The day's top political news:
Bush Says He Refused to Bail Out Republicans With Iraq Withdrawal
President Bush exudes serenity as he prepares to leave office, content that the war in Iraq is nearly won and he had the fortitude to buck his party despite incredible pressure to withdraw.
Bush says he refused to "bail out my political party" by withdrawing troops "during the darkest days of Iraq," a decision now lauded by his father."
"I had faith that freedom exists in people's souls and therefore, if given a chance, democracy and Iraqi-style democracy could survive and work," the president said. "I didn't compromise that principle for the sake of trying to, you know, bail out my political party."
Standing firm and standing for principle should be a given for all leaders, sadly too few show the Bush resolve and commitment.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/10/bush-says-refused-bail-republicans-iraq-withdrawal/
President Bush joined family and friends here Saturday to commission a massive new aircraft carrier named for another U.S. president -- his father.
After landing on the Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, the current president praised "President 41" as a leader, public servant and father
Bush said he had come "to help commission an awesome ship and to honor an awesome man."
Bush's father, walking with the aid of a cane, told the sailors gathered for the ceremony that "you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family."
Democrats criticize Obama's proposed tax cuts
Obama warns of consequences without stimulus
President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts have run opposition from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs.
Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democrat senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_taxes
Opinion:
Encouraging signs that grass roots America retains a measure of political power
It’s a matter of normal Americans developing the resolve to speak up, speak out, and demonstrate their will.
This first became apparent when the amnesty immigration bill was defeated. Despite avid support by the US Senate (including some Republican Senators), by the leftist mainstream media, and by the White House itself, the clamor of opposition raised by the general public – mostly through the Internet – resulted in the bill being withdrawn and the ideas scrapped (at least for the moment).
Internet opposition may have played a major part in the outcome. Let us hope that is the case, and, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, proceed on the basis of that assumption.
Even as the Immigration issue was playing out, there was a pervasive rumor of a conspiracy to create a “North American Union” as an accord similar in nature and intent to the European Union. Per the rumors, the plan would effectively eliminate borders between Mexico, Canada, and the US – a common monetary unit would be developed and enforced – and, in effect, North America would become one big happy family.
The idea was preposterous, of course. I made enough inquiries among my congressional contacts to incur more than a few “harumps” and, I suspect, giggles. “He is off on another right wing rumor trip” probably was mumbled more than once.
No, make that absolutely no, evidence of even such an idea being discussed could be found. None. Nada. Zip.
Accordingly, in my email contacts of the time, I did all I could to stamp out the rumors since the concern expressed needed to be directed toward real issues – such as the opposition to illegal immigration and amnesty.
An element of the NAU debate came attacks on announced plans (these were real plans) to build a Trans Texas expressway – a majot highway that would, among other things, make highway travel between the US and Latin America easier and less restrictive (as I understood the provisions). The details don’t matter any longer – just the other day Texas announced the highway project has been cancelled due to public opposition.
I think we can mark another one up to Internet-inspired public opposition and action.
I hope so – most of all, I hope millions of Internet conservative Americans see that as having been the case and note another lesson that we have hopes of protecting this nation from left wing politicians.
That’s truly reassuring….but only if we can organize such efforts, focus the objectives, and prevent the watering down of the power by misuse, overuse, or use in matters that don’t meet the measurement of importance.
Power is great, but must be handled with care and employed with care, concern, and logic.
Let us celebrate the possibility.
Let us organize to better focus our efforts
Let us use care and reason in shouting down absurd legislation or government actions. Our weapon has a limited amount of ammunition to expend.
We have a probably target for the near future. Obama’s infamous “Global Poverty Act” will most certainly be reprised in both Houses. It’s defeat should be as predictable as is the need to shout it down and drive a stake through its heart.
Incredibly, the measure passed the House previously. The vote was a voice vote and its passage was unanimous. The House will have to vote on the measure again, let’s pray Congressmen read the bill a bit closer this time around. If not, it will be up to normal America to attack it, shout it down, and end its threat to us all.
Buddy
Top blogs of the day:
1.
