Tag: Politics

Politics

Far-Right “Historic Alliance” to Liberate a Europe “Too Tolerant” of Islam

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Far-right Eurosceptic politicians Marie Le Pen (French National Front (FNF) and Geert Wilders (Party for Freedom (PVV) – Holland) met yesterday in The Hague to launch what they have described as a “historic alliance” in Europe. Le Pen and Wilders’s alliance encourages ethno-nationalism, anti-immigration policies, anti-Islam fervor, and rejection of European integration. The FNF and…… Continue reading Far-Right “Historic Alliance” to Liberate a Europe “Too Tolerant” of Islam

Interfaith · Religion

Debating “Islam is a threat to the West”

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

As a proud Catholic American from Boston, Massachusetts, I recently participated in a debate hosted by the University College Dublin Law Society, one of the largest and most prestigious student societies in Europe. The proposition of the debate was “This House Believes That Islam is a Threat to the West.” Arguing against this proposition, I…… Continue reading Debating “Islam is a threat to the West”

Politics

How Would America’s Founding Fathers React to Syria?

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

In all likelihood, President Barack Obama will soon bomb Syria in the hope of dealing a blow to Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime. This dangerous act of war is a betrayal of the foreign policy vision of America’s founding fathers and will only serve to further weaken the US’s floundering moral credibility around the…… Continue reading How Would America’s Founding Fathers React to Syria?

Politics

Understanding the Pluralism of the Founding Fathers

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Over the years I have penned many articles to highlight the pluralist spirit of the U.S. founding fathers. Independence Day is an opportunity for Americans and people worldwide to celebrate human rights and religious tolerance. The founding fathers were by no means perfect, and neither is America, but their vision for the U.S. is something…… Continue reading Understanding the Pluralism of the Founding Fathers

Politics

Time For a New Patriot Act

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2001 was a dark year for Americans. The Twin Towers fell. The Pentagon was struck. But the Nation lost much more than that in 2001. 2001 was the year that George W. Bush signed the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act is kind of like a propaganda document for the following reasons. Literally, the Patriot Act…… Continue reading Time For a New Patriot Act

Politics

Benjamin Franklin Would be Outraged with NSA Spying

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Commentary

Reflecting on the state and future of American exceptionalism

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In the face of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, or whatever you call hate in modern America, I am still optimistic about the future of the United States. From day one, the mission of America has been progress, progress, progress. We need thoughtful writers and bridge builders to keep it going. There are thousands and thousands of…… Continue reading Reflecting on the state and future of American exceptionalism

Politics

Comparing American and North Korean mad men

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Fox News posts this picture: *** In response, I post this picture:

Religion

Does the next Pope tackle these issues?

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Source: Truthdig First, the church has to address the abuse scandal that has been devouring the institution from the inside. Step one is to release every document, no matter how embarrassing or costly, relating to child abuse and the protection of criminal priests. The Vatican has to throw open its doors and establish an independent,…… Continue reading Does the next Pope tackle these issues?

Politics

“Islamophobia” Crimes Up Despite “Terrorist” Attacks Being Down in U.S.

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Mass shootings such as those in Newtown, Connecticut, and Aurora, Colorado, by far exceed the number of those killed in Muslim-related terrorism in the U.S., new research says.  “Terrorist” attacks in 2012 are down from 21 in 2011, 26 in 2010 and 49 in 2009, according to the fourth annual report by North Carolina’s Triangle…… Continue reading “Islamophobia” Crimes Up Despite “Terrorist” Attacks Being Down in U.S.

Commentary

The similarities between Al Jazeera and Fox News

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Many Americans around the United States are making a fuss about Al Jazeera’s purchase of Current TV, which will allow the Arab based channel to air its content in the United States.  Some Americans have called Al Jazeera a threat to national security, while others have even suggested that Al Jazeera spreads anti-Semitic propaganda.  The Fox News commentator,…… Continue reading The similarities between Al Jazeera and Fox News

Film-work

Film-work: Dubliners demonstrate in solidarity with Gaza

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Thanks to Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign for organizing this demonstration.

