Jehan S. Harney: Kilmeade Apologizes For Saying “All Terrorists Are Muslim.” Is This Enough?
19 October 2010
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When iconic journalist Helen Thomas said that Jews should leave Palestine and go back to where they came from, she was being forced to retire abruptly after covering eight U.S. presidents. When CNN’s Ric Sanchez said that Jews in America are not an oppressed minority and that they control the media, he was immediately fired. But when Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade says, “all terrorists are Muslim” while defending a worse statement made by Bill O’Reilly that “Muslims killed us on 9/11,” Kilmeade gets to keep his job.
Not only is his statement racist, and offensive but also factually wrong. There are many domestic terrorist groups that are non-Muslim such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Jewish Defense League, Death Angels, and Black Liberation Army, as well as international terrorist groups such as IRA, PKK, ETA EOKA, and Tamil Tigers, just to name a few.
Kilmeade’s comments offended all Muslims and other Americans too. In his 23 seconds of TV apology he said, “I am sorry IF I offended or hurt anybody’s feelings.” He’s acting as if his comments may not have offended some people, which in and of itself is offensive. It shows he’s really not sincere, but he had to apologize just to save face and keep his job.
This is a telling example of our media double standard, sanctioning bigoted comments about Muslims which perpetuate their negative stereotyping without serious repercussions. What we all heard and saw is the equivalent of anti-semitism. When Kilmeade keeps his job, we are indirectly sanctioning and endorsing his words that reach the biggest national audience in America, even if he apologizes.
There should be a better media scale that treats all people with the same level of respect. If journalists break this ethical stand, then they should be held accountable. This is not necessarily about Muslims, Jews or a specific minority. This is about all of us Americans who deserve to be treated respectfully in our society. Sending the wrong message through the media about certain people only allows society to further mistreat them without any level of accountability on either side. Such behavior is unAmerican and this a serious media ethics issue that has to be addressed.
CAN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS?
This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish
And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are
So quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. Can a good Muslim be
A good American?
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years.
The following is his reply:
Theologically – no. . . .. Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Arabia .
Religiously – no.. . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah – Except Islam (Quran, 2:256)(Koran)
Scripturally – no. . . Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
Geographically – no . Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
Socially – no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
Politically – no…. . . Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual Leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, The great Satan.
Domestically – no. .. . Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34 )
Intellectually – no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
Philosophically – no. . . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot Co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
Spiritually – no.. . . Because when we declare ‘one nation under God,’ The Christian’s God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to As Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 Excellent names.
Therefore, after much study and deliberation…. Perhaps we should be Very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. – – – They obviously cannot be both ‘good’ Muslims and good Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. ….
Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.
19 October 2010 at 8:50 pm