Homeland Security Report Sharply Rebukes McCain’s ‘Islamic Extremism’ Rhetoric
Homeland Security Report Sharply Rebukes McCain’s ‘Islamic Extremism’ Rhetoric
Earlier this week, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) launched a campaign to persuade Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to drop the adjective “Islamic” when describing terrorists and extremists. Indeed, one of McCain’s favorite talking points is railing against “Islamic” extremists and terrorists. But the McCain campaign has refused to budge, saying that he will continue to refer to Islam when talking about terrorism.
Now, the AP has learned that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agrees with the ISNA. A recent DHS report has concluded that linking Islam to terrorism offends moderate Muslims and gives extremists “religious legitimacy,” adding any such language should be avoided:
Such words may actually boost support for radicals among Arab and Muslim audiences by giving them a veneer of religious credibility or by causing offense to moderates. […]
U.S. officials may be “unintentionally portraying terrorists, who lack moral and religious legitimacy, as brave fighters, legitimate soldiers or spokesmen for ordinary Muslims,” says a Homeland Security report. […]
“We should not concede the terrorists’ claim that they are legitimate adherents of Islam,” the report said.
The report also stressed that “lingo like ‘Islamo-fascism’ is out, too,” a term that conservatives — including President Bush — consistently use to rally the country around a militant response to terrorism and terrorists. For example:
– Rush Limbaugh: “Patriotism is rallying behind the country, regardless of party affiliation, to defeat Islamofascism.”
– David Horowitz: “The term ‘Islamo-fascism’ describes the agendas of the jihadists with perfect accuracy.”
– President Bush: Terrorists “try to spread their jihadist message - a message I call…Islamic radicalism, Islamic fascism.”
Muslim leaders in the U.S. have long argued that such language “offends the vast majority of moderate Muslims,” but the McCain campaign thinks it knows better. Senior adviser Steve Schmidt recently said “the reality is, the hateful ideology which underpins bin Ladenism is properly described as radical Islamic extremism. Senator McCain refers to it that way because that is what it is.”
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…that and always conflating al-Quida and Iran,
_AIO_
April 25th, 2008 at 11:09 amGeez, I feel like I’m watching Jeopardy here.
“I’ll take “Ass Hats” for $1000, Alex…
***DING DING DING DING DING*** the Daily Double!!!
And the answer is: Rush Limbaugh, David Horowitz, President Bush…
Hmmm… a real stumper, Alex… Who are… three fools who have no idea whatsover what they’re talking about???
Correct!!!
April 25th, 2008 at 11:09 amNice to see ThinkProgress is taking note of what i point out. Any recognition for bringing it to your attention? No worries, i think this is such an important story and one that signifies that some in the Bush administration are standing up to the insanity of the Cheney clan.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:11 amIt’s pretty easy to label people. Especially if they’re not pasty white old men.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:12 amWow, I’m amazed that Homeland Security is actually making sense. I agree with their assessment. By lumping all Muslims in with the extremists, they are only offending more people than we already have offended and are setting the stage for them to join the extremists. We have already created thousands of new enemies by invading Iraq, and now we are running the risk of turning the entire Muslim community against us.
The other problem with this kind of rhetoric is that it encourages the racists in this country to take their anger out on Muslims in their community. The end result of that could be creating enemies within the borders of the USA.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:12 amIt is so typical of these neocon fascists to accuse others of being fascists. A classic example of what is called projection.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:14 amFrickin’ DUHHH!
St. McSame and the rest of the Islamo-(insert perjorative here)-hating crowd doesn’t have the sense to realize that fanning anti-Islamo-whatever flames with fellow jingoists creates much more dangerous anti-American sentiment with followers of Islam.
Religious affiliation should never be used as an adjective.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:15 amright, the bible humpers would be having seizures and demanding we nuke the entire middle east if al-jazeera had people on which constantly complained of “Christian Fascism”
April 25th, 2008 at 11:16 amWe’ve always known that McCain, Bush, etc. have no concern whatsoever about offending Muslims, even American ones who vote.
I wonder if they will have any concern about giving extremist crackpots “religious legitimacy”? Probably not, except that will make them even MORE likely to conflate Islam with terrorist activity. After all, terrorists are good for business, and inflaming terrorist activity is their goal anyway — especially with an election coming up. Gotta ramp up the fear, you know.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:19 amSpeaking of Iran….
Here we go again having to fire yet another false flag across the bow of one of Iran’s row-boats.
And when does everyone get this [dis] information?… precisely at 11:00 am..
