TLC's "All-American Muslim" Controversy
ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM TLC HOMEPAGE
It is great to hear that there is growing support from elected officials and
community members standing up for what is right. I hope these actions will
encourage Lowe’s to change its mind and not allow hate groups to get in the way
of supporting the “All-American Muslim” program through advertising.
As
a second generation Arab and Muslim American, my family and I have been shopping
at Lowe’s for a long time and find its decision to remove its ads from
“All-American Muslim” very disappointing. The show is great, down to earth, and
educational and a great opportunity for the general public to observe the
life-styles of different Muslim Americans in the United States. The show is
definitely educational especially to those who have never met a Muslim. I hope
Lowe’s will change their mind about their decision, because I would assure that
my family and I will boycott them.
Read the article USA TODAY/TLC's 'All-American Muslim' could profit from protests
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To be an American is to act as one. Too many "native-born" people here are
American in name only.
They don't know America's strength. They don't travel, they don't teach,
they don't do. They only sit, outside of the arena, and point out where the
strong man stumbles.
They are exactly like the crazy clerics in some middle east countries that
ban American TV shows because the actors are Christian and yet are not shown
killing Muslim children- so therefore the show is FALSE and a product of
SATAN.
Read the article CHICAGO TRIBUNE/Americans would benefit from a Muslim version of the Huxtables
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I don't think the show 'sucked' at all. I found it rather enlightening. There are far too many negative stereotypes and racism out there and we need more shows like this so that people will realize that it's not and shouldn't be a matter of "us" vs "them." A person can be a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, or even a non-believer and still be a good American. What's so difficult about understanding that?
Read the article LOS ANGELES TIMES/'All-American Muslim': Kayak calls show terrible, apologizes to customers
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Uganda, a country that's primarily Christian, introduced legislation that
would introduce the death penalty as punishment for certain violations of its
ban on homosexuality.
But this has nothing to do with Christians in the U.S. It's a perverted
expression of religious law — just like the insane brutality in Saudi
Arabia.
Are you unable to see the not-so-subtle point that Page is talking about
law-abiding Americans who happen to be Muslim?
Read the article CHICAGO TRIBUNE/Americans would benefit from a Muslim version of the Huxtables
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Companies paying for advertising want positive
exposure for their investment. Regardless of how right or wrong the controversy
over the show, why should they and their investment dollar get involved in it?
Lowe's is in a no win situation no matter which way they role. Don't blame them
for bailing, advertising is supposed to support a companies business operation
not anyones social cause.
Read the article CHICAGO TRIBUNE/Americans would benefit from a Muslim version of the Huxtables
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Russell is exercising his rights as is Lowe's. Too bad Americans are being manipulated
into believing we need to support everything. We should be entitled to opinions
and choices. Whether we have opinions or not we should fight for the rights of
others to have dissenting voices too. I'll shop at Lowe's cuz they are standing
by their own decisions with conviction. They've always had good service and good
product. I'm not dissing them. Why would I shoot down a good store for the sake
of an idealogy?
Read the article CBS/Russell Simmons weighs in on TLC's "All-American Muslim" ad controversy
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Who
is showing their judgmental attitude (ignoring what their Savior told them not
to do) here? Christian fundamentalist are as closed-minded as their
fundamentalist Muslim counterparts.
This show was produced as a
documentary to show that not all Muslims are fundamentalists. Most are as
ordinary as you and I--or even extraordinary like some people may be, regardless
of their religion. Some go to the Mosque or pray 5 times a day; many are
secular--very similar to most Christians and Jews in the U.S.
Why would
Lowes give in to this fundamentalist pressure? The whole goal of this show is to
help us Americans who are not Muslim understand what it's like to be a Muslim in
a predominately Christian country.
As a Jew, I did grow up in this
predominately Christian atmosphere. The only difference I can remember in
school, was that when we sang Christmas carols, I could sing Jesus' name, but I
never sang out the word "Christ" or "Savior". The only other difference was we
went to synagogue on Friday evening, and between 12 through my Bar Mitzvah at 13
and after that (forced by my parents) to go to Saturday morning
services.
