Islam: Bush Versus Trump.

By in Politics, Religion Tags: ,

 

Today President Trump retweeted videos posted by Jayda Fransen, leader of conspiracy theory far-right group Britain First. Even Trump sympathizers, including Piers Morgan, didn’t waste a minute in responding

Prime Minister of Britain, Theresa May, then came out and condemned Trump’s actions:

“British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudice of the far-right, which it is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency tolerance and respect. It is wrong for the President to have done this.”

Contrast Trump’s continued xenophobic and racist attack against Muslims with the leadership of President George W. Bush, just days after September 11, 2001.

Bush knew the difference between crazy extremists who we need to be destroyed, versus Muslims, such as the over 5,000 that serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

___________________________________

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary


September 17, 2001

“Islam is Peace,” Says President

Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

3:12 P.M. EDT

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you all very much for your hospitality.  We’ve just had a — wide-ranging discussions on the matter at hand.  Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday’s attacks.  And so were Muslims all across the world.  Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.

These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith.  And it’s important for my fellow Americans to understand that.

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself:  In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil.  For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam.  That’s not what Islam is all about.  Islam is peace.  These terrorists don’t represent peace.  They represent evil and war.

When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world.  Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace.  And that’s made brothers and sisters out of every race — out of every race.

America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country.  Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads.  And they need to be treated with respect.  In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.

Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes.  Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America.  That’s not the America I know.  That’s not the America I value.

I’ve been told that some fear to leave; some don’t want to go shopping for their families; some don’t want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, they’re afraid they’ll be intimidated. That should not and that will not stand in America.

Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don’t represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.

This is a great country.  It’s a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity and human worth.  And it is my honor to be meeting with leaders who feel just the same way I do.  They’re outraged, they’re sad.  They love America just as much as I do.

I want to thank you all for giving me a chance to come by.  And may God bless us all.

END

3:19 P.M. EDT

 

___________________________________

What a difference.

 

Our Lungs Work. Our Hearts Work. Our Minds Work.

By in Parenting, Relationships, Spirituality, Teenagers Tags: , , ,

I took my morning run today at 5:30. I was tired. It was cold. On this particular morning, I thought true thoughts.

I thought of my two legs — I have two legs. I thought of my children — I have children. I thought of their health — they have health. I thought of my wife — one of the most decent people I’ve ever known. I thought of my warm home —I  have a warm home. I thought of my incredible friends — I have incredible friends.

I thought of my mother and father and three sisters — I have a mother and father and three sisters. I thought of my three brothers in law — I have three brothers in law. All good men.

I thought of my faith — I’m grateful for my faith. I thought of my car — I have a car. The A/C works. The brakes work. So does the radio and the and the generator and the battery and the alternator and the rear window defroster. It gets great gas mileage.

I thought of my ten fingers and ten toes — I have ten fingers and ten toes. I looked down and thought of my New Balance 993′s—I have New Balance 993′s. Two pairs, in fact, one gray, one black.

I thought of my books — I cherish my books. I thought of my trials — trials turn to gold. I thought of my freedom — I am nobody’s slave. I thought of those living under oppression — I am not oppressed. I thought of my education — I am grateful for opportunities to learn and grow.

As long as I have breath, I will always learn and grow.

I panted in the cold air as I ascended a daunting hill. There are many hills in this life. I thought of my will and my strength and my faith to get over hills.

The sun broke through these dark clouds and I saw radiant beams of sun. Then I thought of my eyesight —  I can see.

I had no pain in my body. No pain in my body. I had no pain in my body.

I thought of my family again — they are healthy and funny and grounded and happy. I thought about later posting a picture we took a while ago.

Our lungs work. Our hearts work. Our minds work.

I am loved. I am accepted. I contribute to the wellbeing of others. My friends mean the world to me. And they care for me. My family means the world to me. And they care for me.

Life is full of good things and difficult things. But every time we focus on the good things, we become grateful.

