Arabs in Florida Angered by Bush

Los Angeles Times ^ | Peter Wallsten and John M. Glionna

[Michael Goldsberry]

ORLANDO, Fla. - Ever since President Bush (news - web sites) narrowly won Florida four years ago, Democrats have meticulously courted key voting blocs that strategists believe could help reverse the party's fortunes in 2004 - showering attention on seniors, African Americans, Jews, and Cuban and Haitian Americans.

On Sunday night, a surprising new ethnic thread wove itself into Florida's ever-complicated political fabric: the frustrated Arab American.

Business owners, physicians, lawyers and others - furious over the Bush administration's post-Sept. 11 policies that many believe unfairly target Muslims and Arab Americans in the government's quest to root out terrorists - huddled in a hotel ballroom across the street from Disney World to demonstrate how much they wanted a change in the White House.

The meeting, intended to be a bipartisan affair sponsored by the Washington-based Arab American Institute, turned into a cheering session for Democratic nominee Sen. John F. Kerry (news, bio, voting record) - illustrating a dramatic shift in a traditionally Republican group.

"I thought Bush was another Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) on a small scale for what he believed in," said Ashley Ansara, president of a clinical research company in Orlando. "I found out he's no Reagan. Not even close."

He said this would be the first presidential election since he moved to the U.S. in 1973 that he wouldn't be voting Republican.

[TexasBud]

Florida's in the bag. I wouldn't worry about a small group like that. Now, the Cubans? Maybe I'd worry. But even then....virtually everyone in the FL government will be working to elect Pres. Bush, incl. local politicians. Add to that the $$$ that Pres. Bush has just given the state. I think FL is in the bag. Not that it should be taken for granted. But it's nothing to worry about, like Ohio, for instance.

[demlosers]

I'm angered at the Arabs.

[nonkultur]

That is good news. It will help Bush with the Jewish vote.

[jennyjenny]

Arabs all over the planet angered by everything. "My answer to the Muslim arabs in America: Chill out. Get a haircut and a shave. Shower daily. Use deodorant. Get up off the ground and get a good night's sleep."

And I would just add: We're not negotiating with you!

[Tannerone]

Does anyone (ANYONE) know of any Arab turning in another middle east potential terrorist(or any potential terrorist) to authorities since or before 9/11.

I seriously doubt that the middle easter terrorist are hiding out on the steps of the local Methodist church in Red Rock , Alabama.

If anyone knows of any incidence of an Arab turning in another Arab for potential terrorism please tell us about it.

The beauty of the USA is that if you do not like it there are no chains holding you from returning to the dump you came from.

[Fatalis]

Why are they complaining there were Arabs working at the World Trade Center that died?

[gwb2OO4]

Arabs who have done nothing wrong have nothing to fear from the present administration. However, it is a well-known fact that many Islamic leaders in America and other parts of the Western world preach venomous, hate-filled sermons condemning the United States and its allies at every opportunity. As the threat of another domestic terrorist attack looms over our heads, these "Arabs for Kerry" are fooling themselves if they truly believe that either presidential candidate will give comfort and aid to America's enemies within her borders.

[TheDon]

Business owners, physicians, lawyers and others - furious over the Bush administration's post-Sept. 11 policies that many believe unfairly target Muslims and Arab Americans in the government's quest to root out terrorists

"Unfairly?" Not the type of citizens we want in this nation.

[tiamat]

LOL!

Simply insane.

i live close to Detroit.

We've got Arabs.

[blanknoone]

showering attention on seniors, African Americans, Jews, and Cuban and Haitian Americans.

I wish both our political parties worried more about plain old American Americans.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Arabs all over the planet angered by everything.

Don't they know it's not healthy to go around angry all the time. Angry people have BP problems and die at young ages.

I'm really very concerned. ;0

[SampleMan]

Arabs everywhere angered by Christian and Jewish resistance to their efforts to install Sharia rule globally.

[LibSnubber]

"furious over the Bush administration's post-Sept. 11 policies that many believe unfairly target Muslims and Arab Americans..."

Not nearly as furious as average Americans would be if the terrorists of Islam ever came over here and hurt our children the way they did in Beslan.

[DustyMoment]

What you said (post #4) in SPADES!!!!!!

[evets]

Can't we all just get along?

[Alouette]

Don't they know it's not healthy to go around angry all the time. Angry people have BP problems and die at young ages.

Yeah, let's get them REALLY REALLY ANGRY!

Maybe they will all drop dead of strokes and heart attacks.

[SampleMan]

Added to Bush's attack on Arabs is the very real depletion of the Earth's "attractive" camel population. This leaves many Arabs frustrated and angered that they are being forced to be intimate with sub-par livestock. It also appears that many of them have suddenly realized that God settled them in the world's cat box.

[prophetic]

its the cultural thing whereby from birth they are brainwashed by their Imams and govt that EVERYTHING is America's fault (or Bush's fault since he's the ruling president).

Unlike in the USA where history has now become relegated to studying Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Ten Cents etc; in the Muslim culture when the men go to pray facing Mecca 5 times pre day, it is re-iterated to them their entire history of their religion and that the Jews & Christians are dogs and monkeys and should be blamed for all their (Muslim) ills.

And if it wasnt enough to have it preached to them in their religion, the Muslim/Arab Governments make it an easy whipping horse to blame Israel & America for their society ills.

[stainlessbanner]

didn't see you here yet

[TonyInOhio]

Arabs in Fallujah don't much like the President either. Big deal.