US Muslim voters are election year outcasts

"The correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America," Powell said. "Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, `He's a Muslim and he might be associated (with) terrorists.' This is not the way we should be doing it in America."

Best damn quote of the year.

+1!!!!

It is sad to see our American bretheren of the Muslim Faith, going through the same things American Indians, Blacks, Irish, Jews, Italians, and so on; have gone through in some form or the other in the past.

You would think that after all of these years, these types of intolerant responses to different cultures would be phasing out...

Why is it that the same "Americans" who expouse the export of "Democracy"; totally freak out when someone "different" from them seeks to exercise and contribute to "Democracy"!?!

In my mind, one of the most important issues—if not the most important—of the 21^st century, ironically, is defeating Religious Zealotry and Extremism;  from all four corners(hemispheres) of the earth, from all ethnicities, and from all men and women. We the people are supposed to be more humble than this, supposed to be more civil than this, supposed to be more intelligent than hate, fear, prejudice and bigotry.
We have a responsibility to our fellow (wo)man, we have a responsibility for ourselves, we have a responsibility for our children.

I think most Americans believe it is EXTREMIST muslims we should be worried about, but moderate would do well to be more vocal against the extremists.  Unfortunately, they have been too silent in decrying the extremists.

We should not be surprised at such things.  It is the way of the world; always has been, always will be.  Human beings will always be looking for 'bad guys', and a bad deed done in the name of ‘x’ will always outweigh the good.  The fact is that villains, like heroes, can come from anywhere.  Our responsibility is to be part of the solution not the problem, and to make sure that our villains are not ourselves.

I had serious doubts about Mr. Powell because of his close involvement with Iran-Contra affair and long relationship with Bush-family.  Even though I do not subscribe to any religion (for the record, I was brought up as a Hindu), I deeply appreciate Mr. Powell making the statement that is long over due in America.  Mr. Powell - you are True Statesman. Such Statesman are much needed to bridge gap of hatred due to religious boundaries across the world - of course it has to start at home first. 

You'd think we'd want Muslim allies in a war on extremist...

I wonder if Hitler were alive in this country today, what could he accomplish; With access to the Internet you tube. and other electronic outlets. If McCain being the real American that he is, who loves this country as he and Pailin say they do,  can bring out the bigotry and hatred so easily with the mention of a few choice words. What could Hitler do if he were alive in America today. Unfortunately too many people, Like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and Hannity have access to the public minds. Why? , because conflict and drama sells. We need more visible personalities to step up and put and end to this type of behavior and denounce it on all fronts.. 

I applaud General Colin Powell in saying what he said on Meet the Press.  I am a cerified  Chaplain, which means part of my training, and the ethical code I signed when I became certified,  states I can't discriminate against other faiths.  I wouldn't do it, if I was allowed to.  I am also African American adn know how it fills to be discriminated against just because upiare born black, and female, or may whorship differently then the majority.   I have also had  to sat in my Baptist Church for fifteen years, and listen the my pastor put down the Muslin faith.  There was no use of leaving because most Churches have the same beliefs. Some people have criticize Obama for not walking out of his Church when his pastor made derogatory remarks against whites.  Most of the Christian churches I have attended, black and white, seem to think it is appropriate to put down other faiths, homosexual, women, and people of different races.  I personally cringe inside of me when this is done.   There are very few Churches I have attended white or black, I have attended that are truly teaching what Jesus came to teach.   Our spiritual and moral immaturity is evident in our political , educational systems, and how we treat each other.   We have no understanding of people in other countries, their culture, which includes their religion.  This creates tensions and comflicts.  We have been taught that Christianity is the only true religion, yet it is one of the youngest and includes some of the same mandates as other religions.   I have found that all religions have value, and lI look to find the common good in all.  This makes my work as a Chaplain more effective, and compassionate.  I thank General Colin Power for having the courage and maturity to speak the truth.   God is not a God of one particular faith or gender, contrary to what some people think, and I don't think God cares about some of the issus that we kill people over. 

