Community | October 20, 2008 | 16 comments

Powell stands against smears

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/powell-stands-against-sme_b_136193.html

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pokesmot
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."
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16 comments // Powell stands against smears

  • FazeB
    • 0
      FazeB  

    • Even when I didn't agree with Powell's political associations, he always struck me as a man moved more by his convictions than his political ambitions...

    • 3 years ago
  • LILMAMAINGA
  • JDM
  • cottenpicker
    • 0
      cottenpicker  

    • colin powell should have run for president and i hoped that he would. i think that he is a man we can trust { if there is one that we can} he probably didn't run when ask because he knew the kind of mudsling,back stabbing, racism, that he would have to face. as far as muslim or not muslim we are all childern of God whatever we call him. God created man. man created Religon

    • 3 years ago
  • kennymotown
    • 0
      kennymotown  

    • Yes that really bitch slapped a lot of repugnants. Colon
      Powell being black himself had too come up the ranks
      the hard way and I'm sure has seen a lot of prejudice crap also. If people listened to his intervue they can see the general is a very thoughtful man and as he explained it took a long time to choose Obama over McCain. The last couple of months were the deal sealer the way McCain was all over the place in the
      financial mess never settling on a fix and the out right lies coming from his own party. In the meantime Obama has taken the presidential way of advise and
      candor before he made his move.

    • 3 years ago
  • pokesmot
  • UrbanGypsy
    • 0
      UrbanGypsy  

    • I admire Colin Powell, I really like the way he firmly stood up and spoke out in defense of Muslim Americans. Even IF Obama was a Muslim Arab that shouldn't alone make him un-American.

      I also really like that Powell criticized McCain and Palin for allowing the stupid whisper campaign that Obama was a Muslim to continue. Colin Powell is a serious political figure and I'm glad he did the right thing and endorsed Obama. Thank You Mr. Powell.

    • 3 years ago
  • caseygane
  • ninepounds6
    • 0
      ninepounds6  

    • I agree.. the obvious attempts at alienating voters from Obama have clear racist overtones, and they should be held accountable. We have enough problems without spreading hatred.

      And on that note, the vast majority of Iran is highly educated, forward thinking, progressive, and peaceful, yet I heard both McCain and Palin say that the best way to deal with them is to bomb them rather than talk with them.

      The Republican party is simply out of touch, and the machine has far outstripped old man McCains ability to control it. Palin? Too stupid to do anything but cheer it all on.

    • 3 years ago
  • caseygane
  • Pericles_Lewnes
  • VoyagerFilms
    • 0
      VoyagerFilms  

    • Very well written statement above.

      I'll add that Colin Powell is a great man for 1) being conscience of the manipulation the mccain / palin campaign is attempting to pull over on Americans; 2) for taking a stand against it; 3) for having integrity to up to the wrong doing of the Republican party; 4) for standing up and supporting righteousness.

      mcLame and palin' have no respect for Americans whatsoever demonstrated by their willful attempt to deceive and manipulate us, lie and distort facts surrounding Obama.

      I'm going to make a prediction of what's going to happen following the election, maybe not immediately, but evenetually: Fox news is disbanded and all it's degenerate staffers never work in media again; mccain will never be elected to represent the American public, and will be dishonorably discharged from his position as US Senator; falin' palin' will be recalled and never serve in public office again - not even the Alaskan Toilet Brigade of Wilsalla, Alaska; overwhelmingly, Americans come to realize that the tremendous extent the Rip-ublican party has used and exploited them for personal gain, wealth primarily; the United States of America raid off-shore banks corrupt associates of the Busheney gang have hidden payoffs and profits to return the multi-trillions of dollars to the rightful owners of the money - the American people!

      A new, better day is just around the corner.

      Vote Democratic, Vote Obama / Biden!

    • 3 years ago
  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  

    • Do you think Hitler used the same "whispering campaign" tactics before he started his big work.

      In encouraging an entire nation to equate the Muslim religion with Anti-American ideals and terrorism, the Republican party has crossed into Third Reich territory.

      If McCain and Palin are not responsible enough to educate their supporters, and teach them the difference between a Muslim and a terrorist, then WHO WILL EDUCATE THEM? Or should we just look forward to another holocaust - this time exterminating all Americans who follow Islam? It seems to be what the McCain-Palin supporters want to see.

      Disgusting.

    • 3 years ago
  • UrbanGypsy
    • 0
      UrbanGypsy  
    • Found_Avenue:

      The general lack of education and cultural sensitivity in this country is incredible. Especially in rural Red State America. There is a great cultural and educational divide here in America that we have to work to bridge.

    • 3 years ago
  • sotanewb
    • 0
      sotanewb  

    • This enitre war has been based on greed. It was justified on falsehoods, misdirection, and the bodies of innocent Americans. (among others)

    • 3 years ago
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