Rove Attacks Obama For Praising Turkey’s ‘Secular Movement,’ Even Though Bush Made Similar Statements
Rove Attacks Obama For Praising Turkey’s ‘Secular Movement,’ Even Though Bush Made Similar Statements
President Obama recently said in Turkey that a strength of the U.S. is that “we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”
The right wing is up in arms over Obama’s remarks, in which he also noted that “modern Turkey was founded with a similar set of principles.” Yesterday, Fox News’s Sean Hannity and Karl Rove lampooned Obama for saying the U.S. is a secular country. Rove accused Obama of identifying himself with the “Turkish secular movement” and denying the role of “faith in the public square”:
ROVE: And to somehow go to Turkey and in order to sort of identify yourself with this Turkish secular movement that began in the early part of the previous century and try and somehow make Turkey and America equivalent is to deny each nation’s reality.
And Turkey is a country that adopted a certain attitude toward the role of religion in the public arena, and America has a different attitude, and we have historically had, you know, a robust presence of faith in our public square and to deny that that’s a reality is, you know, very strange, I think.
“Look, America is a nation built on faith. I mean we can be Christian, we can be Jew,” Rove added. Watch it:
Turkey is a officially a secular democracy, dating back to the 1920s when the ruler Ataturk broke off ties with the Islamic caliphate. Indeed, like Obama, Rove’s former boss, President Bush, also saw Turkey as a role model for the entire world.
Turkey “provides Muslims around the world a hopeful model of a modern and secular democracy,” Bush said in 2002. “I appreciate so very much the example your country has set on how to be a Muslim country and at the same time, a country which embraces democracy and rule of law and freedom,” he said in 2004.
The attack on Obama’s remarks are part of a growing right-wing narrative. Yesterday on Fox News, Newt Gingrich claimed that Obama was “fundamentally misleading about the nature of America” in Turkey. Gingrich then made an astounding remark: “We are not a secular country.”
Of course, Obama is absolutely correct to note that the U.S. and Turkey are both secular. Indeed, the U.S. Constitution says that Congress can pass “no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Nor is Obama denying the “presence of faith in our public square,” as Rove alleged. In fact, Obama brought a diverse array of religious leaders to the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives this week.
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Oh man, the Left Behind crazies must be in a tither…
April 9th, 2009 at 1:19 pmFixed News airs fat turd’s stupid opinion as fact. More propaganda to come!!!
April 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmYesterday, Fox News’s Sean Hannity and Karl Rove lampooned Obama for saying the U.S. is a secular country.
A pair of GOP stooges , arguing against what is expressly written in our Constitution…………..Where’s the news there ?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmPrison for this fat ass.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pmIt’s funny hearing this from Karl Rove who has admitted to being non-religious. He has depended heavily on the fundamental vote for years despite his not being a believer. Rove’s hypocracy knows no bounds.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pmI’m sure Rove and Gingrich would criticize President Obama if he had said the earth orbits the sun. This underscores a need to improve education in this country so our citizens will all be able to recognize idiots when confronted by them.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pmThe only benefit of this ‘growing chorus of idiocy’ is in its comparison to movie reviews:
When a movie is craptacular, it’s informative to go and check the reviews to see who gives it positive reviews: Those who do are the last ones to give patronage to.
The same with this type of republican attack. The intelligent among us knows it’s a bogus charge, so watch who else carries and defends this bongwater. Know thine enemies…
April 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pmRove Attacks Obama For Praising Turkey’s ‘Secular Movement,’ Even Though Bush Made Similar Statements
– - The GOP: “Implosion Is Our Forte”
April 9th, 2009 at 1:26 pmThis is vivid proof that wingnuts like Rove will criticize Obama NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES OR SAYS.
They don’t care what the substance is; they just care that he’s NOT A REPUBLICAN. Therefore, whatever he does or says is wrong.
No wonder they have no more credibility.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmDo these people have any idea how ridiculous they sound?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmKarl, Karl, Karl, why don’t you man up and confess to your leading role in the outing of the under-cover CIA agent?
Ever so slightly O/T:
There are many unanswered questions about the problem of Somali piracy increasing in the last ten years or so.
