George Mason University senior Remaz Aedelgader asks Senator Bernie Sanders how he will push back against Islamophobia. (photo: Alice Ollstein)
29 October 15
here
were several memorable moments during the GOP debate, mostly at the
expense of the media. I don’t usually agree with the Republicans, but I
do think they have a point on all the gotcha questions they faced in the
first and third debates. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed them, and even
personally think the candidates deserved what they got. But I do agree
we would all be better served if we had debates on the issues.
There is a case to be made that if the candidates are
running negative campaigns, like most Republicans are, they deserve to
be called out. Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Ben Carson … had
memorable moments calling out the media during the 3rd Republican
debate, but the candidate for president who had the best moment of the
night was Bernie Sanders.
No, it wasn’t on Twitter, where he shined during the
first two debates of the clown car. This time it was on stage at George
Mason University. Bernie was holding a national student town hall
meeting. A question came from an American Muslim student who said she
wants to change the world. Bernie called her up on stage and gave her a
hug and then gave a very personal response.
George Mason University senior Remaz Abdelgader asked
Senator Sanders how he would deal with the rising tide of Islamophobia
in the country she loves.
“With the growing Islamophobia in this country if you
look at the Republican candidates feeding into their constituents and
constantly bashing Muslims in the media, Ben Carson and Donald Trump,
the biggest bigots. As an American Muslim student who aspires to change
the world — (Applause) (Hug from Bernie)
“Thank you. As an American Muslim student who aspires to change the world, currently majoring in international conflict resolution, and I hope to be a human rights attorney. Hearing the rhetoric that’s going on in the media makes me sick. I as an individual am constantly trying to raise awareness and make sure that everyone is treated equally in this country. As our next president of the United States, what do you think about that?” (Bernie took Remaz’s hand and walked backed to the podium with her.)
“Thank you. As an American Muslim student who aspires to change the world, currently majoring in international conflict resolution, and I hope to be a human rights attorney. Hearing the rhetoric that’s going on in the media makes me sick. I as an individual am constantly trying to raise awareness and make sure that everyone is treated equally in this country. As our next president of the United States, what do you think about that?” (Bernie took Remaz’s hand and walked backed to the podium with her.)
Bernie then responded:
“I’m Jewish. My father’s parents were killed in
concentration camps. I will do everything I can to rid this country of
the ugly stain of racism, which has existed far too many years. Let me
tell you something: what racism is about is many things, it is pent up
hatred that is lashing out at people in uncontrollable stupid ways, but
it is something very different than that. For many years in this country
you have had politicians, and I’m old enough to know this, who played
black off against white, so they told white workers who were earning
pennies an hour, they said hey, you think you’re in trouble, but you’re
better off than the blacks, who can’t drink at a water fountain or go to
your school, and they told straight people, well you think you’ve got
problems, but you’re better off than those gay people, right? And they
played men against women. We played one group off against another. The
rich got richer and everybody else is fighting with each other.
“Our job is to build a nation in which we all stand
together as one people. [Applause] And you are right, there is a lot of
anger being generated and hatred being generated against Muslims and
immigrants in this country, and if we stand for anything we have got to
stand together and end all forms of racism, and I will lead that effort
as President of the United States.”
Bernie then gave Remaz another hug as thousands of students gave a standing ovation.
If you watch the mainstream media today, you will see
Jeb Bush attack Marco Rubio for not showing up for enough votes in the
Senate. You will see Chris Christie tell the moderator that his
interruptions are rude even by New Jersey standards. You will see Ted
Cruz slam the moderators for asking gotcha questions instead of
questions with substance, you will see Jeb bush offering a big warm kiss
to any Democrat who will cut spending, and the best line of the debate,
you’ll see Chris Christie listing the important issues facing the
country, and asking why they were talking about fantasy football.
Nothing in the two hour Republican debate was as
important as the moment at the Bernie Sanders student town hall. But I’m
guessing you won’t see it on CNN.
The whole Sanders town hall can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up46s_gb7PY
Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where
he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain
archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment
movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace
and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of
Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian,
and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural
events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be
spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.
Comments
+37
#
2015-10-29 11:46
Bernie's gesture
brought tears to my eyes. I was only there in spirit, but you know what?
Bernie is going to win. A man this decent just has to win, and you know
something else. God is on his side!!!
+1
#
2015-10-29 14:51
And here's a very 'hopeful' true plus story for Bernie:
A lovely, precious woman, whose trawler yacht was tied down in a slip next to our slip in Maryland on Chesapeake Bay, told me a story that brought tears to my eyes.
This dear woman, a 'biggie' with the World Bank, had traveled to Poland on a business trip, and had joined up and gone with her cousin to a Polish Nazi concentration camp, where her aunt (his beloved Jewish mother) had been incarcerated during WW2, and had died via being gassed to death.
My friend took a number of pictures of her cousin, as he stood beneath the con. camp's entrance, and at various spots inside the dreadful, deadly camp.
Once back home in Maryland, my friend got the photos she'd taken developed, and was amazed at what she saw. In each photo she'd taken of her cousin, a woman appeared, holding onto and softly embracing her cousin. No such woman had been there, at time she'd taken the pictures.
She called her cousin, and upon my friend's describing the woman standing lovingly next to him, cousin cried: "My God, it sounds like my mother, your aunt." And then, as soon as he received his copies of the photos, call back my friend he did, and confirmed that it was indeed, his dear, departed mom. They both agreed, miracles can and do happen, when we act and work in a loving, caring way.
Yes, there is a God (Abba), who is on our and Bernie's side.
A lovely, precious woman, whose trawler yacht was tied down in a slip next to our slip in Maryland on Chesapeake Bay, told me a story that brought tears to my eyes.
