Via Insty, an interesting observation from The Belmont Club:

There are two ironies here. The first is that while Barack Obama has gone out of his way to say that he is 'not a Muslim', in a wider sense the Muslims have taken him into their bosom. An acquaintance, writing from Jakarta says the same feeling is pretty strong over there too. While in America he projects the image of rallying America he simultaneously conveys the impression of being on the side of the Arab too.

The other irony of course is that the Arab attraction for Obama is potentially at odds with the Arab desire for a powerful America which can contain Iran. So far Obama has managed the remarkable feat of being all things to all men, even men who are mortally opposed to each other. What happens when he has to come down on one side or the other?

Reynolds remarks with characteristic understatement: "my guess is that someone will be be disappointed." Indeed.

More from the Belmont post:

Tamara Cofman Wittes, who's attending the annual 5th Annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum notices that anti-US rhetoric is way down this year. Instead of fire-breathing anti-American keynote speakers, "the opening keynote was instead delivered by President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, who argued that Muslims in Afghanistan and Bosnia were right to expect and accept American military intervention to relieve their suffering, and America was just in coming to their aid."

The reason for the change in tone has been a grudging respect for successes in American foreign policy and Washington's new focus on Iran.

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sur-prize.

The Brits did what they had to do to keep this from turning into an international incident and forcing premature war.

What the Iranians did still qualifies as an act of war, and should be taken seriously. But the timing should be up to the British, the Americans, and the Aussies. Not the Iranians.

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It all hinges on whether she was in a house of worship, which I can't tell from the photo.

If she was, it was totally legitimate to cover her head, just as a gentile man would if he went to a temple.

Out in the public square, it becomes more dicey.

Though there are certainly parts of the world where I would wear a skirt if local customs demanded it, even though I happen to think that the right pair of slacks is even more modest.

The issue is not how the Speaker attired. It is whether her going to Syria was appropriate in the first place.

UPDATE: Yup. The pic was in a mosque. Talk about your misplaced outrage: get a grip, folks; it's a piece of fabric.

James Joyner, BTW, gets it right: she was within her rights to go on the trip, but that doesn't mean it was a smart stunt to pull.

She made it clear that the U.S. government doesn't speak with one voice when it comes to hostile states. But don't question her patriotism!

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Regarding his remark that "nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people":

The left euphemizes the Palestinians' self-defeating choices by saying "The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity." By which they mean the Palestinians never forgo an opportunity to kill Jewish children, nor actually choose peace over war, nor to accept reasonable, if not generous by their lights, proposals to cede back most of their lost land. All in favor of killing, and killing, and killing some more.

My own reservoir of pity for the Palestinians ended on September 11th when I saw that grotesque witch handing out cake in celebration of the American dead. They've chosen their path, and that path is misery and murder.

They are suffering. They chose to make others suffer, and to suffer themselves in return. Let there be no tears over their embrace of murder and masochism.

Democratic Jews are demanding to know exactly what Obama meant by the remark. Democratic Jews are, I've decided, idiots. Let me explain what he meant: He meant precisely what you think he meant, and he further meant all the implications that flow from that.

Grow up. Your party has collectively decided that no Muslim outrage cannot be mitigated or explained away by pointing to supposed sins of the west compelling them to behave as monsters.

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Simon at Classical Values writes about the handicaps foisted upon Arab populations by their "leaders."

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M. Simon has 'em here.

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. . . saluted over at Ace's digs.

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. . . posts a timely set of Bob Dylan lyrics.

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. . . that it wouldn't come in Syria's mouth?

Whaaaaaaaat? I asked a question.

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I used to call that number all the time,
But the last time that I called it, you hung up cryin'."

—with apologies to David Cassidy and the entire Partridge Family

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. . . that the people at A.N.S.W.E.R. are not asleep at the switch!

No, sirree: they're having an "emergency march." In a month.

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Youssef Ibrahim has some mighty tough love for his Arab brothers:

. . . Your leaders have wasted three generations trying to fight for Palestine, but the truth is the Palestine you could have had in 1948 is much bigger than the one you could have had in 1967, which in turn is much bigger than what you may have to settle for now or in another 10 years. Struggle means less land and more misery . . .

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. . . is that it refuses to fuck around.

So I'm happy—and sick at heart. Both.

Just like in Afghanistan. Just like in Iraq.

The world has turned into a maximum-security prison, and if we don't fight, we don't survive.

But I don't have to like it, do I?

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1 Hey Attila, do you know any conservative blogs that are pro-Islam? I will even settle for any conservatives who are not dripping with anti-islamic comments. I know that you are careful not to spout any rhetoric against Islam, does that make you a non-neo-conservative? Just wondering..