1. Q: how do poor Somali fishermen suddenly acquire million-dollar speedboats? Did their Bank of America VISA credit cards suddenly have their limits greatly increased? The US Congress needs to investigate into the funding and the operation of the Somali pirates.
2. Cargo ships, container ships and freighters need to have small arms aboard so that the crew can defend themselves against pirates. If the UN law of the sea rules currently forbid ships from defending themselves against pirates, then the UN law of the sea rules need to be modified. Situations change, and so people have to change their responses to new situations. Ships can put away their arms once they have passed through piracy danger zones, currently, the Gulf of Arabia, the ocean around the Horn of Africa and parts of the South Asian waters east of India.
Ships with some small arms for self-protection will not pose a threat to seaports anywhere in the world. They may have two hundred years ago, but it is a different world now… Armored trucks with armed guards do not present a threat to citizens of cities across the world.
The US needs to get out of Afghanistan and Iraq now. All nations need to arm their cargo vessels as protection against piracy on the high seas.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pmObama seems to be able to outflank them every time they try this manuver, and it’s likely giving Rove schitzoid fits, when his boss’s legacy is so attached to Obama’s continueing successlike it is, both nationally and internationally.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pmAs these wingers become more and more irrelevant and less and less connected to reality, soon they’ll be running tire-fixin shows and rounding up steers on chimpy’s pig farm….they’ll have nothing else to do since their hip-hop brother will take care of all of them….(tee..hee)….
Oh, yeah, I forgot…Rove will be on a plane to the Hague soon, so he better get in his last shots at Limberger quick!!!
April 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pmKarl Rove, Sean Insanity, Newt offended by something the President did? Wow, did they already forget about George W. Bush, oh that’s right he’s a “wing” nut just like them.
Fox advertisers should be bombarded with complaints each and every day.
Shame to the GOP and the nuts they create.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pmThe Blossom is really suckin’ wind these days. Very low-quality attack – not even worthy of a defensive response.
Those 6 index cards you stole from Atwater weren’t going to last forever, Bud.
Maybe it’s time to sidle on out of the spotlight, spend a little time with that family and stuff.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pm“Look, America is a nation built on faith. I mean we can be Christian, we can be Jew,” Rove added.
Gee , I feel so foolish ; I was always taught America was a nation built on the premise and promise of freedom ……
Looks like those noted historians , Dr’s Rove and Hannity , have once again straightened everything out for everyone…….
April 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pm14.obama-biden2009 Says: Shame to the GOP and the nuts they create.
If the GOP didn’t create the nuts, what reason would the ‘tea-baggers’ have to suck?
*BOO-yah*
April 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pmI’m hopeful that, soon, the people who at one time made up the core of the Republican Party step forward and kick these fools to the curb. Most Republicans that I know are embarrassed by these antics, but have nowhere to turn, so they grit their teeth and bear it.
It’s time for the Republicans to take back their party from the Right Wing Loons.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:35 pm“Look, America is a nation built on faith. I mean we can be Christian, we can be Jew,” Rove added.
I’m as atheist as they come, but I’ll concede that America was built with faith, not on it. The right wing needs to understand that the United States of America has no official religion.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:35 pmSo sayeth the Architect of the American Taliban, while minions chant outside “Christian Nation, Christian nation!!!”
Their messiah has been deposed, the “permanent republican rule by unitary executive” failed, and all they have left is their hate. But, man, it is some DEEP, heartfelt HATE.
Hmmmm. seems to ME that, as evident by their actions, they are clinging to their guns and religion, all inspired by fear driven by the rants of public figures like Rove, who hold a great disdain for the rule of law in general and the U.S. Constitution in particular.
It also seems to me that all these rightwing talking heads, along with many elected officials, are desperately trying to incite their “loyal base” to acts of violence, if not sedition. I am appalled at how thinly some of these threats imply that their “loyal base” should be targetting the President, and more appalling that they are free to continue to do so.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pmt-blossom, get ready to testify.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pmDon’t worry about the lack of public exposure karl, fox will interview you and take your opinions from your jail cell.