We have extremist in all faiths.  It is a sign of spiritual sickness and immaturity.  The problem is most people who think they are spiritually mature, are very immature in their faith development.   Evidence of this is seen in watching the politcal process, what we value, and how we treat each other.  This particular election will really show how much we have spiritually grown as a people.  There are very few spiritually mature people existing today.  There are very few people who have inner integration, that transcends the things that we judge to have value.   Most of us are still on the level of judging by appearances and superficial characteristics.   I believe this financial crisis we are having at this time is an example of where this world has gone.   Money is its god.  But we are finding that money can go in an instant.   We are a world that worships idols, and like in the Christian Bible it will destroy us.  Most religions have a commandments against Idolatry.   We are so in love with our own images, we can see the other.  We are so busy with our gods, i.e homes, skin, color, trophy wives and husbands, titles, power, wanting people to worship us, etc.  we can't see owe are destroying ourselves and the world.  When we find a leader who is spiritually, emotionally, and intelllectionally mature and integrated, then we will have the possiblity of a wise leader. 

We have extremist in all faiths.  It is a sign of spiritual sickness and immaturity.  The problem is most people who think they are spiritually mature, are very immature in their faith development.   Evidence of this is seen in watching the politcal process, what we value, and how we treat each other.  This particular election will really show how much we have spiritually grown as a people.  There are very few spiritually mature people existing today.  There are very few people who have inner integration, that transcends the things that we judge to have value.   Most of us are still on the level of judging by appearances and superficial characteristics.   I believe this financial crisis we are having at this time is an example of where this world has gone.   Money is its god.  But we are finding that money can go in an instant.   We are a world that worships idols, and like in the Christian Bible it will destroy us.  Most religions have a commandments against Idolatry.   We are so in love with our own images, we can see the other.  We are so busy with our gods, i.e homes, skin, color, trophy wives and husbands, titles, power, wanting people to worship us, etc.  we can't see owe are destroying ourselves and the world.  When we find a leader who is spiritually, emotionally, and intelllectionally mature and integrated, then we will have the possiblity of a wise leader. 

There is no way to Father God, except through His Son, Jesus Christ. Any other way is a lie from satan.....that is in the Bible as well. Beware of false teachings.....

Nacio, as long as you are spreading the Word, remember that the Bible teaches that you shall know a man by his fruit. Many McCain/Palin followers have reached a level lower than I ever remember with their hate spewing. I am ashamed they call themselves Christians. It is not up to us to judge, but if we do, it should be based on a person's merit and goodness, not on skin color, religion, or social class. I cannot and will not support this hatred with my vote.

I grew up with Muslims in India and I have befriended Muslims all my life. One can not compare them to Native Americans, Irish, Catholics, Chinese and Indians. They pride in their allegiance to Islam and would even  honor suicide killing of an infidal/non believer.  Honor killing of their wife, daughter is acceptable if they do not follow their Islamic traditions.  I have yet to find a single Muslim to publicly denounce such practices in America, Europe and in their native Islamic countries. International rampage over Danish cartoons an example. The secrecy inside Islamic centers and Schools should be of serious concern. I can not write enough to warn that they would be a cancer to our society if they have some larger population just like U.K. and Europe. Why Islamic societies around the World are  ruled by Islamic ruthless dictators? Our freedom of expression is too precious to tinker with Muslims.

I grew up with Muslims in India and I have befriended Muslims all my life. One can not compare them to Native Americans, Irish, Catholics, Chinese and Indians. They pride in their allegiance to Islam and would even  honor suicide killing of an infidal/non believer.  Honor killing of their wife, daughter is acceptable if they do not follow their Islamic traditions.  I have yet to find a single Muslim to publicly denounce such practices in America, Europe and in their native Islamic countries. International rampage over Danish cartoons an example. The secrecy inside Islamic centers and Schools should be of serious concern. I can not write enough to warn that they would be a cancer to our society if they have some larger population just like U.K. and Europe. Why Islamic societies around the World are  ruled by Islamic ruthless dictators? Our freedom of expression is too precious to tinker with Muslims.

