Jon Stewart: Obama’s Cleveland speech “may be as close as any President of the United States has ever come to saying: f*** all ya’ll.'” Watch.
When I step back from all the furor and contention over tomorrow’s anniversary of 9/11, what strikes me is that it’s the 9th anniversary, not the 10th. I say that because it would stand to reason that the 10th anniversary would prompt some renewed reflection over meaning and the passage of time. And hence the commemorations might be different. But that’s next year, not this year. And yet, the whole thing does seem very different. It’s far more contentious and politicized than I ever remember these commemorations being. And I don’t think my memory is off.
Certainly one aspect of this is the mosque controversy and the larger anti-Muslim push from the right over recent months. Both of which have had the effect (intentional, I think) of making 9/11 more contested ground within the country as opposed to a space of common commemoration since it’s become somehow a proxy for the right’s arguments about American Muslims and indirectly Obama. (Now we even have people on the fringes of Gingrich’s and Palin’s movement threatening to hold Koran-burning festivals.) It’s also true that there have been two failed terrorist attacks on American soil since last September (over Detroit and in New York). And no doubt the two things are related on various levels.
What’s your take?
Obama wrapped up his press conference with a very powerful statement in defense of the civil rights of American Muslims. Video soon …
Can we get off distractions like the Koran burning and focus on the real issues like the president’s chief of staff’s fantasy run for mayor?
Christine O’Donnell, the fast-rising Tea Party insurgent running against Mike Castle, is continuing to push a gay rumor whisper campaign against Castle, now accusing him of ‘un-manly’ tactics.
With the new poll data showing pretty clearly that substantial majorities of Americans do not want to extend the Bush tax cuts for upper income Americans, I want to be able to keep track of which Dems are coming down where. Can you let us know what you’re seeing and hearing in races in your state and district?
From TPM Reader BC …
Hello Josh, my take is that the muslim madness is entirely a media creation. Case in point: as I type in downtown San Diego the Convention Center – the premier venue in town and a major civic leader – is hosting the San Diego Islamic Center Ramadan Celebration. Large crowds of muslims of all ages and nationalities are walking down the streets, spilling out into the Gaslamp District, dressed in robes and exotic outfits with some women in burkas. Local media are present and who knows what spin they will put on it. All I can see is that is a peaceful happy crowds with kids and no one is worked up about it here. Will any national news feature this tonight?
Other reader responses here.
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