Posted by: azzerism at July 12, 2006 10:08 PM (wuznC)

2 I had KRLA870 on while driving home and heard a bit of Hewitt's show with Dennis Prager and Michael Medved discussing Israel. Dennis said something very interesting. He said we need to see Israel as the canary in the mine. So goes Israel, so goes the world. Now if the canary "dies" you can do one of two things, either say "so what" and continue on (and meet the same fate) or you can go "Wait a minute!" btw Azzerism? I'm not anti-Islam. I'm anti-Islamist. I don't obfuscate the two. Do you?

Posted by: Darleen at July 12, 2006 10:51 PM (rvX7J)

3 Peace be with the real practitioners of the religion of peace. And: fuck the Islamofascists. I see no contradiction between the two sentiments. None whatsoever. I love real Muslims. I despise those who use the concept of jihad as an cover for attempting to install a new Caliphate.

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 13, 2006 12:19 AM (4IuF2)

4 BTW, Azzerism, you should try Dean Esmay: http://www.deanesmay.com --J/AG

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 13, 2006 12:20 AM (4IuF2)

5 Azmat? Is that you? Trying to fool us by commenting under a new name? Or have you picked up a 'disciple'? How's the Left hanging these days?

Posted by: Darrell at July 13, 2006 07:55 AM (AMTNn)

6 \"I\'m not anti-Islam. I\'m anti-Islamist.\" What is difference? between the two? I don\'t know anyone who are called Islamist, is this a term coined to hide and coneal your sentiments? BTW Darrel, I have no clue how the left is, i left it a long time ago to join the tranny movement started with Coulter, I am thinking of following her lead, its more popular to bash liberals in USA. Plus you get to keep your job and not get harrassed when you go across the border. Besides I would do a better job of bashing liberals, i have as they say inside knowledge. And yes azzerism is my handle on many places, Cheers, Azmat

Posted by: azmat hussain at July 14, 2006 07:43 PM (wuznC)

7 Do you long to either (1) behead people, or (2) blow yourself up and take innocent people with you? If the answer to both those questions is "no," you're not an Islamist, though you might well be a Muslim. Anything else I can help you with?

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 14, 2006 09:11 PM (4IuF2)

8 Sure, Azmat. Call an intelligent woman with an opinion different than your own a "tranny.' That's a clitoris between her legs, by the way--I know you may never have seen one. It seems that she, her Mum, and her female relatives all decided to leave her the way God made her and intended. Temptation was hers alone and she decided how to prioritize the Big O in her life. To put it on top of the tree, hang it on one of the lower branches, or keep it in the box. To hook it up to a motion sensing switch that goes off whenever someone enters the room, or to one of those two- key, launch-code-switches they have in nuclear silos...Temptation--her choice, her salvation or damnation. I know the idea of free will/freedom of choice is a foreign concept to you. Scary, yes. But just imagine being handed a key and being told to begin the launch sequence... And don't kid yourself, Azmat, you're just as much a Leftie as you ever were. That's why you conceal it from true Islamacists. You wouldn't want to lose your head, would you?

Posted by: Darrell at July 15, 2006 03:48 PM (mSYYD)

9 Aw, come on, D. Lots of us have big issues with Coulter, who wants to make money by preaching to the choir rather than actually furthering intelligent debate. It isn't that she doesn't have insights here and there--it's just that they are obscured by her political shock-jock routine. And I'll be Azmat does so know the fundamentals of female physiology . . .

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 15, 2006 07:27 PM (4IuF2)

10 Ok Attila, so according to your definition, I should call those christians, that rape little girls and kill innocent civilians christianists, hmmm and the jews that kill innocent civilians (I don\'t think that jews are into raping little girls yet) what should they be called jewists. Let see if we can get these terms passed by the conservative blogs. By the way Darrel I did not call her a Tranny, I referring to the movement that she started which was the cause of such uproar. Besides how would a good christianist like you know if she had a clitoris? And I have become a conservative, at least you can call me \"in training\" I have taken all the ideals and as you shall see from my future posts I will be singing the party line. Opposing voices in this country are not allowed and I know exactly what to write to be considered a pure and true conservative. O yea of little faith! I would be afraid of Islamacist if you can point one out to me! Not after they are dead but before,and near your 7-11? or in a mosque in USA. I think that is the problem, they are like ghosts hard to find a real live one, perhaps you can point to all the idiots in Gitmo, would they qualify as Islamcists?