_AIO_
April 25th, 2008 at 11:21 amhttp://rawstory.com/ news/ 2008/ UScontracted_ship_fires_on_Iranian_boat_0425.html
Yep. I was just about to post this link when Alpha commented. Shi$ welcome to fan.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:23 amYeah, it’s pretty much common knowledge that insults, kidnapping, torture and Imperialism are not condusive to making friends.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:26 amHere it comes.. :
Oil jumped 3 dollars a barrel in the space of a few minutes. Might be more to this that meets the eye..
http://www.foxbusiness.com/ markets/ industries/ energy/ article/ oil-jumps-3-report-shot-iran-boat_580005_11.html
April 25th, 2008 at 11:26 amIt’s the equivilant of saying “Christian Republican Torture and Rendition Policies”. It’s true, but… you know…
April 25th, 2008 at 11:28 amLeftist Liberal Mainstream Media is Pouncing on this story! They’re…well they’re gonna…That is…Oh well, never mind. Looks like the Liberal Media’s out to lunch on yet another McInsane Moment. The Manchurian Candidate’s programmers should be proud as their conditioning is working Perfectly!
April 25th, 2008 at 11:28 amImpeach Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution!
Abu Ben Hussein Leporello.
Plus no one has ever answered this question:
How come there is no mention of Christian Extremists and/or White Supremist extremists. Who blew up Oklahoma City ??
April 25th, 2008 at 11:31 am~
April 25th, 2008 at 11:32 amSo John Sidney McCain III is actually emboldening the terrorists? Watch him bluster, and bang his shoe on some podium.
He really does remind me of an aging Nikita Kruschev.
Geebutz, don’t tell me Blackwater has its own navy now?
Oh, right. That’s OUR navy (merchant marine)…
April 25th, 2008 at 11:33 amSo, new talking point:
Nazism = Radical Christian Fascism
(I mean, after all, the Nazis used Christianity just as Bin Laden is using Islam).
April 25th, 2008 at 11:36 amWhen has drigbaugh EVER rallied behind the country? Drugbaugh, like any reich-winger, always puts party ahead of the country.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:42 amMcCain just doesn’t get it. He is just trying to look like a Conservative, but doesn’t understand any of it. He is a pretender! He will be another sock puppet if elected. Just how stupid Americans may be will become clear in November.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:45 amBest comment I’ve seen in a long time to accurately describe the truth!!
#2
The Republic of Stupidity Says:
Geez, I feel like I’m watching Jeopardy here.
“I’ll take “Ass Hats” for $1000, Alex…
***DING DING DING DING DING*** the Daily Double!!!
And the answer is: Rush Limbaugh, David Horowitz, President Bush…
Hmmm… a real stumper, Alex… Who are… three fools who have no idea whatsover what they’re talking about???
Correct!!!
April 25th, 2008 at 11:50 amDon’t ever make the mistake of believing that McNutzi or any other Republicans want to see the threat of terrorism diminish. The Republicans largely had the cold war concession from Ike to the Gipper with brief interludes by Kennedy/Johnson and Carter who only won because of Watergate. Once their precious evil empire fell the Republicans promptly lost the White House to the first Dem elected to two full terms since FDR. Lesson learned: Republicans need an enemy to keep the sheeple in fear and voting against self-interest.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:00 pmKeep fear alive , it’s all that neo conservatism has ever had to offer , aside from trillion dollar handouts the wealthiest .3% of the population .
April 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pmGoebels would be proud , as would Prescot Bush of today’s neo nazi’s in AMeriKa .
With libery and justice for oil !!!!!
“Moderate” Muslims, like “moderate” xians are just enablers for the fundies. If you really think fictitious beings like Gawd and Ballah exist, and if you think that clowns like Jeebus and Mummie Boy had contact with angels, you should be a fundy.
Who cares what the Islamic Society thinks?
April 25th, 2008 at 12:14 pmor is that slippery justice in oil ?
April 25th, 2008 at 12:14 pmSaint bernard
April 25th, 2008 at 12:18 pmGod is energy , never read the Gita ? Oppenheimer did .God = mc2, can never be created or destroyed and doesn’t care about your opinion either .
All life is evolving toward… ?
There will be peace on earth when religion is exposed as fraud to even the most gullible and ignorant amongst us.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:23 pmDoes one label far-right violent anti-abortionists, “Christiano-Fascists”?
April 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pmWould that label offend moderate Christians?
The fact that progressives and good men throughout history have championed the rights of all ,an end to war and the beginnings of compassion is as much a fact of human existence as gravity !