This dear woman, a 'biggie' with the World Bank, had traveled to Poland on a business trip, and had joined up and gone with her cousin to a Polish Nazi concentration camp, where her aunt (his beloved Jewish mother) had been incarcerated during WW2, and had died via being gassed to death.
My friend took a number of pictures of her cousin, as he stood beneath the con. camp's entrance, and at various spots inside the dreadful, deadly camp.
Once back home in Maryland, my friend got the photos she'd taken developed, and was amazed at what she saw. In each photo she'd taken of her cousin, a woman appeared, holding onto and softly embracing her cousin. No such woman had been there, at time she'd taken the pictures.
She called her cousin, and upon my friend's describing the woman standing lovingly next to him, cousin cried: "My God, it sounds like my mother, your aunt." And then, as soon as he received his copies of the photos, call back my friend he did, and confirmed that it was indeed, his dear, departed mom. They both agreed, miracles can and do happen, when we act and work in a loving, caring way.
Yes, there is a God (Abba), who is on our and Bernie's side.
0
#
2015-10-29 15:12
I have been to Poland three times visiting and praying and doing shamanic work at holocaust sites: Auschwitz-Birch enau,
Treblinka, Chelmno, Maijanek, Sobibor, Belsec and Babi Yar in Kiev. I
help souls that are stuck cross over to the other side. I get so high
when I am done that it is like walking through paradise with angels at
my side. Miracles do happen like almost every day. I am a holistic
healer and the last few years I work on animals as well as people. It's a
package deal. Funny thing, animals never forget when you help them.
They are always ready to jump into your arms.
Enjoyed your comment, Rita. Thanks for posting.
Enjoyed your comment, Rita. Thanks for posting.
-1
#
2015-10-29 14:53
God please....where are you! We need you badly to help free us of these religious fanatics.
+24
#
2015-10-29 13:29
bernie's good heartedness shines right through
people saying he's sexist white racist really hurt me to the bone. he so much is not. you wonder what's in their hearts.
it's so cruel to say this person is black hearted after all he's done over a lifetime. his response to this young lady, his physical stance before he opened his mouth made me cry. such humility in a lifetime of politics is a miracle. caring loving honest.
thank god we have him.
people saying he's sexist white racist really hurt me to the bone. he so much is not. you wonder what's in their hearts.
it's so cruel to say this person is black hearted after all he's done over a lifetime. his response to this young lady, his physical stance before he opened his mouth made me cry. such humility in a lifetime of politics is a miracle. caring loving honest.
thank god we have him.
+23
#
2015-10-29 13:43
Quoting isafakir:
Well said....I would give you 2 thumbs up if I could. It's been so long since we had a caring, honest man running for the President, I almost cried myself. Jimmy Carter, for all his faults, was a caring, honest man - and still is to this day. This country is long overdue for another man, or woman, who has these qualities.bernie's good heartedness shines right through
people saying he's sexist white racist really hurt me to the bone. he so much is not. you wonder what's in their hearts.
it's so cruel to say this person is black hearted after all he's done over a lifetime. his response to this young lady, his physical stance before he opened his mouth made me cry. such humility in a lifetime of politics is a miracle. caring loving honest.
thank god we have him.
+17
#
2015-10-29 13:45
Quoting isafakir:
People who say these things about a truly decent man are pure hate mongers, greenly jealous and a danger to the country and the world in general.
Remember what people said about another of the best-hearted people who was ever president, Jimmy Carter and he's still alive, doing good things and deeply admired globally as a symbol of American decency.
And of course those who way back called "Crucify him, crucify him!" with their hate-glands working overtime.
Bernie is far above all that and we just need to get more people in behind him.
My wife and I have already contributed twice as far as our means allow and plan to do so again (and I don't even get to vote as a non-citizen taxpayer)!
Be of comfort.bernie's good heartedness shines right through
people saying he's sexist white racist really hurt me to the bone. he so much is not. you wonder what's in their hearts.
it's so cruel to say this person is black hearted after all he's done over a lifetime. his response to this young lady, his physical stance before he opened his mouth made me cry. such humility in a lifetime of politics is a miracle. caring loving honest.
thank god we have him.
People who say these things about a truly decent man are pure hate mongers, greenly jealous and a danger to the country and the world in general.
Remember what people said about another of the best-hearted people who was ever president, Jimmy Carter and he's still alive, doing good things and deeply admired globally as a symbol of American decency.
And of course those who way back called "Crucify him, crucify him!" with their hate-glands working overtime.
Bernie is far above all that and we just need to get more people in behind him.
My wife and I have already contributed twice as far as our means allow and plan to do so again (and I don't even get to vote as a non-citizen taxpayer)!
+1
#
2015-10-29 13:59
Who is saying Bernie Sanders is a sexist white racist? Is this something isafakir has made up? I've never heard it.
+10
#
2015-10-29 13:46
The republican
candidates' complaints about the questions last night were downright
silly--none of them answer the question, no matter what it is!
+2
#
2015-10-29 14:46
I fell asleep a
couple of times, so maybe I missed where one Republican mentioned Bernie
Sanders by name. Why did they attack just Hillary? Bernie is not seen
as the likely nominee, and he is not!
UNLESS 1-2 million take the Bernie or bust pledge and demand Sanders or else, we'll be stuck again between a Republican and Republican-lite (#CorporateClinton).
http://citizensagainstplutocracy.org/
UNLESS 1-2 million take the Bernie or bust pledge and demand Sanders or else, we'll be stuck again between a Republican and Republican-lite (#CorporateClinton).
http://citizensagainstplutocracy.org/
