John McCain campaign creating fear of Islam

   Source: iViews Sep 4, 2008 6 Comments


In his address to the Republican National Convention, Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, criticized Democrats for refusing to use the term "Islamic terrorism":

Rudy Giuliani: For four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the term "Islamic terrorism." I imagine they believe it is politically incorrect to say it. I think they believe they will insult someone. Please tell me, who they are insulting if they say, "Islamic terrorism." They are insulting terrorists!

Not surprisingly, Giuliani also said he wanted Democrats to invoke the 9/11 terrorist attacks more often.

Experts, including those in the Bush administration, disagree. The issue goes beyond just "insulting" someone. Such religious rhetoric is actually counterproductive in combating terrorism:

- Department of Homeland Security: U.S. officials may be "unintentionally portraying terrorists, who lack moral and religious legitimacy, as brave fighters, legitimate soldiers or spokesmen for ordinary Muslims."

- National Counter Terrorism Center: "Avoid labeling everything 'Muslim.' It reinforces the 'U.S. vs. Islam' framework that Al-Qaeda promotes. Be specific (Egyptian, Pakistani) and descriptive (South Asian youth, Arab opinion leaders), where possible."

- Ret. Gen. John Abizaid: "I mean, even adding the word Islamic extremism, or qualifying it to Sunni Islamic extremism, or qualifying it further to Sunni Islamic extermism as exemplified by government such as Bin Laden, all make it very, very difficult [to fight terrorism] because the battle of words is meaningful, especially in the Middle East to people."

- Islamic Society of North America: "If it's not our intent to paint everyone with the same brush, then certainly we should think seriously about just characterizing them as criminals, because that is what they are."

Railing against "Islamic" extremists and terrorists is one of Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) favorite talking points as well. "Senator McCain refers to it that way because that is what it is," campaign adviser Steve Schmidt said in April, defending the rhetoric.

Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, making similar comments said: "John McCain hit the nail on the head: radical violent Islam is evil, and he will defeat it!" 

In response to these statements Muslim Public Affairs Council stated:

Romney and Giuliani's remarks on Islam served to equate Islam with terrorism. Making false statements only serves to increase the already high rates of violence and bigotry against Muslim Americans.  Our nation faces a very real threat, but bolstering the credibility of would-be terrorists by associating them with any religion is counterproductive to our national security interests.

 

Riding the ebbing wave of post-9/11 fear mongering in an election season is nothing new. But our presidential candidates must ask themselves whether playing off the ignorance of a few voters worth jeopardizing the American values of pluralism and constitutional democracy?

Source: ThinkProgress.org and MPAC.org

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Older Comments:
JUMA MOHAMMED FROM KENYA said:
let the ignorant speak out his ignorance. the fact is that islam is the only way for mankind.
2008-09-22
PALI MINO FROM USA said:
John McCain campaign creating fear of Islam

Well, yes, there's that. There's also the practically daily terrorist threats that occur in the name of the religion. Now that I think of it, McCain wouldn't be able to create any sort of fear if the second one didn't exist, could he?
2008-09-17
FATIMAH MUHAMMAD FROM CANADA said:
Ramadan Mubarak!
I would like to say that John McCain and his people do not have anything else to talk about. They have nothing original. All they are doing is tricking the American people. They are trying to keep peoples minds off track while the job losses and the economy is in a sad state.
Most Americans are not concerned about the Muslims, they are concerned about how they are going to feed their children at the end of the day. And how they are going to buy their medication from one month to the other. I for one would not pay John McCain or Rudi Guliani (with his wife cheating self), any attention. Trust me whenever I say, at the end of the day for most thinking Americans, its all about what is in the bank and in their purses.
Have a Blessed Ramadan!
2008-09-09
AHMED ASGHER FROM BAHRAIN said:
The Persians have a good saying:

"The answer to the idiot is to remain silent."
2008-09-07
YASSER FROM UNITED STATES said:
I feel as if that is wht macain and the othe egocrats want to stir the pot the continued bush is wht the want america does nothing to make americans aware of their muslim neighbors there arnt to many oulets for real true and honest muslims to voice their oponion
2008-09-05
ROMESH CHANDER FROM USA said:
Calm down. It will be a miracle that McCain gets elected; I think he is going to be defeated with a landslide. After his defeat, he will be out of his Senate seat pretty soon.

So, better worry about the other guy -- Obama; I doubt he will be any better for anybody other than his own political and financial elite who paid for his campaign.

Stop being paranoid; it prevents thinking of better strategies.

I think I am going to vote for Bob Barr.
2008-09-05