April 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pmWe will overcome ! Freedom is a birthright and is inevitable ! Love is coming and in the end all that will be lost is the old political manipulations of a previous species ,who held money and power above beauty !
God is alive …magic is afoot .
Fundamentalists, on both sides of the World, are the only real threat to civilization.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pmThe end of religion and the birth of the spiritual man .
April 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pmWE ARE EVERYWHERE!
helenahandbasket Says
April 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Does one label far-right violent anti-abortionists, “Christiano-Fascists”?
Would that label offend moderate Christians?
________________________________________________________
Of course it would. Not only that, but it would give the violent anti-abortionists “religious legitimacy” — a repugnant thought for most of us Christians. Ditto for the KKK and other white supremacist groups who use cherry-picked biblical references to justify their violent acts. This is why no politician and no mainstream news medium will use that term.
There are too many people who can’t see the double standard.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pmtombaker Says
April 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Fundamentalists, on both sides of the World, are the only real threat to civilization.
________________________________________________
I think “extremists” is the word you’re looking for. There are many people who adhere to the fundamentals of their religion, which in most cases preclude the thought of violence altogether.
The fundamentals of Islam, for example, consist of five things: Faith, prayer, charity, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca. There is nothing in these fundamentals that dictates violence.
Likewise, there is nothing in the fundamentals of Christianity or Judaism that dictates violence.
I hate to see the term “fundamentalism” come to mean violence in the name of religion, because in most cases it means just the opposite.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pmAs with all rules from the administration, those DHS guidelines are for others, not the leaders and wannabe leaders.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:18 pmBush has already made al Qaeda in Iraq bigger than they really are, which helps them recruit. Is he with us or with the terrorists?
misshusseinmolly Says:
.
.
.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
While you seem to represent Islam fairly and accurately with your post about the five pillars, you seem to only answer one question about this subject.
That question seems to be, “What are the fundamentals of Islam?”
The question you’ve very tactfully, diplomatically avoided is this one: “Where do the Muslim Extremists get the idea that they are suppose to kill heathens – non Muslims?”
Do we assume that the 9/11 terrorists just made up the idea that they needed to attack people in the U.S.?
April 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm“Where do the Muslim Extremists get the idea that they are suppose to kill heathens – non Muslims?”
From our “allies” in Saudi Arabia.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pmThe question you’ve very tactfully, diplomatically avoided is this one: “Where do the Muslim Extremists get the idea that they are suppose to kill heathens – non Muslims?”
Where does the KKK gets the idea that the White race is superior and everyone else needs to die? Where does any crazy person get their ideas? If there was one blanket diagnosis for all whackjobs, psychiatrists would be out of work.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pmFundamentalism abjures science, reason, and tolerance, and whenever, wherever, it is practiced, violent retribution is the inevitable result.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pmYes, MissMolly, you are correct.
The rallying cry of the Republican extreme Christofascists has always been and always will be, “THAT’S DIFFERENT!!!”
April 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pmbitblt Says
April 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
The question you’ve very tactfully, diplomatically avoided is this one: “Where do the Muslim Extremists get the idea that they are suppose to kill heathens – non Muslims?”
_____________________________________
The question you ask is a very different one from the point I was making, which was the use of the word “fundamentalist” to describe the type of person who would hijack an airliner and ram it into a skyscraper. All I was doing was explaining why “extremist” is a better term for religious crackpots such as these terrorists, as terrorist acts have absolutely nothing to do with the fundamentals of the religion they profess to espouse. I just don’t want to see the word “fundamental” unfairly become a dirty word.
But I will answer your question. The reason these people want to kill non-Muslims is that they go through the Qur’an and cherry-pick passages and verses that support their agenda — just as many hate-filled bigots of all religions go through their various holy books and scriptures and do the same thing.
I recently received an e-mail from a Muslim friend of mine who was addressing the question of “why do people think Islam advocates violence, and calls for the killing of all non-Muslims?”. Here’s what she said:
“The verses that many opponents conveniently quote to misrepresent Islam are very specific chapters that have to do with specific historical battles in which Muslims were being attacked. (Remember, this was a very tense time and the polytheists/pagans felt threatened by monotheism.) The order to fight came during the time the Muslims were being attacked and were instructed to fight back and defend themselves. Fighting is permitted in self defense or to stop oppression.”
I am quoting her because I don’t think I can improve on what she said. However, it’s not a stretch to assume that extremists bent on committing acts of violence would use the same verses to justify their actions. They represent a small, small minority of the 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, and most Muslims do not identify with them.
