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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:56 PM CDT
LETTER: Obama misspoke about being at war with Islam

DON SEARLES, Mattoon

On Sept. 11, 2001, war was started against the United States by Islamic terrorists when they killed 2,974 people when they destroyed the World Trade Center and crashed an airplane into the Pentagon.

President Obama who is supposed to be our commander in chief has recently declared that we are not at war with Islam. Is he crazy, has he lost his mind? You decide.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, which killed 2,402 people. On Dec. 8, 1941, President Roosevelt gave a speech to a joint session of Congress and the American people in which he stated in the strongest language possible that “The United States is at war with Japan.”

What would the American people have thought if President Roosevelt had said, in that speech, The United States is not at war with Japan? You guessed right if you said the American people would have said, “He is crazy, he has lost his mind.”

Now, what do you think of President Obama when he said, “We are not at war with Islam”, after they killed 2,974 on 9/11, killed over 200 U.S. troops when they bombed our barracks in Beirut Lebanon, killed 14 when they ran a boat with a bomb into our ship Cole, killed hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq with car bombs and suicide bombers, killed hundreds when they bombed two of our embassies in Africa and in the past four years have killed over 87,000 people in Iraq. Is he crazy, lost his mind? You decide!

No country in the history of the world has won a war when the commander of the military denied that there was a war. While we are at war, President Obama’s statement that we are not at war, is unprecedented in world history.

Iran is very near to having an atomic bomb. If they get one, they will use it to destroy Israel which will start a war that could destroy the world. History has shown time, and time again, that talks or negotiations with despot dictators and despot governments always fail and lead to disaster. Talks, negotiations and treaties with Hitler led to 25 million people dying in World War II. History clearly shows that the only way to deal with despot dictators and despot governments is early and strong military action.

To learn the truth about our war with Islam read the book, “They Must be Stopped” by Brigitte Gabriel and “Fighting Terrorism” by Benjamin Netanyahu.

DON SEARLES

Mattoon

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The Question wrote on Apr 30, 2009 8:47 AM:

" More narrow-minded, small-town, fear-mongering jingoistic claptrap.
How many Islamic nations have we invaded and how many hundreds of thousands of citizens have we maimed and killed there -- including nations that NEVER attacked or threatened the U.S.? "

medic57 wrote on Apr 30, 2009 12:01 PM:

" Sorry Don, Japan attacked us. Islam did not attack us, fanatical muslims did. You cannot be at war with a religion, religions have no physical parts, fanatics do.

As much as I believe that Israel has a right to live on their promised land (all of it) Benjamin Netanyahu is not exactly non-biased, as much as some muslims want to destroy Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu wants to destroy all of the Palistinians, and, not all Palistinians want to destroy Israel. "

exbricklayer wrote on Apr 30, 2009 12:53 PM:

" We are not now, nor have we ever been, at war with Islam. We are at war with the Taliban, a war which can be justified, and we are occupying Iraq, something that has no justification. Roosevelt declared war on the nation of Japan, not Buddhism. To insinuate that we are at war with a religion is moronic at best. There are just as many right wing nut job Islamists as there are right wing nut job Christians in this world. Anyone that listens to Fox, Rush or any of the right wing hate mongers needs to understand that those shows are ENTERTAINMENT not news, they are truly the "Professional Wrestling of Political Commentary". Islam doesn't have the market cornered on extremism or terrorism and until you pull your head out of the sand and see this your ignorance will continue to shine through. "

medic57 wrote on Apr 30, 2009 3:52 PM:

" exbricklayer

Why is it that most democratic polititions won't be interviewed by Bill O'reilly, is it because he really studies his interviewees to the point that they don't want to face the truth.

For the year 2007, (and every year since) Fox News was the number-one rated cable news network in the United States. It was down one percent in total daily viewers and down three percent in the 25-54 year old demographic, but it still boasted most of the top-rated shows on cable news led by The OReilly Factor. For primetime TV Fox News ranked #6 of all cable networks.

