John McCain: I am an Arab and a Decent Man
Today my office issued the following statement, which includes my comments:
Dr. James Zogby says, "Enough is enough!"
Washington D.C. - October 11, 2008 -We are disturbed by the degree to which 'Arab' has become the metaphorical mud to sling against your opponent. Last week, for example, the Republican Jewish Coalition released a document in which they use the term Pro-Arab as a pejorative accusation. For his part, Rush Limbaugh has joined in by declaring that Obama is in fact an Arab American. Then, last Friday, after a supporter called Senator Barak Obama "an Arab", Senator John McCain came to the defense of of his political opponent by saying, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man and citizen..." From this we are left to infer that an Arab man is less then a "decent family man."
Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute, says, "Enough is enough! From the beginning of this campaign there have been those who have used 'Muslim' and 'Arab' in an effort to smear Barack Obama. This exploitation of bigotry and the stoking of racist fires to forward an agenda is reprehensible. This is not only offensive to Arab Americans, but to all Americans. As any ethnic group who has ever been used to scare the electorate knows, this is a dangerous game that, tragically, can get innocent people hurt.
"And while we are pleased to see that the senator is trying to dispel rumors about Senator Obama, we feel the need to point out that Arab Americans are also decent men and women with full rights of citizenship as enumerated under the Constitution. Arab Americans are part of the great melting pot that is this country's strength. We work towards peace in the Middle East along side our Jewish partners. We raise our sons and daughters to be model citizens of this nation. We serve this country with honor. The suggestion that any ethnic group is treacherous and Anti-American is unacceptable, dangerous, and unbecoming of such a great nation."
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Thank you, Mr. Zogby; well said.
It was bad enough that Senator Obama had to refute being a Muslim, as if that should be an issue. Then we have "Arab" being bandied about along similar lines. How ignorant.
There are good people in the world, and there are bad people. That divide does not cleanly fall along the lines of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, nationality, financial worth, intelligence, or political affiliation.
McCain/Palin's inspiring these angry mobs in rural middle America condemning Obama as an "Arab" or a "Muslim" are very dangerous. Racists know no bounds, before you know it will be all blacks, jews, asians or whatever. The RJC's conduct ironically will likely lead to increased Anti-Semitism. When you encourage racist conduct, beware, your group may become the next target. I choose to NEVER FORGET what John McCain did against his country for the sake of placing his political ambition first. He who would divide us and profit is but a coward, not a hero.
I agree. Some of the best people in life I've ever met have been Arab-Americans and Muslims, and I have the utmost respect for them. The GOP's racist leanings are disrespectful even to those of us without an Arab backround. So, in answer to this sickening display of unpatriotic racist banter, I've mad a conscious effort to patronize Arab/Muslim restaurants, stores, and services in my neighborhood...even ordering food 'to go' during the Ramadan holidays to eat later in a favorite Brooklyn, NY restaurant. And I like the feeling, makes me feel MORE LIKE A REAL AMERICAN, being the ANTITHESIS of the McCain/Palin/GOP's fear mongering rhetoric. It sickens me so wholly and forcefully I've almost forgotten how mad I was at HRC...lol.
All I can say is...thank you, GOP. Thank you for getting me away from good ol' American apathy, and jump-starting my new support of ALL AMERICANS. Hell, I've even decided to get active in prison reform and started studying up on Ron Paul's excellent economic plans....Thanks for making me look in the mirror, GOP, and thereby finding myself lacking...and now being willing to correct those deficiencies.
Thank you for publicly filling in that blank. The implication of McCain's "defense" also struck me, and I thought that since I read about what he said, rather than saw the video, I must have missed a sentence in there or the print journalists edited to fit their space.
I saw the clip this morning and agree that there is no other inference than the one you made, and you are right, it should enrage every single American for such blatant prejudice to be treated so casually, and for McCain to be hailed as a hero in the media for his answer, as though that statement was a rebuttal of the vile things that have been said at his rallies. Ironically, the MSM didn't seem to pick up that the defense, too, was a vile thing.
