A once very enthusiastic Obama supporter, Palestinian-American, Brother-in-law Anan Qaddumi and his two Kids, Ammer and Lamar (nephew and niece).
I have struggled for sometime now to put these words together, but then I though it probably was not worth it. Barack Obama message was of hope and "Change We Believe In". We were all very excited about him, my brother-in-law must have been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Obama.
Obama was a symbol of change in the US, he manifested the new face of America, and proved how history can smile upon the US' short and mostly unflattering history against minorities.
As a Palestinian, who lives in the US and frankly, cannot vote, I admit I did not pay much attention to smaller issues that Obama marched for, nothing comes to mind now, but to keep it simple, as a Palestinian the issue of Peace in Palestine and other international policies seem to interest me more than most of the internal US problems.
This said, please know that Palestinian-Americans (and Arab-Americans) are no one-issue voters. They are Americans who, hopefully, understand that the full list of policies, whether internal or international, should matter.
However,
On the eve senator Barack Obama spoke infront of the AIPAC, America Israel Public Affair Committee on June 3rd, a double slap was directed at his followers, and his numerous Palestinian supporters.
Palestinians have put up with much non-sense from politicians, hoping, and seriously believing, that the Jewish lobby must be satisfied with politicians firstly, and perhaps, just perhaps, the Jewish Lobby will just totally miss a politician's actual plan of maybe doing something good to the Palestinians. BULLSHIT!
The Palestinians in the US have been aides to the right wing (and right wing ideologies being delivered by the most liberal of politicians) for ages. They simply have not learned that standing strong in demand of what is right will get you somewhere in the future, if no results show immediately, at least their children might taste the fruits of their parents struggles.
The AIPAC speech not only showed how much Obama is willing to kiss ass with Lobbyists in Washington D.C., the exact same group of special interest groups he rallies against, and to which we all applauded when he traveled across the country hoping to win the Democratic nomination. Seems like no politician in D.C. is yet to fully function away from the lucrative fists of Lobbyists, not even Obama himself.
Obama also spoke less of why he will spak to Iran, and more of how he wants it done, Iran, according to Obama, is now the biggest threat to the stability of the Middle East (not the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, or Israel's occupation over what remains of Palestine) he also now bear the message of hope for another war as he will "use all elements of American power to pressure Iran. "
This would not be the first time that a politician whom the Palestinians placed their hope in, has turned his back brutally against them, giving them the middle finger.
I no longer follow Obama's news, and his news letter I receive in my email will automatically be put in my junk mail when received. I am glad I have not put my $25+ something bucks in Obama's bucket, and yes, as a non-voter, I was still going to. I almost seriously hope Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, and Palestinians Americans will simply boycott the next election, I am not an idiot to believe that a president can truly go against his campaign promises, or deceive voters even before being elected to office.
People. Those are Obama's views on the middle east, if you're voting for him because he delivers the better options for you, then go ahead, if you're hoping he's going to solve the disaster in Palestine, then DREAM ON.
My brother-in-law is disappointed but still plans to vote for him. I know others who set the issues of the middle east as the primary focus, but once the two probable candidates seem to carry the same policies, the vote will shift according to other issues, including the economy and taxes.
These photos were taken during the Rally for Change, early march of 2008, they will remain my last picture I have of my ex-Hope, Barack Obama.
Just before shaking his hand at Rally for Change, Houston, Texas 2008.
2 comments:
Yes I agree with not agreeing with Obama's views but that was bound to happen in a situation like Hillary and Obama's. They were both getting desperate and were willing to say anything in hopes of inching over even 1 vote to their sides (think about some of the stuff they were rallying for: universal healthcare...dude come on lets get realistic, before we do something like that lets secure people's houses, fix the economy, and make sure food doesn't get more expensive then everything else).
However, despite all the things that piss off everyone, boycotting the election isn't going to get the word out. You should still vote and if you can't vote, presuade your friends and family that can. The most important thing is to make sure you DO vote AND rally to be heard.
As a Muslim American, no doubt, I support peace in the middle east (as cliche as that may sound) as well as being an American and supporting our lives here.
I was a Hillary supporter, now that she is out, I'm leaning towards McCain to be honest. He is more moderate and has had a reputation for it for a long time. He also has more experience than Obama who I feel like has the main objective of JUST being elected and doesn't quite have an idea of what to do once his honeymood period is over in office.
I don't know we have yet to see what will happen. Thanks for your opinion.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
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