When All the Laughter Has Died in Sorrow
Rich Carroll
Several years ago the elected people in Washington ceased to represent me. I don’t recall one single clarifying moment; a loud gong, but rather a continual series of taps similar to an upholsterer hammering small brads in a fine leather chair. By coming to grips with this epiphany I am not overwhelmed by knowing I have no essential human communication with those benighted individuals paid to represent me, yet it is not something I can completely set aside. Confident I am not the singular castaway on this island helps, especially those thousand emails a week from other Americans asking the same question: “Where did my country go?”
Supporting any political candidate these days can be as difficult as deciphering the Tell Mardikh Tablets: What you have on the surface looks encouraging, but learning the true nature will take some digging. American voters, repulsed by any “digging”, have therefore put in our nation’s capital a group of thieves, liars, communists, Muslims, and self-serving egoists who cheat and steal us blind, betray our trust, manipulate to rewrite our history, and a President who no one is quite sure is eligible, but let’s not ask and throw cold water on the biggest con in American history aided by the mass psychosis of a left wing media protection racket. Be mindful, this President-elect’s connections to anti-Semites, Muslims and Arabs runs wide and deep, far wider and deeper than his brief encounters with our historical ally Israel. But in even the most sprawling narrative, things must add up.
I have watched the Senate and Congress slowly strip away our faith belief in America, stripping away national objects and character. “You people can’t put up a manger display, it might offend a Muslim.” Our legislators are too weak to tell the Muslim “this is a Christian nation.” Political correctness, a phrase originated by the communist movement, has replaced duty, honor, country. What we support and defend is slowly being eroded by legislators who will not declare English as our official language, but will declare burning our national flag is permissible. There is nothing that unites a people more than a common language and faith. These same hypocrites will insist voting materials must bear an additional cost to be printed in Spanish, when only citizens of the United States are eligible to vote. Our Constitution is being stripped away. Once that is gone, we need stop pretending to be a united people, a United States of America.
http://www.2sistersfromtheright.com/
http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/is-bush-departure-good-news-for.html
2.
Jan. 1 Attack By CIA Killed Two Leaders Of Al-Qaeda
Joby Warrick
A New Year's Day CIA strike in northern Pakistan killed two top al-Qaeda members long sought by the United States, including the man believed to be behind September's deadly suicide bombing at a Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital, U.S. counter terrorism officials confirmed yesterday.
Agency officials ascertained this week that Usama al-Kini, a Kenyan national who was described as al-Qaeda's chief of operations in Pakistan, was killed in the Jan. 1 missile strike, along with his lieutenant, identified as Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan, the sources said. Both men were associated with a string of suicide attacks in Pakistan in recent months and also allegedly helped plan the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa.
Kini, who had been pursued by U.S. law enforcement agencies on two continents for a decade, was the eighth senior al-Qaeda leader killed in clandestine CIA strikes since July, the officials said. He and Swedan were ranked among the 23 most-wanted terrorists by the FBI, with a bounty offering of $5 million for their capture.
The CIA declined to comment on the strike, citing the extreme secrecy of its operations along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where al-Qaeda is believed to be based. However, a U.S. counter terrorism official confirmed that the two died in a CIA strike on a building that was being used for explosives training.
3.
Jan. 1 Attack By CIA Killed Two Leaders Of Al-Qaeda
Joby Warrick
Washington Post
A New Year's Day CIA strike in northern Pakistan killed two top al-Qaeda members long sought by the United States, including the man believed to be behind September's deadly suicide bombing at a Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital, U.S. counter terrorism officials confirmed yesterday.
Agency officials ascertained this week that Usama al-Kini, a Kenyan national who was described as al-Qaeda's chief of operations in Pakistan, was killed in the Jan. 1 missile strike, along with his lieutenant, identified as Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan, the sources said. Both men were associated with a string of suicide attacks in Pakistan in recent months and also allegedly helped plan the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa.
Kini, who had been pursued by U.S. law enforcement agencies on two continents for a decade, was the eighth senior al-Qaeda leader killed in clandestine CIA strikes since July, the officials said. He and Swedan were ranked among the 23 most-wanted terrorists by the FBI, with a bounty offering of $5 million for their capture.
4.
On Obama's inauguration, Muslims say, 'It's our time'
A magazine that proudly promotes itself as Muslim has announced a special edition for Barack Obama's inauguration as president, with Editor Nida Kahn claiming, "It's our time." (Obama's picture is on the front of the magazine with him posing, therefore, he must be in contact with them, right?)
