Muslim Children Gassed at Mosque After 'Obsession' DVD Hits Ohio
Lewis County Neighbors:
As I first read about the distribution of this awful DVD with it lies and fear-mongering in Portland, and across the country, I was reminded of "Kristallnacht" (Crystal Night) the day in November 1938 when 92 Jews were murdered, and 25-30,000 were arrested and deported to concentration camps. This included the destruction of 200 Synagogues and the destruction of thousands of Jewish business and homes. This was the beginning of the Nazi efforts to eradicate the Jewish people. I am fearful that if the distribution of this type of hate continues it could be the first step in such efforts directed toward Islam and other groups. I am Jewish, I feel Kristallnacht deep in my soul and I call on all of my neighbors to joining me in rejecting the hate and lies of the "Obsession" DVD. Let us speak up against hate in all its forms and protect all of the rights of those among us who are Muslim. Let us not ignore this crude step to turn us against our friends and neighbors.
Alan Lipscomb
Toledo, WA
On Friday, September 26, the end of a week in which thousands of copies of Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West -- the fear-mongering, anti-Muslim documentary being distributed by the millions in swing states via DVDs inserted in major newspapers and through the U.S. mail -- were distributed by mail in Ohio, a "chemical irritant" was sprayed through a window of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton, where 300 people were gathered for a Ramadan prayer service. The room that the chemical was sprayed into was the room where babies and children were being kept while their mothers were engaged in prayers. This, apparently, is what the scare tactic political campaigning of John McCain's supporters has led to -- Americans perpetrating a terrorist attack against innocent children on American soil.
I read the story as reported by the Dayton Daily News, but this was after I had received an email written by a friend of some of the victims of these American terrorists. The matter of fact news report in the Dayton paper didn't come close to conveying the horrific impact of this unthinkable act like the email I had just read, so I asked the email's author for permission to share what they had written. The author was with one of the families from the mosque -- a mother and two of the small children who were in the room that was gassed -- the day after the attack occurred:
"She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there.
"The paramedic said the young one was in shock, and gave her oxygen to help her breathe. The child couldn't stop sobbing.
"This didn't happen in some far away place -- but right here in Dayton, and to my friends. Many of the Iraqi refugees were praying together at the Mosque Friday evening. People that I know and love.
"I am hurt and angry. I tell her this is NOT America. She tells me this is not Heaven or Hell -- there are good and bad people everywhere.
"She tells me that her daughters slept with her last night, the little one in her arms and sobbing throughout the night. She tells me she is afraid, and will never return to the mosque, and I wonder what kind of country is this where people have to fear attending their place of worship?
"The children come into the room, and tell me they want to leave America and return to Syria, where they had fled to from Iraq. They say they like me, ... , and other American friends -- but they are too afraid and want to leave. Should a 6 and 7 year old even have to contemplate the safety of their living situation?
"Did the anti-Muslim video circulating in the area have something to do with this incident, or is that just a bizarre coincidence? Who attacks women and children?
"What am I supposed to say to them? My words can't keep them safe from what is nothing less than terrorism, American style. Isn't losing loved ones, their homes, jobs, possessions and homeland enough? Is there no place where they can be safe?
"She didn't want me to leave her tonight, but it was after midnight, and I needed to get home and write this to my friends. Tell me -- tell me -- what am I supposed to say to them?"
When acting as a representative of Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that I work for, I cannot engage in political activities. The distribution of Obsession, however, although a political campaign scheme, clearly crosses over into the mission of MRFF. So, I'm going to make two statements here -- one in my capacity as MRFF's Research Director, and another as an individual whose disgust at the vile campaign tactics of John McCain's supporters completely boiled over when I opened up the email about children being gassed.
My statement as MRFF's Research Director:
The presidential campaign edition of the Obsession DVD, currently being distributed by the Clarion Fund, carries the endorsement of the chair of the counter-terrorism department of the U.S. Naval War College, using the name and authority of an official U.S. military institution not only to validate an attack the religion of Islam, but to influence a political campaign. For these reasons, this endorsement has been included in MRFF's second lawsuit against the Department of Defense, which was filed on September 25 in the Federal District Court in Kansas.
My opinion as an individual and thoroughly appalled human being:
John McCain has a moral obligation to publicly censure the Clarion Fund, the organization that produced Obsession and is distributing the DVDs; to denounce the inflammatory, anti-Muslim message of Obsession; and to do everything in his power to stop any further campaign activities by his supporters that have the potential to incite violence.
Our Readers Write:
The Chronicle goes after "Headlines"
CHRONICLE RESPONSE 'BOTTOM-FISHING'
The Centralia Chronicle editorial about the Headlines editorial was - and this is putting it politely - bottom-fishing among the worst of the most depraved opinions they've printed in the past. Whether it's the so-called "Dirty Dozen" guiding Lewis County government to adhere to Washington State law, or experienced, hardworking Democrats seeking office, there are no murky depths to which the editors of the Chronicle will not go, repeatedly, to make their sorry point. That said, it's a mystery that the local markets do not sell the paper at the check stand alongside the Enquirer and such.