Posted by: azzerism at July 15, 2006 07:28 PM (h+X/7)

11 Well, first of all, Azmat told us that female circumcision is the same as male circumcision. I say only if you use a weed whacker. Sorry, Azmat, if they did and you had a flashback! Ann does have a clitoris, so don't be envious. Next time try capitalizing 'Christianist' while you're at it, Che! And it wouldn't hurt to start spelling peoples' names like they do, either! Secondly, what the f are you talking about, Azmat? If the trannies are selling that line to you, they really saw you(ye) coming. Thirdly, everyone in this country is a conservative? Careful, Azmat, you don't want your nose growing. Last I saw, there were some 37 major and minor news organizations in this country and 36 out of 37 were classified as left-of-center. Want to argue major college faculties? Want to really suffer? Try being a real conservative on a college campus in the US today. Do you want agreement, Azmat? Try visiting that Kos fellow and the Dem Underground. Your 'truth' is their 'truth', from what I've seen. What happened to your plan to leave our "disgusting" country that you wrote me about? How's that going? Need directions? A ride to the airport?

Posted by: Darrell at July 15, 2006 08:13 PM (gh7Nm)

12 Darrel, you should be happy and welcoming me as a fellow on the path of righteousness. I intend to get all my muslim brothers and sisters to join the Republican party, lord knows they could use a little bit of religion of peace in that party, with all that corruption scandals, the muslims will come in and run and then we can have some honesty for a change. Also, this would weed out the racists from our party, once the party has a majority of muslims, the racists will want to form a new party. Kind of like what happened to the conservative party in Canada. I believe in working with the system, not against it. Can\'t wait to see a Muslim women run for president on the GOP ticket, I hope you are with me on this, we are now on the same team. Can I call you my brother Darrel? Or are you still holding on to the resentments from the past. The path to salvation is in forgiveness. With much love, Azzerism

Posted by: azzerism at July 15, 2006 08:19 PM (h+X/7)

13 Maybe one day you will find that you and I are the same race since there are only three to choose from. Defining race according to minor geo-political divisions serves very little scientific purpose and is really a ploy of the Left intended to further isolate people into little victim groups and prevent them from ever uniting or reaching common ground. Just as you try and divide people based on class or income. As a Leftist who has said that belief in God is for the uneducated/ignorant among us, which I assume is your true sentiment unless it was an attempt to get me to betray my Beliefs, I find your views puzzling and your outrage at perceived slights to Islam less than convincing. The Republican Party welcomes all who share its beliefs, including Muslims who reject that "kill non-believers" deal-breaker of the Qur'an. I'm sure you will join me in voting for Condoleezza Rice, if we would be lucky enough to get the chance. Who knows if we will get a chance to vote for a Republican Muslim woman one day. But the odds are better now that Muslim women have greater freedom and opportunity in a much larger portion of the world, thanks to recent events. Apparently Muslims agree : "Thus far, Muslims evidently think being an American means voting Republican. In the 2000 election Muslims voted Bush/Cheney between 58 percent to 70 percent depending on whose poll you believe. According to the Tampa Bay Islamic Center, Bush got 88 percent of the Florida tally, or 55,000 Muslim votes. In Michigan, out of 168,000 Muslim voters, 84 percent went for Bush. " http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/537438/posts Since intelligent people know this is a war against terrorists, not Muslims, I find no reason to believe things have changed. And I find every reason to believe that more Muslim women will join the Republican Party and rise through its ranks knowing which party truly represents their interests. As far as you being a phony Republican--go ahead, welcome brother! You won't be the first. Maybe Joe Wilson can give you some tips. May I call you Cain?

Posted by: Darrell at July 16, 2006 07:00 AM (xcUTd)

14 I will invite Condi Rice to Islam. Where do Istart Darrell, first of your name, I got my glasses on now, and my keyboard is sticky, have a one year old you know. I believe that we are all one race the human race. Now you might believe in other divisions not me. The reason why Bush got the muslim vote, is because on major issues, Islam is very close to the conservative position. For example abortion gay rights and the list goes on. Idon\'t know where you get your information from, but muslims don\'t believe in \"kill the non-believers\" and ofcourse if they did many of them would be sitting in jails. Darrell, I am rarely outraged, when I am I act. My writing to you is only to inform. Not even convince. You see the point I was making is that just like associating rapists and murders with christianity would be demeaning, similarly the term \"Islamist\" is demeaning and inappropriate. The reason why I am chosing to stay in USA is because presently my contribution is neede here. And I say whereever you are that is \"community\" Yes you may call me Cain, Now was it Cain that killed abel or the other way around? In either case I hope it does not come to that I have a lot to live for. Cheers, Az

Posted by: azzerism at July 16, 2006 08:06 AM (wuznC)

15 Az: What term would you use to distinguish the murderers--and those who are working toward a new Caliphate--from the "real" Muslims? Does the term jihadi work for you? Or simply Islamo-fascist? We can't very well discuss the current threat without using some sort of term for it.

