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D.C. Watson speaks truth to power:
While many Muslims in the U.S. simply go about their business and mean no harm to anyone, many other Muslims are continually stating that they are offended by our policies and our behavior. It's all our fault, you know. At least that's what Geneive Abdo, in a column entitled "Islam in America: Separate but Unequal," would seem to wish everyone to believe.The column is extensive, yet portions of it stand out like a badly penciled-in headscarf. For example, Abdo wrote the following comments, which I will answer here.
As the U.S. relationship with the Islamic world has reached unprecedented levels of hostility since the September 11 attacks, the Bush administration has focused its attention on winning the hearts and minds of Muslims abroad. Yet, what about the six to seven million Muslims in the United States whose lives were dramatically altered by the September 11 attacks?September 11, 2001 dramatically altered the lives of everyone. But it appears that Abdo is only concerned about Muslims, not about the 3,000 non-Muslim dead.
Also: six to seven million Muslims in the United States? Where is the evidence for this figure? Has the population of Muslims in the United States doubled since late 2002, when the figure was calculated at around 3 million?
Here's what we're dealing with, folks. Here are a couple of pertinent paragraphs from a survey of Muslim population claims:
The AMC also amusingly claimed that its own estimate of 'more than 7 million' Muslims came from the 2000 Census figures - erroneously thinking that the Census asks about religion.Oh, and that's the same AMC which in 1992 pressured a researcher named Fareed Nu'man to find 6 million Muslims in the country; Nu'man later testified that he counted just 3 million and was fired by the AMC when he refused to inflate his number above 5 million.
Read more about that here.
Abdo continues:
Feelings of deep alienation have caused them [Muslims] to join the global protest movement against the United States, but instead of holding flag-burning rallies, Muslim Americans are taking a different course. Muslims are becoming more organized and vocal in their demands, petitioning school boards to establish prayer rooms in public schools for their children, taking time off during the workday for prayers, and turning to the courts when they believe their constitutional rights to practice their religion have been violated. In this way, they are exercising their rights as Americans to enhance their identity as Muslims.
Yes, and while exercising their "rights" as "Americans" they've shown scant consideration for Constitutional law or for anyone they may have inconvenienced in the process. Church and State are separate in America, so why are Muslims petitioning school boards to establish prayer rooms? Are Christians, Jews or Hindus given prayer rooms in our public schools? If Muslims wish to pray during school hours, why don't they attend Islamic schools? While Christmas celebrations have been all but eliminated from the American education system, Muslims are petitioning for prayer rooms at the expense of American taxpayers. As we non-Muslims still make up the overwhelming majority of voters, shouldn't we be taking our elected representatives to task over this?Taking time off during the workday for prayers? Again, if non-Muslims were to pull a stunt like this, they'd be out of a job. Moreover, companies would end up going out of business due to the failure of meeting their production schedules.
Simply moving to America doesn't make someone an American.
Back to Abdo:
In an effort to distance their faith from Western notions that Islam is inherently violent, that shari'a (Islamic law) oppresses women, and that Islam is responsible for the antidemocratic tendencies of governments in the Islamic world, Muslims feel compelled to educate themselves and the outside world about the true tenets of Islam.The ideas that Islam is inherently violent, that Shari'ah law oppresses women, and that Islam and democracy contradict one another are not just "Western notions." They are facts. They have been proven time and time again throughout recorded history. See Qur'an 9.5, 9.29, 48.29, 4.34, etc, etc, etc.
Abdo adds:
There is no evidence to suggest a widespread rise of Wahhabism in the United States.Really? Here's some:
http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/Mosques.asp
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/publications/Saudi%20Report/FINAL%20FINAL.pdfAbdo also says:
The patriot Act is a source of growing anger among Muslims against the Bush Administration.Although this hurried piece of legislation leaves a lot to be desired, and needs some changes, it is equal across the board for everyone, and is not directed only at Muslims. If Muslims will behave themselves, then they should have nothing to worry about. Although it was a group of nineteen Islamic cretins who did their dirty deed for Allah on September 11, 2001 and prompted the implementation of the Patriot Act, everyone in America is now subjected to it. So these "angry" Muslims should only be angry with their Muslim brothers who created this mess, and no one else. Besides, both sides of the political aisle had to vote on this issue, and both sides rightfully agreed that something had to be done.
Abdo:
No evidence suggests that Muslim Americans sympathize with radical groups abroad.I have published several times here a list of Muslims in America who have been arrested for terrorism-related offenses. I am currently working on an updated list of these Muslim problem children in America, complete with names and the crimes for which they were arrested.
