Chris Hedges & Other Experts Explain America's Islam Problem (Essential Viewing For All Americans)

[Turborama]

Run time: 46:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE6LPV3BJQs   Posted on YouTube: September 13, 2010 By YouTube Member: AlJazeeraEnglish Views on YouTube: 2052   Posted on DU: September 14, 2010 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 1438

 
Full screen recommended.

(If you don't have time to watch it now, I thoroughly recommend bookmarking this MUST SEE analysis for when you do)

Guests

Christopher Hedges, author of Empire Of Illusion
Prof Zachary Lockman, Middle East and Islamic Studies, NYU
Prof Richard Bulliet, Middle East Institute, Columbia University

Interviewees

Ibrahim Hooper, Council of American-Islamic Relations
Prof Akbar Ahmed, American University, Washington DC, and the author of Journey Into America
Prof Karim H Karim, the author of Islamic Peril
Prof Melani Mcalister, George Washington University
Betty Buchhoz, Carter House Museum
Bob Garms, Elkader Mayor


The election of Barack Obama, the US president, raised hopes that he would improve US relations with the Islamic world on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect.

But the audacity of hope has recently been eclipsed by the reality of war and the politics of fear, polarising the US and confusing the rest of the world.

The tragic 1993 and 2001 attacks in New York seemed to reduce thinking about the Middle East to a simplistic clash between the US and Islam.

On the 9th anniversary of 9/11, the fault lines between Washington and the Muslim world seem to have expanded into America's heartland.

And partisan discourse and media coverage have fanned the flames of extremist narratives in both the Muslim world and the US that end up reinforcing each other.

As America's internal cultural wars begin to affect its foreign policy, what are the options for President Obama?

Which is the real US: The one that fights for Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the one that considers US Muslims as the enemy within?

And have Osama bin Laden's hopes of driving a wedge between the US and the Muslim world become a reality? Has his "trauma doctrine" worked and could it eventually define the decades to come?

Empire finds out.

High Quality version can be watched here: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/2010/09/2010912133054252673.html

[OhioChick]

1. How could someone unrec this in the first 60 seconds?

It's over 40 minutes long. Couldn't have watched it.

Bookmarked for later.

[ihavenobias]

2. Anti-Subject or anti-person who posted it.

That's the usual motivation. Sometimes both.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. That's OK, i recced it without watching it, just to balance it.

I'll watch it later at home.

[sabrina 1]

3. Going to watch it in a few minutes.

There's no question that the War in Iraq was framed by the American zealots who started it as a Holy War, a Crusade because the real reason would not have gotten support from the American people.

And everyone who did not challenge them is responsible for the monster they unleashed, which they now cannot put back in the box.

Hard to hide over two million Muslim bodies.

[Turborama]

4. I've watched it twice and am just about to watch it for a 3rd time

Saw it on TV when it was 1st broadcast and then when they added it to http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/2010/09/2010912133054252673.html">Empire's page and now going to watch again because there's so much important info it deserves it.

It's a shame AJ English don't provide transcripts because it'd make for a very good read, too.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. K&R! Bookmarking because it's primary night...

:kick: :hi:

[democracy1st]

7. K & R

[CrawlingChaos]

8. K&R - bookmarked for later viewing

[florida08]

9. thanks for posting Turborama

First time I've watched a philosophical discussion on the state of the country. Was struck by what Chris said.."the country is internally falling apart".. if that's the case then anarchy could be closing in. That frightens me. The people driving this won't see it. Zealots always have tunnel vision. Obama is going to have to find the audacity to check the insurrection. I just don't know that he sees it. This isn't politics as usual like pundits suggest. When sociopaths like Limbaugh and Beck own the message it means we have a weak government. Turbulence will grow stronger and leadership weaker. The fringe seem to be on a wave they're determined to ride all the way to shore regardless of the outcome. Corporate America is chopping us up in pieces and the relgious right are seething with fear and hate. I don't know where that will leave the rest of us.

It is essential viewing..and I thank you

[Turborama]

11. You're most welcome, florida08, I'm glad you found it as informative as I did.

There's quite a few things that Chris said about the 'collision' which were very worrisome and your synopsis/conclusion encapsulate them well.

We do need to regain ownership of the message, and FAST!

Thanks for taking the taking the time to watch it and for your review,

T

PS Empire is a regular show which is always uploaded to their site (& YouTube) and is well worth keeping an eye out for: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/

:hi:

[carnie_sf]

10. Very interesting video

But they kind of danced around the main point IMO. This conflict is ultimately not about muslim vs. christian, but that american capitalism/imperialism needs an enemy in order to function. If there were no enemy nothing justifies obscene "defense" budgets and even more obscene profits by weapons contractors. Just my take.

[Turborama]

12. I do agree with your main point but I wouldn't say they were "dancing around" it.

In this "Special" they were intentionally focusing on the past, present, possible future relationship between America and Islam and visa versa. I'm sure Chris et al would have loved to go into all that, if they had more time.

There's an archive of previous episodes of Empire here where you can watch them online, there have been at least a few where they discussed capitalism/imperialism/MIC at length: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/empire/

I don't know if you've seen it or not but there's an excellent docu/movie by Eugene Jarecki that covers it really well, too. "http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9219858826421983682#">Why we Fight".

Thanks for taking up my recommendation and watching it and sharing your thoughts.

:hi:

[Turborama]

13. Related articles....

NYT OP-ED COLUMNIST

Is This America?

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/opinion/12kristof.html?_r=2

Do Arab & Muslim Lives Matter?

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2010/09/do_arab_muslim/

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. an absolutely escellent report and discussion!!

[pinboy3niner]

15. Kick

And bookmarking for later viewing.

[Turborama]

16. Weekend kick

For those who may have a bit of extra time on their hands to watch it.

:kick: