Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ranting About Rudy: Giuliani’s criticism of Obama has sparked fury—because it rings true.
City Journal ^ | February 22, 2015 | Fred Siegel

Posted on 02/22/2015 10:40:26 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani’s statement about President Obama’s lack of love for America has set off a firestorm of denunciation. Giuliani has been accused of racism, and he has even received death threats. Defenders of Obama have evoked everything from his grandfather’s (on his mother’s side) service in World War II to the two years Giuliani’s father served in Sing Sing to prove either that Obama does love America or that Giuliani has no standing to issue such criticism.

The ranting has obscured the reasons why so many Americans take Giuliani’s remarks to heart. Starting with his June 2009 speech in Cairo, when he apologized for American actions in the Middle East, Obama has consistently given credence to Islamic grievances against America while showing reluctance to confront Islamic terrorism. In 2009, after Major Nidal Hasan killed 13 American soldiers and wounded 40 others at Fort Hood while shouting “Allahu Akhbar,” the administration labeled the killings workplace violence. In recent months, the pace of evasions has quickened. Obama was the only major Western leader absent from the massive Paris march held in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo killings. Worse yet, Obama referred to the killings in a Jewish supermarket in Paris as “random” acts of violence.

But this was only the beginning of a string of curious comments and loopy locutions made by the president or his spokespeople in the weeks that followed. While ISIS rampaged across the Middle East, the president told a Washington prayer breakfast that Christians shouldn’t get on their “high horse,” because they were guilty of the Crusades, among other crimes. Not only were the Crusades many centuries past, but they were also a complicated matter in which both sides behaved barbarically. But more important, Obama’s comments reinforced the standard Muslim propaganda about how the jihad is merely defensive. Shortly thereafter, ISIS murdered 21 Coptic Christians in Libya (a country in complete chaos, thanks to an Obama-led Western intervention). The White House’s response was to condemn the killing, not of Christians but rather of “Egyptian citizens,” another evasive locution. The casual listener need not have knowledge of the White House’s associations with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt or the administration’s hostility toward the anti-jihadist regime in Cairo to find Obama’s words and behavior peculiar.

As one gaffe followed another and as the president and his spokespeople engaged in semantic somersaults to avoid mentioning Islam in regard to terror, public unease mounted. It was exacerbated by a three-day conference on combating “violent extremism,” the White House euphemism for Islamic terrorism. Here again, the public likely didn’t know that some of the invited guests had histories of supporting jihad. The president’s statements gave them enough to worry about.

Bizarrely, Obama presented himself as an expert on legitimate Islam. “This is not true Islam,” Obama said, referring to the ISIS creed, assuming again his role as Defender of the Islamic Faith. “Al Qaeda and ISIL and groups like it . . . try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors in defense of Islam,” Obama said. “We must never accept the premise that they put forward, because it is a lie.” Operatives of al-Qaida and ISIS “are not religious leaders,” Obama insisted. “They’re terrorists.”

Listening to speakers at the conference—to which the FBI had not been invited—you would think that, if only American Muslims were treated better, ISIS would wither on the vine. “We in the administration and the government should give voice to the plight of Muslims living in this country and the discrimination that they face,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson. “And so I personally have committed to speak out about the situation that very often people in the Muslim community in this country face.” The real issue, Johnson suggested, was not Islamic terrorism but Islamophobia. The casual listener might surmise that Johnson’s remarks had less to do with ISIS than with winning the 2016 Muslim vote in key states such as Michigan and Ohio.

At the same conference, Obama announced, or more accurately pronounced, that Islam “has been woven into the fabric of our country since its founding.” As one friend asked me: “What is he talking about?” America’s earliest encounter with Islam came in the form of seventeenth-century colonists purchasing slaves from Muslim slave traders in Africa. The next came when President Thomas Jefferson was forced to fight the Barbary Pirates. Surely, these weren’t the examples Obama had in mind.

In the midst of these attempts to achieve what a magician would call misdirection, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf explained that, if there were only more jobs in the Middle East, ISIS would have a harder time recruiting. But then again, if there was less Islamic extremism, more jobs might be created. Harf referred to the “root causes” of terrorism much as liberal Democrats have long referred to the “root causes” of poverty, with about the same degree of insight.

With all the atrocities that the ISIS fanatics have committed, Obama’s anger has been more often directed not at them, but at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The animosity between the two men has never been a secret, but now, with Obama’s term in office waning, he is determined to cut a deal on the Iranian nuclear program on terms much to Tehran’s liking. Netanyahu is an obstacle to that goal.

