... and that is because London is the most cosmopolitan city in the world... I am a Mexican citizen with a noticeable accent. During my 3 years working in London, not a single person asked me "where are you from"?. They assumed I was a Londoner, and that's that. My neighbors were Japanese, Indian, American, and British people. My co-workers were from all over the globe. I had a great time, and I really miss living there.
17
I was impressed by this article. I confess that as Italian, considering the current situation of illegal immigration in our country, I felt a sense of discomfort to the election news of Sadiq Khan for mayor of London. In other words, I was on Donald Trump’s line. After this article, I begin to think and to hope that a better world is possible, although I sense that the way to go is still long.
13
I don't think that Mr. Cohen has spent enough time in the United States to understand the country, and the millions of those who support DT because he is their stronghold, the last line of defense against the establishments of both parties which have, together, helped to bankrupt our middle classes through the offshoring of jobs, overseas trade deals and a languid border control policy telecommanded by the WH.Doubt whether MR. Cohen, who makes a nice living as a foreign correspondent, has ever lost a job because of the abovementioned manigances of both the GOP and the Democratic Party. So, It is easy for him to be above the fray, take a holier than thou approach to the problem of integration of Muslims into Western society. We need more men and women like Mr.Khan with his positive values, education and good intentions, but in societies like that of Pakistan, not just in the West. A major reason countries in the developing world have fallen into the hands of extremists is that the middle classes in these countries, which could have provided stability, have emigrated to the West. If they had remained at home to build up the solidity of the societies they were born into,they might have provided a steadiness that is at present lacking. Mayor Khan has declared that his co-religionists have a "special role"in combatting Islamic extremism, but fails to tell us what that is.Sounds to me like the same old pa-ta-ti and pa-ta-ta we have heard in the past.
6
Beautifully written, gives us hope that there are good, normal, thoughtful and well meaning people is government. Not motivated by hate, but by respect for each human being, whether a garage collector or billionaire. I wish I could move to London. Trump represents the worst of America. The bullying tourist, the people who refuse to understand its ok to be different.
Welcome to Mr. Khan. A wind of fresh air..
Welcome to Mr. Khan. A wind of fresh air..
10
The solution to avoiding travel issues for Mr. Khan to the US are obvious, simple. The Mr. (smiling) Khan has only to disavow the primitive, violent, heathen muslim ideology, a belief system antithetical to freedom, democracy, Western Civilization. But everyone already know this..
16
Before the Anglo-American attack on Iraq -- which killed 100,000 Muslim men, women and children and was based on a bunch of lies -- Tony Blair and George Bush sought and received the approval of their Christian god.
How do you feel about that?
How do you feel about that?
23
American fear and anger are at the root of Trump's success so far and are also responsible for American's hysterical reactions to Arab sounding speech on a plane.
Now is the time when a country or culture needs to rely on its educated masses to stabilize the reaction to a perceived threat. When a country is under severe stress it is in danger of over reacting and starting unnecessary wars.
Every where I turn including this newspaper, I encounter hysteria. It's time for every one to calm down, take a breath, and take plenty of time before drawing conclusions about Trump and the election.
Now is the time when a country or culture needs to rely on its educated masses to stabilize the reaction to a perceived threat. When a country is under severe stress it is in danger of over reacting and starting unnecessary wars.
Every where I turn including this newspaper, I encounter hysteria. It's time for every one to calm down, take a breath, and take plenty of time before drawing conclusions about Trump and the election.
8
The opinion piece is celebrating a multicultural validation of a Muslim politician. The opinion piece doesn't ask the following question or possibly It has never been asked whether God & Country will have precedence over the belief in Ummah that is commonly prevalent in Islam.
Many would be interested to know his thoughts on this matter.
Many would be interested to know his thoughts on this matter.
12
Migrations for economic and other reasons have been our human experience for the last fifty thousand years beginning from South Africa. If humanity has learnt anything from this great travel experience it is that we will be better off than before with all the new experiences and new inventions both real and imaginary. Mr. Trump and friends, please do not be afraid of new comers.