The older list is here. Some of these were convicted of terror and fraud crimes. They not only sympathized with radical Islamic groups abroad, but conspired and attempted to provide them with material support and recruiting. Simply reference their names on the Internet and read their claims to fame.
Abdo again:
The U.S. must ultimately become far more educated about Islam and Muslim culture.Actually, it's the other way around: Muslims who live in America must ultimately become far more educated about the American way of life and American culture. How arrogant can one group of people possibly be -- to expect to move to a foreign land and demand that the nation to which they've migrated change everything around for them and the culture they've brought with them?
America was built on the backs of immigrants. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants who have worked, and continue to work to keep this country moving forward. Immigrants used to come to America with the intention of becoming a part of this wonderful country. Now come the Muslims -- not all, mind you, but many -- who have waltzed into our house and are now attempting to redecorate.
To answer them properly: It's not all about Islam here. Learn to live as the rest of us do, or hit the road.
Posted by Robert at September 26, 2005 11:12 AM
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CAIR can't get a leg up on ol' DC. I love to read his retorts to their dirty doings. More people need to react to these cretins instead of allowing them carte blanche to speak for all Muslims in America...
Posted by: Monty![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 26, 2005 11:36 AM
Feelings of deep alienation have caused them [Muslims] to join the global protest movement against the United States, but instead of holding flag-burning rallies, Muslim Americans are taking a different course. Muslims are becoming more organized and vocal in their demands, petitioning school boards to establish prayer rooms in public schools for their children, taking time off during the workday for prayers, and turning to the courts when they believe their constitutional rights to practice their religion have been violated. In this way, they are exercising their rights as Americans to enhance their identity as Muslims.
Well, it is against some "wall of separation" of church and state for Christians to pray at school (at least praying where someone else can notice it)...we can't even say the name of Jesus Christ in public schools anymore. Oh but our muslim citizens can pray and demand more and more. We are becoming unwilling dhimmis in our own country. Time to stand up, people. If this sort of thing is happening in your school system...demand equal treatment, make noise, even if you are not a believer, insist on Christian prayer or Jewish prayer.
Posted by: Carolyn2 at September 26, 2005 11:36 AM
If Christians and Jews insist on praying and equal treatment, the ACLU will descend like a fog and stop all religious activity.
Posted by: Carolyn2 at September 26, 2005 11:40 AM
This DC is Roo bar and dinkum, mates. For the brown eyed mullets like muslim apologists who dont get my meaning, it means he's strong and honest.
Somethin the mates of islam will never be.
Posted by: Unbridled at September 26, 2005 11:47 AM
" when they believe their constitutional rights to practice their religion have been violated..."
This should be explored, as their "religion" has to be in harmony, and not conflict the rest of the Constitution, not just one part that suits their needs and desires.
Many (but not all) who wrote our founding laws had Christian values, it works within the framework without destroying anothers rights.
A poll that 44% of Americans hold to this as well. For the religion (or any right) to work here, it must not have views that destroy another's rights, or the rest of the Constitution for all Americans.
Posted by: Islofob IS-1
at September 26, 2005 1:16 PM
There is simple solution all this; Muslims were not invited to come to the USA, if they dont like it here, then they could leave for the Muslim paradise that they came from . No one is holding them back. Please do go back, we dont need you here.
If you decide to stay then dont complain; join the mainstream of other Americans and stop complaining. You cannot have special treatment. Everyone is equal over here.
at September 26, 2005 1:40 PM
Muslims are offended by our culture and policies? So what? It behooves immigrants to acculturate and adhere to the mainstream of the culture or go back to their country of origin. This has always been the rule of thumb and you can bet your bottom dollar that Muslim countries would require such behavior from non-Muslims coming in, even as visitors.
Muslim complain that we don't know about them or their culture. The problem for them is that we do know. We have seen and learned what they don't want us to know. Certainly that want us to disbelieve our lying eyes and to distrust our sense of reason and fair play.
Posted by: epg at September 26, 2005 1:43 PM
"Feelings of deep alienation..."
Hey -- sounds like a reason to celebrate! We're doing something right after all if they feel alienated !!!
More of same is what we need!
at September 26, 2005 1:53 PM
Genevieve Abdo exhibits the islamochristian syndrome, where a Christian Arab who has both internalized the subservient attitudes that centuries of Islam demands, and who has accepted the Muslim argument that "Arabness" and "Islam" are so indissolubly linked that to attack the latter is to attack the former, and so Genevieve Abdo, possibly the descendant of Lebanese Christianns who certainly fled the Middle East, among other reasons, because of the pressure of Islam and Muslims, nonetheless reflects in all of her articles --- look them up -- a devotion to Islam, a defensiveness about Islam, a need to protect Islam and Muslims, that should not any longer astonish, but needs to be understood, as a clinician tries to understand various forms of intellectual disarray.
