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

Skip to comments.

Bush requested to attend Diwali celebrations at the White House
Rediff.com ^ | October 22, 2005 10:19 IST

Posted on 10/22/2005 2:29:23 PM PDT by Gengis Khan

Though pleased that the White House would be celebrating Diwali this year, the United States India League has said the celebrations should reflect the festival's status as Hinduism's most important one.

The League, a representative body of Indians in the US, has also urged President George W Bush to attend the function, noting that his presence would send the 'right signals to his friends in India and the Indian American community'.

According to the League's executive director, Don Feder, merely 'going through the motions of having a pro forma Diwali celebration' would not be enough.

"Diwali is Hinduism's most importance observance. The White House celebration should reflect that," he said in a release on Friday.

Citing a recent worldwide Global Attitudes Survey, Feder said that pro-American sentiment and support for President Bush was the strongest in India, when compared to most of the Muslim world.

"While reaching out to sceptics, the President shouldn't forget his friends," he said, apparently referring to the two iftar dinners recently hosted by Bush and the First Lady.

Noting that India's strategic alliance with the US had become a cornerstone of Bush' policy, Feder hoped that 'these realities are reflected in the way Diwali is celebrated at the White House this year'.

The celebrations at the White House are slated for November 1 at 3.30 pm local time. Diwali has been celebrated there in the past, albeit never at the official level.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bush; bush43; diwali; hinduism; india; indianamericans; proamerican; us; whitehouse
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

1 posted on 10/22/2005 2:29:26 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

I just luuuuuv multiculturalism


2 posted on 10/22/2005 2:32:39 PM PDT by evad ( PC KILLS-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

So .. what is the celebration all about ..??


3 posted on 10/22/2005 2:39:08 PM PDT by CyberAnt (I BELIEVE CONGRESSMAN WELDON!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CyberAnt

Bark like a dog Bush...bark like a dog....


4 posted on 10/22/2005 2:41:21 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Nothing fills the void of a passing hurricane better than government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: CyberAnt

Err....Diwali? The festival of the Hindus....


5 posted on 10/22/2005 2:43:02 PM PDT by Gengis Khan (Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until u hear them speak.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

Can't we all just get along? *Smirk*

Actually, after reading "The War on Christmas: How the Liberals Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday" by John Gibson this past week, I can't believe there aren't bloody protests at the White House each year as they conduct the massive undertaking of decorating the numerous rooms in different themes (mainly *GASP* Christian) for Christmas.

I suggest everyone read that book before the holiday season is upon us. Arm yourselves and be loud and proud of your Christianity, if that's your take on the matter. If the White House is indulging every ethnic celebration that comes down the pike, well, don't count on there being room for Christianity in the near future.

I know! Let's just make everything equal so nothing is sacred in America anymore! /sarcasm


6 posted on 10/22/2005 2:43:17 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CyberAnt

About Diwali:

http://www.reachgujarat.com/diwali.htm


7 posted on 10/22/2005 2:43:59 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (L'chaim!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: CyberAnt

Bark like a dog Bush...bark like a dog....


8 posted on 10/22/2005 2:45:43 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Nothing fills the void of a passing hurricane better than government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

This is simply madness, and silliness. Don't know what all the symbolism buys us in making the world better.

In any case, India has other prominent festivals/holidays. For example, Ramadan for muslims Christmas for Christians.

Oh well...


9 posted on 10/22/2005 2:48:07 PM PDT by indianrightwinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

India is a very strong ally. Stronger than any of those Euroweenies on the continent. India is no friend of China and China is no friend of ours as anyone with a mature understanding of global politics appreciates.


10 posted on 10/22/2005 2:48:49 PM PDT by Biblebelter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

What???


11 posted on 10/22/2005 2:49:17 PM PDT by indianrightwinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

As long as there is a creche prominatly displayed, Christmas carols such as O Holy Night and Silent Night are played ...


12 posted on 10/22/2005 2:55:02 PM PDT by Just A Nobody ( Member of the Water Bucket Brigade - It's all about MOOSEMUSS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

The U.S India League is an organization headed by conservative writer/speaker Don Feder:

http://www.usindialeague.org/


13 posted on 10/22/2005 2:55:07 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (L'chaim!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

India has two million gods, and worships them all. In religion all other countries are paupers; India is the only millionaire.

MARK TWAIN


14 posted on 10/22/2005 3:13:30 PM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (I shot an error into the air. It's still going everywhere. R. A. HEINLEIN)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

I like you. You rermind me of me, when I was young and stupid.


15 posted on 10/22/2005 3:16:55 PM PDT by Valin (Vescere bracis meis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Gengis Khan

This sounds good to me. India will be one of our most important allies of the future. Hindus are great. And unlike Jews, instead of appeasing Muslims and giving them land-for-violence, they actually burn offending mosques to the ground and build their own temples right on top. That is the kind of ally we need in the War on Islam.


16 posted on 10/22/2005 3:24:09 PM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: montag813
LOL!!  !
17 posted on 10/22/2005 4:12:14 PM PDT by Salem (FREE REPUBLIC - Fighting to win within the Arena of the War of Ideas! So get in the fight!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: montag813

H induism tells us that the "Self" which dwells in each and every being in this universe is one and the same with Godhead. Every soul in this uinverse is a reflection of this Supreme Self. Thus every individual has the potential to realize Godhead by the realization of this "Self".

Realization of the "Self" is possible only when someone is free to think on his/her own and act accordingly. The most heinous and barbaric crime in this world would be to stop an individual to think freely. And when such a crime is legalised in the form of a religion, one can easily imagine how disastrous it can be. Islam is such a religion.

Islam imposes a threat to the whole world which is far worse than deforestation, nuclear destruction or AIDS. It is an insidious, devilish disease creeping into the veins of the world. Every individual must realise the destructive and evil nature of this religion, for it eats away at the very foundation of humanity which is an individual's ability to think individually and act accordingly.
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate/index.html


18 posted on 10/22/2005 5:08:15 PM PDT by Fred Nerks (Understand islam understand evil - read THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD free pdf see link My Page)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: CyberAnt
Just an opportunity for more over the top Bush outreach. Notice how the article never uses the word holy or sacred. Guess those words are reserved fr the religion of peace.
19 posted on 10/22/2005 5:13:11 PM PDT by isrul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: isrul

Well, I want to know what Diwali celebrates. Is it a harvest celebration (which I suspect). It doesn't have to be religiously symbolic. And .. I don't have any problem with the President attending - as long as he understands what the celebration is about.


20 posted on 10/22/2005 6:14:03 PM PDT by CyberAnt (I BELIEVE CONGRESSMAN WELDON!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 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