Garbanzo Toons

More Differences Between Us and Them

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of CAIR had an opinion piece in today's Detroit Free Press. Here is some of what he said:

Obviously, the delayed evacuation of primarily Arab Americans and American Muslims from these hostile fire zones invokes genuine concern, similar to that raised by African Americans after the evacuation debacle of Hurricane Katrina. Was the response delayed because of a poor contingency plan for evacuation, or was the response delayed because of who the evacuees are? Would the evacuation have been quicker for American citizens if the Israeli infrastructure had been decimated as Lebanon's currently is?

The refusal to broker a cease-fire between the involved parties in the region and the real perception of many that America dragged its feet in rescuing its own citizens are adding to the declining image and prestige of our country in the eyes of world opinion. Racial profiling, warrantless wiretapping, and now the "Katrina-like" evacuation in Lebanon only add to the sense of many that Arab Americans and American Muslims are looked upon as second-class citizens.

The government's primary mission is to protect the citizens of the United States -- both at home and abroad.

In typical CAIR fashion, he whines and moans that Arab Americans stuck in Lebanon (due to the fact that they ignored State Department warnings not to go there in the first place) were not absolved of their responsibility to keep themselves and their children safe. He's upset that they were not given special treatment by the government. The government hates them because they are Arab and Muslim. My, how sad. For more on these upstanding American citizens, check out this piece from Debbie Schlussel.

On the same page was this piece by three local Jewish leaders.

The local effects of the crisis in the Middle East are further intensified when we are assaulted by Israeli flags defaced with swastikas, read media reports of seas of people passionately championing the destruction of Israel, hear hate-filled voices echo, calling Israelis "barbaric" and "inhuman." We are confronted by the sad reality that our community's ability to engage in meaningful dialogue with large segments of the local Arab and Muslim communities has been severely damaged.

We say this with heavy hearts, as leaders of moderate organizations whose missions include building bridges with disparate ethnic and religious groups. Members of our organizations have personally reached out to, and shared meals, prayer services and work with religious leaders, community leaders and Arab Americans from all walks of life in metropolitan Detroit.

None of us would condition dialogue on an abdication of deeply held beliefs. We also recognize that Jews do not hold a monopoly on legitimate perspectives relating to Israel and its war with Hizballah. We mourn every loss of innocent life, as it is a long-standing tenet of the Jewish religion, dating back to the exodus from Egypt, not to take pleasure even in the deaths of our enemies.

Quite a difference in tone, isn't there? Go ahead. Read both articles. You'll notice the contrast beteen the two all the way through both. After you read both of them, ask yourself, which group would you trust to create peace?

Labels: CAIR, Dawud Walid, Lebanon

posted by Harry @ 7:27 PM