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 16, 2006 08:25 AM (4IuF2)

16 Suicidal maniacs, criminally insane,etc etc Jihadi has a specific meaning and it would not apply.(Maybe in Iraq or Afghanistan) Why choose the Islamic prefix? What do you call US soldiers that rape and murder? How do you distinguish a marine from some losers who give marines a bad name? Do you call them Marine-ists?? Or how about an ex-marine? The new Caliphate you must be joking, this is not 1920\'s all over again is it. Hey, the Sunnis and shiate\'s are killing each other,there is Hezbollah and Hamas getting a pounding, And, Half of Kashmir still belongs to India,(for the last 60 years) lets not even talk about Chechneya or Bosnia or Indonesia, Sudan, or any other African nation. The last thing that any muslim is going to come together on is who is incharge of all muslims. They all got their own little problems to worry about. BTW these terms were invented for a specific purpose, we should look into who used it first and when? I hope I don\'t get the credit someday for Christianist, I was only making a point, no insult intended.

Posted by: azzerism at July 16, 2006 10:44 PM (wuznC)

17 Since I don't have time for this endless circle jerk, how about Qur'an 009:005(Pickthall translation)"Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. " The concensus definition of "idolaters" by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars is "non-believers," further defined as Chriistians and Jews and others. I have the opinions of Muslim Jurists to back that up so don't bother to challenge word meanings here.People that read LMA have access to Qur'an browsers, Azmat, so it is best not to play your little games. Try http://quranbrowser.com/ I like it because it covers the Pickthall, Yusuf Ali, Hilali-Khan, Shakir-(orthodox Muslim)--and Sher Ali and Khalifa(non-orthodox Muslim) and the Arberry, Palmer, Rodwell, and Sale (non-Muslim) translations all in one convenient location. I find it hard to believe that YOU believe in only one race. If so, why are you always charging racism? Accusing Republicans of racism? How is that possible if there is only one race?

Posted by: Darrell at July 17, 2006 09:42 PM (H9efr)

18 This is actually an interesting point. I wonder at this point in time how many practicing Muslims still regard Christians and Jews as spiritual "cousins," people of the book. It's a concept that's worth revisiting.

Posted by: Attila Girl at July 17, 2006 10:04 PM (4IuF2)

19 Darrell, you are correct about the quote, but grossly taking it out of context. I know this is not your field but suffice it to say that such a quote displays your utter lack of understanding and lack of knowledge. Please, Idon't want to embarrass you any more than that. Secondly, I believe in no Racial divisions, but I noticed that you do. Is that a purely a conservative point of view, cause in that case I would have to adopt it as my new paradigm. By the by, Attila, do you know any good writers on the conservative point of view, I find that my knowledge is distorted by some imbeciles who shall remain annonymous. Since I am a conservative in training, I want read other people that Micheal Keating would have read.

Posted by: azzerism at July 23, 2006 12:24 AM (dQ3wq)

20 Darrell, I used to wonder about muslims who kill themselves over this idea of going to heaven, and what kind of people would be unable to read clearly, without understanding, I now know who those people are, I have finally met someone who shares their level of reading skills, and their IQ. You have displayed to me how someone can take something so simple out of the historical context.

Posted by: azzerism at July 23, 2006 01:11 AM (dQ3wq)

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But in my less-Christian moments I'd love to get this bitch a taste of her own medicine.

We got rid of slavery in the 19th Century; I wonder if the Middle East will manage it in the 21st. If so, it will be just as bloody a process.

The way a country treats women often tells you all you need to know about it: beyond that, the news rarely gets any better.

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Commenting here on this post by Joe Malchow: "It really is like dealing with teenagers. Except, you know, for the murder part."

Yup.

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Trusting Hamas. What a great idea.

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. . . and their hammered sterling linings.

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Neo has some thoughts; the anti-Semites come out to play in her comments section. Also, keep scrolling: she's got a roundup of blogger reactions on her main page.

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But not by the leaders of other groups; by their own "leaders," who make the poverty pimps of the U.S.A. look good.

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. . . that when I say "fuck the Palestinians," I do not mean anything like "fuck every person who lives in 'Palestine.'" There are innocents there, being exploited by those who are determined to see Israel brought down.

So, fuck the Palestinians, and fuck every anti-Jewish asshole who is using the situation to serve his or her agenda.

Fuck those who use suffering of others to produce further bloodshed.

(By the way, I had a resolution going to clean up my language here, but I'm furious. And I hope to stay that way, because when I stop being angry sometimes I just want to sink to my knees and sob for the human race. So hard Anglo-Saxon syllables it is.)

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