Obama's not-so-scandalous meeting with a Michigan imam
By Steve Benen Monday May 19, 2008 7:30amBarack Obama campaigned in Michigan last week, and during his trip, he met privately with a prominent Muslim leader. It wasn’t especially noteworthy; candidates meet with prominent religious leaders frequently, from a variety of faiths, in communities nationwide.
Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, said in an email that he met with Obama at Macomb Community College. A mosque spokesman, Eide Alawan, confirmed that the meeting took place. During the meeting, the two discussed the Presidential election, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the Iraq war, according to Qazwini.
At the end of the meeting, Qazwini said he gave Obama a copy of new book, “American Crescent,” and invited Obama to visit his center. […]
Born in Iraq into a long line of Shi’ite clerics, Qazwini and his family left for Iran to escape persecution under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He later moved to the U.S. and become head of the Dearborn mosque, one of the largest Shi’ite Muslim centers in the U.S.
No one cared. No one, that is, until Debbie Schlussel, one of the more unhinged members of the conservative blogosphere, argued the day after the Obama meeting that the senator had met "with one of Hezbollah’s most important imams and agents in America." She also accued Qazwini of being “an agent of the Iranian government,” and a supporter of “Palestinian homicide bombings, HAMAS, and Hezbollah.” She added that the Wednesday meeting “says a lot about the company Obama keeps … and why he shouldn’t be President.”
Schlussel’s attack was widely parroted by the far-right, with the usual suspects charactering the Obama meeting as something scandalous.
Schlussel also quoted the Detroit Free Press article noting the Obama meeting, but omitted the one sentence that undermined her vacuous smear: “Qazwini has also met several times with President Bush and other elected officials.”
Yep, this allegedly radical, terrorist-supporting agent of Iran is so dangerous, he’s been able to hang out with George W. Bush. Better yet, Oliver Willis posted some photos of Qazwini with Bush, including one in which the president gives the imam a little kiss.
I guess the right now believes Bush "shouldn't be president"?
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Are there any photos of Bush giving the Imam a little reach around?
It's easy for those of us in the reality-based community to ignore mental midgets like Schlussel, but that crap is making an impact on those in that Purgatory between high-information and low-information voter. I talked to a friend last night who has good intentions, but just doesn't take the time to look at everything critically. He said that he couldn't vote for Obama because he coundn't vote for anybody who wasn't a christian. I was dumbfounded. I'm going to really have to work on this guy.
Words to be used in the bush Legacy statements.
Inept
Obdurate
Cowboyish (sic)
Swaggering
Stumbling
Ungrammatical
Pejorative
Adamant
Care to add any?
Eric Hussein Elite Almighty @ 2:
Sounds like a classic case of willful ignorance to me. I suppose he missed the non-stop Rev. Wright coverage? Or did he think Rev. Wright was an imam?
Eric Hussein Elite Almighty @ 2:
Wouldn't bother. That kind of stupidity goes straight to the bone.
My inlaws are of the "low information" variety but they remain so due to their determined lack of curiosity or anything resembling independent thought. The inlaws are 100% sure that Obama is a covert muslim operative waiting to turn 'merka into a slave nation the second he's elected.
But when asked who they were supporting they had no answer. A couple of them have some interest in supporting a local politician for reelection but as for president their choice is "Anyone but Obama".
So basically they've got no candidate. Aren't particularly fond of the reslugs anymore but have no intention of voting for the "black librul" because they're simply not programmed to.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 3:
I've always found "dumber than cold dog shit" to be an accurate description of both shrub's intelligence and his appeal.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 3:
Gee, let's see.... How about these:
Liar
Criminal
Coward
Evil
Reptilian
Loser
Anti-Christ
Moron
Yet another Reich-wing-fake-outrage-of-the-week.
Ok, Where were the 9/11 terrorist from? And doesn't chimpy and his partners in crime deal with them ( didn't he ask them to increase the amount of oil pumped?- which really doesn't matter because there's no where to refine it)
And isn't it common knowledge that they also fund some of the suspected terrorists.
