I didn't see this diaried, and I'll be happy to delete if it had been, but it seemed important.
On Monday night Campbell Brown delivered a commentary entitled 'So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab' making the same point that many of us here have made.
Here is the link to CNN
At the rally a few days ago we heard this exchange.
Woman at rally: I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab.
Sen. John McCain: No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about. He's not, thank you.
Many at Daily Kos, while granting that McCain was doing the right thing in speaking against the ignorance of the woman, were angered that in his answer McCain seemed to be equating Arab with not being 'decent' and not being a 'family man.' While all of the MSM ran with the story that McCain was trying to retake control of his supporters, we saw this as just another example of using 'Arab' or 'Muslim' as a attack and therefore not acceptable.
Well it seems Campbell Brown of CNN agrees with us.
So what if Obama was Arab or Muslim? So what if John McCain was Arab or Muslim? Would it matter?
When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words? The equivalent of dishonorable or radical?
and
I feel like I am stating the obvious here, but apparently it needs to be said: There is a difference between radical Muslims who support jihad against America and Muslims who want to practice their religion freely and have normal lives like anyone else. There are more than 1.2 million Arab-Americans and about 7 million Muslim-Americans, former Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, successful business people, normal average Americans from all walks of life.
And the media is culpable.
And the media is complicit here, too. We've all been too quick to accept the idea that calling someone Muslim is a slur.
Thank you Campbell. I wish more in the MSM got it.
Update with Video:
Thanks for helping me embed!
Update with Digg:
Digg here
Update: Thanks for putting this on the rec list. Please consider putting this one here too.
"Muslim" the new 'N*****'