Spring Break
Letters to the Editor: College Republicans respond to criticism about speaker
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Commentary
I am writing in response to columnist Saleh Ibrahim's reaction ("Speaker's anti-Muslim propaganda only spreads hate," April 29) to Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's speaking engagement on Tuesday evening. In his response, Ibrahim grossly mischaracterized the nature of Rev. Peterson's comments regarding the Muslim world, namely Obama's bow to Saudi leaders and also the lack of public demonstrations by patriotic American Muslims. Rev. Peterson was not attempting to alienate pro-Democratic Muslims anywhere in the world. Rather, he was attempting to bolster American resolve for the war on terror, which President Bush described as a war not against "the Afghan people, who are our friends and neighbors" or a "war on Islam."
Rather, like (presumably all Americans) Rev. Peterson was expressing outrage against anti-American leaders of Islamic states and the anti-American fundamentalists who reside there. Similarly, it would not make sense for him to discuss the theology of reasonable Muslims. We would like to make it clear that Rev. Peterson's remarks pertaining to the Koran, a document that he is familiar with, were intended to expose the position of America's enemies.
Like Rev. Peterson, the UConn College Republicans believe strongly in the equality of all Americans- an extension of the ideology of the founders of our Party. We believe that no persons or group of persons should be subjugated as a result of their race, ethnicity, or religion. We find it deplorable that anyone would accuse either our group, or Rev. Peterson, of harboring racist sentiments. In fact, we brought Rev. Peterson, who has worked hard to ameliorate the condition of all Americans, especially black Americans, to unify the campus community against an agenda that will eventually hurt all Americans. While I can not release too many details at this point in time, we have been in communication within the Pro-American, Pro-Islam movement, and it is our intention to host an event with them in the coming year.
Rather, like (presumably all Americans) Rev. Peterson was expressing outrage against anti-American leaders of Islamic states and the anti-American fundamentalists who reside there. Similarly, it would not make sense for him to discuss the theology of reasonable Muslims. We would like to make it clear that Rev. Peterson's remarks pertaining to the Koran, a document that he is familiar with, were intended to expose the position of America's enemies.
Like Rev. Peterson, the UConn College Republicans believe strongly in the equality of all Americans- an extension of the ideology of the founders of our Party. We believe that no persons or group of persons should be subjugated as a result of their race, ethnicity, or religion. We find it deplorable that anyone would accuse either our group, or Rev. Peterson, of harboring racist sentiments. In fact, we brought Rev. Peterson, who has worked hard to ameliorate the condition of all Americans, especially black Americans, to unify the campus community against an agenda that will eventually hurt all Americans. While I can not release too many details at this point in time, we have been in communication within the Pro-American, Pro-Islam movement, and it is our intention to host an event with them in the coming year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 9
Saleh
posted 5/01/09 @ 11:03 AM EST
Timothy, Mr. Peterson made it clear in his speech as well as in his response to my question that he believes Muslims, in general, are an enemy to the United States. (Continued…)
Saleh
posted 5/01/09 @ 11:43 AM EST
I said "imaginary ideological enemy," NOT "imaginary enemy." Do you see how you are misquoting and then misinterpretting, Timothy?
I feel sorry for the 3 thousand civilian lives lost on 9/11/01, and I feel more sorry for the 91 thousand civilian lives lost in Iraq over Dick Cheney's war of aggression against Iraq. (Continued…)
Tim Plungis
posted 5/01/09 @ 3:02 PM EST
Mr. Saleh,
I use that because for some reason you kept referring to me as Mr. Timothy. I am not sure why, but in the future you can refer to me as Mr. (Continued…)
Saleh
posted 5/01/09 @ 4:01 PM EST
Tim,
Pardon me if I refered to you by an incorrect last name. I meant to address you respectfully, nothing more.
By the way, feeling more sorry for 91 thousand innocent human lives than for 3 thousand innocent human lives has nothing to do with allegiance, but everything to do with humanity. (Continued…)
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