Now we have some loonie on the right saying that obama talks to terrorists all I have to say is if you can't come up with something that is 1) factual and 2) not parroted by guy in his basement STFU
t-bone @ 1:
I was able to find a pic of Chump giving the evil Imam a hug. Have to scroll down a bit to catch it.Was posted yesterday i believe.
http://www.dailykos.com/
Abbybwood @ 7:
F...A...I...L...U...R...E
So now he is Muslim again? I get so confused. He was secretly Muslim, then he wasn't Muslim, then he was Muslim again, then he couldn't be Muslim because he sat in the pews listening to his crazy Pastor for 20 years and now his is Muslim again or just meets with them? It is hard to keep up these days.
It is really funny that she posts a response to Oliver Willis on the thread IN ALL CAPS. What a maroon!
Debbie Schlussel reminds me of Meir Kahane. Like Meir Kahane, only the rabid Kach fascists take her seriously.
I'm glad I'm not Middle Eastern. It's just easier to be a Muslim this way. I blend in.
Ah little Debbie.....drunk alone in her room, writing movie reviews, dreaming of being as big a blogger as Ann Althouse, and warning everyone that Teh Muslims are going to outbreed us, put our women in burqas, and take over the free world.
Abbybwood @ 7:
Some of my favs.
Petulant
Arrogant
Oblivious
Recovering ? ( see also booze and cocaine )
Devious
Calculating ( usually wrong )
Ive been pondering an ABCs of Bush list myself.
I heard a Jehovah's Witness knocked on Obama's door during the 70's, you know while the Beatles World Domination Tour was going strong. Instead of slamming the door like any good American, Obama listened politely before saying no thanks.
Nobody knows who that Jehovah's Witness was, but I'm sure someone could make a convincing argument that it was Osama bin Laden during his youthful hippy days. Because Islam lets a person experiment like. Very open minded religion.
(I wounder how many righties are knodding thier heads, this will be on CNN's Situation Room tomorrow!)
Schlussel also quoted the Detroit Free Press article noting the Obama meeting, but omitted the one sentence that undermined her vacuous smear: “Qazwini has also met several times with President Bush and other elected officials.”
Yep, this allegedly radical, terrorist-supporting agent of Iran is so dangerous, he’s been able to hang out with George W. Bush. Better yet, Oliver Willis posted some photos of Qazwini with Bush, including one in which the president gives the imam a little kiss.
I guess the right now believes Bush “shouldn’t be president”?
***************************************************
What...you mean you actually expect logic, consistency, and fair play from the right?!? With all due respect, where have you been for the past seven-odd years?? You're giving them far more credit that the majority of them deserve -- in fact, truth be told, I think you're giving human beings as a whole far more credit than the majority of them deserve!
Schlussel’s accusations are probably legally actionable as defamation and slander.
I hear tell that Obama is black.
Obama needs to start being a lot more aggressive about refuting the lies that are told about him. He cant keep passing these stories off as mere nonsense, because too many people believe them to be true.
emphasa @ 20:
I heard that Obama is McCain's illegitimate black son. (Possibly his illegitimate black grandson)
Paul @ 19:
I've always wondered why she hasn't been sued for defamation of character yet. legal loophole?
Still with the bullshit-phrase: "homicide bombings"? Dude it's SUICIDE BOMBERS. Could crooks and liars please add a sic to every reference to the fantasy-sentence "Homicide bombers[sic]" that if by chance a fow viewer lands on here, he at least knows its a meaningless catchy phrase for something decades old.
Let those freepers go stick some "freedom fries"[sic] up their a**e!
(oilplundering lying racist raping voyeuring torture fries would be more correct nowadays when referring to USA-neocon-values)
Dr. Biitter Hussein (Mission Accomplished) Matt @ 11:
A failure to you. A wild success for his constituents. The real ones.
FingLawyer @ 21:
Indeed, he really needs to feed the lunatics of the world who have nothing better to do than make stuff up while leaving out the facts that prove them wrong. Obama should really schedule a press conference ASAP to address the comments of a D-list pundit that most people have never heard of before.
Rebel Patriot @ 25:
All two of them. Him and his imaginary friend.
I'm just going to assume you're kidding and move on.
MargeAggedon @ 27:
I am not kidding.
For the agenda that he was installed for - he has been successful.
You think he's actually in office for you and the everyday American?
pffft.
But see...that's where they get you.
You say that because Bush hung out with him, "Bush shouldn't be President"
They don't even have to answer...because you certainly believe that "Bush shouldn't be President".
So "Bush shouldn't be president" and "Obama shouldn't be President".
