Powell Stands Against Smears
In endorsing Barack Obama this weekend, Colin Powell brought up a photo of the tombstone of Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, being held by his grieving mother. Powell brought it up to make the point that Muslim-Americans are as American as anyone else, and it is wrong that the Republican party allows the whisper campaign to continue, that Barack Obama is somehow a Muslim.
Indeed, while John McCain has corrected a woman who directly told him that Obama was "an Arab," the campaign has also given those who believe Obama is a "secret Muslim" a wink and a nod, by continually using phrases like "he doesn't see America like the rest of us," and tying him to "terrorists." It is, incidentally, the same sentiment promoted by Benjamin Netanyahu in his campaign against Yitzhak Rabin, which Leah Rabin later blamed for her husband's assassination.
Colin Powell, though, might be more on point with his observation than he knew.
One of things you quickly learn when you're sent to Iraq or Afghanistan is that the overwhelming majority of Muslims in those nations are peace loving people, who just want to be able to raise their families in a decent environment. Essentially, their overall hopes and dreams are not much different than ours. Most of them actually have fond views of America and the west, and are constantly curious about American culture. To the extent there are any anti-American sentiments in Iraq, it's that Iraqis want this war to end, and want to get back to a stable life. But, it's not right to say that most Muslims are "anti-America."
That's what's so dangerous about the kind of campaign Republicans are running, and frankly have been running even before Barack Obama. When FOX News continually uses terms like "Islamo-facism," it not so subtly conflates the entire religion of Islam with the select crackpots around the world who use their religion as an excuse to promote despicable acts. But, those terrorists are not representative of Islam, or Islamofacists, any more than someone who bombs an abortion clinic over here is representative of Christianity, or a "Christoterrorist."
To then take someone who has a funny sounding name, and use a flimsy link to a "washed up terrorist" to stoke fears that he might be a Muslim forces the issue down the slippery slope at blazing speed. The Genie of hate is tough to put back in the bottle. No longer does someone need to be an actual Muslim to stoke some people into a frenzy, all it takes is that they're somehow "different" to scare people into thinking someone has secret "anti-America Muslim tendencies."
Think about that on the macro scale, not just in terms of Obama, who is a Christian. Think about how neocons can use a sentiment like that as justification for war against pretty much anyone they want to wage war on - Muslim, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, atheist, etc. "Different" is the only thing they need to whip fear up into a lather. And, if I needed to remind anyone, that's when American troops deploy to war, and many don't come home.
That's the path that John McCain has condoned by allowing innuendo to be pushed around the radical right, to abuse the feelings of fear that many Americans feel at this uncertain time. It's not just dishonest, it's dangerous.
And, that's why Colin Powell breaching this issue, from a position of strength and legitimacy, was so important this Sunday. We can only hope that his strong words shake even more reasonable Republicans from their electoral daze, and cause them to speak up and object to the damage the far-right smear campaign is doing to America.
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That dude was my Brother, America! We don't take kindly any political group bad-mouthing our Brothers.
And, for the record, I would have proudly offered my narly-ass to take his place!
AA = ALL AMERICAN Airborne All The Way
There is still so much distrust, ignorance, and prejudice against so many citizens identified as something "other" than Americans, to raise one's voice regarding something connected to your own almost can seem narcissistic. But I appreciate these words coming from a soldier who served in the region, no doubt it may quell some of the ignorant, hateful posters who would normally discredit and dismiss such commentary as someone clueless as to the true "violent and hate-filled" nature and history of the people of the region (and of course all their decendents and émigrés...
I attended college with Jon. I can still remember being in my dorm the afternoon of the Oklahoma bombing and calling it to the attention of the other guys in my hall. They were watching the news unfold on the air and leaving the room saying, "F'in Arabs." Of course, this was the work of a violent "white" "American"
xenophobia
I sincerely appreciate the sobering commentary from a member of our armed forces. As a very "white" Arab-American born and raised in this country with a large, extended family from many immigrants in my grandparents' generation, there is a certain amount of Arabic ignorance/depiction I can handle as a cyncial contemporary citizen of the USA. No one can deny the violent turbulent affairs of the region (though so many Americans are ignorant to our and much of the "civilized" world's palpable guilt at continual, short-sighted, and morally questionable involvement in their affairs for decades, thanks to their great "fortune" of living atop a majority of what became the major supply or the primary form of energy in the world). But in recent weeks, thanks to final savage salvos of the U.S. Presidential political campaign, the innuendos have spread, and a lens has brought focus to the ever-present misconceptions and underlying distrust and prejudice many citizens have against this culture.
