http://mediamatters.org/research/2014/09/11/right-wing-media-scandalize-obama-for-distingui/200731
President Obama Delivers Plan To Address Threat Of The Islamic State
President Obama: "
ISIL Is Not Islamic." During a September 10 address to the nation, President Obama discussed his intention to "degrade and ultimately destroy" the Islamic State through a four-point plan that would increase airstrikes, provide support to forces fighting the threat, increase counter-terrorism measures, and protect civilians. Obama also differentiated between the religion of Islam and the terrorist group, the Islamic State, asserting that "ISIL is not 'Islamic'" (emphasis added):
Still, we continue to face a terrorist threat. We can't erase every trace of evil from the world, and small groups of killers have the capacity to do great harm. That was the case before 9/11, and that remains true today. And that's why we must remain vigilant as threats emerge. At this moment, the greatest threats come from the Middle East and North Africa, where radical groups exploit grievances for their own gain. And one of those groups is ISIL -- which calls itself the "Islamic State."Now let's make two things clear: ISIL is not "Islamic." No religion condones the killing of innocents.
And the vast majority of ISIL's victims have been Muslim. And ISIL is certainly not a state. It was formerly al Qaeda's affiliate in Iraq, and has taken advantage of sectarian strife and Syria's civil war to gain territory on both sides of the Iraq-Syrian border. It is recognized by no government, nor by the people it subjugates. ISIL is a terrorist organization, pure and simple. And it has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way. [WhiteHouse.gov, 9/10/14]
Right-Wing Media Scandalize Obama For Not Condemning Islam
ABC's Ingraham: "We Have A Commander In Chief Who Won't Call It What It Is." On the September 11 edition of her radio show, Laura Ingraham criticized President Obama's assertion that the Islamic State does not represent all of Islam, attacking Obama for refusing to "identify," and "come to terms with" what the threat "actually is." Ingraham claimed that Obama's distinction between Islam and terrorism is evidence that the president refuses to identify the threat from "Islamic radicals." [Courtside Entertainment Group, The Laura Ingraham Show, 9/11/14]
Fox's Krauthammer: President Obama's Distinction Is "Both Patronizing And Ridiculous."
The September 10 edition of Fox News' Special Report Live featured a panel discussion of President Obama's statement, which host Bret Baier summarized as "ISIL is not Islamic." Fox contributor Charles Krauthammer called the distinction "both patronizing and ridiculous for a Western Christian to be telling the Muslim world what exactly their religion is about." Columnist George Will added that Obama's statement was "a little bit odd," suggesting it was an attempt by the president to be "politically correct":
of course they attack him what he correctly did was to separate the terrorist from the Islanic people who do not endorse the terror tactics and have publicly disavowed them. but the right wing and republicans have to fight against that after all for years now they have made Muslims and any think Islamic the devil's disciples if they were to let Pres.'s assertion stand they would be admitting they are just racist bigots and they can let that happen there is no room in that party for reality and truth, plus it would make Pres. come away smelling like a rose while they trail elephant dung odors across the world. watch your step!