Fine they say. "Obama shouldn't be President"
MargeAggedon @ 27:
His real constituents would be those getting insanely rich due to him, so its not a joke.
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38133-mccain-s-spiritual-guide-wants-america-to-destroy-islam?utm_source=rgemail
Now if I ever hear a single republican talk about not being a bigot I will literary spit in his/her face. Disgusting what sort of ministers the McCain group is trying to gather support from.
Hallan @ 23:
I've wondered the same thing myself. The Swift Boaters were not just stating personal opinion. They were proven liars. They knew they were lying yet nothing was done about it.
I can only conclude that taking legal action is considered political suicide for some reason. I have no idea but I can't think of any other reason why politicians wouldn't take action - at least in the most extreme cases.
Rebel Patriot @ 25:
Which "constituents"? The extremist 28%ers?
When you meet an imam, is the polite salutation ma'am?
Dr. Biitter Hussein (Mission Accomplished) Matt @ 33:
Think military industrial complex. The dumbass 28%ers think they're part of the clique, but they're not. I'd say the joke's on them, but it isn't very funny.
CafeenMan @ 32:
One reason is it airs it in court, and with the high-profile of those involved, create news and therefore coverage.
It even lends a level of creditability to the charges no matter how false.
I think it's clear that Obama should abandon his quest for the presidency because he associates with shady characters. In this case, he's hanging out with an imam who associates with a known terrorist, an imam who has been photographed in public being kissed by a man who holds political prisoners, an imam who hangs around with a man whose attacks on a foreign nation have led to innumerable deaths. But before Obama resigns, those even more closely connected with that terrible man ought to be investigated and prosecuted for their crimes...
Debbie is either lying or stupid. I'm gonna box-'em and take the bet to the windows.
Dr. Biitter Hussein (Mission Accomplished) Matt @ 33:
Try the top X=<1%, i.e the Ruling class.
the remaining 27.999999% are just wannabees or hopelessly (willfully) ignorant.
Rebel Patriot @ 28:
Well no. I hope not. I'm Canadian.
But if what you're saying is that he was successful in ripping off america for his scum bag criminal friends then yes, I agree.
If you're suggesting he's been anything but a miserable failure in everything he's done I have to disagree.
CafeenMan @ 35:
Well said.
At the end of the meeting, Qazwini said he gave Obama a copy of new book, “American Crescent,” and invited Obama to visit his center. […]
I like my crescents with plenty of melted butter, and French Roast, black.
lost_nacf_gop @ 38:
I remember when she'd appear on Political Incorrect wearing micro-minis over her flabby thighs tryinig to appear oh so sexy.
Simple minds want to keep it simple. If you spoon feed them simple notions to support the positions they want to believe, then they have all the ammunition they need or want. They can't and won't listen to anything else, but they are "dangerous" since they organize other mindless sheep whose bleating become "facts" over time.
MargeAggedon @ 40:
Disagree on what basis? wishful thinking? you're stuck in a flawed paradigm.
He has gotten nearly everything HE and His criminal associates have wanted - and the Democrats (minus a few individuals) have COLLUDED.
they lost $2 TRILLION on Sept 10th, and yet something blew that off the newspapers.
and that is just a start.
The real question seems to be whether or not the 27%ers will vote one again AGAINST their own financial interest. Those poor illiterates think they are actually part of the Republican Party, but are no more than idiot slaves to the Corporate Military Industrial Complex. The one that Ike warned us about years ago is now running our government.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 46:
yep. and they are smart enough, and resourceful enough - to control both parties and to determine who is allowed to run.
Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s @ 29:
Ummm... The obvious difference here is we're being facetious and pointing out the absurdity of the accusation. There are countless reasons why Bush shouldn't be president, but associating with the head of the Islamic Center of America isn't one of them.
ysbaddaden @ 42:
Goat's cheese is much better to have with the crescents.
Christ All Mighty. The Islamophobes (Micheal Ledeen, Micheal Rubin, Reuel Marc Gerecht, Woolsey, Liv and David Wurmser, Bill Kristol, Cheney, Bush etc) have done everything they can to turn the rest of Americans into haters of Muslims. They have incited Muslims around the world with their inflammatory rhetoric and their unnecessary and immoral war in Iraq.