Politics

Politics: Romney’s dangerous ‘More enemies, less friends’ foreign policy

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Ahead of tonight’s third and final presidential debate, which happens to focus on foreign policy, I turn to journalist Ari Berman’s article ‘Mitt Romney’s Neocon War Cabinet’ to show how Romney may go about positioning the U.S. on the world stage. ‘If we take the candidate at his word, a Romney presidency would move toward…… Continue reading Politics: Romney’s dangerous ‘More enemies, less friends’ foreign policy

Politics

Politics: Impression on first debate is Romney winner

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You don’t have to tell the truth to win a debate, but you do have to have fine talking points, clear and simple policies, effective communication, good body language, sound composure, a sense of humour, and a competitive edge. I woke up this morning and read on Twitter that media outlets the world over are…… Continue reading Politics: Impression on first debate is Romney winner

Commentary

Commentary: Time for Obama to say something about mosque attacks across U.S.

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The arsonist attack at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo adds to the growing concern that the constitutional right to worship freely is not safeguarded when it comes American Muslims. In the summer of 2012, 8 mosques were attacked in just eleven days (Salon.com).  In Joplin, Missouri, a mosque was destroyed by an arsonist; the same…… Continue reading Commentary: Time for Obama to say something about mosque attacks across U.S.

Work

Reason Behind American Fear-Mongering Campaign Against Iran

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Important passage from Glenn Greenwald’s article on the real reason why the U.S. fears a nuclear Iran: No rational person takes seriously the claim that Iran, even if it did obtain a nuclear weapon, would commit instant and guaranteed national suicide by using it to attack a nation that has a huge nuclear stockpile, which happens…… Continue reading Reason Behind American Fear-Mongering Campaign Against Iran

Politics

Politics: Will the ‘real’ Mitt Romney please stand up at the debates?

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Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post weighs in on the Obama vs. Romney debates: ‘Romney’s task is more difficult. For the umpteenth time, he has to introduce himself to the American people. He has to erase the impressions left by all the Mitt Romneys we met earlier—the clueless rich guy, the heartless private-equity baron who likes…… Continue reading Politics: Will the ‘real’ Mitt Romney please stand up at the debates?

Politics

Politics: Greenwald suggests there’s a separate justice system in the U.S. for Muslim Americans

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I want to share with you a very good article in the Guardian from Glenn Greenwald.  The title of the article is ‘Five lessons from the de-listing of MEK as a terrorist group’, but here I want to share a particular section of it: The past decade has seen numerous ‘material support’ prosecutions of US…… Continue reading Politics: Greenwald suggests there’s a separate justice system in the U.S. for Muslim Americans

Religion

Politics: Culture of dependency between American Islamophobes and ultra-religious Muslims

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From Moustafa Bayoumi’s Men Behaving Badly: ‘The Islamophobes in the United States and the ultra-religious right in Muslim-majority countries need each other to survive. Each confirms to the other the need for his own existence. To the Islamophobes, all Muslims are extremists. The provocations Islamophobes produce are designed to elicit the very images we see.…… Continue reading Politics: Culture of dependency between American Islamophobes and ultra-religious Muslims

Film-work

Film-work: Chris Hedges on the monstering of Obama in 2016: Obama’s America

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Thinker and author Chris Hedges, who sued the Obama administration in federal court over the National Defense Authorization Act, recently debated Dinesh D’Souza over the inflammatory documentary 2016: Obama’s America (which D’Souza created). Hedges states: ‘Well, Dinesh is a better propagandist than he is psychoanalyst. It (2016: Obama’s America) is vile in terms of its underlying…… Continue reading Film-work: Chris Hedges on the monstering of Obama in 2016: Obama’s America

Politics

Politics: What do you think of the Newsweek cover ‘Muslim rage’?

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Pictures

Picture: One year anniversary of Occupy Movement

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I’m posting this picture (which was a vetted CNN iReport) to remember Occupy Dame Street (Dublin) and the one year anniversary of the start of the global Occupy Movement.

Work

Work: Some links launching new initiative One Film 9/11

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Journey into America should be required viewing for all Americans and Muslims worldwide.  For this reason I have started the initiative One Film 9/11. The purpose of this initiative is to screen Journey into America in as many places of religious worship around the world on September 11th, 2013 in the hope of improving relations…… Continue reading Work: Some links launching new initiative One Film 9/11

Politics

Politics: ‘Sorry people of America …’

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Work

Work: Huffington Post piece, ‘The “other” Islam’ and reflecting on religion and 9/11

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A short piece I wrote about how 9/11 changed the way I looked at religion, specifically Islam, was published today (September 11th) in the Huffington Post’s article (slide 12) How 9/11 Changed Religion in America. I’m honoured to be featured alongside a Hindu Monk, a Sikh activist, an Ahmadi writer, a Jewish scholar, a Dean at USC,…… Continue reading Work: Huffington Post piece, ‘The “other” Islam’ and reflecting on religion and 9/11

Politics

Calls for secession in the U.S.