The publication, Elan magazine, also includes endorsements of Obama's familiarity with Islam from the daughter of Malcolm X and Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad, the chief of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, as well as others.
The magazine, which calls itself the "guide to global Muslim culture," is distributed in the U.S., Pakistan, Indonesia, Canada, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, as well as online.
Its cover story for the edition, "Muslim World Embraces Obama," "explores the hopes and aspirations of Muslims regarding America's new president."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=85748
5.
A Tale of Two Would-Be Senators
KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
Comparisons are revealing. Roland Burris began this week a man scorned. It didn't matter he holds the honor of being the first black man elected to Illinois statewide office. It didn't matter that he appears to have had no involvement with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Senate-seat salesmanship. It didn't matter that the Senate had no good legal reason not to seat him. [Potomac Watch] AP
Mr. Burris was appointed amid scandal -- and nothing addles Washington's mind more completely. Especially a scandal of the humiliating, wiretapped kind that confirms to the public that politicians routinely engage in backroom deals. Mr. Blagojevich announced his Burris appointment just as the press was digging into who Team Obama had told Blago to appoint, and who Harry Reid had told him to oppose. The Democrats' collective response was to claim Blago was dead to them, and by extension so was his Senate pick.
Illinois's senior senator, Dick Durbin, was dispatched to explain the Senate's "constitutional" obligation to diss Mr. Burris. Harry Reid refused to lay eyes on him until after the Tuesday swearing-in ceremony.
When Mr. Burris arrived at the Capitol that day, he was met by the sergeant-in-arms, who escorted him in, and then out. He trudged off in the cold rain, an elderly, bespectacled gentleman, shunned by the nation's most exclusive club.
Al Franken began this week a man loved. It didn't matter he had produced material that ought to offend any liberal in good standing. It didn't matter that, under Minnesota law, he can't receive a certificate of election until Sen. Norm Coleman finishes his appeal, and so has no right to a seat.
Mr. Franken was also created out of scandal -- though, fortunately for him, the type that is today considered politics-as-usual. Mr. Franken has been manipulating the socks off the Minnesota system, turning what had been a 700-plus vote lead for Mr. Coleman into a 225-vote lead for himself.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123146235159366501.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
Now the whole stories:
1.
When All the Laughter Has Died in Sorrow
Rich Carroll
Several years ago the elected people in Washington ceased to represent me. I don’t recall one single clarifying moment; a loud gong, but rather a continual series of taps similar to an upholsterer hammering small brads in a fine leather chair. By coming to grips with this epiphany I am not overwhelmed by knowing I have no essential human communication with those benighted individuals paid to represent me, yet it is not something I can completely set aside. Confident I am not the singular castaway on this island helps, especially those thousand emails a week from other Americans asking the same question: “Where did my country go?”
Supporting any political candidate these days can be as difficult as deciphering the Tell Mardikh Tablets: What you have on the surface looks encouraging, but learning the true nature will take some digging. American voters, repulsed by any “digging”, have therefore put in our nation’s capital a group of thieves, liars, communists, Muslims, and self-serving egoists who cheat and steal us blind, betray our trust, manipulate to rewrite our history, and a President who no one is quite sure is eligible, but let’s not ask and throw cold water on the biggest con in American history aided by the mass psychosis of a left wing media protection racket. Be mindful, this President-elect’s connections to anti-Semites, Muslims and Arabs runs wide and deep, far wider and deeper than his brief encounters with our historical ally Israel. But in even the most sprawling narrative, things must add up.
I have watched the Senate and Congress slowly strip away our faith belief in America, stripping away national objects and character. “You people can’t put up a manger display, it might offend a Muslim.” Our legislators are too weak to tell the Muslim “this is a Christian nation.” Political correctness, a phrase originated by the communist movement, has replaced duty, honor, country. What we support and defend is slowly being eroded by legislators who will not declare English as our official language, but will declare burning our national flag is permissible. There is nothing that unites a people more than a common language and faith. These same hypocrites will insist voting materials must bear an additional cost to be printed in Spanish, when only citizens of the United States are eligible to vote. Our Constitution is being stripped away. Once that is gone, we need stop pretending to be a united people, a United States of America.