Obama gets it...we need diplomacy. We are not number one, we may not even be in the top five...although we own the air and everyone knows it. So negotiate all ready.
Hillary does not get it she still believes she has to roll over to the right wing radicals who lied this nation into an unnecessary and immoral war. Obama and his team realize there has been a shift. Hillary is too late. She demonstrated this when she voted last fall for the Kyl LIeberman amendment.
Hillary laughs when Mike Gravel challenges her vote for the warmongering Kyl Lieberman amendment
Watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npzN3dZR6JM
Rebel Patriot @ 47:
I for one am not trusting of either party, I just think the Democrats are a tiny bit less greedy.
#12
ashton Says:
So now he is Muslim again? I get so confused. He was secretly Muslim, then he wasn’t Muslim, then he was Muslim again, then he couldn’t be Muslim because he sat in the pews listening to his crazy Pastor for 20 years and now his is Muslim again or just meets with them? It is hard to keep up these days.
--------------------------------------------
I was given an explanation for this condition, ashton, from a neocon extremist who posts under the name Freedom1 over at the Blogs for Victory (formerly known as Blogs for Bush) site.
CO,
It’s called taqiyya. D’uh.
Freedom1 | May 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
t
http://firedoglake.com/2008/05/20/precious-bodily-fluids/
Precious Bodily Fluids
By: Attaturk Tuesday May 20, 2008 5:00 am
Not surprisingly the reporting on the very legitimate point brought up by Obama at a campaign appearance in Oregon, that Iran poses a significantly smaller threat than the Soviets who we always talked to, has brought out the insanity of those with no historical "bearings" whatsoever.
But really, let's compare:
1. Revolutions: The Soviets shot the Tsar, his family, his servants, his dog, his stuffed animals, his draperies, his yearbook editor, etc. Millions of Russians also died. The Shah died of natural causes...terminal dickishness. Hundreds died. And we can have an accurate position on this because America backed the losing side both times -- so there's that [USA! USA! USA!].
2. Evil Leaders: The Soviets had Stalin. They win. Plus there was nothing about Stalin that rhymed with "ass-a-hola" so it really cut down on T-shirt sales.
3. World War II: No matter how you want to slice it, the Soviets started off pretty badly, but then kicked Germany's ass in the most deadly and brutal war ever fought. Iran hosted a summit that got Stalin to wear his summer generalissimo outfit [dude was definitely "a summer"]. In comparison Khomeini was the Iranian "man in black". Mr. Blackwell would definitely vote Comrade.
4. Key Moment of Victory: Stalingrad, 200 days killed 750,000 Germans, captured 250,000. Iran, hostage crisis lasted 444 days, all American hostages freed safely.
5. Weapons development: The Soviets developed nuclear weapons more than 60 years ago, the H-bomb well over 50 years ago. The Iranians have "enriched" some uranium, yay! Although it should be noted the Iranians have been widely-used test subjects on the effects of chemical weapons. Which would explain a few things, if George Bush gave a damn -- but he doesn't so continuing on..."
##
“Anyone remember the Sept 2006 NIE on who constitutes a threat to the U.S.?”
Clearly not anyone in the Bush administration. Well maybe Gates.
Bush, Cheney and their crew will get in a few strikes on Iran when it will clearly be too late to impeach (not that any of our congress critters would do so anyway…well Kucinich) and then hand this catastrophe off to the next Presiden
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 3:
ashton @ 12:
Do we really want a President who flip-flops so much on such a simple issue?
(snark)
Schlussel also quoted the Detroit Free Press article noting the Obama meeting, but omitted the one sentence that undermined her vacuous smear: “Qazwini has also met several times with President Bush and other elected officials.”
Debbie Schlussel has criticized President Bush for meeting with Qazwini before.
Radical Islam’s Phony Patriotism
Schlussel has followed Qazwini’s career for the past 10 years, decrying President Bush’s meetings with Qazwini during the 2000 presidential campaign as well as in connection with the formulation of his faith-based initiative.
--Powerline.com
This wasn't hard to find.
You know, if you really look at all of the issues the right wing brings up they are almost never about Obama. They always bring up his associations, family, name, or something similar but nothing really about him. Its as if they can not find any dirt on the man. Now I'm not saying that Obama is a saint but that lack of "dirt" is very telling and says a lot about Obama himself. You can't say that about Bush, McCain or even Clinton. All have loads of scandels and other issues that could fill volumes.
