should be comfortable with differences and not strive for sameness.

By the same token, I understand the point of your post that we need to find ways to connect with each other, and, essentially, stop hating!