We are slowly being eroded by a Congress and Senate that will not stop the flood of potential Muslim terrorists into our country, a cowardly crowd who sit quietly while tiny Israel fights our war; yes OUR war because even in their rotted conscience these Senators and Congressmen know Muslims marching in western cities are directed by shrewd and murderous operatives of regimes spawned in the dark ages of history and want all Jews and Christians dead.
We are eroded by the same people who refuse to drill off our own shores for our own oil either because they are foolish or being paid off by a middle eastern “emissary.”
We are eroded by elected Senators and Congressmen making efforts to counteract terrorism procedures in the wake of 9-11, protesting interrogation, detainment and wiretapping methods of people that would kill your children. These “officials” who dwell in the shadow land of imaginary do not represent the majority of Americans, but continue to take up space and consume oxygen in the increasingly small room of America’s sovereignty. There is a word to describe these traitorous servants; I can visualize a word, but its precise edges and unique tint of disgust hangs in the mist of my consciousness.
We are degraded in the eyes of our enemy when Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison takes a pilgrimage to Mecca funded by a radical Muslim organization. What insanity is this? None of his fellow “Congressmen” have the guts to stand up and say “enough,” and the dawns gray of Islam’s planned jihad against my country continues to stretch across our landscape.
We are eroded when these same liberal politicians baying before world television audiences and our global enemies, voice their disdain for our own military, the same gluttonous miscreants who don’t flinch when Muslims demonstrate in American streets and burn our flag. These elected officials have no strong sense of community, yet they hypocritically pose in front of the American Flag to assuage those of us who do not see our flag as a “symbol of oppression.”
I am driven in my anger by nostalgia with a sense of loss to time when elected politicians knew the distinctive lineaments of virtue and vice, when they wanted God to exist for the same reasons we all do - to be our rescuer and protector, to act as a confidant and in our moments of crisis give us reassurance that over the horizon of our deaths we will survive. We are eroded by politicians that are part of a system with such poor values, their fear to discuss faith deals a death blow to our essential humanity. We are eroded by a pack of thieves and liars driven by greed and a yen for the theatrical instead of putting America first. America second cowards now make decisions for you and me.
http://www.2sistersfromtheright.com/
© Rich Carroll 2008
crossedrifles@hotmail.com
2.
IS BUSH DEPARTURE GOOD NEWS FOR TERRORISTS?
A valid question with, as yet, an unknown answer.
The article that follows is an important reminder that even as late as this month, the global War on Terrorism proceeds unabated under the direction of George W. Bush. The elimination of two top Al Qaeda leaders hiding in Pakistan only serves to further protect us all.
The fact that this was a CIA operation carries special significance in light of the current controversy surrounding the Obama appointment of Leon Panetta as the new head of the CIA, pending Senate confirmation as well as the Obama inauguration. Because the CIA conducts top secret, clandestine ops in all parts of the world, it may be that none of us will know, in our lifetimes, how many successful actions have been carried out over the past seven years that directly led to increased security here at home.
Panetta is by all accounts an intelligent man, wise to the ways of Washington. Although that cannot hurt, it may not help. People in a position to know have long insisted that our intelligence agencies are best managed by those among us with practical, on the ground experience and expertise in the secretive world of dark ops. Panetta has none, zero, zilch, nada.
That lack of understanding raises red flags and causes serious concern within the intelligence community itself. This Obama appointment sends signals that are, in fact, counterproductive to the stability of our intelligence community in general, and the CIA in particular.
Bush has been a staunch supporter of the wide range of American counter-terrorism efforts. Everyone, friend and foe alike, knows where Bush is on this issue. Judging by this appointment however, it appears Obama stands elsewhere but exactly where is unknown. That lack of clarity causes doubt and instability. Remember as well that liberals like Obama and Penetta do not, as a matter of political doctrine, support our intelligence agencies. As is the case within the military, intelligence professionals are unsure, if not flat worried, about the President-Elect.
Terrorists and jihadists like Al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas, to name but a few, have stated their goals and are fully committed to take as much time as necessary, centuries if required, to destroy America and the West. They do not value life, ours or their own, and they believe it is an honor for them to die for their cause, taking as many others with them as possible. They do not even care how many Palestinians, Shites, Sunnis or other Muslims they take with them. It matters not in the cause of jihad.
