zenpundit.com

[ by Charles Cameron — not so ]
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On the one hand you have Sheikh Wael Al-Ghitawi..

Montreal mosque facing calls for investigation after imam preaches on anti-Semitic conspiracy theories https://t.co/TaQ8Vk2vq3

— Matthew Levitt (@Levitt_Matt) February 28, 2017

— and on the other, Prof Aisha Ahmad —

This is my son. At some point, he is going to learn that some people hate him because he's a Jew. I'd like to put that off as long as I can. pic.twitter.com/Qol6r1301n

— Alex Halpern (@HalpernAlex) February 28, 2017

When that time comes, you can also tell him that others – including this Muslim girl right here – are willing to human shield him. https://t.co/46HVhyZ3go

— Aisha Ahmad (@ProfAishaAhmad) February 28, 2017

Alhamdulillah!

[ by Charles Cameron — a meditation on grief, politics and the raid in Yemen ]
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That long moment with SEAL William “Ryan” Owens‘ widow, Carryn Owens, was the central human moment of President Trump‘s speech to the Joint session of the United States Congress today.

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My emotions were varied and braided. The widow’s grief was obvious, and I felt and grieved for her, as I’m sure we all did.

What the President did w Owen's widow was capital P Presidential. It was the single most extraordinary moment I've seen from Trump – by far.

— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) March 1, 2017

At the same time, the President featuring it in his speech seemed manipulative and, in the worst sense, political:

It was by far the grossest thing Trump has done and reporters are bizarrely intoxicated by it https://t.co/fGG0Ap3627

— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) March 1, 2017

As I say, my emotions were varied and braided.

**

Nor let us forget the father’s grief, which expressed itself in an angry, anguished question —

— nor, finally, the grief of the Awlaki family at the loss in that same raid of Nawar Anwar Al-Awlaki, Sheikh Anwar Awlaki‘s 8-year-old daughter — an American girl among the civilian casualties.

I grieve again.

[ by Charles Cameron — Geert Wilders, that is, and Donald Trump? ]
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Consider:

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Sources:

New York Times, Geert Wilders, Reclusive Provocateur, Rises Before Dutch Vote

Washington Times, Donald Trump draws boos from conservative crowd

[ by Charles Cameron — Trump, Assad and Trump ]
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The first way, which is drawing a lot of fire these days, is via the Trump “Muslim ban” —

— but it ain’t the only way: angering al-Assad can also do the trick.

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An alternative example of the first kind would give us this —

— in some ways it’s a closer match, since both Russo and Khatib were traveling to significant events where their work would be highlighted. On the other hand, the Muhammad Ali Jr instance is powerful by reason of the issue of his religion coming up..

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Sources:

Guardian, US border agents ask Muhammad Ali’s son: ‘Are you a Muslim?’

Vox, The White Helmets cinematographer Khaled Khatib was coming to the Oscars

Guardian, Leading French academic threatened with deportation at Houston airport

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But then we could also juxtapose the alternative first examples with one another, making a DoubleQuote of two instances of problems with US border agents —

— and yes, much of the world is looking on.

[ by Charles Cameron — good news in response to bad ]
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First:

Appears hundreds of graves vandalized at #STL Jewish cemetery. Damage is extensive. @andybankertv live report on @KPLR11 and @FOX2now at 5p pic.twitter.com/wneuIpl5MY

— Joe Lamie (@GIJoter) February 20, 2017

resulting in:

From the reporter who met Syrian refugees helping repair the desecrated Jewish cemetery in Missouri. https://t.co/r9e2BKjMOO

— Lisa Goldman (@lisang) February 24, 2017

And now:

More anti-Jewish hate? Dozens of headstones damaged at Philadelphia Jewish cemetery https://t.co/2vNhUfDTm4 @ADL_National @ADLPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/5eDSeF09JL

— Oren Segal (@orensegal) February 26, 2017

resulting in:

Muslim youth have come to help Philadelphia Jews repair the vandalized cemetery, reports Rabbi Yosef Goldman. https://t.co/njQzz4WH6C

— Lisa Goldman (@lisang) February 26, 2017

**

The heart dismayed, the heart uplifted. Thank you, thank you.