Obama: Why I won't say 'Islamic terrorism'

[rug]

"There's no religious rationale that would justify in any way any of the things that they do," he says



By Daniella Diaz, CNN
Updated 4:49 PM ET, Thu September 29, 2016

Washington (CNN) — President Barack Obama has taken a lot of criticism from political opponents over his rhetoric when it comes to terrorism. But on Wednesday at a CNN presidential town hall, he was asked to defend why he refuses to say "Islamic" terrorism to a Gold Star mother.

"My son gave his life for acts of terrorism," audience member Tina Houchins told Obama at the town hall moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper. "Do you still believe that the acts of terrorism are done for the self-proclaimed Islamic religious motive? And if you do, why do you still refuse to use the term ... Islamic terrorist?"

Obama called it a "sort of manufactured" issue.

"There is no doubt, and I've said repeatedly, where we see terrorist organizations like al Qaeda or ISIL -- They have perverted and distorted and tried to claim the mantle of Islam for an excuse for basically barbarism and death," he said.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/28/politics/obama-radical-islamic-terrorism-cnn-town-hall/index.html

2:57 video at link.

[True Dough]

1. Obama is a wise man n/t

[rug]

8. He gives thought to what he says.

A rare trait.

[mwrguy]

2. K&R

[David__77]

3. I would prefer the term "Islamist terrorism."

I consider that Islamism as an ideology that may motivate or be used to justify acts of violence. I don't find there to be a problem with the individual religiousity; rather, the problem is with individuals who seek to impose Islamism on the society. I don't agree with obscuring the role of Islamism as a cause/justification.

[guillaumeb]

4. I prefer "group sponsored violence".

As opposed to "government sponsored violence", which takes far more lives.

[Jason1961]

5. Very well said

Very well said

[guillaumeb]

7. Thank you, and welcome to DU.

[cleanhippie]

12. Religious terrorism is a more apt term.

[guillaumeb]

19. And state sponsored terrorism is preferable?

[cleanhippie]

29. Did anyone say it is?

But feel free to dodge the point.

[guillaumeb]

38. The focus should be on the violence, not the claimed motivation. eom

[rug]

39. Now you've done it. You asked him to focus.

[guillaumeb]

40. My point is that the violence should always be the focus, not the claimed motivation.

[rug]

41. I agree with that point. If your legs are blown off it matters little why.

[Jason1961]

6. Bigotry of the Right

While disagreeing on certain policies is acceptable I would find it hard to be friends with anyone that bought into their bigotry.

[True Dough]

9. Man, I like this place more and more every day

I realize there's not an overwhelming response here so far but on a couple of boards that I frequented in the past there would be a few alt-right types frothing at the mouth about how all things Islam are inherently dangerous ("religion of peace" was their never-ending mantra) and how allowing any refugees to come to the U.S. would be a disaster, similar to how Trump always tosses around "disaster."

Have a great weekend, all!

[rug]

10. Enjoy yours as well.

[cleanhippie]

11. Religious terrorism is a more apt term.

[rug]

13. No it isn't.

"These are people who've killed children, killed Muslims, take sex slaves, there's no religious rationale that would justify in any way any of the things that they do," he said.

[cleanhippie]

14. I disagree.

[rug]

15. Hmm, Obama or cleanhippie?

[cleanhippie]

16. Opinion is opinion.

Sure, his carries more weight, but it's still just opinion.

I think his saying there's no "religious rationale" is nothing more than his opinion (not to mention it's politically correct) because they themselves (ISIS) use a religious rationale to justify their behavior.

[rug]

17. It's not a matter of being "politically correct" (where have we heard that term lately).

It's a well-thought out conclusion which decisively rejects the broad-brushing and bigotry that often accompanies people's opinions about religion.

[cleanhippie]

18. So saying "God tells us to do this" isn't reigious?

Because that's what they say.

[rug]

23. Does saying "Defend Liberty" while invading a country make it patriotic?

Because that's what they've been saying for the last thirty years.

The best gauge is actions not words, particularly when it comes to religion.

[cleanhippie]

30. To those that say that, it is.

Doesn't make it any less true.

And when it comes to reigious terrorism, their actions speak louder than words.

[rug]

34. Reality is measured by objectivity not subjectivity.

So, you, along with half of Congress, want him to speak out against Islamic terrorism?

When it comes to character, people are known by the company they keep.

[opiate69]

35. ...

[rug]

36. Now you're getting it.

But what I have been careful about when I describe these issues is to make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world, including in this country, who are peaceful, who are responsible, who, in this country, are fellow troops and police officers and fire fighters and teachers and neighbors and friends."

[MellowDem]

20. Obama defends religious privilege...

The idea that a religious rationale is always for good is dripping with privilege. People do commit acts of terror with a religious rationale, and mainstream religions unfortunately have plenty of violent beliefs explicitly laid out in texts for people to be inspired by.

Ignoring that not only doesn't address the root problem, it is a salve for believers that identify with said beliefs. It's more about protecting the feelings of the religious majority than honestly addressing the issue.

[rug]

21. You don't get what religious privilege is and is not.

This is not religious privilerge:

"But what I have been careful about when I describe these issues is to make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world, including in this country, who are peaceful, who are responsible, who, in this country, are fellow troops and police officers and fire fighters and teachers and neighbors and friends."

What it is is a clear statement against bigotry.

[MellowDem]

25. I didn't say that statement was religious privilege...

The one about it being impossible for religion to inspire violence is.

[cleanhippie]

31. +1

[Leontius]

22. Sometimes when you dance around the edges to much

you can fall off the damn cliff.

[rug]

24. Then it's good he was direct and not dancing.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

26. He'd reach many if he said "Same reason I don't call the Oklahoma City bombing christian terrorism".

[Bozvotros]

27. Or the Branch Davidians at Waco

Or the Oklahoma City bomber or the Atlanta bomber or these folks...... http://aattp.org/here-are-8-christian-terrorist-organizations-that-equal-isis/

[rug]

28. Nevertheless, it takes nothing away from what he did say.

[cleanhippie]

32. Only if one ignores the point being made.

[rug]

33. Yes, Obama is conceerned about bigotry against Christian terrorists.

Not the Islamophobia peddled by bigots.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

37. Nonsense. . . . .nt