All of this, then, was a backdrop to Giuliani’s remarks, in which he called out Obama for the president’s many rhetorical bluffs. If the former mayor’s words have created a firestorm, it’s because for many, they have helped make sense of Barack Obama’s words and actions. Attacking Giuliani, and trying to delegitimize him with the racist label, will do little to allay public anxieties about an administration short on competence but long on ideological evasion—and blessed with media allies.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; US: New York; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: giuliani; iran; isil; isis; islam; jihad; netanyahu; newyork; obama; rudygiuliani; scottwalker; wisconsin
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

1 posted on 02/22/2015 10:40:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

All so true. If only the bastard media would be impartial and report this stuff to the 99% illiterates in this country.


2 posted on 02/22/2015 10:50:35 PM PST by Steelfish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Of course it rings true! It is true and the truth is good! Not like the Media these days...heh... Actually love all the uproar as it just amplifies the facts...ha.


3 posted on 02/22/2015 10:52:09 PM PST by Deagle (gardless of)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Maybe not the Rudy has spoken the unspeakable, more “leaders” will step forward and criticize Obama.


4 posted on 02/22/2015 10:57:53 PM PST by Cowboy Bob (Isn't it funny that Socialists never want to share their own money?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cowboy Bob

Actually yes... very true and hope so!


5 posted on 02/22/2015 10:59:20 PM PST by Deagle (gardless of)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Steelfish

No holding your breath on this one... We don’t want to lose you...heh.


6 posted on 02/22/2015 11:05:46 PM PST by Deagle (gardless of)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Mayor Giuliani has spoken true words.


7 posted on 02/22/2015 11:06:38 PM PST by righttackle44 (Take scalps. Leave the bodies as a warning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

8 posted on 02/22/2015 11:16:39 PM PST by diverteach (If I find liberals in heaven after my death.....I WILL BE PISSED!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

H.L. Mencken

9 posted on 02/22/2015 11:17:48 PM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not A Matter of Opinion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Remeber this jewel from Michelle
http://youtu.be/cFwDwHiQDg8


10 posted on 02/22/2015 11:18:02 PM PST by diverteach (If I find liberals in heaven after my death.....I WILL BE PISSED!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Everybody Knows
11 posted on 02/22/2015 11:31:23 PM PST by TigersEye (ISIS is the tip of the spear. The spear is Islam.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: diverteach

Caption: The Jihadi


12 posted on 02/22/2015 11:34:48 PM PST by Ray76 (Obama says, "Unlike my mum, Ruth has all the documents needed to prove who Mark's father was.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

You can always tell when you hit the target .. the left goes berserk.

The left hates America too .. and that’s why they’re trying to defend “O” .. because they’re really defending themselves.


13 posted on 02/22/2015 11:38:25 PM PST by CyberAnt ("The hope and changey stuff did not work, even a smidgen.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Whats that old saying.. If You're Taking Flak, You Must Be Over The Target!

"If you aren't taking flak,you're not over the target" Gen. Curtis LeMay

14 posted on 02/22/2015 11:41:59 PM PST by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's don't lie, they just Testily{ing} as taught in their respected Police Academy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet; FReepers; Patriots; FRiends









Free Republic is YOUR Voice & Forum
PLEASE HELP KEEP YOURSELF ON THE AIR!
Make YOUR Donation!

You Can Help Drastically Shorten FReepathons by Donating Monthly!
VERY Generous FReeper Sponsors are donating $10 for every New Monthly Donor!
Please Sign Up to Donate Monthly!

15 posted on 02/22/2015 11:45:19 PM PST by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
I believe that President Obama loves a hypothetical America--an America that (according to leftist doctrine) could be.

But, in my opinion, he really does not the America that currently exists.

16 posted on 02/22/2015 11:48:13 PM PST by AmericanExceptionalist (Democrats believe in discussing the full spectrum of ideas, all the way from far left to center-left)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Don’t you just love that the Media is withdrawing, ie closing ranks, and protecting our lovely President whether he deserves it or not? Damn, even FOX is doing it and I just hate them all at this point! Bunch of liberal creeps, are none going to actually speak the truth? After all, they have had years of questionable associations with this fellow and nothing seems to be stated about it...geez! You are who you hang out with for goodness sakes and this President is a real cookoo at the best!


17 posted on 02/22/2015 11:55:44 PM PST by Deagle (gardless of)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

The liberal media will try to destroy Rudy as an example to others. They are trying to stamp out opposition to Obama before it starts.


18 posted on 02/23/2015 12:11:57 AM PST by Cowboy Bob (Isn't it funny that Socialists never want to share their own money?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

bump for later


19 posted on 02/23/2015 12:13:36 AM PST by Huntress ("Politicians exploit economic illiteracy." --Walter Williams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Left does not want to let the cat out of the bag and reveal their true identity. They think they can deflect that revelation by bringing fire on their accuser. All that does is make a victim out of America’s Mayor. Check mate!


20 posted on 02/23/2015 12:17:08 AM PST by jonrick46 (The opium of Communists: other people's money.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson