Howard Dean gets Standing Ovation from Arab-Americans

So you're saying that the list of specific people it "does not belong to" was unintentional?

Come on man, you know better than that. Look at the plain text of what he said. He SPECIFICALLY listed people that the flag "does not belong to."

 

Then he specifically said it belongs to all Americans.

It's very obvious what he meant.

 

So you're saying that the list of specific people it "does not belong to" was unintentional?

Come on man, you know better than that. Look at the plain text of what he said. He SPECIFICALLY listed people that the flag "does not belong to."

So if you have a basketball, and you say "it's mine" and I say "no, it's not yours, it's all of ours'", you really think I'm meaning to say it's everyone's except for you, rather than that its a community thing?

 

As a jew, I applaud what Dean said. There is a big difference between extremist muslims overseas trying to kill our soldiers and a tax-paying American muslim.

During WWII we were dumb enough to imprison Japanese just because of their race. In hindsight, this is looked down upon. I'm afraid that we are sacrificing too many liberties in exchange for too much security.

We all must stand up against this tyranny of the majority and protect EVERY American. Even if many muslims are against the wars and/or disagree with american foreign policy, that is their right to believe it and they do not deserve discrimination.

Btw Rocketman, Dean wasn't hypocritical.. he said it didnt ONLY belong to General Boykin, or John Ashcroft, or Rush Limbaugh or Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, it belongs to EVERYONE.

 

I am going to have to agree with Murdock on this one. The point is that it was potentially an unwise political campaign move, not whether he was right or wrong in his comments, or whether he should be commended for them. That's a separate issue entirely and I would agree with y'all that applaud him for his words, but it was still probably a dumb move politically. I think y'all are giving the average American way to much credit when it comes to their rationality in voting and paying attention to issues. Many claim that the average American is really ignorant on many issues and after working on a national political campaign myself, it really seems to be the case unfortunately. (I am not trying to be elitist in any way and claim that I do know what the hell is going on with everything, b/c I really don't, but you get the point) Many people have very naive takes on Muslims and the American Muslim community which could lead to a statement like Dean's being interpreted in the wrong way.

 

It may have turned some Americans off. It may have even been politically unwise. But if it comes to being politic, or being right, I will vote for the guy who stands up for what's right every time. I also don't know how much this will hurt him, because any of his opponents now or should he make it to the general election later, decide to make an issue of this, it won't be hard to turn it around on them, and reveal their ignorance and bigotry for all to see.

Attacks could come through covert dirty tricks perhaps, but it's too early to tell.

 

I've heard the same thing said by John Kerry and Gephart multiples times.

Why does everyone have a stick up their ass now that dean has said it? (again)

 

Did the voices in your head tell you that or is there a "bad information" newsletter that you subscribe to?

 

No doubt. I honestly now view Murdock with more suspicion than I view the average Arab-American. Hate, fear, and division will bring this country down. Embracing people who want to help, who believe in the American dream, regardless of their color or origin, will help us overcome terrorism.

 

Hmm.

I understand what Murdock is saying about it being a political mistake. Not certain if I agree, but I 'understand' the argument ... and he could be right, if enough Americans are ignorant.

But I will not criticize Dean for doing what's 'right'. For a group of Americans who may feel unjustly uncomfortable in their own nation, it was the remarks of a leader. Willing to take political heat to do and say what's right.

Also, Murdock, one error you may have made was stating ...right or wrong the majority of Americans view Arabs/Muslims as Terrorist.... What is the basis for that? I don't think people on this board believe that.

 

Do you realize the terrorists responsible for American attacks are foreigners and number of Muslims that agree with them in both goals and mean are extremely small. That like saying we should fear all white Christian men because of Randolph and McVeigh (our own home grown terrorists).

Agreed, and if Rove and co used this for campaign fodder and the public didn’t see through it we will get exactly the kind of federal government we deserve. I don’t think they would try that unless really desperate--that could really politically backfire.

Context is important, it is one thing to say it more cautiously in a contrived scenario and sterile forum as Kerry and Gephart are found of doing, it is another thing to say it boldly in a audience like that. I have been very skeptical of him, but more and more I am liking Dean I have to admit.

 

Assuming for the sake of argument that he intended a message that was good and right, it could be said AT BEST, that he threw the aforementioned individuals a backhanded slap while doing it. So much tarnish on the brass.

 

I agree that he did say something good, while trying to come down on the individuals he mentioned. Those individuals happen to be the ones who arguably act as if they decide who receives America's rights and who doesn't, or at least wish they could.

Those individuals he mentioned deserv every backhanded slap in relation to the treatment of ALL Americans as equals that they get.

 

I thought that liberals were supposed to be the elitists who think they know better than the regular American At least, that's what O'Reilly/Hannity/Coulter tell me, and they can't be wrong!