Al Qaeda No. 2 Calls Obama Racial Epithet

CAIRO, Egypt — Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader used a racial epithet to insult Barack Obama in a message posted Wednesday, describing the president-elect in demeaning terms that imply he does the bidding of whites. The message appeared chiefly aimed at persuading Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent a change in U.S. policies.

Ayman al-Zawahri said in the message, which appeared on militant Web sites, that Obama is "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X, the 1960s African-American rights leader.

In al-Qaida's first response to Obama's victory, al-Zawahri also called the president-elect _ along with secretaries of state Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice _ "house Negroes."

Speaking in Arabic, al-Zawahri uses the term "abeed al-beit," which literally translates as "house slaves." But al-Qaida supplied English subtitles of his speech that included the translation as "house Negroes."

The message also includes old footage of speeches by Malcolm X in which he explains the term, saying black slaves who worked in their white masters' house were more servile than those who worked in the fields. Malcolm X used the term to criticize black leaders he accused of not standing up to whites.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the latest message was just "more despicable comments from a terrorist."

The 11-minute 23-second video features the audio message by al-Zawahri, who appears only in a still image, along with other images, including one of Obama wearing a Jewish skullcap as he meets with Jewish leaders. In his speech, al-Zawahri refers to a Nov. 5 U.S. airstrike attack in Afghanistan, meaning the video was made after that date.

Al-Zawahri said Obama's election has not changed American policies he said are aimed at oppressing Muslims and others.

"America has put on a new face, but its heart full of hate, mind drowning in greed, and spirit which spreads evil, murder, repression and despotism continue to be the same as always," the deputy of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden said.

He said Obama's plan to shift troops to Afghanistan is doomed to failure, because Afghans will resist.

"Be aware that the dogs of Afghanistan have found the flesh of your soldiers to be delicious, so send thousands after thousands to them," he said.

Al-Zawahri did not threaten specific attacks, but warned Obama that he was "facing a Jihadi (holy war) awakening and renaissance which is shaking the pillars of the entire Islamic world; and this is the fact which you and your government and country refuse to recognize and pretend not to see."

He said Obama's victory showed Americans acknowledged that President George W. Bush's policies were a failure and that the result was an "admission of defeat in Iraq."

But Obama's professions of support for Israel during the election campaign "confirmed to the Ummah (Islamic world) that you have chosen a stance of hostility to Islam and Muslims," al-Zawahri said.

Comments

[Halter]

Arabs in the middle east have a long history of enslaving africans. The arab word for slave means black. The Koran has multiple references to slaves and their treatment. Middle Eastern Arabs have a long and rich history of abusing blacks.

[AudsMom]

Bet you he isn't man enough to emerge from his cave to say it to Barack Obama's face... Come on son...what are you afraid of?? Come out of your little cave and say it to his face...chicken..

[ftprairiedog]

He's got more balls than the little deserter, at least he is willing to fight and die for what he belives in. And not talk tough and let someone else do the killing.

[Copperhead]

What's Arabic for "BAD idea?"

[robXdion]

Shuster just called Malcolm X a "divisive figure". That's the standard sentiment for "Cliff Notes" history reading whites terrified of any outspoken black man.

The truth is, if there were no white racism, brutality and injustice towards blacks in this country, Malcolm X, MLK, Farrakhan, Al Sharpton and all the other scary black boogeymen that keep white liberals and conservatives awake at night wouldn't have anything to talk about. . . . . .think about that one people.

[timetorevolt]

My sentiments exactly. Malcom words help me maintain some pride, dignity and the ability to complete four years of integrated schools in Jim Crow Louisiana in the 60s.

[kutkreata]

yep I just heard Shuster say that? WTF?

[maikonen]

Youths all over the Arab world are excited about Obama's victory, even if they tried to conceal it. Al Qaeda is p!ssed off that their base is being eroded, because Obama was stealing the hearts and minds of the angry youths they so carefully tried to nurture over the years. They have invested a lot in fomenting h a t r e d of America, and all those potential s u i c i d e b o m b e r s were becoming much too enthusiatic about Obama's message of CHANGE. The latest rant of al-Zawahri is an effort to re-energize al Qaeda's base, very much like Palin's effort to rekindle the fires of h a t r e d among the Republican base.

It just goes to show you that there are groups out there who would rather keep the world at w a r and fan the f l a m e s of hatred. And we have them right here at home too. The religious fundamentalists. Their objective? To hasten the a p o c a l y p s e. They are afraid of cooperation and collaboration among the nations, for they would have lost the reason for their existence.

[bascombe]

I'm surprised that the story waited until after the election. I guess CiaNN threw out their VHS player.

[SERGIOUK]

They lost the tape first time round......

[vincfoster]

I smell a rat. Who is he trying to stir up? His fanatical base.?Chris Matthews made an excellent point; Barack wants to remove troops from I.r.aq. You'd think the no. 2 Al-C.-I.A.-da leader would welcome that and wait until the guy gets in office. The whole world applauded Barack's victory including M.us.lim countries so I believe this audio tape was contrived by rogue elements of our I.n.t.e.l.l.i.g.e.n.t.s.i.a. ..The military i.n.d.u.s.t.rial complex. This pa.ra...l.le.l s.e.c.re.t .government.. This is to prep Obama to fight boogey-man "T.e...r...r.o.r--i.sts" around the world and keep us in perpetual state of war.

[mcantwell]

I think Rahm Emanuel can take this guy.

[Casey Gane-McCalla - Huffpost Blogger]

Here's where Al Qaeda was wrong about Obama and Malcolm X
http://newsone.blackplanet.com/nation/obama-and-malcolm-x-far-from-opposites/

[cactusgal]

Following the impromptu press conference, Mr. Al-Zawahri returned to his cave, beat three of his wives to death for burka failure, and retired to his prayer rug where he feasted on bat guano and camel urine.

[Mygirl]

Can't we get someone to Hack their computers.

[StacyJ]

Maybe those comedians who pranked Sarah Palin could call him. That would be great !

[eus]

Well, at least those who had doubts might now consider that Obama is not a Muslim.

[maikonen]

You think they really believed that? Nah, it was just an excuse.

[toni63]

And let's just say if He was ....it doesn't mean he is a terrorist or an extremist , Muslims that I know denounce Osama and the extremist that have brought such shame to their religion .....
There are many upstanding Muslims Americans and we need to get over it .....the world is so much bigger....

[MIVOTE]

Plus, a still photo and just talk, pleeze. Been here did this!

[MIVOTE]

I am at the point that it is hard for me to believe anything coming through our gov. From nine 1-1 until now, it's been a lot of stuff I question. We'll see as t ime progresses. We're already tearing the fabric off the truth of this soon to pass admin.

[toypiano]

His taunts are really childish. You can tell he's used to bullying people who have limited opportunities for education. It's like he's talking to third graders. If he only knew what a looney goose he sounds like over here.