Pres. Hussein addresses Arab world

Suddenly its okay to mention Obama’s Muslim roots
Jan. 29, 2009

Where’s John McCain to the rescue? During the campaign, McCain chided anyone who used the current president’s middle name. Mention of the H word became taboo and labeled “fear mongering.” But where is that sentiment now?

Obama referred to himself by his full name when being interviewed by Al Arabiye, a Saudi-owned TV network, during an interview -- his first sit-down interview of his presidency. Apparently telling a pan-Arab television network about his Muslim ties is okay, just not the American press.

“I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries,” Obama told Hisham Melhem.

Obama’s father, Barack Sr., was born into a Muslim family – though he became an atheist before arriving in Hawaii, where Obama Jr. was later born. Obama spent four years as a boy in Indonesia – the world’s most populous Muslim country.

Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war

Aussie reporter talks to civilians in the Strip
Jan. 29, 2009

Ambulance drivers in Gaza told The Sydney Morning Herald that Hamas was more of a threat than Israeli bullets. Drivers coordinated patient pick up with Israeli troops so they wouldn’t get shot at, but Hamas staged emergencies in order to get whisked out of harm's way.

Mohammed Shriteh, 30, an ambulance driver for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, said Hamas members would lure the ambulances into the heart of a battle to transport fighters to safety.

"After the first week, at night time, there was a call for a house in Jabaliya. I got to the house and there was lots of shooting and explosions all around," he said.

Because of the urgency of the call, Mr Shriteh said there was no time to arrange his movements with the IDF.

"I knew the Israelis were watching me because I could see the red laser beam in the ambulance and on me, on my body," he said.

Getting out of the ambulance and entering the house, he saw there were three Hamas fighters taking cover inside. One half of the building had already been destroyed.

"They were very scared, and very nervous … They dropped their weapons and ordered me to get them out, to put them in the ambulance and take them away. I refused, because if the IDF sees me doing this I am finished, I cannot pick up any more wounded people.

"And then one of the fighters picked up a gun and held it to my head, to force me. I still refused, and then they allowed me to leave."

Mr Shriteh says Hamas made several attempts to hijack the al-Quds Hospital's fleet of ambulances during the war.

"You hear when they are coming. People ring to tell you. So we had to get in all the ambulances and make the illusion of an emergency and only come back when they had gone."

Students at UN schools in Gaza learn war tactics

Instead of sticks and stones, rockets and stones
Jan. 29, 2009

The Associated Press reports from a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school where a teacher was filmed asking children about their trauma during the war. The teacher told the children that Palestinians have to “wage war against them (Israelis) until they leave their land,” and asked her students, aged about 8, how they should react.

Two children in the class suggested hurling stones or rockets back at Israel. “Okay,” the teacher said, apparently summing up her class’ position. “We throw rockets at them, we throw stones at them,” she said.

The UN said such behavior is “completely unacceptable,” and that the teacher would likely be removed once identified. However, this points to UN’s repeated lack of neutrality in the conflict.

Sheikh Hussein on Al-Arabiye

Jan. 29, 2009

Let's start with something lighthearted, yes enlightening. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did. Jules Crittenden is my new favorite writer:

Al-Hopiyah, Al-Changiyah!

In the rubble of the United Nations compound, Gaza City, partially blown-up Mortar Pit No. 6:

Farouk: Look, Achmed! Ali, come quick. The new Emir of Amerikiyah, Sheikh Hussein Obama, is being interviewed by al-Arabiyah! Even before he speaks to his own people upon the TV, he speaks to us! He speaks of our righteous Jihad against the filthy Zionists! It is true what they say … is he not charming?

I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what’s happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I’ve said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.

Achmed: This is very interesting, Farouk. You see, he clearly agrees that the Zionist entity, as the root of all evil and discord within the lands of the Caliphate, must be swept into the sea. “Looking at the region as a whole.” What else can this mean, but that the Crusaders are prepared to submit to the brothers in Iraq and also to the wild ones of the Hindu Kush and Waziristan?

Ali: Be quiet, I am trying to listen, you donkey.

Now, Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel’s security is paramount. But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.

And so what we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there’s a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.

Ali: “Strong ally.” It is the same from the House Negro as from his white masters, just as Sheikh al-Zawahiri has said.

Achmed: No, no, Ali, he said “breakthrough.” What can this mean but uniting Gaza with al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and sweeping the Jews into the sea at Haifa? Along with their stove-lighting Fatah Shabbat monkeys.

Ali: Stop prattling, this part is important.

AL ARABIYA: … Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter.) If you have anything further, that would be great.

Ali: Ha ha, yes. Which cell of brothers do we activate!?!

How concerned are you – because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America – in some parts, I don’t want to exaggerate – there is a demonization of America.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Absolutely.

AL ARABIYA: It’s become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts - like a new religion has its own high priests.

