I just read somewhere on the "internets" that 40% of Americans polled think President Obama is a Muslim. President Obama is, of course, a Christian. But even if he were a Muslim, so what?
The following quotes are what a conservative Republican president said about Muslims (they're from a website run by Republican Muslims). Mr. Bush made more comments on Islam than any other president. (Imagine the outrage from the Right had Mr. Obama made these statements.)
However, now that Mr. Bush is a private citizen, he refuses to comment on the FAUX News-induced firestorm over the Muslim community center. I call that moral cowardice.
THE STATEMENTS OF GEORGE W. BUSH CONCERNING MUSLIMS AND ISLAM:
•"Here in the United States our Muslim citizens are making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and in other fields. Muslim members of our Armed Forces and of my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation's ideals of liberty and justice in a world at peace."
Remarks by the President on Eid Al-Fitr
The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.
December 5, 2002
•"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity. Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need. Charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns. And gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance. Muslims often invite members of other families to their evening iftar meals, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance."
Remarks by the President on Eid Al-Fitr
The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.
December 5, 2002
•"America treasures the relationship we have with our many Muslim friends, and we respect the vibrant faith of Islam which inspires countless individuals to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and morality. This year, may Eid also be a time in which we recognize the values of progress, pluralism, and acceptance that bind us together as a Nation and a global community. By working together to advance mutual understanding, we point the way to a brighter future for all."
Presidential Message Eid al-Fitr
December 5, 2002
•"Islam brings hope and comfort to millions of people in my country, and to more than a billion people worldwide. Ramadan is also an occasion to remember that Islam gave birth to a rich civilization of learning that has benefited mankind."
President's Eid al-Fitr Greeting to Muslims around the World
December 4, 2002
•"Ours is a war not against a religion, not against the Muslim faith. But ours is a war against individuals who absolutely hate what America stands for, and hate the freedom of the Czech Republic. And therefore, we must work together to defend ourselves. And by remaining strong and united and tough, we'll prevail."
Press Conference by President Bush and President Havel of Czech Republic
Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
November 20, 2002
•"Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America."
Remarks by President George W. Bush in a statement to reporters during a meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan
The Oval Office, Washington, DC
November 13, 2002
•"We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God's call on Abraham. We share your belief in God's justice, and your insistence on man's moral responsibility. We thank the many Muslim nations who stand with us against terror. Nations that are often victims of terror, themselves."
President Hosts Iftaar Dinner
Remarks by the President at Iftaar Dinner
State Dining Room
•"Islam is a vibrant faith. Millions of our fellow citizens are Muslim. We respect the faith. We honor its traditions. Our enemy does not. Our enemy doesn't follow the great traditions of Islam. They've hijacked a great religion."
Remarks by President George W. Bush on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.
October 11, 2002
•"Islam is a faith that brings comfort to people. It inspires them to lead lives based on honesty, and justice, and compassion."
Remarks by President George W. Bush on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.
October 11, 2002
•"All Americans must recognize that the face of terror is not the true faith -- face of Islam. Islam is a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. It's a faith that has made brothers and sisters of every race. It's a faith based upon love, not hate."
President George W. Bush Holds Roundtable with Arab and Muslim-American Leaders
Afghanistan Embassy, Washington, D.C.
September 10, 2002
•"If liberty can blossom in the rocky soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it will inspire millions of men and women around the globe who are equally weary of poverty and oppression, equally entitled to the benefits of democratic government. I have a hope for the people of Muslim countries. Your commitments to morality, and learning, and tolerance led to great historical achievements. And those values are alive in the Islamic world today. You have a rich culture, and you share the aspirations of men and women in every culture. Prosperity and freedom and dignity are not just American hopes, or Western hopes. They are universal, human hopes. And even in the violence and turmoil of the Middle East, America believes those hopes have the power to transform lives and nations."
President George W. Bush Calls for New Palestinian Leadership
The Rose Garden, Washington, D.C.
June 24, 2002
"America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country."
President George W. Bush Promotes Compassionate Conservatism
Parkside Hall, San Jose, California
April 30, 2002
When he was the president, George W. Bush was a great friend and supporter of Muslims and Islam. Now that he is a private citizen, he is strangely silent on the Muslim bashing that leaders of the GOP and hate-radio talkers are engaged in.
Why? Where is your courage, Mr. President? You supported them while you were president, but abandon them now? Why?
18 comments:
but...but...obama is a muslim, kenyan,commie,marxist,fascist commie muslim marxist!
and george w bush was just sayin' those things about muslims because he believed them.
but not anymore.
This is irrefutable evidence that GWB is, in fact, a Muslim...this is the sort of twisted logic we see from the wacko righty bloggers who are so blind in their hatred towards Obama (and even his wife and kids).
You know your post will get put into the "blame Bush" category as every comparison to him does.
It truly is amazing. Bush should be ashamed for not coming forward, piece of crap he is!
