Too far a stretch

Submitted by Albert Nekimken (United States), Oct 23, 2008 at 16:04

As much as I admire Daniel Pipes' work and his goals, I think this article goes too far with the charge of guilt by association. I concur with Pipes's conclusion that this record might prevent Obama from obtaining a security clearance--based on current policies and procedures--however, that process may need significant improvement. (In another context, wouldn't similar procedures have disqualified Ariel Sharon from serving as Israel's PM since he once belonged to a self-identified terrorist organization?)

Regarding Obama's school registration, children of a Muslim father who live in a Muslim country would normally be registered as "Muslim" at school. This was a mere formality; no one asked Obama about his religious beliefs, nor was anyone interested. Insofar as he learned something about Islam while studying in Indonesia, he likely benefited.

There is nothing in the web of Muslim extremist contacts of Obama described above that shows his agreement with their views. While one can concur that these "insalubrious" connections raise doubts about his fitness to serve as president, it's a stretch to call these doubts "grave" without jumping to the unwarranted conclusion that he both knew of their views and agreed with them. Even in the case of the most recent such connection--with Jeremiah Wright--there is likely more to him than his rantings that were so widely publicized. And, as Obama stated, the mere fact that he was aware of such views also didn't mean that he agreed with them.

Why, like most of us, he didn't sever his connections with such people much earlier opens another chapter of inquiry that bears little on the choice between Obama and McCain, who is demonstrably unfit to serve as president, albeit for different reasons.

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