-----Original Message-----
From: Ali, Tahir
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2000 8:56 PM
To: Ali, Tahir
Subject: Muslim Analysis: Second Presidential Debate TEXT ----
Mark your calender for Oct. 23 — "Day of Muslim Solidarity__Assalaam-O-Alaikum, (THIS EMAIL IS GOING TO A LARGE NUMBER, including
Nationally: AMA, ISNA, AMC, SoundVision, +)This report includes a Muslim view of the second US Presidential debate
between Al Gore and George Bush. This is the actual text.
Based on Gore and Bush answers, it is clear both do not want to offend the
Jewish votes. Gore in particular is all for Israel, whereas Bush believes
that there is no peace unless both parties are happy, and he alos pointed
out that the Arab Muslims have been target of secret evidence.NOTE: Before you all move on to read the actual text(its not much). Thank
you all for your fine responses, but the time has come to roll up our
sleeves and instead ask “how can I help”. Lot of you enquired about the
Muslim Walk to DC that we have been talking about, with Islamic leaders
in US. Well the wish has come true. As mentioned earlier the only issue
that we all Muslims agree is on the Jerusalem issue. Isa Mujahid, AMA
secretary in his interview to a newspaper on Oct. 7, said it clearly,
“There are 1.25 billion Muslims on this planet and Al-Aqsa is sacred to
all of us,” he said. “I can’t tell you how strong I feel about the
situation.” Isa Mujahid, is an American Born Afro American brother.So HEAR this:
THERE WILL BE A MARCH AND RALLY IN WASHINGTON DC PROTESTING ISRAEL’S
AGGRESSION AGAINST AL-AQSA MOSQUE AND THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.WHEN: OCT 23, 2000 AT 11:00AM
WHERE: BEGIN AT FREEDOM PLAZA TO LAFAYETTE PARK IN FRONT OFTHE WHITE
HOUSETHIS IS A COORDINATED NATIONAL EFFORT OF ALL MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS:
(NATIONAL TASK FORCE)
THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE ARE: (OTHERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO
JOIN)American Muslim Council (AMC)
American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ)
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
Islamic Institute Foundation (IIF)
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Muslim American Society (MAS)
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Muslim Student Association (MSA)Whomever, of the two US presidential candidates Al Gore and George Bush,
or both show up, that is yet to see.THIS IS THE FINAL TEST. WE NEED TO SHOW UP IN HUGE NUMBERS. WE HAVE TO PUT
OUR ACTIONS WHERE OUR MOUTH IS. PLEASE ANNOUNCE THIS IN THE FRIDAY
PRAYERS. THE IMAMS AND ALL THE ISLAMIC CENTERS NEED TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE
IN THIS EFFORT. SHOW SUPPORT AND SYMPATHY FOR THOSE SUFFERING MUSLIM
BROTHERS, SISTERS AND CHILDREN.FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
Thank You.
Tahir Ali.NOW THE ACTUAL EXCERPTS FROM THE DEBATE (GO TO CNN FOR THE FULL TEXT)
LEHRER: New question, Vice President Gore, the governor mentioned the
Middle East. Here we’re talking at this stage of the game about diplomatic
power that we have. What do you think the United States should do right
now to resolve that conflict over there?
GORE: The first priority has to be on ending the violence, dampening down
the tensions that have risen there. We need to call upon Syria to release
the three Israeli soldiers who have been captured. We need to insist that
Arafat send out instructions to halt some of the provocative acts of
violence that have been going on.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Blames Palestines for the uprising.
I think that we also have to keep a weather eye toward Saddam Hussein,
because he’s taking advantage of this situation to once again make
threats. And he needs to understand that he’s not only dealing with
Israel, he’s dealing with us if he is making the kind of threats that he’s
talking about there.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Now shifting blame, and saying clearly “he’s not
only dealing with Israel, he’s dealing with us”
But one thing I would say where diplomacy is concerned, Israel should –
should feel absolutely secure about one thing: Our bonds with Israel are
larger than agreements or disagreements on some details of diplomatic
initiatives. They are historic, they are strong, and they are enduring.
And our ability to serve as an honest broker is something that we need to
shepherd.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Guess who is getting the Jewish votes.LEHRER: Governor?
BUSH: Well, I think during the campaign, particularly now during this
difficult period, we ought to be speaking with one voice. And I appreciate
the way the administration has worked hard to calm the tensions. Like the
vice president, I call on Chairman Arafat to have his people pull back to
make the peace.
I think credibility is going to be very important in the future in the
Middle East. I want everybody to know, should I be the president, Israel’s
going to be our friend. I’m going to stand by Israel.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: He is a bit careful not to offend the Jewish
community.
Secondly, that I think it’s important to reach out to moderate Arab
nations like Jordan and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.LEHRER: So you don’t believe, Vice President Gore, that we should take
sides and resolve this right now? There a lot of people pushing, “Hey, the
United States should declare itself and not be so neutral in this
particular situation.”
GORE: Well, we stand with Israel, but we have maintained the ability to
serve as an honest broker. …
GORE: And if we throw away that ability to serve as an honest broker, then
we have thrown – we will have thrown away a strategic asset that’s
important not only to us but also to Israel.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Shows strong support of Israel
LEHRER: Do you agree with that, Governor?
BUSH: I do. I do think this, though. I think that when it comes to
timetables, it can’t be the United States timetable as to how discussions
take place. It’s got to be a timetable that all parties can agree to,
other than – like the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Secondly, any lasting peace is going to have to be a peace that’s good for
both sides, and, therefore, the term honest broker makes sense.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Bush is trying to make sense now “any lasting
peace is going to have to be a peace that’s good for both sides”
LEHRER: People watching here tonight very interested in Middle East
policy. And they’re so interested that they want to make a – they want to
base their vote on differences between the two of you as president, how
you would handle Middle East policy. Is there any difference?
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: Both managed to dodge the question bringing Sadam
back into the picture.ON SECRET EVIDENCE:
LEHRER: First, a couple of follow-ups from the vice presidential debate
last week.
Vice President Gore, would you support or sign as president a federal law
banning racial profiling by police and other authorities at all levels of
government?
GORE: Yes, I would. The only thing an executive order can accomplish is to
ban it in federal law enforcement agencies. etc etc
BUSH: Yes. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be singled out because
of race and stopped and harassed. That’s just flat wrong, and that’s not
what America’s all about. And so we ought to do everything we can to end
racial profiling.
And secondly, there is other forms of racial profiling that goes on in
America. Arab-Americans are racially profiled in what’s called secret
evidence. People are stopped, and we got to do something about that. My
friend, Senator Spencer Abraham of Michigan, is pushing a law to make sure
that, you know, Arab-Americans are treated with respect.
[Ali, Tahir] Analysis: BUSH points out the American Arab profiling:
based on secret evidence.ON GAY RIGHTS
BUSH: I’m not for gay marriage. I think marriage is a sacred institution
between a man and a woman. And I appreciate the way the administration
signed the Defense of Marriage Act. I presume the vice president supported
it when the president signed that bill and supports it now. But I think –
I think marriage is a sacred institution.
LEHRER: Vice President Gore?
GORE: I agree with that. And I did support that law. But I think that we
should find a way to allow some kind of civic unions. And I basically
agree with Dick Cheney and Joe Lieberman. And I think the three of us have
one view and the governor has another one.
[Ali, Tahir] But, not forceful enough as BUSH
Thanks for the important info Antidote!
I missed the presidential debate so I'm a little behind on what happened and the positions that both Gore and Bush took on the issue of the unrest in the Middle East.
I can't really say that I'm surprised at the American stance on it but I am disappointed.