President Obama can’t win with these turkeys. Rove assails the president for “identifying with” the secular movement in Turkey. Just imagine the screaming and freaking out if Obama had “identified with” the religious movement in Turkey.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pmI don’t understand. Why isn’t Rove in jail like he belongs?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pmSecular! These lying scumbags profess they are what? Christians? And they can’t see their lying, morally bankrupt ideas and ways against government rules contradict Christain teachings. These people need to leave. You know, America – love it or leave it – applies forcefully to them.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pmDoes Rove’s continued presence on Fox News Channel mean that it is not a crime to be in contempt of Congress? Because I thought people went to jail for that.
Attorney General Holder, there’s a criminal running around loose, and Roger Ailes can tell you where to find him.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pmgummble-bee-itch Says:
Just imagine the screaming and freaking out if Obama had “identified with” the religious movement in Turkey.
I honestly beleive that a big part of what has the right, top down, all in a tizzy is that they ALL believed all the straw men that made to hold up against Obama, and he’s just not playing into their straw men, so they have nowhere to go — they are confused.
And I also believe that at this point they are purely partizan: if President Obama came out tonight and spoke for an hour all in favor of REDUCING gun control laws, they would oppose it.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pmWayne Ant Schneider Says:
Does Rove’s continued presence on Fox News Channel mean that it is not a crime to be in contempt of Congress? Because I thought people went to jail for that.
I’v e been wondering that since the first day they chose to ignore the SUBPOENAS…. and every day after. Do we HAVE a “rule of law” any more, or are the laws of the land now “optional”? (I’d like to know, just in case there are some of these “optional laws” that I might want to ignore myself…..)
April 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pmRove attacks….what’s new?
It would be more interesting if he was saying it from behind bars…then again, maybe not.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pmIf Karl Rove hates America so much then he should just leave.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pm“Look, America is a nation built on faith. I mean we can be Christian, we can be Jew, we can be a Rovian who puts his faith in the power of lies and money” Rove added.
There, I fixed it.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pmJust wait until Rove attacks President Obama for naming a bald fat guy as his deputy chief of staff.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pmCageyCretin Says:
And I also believe that at this point they are purely partizan: if President Obama came out tonight and spoke for an hour all in favor of REDUCING gun control laws, they would oppose it.
Since that’s exactly what they’re claiming about the defense budget, I think you’re 100% correct. They’d have to twist themselves into knots to do it, but they’re pretty good at that.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pmmisscoleopteramolly Says:
I’m sure Rove and Gingrich would criticize President Obama if he had said the earth orbits the sun. This underscores a need to improve education in this country so our citizens will all be able to recognize idiots when confronted by them.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
_____________
As would I. The Earth does not orbit the Sun – both bodies actually orbit a common barycenter located within the radius of the Sun.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pmShorter Rove:
I got nuttin. Absolutely squat.
So I’m gonna just make shit up, and hope everybody’s as dumb as I think they are.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pmJust a bit of history. The following quote is taken from the Treaty of Tripoli signed between the United States and Tripoli in 1797:
ARTICLE 11.
As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
http://members.tripod.com/~candst/tripoli1.htm
So Karl, suck on it!
April 9th, 2009 at 2:05 pm.
KKKarl squealed…
Oinky, oinky, IOKIYR, oinky.
.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm– From the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, which was unanimously approved by the Senate and signed by President John Adams. These people were there when the country was founded, they should know.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pmBefore the week end be advised every one of these nut cases will have their written speech order’s via rover, limpdick, dild O’ lilie, newt and any one able to get in front of a mike and camera…They are working over time to make themselves seen.. Ah, the pity and pain of media whore’s, it’s got to be tough, poor babies..P.B. & J.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:12 pmchiroptera toasterhead Says
April 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
As would I. The Earth does not orbit the Sun – both bodies actually orbit a common barycenter located within the radius of the Sun.
_______________________________________________________
OK, valid point. It would be worth it to hear Rove or Gingrich cite this as justification for their criticism. It might impress the academics in the crowd, but I’m sure their normal squad of kool-aid drinkers would just go, “huh????”
April 9th, 2009 at 2:13 pmWhere’s the update on Karl Rove testifying? Turdball has been stinking up the place for far too long now.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pmIsn’t Rove an secularist and a Kiss ass religious right guy for political convenience?