There are very few options available to us in dealing with these radical jihadists. It is not possible to negotiate, for they are sworn to lie, cheat, steal, debauch themselves, murder innocents, torture (that is real, cruel torture and not just simply sleep deprivation), behead, rape and carry out a host of other depraved activities, all in the name of Allah. They will promise whatever is required to be allowed to gain their stated ends and thereafter they will do what is necessary to make them happen.
So what to do about those already committed to terrorism and jihad? There seems to be only two ways to respond that have a chance to work.
One is to capture and incarcerate these monsters for the remainder of their lives. On the one hand that would be a very expensive proposition. On the other hand, jailed jihadists would become the darlings of the far left, particularly leftist lawyers. The attention and litigation this option would generate make it the less workable of the two.
The other way to proceed is to follow the example of the CIA as explained in the accompanying article. Degrade the numbers of committed jihadists to the point of elimination. The fewer terrorists there are on the street, the less terrorism occurs. At some point the law of diminishing returns sets in and those considering the short career in jihad will go on to do something more productive for themselves and the rest of the world. Cold and cruel to be sure, but this route is far more likely to generate results.
The key in all of this is time. Those of us in the West must understand that this will take decades and must be done in conjunction with a host of other efforts to discourage people from the practice of terrorism. It will require patience. It will require more commitment than that of even the jihadists themselves. It will require the courage necessary to not flinch in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Most notably, it will require a strong intelligence community, led by the CIA. Which brings us back to where we started: Is the departure of Bush good news for terrorists or not? Stay tuned to find out.
http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/is-bush-departure-good-news-for.html
3.
Jan. 1 Attack By CIA Killed Two Leaders Of Al-Qaeda
Joby Warrick
Washington Post
A New Year's Day CIA strike in northern Pakistan killed two top al-Qaeda members long sought by the United States, including the man believed to be behind September's deadly suicide bombing at a Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital, U.S. counter terrorism officials confirmed yesterday.
Agency officials ascertained this week that Usama al-Kini, a Kenyan national who was described as al-Qaeda's chief of operations in Pakistan, was killed in the Jan. 1 missile strike, along with his lieutenant, identified as Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan, the sources said. Both men were associated with a string of suicide attacks in Pakistan in recent months and also allegedly helped plan the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa.
Kini, who had been pursued by U.S. law enforcement agencies on two continents for a decade, was the eighth senior al-Qaeda leader killed in clandestine CIA strikes since July, the officials said. He and Swedan were ranked among the 23 most-wanted terrorists by the FBI, with a bounty offering of $5 million for their capture.
The CIA declined to comment on the strike, citing the extreme secrecy of its operations along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where al-Qaeda is believed to be based. However, a U.S. counter terrorism official confirmed that the two died in a CIA strike on a building that was being used for explosives training.
"They died preparing new acts of terror," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agency's actions are secret.
A second counter terrorism official said that Kini is among the 10 highest-ranking terrorists the CIA has ever killed or captured.
Terrorism experts have cautioned that al-Qaeda has shown surprising resilience, quickly replacing leaders who are killed or captured. Still, there have been few occasions since 2001 when the group lost so many top operatives so quickly. Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert and Georgetown University professor, said the agency's tactics appear to be cutting dramatically into al-Qaeda's top ranks with strikes deep into a lawless border region that insurgents long regarded as a sanctuary.
"It is a stunning testament of the accuracy of intelligence that the United States is obtaining," Hoffman said. "Either we have built up an impressive network of sources that facilitates such precision targeting, or the Pakistani authorities are cooperating big-time."
Added the U.S. counter terrorism official: "The continuous loss of senior talent has to have a pretty serious effect."
Details of the attack were sketchy, but counter terrorism officials privy to classified reports said the men were killed by a 100-pound Hellfire missile fired by an unmanned aircraft operated by the CIA.
The strike took place at a site variously described as a safe house or former girls' school near the town of Karikot in South Waziristan, a region in the rugged autonomous tribal areas of northern Pakistan that has long been a haven for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters.
