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Title: Muslims barred from picture at Obama event
Source: [None]
URL Source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11168.html
Published: Jun 18, 2008
Author: BEN SMITH
Post Date: 2008-06-18 12:04:51 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 256
Comments: 33

Two Muslim women at Barack Obama's rally in Detroit Monday were barred from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women's headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.

The campaign has apologized to the women, all Obama supporters who said they felt betrayed by their treatment at the rally.

"This is of course not the policy of the campaign. It is offensive and counter to Obama's commitment to bring Americans together and simply not the kind of campaign we run," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "We sincerely apologize for the behavior of these volunteers."

Building a human backdrop to a political candidate, a set of faces to appear on television and in photographs, is always a delicate exercise in demographics and political correctness. Advance staffers typically pick supporters out of a crowd to reflect the candidate's message.

When Obama won North Carolina amid questions about his ability to connect with white voters, for instance, he stood in front of a group of middle-aged white women waving small American flags. Across the aisle, a Hispanic New Hampshire Democrat, Roberto Fuentes, told Politico that he was recently asked, and declined, to contribute to the "diversity" of the crowd behind Senator John McCain at a Nashua event.

But for Obama, the old-fashioned image-making contrasts with his promise to transcend identity politics, and to embrace all elements of America. The incidents in Michigan, which has one of the largest Arab and Muslim populations in the country, also raise an aspect of his campaign that sometimes rubs Muslims the wrong way: The candidate has vigorously denied a false, viral rumor that he himself is Muslim. But the denials seem to some at times to imply that there something wrong with the faith, though Obama occasionally adds that he means no disrespect to Islam.

"I was coming to support him, and I felt like I was discriminated against by the very person who was supposed to be bringing this change, who I could really relate to," said Hebba Aref, a 25-year-old lawyer who lives in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills. "The message that I thought was delivered to us was that they do not want him associated with Muslims or Muslim supporters."

In Detroit Monday the two different Obama volunteers – in separate incidents– made it clear that headscarves wouldn't be in the picture. The volunteers gave different explanations for excluding the hijabs, one bluntly political and the other less clear.

In Aref's case, there was no ambiguity.

That incident began when the volunteer asked Aref's friend Ali Koussan and two other friends, Aref's brother Sharif and another young lawyer, Brandon Edward Miller, whether they would like to sit behind the stage. The three young men said they would, but mentioned they were with friends.

The men said the volunteer, a twenty-something African American woman in a green shirt, asked if their friends looked and were dressed like the young men, who were all light-skinned and wearing suits. Miller said yes, but mentioned that one of their friends was wearing a headscarf with her suit.

The volunteer "explained to me that because of the political climate and what's going on in the world and what's going on with Muslim Americans it's not good for her to be seen on TV or associated with Obama," said Koussan, who is a law student at Wayne State University.

Both Koussan and Miller said they specifically recalled the volunteer citing the "political climate" in telling them they couldn't sit behind Obama.

"I was like, 'You've got to be kidding me. Are you serious?'" Koussan recalled.

Shimaa Abdelfadeel's story was different. She'd waited on line outside the Joe Louis Arena for three hours in the sun, and was walking through the giant hall when a volunteer approached two of her non-Muslim friends, a few steps ahead of her, and asked if they'd like to sit in "special seating" behind the stage, said one friend, Brittany Marino, who like Abdelfadeel is a recent University of Michigan graduate who works for the university.


Poster Comment: The Caring One.....what a PILE.

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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

Good heavens...

White guilters Savior "staging" photo ops????????

Some things never change as long as it fools the fawning public.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:10:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: Cynicom (#1)

It's all Madison Ave packaging, baby. (I thought they had a clue, once upon a time)

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:12:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Jethro Tull (#2)

I learned my hard knock politics way back in Tom D'Alessandro and Robert Wagner time. You were still in knickers.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:16:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

The volunteer "explained to me that because of the political climate and what's going on in the world and what's going on with Muslim Americans it's not good for her to be seen on TV or associated with Obama," said Koussan, who is a law student at Wayne State University.