This divisive and exclusionist strategy of the County Club Party is ultimately self defeating. If you aren't a rich, white person, certainly a Christian and a flag-waving, bible-thumping hater, you just don't fit in. If we pursue that kind of thinking to its logical conclusion, the GOP will end up with fewer and fewer folks identifying themselves as that minority and eventually disappear up its own fundament.
Sadly, I feel as if the sort of bigotry fostered by the McCain folks is only going to get worse. Racism is usually a response that people have when they feel threatened by some "other", who challenges them in some way. In my opinion, much of this arises from the fact that the United States is slowly, but surely, drifting away from the a Anglo-Saxon puritanical nation it once was. Sadly, the "status quo" is heavily invested in making sure that we all resemble the Jones family with their 2.3 children, dog named Sparky, and their white picket fence. This is why such intolerance is shown towards those that practice a different (i.e. non-christian) faith, speak another tongue, are of a different sexuality, etc. However, no amount of bigotry can ever stop progress; it merely determines the price we pay for it.
Absolutely agree.
McCain's attempt was feeble and shows that he does believe that being either Middle Eastern or Muslim means you're probably a terrorist. Or are friends with terrorists. Or sympathise with terrorists. Or live next door to terrorists and invite them over for a BBQ.
Why must we be defined by our ethnicity and color? Why can't we be seen as people? Maybe we disagree, maybe we don't always like what the other is saying - but we're still People.
I am so over John McCain.
Dr. Zogby has it 100% correct. The correct response to the use of Arab as an epithet is to correct the speaker's underlying premise -- in addition to correcting the mistake about Barack Obama. Our leaders must stand against bigotry in all forms, no matter who it is directed against, no matter how cleverly it is disguised or how blatantly it is deployed. This posting should be widely distributed.
The rhetoric coming out of this campaign frightens me. I happen to be married to a Muslim Arab American. Fourteen years and four kids later I can safely say that I made an amazing match. He is kind, considerate, incredibly loving, civic minded and one of the biggest feminist I know. He also happens to work everyday to improve and save peoples lives. Last night my husband was in the operating room until 10:00 at night helping improve someone's life. He is selfless and compassionate and an example to all in our community of what a gentleman is. We live in the deep south and racism is inevitable, although it seems as though most think my husband is Italian or Greek. It amazes me that some will denigrate those of my husband's descent at their leisure but when they need a neurosurgeon who do they call on? We tend to laugh off any comments but I hurt for him when I hear this kind of garbage, let alone coming out of a Presidential hopeful. I don't think McCain meant to be incredibly insulting, but it is up to him to put a kabosh on any like minded comments directed at him. It is uncivil, unfair and most importantly un-American.,
Fantastic post. Thank your husband for me for doing the right thing, and both of you please keep up the good work. Let's show those who promote division that us REAL AMERICANS are better than that.
I screamed when Mr. McCain responded to the woman. Everyone in our home knew that his attempt to defend Sen. Obama, only served to further fuel the bigotry surrounding Arab Americans, and those others who are not Euro-Americans. As if an Arab-American is less American than Irish, or German, or Polish, American. For all of you who have been saying we should just get over racism, here is your proof that it is alive and well and living in the USA.
I am surprised, that he hadn't at least rehearsed his response. The sentiment was bound to come up at some time. It's tragic that the correct response to Bigotry, is still not known by this man.
Of course, if he himself harbors those types of feelings toward those of Arab, Africa or Asian descent (as is apparent from his many on the record comments regarding "gooks") then it is no wonder.
Not only was his answer insulting to Arabs, but it also DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. The woman did not ask whether or not he was a decent family man, she asked about what his race was - or more specifically if he was middle eastern or an "Arab". I am so sick of the whole not answering the question thing, and here he went and did it again! What is wrong with these people?
SunnyBunny, did you actually SEE the woman?? Does she look like someone who can be educated?? Who will take new information in?? She believed the wrong facts the first time.. and NOWHERE is it printed in legitimate MSM info that he is Arab..