It’s kind of like that thing Lincon said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

 

(this post was adapted from a previous post that you can see here)

It Is My Moral Duty: Day XX In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics, Religion Tags: ,

This is a sad and pathetic story. I don’t like writing about this stuff. But I must.

Roy Moore, running for Senator as an Alabama Republican, now has 5 women who have accused him of sexual abuse.

Over the past week, virtually every major Republican voice has called on Moore to step down. Yesterday, Sean Hannity of FOX News said, “You must remove any doubt. If he can’t do this, then Judge Moore needs to get out of this race.”

One Republican leader has been mysteriously silent: President Trump.

The problem for Trump is the thorny logic. Moore has 5 credible female accusers. He calls them all liars. And yet, Moore is receiving increased pressure to step down. Donald Trump has 16 credible female accusers. He calls them all liars, too. But he seems to have no inclination to step down.

Why?

Trump once told reporters of his accusers, “All I can say is it’s totally fake news. It’s just fake. It’s fake. It’s made-up stuff, and it’s disgraceful, what happens, but that happens in the — that happens in the world of politics.”

The “pink elephant” in the room here is glaringly apparent and it begs a host of questions.

Why the double standard?

Are Moore’s accusers credible, and Trump’s not?

Do you get a pass when you are President? (Well, no — Bill Clinton didn’t.)

On what moral basis can Sean Hannity offer Moore such an ultimatum, but not ask one of Trump?

Are Trump’s accusers, by virtue of the fact that Trump is President, less believable?

And if Trump joins the chorus of influential GOP leaders calling on Roy Moore to step aside, how will he and his supporters defend calling his 16 accusers “liars?”

Some Republicans get mad at me for “speaking against your own party.” But right is right. Wrong is wrong. I’m no typical political yes-man.

Perhaps it’s political suicide for me to bring stuff like this up, but I’m a candidate who will always speak from my heart, and tell the truth, even if it “hurts” me politically.

It’s my moral duty as a husband, father, brother, friend, and candidate for the United States House of Representatives to defend the defenseless — in this case, women.

We can do better. Please visit my campaign page by clicking HERE and supporting a new kind of Republican!

“Save Your Soul, Paul”: Day VIII In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics Tags: ,

 

 

“Save your soul Paul.” That was recent advice on a social media chat.

I take no offense.

Listening to the views of others, that is. Hearing what matters to them. Their fears. It’s my passion to learn from them. And I consider myself blessed to spend most of my days talking, texting, messaging with others about things that matter.

Politics is a dirty word today. But it’s is just a word to describe how people manage to live together in peace, safety, harmony.

If you’ve followed me on social media, I like to argue my point on things I believe in. I can be as stubborn as hell if pushed hard. But, as important, I want to understand the views of others.

One of the greatest compliments I receive is when people from the far right or far left tell me they respect my commitment to being fair.

Most people today are fed up with politicians. Congress has an approval rating of just 13%. That’s pretty sad. If I get elected, I will never become a politician. Like I said last week, a guy wanted to introduce me to a billionaire donor. I told him “no thanks.” I’m not even joking.

Today, I was chatting with a big Trump supporter. There have been over 900 homicides since Las Vegas. Trump promised to keep us safe. It is immoral that Trump will not even use the word gun after a mass murder like we saw in Vegas. It’s fine if he wants to protect us from terrorists, as he should. But every year over 15,000 dies from homicides from gun violence. Far fewer die from terrorists.

But every year over 15,000 Americans die from homicides from gun violence. Far fewer die from terrorists.

Non-partisan common sense says to combat terrorism and gun violence. Protect. The. People

Here’s a virtual transcription of the conversation. It warms my heart, even though there are clear differences.

Him: Going after Trump will not get you elected. Wrong approach.

Me: I don’t disagree with everything. But win or lose I’ve committed to being honest with my convictions for the good of the people. But I appreciate it…

Him: …it’s not how politics work. People are in it for one person only, themselves. I’m sure there are great intentions initially but so much money being thrown around in government corrupts the best of them.