"We Need More White People" April 09, 2008 8:47 AM

At a Michelle Obama event, reporters from the Carnegie-Mellon University student newspaper "observed one event coordinator say to another, 'Get me more white people, we need more white people.' To an Asian girl sitting in the back row, one coordinator said, 'We're moving you, sorry. It's going to look so pretty, though.'

"'I didn't know they would say, "We need a white person here,"' said attendee and senior psychology major Shayna Watson, who sat in the crowd behind Mrs. Obama. 'I understood they would want a show of diversity, but to pick up people and to reseat them, I didn't know it would be so outright.'"

(For those who would criticize this blog for relying on a college newspaper, please recall how much the Obama campaign in its TV ads relied upon the support for his health care plan by the college newspaper the Daily Iowan.)

In any case, that Michelle Obama advance staffer just summed up the candidate's issues in Pennsylvania. They do, indeed, need more white people.

- jpt


Back of the bus homey.

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:23:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: Peppa (#4)

Blacks have done their duty so far in that 101 per cent have voted Obummer.

Obummer needs to raise that to at least 110 per of the black vote to counter those bitter white trash that will vote third party.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:26:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

"We sincerely apologize for the behavior of these volunteers."

If Obummer becomes POTUS, expect to hear this phrase all during his presidency.

“The best and first guarantor of our neutrality and our independent existence is the defensive will of the people…and the proverbial marksmanship of the Swiss shooter. Each soldier a good marksman! Each shot a hit!” Schweizerische Schutzenseitunt (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941

X-15  posted on  2008-06-18   12:27:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: Cynicom (#3)

I remember Wagner.

I also remember Joey Archer, and the friday night fights at the Garden.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:28:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: Jethro Tull, Peppa, christine (#0)

Your eyes must be bad Jethro...

In one of the staged photo ops I did spot Dolly Parton Jr. in foreground.

I may be olde and stupid but I aint blind..yet.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:29:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Peppa (#4)

Good catch. I had forgotten that. What a joke.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:29:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: Jethro Tull (#9) (Edited)

http://www.drudgereport.com/

On the left. Extreme left.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:32:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: Cynicom, X-15 (#8)

Yes?

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:33:47 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: Cynicom (#5) (Edited)

Blacks have done their duty so far in that 101 per cent have voted Obummer.

Obummer needs to raise that to at least 110 per of the black vote to counter those bitter white trash that will vote third party.

That's true, he needs his brothers from other mothers to stand shoulder to shoulder hold hands, humm in the neighborhood of B sharp and form a giant human unity circle. Everybody!~ Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,change, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, change, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....

Shoot. First I walked to the bus, then waited for the bus, waved at the bus, got on the bus, directed to the back of the bus, and now, here I am with gramma, under the bus.

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:42:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: Cynicom (#8)

Your eyes must be bad Jethro...

In one of the staged photo ops I did spot Dolly Parton Jr. in foreground.

I may be olde and stupid but I aint blind..yet.

Shhhh.

You're going to give up the real meaning of Hill in Hillbillies. ;)

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:43:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: Peppa (#12)

hehehehehe

The pic in question.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:44:50 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: Jethro Tull (#11)

"Obama sincerely apologizes for the actions of his cousin, Osama. The nuking of Chicago was an unfortunate incident and does not reflect the views of President Obama in any way. The President extends his best wishes for a hearty recovery to the citizens of Chicago and will be handing out copies of the Koran to all survivors."

“The best and first guarantor of our neutrality and our independent existence is the defensive will of the people…and the proverbial marksmanship of the Swiss shooter. Each soldier a good marksman! Each shot a hit!” Schweizerische Schutzenseitunt (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941

X-15  posted on  2008-06-18   12:45:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Jethro Tull, Peppa (#14)

Normally I would not have noticed such things and it did make my eyes water.

Now I have my magnifying glass up close, scientific research, dontcha know???