I am basically a 3rd and 4th generation American: my maternal
grandmother's family for 4 generations, and 3 generations on my father's side.
Both assimilated quite well in the United States. My father's parents kept
kosher, but were not very religious.
My maternal grandfather came to this
country in 1914 and assimilated quite easily. His parents, however, came to this
country in 1932 (thank goodness before WWII), but never truly assimilated
because they were old and ultra-religious (he had been a rabbi's "assistant" in
Romania).
Because of 9/11 and the rants of jihad Muslims does not make
all Muslims feel this way, especially those who have assimilated into the
mainstream American way of life.
If the family is not religious, no one
probably even knows they are Muslim, unless their names are "Mohammed". Even if
they are somewhat or very religious, and the women wear some type of head
covering, we know--but why should we care?
I've taught middle school in
Los Angeles near a mosque. We have a number of Muslim students. Some of the
girls wear a head covering (usually just a scarf); others don't. The one time
after 9/11 when I knew a student was from Egypt, and he was totally
disrespectful to teachers. I thought he would turn out to be a Muslim terrorist,
until one day he came to school with a cross necklace. I asked him if he was a
Copt (Coptic Christians are Egyptian and stem from the time when Mary supposedly
fled to Egypt with the baby Jesus). He said, that he was, and was even surprised
that I knew about the Copts. It was "my bad." I had stereotyped him WRONGLY. He
was an Arabic speaking CHRISTIAN!!
I grew up in a small town outside of
Pittsburgh, PA. We had a population made up of almost every Protestant faith,
many Roman Catholics (lots of Italians and Croations) as well as many Eastern
Orthodox Catholics (lots of Serbs). We Jews were certainly a minority. However,
I was fortunate not to hear anything remotely anti-Semitic.
I realize
that most of you won't read this missive, but my point is that Lowes overreacted
to a fundamentalist Christian group who was VERY WRONG in their
stereotyping.
Sorry, Lowes, you just showed the rest of us how ignorant
and hypocritical your CEO and board of directors are. They knew what the program
was before they bought advertising time. It is a show to ENLIGHTEN people; not
to perpetuate stereotypes. The shame is on you and the Florida Family
Association. Muslims have "families" just like the rest of the
world.
Read the article CBS/Russell Simmons weighs in on TLC's "All-American Muslim" ad controversy
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The
Conservatives figure, as do their far left antagonists, that the American public
is just too dumb to understand that, what they are seeing on television, is not
the total picture. Perish the thought that there might actually be some "good"
Muslims. They are doing the same thing to these people that they tried to do
with "Communists" in the 1950's. Anybody who said anything that looked like it
agreed with Communist dogma was anathmatized; as was anyone who was Jewish. They
got around their antisemitism by calling them "security risks." They even
managed to get Robert Oppenheimer, one of tyhe most brilliant scientists who
ever lived and the man most responsible for the development of the Atomic Bomb
(and ending World War II) fired as a "security risk."
I say, put on the
program and, if it proves to be "propaganda," then attack it. I doubt it is.
These people just want to keep everybody as ignorant they are.
Read the article CBS/Russell Simmons weighs in on TLC's "All-American Muslim" ad controversy
Regis Makes a Royal Exit
What is Regis' talent? The gift of gab. And he is magically gifted. He can take a mundane aggravation and turn it into a comical farce and he can do it LIVE. He can set the story up, so that you wait with patience, as you enjoy the ride he takes you on, to the punchline; and he was the brunt of most of his jokes. You would almost want things to go wrong for him, just to delight in his frustrations. Simply walking across the street can be filled with something he can portray with humor. Combine that with the gusto he has for living In NYC and the interest he has in other people and you have a unique combination that has been able to entertain and charm for so many years.