America was founded by immigrants seeking freedom and a better life. That has been lost along the way. The Native Americans murdered and run onto reservations and still remain there! African Americans put into slavery. The Jewish needed to change names not to sound so Jewish. The Japanese were not accepted because they bombed pearl harbor so we nuked them twice. We have been taught fear and loathing and we call ourselves Christians. Their have been few American Heros like General Colon Powell! I put blame on the further right who call themselves Conservatives but we must blame ourselves for accepting this in society!The "pandora's box" must be closed once and for all and Sen. Obama may truely be the leader capable of this throught the free world. Most of all it needs to start with in oneself. I may have been born a Christian but more-so I know I do not require a Bible to  know this. It is just something you have with in you regardless of faith if your a true American, integrity weighs over color and faith.

  Terrorists as we now call them have ALL been members of the Muslim faith.  Has ANY terrorist NOT been of the Muslim faith?  Doesn't this tell us all something?  How can we not suspect anyone of the Muslim faith as NOT being a terrorists?  There has to be something fundamentally WRONG with the Muslim faith that makes some of these people become terrorists. 

  We all know that ANY religious faith has SOME fanatics that carry their tenets to the point that all others not relative to their ideals are the enemy of theirs.  However, how often in history has people of one faith been so infuriated at another's faith that they seek to kill, murder or someway destroy them and their faith? This hatred, almost thruout history, has almost been the sole hallmark of the Muslin faith.  Some people call them "Muslim extremists" Some say that only the extremists are the killers and murderers and the other are "good" muslims. 

   But, really folks... How do you tell a "good Muslim" from and "extremist Muslim" do you go up to him/her and ask them?  No, you simply cannot tell the difference between a Muslim  who will shake your hand and smile or will cut your throat off in the name of "Allah".

  And, THAT is why we simply cannot trust or at least we must be suspicious of ALL Muslims.  This is the way it must be untill all the "extremist Muslims" and their professors and teachers are converted to the human race and the word "Muslim" is not accociated with the word "Terroristrs"

  How are  the peaceful people of the world to know who is a "good" muslim or an "extremists" muslim? Do they wear nametags? Do they tell you wether or not they are extremists when they meet you?  Or, must you wait  for them to behead you with a rusty machete before you really know?  What sort of religion is Islamism that it is so  inordanently complicated that  many of it's adherents must decide for themselves if they want to be a "good Muslim" or an ''extremist Muslim"???  Is the Muslim religion so diversified and vague that it allows its people to decide for themsleves which "route" they want to take?

  If these "Extremists" cannot abide and live by us, then we MUST be prepared to do away with them BEFORE THEY DO AWAY WITH US.  We will allow them to live in peace with us, but  they refuse to let us live in peace with them.  So, what's the answer?

Gen. Powel declaired a fundamental truth: "it doesn't have to matter even if a candidate is muslim in America". It is the way things should be in  REAL America that the whole world always admired.

But the far right wing of the GOP has poisoned the minds of the average people so strongly that many average Americans also seem to distrust anyone other than christians, or anyone who seems different than them. That's why this stupidity about whether Obama is a muslim or terrorist or Arab. Remember that stupid reply by Mccain to that deranged GOP supporter who asked whether Obama is an Arab? "No Ma'm he's a decent family man." Does that imply that all of Arabs are NOT decent family men??? 

And that empty-headed hate monger from Alaska who reminds me of some characters like "humpty dumpty" and the "mad queen" in "Alice in wonderland" whenever she tries to "define" concepts like "fundamentals of economy", "elitist", "feminist", an "terrorist", she is truly a dangerous character. Those who can lie or twist the truth in whatever fancy way they like without blinking, they have to be morally sick. There isn't anything  that they cannot do in order to fulfil what they want.