Posted by: Hugh at September 26, 2005 1:56 PM
Let the deportations begin. A president with balls and half a brain would have signed long ago an Executive Order to deport all islamists, starting with all CAIR officers and any muslim who donated to this organization.
at September 26, 2005 1:57 PM
The author of this whining article noted that Muslims are making more demands at schools and in the workplace. A friend just sent a notice about a Tyson Food plant in Nebraska where a potential strike is looming by 200 Muslim employees unless they are granted a prayer room and time off to pray five times to satisfy their religious requirements. It sounds as if the Tyson Food people are scrambling to try to work something out with their employees. Why not just fire them? There are plenty of people looking for work. If I worked in an office or factory where the Muslim next to me was gone every couple of hours in a special room just for his co-religionists, I would seethe with resentment. Do they get time off to pray and do coffee breaks and lunch? Are their special prayer rooms off limits to every non-Muslim? It seems at some point, in the public school system or in the workplace, the Muslims will push things too far and there will be a big backlash from infidels. I will continue to hope for that day to come and, in the meantime, I will try not to listen or read whiners like Ms. Abdo.
Posted by: maryrose at September 26, 2005 2:24 PM
CAIR and their ilk love to play the Career Victim and milk the goodwill of democracies where they try to transplant Islam from oppressive Islamic Nations to peaceful Countries , the tactic is to stir up trouble like a little brat and then when anyone tries to confront you the next step is to hold a pity-party to show how everyone hates them and are plotting against them.
Muhammed murdered people based on his paranoia that they may harm him one day so Allah would approve it because he sees himself as a prophet protected by the Muslim God.
BTW, OT but here's a link to a lame attempt to drag up the 9/11 Jihad by 19 Muslim as a conspiracy to blame Muslims and Islam.
The story says Barbara Oslen has been arrested in Europe .
http://rense.com/general67/olsen.htm
at September 26, 2005 3:45 PM
I agree with only one thing that the poor, delusional, and misguided Miss Abdo has said: “The U.S. must ultimately become far more educated about Islam and Muslim culture.”
There is great truth in that statement because one must know and understand their enemy in order to effectively deal with them.
Kudos, by the way, once more to DC Watson for bringing attention to another Dhimmi half-wit who would gladly throw us and our rights out the window rather than confront the evil, bile-spewing, half truths and flat-out lies which pervades throughout this ‘religion of peace’ which we see with our own eyes as sewing discord while the believers mouth off the exact opposite. Actions speak louder than words and their actions are violent and, all too often, explosive and destructive.
DC Watson for president!! Run, DC, and you’ll get many votes from this site, I’m sure! It’s this site which made Robert’s book fly up on the bestseller lists, so just imagine what kind of following you’d have come election time!
Besides, where else should a guy with a moniker such as that reside?
at September 26, 2005 4:02 PM
Economics of Prayer
In the hourly labor market, an eight hour per day work shift is the norm with one fifteen minute break allowed for each four hour shift worked. Assuming that the three of the five prayers per day can be performed outside of work, and each prayer takes a total of fifteen minutes of time, including all ancillary activities such as ablation, setting out the prayer rug, etc., then there is no economic impact to the employer.
However, if the muslim employee uses just an extra fifteen minutes of employer time per day to perform prayers, the economic impact to the employer is very significant. Furthermore, the extra fifteen minutes taken for prayers is highly discriminatory to other non-muslim employees.
Consider that there are 52 weeks in the year and the average hourly employee is entitled to 2 weeks of vacation, reducing the total number of weeks worked to 50. In addition to vacation time, there are 10 legal holidays per year, which equals another 2 five-day work weeks per year, so that the hourly employee actually gives the employer only 48 five-day weeks of service per year, for a total of (48 weeks multiplied by 5 days per week) 240 days per year.
If an employee takes an extra 15 minutes, or 1/4 hour of time per day, every day, from the employer, then each year the employer loses 60 hours (240 days multiplied by 0.25 hours per day) time from that employee. For a 40 hour work week, based on eight hours per day for five days, the employee who takes an extra 15 minutes per day of personal time is cheating the employer out of 1.5 weeks of services for which the employee is being paid. Simple arithmetic shows that an extra half hour per day, cheats the employer out of three weeks, and so on.
To avoid discrimination against non-muslim employees, should muslims employees be allowed extra time off per day for prayer, then the pay for muslim employees should be proportionally less, or non-mulim employees be granted the extra time off with pay to be used in any way as the employee sees fit, including aggregating the time to take in blocks. Thus, devout followers of other religions can take off their respective religious holidays without having to use up an earned vacation day, or secularly minded employees can take extra paid vacation just to drink beer (English or American) and watch football (English or American).