Colin Powell is no longer relevant. I was against him then and I am against him now. He's a liberal not a conservative. Oh yeh, he had to bring race again into the campaign.
the Iraqi people were never fighting us. We are fighting them. We invaded their country. As far as has been reported or shown, the Iraqi people never had any bone to pick with Americans. I just don't understand how these people became our enemy. I don't consider them my enemy at all. They are GWB's enemy not mine. They didn't do anything to me, my family, or my country. I offer my sympathies to the Iraqi mothers who have had to endure all that has happened in the last 7 years since we invaded their country under false pretenses and destroyed the cradle of civilization, blowing it to smithereens and are now demanding that they go along with the program. I relate more to an Iraqi Mom than I do to my own president and government; I would have much more in common with that woman than GWB and his ilk.
I agree. Powell could have used his power and say NO to the neo cons when they invaded Iraq. That is when Powell lost my respect. Granted that now he's endorsing Obama which is a positive move, I still wonder what the motives are there.
well said, and keep telling the truth about this.
I am not a fan of Powell. Granted his endorsement looks good to defeat the "lack of experience with foreign policy" argument.
However, as Secretary of State, Powell's foreign policy consisted of the WMD scare.
Further, Powell timed his endorsement just exactly at the time that Oliver Stones film came out, which tries to make a not guilty plea for Powell's endorsement of the WMD hoax.
So, we see that Powell's endorsment is nothing mor than a political manuvure for himself.
Obama was better off without the former general. Powell should retire and go back to the country club with his Kronies.
Gen Powell may still have a long way to go to winning back my heart after he had basically sold out to the Dubya/Chen
We must all remember that Colin Powell by also dubb by Bush/Cheney to convince the American people that there was WMD. And when he finally realize he was been dubb. He graciously bowed out. And thank to Bush/Cheney they replace him with someone who would sing by their tunes.
Even though I know Powell was mislead about the Iraq war and in believing the hype about WMD, I still respect the guy. (Although there was plenty of evidence to the contrary, since Mohamed El Baradei and Hans Blix continued to say there were NO WMD up until our invasion.) I think he was used then.
The fact that he did not support McCain from the get-go here is proof that he is not being used now.
Now he is free to opt for the high road and he made an independent choice.
Still, it ain't over yet, and I fear those robocalls and smears and lies are actually working on a small percentage. It's horrible, disgusting, and sad.
I used to respect McCain, when he stood up against the tax cuts, when he stood against torture. Now he wants those same tax cuts and he voted FOR torture by the CIA a few months ago.
His campaign is his first job as Commander-in-Chief and it demonstrates his willingness to do anything, to lie even, to win. Those folks work for him and they are doing what he says. His management style is erratic, clumsy, out-of-touch, and careless. Just like his personal budget management, where he doesn't even know how many houses he owns. The anti-Muslim element is just one more example in his toxic stew of innuendo, lies and hatred.
Colin Powell gave $2000 to the McCain campaign before he came to realize that McCain was capable of such bad judgement as to subject the country to Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate and before McCain launched into the invective and innuendo of his reprehensible campaign of character assassination against Senator Obama.
Colin Powell has the right to choice and he expressed it in a well thought out manner. Good for him!!! to have the fortitude to do what he feels is his right to do and to do so in such an unequivocal and forthright manner.