Simple fact is, more people watch Fox than any other news network. "

The Question wrote on May 1, 2009 4:53 AM:

" Meds, do you recall that Fox "News" is the organization that presented a graphic showing that the Lincoln-Douglas Debates were between Abraham Lincoln and the black abolitionist Frederick Douglass?
Do you recall that Fox "News""is the organization that changed Congressman Mark Foley's party affiliation from Republican to Democratic after it was inescapably confirmed that Foley was sexually soliciting teenage male pages in Congress?
Do you recall that Fox "News" star Bill O'Reilly falsely claimed that WWII U.S. troops had committed atrocities at Malmedy as an attempt to justify contemporary atrocities by U.S. troops, then had Malmedy changed to "Normandy" in the transcript in a clumsy attempt to cover up his tracks?
Do you recall that Fox "News" pundit Liz Trotta, while discussing the idea of assassinating Osama Bin Laden and Barack Obama, said, "Well ... both, if we could!, " then laughed happily.
Fox News displays this open contempt for facts because it is a fascist propaganda machine, and I mean that literally. Fox does not practice journalism. It SUBVERTS journalism. It is the Fourth Estate's Fifth Column.
As Joseph Goebbels observed, "It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is, in fact, a circle. They are mere words, and words can be molded to clothe ideas in disguise."
In a world now ruined by the Bush-Republican policies for which the Fox News served as cheerleader, THAT is the mission of Fox "News."
Oh, and the reason most Democratic politicians won't be interviewed by Bill O'Reilly is that they know he's a lying loudmouth clown. "

exbricklayer wrote on May 1, 2009 6:06 AM:

" The popularity of Fox has nothing to do with the validity of it's content. Rather, it's popularity confirms my assertion that it's ENTERTAINMENT NOT NEWS. The content of Fox "news" is based completely on commentary and the slant of the host. Professional Wrestling isnt real either but it still has a better rating than even your precious Faux News. "

shumphreys wrote on May 1, 2009 7:24 AM:

" That may be an unfortunate fact Medic and explains a great deal about why this nation is in the mess it is in. I might add that the "news" situation is only getting worse as more and more newspapers go out of business, as more and more folks turn to the internet and entertainment news networks for their information. You first post by the way was well stated. Same for you Exbricklayer. I have never heard of a country called Islam, it isn't on my geopolitical map. "

Kamfong wrote on May 1, 2009 8:06 AM:

" To find out about the war ask the bush admin.under oath and hooked up to a polygraph. "

medic57 wrote on May 1, 2009 10:52 AM:

" Oh, and the reason most Democratic politicians won't be interviewed by Bill O'Reilly is that they know he's a lying loudmouth clown.

Yeah, that's why more people watch his show that any other news program on tv.

WOW, Susan agreed with me, I think I have a can of German Chocolate Frosting around here somewhere to munch on. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on May 1, 2009 11:52 AM:

" We are at war with Nut Job Wackos, not Islam. Many Many Islamic people say that nowhere does Islam preach the stuff these crazies are doing. "

oldschool wrote on May 1, 2009 12:26 PM:

" FEAR-MONGERING,CLAP-TRAP....."TQuestion"?????????

Was it then Fear-mongering sir when downtown Manhatten went bonkers with fear over the Presidents #2 plane flying low over the city? hum?...hum?..

Can't have it both ways Mr. "NO" It All!! "

sapient wrote on May 1, 2009 12:44 PM:

" TQ: When did Afganistan attack us? It is now called Obama's war as he has escalated it. I'm not against what he is doing there, but you need to be consistent in your argument. (Notice, unlike you, I did not resort to calling you a name.) "

even steven wrote on May 1, 2009 1:19 PM:

" I agree that we are not at war with Islam. We are at war with brainwashed fanatics. I'm hopeful that the hard-core Islamists are to Islam as the nutjobs from Westboro Church are to Christianity. However, Islam as a religion is suspect due to the scope of atrocities committed worldwide in its name. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ "

The Question wrote on May 1, 2009 2:52 PM:

" "Oh, and the reason most Democratic politicians won'te interviewed by Bill O'Reilly is that they know he's a lying loudmouth clown.
Yeah, that's why more people watch his show that any other news program on tv.
---
You said that before, Meds. Tell me something new. Tell why any real news channel would have aired the blatant, specific, documented LIES and calls for ASSASSINATION that I cited for you. "

shumphreys wrote on May 1, 2009 3:10 PM:

" You knew I would Medic since I have stated before on other threads that Islam is a peaceful religion just like Christianity and that it is the fanatics of all stripes that are the problems. Fanatics will twist and use anything: religion, history, science,human psychology, to get what they want. "

