The Roanoke Times: RoundTable

Comments

# 1

[July 23, 2008 8:15 AM]

John R

The mainstream media love affair with Obama is certainly predictable. Not only that they have a liberal bias but they have decided that the US now must elect a minority as president irregardless of ability.

I predict that the "race card" will be played by the MSM certainly by Oct. You will see polls and pundants addressing the issue that voting against Obama is really a form of subliminal "racisum" in America. The MSM will try to make it politically incorrect to say you are against Obama.

# 2

[July 23, 2008 1:31 PM]

Gary

Last evening I finally watched Obama and McCain on their equal time interviews with Katie Couric (CBS Evening News.) Obama was impressive focusing directly on Couric, comprehending the question and then giving a reasonable answer without the usual political whitewash. On questions often asked by the media, which can set up a candidate for a political downfall, Obama studied Couric intently and his response was good (not necessarily answering) in that he kept himself out of a trap, leaving Couric to accept disallowing herself to rephrase and try some other bait in the trap.

When McCain's turn succeeded Obama's it was completely different. Instead of intently comprehending the question it appeared that he had his responses ready regardless of the question. To me he was more the whitewashing politician taking me out into left field and overbearing in the “Surge,” even Couric had not addressed that in particular (I don’t think.)

I look forward to their debates, which I assume are down the road. -- my 2 cents.

# 3

[July 23, 2008 2:05 PM]

Henry

According to Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown, who is accompanying Obama on his trip to the Middle East and Europe, Obama’s campaign sent out a “dress code” that especially targeted female reporters as to the appropriate attire while traveling in Israel and Jordan.Obama press told to cover up, not wear green. No green. That is the color of Hamas. Also no nail polish, a limited amount of jewelry, covered shoulders and arms, closed-toed shoes, and stockings for women. (Do they make stockings anymore?) Women must also be prepared to cover their heads

"Cover that head, woman"

# 4

[July 23, 2008 2:46 PM]

olive

what's your point Henry? Respecting the culture? Go Obama!

# 5

[July 23, 2008 3:00 PM]

Henry

Should we have respected the culture of apartheid in South Africa?

# 6

[July 23, 2008 3:24 PM]

Other John

There is a difference between respecting a culture and conforming to one. Obama was asking people to conform to a culture, not simply to respect it. One can respect the Muslim culture by not insulting it or saying/doing deroagtory things to Muslims, without having to dress and act like a Muslim. The same goes for any other culture as well. To be honest, I would have to say it could be taken as more of an insult to pretend to be a Muslim by appearing like one than to just be an American in a Muslim country dressed as an American.

# 7

[July 23, 2008 4:47 PM]

Blue John

This is hilarious!

The same folks that are up in arms over making English the official language of the U.S., are now complaining because Obama is showing the respect to other cultures that they are demanding here.

# 8

[July 23, 2008 4:55 PM]

Henry

(CNN) – Responding to an Israeli reporter’s question Wednesday on his commitment to protect the Jewish state, Barack Obama pointed to a bill “we passed” in the U.S. Senate Banking Committee that tightens sanctions and authorizes divestment from Iran. “My committee,” he called it.

Except that he isn’t a member of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/23/obama-incorrectly-claims-membership-of-senate-committee/

# 9

[July 23, 2008 5:21 PM]

Blue John

Henry,

I went to your link to read the article. Thanks. I noticed that some of the comments by other readers were refering to a McCain gaffe yesterday concerning the surge and Anbar. I missed that article and wondered if you had a link to it or other information available.

# 10

[July 23, 2008 6:34 PM]

Gary

Obama is correct in my opinion wrt to other countries cultures and his "dress code." I can't imagine going into a country wearing offensive clothing with an "attitude." I tried this at a restaurant once that required coat and tie. I was dressed in jeans, boots and sport shirt and somewhat of an attitude - I missed joining my friends.

# 11

[July 23, 2008 8:44 PM]

C Ramsey

Actually this is far from hilarious. In a very real sense, it's terrifying. Here we have learned people actually arguing that everyone should show respect for a culture that dehumanizes and brutalizes women.

Other John is right, there is a large difference in being careful not to behave in a rude or offensive manner and forcing people to conform to the religious beliefs of another culture.

Blue John is also correct, though not for the reasons he believes. It is highly ironic that people are offended by the idea that people who move to the US, choosing to live in our culture, should speak English yet they are not offended by the idea that an American who merely visits another country should have to conform to its traditions. Yet another example of the defeatist, self-condemning attitude that has infested America.

We are truly at war with the Radical Islam. They have declared it over and over again. Yet we refuse to acknowledge it, and have a bizarre tendancy to blame ourselves for the hatred radical muslims have for all "non-believers." Some blame Christianity without realizing that Radical Islam calls for the destruction of ALL non-believers, be they Christians, Hindus, Buddhists or atheists.

And perhaps even more ironically, it appears the radicals will win this war without much in the way of resistance. Any who speaks out against this threat is ridculed as a bigot. It appears we will simply surrender our way of life out of some bizarre sense of politically correct enlightenment.

A very interesting movie about radical islam is available at the link below. It's well worth the price and time spent viewing it online.

http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/

# 12

[July 23, 2008 9:01 PM]

Henry

Those women journalists better be ready to cover their heads if a man asked them to do so. And they better keep their mouths shut when they do it. The last thing those countries need is a bunch of women acting like they are worth anything.

Can you imagine what would have happened if Reagan had issues instructions on how black reporters should act in South Africa?