Me: The largest special interest group in the country giving Trump $30 million then he didn’t even use the word “guns” after Vegas, THAT’s politics. I won’t take a dime from any special interest group.

Him: …you won’t win if you stay honest with your convictions. I respect it but not a winning (in politics) strategy. It’s the dirtiest place to play and you’ve got to think and act like them. Based on your posts I don’t see you being that type of person. Your intentions seem honorable but not how politics work.

Me: …appreciate it man. Given that, maybe you might help me. I deeply believe voters ultimately want candidates who will tell the truth, put voters ahead of $$$, not be so divided. Either way, I know you don’t buy all my positions but your words so inspire me… Thank you.

Him: in my heart of hearts we want people with your intentions to run this country. Unfortunately, it’s not how the world is set up.

Someone else chimes in: Save your soul Paul

I won’t lose my soul because I will stand by my convictions, not those of career politicians, large corporate interests, the billionaire class.

I’m for the people.

We can do better.

Please visit my campaign page HERE and support me NOW. This is a grassroots effort. We need you to bring real change to America.

Frenemies: Day IV In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics Tags: ,

 

Paul, what issues are you running on? I’m getting this question more and more.

Probably one of the biggest issues for me is that of political unity. I’m a pragmatist. I’m into effectiveness. I like to get stuff done.

Problem today is that things haven’t been getting done in years in Washington DC. Everybody’s fighting. Republicans hate Democrats and Democrats hate Republicans. And the mainstream media is the only one profiting.

The fact that nothing gets done means little to career politicians; even during a recession, they get their hefty salaries, benefits, summers off.

The ineffectiveness of Congress has little bearing on the job security of many of its members.

Here’s a question I ask you to consider. How can this organization we call the United States government be successful when people on opposite sides hate each other? How can a family or a company or any organization function when its members loathe fellow members?

How can there be progress when one side considers it a “win” when the other side loses?

The win-lose spirit in Washington D.C is the primary reason for Congress’s current national approval rating of 13% — voters don’t like it. And why should they?

At the core of my campaign is an overwhelming sense that the division between left and right is damaging this great nation. Further, I do not believe blaming the other side is the answer.

I don’t care if you are left of Bernie Sanders, I don’t care if you’re right of Ted Cruz — it does our nation no good to despise fellow citizens. Even if their beliefs are opposite to yours.

So I am running as a “raging centrist.” That just means that I am, ferociously if you will, stubbornly committed to bringing people from both sides together.

And I consider it a great compliment, as a lifetime Republican, to have the support of Independents and even Democrats.

I consider it a victory, in large part, because working with Democrats was one of Ronald Reagan’s greatest legacies. Staunchly conservative, and, yet, able to have the finesse to work with the political “enemy.”

The best example of this finesse was Reagan’s relationship with Tip O’Neil. O’Neil was the Speaker of the House of Representatives during most of Reagan’s two terms in office.

You couldn’t have two men who had two leaders with more opposite views. Reagan essentially saw government as essentially bad; O’Neil wanted nothing more than to expand it.

The two men basically loathed each other’s policies.

And, yet, they forged a relationship based on respect. As important, they realized that the kind of partisanship that embodies today’s polarized American politics today would result in not just the hating of your fellow citizen, but paralysis in Washington.

O’Neil’s son, Thomas, wrote about their relationship, in this article, Frenemies: A Love Story. I think anyone passionate about politics needs to read this. It brings tears to my eyes as I imagine what is possible in our divided nation.

Here’s an excerpt:

“What both men deplored more than the other’s political philosophy was stalemate, and a country that was so polarized by ideology and party politics that it could not move forward. There were tough words and important disagreements over everything from taxation to Medicare and military spending. But there was yet a stronger commitment to getting things done.”

If I have the honor of representing the voters in the 48th Congressional District, I can assure them that I’m going there to get things done, in the spirit of Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neil.

Because let’s face it, when we strip away all the polarizing junk we see in the media or on social media, people are people.

We are all in this together.

We can do better.

If this post resonates with you, I humbly ask you to click HERE NOW and read more about my other priorities.

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