AllYouNeedIsLove wrote on May 1, 2009 4:46 PM:

" I understand what the author is saying, but I do not agree with him. We are not at war with Islam, we are at war with Radical Islamic terrorists, which do not make up all of Islam. In fact, they hide behind the women and children and people who are not terrorists, which is why they are confusing, like Vietnam, you can't tell who is or isn't a terrorist. It is like saying that all of Christianity is wrong just because there is one radical group. I understand what Obama is saying and I agree with him that we are at war with the terrorists and not the religion itself- they are the ones who attacked us. So, yes, we clearly should be hunting down the terrorists, which Bush couldn't even find them or didn't want to. But not all Islamists are terrorists. Bush is the one who messed up this whole war and Obama is the one cleaning it up. "

sapient wrote on May 1, 2009 5:27 PM:

" Islam teaches its people that it is their duty to kill infidels (non-Muslims). Call it what you want-Islamic terrorists or Muslims. It's just a matter of semantics. "

medic57 wrote on May 1, 2009 10:10 PM:

" Sorry sapient, I have 2 really good friends who are Muslim, they are two of the nicest people I have ever known. I have heard more than one person refer to Furat as a person they would trust their life to, and I feel the same way about him, he is just that kind of person. "

DONEdone wrote on May 2, 2009 2:24 AM:

" Islam is a religion, not a country. lets all hate the other religions because ours doesn't agree. that, to me , sound like segregation. and to blame bushes acts and mistakes on obama or islam is a travesty in itself. much like bushes reign. "

DONEdone wrote on May 2, 2009 2:45 AM:

" I grew up in a house with a Muslim home, and i can honestly say that, the teachings are subject to human interference. everything works on paper, even communism. but when you involve human decision, it gets distorted. the Muslim religion teaches peace and tolerance of the fellow man, if not the quest to understand. the true believers are not to blame, nor should they be persecuted. remember the inquisition?? no, most don't remember the torture inflicted on those that didn't agree. "

shumphreys wrote on May 2, 2009 7:34 AM:

" Sapient have you ever read the Koran? Islam doesn't teach the killing of infidels, in fact it teaches that all other religions should be respected, that there should be no agression towards anyone that shows no agression towards you. (kind of sounds like do unto others, doesn't it) you mistake the radical/fanaticals for mainstream. Try to keep the two straight in the future. "

The Question wrote on May 2, 2009 2:51 PM:

" An Iraqi soldier just shot and killed two U.S. soldiers. Anybody ready to leave Iraq yet, or are you still waiting for all those flowers and sweets Bush and Cheney promised the troops? "

medic57 wrote on May 3, 2009 1:25 AM:

" At my old job in Champaign, my bosses son Noor came to me when he was 16, as per his religious duty he had to try and convert me to Islam. I said to go ahead. After about about an hour he was exasperated and gave up, as I was trying to convert him to Christianity at the same time. When he was done, he told me to have a nice day, as far as I know, he didn't want to kill me. I was the only Christian working among 6 Muslims.

Sapient, if I was an infidel, it wouldn't make much sense for them to hire me, would it, I have went back to visit many times and have never yet been met with guns. "

Jim1969 wrote on May 3, 2009 7:04 AM:

" I a lot of ways it is thinking like this that was behind the 9/11 attacks and other acts of terrorism by the Islamic/Muslim radicals.

For those radicals that truly believe that this is a religious war it goes back to the Crusades which were nothing more than attempt to wipe Muslims from the face of the Earth, and then further compounded by Israel's actions since the latest founding of that nation.

Instead of differentiating between those who are directly responsible for their problems they choose to take it out on the entire Judea-Christian world. "

The Question wrote on May 3, 2009 7:43 AM:

" Yes, by all means, let's whip ourselves up into a frothing-at-the-mouth religious war.
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction, as Pascal said. "

medic57 wrote on May 3, 2009 9:11 AM:

" and then further compounded by Israel's actions since the latest founding of that nation.

Israel's action's?