My brother the Christian fanatic said, "Obama is a Muslim, he cancelled the National prayer day..Etc etc.." I said so what if he is? He said because Muslims hate Christians and Jews. Oh, Okay then we'll hate Muslims cuz we can't let them get away with that stupidity... ROFLMAO!!!
Christian fanatics are Glenn Beck lovers and certifiably INSANE fearmongers!!
So where is George?
Cutting brush? Mountain biking? Reading a book (heh heh).
That guy owes us big time and this would be a way for him finally act like an adult and so the right thing by reiterating the 'principles' he once espoused.
But I'm not holding my breath.
He isn't actually running for office nor attempting to prop up poll results.
Anon,
It does appear that all those supportive statements made by the then President Bush were not coming from his heart, but rather from a political opportunist.
JMopper,
The Right accuses Mr. Obama of being a Muslim because he believes in the Constitution and its equal protection and freedom of religion guarantees. They didn't call Mr. Bush a Muslim even though he made more supportive statements about Islam than Mr. Obama has. So yes, by their logic, Mr. Bush definitely is a Muslim. (He did kiss a Saudi Prince on the lips, didn't he? And held hands with him while going for a moonlit stroll. But that just makes him a regular guy you'd like to have a beer with, not a person who likes Muslims. LOL!)
Sue,
You need to inform your brother (I have a brother in Tenn. who's a conservative.) to read Snopes. Mr. Obama DID NOT cancel the national day of prayer. That's just another conservative email lie that people who should know better but don't eagerly believe.
Arthurstone,
Mr. Bush was never a model of moral consistency.
You always come up with some unique and utterly fascinating articles. This is quite a collection of Bush's comments when he was a politician. Now that he is just a Republican he can flip everyone the bird.
Sue - "He said because Muslims hate Christians and Jews." But his type of Christians hate Muslims and Jews, don't they?
tnlib,
Thanks. It is interesting how silent Bush is during this controversy, and how silent conservatives are about what Bush said regarding Muslims and Islam while he was president.
The radical conservatives are vein popping enraged any time Mr. Obama says anything remotely close to support of American Muslims, but apparently when a conservative president is supportive and honors Islam with kind words, that is fine.
Again, I believe the fanatical tea baggers, FAUX News, and the assorted nutjobs--Palin, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck are motivated by hatred of this president and of hatred of Muslims.
GWB is history and history does not matter to the reich wing...
Neither does consistency or principles....
Or intregity...
Hmm..come to think about it nothing matter to the reich wing except being malcontented, disruptive, utterly irrelvant, and winning elections and making fun of liberals...
Since I have been banned I won't say anything except to say I hope you are feeling better, Shaw and that the treatments are working for you.
Anything George Bush did must be the right thing for President BO to do...did I read you correctly?
Joe doesn't get it either. Surprise, surprise!!!
Hey, didn't we go to Iraq to free the people from Saddam or some other made up shit? Aren't they muslims? So why NOW do we hate muslims? Because we hate Barack Obama and he's a muslim? Or some other stupid shit???? Man the stupidity never stops does it??
JOE wrote: "Anything George Bush did must be the right thing for President BO to do...did I read you correctly?"
No. You didn't read me correctly. My question was why did President George W. Bush come out so strongly in defense of Muslims and Islam every chance he had, but now that he's citizen Bush, he hasn't said a word about the controversy, when a few words against Muslim hatred would be the morally courageous thing to do.
As I said in my post, Mr. Bush made more supportive statement on Islam than any other of our presidents.
Also, I never heard firestorms of outrage by conservatives or anyone hint that Mr. Bush was a Muslim when he made his remarks honoring Islam.
I wonder why...
Anon,
You have a point. We spent billions of dollars fighting in Iraq, and lost honorable men and women. For what? So the Muslims in that couontry could enjoy the freedoms we have here in America?
Except when the Muslims here in America attempt to enjoy the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution, we want to treat them the way Saddam treated the Kurds and the Shiites.
We are definitely a crazy people--well the people who are pooping bricks over this controversy are, IMHO.
shaw asks where is bush's moral courage. answer: never had any to begin with.
Griper - Since I have been banned I won't say anything ...
Griper, if you promise to un-bore yourself, I will un-ban you.
"I just read somewhere on the "internets" that 40% of Americans polled think President Obama is a Muslim. President Obama is, of course, a Christian. But even if he were a Muslim, so what?"
I've heard it as one in five, but that is a minor point.
Yes, "so what?". As I said previously, I'd have no problem with it, other than if it were true, the problem of him claiming to be non-Muslim, and then turning out to be one.
Not that I have any worry about such a disappointment or deception. I take the President at his word on this.
I would like to exchange links with your site progressiveerupts.blogspot.com
Is this possible?
Who said that all Muslim hate Christians and Jesus Christ? some stupid or illiterate because of some bad people, bad mullahs. So stop saying that all Muslims are hater or bad guys or haters. please its my humble request to you all people.
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