April 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pmLook to those who were present at the birth of this nation and who participated in the Congress and government in its earliest years. It becomes clear that we are a secular nation. Article 1, Section 11 of the treaty with the Barbary states signed in Tripoli and ratified by our Senate in 1796:
April 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
now that Obama is in we can say what we really want to say; like; religious fanaticism is what we’re about. zealots with assault rifles.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pmIs it possible that FOX REPUBLICAN NEWS can be less predictable? It doesn’t matter the issue, one already knows how they are going to opine before they start talking. ‘And now for a Fair and Balanced view on President Obama’s trip to Turkey, we have Karl Rove and only Karl Rove.’ ‘And now for a Fair and Balanced view of President Obama’s trip to Europe, we have Newt Gringich and only Newt Gringich’.
In the future, FOX REPUBLICAN NEWS will dispense with actual talking heads, and replace them with just the name of the commentator, leaving it to the audience to conclude what they will say.
‘And now for a what would be a Fair and Balanced view on President Obama’s foreign policy, we would have had John Bolton, and only John Bolton, to comment. And now a word from our sponsors.’
April 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pmDear Mr. Karl Rove,
How can we miss you, if you don’t/won’t go away?
Respectfully,
America
April 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pmWayne Ant Schneider
Exactly. Our country is not in any way, shape, or form, a Christian nation. The majority of the people are Christian, and an even greater majority have faith of some kind, but we are a secular nation, and we are that way for a reason. Theocracy ALWAYS ends in oppression.
What I don’t get: Why does anyone want this dumbass to speak? I’ve never heard him say anything that makes any sense whatsoever.
Side note – I hate to admit it, but Bush was right regarding Turkey’s secularism being a model. On that same note, Obama was correct for saying the same thing Bush said (albiet more eloquently).
April 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pmKarl, I know this is not nice but I have this fantasy about you in Prison playing the part of Ned Beatty (from the movie Deliverance) rolling on the floor of a cell. Some hard core Democrats sticking it to you and hearing you squeal like the PIG you are.
As an athiest, I would PRAY to see this movie!!! Karl Rove, coming to a theatre (of war) near you!
April 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pmRove attacked by turkeys has a certain flair.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he were attracted by turkeys.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pmOnce a rove always a rove i guess. trying to get through to these crazy TV clowns like rove is like trying to teach your fish calculus. But rove is different – he is a suspected criminal. His appearances on republican TV are his attemp to frame his crimes as a question of republican policy – of politics. So far he has succeeded. That’s kinda pathetic on the part of the FBI at the very least.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pmThe best punishment for Criminal Karl would be solitary confinement – accompanied solely by his own voice.
No wait. He’d probably like that. That’s the trouble with narcissists.
I could live with it, though.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pmTurdBlossum should be behind bars! The USA has become the World laughing stock! War Criminals walking freely and without accountability. The economy in shambles! Two unwinable wars and Obama escalating them. The new administration expanding Bush excuse for wiretapping everyone… God Help America!
April 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pmThe best punishment for Criminal Karl would be solitary confinement – accompanied solely by his own voice.
No wait. He’d probably like that. That’s the trouble with narcissists.
I’m really Ok with him going to prison, none-the-less. Can’t wait actually.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:11 pmOops. Sorry for the double post.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pmHola All
New to the web site… Does anyone have a link to a list of sponsors for Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and O’rielly. I tried Google but they are hard to come by. My wife and I would like to boycott the sponsors and spread the word to our friends and family.
Thanks
Go ducks.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:24 pmPeople of true faith would argue that they don’t need to live in a theocracy to feel like they are closer to God. Rove and the other wingnuts really have no religion on the inside, where it counts. They are too busy worshiping their own egos.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:28 pmKarl, Karl, Karl, you haven’t learned your lesson yet?
April 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pmYour mentor and idol, the boogeyman himself, Lee Atwater realized too late, on his deathbed, that what he did and thus what you are doing as his protege, was wrong and he repented by apologizing to people, and I bet ya’ your last year’s salary that he also spoke to you before he passed and tried to make you see before it was too late. What Atwater started with all of this vile namecalling, mudslinging and downright illegal tactics to win elections and to keep the “people” in line or kept them in the dark is really the culprit for many a fallen and destoyed political careers and now it includes the ENTIRE REPUBLICAN PARTY. It finally caught up with you Karl, didn’t it? You just can’t go around making up your own rules forever….the last 20 years was quite enough for the Amercian people.
