Radical Extremist Michael Reagan
Let's hope this guy never becomes President...
Earlier in the week there was a bit of a dustup because at a campaign rally some Obama staffers moved two Muslim women wearing hijabs out of camera range. I understand that this was offensive. It should have never happened. Obama has since apologized. I think he should have done a press conference with the two women and apologized directly to them.
That said, imagine what would have happened if the Muslim women wearing hijabs had appeared in the shot with Obama. Imagine what the lunatic right would have said. Michelle Malkin successfully orchestrated a campaign against Dunkin' Donuts for running an ad with Rachey Ray that appeared 'too muslim' to her. Dunkin' Donuts caved and pulled the ad. Imagine what Michelle Malkin and her ilk would have said if these women were to appear in camera shot.
There's an email going around with a quote from Obama's book that reads:
"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
You can imagine what the right wing kooks are saying about this. But check out the quote in full context:
"Whenever I appear before immigrant audiences, I can count on some good-natured ribbing from my staff after my speech; according to them, my remarks always follow a three-part structure: "I am your friend," "[Fill in the home country] has been a cradle of civilization," and "You embody the American dream." They're right, my message is simple, for what I've come to understand is that my mere presence before these newly minted Americans serves notice that they matter, that they are voters critical to my success and full-fledged citizens deserving of respect.
"Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." [Page 260-261]
Maybe the way to come at this is head on. Perhaps Obama should surround himself with Muslims at every campaign rally and let the Right Wing shit a brick.
Comments
Senator Obama is NOT a Dirty Muslim!
"What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge," says Mr. Obama, while denouncing statements of him being a Muslim as a smear. Why is the presidential candidate who claims to be religiously inclusive is treating the word "Muslim" as an insult? Apparently, it is OK for Mr. Obama to be associated with terrorists like William Ayers or racists like Jeremiah Wright, but God forbid somebody would call him a Muslim! No, he won't stand for that kind of smear! We admit that most terrorists are Muslims, but most Muslims are not terrorists and the statement on Mr. Obama's website is insulting to hundreds of millions of people.
How could a man who discards his family heritage in favor of political expediency be even considered for presidency of the United States? Where are all the so-called "Islamic civil rights groups" like CAIR, MPAC, ISNA, MAS, etc. who are quick to defend every Islamic terrorist, but are silent when Muslims in general are being denigrated? Would Mr. Obama have the same reaction if someone claimed that he was raised as a Jew? We sincerely doubt that.
Muslims Against Sharia demand immediate removal of "SMEAR: Barack Obama is a Muslim" statement from the official Barack Obama's website as well as an apology for giving the word "Muslim" a negative connotation.
http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/06/senator-obama-is-not-dirty-muslim.html
Posted by: Muslims Against Sharia | June 20, 2008 06:10 AM
I'm with you on your suggestion. As dumb as the average American voter is, I'm not sure how many would be swayed into thinking he's some radical jihadist if he has a few people in Muslim garb in a photo op. The ones that would be are probably going to vote for McCain anyway. Dems have to stop being afraid of the wingnuts' playground anger.
Posted by: Randal Graves | June 20, 2008 09:05 AM
Muslims Against Sharia is just another loony neo-con front group. Obama isn't stupid and he's not gonna let himself be attacked by a bunch of racist wingnuts.
Posted by: ljp | June 20, 2008 11:10 AM
Michael Reagan is an absolute ass hole and I need not and listen to his spew. Right at the top! I have to laugh! That was my first thought with those 2 women. Obama or his people did the right thing. Can you imagine the field day the right wing disinformation spinners would have had with that? It isn't going to be easy!
I am listening to the smirking liar McCain right now. Man we are done if that scum gets in!
Posted by: Jim | June 20, 2008 12:13 PM