South Waziristan has been targeted frequently by Predator drones in recent months as part of a controversial and increasingly lethal campaign to destabilize the terrorist group and kill key operatives. The attacks, occurring about once every three days, have drawn protests from Pakistan's government but praise from top intelligence officials who say the strategy is forcing al-Qaeda into the open. CIA Director Michael V. Hayden, alluding to the strategy in a November speech, said the United States had "taken the fight to the enemy."
The counter terrorism official who described the Jan. 1 attack said, "Clearly, al-Qaeda's safe haven in Pakistan isn't nearly as safe as it used to be."
There was no immediate reaction from Pakistan, which in recent months has indicated a willingness to tolerate such attacks within its borders, as long as they target foreign operatives and do not involve the use of ground troops.
Kini, whose given name was Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam, had trained terrorists in Africa in the 1990s and served as a central planner of the 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, U.S. officials said. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with those attacks and has been on the FBI's list of the most-wanted terrorists ever since.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he became al-Qaeda's emir of Afghanistan's Zabul province, and he later shifted among Afghanistan, Pakistan and East Africa, planning suicide missions, training operatives and raising money, U.S. officials said.
He became al-Qaeda's operations director for Pakistan in 2007 and was responsible for at least seven suicide attacks, the sources said. These included a failed assassination attempt in October 2007 on Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister who was later killed, and the Sept. 16 car-bombing of Islamabad's Marriott Hotel. That attack killed 53 people.
Among other notable al-Qaeda officials killed in similar fashion in recent months were Rashid Rauf, the mastermind of the foiled 2006 trans-Atlantic airline plot, and Abu Khabab al-Masri, al-Qaeda's premier explosives expert and leading figure in the terrorist group's efforts to create biological and chemical weapons.
Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report
4.
On Obama's inauguration, Muslims say, 'It's our time'
A magazine that proudly promotes itself as Muslim has announced a special edition for Barack Obama's inauguration as president, with Editor Nida Kahn claiming, "It's our time." (Obama's picture is on the front of the magazine with him posing, therefore, he must be in contact with them, right?)
The publication, Elan magazine, also includes endorsements of Obama's familiarity with Islam from the daughter of Malcolm X and Benjamin F. Chavis Muhammad, the chief of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, as well as others.
The magazine, which calls itself the "guide to global Muslim culture," is distributed in the U.S., Pakistan, Indonesia, Canada, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, as well as online.
Its cover story for the edition, "Muslim World Embraces Obama," "explores the hopes and aspirations of Muslims regarding America's new president."
Editor Khan writes, "As the guide to global Muslim culture, we here at elan felt compelled to honor the 44th president of the United States via this special inauguration issue. Barack Hussein Obama not only possesses a keen understanding of the complexities of society but has demonstrated his willingness to engage in discourse and seek amicable solutions even with our opponents."
She includes a disclaimer that she is not identifying Obama "as a Muslim."
But she confirms her desire to celebrate and honor the next president, "who, by his very nature, experiences and principles truly does represent hope for the millions of Muslims – and non-Muslims alike – on this planet."
In a statement released on the PR Newswire network, Khan writes of her intention to "offer an independent all-inclusive forum for Muslims."
Chavis Muhammad writes that "with some 1.25 billion Muslims across the globe, the Islamic world couldn't be more excited and anticipatory about the possibility of increased dialogue, understanding and unity that Obama's presidency will undoubtedly bring."
"As an African American Muslim, I can say my prayers were answered when Obama was elected," Chavis Muhammad writes.
He quotes Ayann Ahmed, an entrepreneur working with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, saying, "I believe he will help bring about a better understanding that Islam is a religion of peace and compassion. Obama is a man of understanding of the world."
Also cited by Chavis Muhammad is Imam El-Hagg Talib Abdur-Rashid of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in New York, who says, "Obama has a job ahead of him of immense proportions. But so do we as Muslims in America."
"Whenever there is an advance in the consciousness of people to do away with unjustified prejudices against Islam or the Muslim community, then that is cause for hope and goodwill," Chavis Muhammad says. "With President Obama, rhetoric will translate into sustainable actions for the greater good of society."
"Beyond his name that signifies his connection to both the African and Muslim worlds, Barack Obama has demonstrated an openness and familiarity with Islam that gives Muslims hope that we will move beyond the 'clash of civilizations model,'" writes Zaheer Ali, a student at Columbia.
Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Al Hajj Malik Shabazz, aka Malcolm X, says were her father alive today, he would "share everyone's joy about the prospect of returning the United States to a position of credibility, respect and leadership."
"Forty-four years after his martyrdom, he remains the most famous and recognized Muslim American, as well as a role model for men and women alike advocating for social justice," she writes.
"Forty-four years ago, the idea of an African American as president of the most powerful nation on earth – let alone president with a name that is common among Muslims – wasn't even imaginable. Yet in 2008, the people of the United States of America voted," she said.
"I believe that President Obama and the citizens of the world will also come to understand that Islam is a religion of peace and unity, which in effect, are the same ideals for which my own father advocated," she continues. 'These ideals run contrary to those of that small minority of people who have obviously strayed away from the message of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he taught that even if you absolutely have to fight, it should be avoided at all costs as a peaceful solution is better and bloodshed is abhorred by God. That even in such a case, you should display the beauty of Islam in your conduct in battle in an honorable way by adhering to the strict laws of conflict and chivalry that have been a fundamental part of the religion since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 1400 years ago."
WND documented earlier the report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, the premium online newsletter published by the founder of WND, about the rise of the Salafi jihadist movement because of Obama's announced intentions.
Salafi jihadists follow a more radicalized version of Salafism and include such adherents as al-Qaida. The report says the movement is on the rise in the Middle East as the new Obama administration prepares to take office.
Obama already has indicated a new strategic approach for the Middle East by eliminating at the outset the pre-emption policy of the outgoing Bush administration against terrorists, the report said.
This change of policy has not been lost on Salafi jihadists who seek to rally Muslims for a global jihad as they already have done in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kashmir and even the Philippines, the report said.
WND also reported earlier when Obama announced plans to deliver a major address in an Islamic capital as part of his global outreach, which he said would target the Muslim world.
"I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular,'' Obama said in a free-ranging interview with the Chicago Tribune.
The Tribune reported Obama spoke of a major address in an Islamic capital but did not provide specific details.
Obama's comments came just days after WND reported an Egyptian cleric broadcast on state-funded television a plea urging Obama to convert to Islam while claiming the president-elect has roots in Islam.
"You, Obama, are among those who have pledged before Allah – Allah who created you, sustained you, and brought you to this position – to be a Muslim who believes that Allah is the one God, especially since you have some kind of roots in Islam," declared Egyptian cleric Hassan Abu Al-Ashbal, speaking last week on the state-funded Al Nas religious television network.
"Convert to Islam, and you will be saved. All glory and honor lie in following Allah and his messenger, Muhammad. Know that the true religion is the religion of Islam, and all other religions are fabricated religions, which are null and void – religions that were abrogated by the Shariah of Muhammad," Ashbal said.
Obama repeatedly has denied he is a Muslim. His presidential campaign website contained the statement, "Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian."
But as WND has reported, public records in Indonesia listed Obama as a Muslim during his early years, and a number of childhood friends claimed to the media Obama was once a mosque-attending Muslim.
Obama's campaign several times wavered in response to reporters queries regarding the senator's childhood faith.
And in Obama's autobiography, "Dreams From My Father," he acknowledged studying the Quran and describes the public school as "a Muslim school."
"In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell mother I made faces during Quranic studies," wrote Obama.
In an interview with the New York Times, Obama described the Muslim call to prayer as "one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset."
The Times' Nicholos Kristof wrote Obama recited, "with a first-class [Arabic] accent," the opening lines of the Muslim call to prayer.
The first few lines of the call to prayer state:
Allah is Supreme!
Allah is Supreme!
Allah is Supreme! Allah is Supreme!
I witness that there is no god but Allah
I witness that there is no god but Allah
I witness that Muhammad is his prophet ...
Some attention also has been paid to Obama's paternal side of the family, including his father and his brother, Roy.
Writing in a chapter of his book describing his 1992 wedding, Obama stated: "The person who made me proudest of all was Roy. Actually, now we call him Abongo, his Luo name, for two years ago he decided to reassert his African heritage. He converted to Islam and has sworn off pork and tobacco and alcohol."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=85748
5.