El Buzz, if you go to any of the Bill O’Rielly threads here on TP, you will find a link and lists. You can find past threads on subjects (like BO) at the TP home page. Have fun, and welcome on board!
April 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pmAh, Rove a man of principle, shifting principle, but principle.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pmGracias
I’ll do that.
Ciao
April 9th, 2009 at 3:38 pmelbuzz Says:
——————————————————————————–
Hola All
New to the web site… Does anyone have a link to a list of sponsors for Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and O’rielly. I tried Google but they are hard to come by. My wife and I would like to boycott the sponsors and spread the word to our friends and family.
Thanks
Good for you, their website is: evil@foxnews.com
Just kidding but it should be, I really thought things would be so nice and calmer with our new President but every new article I read on this WONDERFUL website, it sends me into full steam ahead. Attack Evil, BOYCOTT Fox sponsors and I can’t wait to see what stations the “no on same sex marriage” will be airing? I am sure CNN and Fox will be the first.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pmSure but the difference is that Mr. Obama used proper grammar…
April 9th, 2009 at 4:35 pmThe values and morals of ANY religion have absolutely no place in politics with respect establishing public policy or writing legislation. We need to focus on ETHICAL behavior and leave morals in the church and within every individual’s home.
We were never a “Christian” nation. Neither are we a “Caucasian” nation or an “Anglo” nation. The notion that one group of religions is more American than any other is contrary to the tenets established by our founding fathers when they endorsed the “separation of church and state” as a fundamental concept in the US Constitution.
April 9th, 2009 at 8:42 pmKarl Rove will never take over the Glenn Beck show time slot by sounding just like Glenn Beck.
Crazy is crazy. Can Rove out insane Beck?
April 10th, 2009 at 3:25 amWasn’t Saddam’s Iraq secular?
April 10th, 2009 at 5:49 amDidn’t Candidate Obama promise more funding for the Faith BAsed Intitiative policy of Bush?
April 10th, 2009 at 5:50 amKarl Rove is mixed up on most things.He isnt used to legal items to talk about .He is a criminal in a suit arrest him.Whne Bush said SQUAT Rove did just that ,whne Bush peopel ssaid something its ok but whne Obahma comments on same thingRove said he is wrong.Problem with Karl rove is he dont know right from wrong,he has been a crook so long ,thats his life screwing oother eole now that is over all he can do it talk and hear himself
April 10th, 2009 at 9:26 amof course the U.S. is a secular country.. the only people still in denial about this of course are the religious fanatics who would like the U.S. to be a theocracy that pushes and imposes THEIR religion on everyone… these are the folks who will tell you with a straight face that there’s no such a thing as separation of church and state stipulated in the First Amendment.. these folks are totally IRRATIONAL- and BACKWARD-THINKING people, who are still stuck in the middle of the 20th century.. why should any straight-thinking person listen to anything these wackos have to say???
April 10th, 2009 at 11:06 amThis foul creature has been elevated to appear relevant by the Criminal Corporate Media. Who, except the loony right, cares about this jabberwock and the rest of the scurrying little smelly creatures from right wing world? These pieces of human waste should be flushed.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:21 pmWhen will sanity land on Plymouth Rock?
April 10th, 2009 at 3:25 pmGoddamn Hannity and Rove, we ARE a secular nation because our founding fore fathers separated church and state and that is how it should be……
April 16th, 2009 at 10:46 amof course the U.S. is a secular country.. the only people still in denial about this of course are the religious fanatics who would like the U.S. to be a theocracy that pushes and imposes THEIR religion on everyone… these are the folks who will tell you with a straight face that there’s no such a thing as separation of church and state stipulated in the First Amendment.. these folks are totally IRRATIONAL- and BACKWARD-THINKING people, who are still stuck in the middle of the 20th century.. why should any straight-thinking person listen to anything these wackos have to say???
May I add AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
April 16th, 2009 at 10:47 am