When Colin Powell announced his endorsement of Barack Obama last Sunday he said one of the things that has disturbed him most about the tenor of the campaign is the widespread prejudice against Islam, most often expressed via the accusation that Obama is a Muslim and therefore unfit to be president.
"Well, the correct answer is," said Powell, "he is not a Muslim. He’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no. That’s not America."
Maureen Dowd wrote in her column yesterday that Powell received some eye-opening responses from the public on that subject, including several emails repeating the preposterous claim that Obama is a Muslim. One message in particular implied that Obama can't be trusted because he was seen reading a book by a "fellow Muslim" who advocates the destruction of America.
"Holy cow!" was Powell's initial reaction. But he looked it up and quickly learned it isn't true. Obama was indeed spotted reading a book by a Muslim -- The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria -- but Mr. Zakaria, a former editor of Newsweek International and Foreign Affairs, is a well-respected expert on international relations, not to mention a proud U.S. citizen who does not, in fact, advocate the destruction of America.
Welcome, General Powell, to the alternate universe of Internet rumormongering. Hang onto your hat.
"Well, the correct answer is," said Powell, "he is not a Muslim. He’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no. That’s not America."
Maureen Dowd wrote in her column yesterday that Powell received some eye-opening responses from the public on that subject, including several emails repeating the preposterous claim that Obama is a Muslim. One message in particular implied that Obama can't be trusted because he was seen reading a book by a "fellow Muslim" who advocates the destruction of America.
"Holy cow!" was Powell's initial reaction. But he looked it up and quickly learned it isn't true. Obama was indeed spotted reading a book by a Muslim -- The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria -- but Mr. Zakaria, a former editor of Newsweek International and Foreign Affairs, is a well-respected expert on international relations, not to mention a proud U.S. citizen who does not, in fact, advocate the destruction of America.
Welcome, General Powell, to the alternate universe of Internet rumormongering. Hang onto your hat.
Comments
I don’t care if he is Muslim, African American, blue, purple, yellow, or green, I don’t like him because he is going to take this country in the wrong direction, when his running mate is concerned about the first 6 months if he is elected then I think we all should be.
huh?
For the author of this blog and Colin Powell to express concern over a tiny fraction of conservatives(far right fringe), is ludicrous. If this is what he’s(Powell) based his decision upon, he is sadly out of touch. The McCain campaign has never made this claim. For crying out loud, look what the fringe and even the main stream democrats have done and said about Sarah Palin?
David Emery is obviously a true blue lefty and doesn’t mind wearing it on his sleeve for all to see. This apologetic piece of “journalism” is certain evidence of this.
C
General Powell’s comments carry a lot of weight. He’s revered by Americans for this life-long service to this country and he was right about Iraq, see The Powell Doctrine. Funny how those with much less experience were able to overrule him. I’m not advocating a military led government, I like the Constitution just fine. But to spread rumors about this man demonstrates the level of insecurity and self-loathing of rumormongers.
PS – I concur tony.
If he had been seen reading “Mein Kampf”, someone would say, “Oh look, he’s a Nazi.” All I can say is GOOD GRIEF!
Obama is an excellent speaker. No one could successfully argue that. But, in my ears, his words are bland and lack emotion. He appears to be hiding something. Is he the Antichrist? Probably not. But, when a man that I have NEVER heard of comes out of NOWHERE and suddenly holds the United States Presidency in his hands…THIS is something that frightens me. His religious background is a bit shaky, to say the least. And the way he is pushing “Change” should be a red flag. Our constitution is NOT flawed. It was NOT written incorrectly. Our country needs IMPROVEMENT…NOT change. “Change” could signify the fall of our nation, if the wrong man is empowered. And I believe Barack Obama is the WRONG man to empower. If all I can do is vote for John McCain and cancel out 1 vote for Barack Obama, then that is what I shall do.
I agree with most. I really don’t care what religion a person is. We all grow up with different backgrounds & make the best of what we have to work with along with the knowledge we gain each day from those who rose to the everyday challanges before us. We can however learn from they’re mistakes & ours as well. We can’t change the past because we are in the present. But we can work to make the future better for ourselves & for those around us.
Oh dear. Not having heard of Barack Obama prior to the presidential race certainly shows more of a bland disinterest in politics on the part of the citizen than a “frightening” fact. He was well known by many here in Illinois since he served in the senate from 1996 to ‘04 and passed some of the most progressive laws in its history… Then there was the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in 2004… remember that? Hardly out of nowhere and off the radar. He’s been the subject of books for a decade.
And for good reason.
The McCain campaign has manufactured this fear in an age when we’re all a little bit suspicious of even our neighbours, out of flimsy connections and luridly phrased half-truths. Knowledge is the only cure for the fear of the unknown.
Gen. Colin Powell is still “The Man.” He was absolutely right to make those comments and they’re true. As a Christian, I can say that there’s nothing wrong with being a Muslim, because we all worship the same God. Growing up, I attended school with Muslims. They visited us on Christmas Day and we visited them while they celebrated Eid. Our differences and respect for those differences help us appreciate each other. Lighten up people! We are all God’s children.
COLLIN POWELL ONLY VOTE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE SKIN COLOR THIS WAS A RACES ELECTION NOT ABOUT OUR COUNTRY. SHAME ON ALL THAT VOTE FOR OBOMA THAT DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE ON HOW TO RUN A COUNTRY. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON ALL OF YOUR SOULS.