Through good times and bad, I could count on him each day for a laugh. Coming home from a night's work-he would tuck me in with a smile. Through chemotherapy, I knew there was at least one part of the day that would take my mind off my dismal reality and lighten the load for awhile.
I looked forward to hearing of his joys and travails as I would a dear friend. Regis, you are one of a kind. Thanks for the memories. I hope you find another vehicle for your talents-you may be 80 but you are still young at heart. Until then you will be missed.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Regis Philbin's Last Day On 'Live!': Tears, Celebrations And Surprises
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Love him! He is a down to earth well natured person that is witty and is quick
thinking with comical responses. His expressions can be comical in themselves. I
started watching when Rippa came on as I could not stand Kathy. He is so lovable
and it is evident that Regis and Kelly have that special repoir and are very
fond of each other. It will not be the same without him as it is going to be the
likes of the Tonight Show without Johnny Carson. I am sure Kelly will do fine
but Regis will be so missed by so many. I just can't believe he is 80 dang I
hope I look that good at 80 and I actually think he has gotten more handsome as
time went on. Good Luck to you Regis.
Read the article NPR/Regis Philbin Explains How He 'Got This Way'
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Goodbye, Mr. Philbin, and Good Luck.
You were a classy host------a living bridge between the good old days of early television and the over-hyped, in-your-face, tumultuous present. But you always held fast to good taste, good manners, and an undying respect for your audience.
For that, you deserve our thanks, along with a moment of respectful silence in your honor each time we see a television 'personality' of tomorrow fall so desperately short of the standard you set today.
Read the article NEW YORK TIMES/Regis Philbin Sticks to No-Tears Pledge on Final Show
Requiem for Smokin' Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali are two men, and like all men possessed flaws and faults. Yet, they are two special men for their skill and their will to succeed at an endeavor at which they excelled and persevered like few men have ever done. For that I am grateful, and admire them both.
I favored Frazier because I saw him as the underdog. Ali was the flashy, glamorous champion. Frazier was the workman, powerfully built (and looking) man rising to the top of his chosen profession through grit, hard work and dedication. Not necessarily unlike Ali, but I favored Frazier.
They provided great entertainment through efforts that have destroyed many men, or caused premature deterioration within many others, witness Ali. They ennobled a sport condemned by many, but a sport demonstrating a certain epitome of manliness unseen anywhere else. They were and are men.
Ali said it plenty well enough with his statement after Frazier's death, "The world has lost a great champion." It takes a great champion to provide a certain true measure of the greatness of another champion. Rest in peace, Joltin' Joe.
Read the Article NEW YORKER/Joe Frazier, RIP
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I was a kid in the 70s, and I was a big sports fan and used to watch wide world of sports. I didn't understand the politics because I was too young (and I grew up in a town in Orange County, California that had no blacks, or at least none that I knew in school. Our minorities were Asians and Hispanics), but just on instinct I liked Joe Frazier over Ali, because he just seemed like a nicer guy.
As a kid I didn't get Ali, he seemed to brag a lot and we were taught not to do that. Smokin' Joe seemed to embody the stuff we were taught in school: work hard, be humble, and be thankful you're not starving in China.
Had I been older and more sophisticated I may have been more sympathetic to Ali. But if I were, I would hope I would still appreciate Joe Frazier.
Read the ArticleATLANTIC/Requiem for a Heavyweight: Smokin' Joe Frazier
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Dude was tough as nails. The Thrilla in Manila was, indeed, a war. These two will go down similar to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Seeing who could outlive the other…
Didn’t know that he only fought two more times. I guess after losing the rubber match to Ali, there was little else to lace ‘em on for.
I’m drawn to Ali, because of his downright confidence and ability to back it up. I respect Joe Frazier because he played his role to perfection – the anti-hero that reminded the Greatest that he could be (and acutally was) beaten.