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:48:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#17. To: X-15 (#15)

Don't forget the prayer mats and "I survived Gitmo" T-Shirts!

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:48:21 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: Jethro Tull (#9)

Good catch. I had forgotten that. What a joke.

What's funny, is that he's acting like a sterotypical pol.

Now's the time to pull out some quotes from his book, the audacity of hope. Gee Mr. O, can I stand in the front row? You're my hero!! Sorry kid, gotta show to put on. But, I love your enthusiasm. Give me money.

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:49:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: Cynicom (#16)

How come nobody looks like Woooooooooopie Goldberg in that pic????????

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   12:49:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: Jethro Tull (#19)

Or Fat Opera Whiffy or whatever.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:52:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#21. To: Jethro Tull (#14)

hehehehehe

The pic in question.

LOL!!!

Good Lord. She's going to need 3 healthcare plans. Well at least he balances it out with a couple of flatlanders.

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:52:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#22. To: Cynicom (#16)

Normally I would not have noticed such things and it did make my eyes water.

Now I have my magnifying glass up close, scientific research, dontcha know???

LOL! Be careful, you'll put your eye out!

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   12:53:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: Jethro Tull (#19)

It's a pattern among Democratic presidential candidates, they all want the hot white women:

“The best and first guarantor of our neutrality and our independent existence is the defensive will of the people…and the proverbial marksmanship of the Swiss shooter. Each soldier a good marksman! Each shot a hit!” Schweizerische Schutzenseitunt (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941

X-15  posted on  2008-06-18   12:55:42 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: Peppa, Jethro tull (#21)

Well at least he balances it out with a couple of flatlanders.

I suspect there is a joke there someplace and you are naughty for following Jethros lead. I am gonna tell on him posting such photos.

I will ask he send direct after this. hehehehehehehehe

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:56:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: X-15 (#23)

Kerry is checking to see if his shoelaces are tied?

I know his tongue was.

Cynicom  posted on  2008-06-18   12:57:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

Two Muslim women at Barack Obama's rally in Detroit Monday were barred from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women's headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.

Haaaaaaahahahaha!

Change!

Hope!

My ass!! ;-)

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams

Rotara  posted on  2008-06-18   12:59:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: Cynicom (#24)

I'm getting a nickle per post :-)

“The best and first guarantor of our neutrality and our independent existence is the defensive will of the people…and the proverbial marksmanship of the Swiss shooter. Each soldier a good marksman! Each shot a hit!” Schweizerische Schutzenseitunt (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941

X-15  posted on  2008-06-18   13:00:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: Cynicom (#24)

I suspect there is a joke there someplace and you are naughty for following Jethros lead. I am gonna tell on him posting such photos.

I will ask he send direct after this. hehehehehehehehe

I tried to keep it on the up and up and stick with inuendo. But that word will probably get me in trouble too.

Peppa  posted on  2008-06-18   13:04:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: X-15 (#23)

"God bless AmeriKa", screamed a young Kattie Hassem O'Rielly .....

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   13:05:09 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: Jethro Tull (#0)

Building a human backdrop to a political candidate, a set of faces to appear on television and in photographs, is always a delicate exercise in demographics and political correctness. Advance staffers typically pick supporters out of a crowd to reflect the candidate's message.

Change!

Hope!

What a smelly serving of the same old same old!! ;-)

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams

Rotara  posted on  2008-06-18   13:05:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: Rotara (#30)

The slogan sounds better when it's rolled all together, hopewechange

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-06-18   13:06:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: Jethro Tull (#31) (Edited)

The slogan sounds better when it's rolled all together, hopewechange

With PCR out of the closet now, I think just about everyone has shown their hands. Just about. November is still a few full moons away though. ;-)

"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams

Rotara  posted on  2008-06-18   13:09:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: Jethro Tull (#29)

"God bless AmeriKa", screamed a young Kattie Hassem O'Rielly .....

LOL! That's a good 'un!

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton

James Deffenbach  posted on  2008-06-18   13:13:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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