Posted on 10/29/2003 5:21:37 AM PST by JesseHousman
WASHINGTON (AFP) - George W. Bush hosted a Ramadan dinner with US Islamic leaders, as the White House was besieged with demands to fire an army general whom made comments some say makes the US-led war on terror out to be a war on Islam.
General William Boykin's comments surfaced two weeks ago, in which he likened the US battle against terror to a battle between Christiandom and the Muslim world, placing the Bush administration in an uncomfortable position.
While the Pentagon (news - web sites) has opened its own investigation, it has also said that it does not expect to ask Boykin to resign. He continued to serve as a undersecretary of defense for intelligence, in charge of tracking down Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) among others.
Bush invited Muslim leaders to an Iftar, the evening feast that breaks the dawn-to-dusk fast Muslims observe during the month of Ramadan. He organized the first White House Iftar after bin Laden and al-Qaeda launched the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
"America is a land of many faiths and we honor, and welcome and value the Muslim faith," Bush said in opening remarks before the meal.
At a mid-day press conference earlier Tuesday, Bush said that the controversial Boykin "doesn't reflect my point of view or the view of this administration."
"Our war is not against the Muslim faith."
"Americans think terrorists are evil people who have hijacked a great religion," Bush said, responding to a reporter's question.
Such statements, however, did not quell the Boykin controversy.
"The obvious response to the Boykin case is to say that because he is now under-secretary of defense for intelligence, he should be relieved of his post," The Washington Post said in an editorial Tuesday.
Boykin made his questionable speeches while wearing his military uniform before conservative Christian groups whom Bush will woo as part of his 2004 reelection campaign.
"It is highly likely that Bush himself, a genuinely devout Christian by all accounts, agrees with at least some, perhaps much, of what Boykin said," the Post speculated.
The US president had just returned from a tour of Asia, which included a three-hour stopover in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population. He also met with several leaders of Muslim countries at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC (news - web sites)) forum.
"Muslims are completely wrong to think that the US is engaged in a war against Islam," New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said.
"But that misperception flourishes in part because the domestic political strategy of the Bush administration -- no longer able to claim the Iraq (news - web sites) war was a triumph, and with little but red ink to show for its economic plans -- looks more and more like a crusade."
I agree. That's why I found Taheri's article interesting. Best wishes.
Aeisha was 6 when "married" and 9 when her 50 some year old "husband" consumated the "marriage. The Bible does not show this kind of polygamy and sex with children was part of Judaism. Abraham did take a concubine --- but one of childbearing age --- the whole purpose in him taking one ---- and his wife Sara was no child. No prophet of the Bible was making harems of widows of men killed in battles, no harems of little girls.
I don't believe there was anything good or nice or wholesome about Mohammed. Jesus did not go about slaying people ---- but there was some of that in the Old Testament --- but for different reasons.
I'm sure some of those widows were rather terrified and didn't enjoy being raped and forced to produce children for their enemies.
And maybe that's much of the problem with this religion. There is no excommunication of people like bin Laden so he can and does set the agenda ---- and men like him. I know of good Persians who claim to be muslim, they actually are tolerant but the more you talk with them, the more that seems a holdover of their previous religion and culture --- not from islam. They also seem to think the Arab muslims are overboard, they'll even admit it comes from islam, from the religion and that Christian Arabs don't seem at all to have the same problem. They've told me the Arab muslims are "crazies" and "weird".
The forum grows wearyThe forum is software. Software does not grow weary.
Let's leave the speaking for the forum to Jim, ok? Thanks.
Marriages in OT days occured for girls as young as 3 (young boys, too). We'd really call them more "betrothals" but they were as binding as marriage.
Since it's obvious that you do not agree with my beliefs, then you are 100 percent correct. Might want to change your main page to come in line with what you are saying. Seems quite a few of your Conservative principles were trampled all over by Bush. Unless of course you really do not believe what you wrote on your BIO. In which case, who is the principled one here?
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