Clinton Encourages Islam Debate

AP | 11/7/01 | AP

[anniegetyourgun]

WASHINGTON (AP) - As part of its war against terrorism, the U.S. must encourage debate between the Islamic factions who hate Americans enough to murder them and those who don't, former President Clinton said Wednesday.

"This is partly a Muslim issue, because there is a war raging within Islam" between extremists and moderates, Clinton told several thousand students and fellow alumni at Georgetown University. "We need to reach out and engage the Muslim world in a debate."

The freedom-of-speech theme is part of a recipe for the nation's war on terrorism that Clinton has delivered around the world since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The first step, he said, is to support and "win the fight we're in," against the al-Qaida network and its leader, Osama bin Laden, for the attacks that left thousands dead in New York and Washington.

Then, he said, the U.S. must help spread democracy, reduce poverty, boost health care systems and bolster education in emerging democracies and other nations that have harbored terrorists.

Such measures are "a lot cheaper than going to war," Clinton said.

Part of the answer, he said, is urging Muslims to speak up, even in fundamentalist countries.

Rather than obey governments that demand that the downtrodden vent anger at the West, "people need to actually say what it is they believe."

The result, he said, would likely be a global community of people with shared values.

"This battle fundamentally is about what you think about the nature of truth, the value of life and the content of community," Clinton said.

President Bush's administration has been careful to say that the military, diplomatic and financial war on terrorism is not a war on Islam. Clinton said he was speaking as "just a citizen" and fully supports the White House's effort.

The former president also tried to reassure students who had gathered to listen that "it's gonna be OK."

Clinton said that terrorism has never succeeded on its own. "Those attacked historically have found ways to save themselves."

"I know it scares you," Clinton said. "But you have to recognize that unless this is something different than has ever occurred in human history, we will figure out how to defend ourselves and civilization will endure."

[anniegetyourgun]

You don't need a barf alert - the name "CLINTON" is in the headline.

[untenured]

Will you just go away already?

Clinton, I mean. :)

[a_Turk]

If he can get a few interns, then I'd be willing to help.

[ml/nj]

This is partly a Muslim issue, because there is a war raging within Islam" between extremists and moderates

Who is an "Islamic moderate"?

Is this like someone who thinks that cutting of the hand of a thief is a bit much, and rather favors amputating a thumb instead?

ML/NJ

[a_Turk]

If he can get a few interns, then I'd be willing to help.

[ladyinred]

Oh Bubba, you know you don't fully support President Bush's policies on the war. Not when you told Paul McCartney's girlfriend how much better you would be able to handle it.
Telling Muslims living under religious rule to speak out against them is like writing their death warrant. Oh yeah, you would be much better at it.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

He's either a complete idiot or does a remarkably good impression of one.

[Melinator]

Pssst, Bubba... No one cares what you have to say. If you want to facilitate debate between the Muslims, go to Afghanistan. Please.

[prognostigaator]

"This battle fundamentally is about what you think about the nature of truth,

the value of life

and the content of community,"
Clinton said.

OR, "This battle fundamentally is about what I think about the nature of truth,

the value of life

and the content of community."

[LADY J]

'Such measures are "a lot cheaper than going to war," Clinton said.'

So now this fat bag of garbage is worrying about spending our money!!!

He hasn't changed his foreign policy spiel though - it's still 'ALL TALK AND NO ACTION'!!

[Pharmboy]

He is a COMPLETE idjyot. You CANNOT discuss anything with these people--they do not compromise. True believers never do.

It is absolutely KILLING x42 that the country is behind Dubya but he himself is irrlelvant. I, however, LOVE it.

[Paul Atreides]

Are you sure he didn't say he was encouraging them to 'bate? After all, he is the mastur.

[don-o]

Then, he said, the U.S. must help spread democracy, reduce poverty, boost health care systems and bolster education in emerging democracies and other nations that have harbored terrorists.

Pay no attention to the fact that none of the noble aims are mentioned in the Contitution.

Though I sometimes weary of X42, he IS handy for the benchmark of banality.

[Revolting cat!]

My goodness, can't we get a mechanical robot or a wax museum dummy to spit out this standard liberal pablum? This is the smartest man in the world, husband of the smartest woman in the world? And people pay money to hear this? Rodney King can be more original and thoughtful. Geez!!!

[Paulie]

"The former president also tried to reassure students who had gathered to listen that "it's gonna be OK."

Yeah, what he means is it'll be okay for him. No doubt his good buddy Yassar or Saddam will tip him off before the next attack so he can conveniently be "out of the country" giving a speech in Australia again.

[auggy]

Did you really have to post this article? I'll be in a bad mood the rest of the evening.

You don't debate with people that are crazy enough to commit suicide,in order, to kill us. They don't freakin understand.

[CT]

Clinton: I am not, nor have I ever been a REAL president. But I once played one on TV.

[auggy]

Did you really have to post this article? I'll be in a bad mood the rest of the evening.

You don't debate with people that are crazy enough to commit suicide,in order, to kill us. They don't freakin understand.

[Pharmboy]

Bullseye!