An Endorsement

The big news today was the endorsement of Senator Ted Kennedy for Barack Obama. Very big news.

My endorsement means nothing in the world of politics and I've been debating whether to mention it on this blog or simply stay quiet. A news story prompted me to speak up.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is very upset with Ted Kennedy for failing to endorse Hillary Clinton as the first woman president. Personally, I agree with Ted Kennedy. It's not enough to be the first woman president. The first woman must also be the best woman to hold the office of the presidency. I'm not convinced that Hillary Clinton is that woman and I prefer to hold out for someone else who would be better suited. I do hope she appears within my lifetime.

Sorry, NOW. I think the time is now for Barack Obama. I've followed his candidacy for months and I'm reading his book, Dreams From My Father. It's not only his writing style that impresses me, but the breadth and depth of his experiences. He is not simply a politician reaching for the brass ring. His very parentage and his upbringing helped prepare him. His youth and college days helped prepare him. He has worked hard to mobilize and build coalitions and I have every confidence that his hard work and vision will benefit the people of the United States. And, as Caroline Kennedy said, he is the first candidate to inspire in the way her father, and her uncle Bobby, did.

I was eleven years old when Bobby Kennedy was shot and I looked to him for hope. I remember the morning my mother woke me and told me he was dead. I mourned him. I had never felt this alive, as a U.S. citizen, until I heard Barack Obama speak and read what he had to say.

We truly must look beyond race and gender. Barack Obama is the best person for the office of the presidency in 2008.

I'm not famous or well-known. My opinion won't appear in any newspapers. I do encourage you to look at all the candidates. Seek the one who promises a vision rather than simply more of the same.

Suggestions?

It's a new year and I'm not quite satisfied with this blog so I'm thinking about how I can revamp it. I will take at least one week off, or possibly two, to come up with a new approach.

Of course, I always appreciate your suggestions.

Who Benefits?

I'm still on vacation, but as I sit here in my Florida motel room and listen to the reports on CNN I feel I must make a statement.

On many points I haven't agreed with Benazir Bhutto. However, her assassination has left me also shocked and disappointed. I'm also deeply troubled as I try to understand all the forces at work here.

I don't believe Bhutto's assassin was a single mad gunman. There are too many other forces at work. I know the pieces, but I don't yet know how they fit together into the puzzle.

These are the facts:

1. Bhutto presented a serious challenge to Musharraf

2. Musharraf, who seized control of Pakistan several years ago, has repeatedly received endorsement from the current administration. He is one of America's favorite dictators.

3. Bhutto indicated in an email that Musharraf was her greatest threat.

4. Even though the Pakistani public has pointed to Musharraf as the force behind Bhutto's assassination, these claims are being ignored.

5. Instead, the emphasis has swung to blame of Islamic "extremism." Throughout the evening CNN has run a special program about the dangers presented by Muslims in Pakistan.

6. And don't forget that Pakistan has a nuclear weapon. This has been brought up repeatedly.

I don't know how people will treat me tomorrow when I go out and about. I expect a change in attitude. After all, I'm an "extremist." I pray five times a day (three while traveling) and wear a head scarf. My husband wears a kufi. I guess our headwear makes us dangerous.

Who has benefitted from Benazir Bhutto's assassination? The Pakistani people? Muslims throughout the world? Or people who would like to seize control of Pakistan, wresting power from its Muslim citizens?

For the last several weeks, American pundits have discussed the need for change in Pakistan. This is their opportunity. And I don't believe in coincidences.

Enjoy!

I won't be posting for the next two weeks. (Did I hear a cheer in the background?) Eid ul Adha starts on Wednesday and after Eid we plan to travel a little.

I don't think you'll be spending as much time on the internet, either. The kids are off from school. That in itself will keep you busy. And either it will snow so hard you'll be struggling to stay warm or the weather will be unseasonably warm and you won't feel like hanging around the house.

When I was in elementary school we thought it was a great joke as we told our friends, "I'll see you next year." My humor appreciation level has improved since 6th grade, but it's still a nice thought. A new start.

I'll see you next year, insha Allah.

Who's a Racist?

While browsing CNN headlines I noticed a story about Oprah. Apparently she's being blasted for her support of Barack Obama and even being called a racist.

So it's okay for white people to support other white people but it's not okay for black people to support other black people?

First of all, I don't even see the Obama campaign as a "black thing." I'm about as white as a person can be and, personally, I think Barack Obama is the most promising of the mainstream candidates. He has energy and ideas and insight and he won't bully and bluster his way through one crisis while he's creating another. I believe he has integrity--a very rare commodity among politicians.

Anyway, I am sick of all the personal politics being played. We are searching for the next leader of this country, and most of us are sincerely hoping we get someone who can do the job this time. Does gender matter? (I won't support Hillary just because she's a woman--and I would never ask anyone for support on the basis of my gender either. That's still sexism.) Does race matter? Does religion matter? (I am sick and tired of hearing about how a Mormon can't run this country. My only beef with Mitt Romney is that I lived in Massachusetts while he was governor and he seemed to spend most of his time outside of the state, setting up the support for his presidential candidacy.)

Let's grow up. Forget about race. Forget about religion. Forget about gender. Can the person do the job?

And I think the racist is the one who faults Oprah Winfrey for supporting a candidate who happens to be a black man.

Tragic Contradictions

The newest child health care bill was vetoed today. In defense of his action, Bush contended that government health care should not extend to adults nor to those who are not desperately poor. The ideal is for Americans to pay for their health care through private insurance companies.

Do you really believe that, Mr. Bush? You're an adult and far from poor. Why do you receive government health care? The same can be said for Cheney, for the entire executive branch, judicial branch, and Congress. How can you deny to children and struggling adults what you yourselves take so freely? How is that democracy?

There may not be enough money for government health care but Congress is poised to allocate another 70 billion dollars for the war in Iraq--no strings attached. Apparently this country is not in the business of living but of killing.

A tragic murder of a teenage girl occured outside of Toronto. She got into an argument with her strict Muslim father about wearing a headscarf--a hijab. He became irate and strangled her.

I wear hijab and if I had a teenage daughter I would surely hope she wore it too. The hijab is modesty and identity. Also, I am sick of the American media portraying uncovered women as educated and progressive while we poor covered women are, apparently, ignorant and oppressed. Excuse me?

But the father waited too late to teach his daughter. My husband has worked in Islamic education for 22 years and he can tell you that you don't tell a sixteen-year old to wear hijab. You tell a seven year old, a ten year old. She grows up with it and it won't be strange to her. Ah well. It's too late for both the father and the daughter now.

Debating Torture. Why?

Torture saves lives, the White House says. In a CNN poll, over 50% agree that torture is sometimes necessary.

How can we say America stands for freedom and democracy?