Qazwini, and other more private individuals, should simply start suing these mouthpieces when they engage in such behavior. It's clearly libel.
Joe O. @ 57:
For Gods sake. Anyone who runs and is successful is CONNECTED.
the Military Industrial Complex grooms other nations leaders at this nations highest schools of distinction and they return to maintain the status quo in their country.
You think the MIC made an exception for the US and doesn't practice the same techniques here?
kathleen @ 53:
But, but... Iranians have the "scary" skin color, so that automatically multiplies their threat level x10, don'tcha know.
Rebel Patriot @ 59:
I disagree. I think the fact that Obama is NOT CONNECTED is the reason they are so freakin scared of him. They are pissing in their pants at losing their meal ticket.
Rebel Patriot @ 59:
Well, if that is the case then there really is no reason to even be concerned about Obama, Clinton, McCain or any other person becasuse it is already decided right? I suppose we are all just going through the motions.
obama is without sin -- I get it.
Janet @ 61:
you are wrong. look at his advisers for how he is connected. start with a huge one called Zbigniew Brzezinski, and also his Skull and Bones adviser Goolsby. Just the start.
dennis @ 56:
I see. So, did Little Debbie also make the claim that, because of this, Bush "shouldn't be President"? Or is that the type of firm, principled stand that brainless rightwing blowhards only reserve for Democrats?
Wait--I thought Jeremiah Wright was the radical Imam. Is Obama a crazy uppity America-hating radical Muslim terrorist negro, or a crazy uppity America-hating radical Christian terrorist negro? Crazy Debbie's got some splainin' to do.
Joe O. @ 62:
Just as described by Machiavelli in the Discourses.
I wouldn't quite say no one cared except Debbie The Schlussel
The fact remains Right Wing Talk radio alone has an estimated audience of 70 Million. And thats the minimum.
Just to put things in it's proper perspective.
Debbie Schlussel is a big bigoted bitter bible-banging backwards Bush-backing bile-belching blonde bimbo!
This rant brought to you by the letter B.
Thank you.
rekroc @ 65:
No. And Little Debbie never mentioned it in her current entry and omitted the one sentence, that Steve points out, that undermined her vacuous smear: “Qazwini has also met several times with President Bush and other elected officials.” But princess and little debbie or too much of a pair of simpletons to realize their own f*cking stupidity.
douglas in oklahoma @ 63:
You are just as desperate as princess and debbie.
Since princess is just as obtuse and ignorant as debbie, Oliver addresses both of you twits:
JayDog @ 69:
Was that courtesy of Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street?
Food for thought....
I think that Schlussel's comments are libelous, and that the Imam has a colorable claim against her. I'd love to see that happen. Maybe we should gather some resources, and get this going. I happen to be an attorney, and would be willing to do the work.
dennis @ 56:
The fact that it had to be found somewhere other than Schlussel's blog proves what a hack she is. Had she included this, it would have negated her argument.
Surely you have the capacity to see that?
Saint Augustine @ 49:
You got my goat.
Ed in NJ @ 75:
You're expecting waaay too much brain activity from a programmed Bushbot...
Great article by John Dean about Obama .
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20080516.html
Is Senator Barack Obama Truly Too Elite To Be Elected President? Further Thoughts on Obama's Intelligence and Education as Possible Barriers to His Victory
By JOHN W. DEAN
----
Friday, May. 16, 2008
In an earlier column, I raised the matter of whether, and how, Senator Barack Obama's conspicuous intelligence may act as a barrier to his being elected president. I am returning to that subject now because it is clear, as the presidential primaries come to a close and the presumptive nominees – Obama for the Democrats, and Senator John McCain for the Republicans – begin their efforts to define each other for the general election, that this is going to be an issue.
As I noted in my prior piece, Republicans have consciously and consistently run presidential campaigns portraying their candidates as smart enough to be president, yet a far cry from the kinds of "liberals" and "intellectual elitists" with whom most Americans would shrink from sharing a few beers. Of course, Republicans simultaneously have labeled their Democratic opponents as just that kind of far-left elitist.
### Are Americans intimidated by a brilliant President? Would we rather have a beer with the President and talk sports or have a President who can talk about world politics from and educated stance.