Obama Slams Gingrich's 'Repugnant' Proposal To 'Test' US Muslims

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

In a statement responding to Thursday’s terrorist attack in Nice, France, President Barack Obama strongly condemned calls to subject American Muslims to a religious "test."

After hosting the Diplomatic Corps reception Friday, Obama spoke out against divisive rhetoric, referencing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's proposal to "test" and deport American Muslims who follow Sharia law.

"We have heard more suggestions that Muslims in America be targeted. Tested for their beliefs, some deported or jailed," he said. "The very suggestion is repugnant and an affront to everything we stand for as Americans." Obama lauded diversity and pluralism as core values in his statement, calling for cooperation "with partners around the world, including Muslim communities, to push back against hateful ideologies that twist Islam — a religion that teaches peace and justice and compassion."

"We cannot give in to fear or turn on each other or sacrifice our way of life," he said. "We cannot let ourselves be divided by religion, because that's exactly what the terrorists want. We should never do their work for them. And here in the United States, our freedoms — including freedom of religion — help keep us strong and safe."

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Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-responds-gingrich-test-muslims-sharia

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Obama: Nice Attack Is 'A Threat To All Of Us

President Barack Obama responded to an attack in Nice, France that left at least 84 dead on Thursday with a call for unity and diplomacy.

"We pledge to stand with our French friends as we defend our nations against this scourge of terrorism and violence. And this is a threat to all of us," he said after hosting the Diplomatic Corps reception. "We don't know all the details, but what we know is the capacity of even a single individual to do extraordinary harm to our people, to our way of life, a lot of nations represented here today have been impacted this year and in previous years."

Obama called for global solidarity, emphasizing a constructive response to fears of radicalization.

"We're going to win this fight by building. By never giving up on diplomacy and to end the Syrian civil war. By working with partners around the world, including Muslim communities to push back against hateful ideologies that twist Islam," he said. "We will defeat these ideologies by offering a better vision of development and economic progress. So people, especially young people, have more hope and opportunity and are less susceptible to extremism and violence in the first place."

-snip-

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-nice-attack-cannot-give-into-fear

[asiliveandbreathe]

1. Our most gracious President Barack Obama -

Thank you -

I do believe we just have to wait for the REPUGNANT REPUBLIKLANS to open their mouth..we just have to wait - we don't even have to bait them - they are bringing down their party all by themselves....

My new word - REPUGNANT -

[Gothmog]

2. This was a grandstanding attempt to try to change trump's choice

It sounds like this stunt came close to working because trump try to change his choice of Pence last night

[sofa king]

3. This is as good a place as any to observe:

This year, Republicans are desperately casting about for someone that a majority of Americans can hate. They've gone after gays, the transgendered, single women, immigrants, Muslims, and others.

But nothing has stuck so far, and I think a lot of that is thanks to our wonderful President Obama, whose thoughtfulness and unwavering competence continues to remind us that it is easier to love than to hate.

[moonscape]

4. He is the first president in my lifetime who

I never tired of listening to, always wanted to hear what he had to say.

He's a remarkable man. I've been missing him already.