When people from the Islamic world used to impress upon the US to reconsider their policies as they created the environment for the terrorists to thrive they didn’t listen. A decade of war and the terrorists holed up in Afghanistan can be found all over the world now in the shape of ISIS. Foreign wars, especially the one in Iraq and relentless drone strikes have created more terrorists than they have eliminated and provided the terrorists with a narrative it would be difficult to counter.
“Al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) … try to portray themselves as … holy warriors in defence of Islam … propagate the notion that America – and the West, generally – is at war with Islam. That’s how they recruit. That’s how they try to radicalise young people,” he said.
“We must never accept the premise that they put forward, because it is a lie. Nor should we grant these terrorists the religious legitimacy that they seek. They are not religious leaders – they’re terrorists.”
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The sad thing is, there's still a vast majority in US that believes ISIS equals Islam. Look at all the backlash Obama received for these statements.
partly the US government is responsible for this, they have been spreading Islamophobia for a good part of the last decade...now these statements ring hollow.
Mr Obama pointed that the Holy Quran “says whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind” and this message represented the belief of over a billion people around the world.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
As far as the image of the clash of the civilizations is concerned, again I consider US squarely responsible for it. I very clearly remember the US attack on Iraq (the so called shock and awe) when the attacks during the night would light up the whole TV screen. I remember how it would agitate me watching the attacks helplessly. I am sure many would have felt similar emotions with some falling into the hands of extremists. Same is the case with their drone attacks. US arrogance has only aggravated the situation.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The liberals have been consistent. And ahead of the curve. The liberals recognized the Iraq war was constructed on "mistruths". However, majority of people aren't liberals. They are too busy following the herd. And throwing brick bats at liberals.
As for right wing folks, they can only feel the hurt when their own suffer. But condone and even encourage I'll treatment of other minorities.
As for moderates, they don't have an opinion. They choose the middle road. So they didn't speak up against the war. And they are mostly silent when minority treatment is concerned.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
A protester outside The White House on Wednesday, hours before President Barack Obama spoke at a meeting on countering violent extremism. President Obama said, “We are not at war with Islam. We are at war with people who have perverted Islam.”
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The West had cultivated jehadis for around two decades, after 911 when they tried to market them as terrorists some people from the Islamic world couldnt take it, the same is the case with Islamophobia as it has been spread for over a decade, how will some people let go of it now that Obama has suddenly realized that its not Islam versus the rest.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The West had cultivated jehadis for around two decades, after 911 when they tried to market them as terrorists some people from the Islamic world couldnt take it, the same is the case with Islamophobia as it has been spread for over a decade, how will some people let go of it now that Obama has suddenly realized that its not Islam versus the rest.
The huge number of conservatives living in US especially white Caucasians (I'm so racist) who luv GOP will never ever have a soft corner for muslims or Islam no matter how much you explain how peaceful Islam is and how misrepresented its been. They hate Obama for the sake of same reason. Most GOP reps are those who can only be seen on FOX news. Peter King who has been chairman of internal security affairs has always been known for his hatred against muslims in US and he publicly says he doesnt want any masjid to be established here.
So based on this, I dont get surprised with such media campaigns or public outrage against Obama.
Muslims in US on one side do enjoy a lot of liberty but on the other side live on a very thin ice just to make the survival. Its a tough time indeed.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The huge number of conservatives living in US especially white Caucasians (I'm so racist) who luv GOP will never ever have a soft corner for muslims or Islam no matter how much you explain how peaceful Islam is and how misrepresented its been. They hate Obama for the sake of same reason. Most GOP reps are those who can only be seen on FOX news. Peter King who has been chairman of internal security affairs has always been known for his hatred against muslims in US and he publicly says he doesnt want any masjid to be established here.
So based on this, I dont get surprised with such media campaigns or public outrage against Obama.
Muslims in US on one side do enjoy a lot of liberty but on the other side live on a very thin ice just to make the survival. Its a tough time indeed.
Islamophobia is at the highest level today than ever before and it's mainly because of how daesh is operating. Almost 30% of Americans think they represent true Islam.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
CNN & FOX are turning this into a political issue. They want it to remain as such for the 2016 elections. Which means, there will not be any serious debate on actually fighting and winning against ISIS. Just rhetoric. What Guilliani said is a precursor to how republican strategists want to paint Democrats in 2016: they don’t love America ( optional: as much as we do ). It looks like nothing will change on the combat front, just the conversation at home.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
The lack of condemnation from Muslim countries is also to blame. Forget others, has Pakistani government publicly condemned ISIS ?
Muslims countries have zero influence on Zionist media that controls the minds of masses in US. I mean you wouldn't even say this if you knew how much Muslim countries are suffering on the hands of ISIS.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
Muslims countries have zero influence on Zionist media that controls the minds of masses in US. I mean you wouldn't even say this if you knew how much Muslim countries are suffering on the hands of ISIS.
That doesn't answer my question. How many Muslim countries have condemned ISIS openly ? I can only think of a few in the immediate area who have been directly targeted by ISIS.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
I am pretty sure that no muslim countries have any love for ISIS and have condemned them one way or the other. Even Bill Maher doesn't ask that question so that must be some curry powder thinking going on in there.
Posted: 02/19/2015 10:51 pm EST Updated: 02/20/2015 12:59 am EST
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) defendedhis accusation that Obamadoesn’t love America by arguing that Obama’s upbringing by a white mother and attendance of a white school made his statement not racist.
“Some people thought it was racist – I thought that was a joke, since he was brought up by a white mother, a white grandfather, went to white schools, and most of this he learned from white people,” Giuliani said in an interview with The New York Times on Thursday.
During a fundraiser for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) in New York City on Wednesday, Giuliani said that he didn’t think Obama loved the country because of the way he was raised. “I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe that the president loves America,” Giuliani reportedly said on Wednesday. “He doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love me. He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up through love of this country.”
In his interview with the Times, Giuliani denied that race was at play in his criticism, but that he was critiquing Obama’s worldview, something that Giuliani said was shaped by whites.
“This isn’t racism. This is socialism or possibly anti-colonialism,” he said.
The comments came as Giuliani tried to clarify his criticism of the president on Thursday.
“Well actually, if I could express it more clearly, what I mean is he doesn’t express it,” Giuliani said during an interview on Bloomberg Politics’ “With All Due Respect.” “I shouldn’t say that the president does or does not love anything. I don’t know, I’m not a psychiatrist, and he doesn’t have one and he doesn’t need one.”
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee, denouncedGiuliani’s comments at the fundraiser, and White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said that the comments were a “horrible”](White House Agrees With Rudy Giuliani: He Said A 'Horrible Thing' | HuffPost Latest News) thing to say.
Re: Obama calls for addressing grievances that terrorists exploit
This was a rhetorical question - didn’t really expect you would have an answer. Anyhow, if the original point was why do people perceive ISIS=Islam, the answer is because there is no clear condemnation and an effort to distance themselves from ISIS coming from most Islamic countries.
ISIS terrorists are Muslims, they are killing in the name of Islam, and they aim to establish an Islamic caliphate and people still wonder why the perception that ISIS=Islam exists
