U.S. Muslims regret support for Bush, won’t repeat it in ’04

Wilmington Star ^ | 9-1-03 | Staff

[veronica]

Even before the Sept. 11 attacks and the crackdown that followed, American Muslim leaders generally had come to believe they had made a mistake.

In 2000, they made their first unified endorsement in a presidential race, backing George W. Bush. Many thought he would take a harder line against Israel, and, based on statements he made while campaigning, would protect the rights of immigrants facing deportation.

Muslims say they were disappointed on both counts. Now, feeling the additional sting of being scrutinized in the domestic hunt for terrorists, they are mobilizing to express their anger at the polls in 2004.

At their largest convention of the year, which ends today, national Muslim leaders announced plans to register 1 million Muslim voters and make civil rights a top issue in any endorsement of a presidential candidate.

"A defining moment of Islam in America is approaching," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group based in Washington. "We cannot surrender our future and our destiny to hate in this country."

Agha Saeed, head of the Muslim American Congress, led the crowd in a chant. "I am an American, I am a Muslim and I vote," he said, joined by thousands gathered for the Islamic Society of North America meeting.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush won points with American Muslims by visiting a mosque and declaring Islam a peaceful religion.

But since then, the federal government has detained hundreds of immigrants, shut down U.S. Muslim charities suspected of terrorist ties and gained broad new powers to monitor citizens under the USA Patriot Act.

The Bush administration said these moves have been crucial for U.S. security. American Muslims say they are being scapegoated.

A White House spokesman referred questions about the presidential race to the Bush campaign, whose spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request for comment Sunday.

It is unclear what effect Muslims can have in the 2004 elections.

Estimates of the number of U.S. Muslims vary dramatically from 2 million to 6 million. But immigrant Muslims generally are highly educated professionals with the means to make significant campaign donations.

Also, their community has matured dramatically in the past four years.

The assault on Islam that followed the suicide hijackings that killed thousands in New York and Washington compelled Muslims around the country to defend their faith.

National Muslim organizations, including Mr. Awad’s, reported a dramatic increase in donations and membership.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Umm.. ok, but make it hurt, k?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I can agree with that.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Wow. You think you know somebody. : )

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, what can you expect from a guy in a band called "Crazy Abdul and the Suicide Bombers"?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Hard telling. You're probably gonna blow me up one of these days, if my neighbor doesn't beat you to it. ; )

[Chad Fairbanks]

We only plan to do that on stage. I mean, if Spinal Tap can have an exploding drummer, so can we...

[nutmeg]

ping

[ApesForEvolution]

Communists and islamonazis.

Two cancers fighting over the same corpse...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

An explosing lead singer? Well, we ARE a dime a dozen, as I understand it.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Explosing? Did you mean 'exploding' or 'exposing'? Either way, it would get attention ;0)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

LOL - oops. : ) Well, I suppose I would rather be exposed than exploded...well, maybe not. Let me think about it. ; )

[Chad Fairbanks]

Take your time ;)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thanks. This is one of those decisions you want to be really sure of. ; )

[Chad Fairbanks]

In the mean time, for your entertainment, check out one of my current favorite websites...

http://www.angola.npaid.org/minelist_all_database.htm

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

[Raised eyebrows.]

Okaaaaay.

Do you have anything lighter than that?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ummm... no?

[null and void]

Well, I suppose I would rather be exposed than exploded...

Exploded is OK, but what do you do for an encore?

[trebb]

So that he can build up the Saudi Navy at taxpayer expense and insist on giving more of Israel to Arrafat's boys, I guess

I don't agree with all his policies and actions, but the jury is still out - it seems that he opened the door for Irael's new offensive when he made his statement a couple weeks ago about how a cease fire wasn't going to hack it and that the terrorist org had to be dismantled - that's just what isareal is doing. I believe that he is doing some back-door agreements with Israel to keep the balancing act from falling apart and will give him the benefit of the doubt until the sh** hits the fan...

[Scenic Sounds]

Dangerously and foolishly naive.

There's a lot of truth in that. I've always been hopelessly gullible. ;-)

[null and void]

Admitting you have a problem is the first step...

;^P