Dr. Craig Considine5 Comments

Last update: November 5th, 2013 New Colorado: the 51st state? Rural Coloradans feel marginalized by urban voters. So 11 counties will soon vote on a proposal to secede from Colorado. Keep reading at Al-Jazeera America. * The US government shutdown is over, but the divide between the “two America’s” continues, as the New York Times…… Continue reading Calls for secession in the U.S.

Politics

Politics: The deficit as another example of the ‘alternative universe’ of the Republican Party

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Here’s a brilliant idea… let’s go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan even though we don’t have the money to pay for it.  We can just put the tab on our credit cards.  $3,000,000,000,000 isn’t that much money anyways.  No worries.  Here’s another good idea.  While we’re at war, let’s give tax breaks to the…… Continue reading Politics: The deficit as another example of the ‘alternative universe’ of the Republican Party

Politics

Politics: On these issues, there’s little difference between Obama and Bush

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Think back to the election of 2008. Do you remember how one candidate had it easy?  He had eight years of abject failure to run against.  Eight years that included the launching of two dismal wars, the creation of a torture gulag with its crown jewel at Guantánamo Bay, the ushering in of a program of robotic assassination missions and secret spying…… Continue reading Politics: On these issues, there’s little difference between Obama and Bush

Politics

Politics: Deval Patrick’s feisty ‘backbone’ speech calls on Democrats to stop being whimps

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The Republicans must be aggravated that a short black man can be so politically destructive.  It must shatter the constructs that many have in their head. Patrick’s speech had very little rhetoric, which I like. He was strong and feisty and attacked. He called on Democrats to stop being such wimps.  He told his party…… Continue reading Politics: Deval Patrick’s feisty ‘backbone’ speech calls on Democrats to stop being whimps

Politics

Politics: Considering questions about communism

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To what extent is communism a fundamental principle of Christian theology? To what extent is the implementation of communism the correct path for the realization of republican ideals and virtues? What are the similarities and differences between communism and socialism? How could the abolition of private property and inheritance be realized? How can our needs…… Continue reading Politics: Considering questions about communism

Politics

Politics: Double standard in war crimes

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From Desmond Tutu’s Why I had no choice but to spurn Tony Blair: ‘On what grounds do we decide that Robert Mugabe should go the International Criminal Court, Tony Blair should join the international speakers’ circuit, bin Laden should be assassinated, but Iraq should be invaded, not because it possesses weapons of mass destruction, as…… Continue reading Politics: Double standard in war crimes

Film-work

Film-work: Obama visits Needham, Massachusetts on campaign trail

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Politics

Politics: What Massachusetts knows about Romney’s ‘business experience’

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Many people who are from or have lived in Massachusetts know that Romney, while Governor, led a state which was near the bottom of the national list for JOB GROWTH. During his administration, he also piled up more DEBT per person than any other state and CUT taxes for millionaires. Romney’s track record in no…… Continue reading Politics: What Massachusetts knows about Romney’s ‘business experience’

Politics

Politics: Politics of ‘Anti-Semitic’

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About five minutes ago, I had a link ready for posting on my Facebook profile. The link had to do with Eilat, Israel’s (mis)treatment of the children of African migrants. In a nut shell, the rulers of Eilat want these children to be placed in separate schools and away from the ‘real’ and more ‘authentic’…… Continue reading Politics: Politics of ‘Anti-Semitic’

Politics

Politics: Who is ‘We’ and what have they ‘Built’?

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I won’t be tuning into the Republican National Convention, though last night, while eating dinner, I overheard that the theme for the first night of the Convention was ‘We Built That’. So who and/or what is the Grand Old Party (GOP) referring to with ‘We’? Who exactly is ‘We’? Is it a reference to Americans generally or…… Continue reading Politics: Who is ‘We’ and what have they ‘Built’?

Politics

Irish President Calls American Tea Partier “Wanker Whipping Up Fear”

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The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins eviscerated ardent US Republican radio broadcaster Michael Graham over issues like healthcare and foreign policy. Read more here.

Quoted · Religion

The Difference Between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs

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Film-work

Video/commentary: Will there be a radicalization of white people hearing on Capitol Hill?