A comparable situation might be the relationship between Christians and the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK justifies their actions against Jews by calling them “Christ killers”, based on their interpretation of the gospels. They justify their actions against black people by citing the “mark of Canaan” mentioned in Genesis. Again, this is just cherry-picking passages to support their bigotries. They too represent a small, small minority of their religion, and most Christians do not identify with them.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pmBltbit - where do scary Christofascists get the idea for bombing abortion clinics and killing doctors…?
April 25th, 2008 at 2:06 pmBrownScaryHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) Says
April 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Where does the KKK gets the idea that the White race is superior and everyone else needs to die?
________________________________________
Ah — I see you got to the KKK comparison before I did. GMTA!
April 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pmtombaker Says
April 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Fundamentalism abjures science, reason, and tolerance, and whenever, wherever, it is practiced, violent retribution is the inevitable result.
_____________________________________________
Then how do you explain the Amish?
I agree that fundamentalism sometimes transmogrifies itself into violent forms of extremism, but that’s not always the case.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pmWhen I see the word “fundamentalist” I think of Jerry Falwell and the “Moral Majority”. What strikes me is the level of exclusion inherent in fundamentalist movements. They tend to exclude, and often dehumanize, all who don’t share their narrow beliefs, or, fail to meet the requirements of membership. This attitude allows extremism to breed and often encourages hateful behaviors. So, while fundamentalism is not synonymous with extremism, it provides an environment where extremism can grow.
Perhaps we could compromise and use the word “fanatic”? That would cover extremists, fundamental or otherwise, and rabid nationalists, imperialists, racists, the vengeful, and the desperate.
I’m sure I missed a couple but I think you get the idea.
And, on a lighter note, I have always been struck by an oddity of the word “fundamental”. “Fundament” is an old English word for the a$$, while “mental” pertains to the mind. A little creative splicing and one could argue that “fundamental” means “a$$-minded”, or, “brain in a$$”.
(NOTE: My creative definition of “fundamental” is meant only to apply to those extremists, or fanatics, who use their fundamental beliefs to justify hate, violence, and intolerance.)
April 25th, 2008 at 2:39 pmMiss Molly, post #41 VERY well said!
April 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm“Rabbi,” they said, “why do you always answer a question with a question?
“Is there a better way?” the Rabbi replied.
BrownScaryHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) Says:
.
.
.
Where does the KKK gets the idea that the White race is superior and everyone else needs to die? Where does any crazy person get their ideas? If there was one blanket diagnosis for all whackjobs, psychiatrists would be out of work.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
So, do you think the Muslim extremists and the KKK frequent and shop at the same idea store?
On the lighter side – wit that is - perhaps the KKK reads, and believes, Darwin:
Charles Darwin,
The Descent of Man, 2nd edition, New York, A L. Burt Co., 1874, p. 178
The modern, purveyor of the theory of evolution apparently had a secondary, non-scientific agenda working.
bit was always confused about the idea of blonde, blue-eyed Jesus, but has assumed that this idea goes way, way back – something about the origin of the Aryans.
This seems like a pretty good non-answer to me.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:17 pm“Rabbi,” they said, “why do you always speak in parables ? ”
He who has ears to hear , let him hear !
April 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pmThe answer comes from within as do all the real questions !
April 25th, 2008 at 3:35 pm“If you meet the buddha on the road kill the buddha .”
Zen saying
Where does that leave priests and politicians ,except behind ?
Freeman Says:
“Rabbi,” they said, “why do you always speak in parables ? ”
He who has ears to hear , let him hear !
April 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Unless, of course, one is talking about corn.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:38 pmAnd now for the real quote.
At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated.
Charles Darwin,
The Descent of Man, 2nd edition, New York, A L. Burt Co., 1874, p. 178
Darwin gave much thought to the “savage races” and predicted that they would be destroyed, or assimilated, by the stronger, more aggressive, “civilized” races. He also pointed out the dichotomy between caring for the sick, weak, and helpless (contrary to evolutionary goals) and the altruism of “civilized” races. Indeed, he stated in many venues that a conscious effort to improve humanity (eugenics) would prove damaging to the “spirit of Man”.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:39 pmBTW, bitblt, do you not consider lying a sin?
April 25th, 2008 at 3:46 pmpete Says:
BTW, bitblt, do you not consider lying a sin?
April 25th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
When did you starting thinking bit was lying?
April 25th, 2008 at 3:58 pmbitblt Says:
pete Says:
BTW, bitblt, do you not consider lying a sin?
April 25th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
And bit was under the impression that pete had no interest in sin. What bit mistaken?
April 25th, 2008 at 4:01 pmBitblt lied by misrepresenting the work of Darwin. Twisting his words to suit bitblt’s agenda.
