Editorials & Other Articles

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Mon Mar 25, 2013, 01:08 PM Mar 2013

The Racism That Fuels the 'War on Terror'

Published on Monday, March 25, 2013 by The Guardian/UK

The Racism That Fuels the 'War on Terror'

A new Gallup poll finds a majority of Americans oppose the drone-executions of US citizens on foreign soil. Then why do they support the Awlaki killing?

by Glenn Greenwald

A new Gallup poll released Monday morning has a surprising finding: a majority of Americans - while supporting air strikes in foreign countries against foreign nationals suspected of Terrorism - oppose such air strikes when used to target US citizens who are suspected Terrorists, whether at home or on foreign soil:

The reason this is surprising is that when the US actually killed a US citizen on foreign soil on the grounds that he was a suspected Terrorist - Anwar al-Awlaki - large majorities approved. One poll at the time reported that "a large proportion of Americans believe the US Government made the correct decision in killing a US born Islamist militant in a drone strike last month" - specifically, that "69 per cent of respondents think the action taken by the US Government to kill Anwar al-Awlaki was justified" (that included 77% Republicans and 73% Democrats approving). Another poll at the time reported that Obama's approval ratings on national security increased eight points in the wake of the Awlaki killing. Meanwhile, Obama aides ran to Politico to boast that Awlaki's corpse would be a significant asset in Obama's re-election bid, leading to this Politico headline:

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/03/25-10

3 replies

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The Racism That Fuels the 'War on Terror' (Original Post) Judi Lynn Mar 2013 OP

why do they support the Awlaki killing? dipsydoodle Mar 2013 #1

So you are claiming John2 Mar 2013 #2

You don't seem to get it. The Stranger Mar 2013 #3

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)

1. why do they support the Awlaki killing?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 01:12 PM

Mar 2013

Because he was brown skinned.

Sad but true.

John2

(2,730 posts)

2. So you are claiming

Reply to dipsydoodle (Reply #1)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 03:29 PM

Mar 2013

that I agree with with the Policy on this guy was based on the color of his skin or that he was Arab? If the U.S. Government falsely accused me of plotting Terrorism against this country, I definately would not flee to another country or try to hide from them. I would publicly try to embarrass them with proof in Court. I would not take my son with me either and expose his life to danger. I don't think any innocent American would flee if they thought their Government made false accusations against them. They would probably lawyer up and sue the Government for everything they can get. And the safest place to confront the U.S. would be on U.S. soil where all your rights can be easier defended under the Constitution. They certainly want ship you out of the country and kill you.

The Stranger

(11,297 posts)

3. You don't seem to get it.

Reply to John2 (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 07:20 PM

Mar 2013

There would be no court for you to "publicly try to embarrass them." There would be no "flee"-ing. There would be no "lawyering up."

You are obliterated by a high powered explosive rocketed at you at faster than the speed of sound.

Game. Set. Match.

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