Peter King's Hearings Hurt Our Troops

 Quick question - which U.S. President was the first to hold Ramadan itfar dinners at the White House, celebrating the breaking of the fast with Muslims? Hint: That same President visited Mosques more than once during his administration.
Many FOX News viewers may assume that it's President Obama. But, it was actually George W. Bush.
It's no secret that VoteVets.org had a number of issues with President Bush, most notably his decision to go to war in Iraq, and how he waged the war. However, one thing he understood, and often got right, was sending signals to reassure the Muslim world that the United States held no animus towards Islam, both in words and deeds.
I thought of President Bush as the debate heated up over Rep. Peter King's hearings today on Islam in America.
Rep. King is doing our troops no favors, as he specifically targets Muslims, and only Muslims, in his hearings on domestic terrorism. A key part of the work of our troops abroad is winning the hearts and minds of the people in any country we operate, and as of right now, most of them are Muslims. When they hear that the American government considers Islam a threat, and is investigating American Muslims, it only bolsters the message of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that we are in a war with Islam. Quick question - which U.S. President was the first to hold Ramadan itfar dinners at the White House, celebrating the breaking of the fast with Muslims? Hint: That same President visited Mosques more than once during his administration.
Many FOX News viewers may assume that it's President Obama. But, it was actually George W. Bush.
It's no secret that VoteVets.org had a number of issues with President Bush, most notably his decision to go to war in Iraq, and how he waged the war. However, one thing he understood, and often got right, was sending signals to reassure the Muslim world that the United States held no animus towards Islam, both in words and deeds.
I thought of President Bush as the debate heated up over Rep. Peter King's hearings today on Islam in America.
Rep. King is doing our troops no favors, as he specifically targets Muslims, and only Muslims, in his hearings on domestic terrorism. A key part of the work of our troops abroad is winning the hearts and minds of the people in any country we operate, and as of right now, most of them are Muslims. When they hear that the American government considers Islam a threat, and is investigating American Muslims, it only bolsters the message of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that we are in a war with Islam.
Every wrong signal can be exploited, as we are in this important fight, and we must be extra-vigilant in ensuring that nothing we do aids the underlying message of our enemies, as they seek to recruit. Some signals, of course, are out of our control, like rumors that a soldier used the Quran as toilet paper at Guantanamo. But those things make it even more important that those in power do everything they can to combat the notion that we target this one religion. Peter King's hearings do just the opposite.
Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashwin-madia/peter-kings-hearings-hurt_b_834058.html

Pakistan News

Don't Ask Don't Tell...President Obama e-mails message! Senate repeals law!

Earlier today, the Senate voted 65 to 31 to repeal the controversial United States military policy - "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - which banned gays from serving openly in the U.S. forces.

The law was orignially endorsed by the Clinton Administration a scant few years ago - and has been under fire - ever since.

The lifting of the ban - a historical act on the part of the House - was made possible earlier today when six Republicans joined Democrats in a procedural vote that brought the measure to the floor.

Shortly after the news filtered in to the Tattler, I received a personal message from President Barack Obama, applauding the Government action.

The message read as follows:

Friend -


Moments ago, the United States Senate voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."


When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this discriminatory law will be repealed.


Gay and lesbian service members - brave Americans who enable our freedoms - will no longer have to hide who they are.


The fight for civil rights, a struggle that continues, will no longer include this one.


This victory belongs to you.

Without your commitment, the promise I made as a candidate would have remained just that.


Instead, you helped prove again that no one should underestimate this movement.

Every phone call to a senator on the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.


This victory belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way of what was right.

Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.


Will you join me in thanking them by adding your name to Organizing for America's letter?


I will make sure these messages are delivered - you can also add a comment about what the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" means to you.


As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because it weakens our national security and military readiness.

It violates the fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.


But this victory is also personal.


I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation.


But I know my story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me - many I will never meet, and can never thank.


I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security.

I know it is the right thing to do.


But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of another - the DREAM Act.

I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country.

On this issue, our work must continue.


Today, I'm proud that we took these fights on.


Please join me in thanking those in Congress who helped make the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal possible:


http://my.barackobama.com/Repealed


Thank you,


Barack

Congrats Mr. President!

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Bon Jovi...Obama pick for White House Council for Community Solutions!

White House calls rocker!

Youthful rocker Bon Jovi - still kicking around the concert trail and delighting music fans far-and-wide - has been selected by President Barack Obama to slip into a coveted seat on a White House panel that will seek to bring together individuals, organizations, businesses, and non-profits - with the specific aim of identifying and addressing community outreach needs.

No doubt it was Jovi's high-profile invovlement with his own stellar "Jovi Soul Foundation" that was the lure for our beleaguered President.

After all, the dynamic stage performer - with the sexy rocker persona - helped create affordable housing for low-income families and individuals through the auspices of the altruistic organization he started up and currently presides over.

Fans may recall that the charismatic pop icon also tossed a fundraiser for Obama during the President's bid for office which may account for the untraditional coupling of two - um - odd bedfellows.

Jovi is expected to knock heads with - educators, religious leaders, entrepreneurs (and so forth-and-so-on) - in his new role which should prove to be quite challenging in view of the currect political, social, and economic climate!

Contrats!

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