Posted on 02/09/2002 8:10:40 AM PST by Prodigal Daughter
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Arab American Institute wrote to President George W. Bush asking that he insist that Attorney General John Ashcroft publicly clarify or "apologize and make amends" for hateful remarks he made about Islam. Should the Attorney General fail to do so, AAI called on the President to seek his removal from office. Speaking about Islam in an interview with syndicated columnist and radio commentator Cal Thomas, Attorney General Ashcroft reportedly said, "Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in which God sends his son to die for you." Ashcroft's remarks were first reported on Thomas' radio segment "Men of Faith in Washington, D.C." on November 9.
Despite requests by Arab Americans and American Muslims, Attorney General Ashcroft has not denied these remarks or apologized for them.
The full text of AAI's letter to President Bush follows:
"We were encouraged by the support for Arab Americans and American Muslims shown by you and your Administration in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Your leadership in encouraging religious and ethnic tolerance helped stem the tide of bias incidents and crimes and made our nation stronger. Your actions demonstrated real leadership and helped contribute to a greater understanding of Islam, American Muslims and Arab Americans at a difficult time in our nation's history.
"Given your dedication to tolerance and greater understanding, it is with some concern that we write to you about a matter of serious import. During an interview with syndicated columnist and radio personality Cal Thomas, Attorney General John Ashcroft is quoted as having made anti-Muslim remarks that could only serve to incite the very hatred you have worked so hard to combat. Commenting on faith, Attorney General Ashcroft reportedly said, 'Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in which God sends his son to die for you.' This, of course, is a horrible distortion of Islam.
"To date, Attorney General Ashcroft has not denied this quote, apologized, or even distanced himself from these offensive remarks despite the fact that they have been part of the public record since November, 2001. Given that Attorney General Ashcroft is our nation's chief law enforcement officer, we believe that these comments send the wrong signal to Americans and do a grave disservice to your Administration's efforts to unite all Americans in the war against terror.
"Time and time again, Mr. President, you have made it abundantly clear that this is not a war against a religion. Calling on Americans to respect all faiths you remarked that, 'we treat Arab Americans with the respect they deserve ... we should not hold one who is a Muslim responsible for an act of terror.'
"Given that Attorney General Ashcroft has not denied or apologized for these remarks, we must respectfully insist that you call on Mr. Aschroft to publicly do so. If the Attorney General did not make the remarks, he should clarify the situation and repudiate the comments. If the Attorney General made the comments, he should publicly apologize and meet with Arab and Muslim American leaders to discuss measures he could take to make amends to the Muslim community and to all Americans. Should he fail to do so, we request that you seek Attorney General Ashcroft's immediate removal or resignation from office."
"The bigoted comments reportedly made by our nation's chief law enforcement officer are outrageous! The fact that he has not denied making them or apologized for them raises serous questions about his ability to enforce our nation's laws in a fair and unbiased manner. The President should act to correct this situation," said AAI President Dr. James J. Zogby.
SOURCE Arab American Institute
Web Site: http://www.aaiusa.org
Sure. But only after they stop qualifying their sympathy for what happened on 9/11 with such offensive statements that always start with "It was a horrible thing that happened, BUT..."
A little more unqualified support for their (putative) country and a lot less rationalizations would go a long way, IMO.
Boy, that's open ended.
What's to object to here?
It's a damn good comparison of the false religion of 'islam' with Christianity.
You are absolutely right and where did they learn such tactics? Hillary and her ilk on the left, including the media and other Democrats. They too seem dedicated to the destruction of America as a Constitutional Republic.
The bigoted comments reportedly made by our nation's chief law enforcement officer are outrageous! The fact that he has not denied making them or apologized for them raises serous questions about his ability to enforce our nation's laws in a fair and unbiased manner. The President should act to correct this situation," said AAI President Dr. James J. Zogby.
What a maroon. Dr. Zogby (isn't this guy the Zogby pollster's bro'?), John Ashcroft's comments were justified in light of the evidence. To wit: Damn near every week there is another adherent to Islam blowing up himself, and trying to take other folks with him to Valhalla. Please go try to hornswaggle somebody who gives a damn about what you have to say. Barf.
Ashcroft should also issue a revision of his statement to read "sons and daughters."
A mother publicly rejoicing in the death of a child is truly one of the most revolting things I have ever seen -- no apology necessary, Mr. Ashcroft.
Good call.
It's hard to believe that anyone in the Bush administration would have the gonads to say such a thing - which leads me to believe that the quote is a fake.
Nevertheless, if it's true, I thought you'd get a kick out of it.
Have these arabs defined "Holy War"?
Have these arabs defined "Holy War"!
I believe so...and he's a prominent Democrat.
In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, he served very actively in the Gore campaign.
Have these arabs defined "Holy War"?
Have these arabs defined "Holy War"!
In brief, Christianity says you should die for your faith in times of persecution when you have no other choice. Islam says you should go out and kill people, even if you die in the process. That's not what I call "martyrdom."
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