Current Affairs Politics

McCain Loves Dead Americans

Let’s be clear, if you vote for McCain you may as well put up a bumper sticker that says “The only good American is a dead American.” His policies are guaranteed to result in more and more death, not only for Americans, but for people all around the world. I’m furious that he’s even considered a real candidate for the presidency. I offer as evidence of his blood-thirsty ignorance the following: McCain has repeatedly claimed that Iran is training Al-Qaeda. We heard this canard back in the run up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Let us be clear: AQ…

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Politics Religion

Columbia and Ahmedinejad

Here’s Stanley Fish’s take on the Ahmedinejad controversy at Columbia. I agree that there are other politics around Middle East Studies at Columbia that Bollinger needs to address. However, I disagree that Bollinger should have taken it down a degree. Columbia is a major world player from its overseas campuses, international fellowships, and just by nature of being in NY with an international student body. The World Leaders Forum functions because of Columbia’s proximity to the UN. I think Bollinger’s statement was poorly worded, his words ill-chosen. I think he should have expressed the sentiment, but expressed it better. Ahmedinejad…

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Politics Religion

Too Many Mosques

It’s true. The ranking Republican member of Homeland Security says so. We need to infiltrate. But won’t that mean more radical Islamics? Then more infiltration. Then more radical Islamics! I don’t truly believe Republicans are consciously supporting Al-Qaeda. They just do whatever it takes to make sure Al-Qaeda wins, but they don’t know it. (h/t Pastor Dan) Technorati Tags: Islam in America

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Current Affairs Politics

The Real Lesson of 9-11

By Gary Kamiya. Sept. 11 is a totemic date for the Bush administration. It justifies everything, explains everything, ends all argument. It is the crime that must be eternally punished, the wound that can never heal, the moral high ground that can never be taken. Bush’s reaction to 9/11 was to declare a “war on terror,” of which the Iraq adventure was said to be the “front line.” The American establishment signed off on this war because of 9/11. To oppose Bush’s “war on terror” was to risk another terror attack and dishonor our dead. The establishment has now turned…

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Current Affairs Politics

Torture Bad, Maybe

In case you didn’t hear, President Bush bans torture. Maybe. Yes, maybe. It’s kind of sad that we need to have an explicit ban against torture (again. Hi Geneva Conventions). It’s worse that we’re not sure if it is a ban. Just in case you think the administration might start believing in the rule of law and right, have no fear, unfettered power is still on their agenda. I thought it was scare mongering, then I followed the links. As a Muslim I can be Gitmo’d. As a born American I can have my entire life taken away without any…

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Politics

Keith Ellison Comments

via TPM Cafe I found this interesting condemnation of Rep. Keith Ellison for something he didn’t say. Yes, he most likely was referring to Bush, but no, there was no direct 1-1 correlation. If this story gets any traction it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Perhaps, “Anti-Semitic Muslim Congressman denies Holocaust?” I think in the wingnutosphere “Anti-Semitic Muslim” is redundant, but then I don’t speak ignant. I wonder why no one is concerned that the AG most likely has a little hole drilled in your bathroom to see if you are “American” in your actions. Sounds…

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Inter-faith Politics

You are American if…

You are exactly like me. For those who haven’t heard yet, a Hindu was meant to give the opening prayer in the Senate yesterday, but before he could begin, he was interrupted by “patriots.” (video) (background pieces, 1, 2) I think Anna of Sepia Mutiny has it right that when she says that the pilgrims came for religious freedom. However, we have to understand that religious freedom still meant for those who had the power to exercise it, lest we forget what happened to the Native Americans and great civilizing “crusade” of bringing the Gospels. Her intent is right though.…

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