Colin Powell made a big mistake 7 years ago by endorsing the Iraq war & talking a majority of Senators into backing it. He is making a similar mistake with his decision to back Obama. Since January, when actions of his upset me & I went to the Web to look into Obama's past, I have tried to tell the media & voters why Obama is not qualified to be President. They are too awestruck with Obama to listen. How many of you who are supporting Obama because of his eloquence in speaking have taken the next step, to check his words & then to check his past? It is the least one should do in so important an election. How many of you know of a BLOG, WRITTEN IN JANUARY, 2005 BY MARIA WARREN OF POLITICO? In this blog, Ms. Warren tells how she met Obama at a gathering where he was being introduced to the community & being launched politically. This took place in the home of Bill Ayers & his wife, Bernadette Dohern. Apparently ,she has recently been besieged by the media to expand on her old blog. She refuses to do this, saying that she does not want the G.O.P. to use the info against Obama. [ see Maria Warren+ Baiting Commies]. So, Obama's repeated denials of a relationship with Ayers other than at their mutual meetings is not a truthful statement. How many other of his denials are likewise untrue?
Desperation is pitiful when it sinks to recycling the oldest of the debunked BS.
Go away.
sorry...si
Desp.erati
Go away.
McCain and palin have run a far more mendacious campaign. I'm much more worried about Sarah and Todd Palin's ties to the Alaska Independence party than by any relationship Barak Obama has with Bill Ayers.
In response to Steven Keirstead comment. Finally someone speaks in reference to Todd & Sarah Palin wanting to succeed from the United States. They was wanting to cut ties with the United States as late as 2004. I think that is as un American as any person can get. Like Sarah said, you know that's not how the rest of "us" think. I wonder who the rest of "us" she would be referring if you openly states they no longer want to be apart of the United States. And she lives with this guy.
Colin Powell lost all his moral authoriity prestige when he lied to the UN and the Congress on the need for war with Iraq. What he thinks is of no value or importance. Your comments on Obama are likewise of no value or importance. You begin by stating Powell was wrong and then attack Obama for who he knows, who supports him and his lack of experience. McCain's associates are also sleazy, his supporters nut cases and his views on Iraq more warish than Powell's. I do not support either of them, nor will I vote for either of them. But, to chastise Powell for Iraq and go after Obama for not supporting Iraq is really nonsense.
so , please clarify: Whom are you voting for?
I'm sorry but you are misinformed about Obama's relationship with Ayres. That event at Ayres home was NOT for Obama - as is commonly claimed and obviously believed by you. It was for someone else. THAT PERSON was who the party was for. SHE was announcing her run for the US Senate.
THAT PERSON invited Obama to come, as he was her 'designated' replacement in the Illinois Senate. The event was NOT a fund-raiser or anything else for Obama. It was for SOMEONE ELSE!
Yeah, he was 'launched' if you want to put it that way but the event was for SOMEONE ELSE!
Why cannot you people actually listen to the truth?
And just because someone is at a political event, even if it is at someone's house - does NOT mean they have some huge relationship. More inferences.
YOU (and others like you) keep IMPLYING that Obama is lying. What is your evidence? His presence at this event? That is NOT evidence.
I have been at political meetings. At people's houses. Some of whom I had just met that day. Doesn't mean that I had some sort of devious relationship with them.
Stop buying into the smears!
THOU DOTH PROTEST TOO MUCH....Mr
This sounds like the song from a few years ago....
I CAN SEE YOUR TRUE COLORS COMING THROUGH...
No matter how you spin it ... if it walks like a duck...qua
IT MUST BE A DUCK....
I can appreciate the sentiments Powell has expressed and he is a man I have respected for many years and still do. I concur that a Muslim can be a dedicated American as evidenced by the young Muslim who gave his life for America while serving in our military. However, I must state that the majority of Americans have no true idea what the Koran teaches and that is violence against all non-muslims viewing them as infidels who must be either killed or become slaves to the muslim religion. Yes, there are conservative muslims who do not follow all the teachings of the Koran just like there are Christians who do not follow all the teachings of Jesus. Even though there is credible evidence that Obama was in his youth a muslim I don't think it is wise to try to suggest he is one now. However, I for one have always been concerned with his past associations as in Ayers, Wright and many others. Only the exceedingly naive could believe he attended an anti-white, anti-American church for 20 years and not realize what Wright was teaching. If it were not for these associations,I would be leaning towards voting for him as he is a very bright and inspiring young man.