God help the US and the rest of the world, if the US voters elect this pair: one cynical old man who didn't mind jettisonning all his former values about common decency  (that made us like him once upon a time), in order to get elected President, which he seems to think that his rightful inheritance; and one extremely dangerous, calculating and bigot of a woman who wouldn't mind paradng her own kids' privacy if that helps her to win the election.

Prosanto! To degrade somebody to feel better about oneself is a common practice for people lacking moral strength. That's exactly what you did when you were trying to smear all muslims. I grew up as a muslim woman in a muslim country. I don't know of any woman killed for honor or an "infidel" targeted. In fact, we have a large number of christians. The extremism is recent only in the last 20 years and denounced by most muslims. You obviously kept your narrow mind from really finding out about those majority that not only shout their objection and even make movies rejecting the extremism ideology. Extremism is denounced (and feared) at all times. The Media in the US chose not to show it as part of fueling angry sentiments to justify the war. As a professional muslim woman, whose mother was a professional as well and grandmother was educated, I grew up feeling equal and appreciated as many other women in my country. I had no obligations to follow any dress code or felt threatened, demeaned or weakened in any way. My father was the cook in my house and supported his wife search for education abroad while he took care of his children (us). All these programs about few cases leave the American spectator with completely false impression. And just as a reminder, Egyptian women went into political demonstrations since 1919, at which occasion, they also decided, they need not to cover their hair or face. They have been active in political and social life. So stop your narrow minded vision and just make the effort of understanding. We are all against terrorists because they don't differentiate between you and me; they will kill us all

The RNC and, particularly, Mr McCain and Ms Palin are terrorists of sorts.  I say this because they keep telling us of the danger we face if we elect an honest, upright, caring human being (Senator Obama) to the office of President of the United States.  They want us to live, and vote, in fear.  Please vote for the person, not for the misinformation that is being spread by the members of the Republican Party! I've voted for republicans in the past but this year there is no way I would vote for the two candidates at the top of the ballot.

Regardless of what you may be thinking, Senator Obama has been very honest about his life and has succeeded in staying above the nastiness of this campaign.  That nastiness came from the republicans and their campaign to stay in control of the White House and the Democrats have responded BUT have talked about the policy differences!  My belief is that the current administration and the Republican Party ARE NOT considering McCain but are only promoting Ms Palin with the thought that they can use her in ways McCain would not let himself be used.  I believe there is good in McCain but we would need to dig deeply to find it.  He should have stuck to his choice for Vice President - he would at least be able to see the positive and could continue to have hope of being elected POTUS.  This RNC choice, of Ms Palin, is his downfall.  She is an arrogant type and those people sometimes make it to the top but they can never do the job - that's left to capable people.

Every time I watch the Republicans with their nastyness, I see no Mexicans, Muslims, Blacks, I say to myself, Thanks for Colin Powell scolding his own party. Now I see why he left Bush. God gave him a voice/experience he couldn't use in his group. He certainly used it this time. I never seen such terrorists with that Robo cop mess. Even Palin said she was not thrilled with it.  Obama isn't a saint. Neither are the Republicans.  But  I'm sick of this Socialism McCain keeps harping about. I'm  socialized to death when  I will pay for this bail out  for the rich, keep them out of jail & CEO's making so much $$$, You don't think America is teed off?I am. That's real filthy McNasty.  McCain is mean, erractic & nasty

This is what happens when you let the right-wing have a prominent voice.  All they know is fear & hatred.  It's no different than the way African Americans have been treated over the centuries.  Blacks have fought on the side of the US in every war since the American Revolution, and still had to deal with racism at home.  It's no different with Muslims and every other racial or religious group that is not considered acceptable to the RWNJ's (right wing nut jobs).

...I think that i've said all I need to this time...

America has become a haven for bigots with big mouths and spineless morons who believe anything their told...

We Christians should remember the Inquisition, then remember the Crusades.  Only two of the shameful acts of my church.

Unfortunately, America is not part of Bible prophecy and thus, will fade away without glory. God have mercy on America.