The Chronicle has never been known to be aware of the exact location of the political center of our country, even in their less disgusting editorials. We are there in the political center, and we recognize the Chronicle as attempting to push public opinion to the right, rather than reflect it as they claim they do. But the best we could hope for is that, at least in their public appearances, the editors would restrain themselves from describing certain local citizens with four-letter epithets. It's not in the best journalistic tradition.
Don Reinseth
THANK HEAVENS...
Thank heavens I live in Cowlitz County as our newspaper is a lot more tolerant of Democrats.
Cheryl Sharkey
CHRONICLE BLASTS LOWERY...AGAIN!
I hear the Chronicle has blasted Jim Lowery AGAIN. I subscribed to the paper for over 40 years, but I no longer take it. For a while, I thought I was on the wrong page doing so. But after the snit I witnessed by the Publisher, and knowing the inappropriate actions of the Editor, I think maybe the best place to read it is out of the waste can.
I heard today the paper blasted our fine citizen Jim Lowery again without evidence. I would think if they write about a man of integrity, the facts would be present. Innuendo's seem to be only play in their book.
Jim Lowery was the finest candidate I ever interviewed for County Commissioner since I have been involved with politics here in Lewis County. What else can I say? The facts are simple; no matter what I say or anyone else has to say, ink is bought by the barrel and will be printed in our local paper with their slant. (WATER and INK RUN DOWNHILL the last I checked)
Perhaps it is time for a little competition or actions to promote press diversity in this county.
The drum I have heard says, if ya don't play balls with the editorial page ya may not have one, a job that is. (SWECKER ya just don't vote the way they told you to!)
Anyone ever WONDER why a citizen isn't on the editorial board? CONTROL OF THE INK I THINK.
Bob Guenther
If They Are Going to Dish It Out...
When my husband finished reading "Our Views" on today's "Chronicle's" Opinion Page, he showed it to me. My first reaction was to giggle and opine, "My, my that Editorial Board is awfully thin-skinned to be involved in the world of journalism!"
Then I read the entire column and my giggles turned to anger as I realized "the journalists" were using the questioning of their fairness by HEADLINES to yet again denegrate Jim Lowery - whom I know to be an honest, ethical, hard-working former public servant.
Having read this morning's HEADLINES and the temper-tantrum-provoking "Chronicle Watch", I honestly do not understand why the Editorial Board is so exorcized. I mean, if they are going to dish it out, they'd best be prepared to get it thrown back in their face.
Let's begin with Tuesday's column in which they took to task the Democratic State Party for the anti-Rossi ad with "The Sopranos" theme music in the background. This is OLD NEWS, people!! The Seattle television stations covered the story last Thursday and by then the ad had been revised. So why does "The Chronicle" whine about it five days later?
Moving on to today's column: what's this about "an e-mail blast from the Lewis County Democrats? Its title is 'Headlines' . . . " There's no "blast" about it. One receives it via e-mail ONLY after one has subscribed (for free) to it. Not very fair of "The Chronicle" to lead its readers into thinking differently, is it?
The column goes on to reference the ad mentioned above as "racist-toned". I truly hope that the next time there is a vacancy on the Editorial Board, "The Chronicle" management will attempt to find someone with a finely-tuned working knowledge of the English language. The word "race" refers to only three groups: Caucasoid, Negroid and Mongoloid. I suppose what they meant to write was "ethnic-toned". As an Italian-American, I resent being thrown into some non-existent fourth race.
"The Chronicle" is NOT fair and, I doubt, ever will be. Case in point: seventeen days ago at the Democratic State Convention, Bob Guenther was elected to join his wife Judy as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August. To date there has not been one word reporting this fact nor one editorial congratulating the Guenthers on this fete. They are only the third and fourth Lewis County Democrats EVER elected to the National Convention. Can any sane resident of Lewis County tell me that if the Guenthers were Republicans elected to the Republican National Convention this news would not have been reported under banner headlines by the oh-so-fair-and-balanced "Chronicle"?
Today's "Our Views" actually attempts to poke fun at the fact that HEADLINES is not a big fan of the current President; does not, as a rule, print articles in support of Republican candidates; and does support Democratic candidates and Progressive causes. That's right, folks. It is the "Lewis County Democrats Headlines"!! On the other hand, perhaps our local newspaper, in an effort to be honest about it's intentions and biases should be renamed "The Lewis County Republican Chronicle."
Holly McNutt
I would hope that if Obama is the candidate, supporters of Hillary will vote for him.
It would be a horrible thing for Sentator Clinton's legacy to be that of a "spoiler" should Obama not win the General Election because Hillary's supporters withheld their vote or, even worse, voted for the Republican candidate.
We are all Democrats and, no matter any bias we might have, should support the candidate who runs in our name for the Presidency in November.
