BUSH HOSTED RAMADAN DINNER AAT WHITE HOUSE (Mired in controversy)

Yahoo ^ | 10/28/2003 | Staff

[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."

[Kerberos]

"We are."

It would seem like George is disputing that.

[NYC GOP Chick]

"Americans think terrorists are evil people who have hijacked a great religion," Bush said, responding to a reporter's question.

Well, no. We think that it's a religion whose fundamentalists find aid and comfort among the so-called mainstream.

In the days after 9/11, I was flipping around the TV channels and came across something on MTV, I think, in which they sent their version of intrepid reporters around Manhattan to interview Muslim and Arab kids (high school and college). Without exception, they were all *far* more upset by the concept of bigotry (not that they experienced any, but were nonetheless still traumatized by the mere thought of it possibly occurring) than by the smoldering people in the pit a couple of miles south of them. Oh sure, *some* expressed some sorrow or even slight anger over the attacks, but it was ALWAYS followed with a qualifier about how "arrogant" and "imperialistic" the evil U.S. is.

These people may think that they're so *wonderful* and high-minded, but the reality is that they provide cover and aid for the very worst among them -- the terrorists.

My point? We (and they) need more outspoken Muslims and Arabs to loudly and frequently offer unqualified condemnation of the extremists and do everything possible to separate from them. Americans have been remarkably tolerant, more so than I thought we'd be in the aftermath of 9/11, but doing what I just suggested would go a loooong way toward proving Bush right.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Was Grover Norquist at the dinner?

I thought his cell was busted a while back...

[FITZ]

Has any major muslim or muslim group called off the jihad against America? Or has any muslim group declared a jihad against the terrorists? Islam is very opposed to the USA. The Constitution and this country is against everything they believe in. Freedom of speech? Not according to muslims. Ask Salman Rushdie about how much they respect that. Freedom of religion? No way.

[Thane_Banquo]

What I wish he had said:

"Good evening. Happy Hanukah. Welcome to the White House. Congress has just passed, and I have just signed into law, legislation that would outlaw Mecca for ever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes."

[Semper Paratus]

Should have had a Ramadan luncheon instead.

[a_Turk]

>> Iftar, the evening feast

That's really a modest dinner..

[Thane_Banquo]

What I wish he had said:

"Good evening. Happy Hanukah. Welcome to the White House. Congress has just passed, and I have just signed into law, legislation that would outlaw Mecca for ever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes."

[hobbes1]

No. They are Wahabbists.......

Holding all Muslims accountable for the acts of a distorted sect is every bit as ignorant as hloding All Pro Life people responsible for Clinic Bombers and murderers.

[Jim Cane]

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

See post #11 about your muslintimacy.

[Geezerette]

When GWB issued his "New Tone in Washington" doctrine in the very early part of his new administration, I got a very uncomfortable, scary feeling.

You cannot be nice to people who hate you and want to kill you.

Ask Ted Kennedy and/or Tom Daschle about being "nice" in return.

Is GWB naive? Or does he sincerely believe that if you turn the other cheek, your enemies will kiss it?

g

[a_Turk]

>> Those aren't Southern Baptists that are ambushing our soldiers.

No, they are enemies of freedom and democracy. We fought this battle 80 years ago within our borders. Now the same is being fought over again in the context of globalization.

By misconceptualizing this as a war between Islam and Christendom you will 1) make it unwinnable, and 2) never begin to understand us Turks..

BTW, Turkey is celebrating her 80th anniversary as a secular republic today.

[a_Turk]

>> Look at how Muslims started their own "Holy Month of Ramadan": killing infidels.

If that were true that 1) Christians are infidels, and 2) Muslims were moving to kill them, there wouldn't be one Christian left alive anywhere around there as they are outnumbered 2000 to one in Iraq alone..

[truthandlife]

"All Americans must recognize that the face of terror is not the true faith -- face of Islam. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate." President George W. Bush Holds Roundtable with Arab- and Muslim-American Leaders Afghanistan Embassy, Washington, D.C. September 10, 2002

Hosting a dinner celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, President George W. Bush addresses ambassadors from Islamic nations and other distinguished guests in the State Room. File photo. White House photo by Tina Hager. whole webpage dedicated to Ramadan and Islam on the White House website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/ramadan/index.html

[Mo1]

Big deal. If he refused to hose muslim leaders it would only confirm media accusations of war againt Islam.

You're right .. and if I recall the WH does this type of thing for many other different religions

[JustAnAmerican]

"BTW, Turkey is celebrating her 80th anniversary as a secular republic today.

Your country is "Secular" because your Military makes it so. When your country is secular by choice and not force let me know.

[GraniteStateConservative]

"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.

Are they sure this was an editorial? Sounds like straight from the regular news pages. Those reporters have ESP don'tcha know.

[JustAnAmerican]

"Is GWB naive? Or does he sincerely believe that if you turn the other cheek, your enemies will kiss it?

Good question, wish I knew the answer. Whichever it is, it will get even more "Non-Muslims" killed in the long run.

[Happy2BMe]

Tue Oct 28, 7:34 PM ET

US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) speaks while Imam Faizul Khan (C) and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahayan (R), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister for the United Arab Emirates, listen before the Iftaar Dinner held with ambassadors and Muslim leaders at the White House(AFP/Nicholas Roberts)

What in God's name is going on in Bush's mind? Anybody know?

Yesterday, he announced a special Inspector General investigation is going on against the U.S. 3-Star General who spoke the truth about Islam.

He follows it up with this "special" meeting at the White House.

Is this madness or what?? I am personally getting very, very impatient with this load of carp!

[FITZ]

It was so much easier when we were fighting the Nazis because we weren't so politically correct back then that we had to invite Nazi leaders to the White House and sing praises to them. Of course there were more peaceful, tolerant Nazis just like there might be muslims --- but we didn't have to play games.