ANTI-AMERICANISM

The Arab World has been blinded by anti-Americanism. Some of the "Hate America" rhetoric is home-grown, coming from within Arab nations. More of the venom finds its source in European nations, quick to stoke the rage on the Arab street. To me, however, the most insidious origin of anti-Americanism comes from the reckless, irresponsible, elitist Bush-bashing from United States liberals.

Again and again, liberals have unfairly blasted the current administration, during a time of war, letting their hate ooze without any concern for the innocents that may be harmed in the process.

This is not to say that any administration is beyond reproach. Far from it. Nevertheless, the manner in which the elected Democrats and the self-professed liberals of the MSM criticize the Bush administration and shamelessly fabricate damaging stories crosses the line.

From AP:

In Afghanistan, Islamic scholars and tribal elders called for the punishment of anyone found to have abused the Quran, said Maulawi Abdul Wali Arshad, head of the religious affairs department in Badakhshan province.

Arshad and the provincial police chief said the scholars met in Faizabad, 310 miles northeast of the capital, Kabul, and demanded a "reaction" from U.S. authorities within three days.

Lebanon's most senior Shiite Muslim cleric on Sunday said the reported desecration of the Quran is part of an American campaign aimed at disrespecting and smearing Islam.

In a statement faxed to The Associated Press, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah called the alleged desecration a "brutal" form of torture and urged Muslims and international human rights organizations "to raise their voices loudly against the American behavior."

On Saturday, Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, both allies of Washington, demanded an investigation and punishment for those behind the reported desecration of the Quran.

The story also sparked protests in Pakistan, Yemen and the Gaza Strip. The 22-nation Arab League issued a statement saying if the allegations panned out, Washington should apologize to Muslims.

A senior Muslim cleric is proclaiming that the desecration of the Koran is "part of an American campaign aimed at disrespecting and smearing Islam."

Don't the Dems and the MSM realize that their baseless smears against the Bush administration serve to undermine U.S. efforts in the Middle East? Don't they know they are acting in a manner that could incite violence against American troops and terrorism here at home?

On September 17, 2001, just six days after radical Islamic fundamentalists attacked the United States, killing thousands of innocent men, women, and children in the name of Allah, President Bush addressed Muslims at the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

President Bush said:

Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday's attacks. And so were Muslims all across the world. Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.

These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that.

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war.

When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace. And that's made brothers and sisters out of every race -- out of every race.

America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.

Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America. That's not the America I know. That's not the America I value.

I've been told that some fear to leave; some don't want to go shopping for their families; some don't want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, they're afraid they'll be intimidated. That should not and that will not stand in America.

Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.

This is a great country. It's a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity and human worth. And it is my honor to be meeting with leaders who feel just the same way I do. They're outraged, they're sad. They love America just as much as I do.
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AMERICA IS NOT CAMPAIGNING TO DISRESPECT AND SMEAR ISLAM.

REGRETFULLY, MANY IN THE WORLD, INCLUDING AMERICAN CITIZENS, ARE CAMPAIGNING TO DISRESPECT AND SMEAR AMERICA.