A Tale of Two Would-Be Senators
KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL
Comparisons are revealing. Roland Burris began this week a man scorned. It didn't matter he holds the honor of being the first black man elected to Illinois statewide office. It didn't matter that he appears to have had no involvement with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Senate-seat salesmanship. It didn't matter that the Senate had no good legal reason not to seat him. [Potomac Watch] AP
Mr. Burris was appointed amid scandal -- and nothing addles Washington's mind more completely. Especially a scandal of the humiliating, wiretapped kind that confirms to the public that politicians routinely engage in backroom deals. Mr. Blagojevich announced his Burris appointment just as the press was digging into who Team Obama had told Blago to appoint, and who Harry Reid had told him to oppose. The Democrats' collective response was to claim Blago was dead to them, and by extension so was his Senate pick.
Illinois's senior senator, Dick Durbin, was dispatched to explain the Senate's "constitutional" obligation to diss Mr. Burris. Harry Reid refused to lay eyes on him until after the Tuesday swearing-in ceremony.
When Mr. Burris arrived at the Capitol that day, he was met by the sergeant-in-arms, who escorted him in, and then out. He trudged off in the cold rain, an elderly, bespectacled gentleman, shunned by the nation's most exclusive club.
Al Franken began this week a man loved. It didn't matter he had produced material that ought to offend any liberal in good standing. It didn't matter that, under Minnesota law, he can't receive a certificate of election until Sen. Norm Coleman finishes his appeal, and so has no right to a seat.
Mr. Franken was also created out of scandal -- though, fortunately for him, the type that is today considered politics-as-usual. Mr. Franken has been manipulating the socks off the Minnesota system, turning what had been a 700-plus vote lead for Mr. Coleman into a 225-vote lead for himself. This was primarily accomplished by litigating back to life absentee votes that had been rejected on Election Day.
It was not so much a recount as a one-sided do-over. But since it took place behind the scenes, and since the comedian loosed the standard Democratic cry of "let every vote count," nobody got upset.
Minnesota's senior senator, Amy Klobuchar, started a campaign last week to seat Mr. Franken immediately, despite his lack of credentials. By the weekend, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer had chimed in that Mr. Franken had "won" and should assume his rightful place. Mr. Reid was all for it, right up to the point Mr. Burris started making trouble.
Put another way, Democrats were only too happy to install an unpleasant "comedian" with a dubious victory, while turning away a law-abiding Illinois official with a legal appointment.
Scandal aside, Mr. Reid was focused on the political numbers. Confident he'd get some Democratic senator out of Illinois, he didn't mind turning Mr. Burris away. He's far less sure about Minnesota, and in a rush to legitimize Mr. Franken.
He might well have pulled it off, had he not been outfoxed by an even wilier fox than himself. Mr. Burris knows there is one thing his party fears even more than a scandal: the race card. What was supposed to be Mr. Reid's most triumphant day -- the swearing in of a big new majority -- was overrun by a TV loop of Mr. Burris's scripted walk away from the Senate, supplemented by Rep. Bobby Rush's pronouncement that the body was "the last bastion of plantation politics."
With even Barack Obama telling him to cave, Mr. Reid did.
As a result, the comparisons between Illinois and Minnesota continue. To save face, Mr. Reid made his offer to seat Mr. Burris contingent upon a formal election certificate from the state of Illinois. Mr. Durbin, the legal scholar, was dispatched again, this time to pronounce that the requirement of an election certificate had been a Senate rule since 1884, and "We have never, ever waived the rule for any election or appointment."
This might not be such a huge deal for Mr. Burris, who has grounds to win a court case forcing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sign the certificate -- if Mr. White doesn't buckle to Democratic pressure first. But the edict has sure ruined Mr. Franken's day. Under Minnesota law, he can't get his fingers on a certificate of his own until Mr. Coleman has exhausted all his legal challenges. That might not be "never, ever," but could take months.
Speaking of "never, ever," those were also Mr. Reid's precise words recently on the possibility of Mr. Coleman returning to the Senate. The majority leader has been temporarily thwarted in his Franken ambitions, which means he's grumpy, which makes him dangerous.
Be prepared for Democrats to spend the next weeks laying the groundwork to delegitimize Mr. Coleman's challenge, no matter what the results. After all, none of this is about the law. It's all about appearances.
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123146235159366501.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
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