R.I.P Smoke
Read the Article ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/Joe Frazier: A great fighter overshadowed by The Greatest
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Joe was my favorite fighter of that era…I always liked him better than Ali…he was a great warrior. I doubt the heavyweight division will see the likes of his toughness, dignity and courage again.
Read the Article ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/Joe Frazier: A great fighter overshadowed by The Greatest
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While Ali was in exile, he not only raised some public ire he also wasn’t making any money. Frazier support Ali’s stance and also gave Ali money to help him get by. Frazier even petitioned President Nixon to allow Ali back into the ring.
Once he was allowed to fight again, Ali called Smokin Joe and Uncle Tom and a “gorilla.” Smokin Joe never publicly denounced Ali, showing class Ali never had.
Ali came close to praising Frazier after their third fight. Still in the ring and amidst the chaos of the afterfight, Ali said, “Today, I’m the greatest, and joe frazier is second greatest.”
Now that Smokin Joe is dead, what would the Louisvile Lip say is he coud say it?
Read the Article ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/Joe Frazier: A great fighter overshadowed by The Greatest
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I met Joe Frazier at a wedding I attended a couple of years ago. He was still built like a rock, but walked with a cane. He was a humble and decent man, and as he shook my hand I patted his arm, which felt like steel.
Frazier was a very nice man, unless you stepped inside a ring with him. Then you faced one of the fiercest fighters in history. Ali said that the "Thriller in Manila," fight he had with Joe, was a near-death experience.
Read the article DAILY BEAST/Heavyweight Champ Joe Frazier Dies
Cardinals Comeback for the Record Books
I'm a huge Cardinals fan because my mother is from St. Louis and they're big fans. But I think the Cards became America's team last night. They had lost, it was all over but the shoutin. But they would not stay down. Americans love a scrapper.
Which team is the best? I have to give the Rangers credit for their talent, they were very skilled. But any competition really belongs to whoever wants it the most. And the Cards wanted it bad. That 6th game will go down in history. Way to go, Cards, you truly deserved the win. Baseball is America's pastime, and baseball fans are a class act.
Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Cardinals Win World Series: Chris Carpenter, David Freese, Allen Craig Defeat Rangers In Game 7
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This was as good as it gets. Just unbelievable. It's especially great to see all the so-called experts eat crow. Nobody predicted the Cardinals to win, much less even make the postseason. I'd love to hear what Nyjer Morgan and Zack Greinke have to say. And I'm sure the jokers at ESPN (Eastern Sports and Poker Network) are crying in their beers, still saying the Cards aren't legit, and how great Boston and the Yankees are.
And I hate to single him out, but we won game 7 because Holliday wasn't playing. Thank God we had Allen Craig out there, or I really believe we would have lost. Our highest paid player did the absolute least amount of contributing, at least this postseason. He really needs to start earning his money, but that's another story for another day. For now, let's enjoy the greatest World Series victory ever!!!!!
Read the article STL TOLDAY/WIld Crads WIn World Series
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Ah, the taste of sweet victory, boys!! You exhibited such heart and tenacity, so now you can enjoys the rewards. Cardinal Nation is so darn proud of you all! And it's so nice to see news footage of fans celebrating downtown without the need to destroy or cause trouble. St Louis IS the best baseball town! And we have the best team . . . IT'S OFFICIAL!! And a special congratulations to MVP David Freese. We appreciate you as a terrific player, and as a fellow St Louisan who has reached the pinnacle. May this be just the beginning . . . . OK, how many days til spring training????
Read the article STL TOLDAY/WIld Crads WIn World Series
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50 years from now, people will still talk about the improbable, clutch performance of the last 3 innings of Game 6 this year. Freese is now cemented in baseball history with that, and without that performance, the Cardinals would have been cooked in Game 6. So yes, I think he completely deserves the MVP award, and his name will now be hoisted in the history books with other greats because of his high-drama, odds-defying performance that made the end of this series so damn great to watch
Read the article ESPN/Hometown Boy David Freese wins MVP
READ MORE BEST COMMENTS: OCTOBER 2011