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment
Politics

Politics: Tea Party founder overlooked Muslims’ sacrifices for US

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Check out the piece I just had published in the Arizona Capitol Times (the most read newspapers in Arizona for political affairs). I wrote in response to what a Tea Party leader had said about the loyalty of Muslim Americans. Read it here

Quoted

Ralph Waldo Emerson on thought and the prison

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Truth is our element of life, yet if a man fasten his attention on single aspect of truth, and apply himself to that alone for a long time, the truth becomes distorted and not itself, but falsehood; herein reassembling the air, which is our natural element, and the breath of our nostrils, but if a…… Continue reading Ralph Waldo Emerson on thought and the prison

Politics

Politics: Help our veterans with their mental issues

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Chris Fields, a disgruntled, if not delusional veteran of the Iraq War, is running against Congressman Keith Ellison for a spot on Capitol Hill. Fields had the following to say in a letter to the City Pages that was directed towards Ellison: Dear Patriot, While I was fighting on a battlefield in Iraq, my opponent…… Continue reading Politics: Help our veterans with their mental issues

Politics

Weak Economy Means an Inferior Culture?

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In a nut-shell, Mitt Romney insinuated on his recent visit to Jerusalem that Israel’s economy performs well because Israeli society has a superior culture.  Inevitably, Romney also hinted that the Palestinian economy does not perform well because Palestinian society lacks ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’, thus making Palestinian culture ‘inferior’. Romney’s ‘logic’, therefore, suggests that a strong…… Continue reading Weak Economy Means an Inferior Culture?

Politics

Video: Would You Vote for this guy? Because I would

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Artist Taxi Driver can be found on Twitter at @chunkymark. He comments and posts videos regular on British society.

Politics

Déjà vu and the Tea Party

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To be a member of the Know Nothing Party, one had to be ‘a native born citizen, a Protestant, born of Protestant parents, reared under Protestant influence, and not united in marriage with a Roman Catholic’.  In addition, members of the Know Nothing Party had to take a pledge to prevent ‘the insidious policy of…… Continue reading Déjà vu and the Tea Party

Religion

Religion: JFK’s speech on religious freedom

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Note: A quote from a speech that JFK gave on September 12, 1960, before the Greater Houston Ministerial Association.  My comment is that I would have liked to see other references to Muslims, Hindus, etc, as there were certainly non-Christians and Jews living at this time in the United States. I believe in an America…… Continue reading Religion: JFK’s speech on religious freedom

Commentary

Article from 2007: Reflections of a Concerned Young American

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An article Reflections of a Concerned Young American for Pakistan Link when I was a senior at American University, Washington, DC. Unfortunately one sentence from the article still rings true today. Some have already begun the fight against ignorance and misunderstanding surrounding Islam, but citizens who continue to malign Islam without truly understanding the religion…… Continue reading Article from 2007: Reflections of a Concerned Young American

Commentary

Politics: What Romney said behind closed doors in Jerusalem

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Dear my Israeli donor friends, I have some ideas.  Don’t tell ANYONE what I’m about to propose. Donate $10 million to my campaign and the US will strike Iranian nuclear sites with missiles by February 2013. Of course that’s if I’m elected President. Donate $40 million to my campaign and the US will invade Iran…… Continue reading Politics: What Romney said behind closed doors in Jerusalem

Creativity

Reactions to the Opening Ceremony

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

NOTE: Not sharing Twitter handles to protect identities.  British Pride yayy Imperialism, Destroying 3rd World Lands This would be accurate if the black boy was to be stopped & searched by the police. Then shot & killed by the police #olympicceremony Aww, they are getting nostalgic. The good ol’ coloniasist days This is what the opening…… Continue reading Reactions to the Opening Ceremony

Politics

Al Aqsa Imam Arrested by Israeli Army During Ramadan

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

On Thursday, 26th July, Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn, Imam of al-Aqsa mosque after they broke into the mosque, closed its gates and forced the worshipers to leave. Sources in Jerusalem said that worshipers were at the mosque for al-Fajer prayer and suddenly the Israeli police broke into the mosque, arrested the mosque’s Imam and…… Continue reading Al Aqsa Imam Arrested by Israeli Army During Ramadan

Politics

Video: ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Place’ (Pakistan) speech by Akbar Ahmed

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Professor Akbar Ahmed speaks about the difficult quandary in present day Pakistan, especially in the Tribal Areas.  Be on the lookout for his forthcoming book The Thistle and the Drone (to be published by Brookings Institution Press in the spring of 2013).