Qualified woman might be what the country needs
By Cindy HaddenWhy haven’t we seriously talked about prejudices and race? Could it be that first we have to get it right on ending the inequality of the human being spieces? How much could we accomplish with a humankind that is equally whole, empowered to work together?
The action of seeing a woman sworn into the highest office would transform hearts and minds around the world. I’m sad Barack Obama interferes with that goal. Why not support it, giving recognition to American women and allies whose 40 years of work has come? Why is that? Is it because he too plays a subtle race card and feels he doesn’t have to? He says we need him this election because change is needed, but admits it’ll take time. Why didn’t he see to it his name was on Michigan and Florida ballots? Where was his insight on the foreseeable fight over voter disenfranchisement? Many saw that coming. I celebrate his future. We share his aspirations, but frighteningly like Bush, Obama was rushed to popularity as somewhat unknown.
My last letter to The Chronicle was responded to by another writer who suggested that when a woman becomes president, she wants to be proud of her. Fair enough. But is that yet another higher standard?
I am blessed to have been born in America, but there hasn’t been a president in my adult lifetime who has made me feel all that proud. There was Nixon (enough said). Reagan cut the Middle Class in half, illegally sold weapons to Iran then lied about it, and took credit for ending the Cold War when Russia’s economy broke; much like ours is breaking.
We forgive people for misdeeds and little white lies, right? After all, we watch Oliver North tell War Stories on Fox and Senator Bradley endorsed Reagan’s Contra action, now endorses Obama. Bush turned what’s left of the “little middle” the Clinton years built up, to the new Upper Poor Class. Obama doesn’t see them. Bush crushed Separation of Church and State, giving your tax dollars for the first time to fundamentalist religious and tax free groups, a program Obama wants to continue. And Bush is erasing our borders; sovereignty without a national discussion. He’s not concerned with civil rights, the Constitution, or lying us into the Iraq War. He believes he won’t be held accountable while living because history still writes books about our first president.
Obama should debate Hillary one on one! Why not give the equal half of the imperfect human spieces her chance? McCain evolves on issues like a chameleon. I heard him say he would return the Draft! We know Hillary well, her life an open book. We know her work, her mistakes, her growth, her goals and what she will do. I am proud and honored to be backing her. If all else fails, she’s demonstrating the will needed to fight continued bias, and the incredible strength future female contenders will need to be elected President.
One day, hopefully soon, women will be allowed to lead as well as vote.
Let's keep accountability to the voters in County Government
A letter from Jim Lowery
(Jim served as our last Democratic County Commissioner
It is amazing to me that the Republicans and the Chronicle don't believe in citizen government and advocate a hired professional. A County Manager is not directly responsible to the electorate, doesn't have to be elected, and realistically doesn't have any obligation to the voters. Their obligation is to the council. The Chronicle gives the impression they would like to see an autocratic form of government, not one represented by citizens that have been elected to represent their neighbors.
Centralia and Chehalis have just as much responsibility with the flooding issue and both have a city council/city manager form of government. They have professional leadership and still got hit hard by the flood. The Chronicles argument makes no sense. The reason the flood issue can't be resolved is because both Chehalis and Centralia don't believe they should stop building in the flood plain and don't want to spend the money to take the steps necessary to prevent the flood devastation. And yet the Chronicle blames the County.
The fact that local governments can't come to agreement on how to address the flood issue is more critical to what the problem is not professional management at the county level in the form of a County Manager or Chief of Staff.
Under the County form of government you have four professionals that advise the commission on issues of importance like flooding, transportation, health, technology, emergency response, etc. To limit that to one person would be very restrictive and not allow for the best exchange of information of ideas and solutions.
The Chronicle blames lack of action on the flood control issue when asking for Commissioner Graham to resign, when in reality they are still angry with him for joining with me to eliminate the Chief of Staff position at the County. In 2001 they wrote an article praising Commissioner Graham for his leadership on the flood control issue. They have endorsed his election for Commissioner four times. It is hypocritical to now ask for his resignation because of one issue last year. They targeted me during last years election for this issue, with innuendo and misinformation fed to them by another County elected official and now they are going after Graham.
I don’t care for the personal attacks and negativity that the Chronicle uses to promote their idea of a new county government. I think the issue has enough merit on its own to be put before the voters of Lewis County.
The Commissioners could initiate the action by asking for an election of 15 to 25 freeholders to draw up a charter for the new county government and that would be accepted or rejected by the voters. The interesting thing about a Charter County is the Treasurer, Assessor, Clerk, Auditor and Sheriff could be appointed rather than elected. This would be in line with the Chronicles argument that professionals should do these jobs rather than elected citizens. The Prosecutor and the Judges would still have to face election.
Even with a council of 5 to 7 persons, I will still be concerned about a manager form of government and would be more agreeable to the department heads still being the professionals to advise the council. I’ve seen too many city councils where the City Manager makes the decisions and the council rubber stamps them. It is very dangerous to give this kind of power to one person. The Democrats might consider a forum on this issue with both sides represented.