Why can't people just listen to Barack's message and decide whether they agree with it or not. Why do they have to keep coming up with these conspiracy theories that have no substance in fact. People get married, stay married for 20 years and then divorce with a vengence. Does that mean there was some conspiracy from the beginning?
Because his message is straight from the Democratic Congress;
He started out with a much different perspective when he first started his campaign.
How many times did he change his mind on his original ideas.....
Congress told him what they wanted to do. So he followed their lead.
Whatever he thinks people want to hear is the rhetoric..
It is the same on the Repub. side.
Don't think things will change on Jan. 21 no matter who gets elected.
Everything still needs to be voted on by Congress.
Please dig a little deeper into Rev. Wright and the Trinity United Church of Christ.
You might learn something.
And the United Church of Christ is 95% White. And Obama is a Muslim going to the a Christian Church. I got a bridge I can sell ya. ITs to No Where! I take cash!
Why don't you dig into Palin's voo-doo minister while you are at it. You may get your feelings hurt.
We need to dig a little deeper also in some South Baptist Church and you will be suprise what you might find.
Obama was not a muslim and there is not evidence to suggest that he was. I went to a catholic school for the first 7 years of school and no way no how am I catholic.
I too like Colin Powell even though I thought he was wrong in agreeing that we should go to war against Iraq. As far as the everyday Muslim people are concerned. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 8 1/2 years and studied the Koran, which states that Jesus was a great Prophet but was not the Messiah. Mohammed also told the Muslim people that if they said Jesus was born a bastard, they could be beheaded. True, the Koran is a violent book, but so is our Bible. By the way, the word Jihad does not mean holy war, it literally means a struggle! Over that time I met, and became friends with many, many Muslims. I never felt scared living in Jeddah of any of them or strangers, and I let it be known that I was a Christian. I feel like McCain/Palin have lied just about every time they open their mouths about Obama. I am of the same religion as Sarah Palin, (but definitely not as radical), and I do not believe in judging or lieing. I just recently decided to vote for Obama after many prayers and listening, and watching the man.
It is interesting to note that no other religion recognizes Jesus, calls him a prophet and venerates his life... except Islam.
In the Jewish faith he is no one and is never referred to except as one of many false Messiahs.
Our past and present struggles with the mideast for power and trade and finally oil - papered over with the thinnest of religious excuses has warped what should have been a great and complimentary intertwining of beliefs between the Jews, Islam and Christianity.
Jeremiah Wright sounds just like Martin Luther King Jr. in his later days. Are you saying that MLK was an anti-white, anti-American as well?
White America has been horrid to blacks (and still is in some ways). Jeremiah Wright comes from a generation where there was still de-facto slavery in this country (yes there was, clear up until 1939!) He lives in a country where people who look like him are still arrested for driving while black, shot for being black in the neighborhood by cops, followed around in stores while they are shopping, and there are still groups of white Americans who are dedicated to getting rid of blacks by any means, including lynching (KKK, White Aryan Nation, etc).
Do you deny any of this?
And in the face of that - including the institutionalized racism that has prevented Blacks from achiev ing economic parity with whites in this country, just why wouldn't you think that Jeremiah Wright just might have a little bit of anger on his part?
You have bought into the right-wing, racist kool-aid on this one. Listen to the whole sermon. You will also find that Jeremiah Wright was quoting a WHITE, AMBASSADOR when he said the things you heard on that loop. Those WERE NOT EVEN HIS WORDS!
People making this judgment need to go back and really read the history of race relations in this country, go to a black church and then really think about what you hear.
Powell's statement was perhaps the most eloquent and magnificent statement I've heard in recent months about what it is to be an American and why Mr. Obama is the person who holds out the promise of being a transformational President in the years to come. Understandably, his statement does not include any reference to Mr. Powell's role in allowing Bush to go forward with the imbecility that is the Iraq invasion/o
Soltz describes what is nothing more than the Republican Pary's updated southern strategy, implemented by Nixon as a way to solidfy the Party's southern base. Instead of a frontal assault on Obama's race, which is at the base of the southern strategy, the Republicans are trying to sideswipe him by labeling him a terrorist.
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