Of course, unless every employer in every labor market adapts this employee compensation plan to level the playing field for all competitors, whether across the street or across the globe, the employer which adapts these practices will have a much higher cost structure in direct labor costs, and hence a higher costs of goods and services provided to its customers. Since customers always seek out the best price or value among competitors, our employer who gives out the extra fifteen minutes per day may soon find itself with dwindling sales and perhaps forced closure itself.
Posted by: Lisa at September 26, 2005 5:07 PM
I don't know why this prayer thing is so complicated. Just give everyone equal break times and be done with it. Those that want to pray can do so and those that want to drink coffee can do that. No discrimination should be allowed. That includes giving Muslims extra time off AND also includes firing Muslims for praying while allowing people to sneak around the back of the building for a crafty cigarette.
Posted by: Viking5 at September 26, 2005 5:38 PM
http://www.paulagordon.com/shows/abdo/
"Ms. Abdo has been a Middle East, Western and Central Asian correspondent for The Guardian, The Economist, The Dallas Morning News and the Reuters news agency and lived in Egypt. She found herself troubled by discrepancies she saw between what she considers Egypt’s reality and what she calls myths generated in the West to support government policies. So she wrote No God But God: Egypt and the Triumph of Islam.
The democracy Egyptians want is an Egyptian one, says Ms. Abdo. And she acknowledges that theocratic democracy includes a lot of qualifiers.
It has to be compatible with a thriving religion that is very much part of people’s lives, a religion that includes politics.
Yes, Islamists want freedom, but they oppose freedoms which violate religious principles.
Their justice and the judicial system they seek would be based on the Sharia Islamic Law.
Free expression is important and desirable, but it should not undermine religion.
Then factor in Islamic feminism and an important role for education.
Many of these concepts are jarring to Westerners who, Ms. Abdo contends, want new democracies to be in lockstep with Western definitions both of what a democracy is and what a state should be.
The universal assumptions of democracy most Westerners take for granted -- a hunger for basic human rights; a fair and equitable judicial system; due process; free elections -- drive Islamists, Ms. Abdo says."...........etc
*******************
she really doesn;t make sense
because she is muslim and can construct sentences of such length and using vocabulary which some people do not really understand,
some people think she makes sense
my head hurts from this garBage
Posted by: ploome at September 26, 2005 5:47 PM
This is really an excellent piece Mr. Watson. Congratulations on a job well done.
Posted by: Eschwapp at September 26, 2005 6:05 PM
I think we should offer her 3 things that her religion offers us. Convert, pay a tax or ..... You get the idea
Posted by: just one soldier at September 26, 2005 7:45 PM
Just about everything in DC's excellent essay can be applied to Australia as well. Recent new anti-terrorism laws has got the Muslim Pity Party going full-on here too. Cozying up to the government, whining about The Backlash and how the laws unfairly target Muslims, inflating their numbers to over-inflate their importance in our country, their demands for their religion to take precedence over our rules & customs, etc.
The U.S. must ultimately become far more educated about Islam and Muslim culture.
And we all know what that means. Not so much 'educated' as brainwashed with filtered, sanitized, whitewashed, fairy-tale version of Islam. With all the many nasty bits edited out, and their "Prophet" portrayed like a male version of Mother Theresa instead of the thieving, murderous warlord that he was.
Posted by: feralee at September 26, 2005 9:10 PM
And straight from Geneive's mouth:
"Sheikh Hamza Yusef, one of the United States’ most influential imams with a vast following among Muslim youth...has made a particular effort since the September 11 attacks to discourage Muslims from absolutist interpretations of the holy texts."
So, there really is a problem with a fundamentalist interpretation of Allah's pipe dream.
Posted by: PRCS at September 26, 2005 11:35 PM
Genevieve Abdo's writing is striking for its character as pschological warfare. The woman is not merely a journalist but a psywarrior, well-trained and guided by some agency interested in promoting a sense of guilt among American liberals in regard to Islam and the Arabs. Note how she writes: "the global protest movement against the United States," as if the US were the sole culprit in all the world's troubles. Meanwhile, she conveniently overlooks all the injustices perpetrated by Muslims, whether in the Sudan or the Moluccan islands incorporated into Indonesia. There is also a sinister note here pointing to the adoption by Muslim fanatics of Stalinist terminology and the willingness of much or most of the Left [whatever that means today] to join the jihad, if only as supporters. Leftist fanaticism plus Islamic jihad, indeed a sinister, and perhaps potent combination.
Posted by: Eliyahu at September 27, 2005 3:03 PM
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