Ali: What is this piece of dried camel dung saying about new religions? This is haram.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA:It’s only a religious text.

Achmed: No, Ali. Listen closely, I believe he is cleverly trying to entrap Barack Hussein, who has strayed from the religion of his fathers, in a tangled web of his own words.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA: And in the last – since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and - and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA: How concerned are you and – because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) and Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know – a chorus.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.

AL ARABIYA: They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?

Ali: Yes, good question. Opportunities for dividing the infidels and conquering have never been brighter!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they’ve been using against me before I even took office .

AL ARABIYA: I know, I know.

Farouk: Ha ha, they should call this network “Al-Suckupiyah.”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: …What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There’s no actions that they’ve taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.

In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you’ve built, not what you’ve destroyed. And what they’ve been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.

Achmed: He speaks of blessed martyrdom!

Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.

AL ARABIYA:The largest one.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want to communicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I’ve come to understand is that regardless of your faith – and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers – regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.

Farouk: It is true what he says! From al-Britainiyah to al-Indonesiyah, all across the Umma, people want to see Amerikiyah humiliated and the Jews pushed into the sea! Ha ha ha.

Ali: You goat! Did you not hear what he said? This is beyond haram!

Farouk: Oh, the multiculturalism. But Ali, the imam says every Friday that Jews, like Christians, must be protected for they are also Children of the Book! The ones that are not filthy Zionists and Crusaders, that is.

Ali: If I were to shake your head right now, Farouk, we would hear the rocks rattling around inside. Forget the Zionists. Of course we would protect them if they would just pay the Dhimmi tax and submit dutifully to the will of the Umma … which they do not! Knock the dust from your ears … this President Hussein has just admitted that the United States is an unprincipled, sinful nation which embraces even unbelievers! Idol-worshippers! Go straight to the Sword, do not pass Go! It is exactly as the Tall Sheikh has said. Al-Amerikiyah is in the grips of Shaitan. As it has been written, to save this nest of Godless contagion, we must destroy it!

Farouk: Wait, Ali. Listen. I think he is preparing to submit.

… my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there’s no reason why we can’t restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.

But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration’s actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I’m not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what’s on a television station in the Arab world - but I think that what you’ll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I’m speaking to them, as well.

Farouk: You see? In the nuanced language of diplomacy he has just pronounced, “There is only One God and Mohammed is … ”

AL ARABIYA: Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?

Ali: Yes, get it out of him!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I’m not going to break the news right here.

AL ARABIYA: Afghanistan?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: But maybe next time …

Ali: Well, nice try. You know, I am thinking, Farouk. Maybe there is something to what you say about Hussein Obama submitting his nation of filthy unbelievers of the Greatness of God.

… We’re going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.

And you’re going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you’ve already seen a commitment in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we’re going to do so on our terms, and we’re going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.

Achmed: Rule of law … did you hear that? He favors Sharia! You know he has ordered the closing of the hated Crusader Gulag of Guantanamo.

Ali: Oh, don’t speak of it! It was so horrible there! They made me fat and flushed my Koran down the toilet! Also, I was compelled to listen to the music of Shaitan very loud. “I love you, you love me!” all day long! It was hell. Only by the blessed and miraculous intervention of Allah was I released from this torture to resume my jihad.

AL ARABIYA: President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, “war on terror,” and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people - Islamic fascism. You’ve always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of…

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that you’re making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations – whether Muslim or any other faith in the past – that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith’s name.

And so you will, I think, see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda – that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it – and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down.

But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.

Ali: Well, if he has been shaking hands with Jews I’m afraid that will be a no-go. But I see what you say, Farouk. From the subtlety of his speech it is clear he is preparing to submit. He says that it is his “language that matters.” Perhaps what he is saying he will use his words. No more of those damned Hellfires. That would be a tremendous relief.

Achmed: Yes, I see it, too. “Violence that is done in that faith’s name.” Clearly he speaks of righteous Jihad that must not be painted with brushes. “We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful” … Yes, of course, as long as everyone is up to date on their Dhimmi taxes.

Farouk: Also, he talks of “innocent civilians.” Any fool can tell you that does not include Zionists and unbelievers.

AL ARABIYA: Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: It’s up to the team…

AL ARABIYA: Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.

Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that’s not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past – none of these things have been helpful.

Ali: I must respectfully disagree. The Persians may be vile pigs, but they have been very helpful.

But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will, over the next several months, be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.

Ali: There he goes with the unclean hand again … But Farouk, I believe you have interpreted these remarks correctly. Clearly, after this time of great trials we are on the verge of a New Dawn of Ameriki Leadership, in which Crusaders and Jews have recognized the futility of resistance and will capitulate, Godless infidels will be put to the sword, and the Caliphate will be restored! All thanks to the vision of the dhimmi Hussein Obama!