You mean like when the Arabs attacked them in 1948, 1956, 1967 and finally gave up after 1973. Oh yeah, I know, Israel atted first in 1967, only after the Arabs massed 200,000 soldiers on Israel's borders and blocked the Suez canal from Israel use (that in itsself was an act of war) I do believe that the Arabs have given up (at least for now) trying to take back Israel.
Remember the 1st Gulf war, when Saddam said he would wipe Israel off the map, Israel sent a messenger to Sadam with this message, If you attack us with anything except conventional weapons (ie Nuclear, Chemical) Badhdad will be gone in 20 minutes.

Funny thing about Nuclear War, whoever fires first, dies second. "

jason wrote on May 3, 2009 9:22 AM:

" shumphreys....i have to disagree with your statement "Islam doesn't teach the killing of infidels, in fact it teaches that all other religions should be respected, that there should be no agression towards anyone that shows no agression towards you. (kind of sounds like do unto others, doesn't it) you mistake the radical/fanaticals for mainstream. Try to keep the two straight in the future."

Islam most certainly does teach the killing slash elimination of those who do not accept Islam (ie: Infidels, Christians, Jews, Budhists, etc). Islam's tolerance stops with others within their own religious views...this often means even other Islamists. Many a Sunni and Shite muslim have killed each other just because of their religion, just like each have killed many non- muslims. You can go back over a 500 years and read stories just like the ones we see today when it comes to Islamic aggression and attitude toward non-believers. If you want some good examples of what happens to a countries freedoms and security when they take on the attitudes expressed in these posts ("we arent at war with a religion, just a few radicals") look at much of Europe today. Denmark, France, and Britain are great examples of failed policy in dealing with "tolerance" of Islam and its principles. They have forfeited many of their countries ideals to the "non-violent" muslims only to have those same muslims rise up against mainstream European ideals when it doesnt agree with Islamic principles.

Fox News is wrong about almost everything, but other real conservatives and liberals are wrong on this issue to. It's not that they are lying, they just don't get it. Just like most of those on this thread. The unfortunate part is that I would need a book to explain it...not a couple of paragraphs. "

The Question wrote on May 3, 2009 4:27 PM:

" Gee, who invaded whose country and killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of people, Jason? Those awful Muslims or that "good, decent Christian nation?" "

shumphreys wrote on May 3, 2009 5:10 PM:

" Sorry Jason, over and over again the Koran tells its followers NOT to be the agressor, and NOT to attack those who haven't attacked you. It even says that if Allah wanted ALL men to be Muslims he would have/could have made them that way. It even says "Leave to ME those that deny the truth, those that enjoy the comforts of this lefe" It even says "My deeds are mine and your deeds are yours. You are not accountable for my actions, nor am I for yours." "An apostle is sent to every nation.""As for the Paradise to come, it shall be theirs who seek neither glory in this world nor evil. The righteous shall have a blessed end." "Good and evil deeds are not alike. Requite evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become your dearest friend." Just like Christianity, Islam is a religion of peace that can and has been used just like Christianity as a tool to promote fear and hate and justify the persecution of others.The choice is up to the individual. Don't condemn ALL for the actions of the few, the radicals and the fanaticals. "

medic57 wrote on May 3, 2009 6:48 PM:

" Hey Susan, where did you get it? "

medic57 wrote on May 3, 2009 9:12 PM:

" jason

Well, the Muslims I worked with for a year, certainly don't believe in it. "

The Question wrote on May 3, 2009 9:25 PM:

" The former deputy director of the British Secret Service has now admitted that Britain was "dragged into" a war in Iraq "which was always against our better judgment."
Like we didn't know that already. The immoral, murderous Iraq disaster was a political black bag job by Bush and Cheney from the word go. "

theproletariat87 wrote on May 4, 2009 12:22 AM:

" So lets see here, one Iran is bluffing, for them to develope a nuclear bomb that is capable to reach the united states. Barely even able to reach Isreal. This is their attempt gain power and support. Those that have attacked us in the past are extermist, brain washed and bribe to join a cause that takes up only maybe 9% of the population. The united states only worry is its economic empire, and woe to those that don't trade with us or support our economic ideals. When your backs against the wall, you fight back. The "west" has been pressuring the middle east going back to british and french colonialism to the people of Palistine being kicked out of their homes to enstablish Israel(from the people who abandoned the area then want it back). Freedom must come from the people not shoved down their throat. Agreed medic Mr. Netanyhu isn't the best person to take literally or at all. "

DONEdone wrote on May 4, 2009 12:54 AM:

" the bottom line is that there is no cut and dried solution. there are going to be those that, through lack of education, blame all of Islam for the actions of the demented and delusional. the truth is Islam has been the main religion in other countries for years, and probably will be for many more. to try too blame all for those actions amounts to ignorance and intolerance. "

medic57 wrote on May 4, 2009 3:03 PM:

" theproletariat87

Israel will NEVER allow Iran to produce 1 Nuclear Weapon. "

jason wrote on May 4, 2009 8:44 PM:

" The Question....i think invading Iraq was silly and had nothing to do with 9/11....Bush just used 9/11 as an excuse. However, not only have muslim nations gone to war over their religion many, many times....it was happening many years before the U.S. got involved...in some cases it was before the U.S. came about.

Bush succeeded in one thing with the Iraq....he eliminated the largest secular nation in the Arab world and has doomed it to become a theocratic nation just like Iran. "

jason wrote on May 4, 2009 8:51 PM:

" shumphreys....you do realize that the prophet Mohammed was conquerer of "non-believers" and converted other tribes/nations to his philosophy by force, right? I guess they all attacked him first...lol

Sometimes it is more about the application of the religion by its believers rather than a few words or verses in an extremely large religious text. "

jason wrote on May 4, 2009 8:55 PM:

" medic 57...I'm glad those that you worked with did not outwardly express harsh attitudes. I would ask you though, who do you think they would side with if forced to make the choice...the Islamic world or America? My guess is they would fight America in a heartbeat if put in that position. "

jason wrote on May 4, 2009 9:01 PM:

" medic 57...you are right. Israel will NEVER allow Iran to develop Nukes. Fortunately, Benjamin Netanyahu is Prime Minister. Can you imagine what we in the U.S. would do if "radicals" from Cuba or Canada or Mexico continually launched weapons into Florida, North Dakota, or Texas? We would have bombed them back to the dark ages and removed their governments, if not taken them over completely. Yet everyone expects Israel to show restraint while surrounded by violent aggressors...I dont get that? "

medic57 wrote on May 5, 2009 7:51 AM:

" Don

You yourself stated that we are at war with "Islamic Terrorists", not Islam. Remember Oklahoma City, every one thought that was done by Muslim Fanatics, that one turned out to be done by a homegrown American Boy. I wonder how many Muslims wre questions right after that? Sorry, you're just another well to do Republican that doesn't want any democrats in power.

I see where Obama is wanting to close the loopholes that lets companies not pay taxes when they send jobs overseas, every single Republican says they will vote against it. Did you know that out of the 435 members of Congress, only 2 (two) are not Millionaires. "

woodstock wrote on May 5, 2009 1:55 PM:

" Check your US Constitution. For the United States, Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution says "Congress shall have power to ... declare War;" however, that passage provides no specific format for what form legislation text must have to be considered a "Declaration of War" nor does the Constitution itself use this term. Many have postulated "Declaration(s) of War" must contain that phrase as or within the title. Many oppose that reasoning. The postulate has not been tested in court; however, this article will use the term "formal Declaration of War" to mean Congressional legislation that uses the phrase "Declaration of War" in the title.

No such declaration has been approved by Congress. The approval to invade Iraq was not a Declaration of War. "

DONEdone wrote on May 5, 2009 9:00 PM:

" call it what you want, its still a war. declaration or not, there are still people being blamed for atrocities they did not commit. "

medic57 wrote on May 6, 2009 9:31 PM:

" jason wrote: I would ask you though, who do you think they would side with if forced to make the choice...the Islamic world or America?

America

Without a doubt. "

father bob wrote on May 7, 2009 9:59 AM:

" interesting string of comments...

BUT, the fact of the matter is, america IS NOT at war with islam. "

DONEdone wrote on May 7, 2009 2:55 PM:

" father bob, finally another voice of reason. now if the other posters would just accept that fact, all would be well in the Muslim society. Muslims are not our enemies, the radical Muslims are. "

father bob wrote on May 7, 2009 5:02 PM:

" DONEdone wrote on May 7, 2009 2:55 PM:
" father bob, finally another voice of reason. now if the other posters would just accept that fact, all would be well in the Muslim society. Muslims are not our enemies, the radical Muslims are. """"

thanks....it makes about as much sense as saying we fought WWII in the pacific against the Shintos. "