I thought it was funny that they depicted Obama's lie as a "gaffe" as if he didn't realize he wasn't on the Senate Banking Committee.

# 13

[July 23, 2008 9:51 PM]

Blue John

I also find it hilarious that some folks think all Muslims are radicals. I know several Muslim families and ALL of them are highly embarrassed by the actions of the radicals. I tell them not to worry, we have radical Baptists in our country.

In my work, I also have met many Latinos, and find them to be honest, upstanding people. I actually had one man apologize to me because his english was "not very good". I told him to never apologize because of that, that I respected him for trying to learn the language and admired him for the quality of work that he commanded from his crew. He came here legally from El Salvador and worked his way up to a construction supt. position in the DC area. His wife is also Latino, and is an agent with the FBI.

After nearly eight years of an administration that places demands on opposing countries before trying to work out issues, it is refreshing to see a politician that attempts to solve problems, as opposed to creating them.

Does anyone remember the name of the old rock song that had the verse - "Paranoia strikes deep, into your heart it will creep"?

# 14

[July 24, 2008 12:03 AM]

C Ramsey

Blue,

If you will read my post carefully and slowly you will see that not once did I reference all muslims as terrorists. I only spoke of radical islam.

As for the radical baptists, when was the last time any radical baptists blew up a bus or took 1200 people hostage in a middle school, repeatedly raping women and children, executing men and boys and torturing all for 53 hours?

You say its paranoia, I say your sticking your head in the sand and ignoring a threat. Then when it happens here, you'll whine about why the government didn't do something to prevent it.

People in this forum espouse tolerance and open-mindedness. Is that sincere? Or is that just lip-service offered while they speak condescendingly to those with differing opinions?

Watch the movie. Listen to the quotes of the leaders who Obama would befriend.

If you really want to form a learned opinion, why wouldn't you consider as many viewpoints as possible? John Gudick, a former special forces operative wrote an excellent review of the Beslan school masacre entitled 'Terror at Beslan'. It's available at amazon.com. Read the book, again, it's well worth the effort.

Or keep forming your opinion on what the media spoon-feeds the public. They only tell you part of the story. Ever wonder why you didn't see any 9-11 footage after September 2001? They hold back anything that they think the public shouldn't know. In that case, the public shouldn't see that footage any longer because "it's too inflamatory."

I guess it wouldn't do for Americans to be prejudiced against a group who wants nothing more than the destruction of our civilization.

# 15

[July 24, 2008 6:09 AM]

AJ

Of course, Blue John. That would be Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth".

# 16

[July 24, 2008 6:35 AM]

John R

In the War on Terror, not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslim.

The exceptions are insignificant to world peace.

# 17

[July 24, 2008 10:12 AM]

Michelle

Sorry I missed this yesterday. I really don’t see what the big deal is here. If you're a guest in someone’s country, you’re there on their terms. Not wearing green is probably for their own personal safety. The no nail polish, limited amount of jewelry, and covering the shoulders and arms directives are not limited to Islam. Can anyone say Pentecostal Holiness? Although I’m not Pentecostal Holiness, I’ve been a guest in Pentecostal Holiness churches and I’ve respected their “dress code”. I’m not Muslim and I’ve never been in a mosque, but I’m sure if I had I would have respected their “dress code”. The same goes for the head coverings. A friend and I attended a Jewish wedding several years ago. Although he was not Jewish, he was asked to wear a yarmulke inside the synagogue. I’m sure you guys aren’t up on the women’s version of “how to dress for success”, but closed-toed shoes and stockings are requirements for professional dress. I’ve worked in law firms where the dress code for women included closed-toed pumps, stockings, and “appropriate undergarments”. At least Obama didn’t tell them what undergarments he considered appropriate!

# 18

[July 24, 2008 11:08 AM]

Blue John

Thanks AJ, my memory is limited from those days!

C,

No need to read your post carefully or slowly. You are always the same. You turned a simple matter of civility into a world ending, we're all going to die, the end is near situation.
I called one of my Muslim friends and asked him to read your posts. His response was "that is the type of person we most fear in America". Not my comments, but his.

Have a nice day!

# 19

[July 24, 2008 8:42 PM]

C Ramsey

Blue,

I'm sorry your friend feels that way. I have no ill will toward Muslims. My issue is with radical muslims who continue to use terror as a weapon.

Recently in Iraq, the floor plans to six American middle schools were discovered in a terrorist training camp. Those schools were located in Texas, New Jersey and, you guessed it, Virginia. There were also videos of terrorists training to take over schools, complete with children as role players. They gave commands to the kids in English and they immediately eliminated adult males in the scenario (paper targets in a live fire shoothouse). The consensus opinion of anti-terror experts is that middle schools were selected because the girls were "old enough" to rape, but the students, both male and female, were typically not yet big enough to offer substantial resistance.

This terror tactic has been used all over the world. Terrorists realize that attacking children is often the single most effective way to paralyze a society. There is the initial fear, followed by the economic impact of thousands of parents being absent from the workforce when they stay at home to keep their kids out of school for extended periods. This tactic has been used almost exclusively by the islamic terrorists.

If recognizing that fact makes me a bigot in your eyes, then so be it. If you think recognizing that this threat exists makes me fatalistic in your eyes, again, so be it. You are certainly free to think whatever you wish of me, but I believe this is an issue we as a society simply cannot ignore. The price of doing so is more than I'm willing to pay.