And what is wrong with being an Arab? Nothing at all. The bottom line is White America (generally speaking, not all but most) have a hard time seeing America as anything but White run and operated. The thought of someone non-white threatens and stokes their fears and traditions. I do not dislike White People because they are beautiful people...just like there are beautiful people in every race...and bad as well.
This REALLY has been bothering me as well and I am glad to see someone Arab speak out about it. As a person of Jewish background, watching the McCain Palin rallies this week has terrified me. I don't care WHAT McCain or his cronies say - their rallies have the feeling of KKK or nazi rallies! And then I thought of Arab Americans and Muslim Americans. We are all Americans. And what if Obama was Muslim or a Jew. I thought America was supposed to be a place for all. It seems like these people have forgotten our countries founding principles and it makes me ashamed of our country.
I learned this small history fact about the Arab mathematics.
If it weren't for the "zero" [round in shape with no value yet added to the right of another digit, increased its value by ten] we would still be using roman numerical system.
Don't ask me to multiply XICXXVII by CVVIXXIXiii
Zero was invented in India.
Actually, the concept of zero as 'nothingness' or 'emptyness' was invented in India, where it was originally called 'sunya', which ended up as the word 'cypher' in Greek. Using zero as a decimal digit was, in fact, the invention of the Arabic system and introduced to Europe by the Italian mathematician Fibonacci, who grew up in North Africa.
first of all, mc cain should have told that lady that obama is an AMERICAN... only people born in the U.S. can be president(at this point in time). For example, arnold schwarzenegger can not be president.. he was born in austria(?), i believe.
Arnold was born In Austrian city of Graz. Nice town, although a little sleepy. He's a still a hero there.
Thank you for your comment. Sorry about the McCain/Palin folks. I feel that they are truly offending many. There is nothing wrong with our mixing bowl. They not only insulting Obama (I mean he is an African American (also white American)). That was my fear also, is that they are saying he is a terrorist so how will that affect people who are Arab Americans and people who are Muslims. It would incite horror against ALL minorities. Hope that mccain and others will get word of this. That brown skinned people, jewish people, and all people are Americans first. Oh yeah what happened to his statement Country First.
I will be so glad when this election is over. But it has made me read more. All people whether they are voting for Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin, you need to read. Hannity, Oreilly, Rush, and Elisabeth are the worst. People start paying attention to all shows whenever someone comes on because they act and sound like robots when they are talking about Obama. They just did a report of Sarah on Fox News --- She was born in Sandpoint, Co? They said it's very racist there, and she has visited there numerous times. People please vote. Please take your kids with you. If you can stand in line on black Friday for those sales - you can stand in line to vote for your candidate of choice. VOTE....
On the other side, John McCain was born in Panama: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain
Maybe this will open up the possibility that Ahnold could run?
I posted this on an earlier article... but feel it is vital to this topic.
Please read this editorial at http://TvNewsLIES.org, putting McCain to shame for his response to the pathetic woman so afraid that Obama might be Arab.
http://tvnewslies.org/tvnl/index.php/editorial/reggies-commentary/4898-beware-the-bogey-man-a-new-low-even-for-mccain-and-his-ignorant-supporters.html
Nice post, Dr. Zogby--I'd like to point something out to those McSame supporters who refer to Senator Obama by using his middle name. One of the great leaders of the Middle East, the father of the current king of Jordan, was one of the first Arab/Muslim heads of state to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. His name was King HUSSEIN!! So, when I hear these nitwits use the name "Hussein", that's who I choose to think about!
Slightly off-topic, but this is a true story. A good friend of mine who is Muslim was attending the Friday prayer service a couple of weeks ago. This was during Ramadan, which ends when the imam sees the new moon, and then the feast of Eid al-Fitr begins. At the Friday service, the imam announced that Eid would begin on September 30. A congregant asked the imam how he knew that Eid would begin on September 30. The imam replied (according to my friend), "Because that's when Rosh Hashanah starts." And that, as my rabbi said when I told him the story, is how it should be!
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