Sin has no importance to me, but, bitblt has expressed his acceptance of the whole concept of sin. One would think that bitblt would seek to avoid it.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pmMisquoting things is the main tactic used by extremists! Maybe bitBlt should be wire-tapped and reported to the FBI? He might be plotting to blow something up, like Hooters restaurants. Sounds suspicious to me…
April 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pmpete Says:
Bitblt lied by misrepresenting the work of Darwin. Twisting his words to suit bitblt’s agenda.
Sin has no importance to me, but, bitblt has expressed his acceptance of the whole concept of sin. One would think that bitblt would seek to avoid it.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Quoted from
http://www.evolutionisdead.com/quotes.php?QID=089
Anthropomorphous Apes?
Charles Darwin,
The Descent of Man, 2nd edition, New York, A L. Burt Co., 1874, p. 178
If you’re sure that these words don’t appear in this way in “Descent…,” you might drop these guys an email. They might appreciate being corrected.
Lying involves intent.
One would think that bitblt would seek to avoid it.
Does presumptive language work in you logical kindergarten?
April 25th, 2008 at 4:20 pmBrownScaryHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) Says:
Misquoting things is the main tactic used by extremists! Maybe bitBlt should be wire-tapped and reported to the FBI? He might be plotting to blow something up, like Hooters restaurants. Sounds suspicious to me…
April 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Why would anyone blow up a Hooters?
Of course, surveillance there would be a real “hoot” for the FBI. They’d probably take the job.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pmNo bitblt, lying is lying. To spread false information. I usually check the veracity of a source before I quote it and I would consider “evilutionisdead.com” to be highly suspect as a source on the works of Darwin.
I suppose I could send them an email, but, I highly doubt that a website devoted to the spread of, scientific, ignorance would prove accepting of correction.
This is the second time bitblt has used “logical kindergarten”, to bait me. Does bitblt really want to go down that road?
April 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pmOops! The relevant quote is actually on page 201. However, that may be only in the online version.
Also, Darwin clearly defined the “anthropomorphous apes” on page 196 of the same work.
The anthropomorphous apes, namely the gorilla, chimpanzee, orang, and hylobates, are separated as a distinct sub-group from the other Old World monkeys by most naturalists.
http://darwin-online.org.uk/ content/ frameset?viewtype=side&itemID=F937.1&pageseq=209
April 25th, 2008 at 4:48 pmpete Says:
April 25th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Quoted from
http://www.evolutionisdead.com/quotes.php?QID=089
Anthropomorphous Apes?
Charles Darwin,
The Descent of Man, 2nd edition, New York, A L. Burt Co., 1874, p. 178
From
http://www.infidels.org/ library/ historical/ charles_darwin/ descent_of_man/ chapter_06.html
Apparently Darwin is agreeing with someone.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:49 pmpete Says:
.
.
.
April 25th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Is this the first time you’ve heard that Darwin had a racist agenda?
April 25th, 2008 at 4:52 pmStill quoting liars? Here, again, is Darwin’s definition of “anthropomorphous apes”.
The anthropomorphous apes, namely the gorilla, chimpanzee, orang, and hylobates, are separated as a distinct sub-group from the other Old World monkeys by most naturalists.
http://darwin-online.org.uk/ content/ frameset?viewtype=side&itemID=F937.1&pageseq=209
April 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pmAh. The popular myth, among creationists, that Darwin had a “racist agenda”. Well, if one actually reads his works, it becomes clear that that assertion is in error. If you wish to judge the man I suggest you read his own words which are available here.
http://darwin-online.org.uk/
April 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pmpete Says:
Ah. The popular myth, among creationists, that Darwin had a “racist agenda”. Well, if one actually reads his works, it becomes clear that that assertion is in error. If you wish to judge the man I suggest you read his own words which are available here.
http://darwin-online.org.uk/
April 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Make it plain. Are you saying Darwin didn’t have a racist agenda?
April 25th, 2008 at 5:35 pmI thought I was clear. Darwin did not have a racist agenda.
He held, strongly, that the perceived differences between races were cultural rather than genetic. His position was that the physical differences between races were superficial ones such as: hair color and texture, skin color, etc. and those changes were largely dependant on environmental pressures and sexual selection. They did not extend to individual talent and genius.
He was also an abolitionist and held that any human, with education, could achieve any goal within the framework of said human’s individual talents and genius. Though he was, by today’s standards, somewhat disdainful of “savage races” and women. Despite his innovative thinking he was still a product of his time and was shaped by cultural pressures.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:53 pm