My own story like yours and your family's is one of having benefitted tremendously and giving.
My own story like yours and your family's is one of having benefitted tremendously and giving.
4
Mayor Khan said "... that Muslims had a “special role” to play in countering the terrorism, “not because we are more responsible than others, as some have wrongly claimed, but because we can be more effective at tackling extremism than anyone else.”
How is it "wrongly claimed" that Muslims are more responsible for terrorism than any other group? The list of terrorist acts of recent decades from embassy bombings in Africa through 9/11 to Charlie Hebdo and Paris Bataclan to San Bernardino is a list of actions by Muslims.
Denial of responsibility isn't a constructive step towards a solution. Faith in ancient "holy" books isn't a good foundation for progress or for good governance. Such faith is an indicator of intellectual inertia.
How is it "wrongly claimed" that Muslims are more responsible for terrorism than any other group? The list of terrorist acts of recent decades from embassy bombings in Africa through 9/11 to Charlie Hebdo and Paris Bataclan to San Bernardino is a list of actions by Muslims.
Denial of responsibility isn't a constructive step towards a solution. Faith in ancient "holy" books isn't a good foundation for progress or for good governance. Such faith is an indicator of intellectual inertia.
18
It is truly pathetic that Zac Goldsmith, a member of a community that has long suffered the scourge of anti-Semitism, in his blind ambition to succeed Boris Johnson as mayor of London, should have, with his sotto voce innuendo and campaign literature, have stooped to the same level of bigotry that has been the plague of Jews for millenia. He deserved to loose, and thankfully, he did. All praise to Londoners who rejected his message. Congratulations to Sadiq Khan.
14
Interestingly. Zac Goldsmith's sister was married to Imran Khan (no relation i don't think) and has Muslim sons, so I think the racist campaign was even more cynical and manipulative than even Trump's. Glad to see London didn't buy it. Goldsmith's career should be o.v.e.r.
But I have to take issue with this sentence:
"...not by some bullying, brash, bigoted, “America first” white dude who wants to build walls."
So would it be okay if he weren't white? If he were, say, a black dude? Or any other color? Is bigotry a color? The guys murdering and raping in the Sudan aren't "white". They are just murderers.
And by the way, Trump isn't white. He's orange.
But I have to take issue with this sentence:
"...not by some bullying, brash, bigoted, “America first” white dude who wants to build walls."
So would it be okay if he weren't white? If he were, say, a black dude? Or any other color? Is bigotry a color? The guys murdering and raping in the Sudan aren't "white". They are just murderers.
And by the way, Trump isn't white. He's orange.
13
The United States entitlement system is being tapped by these "faceted identities." Over half of all immigrant households receive some sort of welfare. They are the guests, invited or not, that drink your child's milk and then demand that they be listed on the lease.
6
Where do you get your information that "over half of all immigrant households receive some sort of welfare"? I work with many immigrants who work very hard to support their families and raise their children, and do not receive, nor have they asked for, and welfare.
14
The vitriol spewed out by Cohen and others at Trump is all out of proportion to what Trump represents. Kahn's victory as mayor is a normal outcome from an individual who wanted to be mayor and thought he had something to offer.
Trump's victory as the presumptive republican nominee is also a result of a personal ambition of someone, with a very different style, who thinks he has something to offer also.
The hysterical reaction to Trump is just as inappropriate as an hysterical reaction to Khan because Khan is Muslim. Neither reactions have any basis in fact.
I am concerned about the over emotional reactions all over the world to both the Islamic community and to personalities like Trump's which are capitalizing on the paranoia from jihad attacks. This level of emotion is not conducive to rational thinking and good judgment.
Stop for a moment and ask yourselves if you are reacting more emotionally than rationally to these issues.
Trump's victory as the presumptive republican nominee is also a result of a personal ambition of someone, with a very different style, who thinks he has something to offer also.
The hysterical reaction to Trump is just as inappropriate as an hysterical reaction to Khan because Khan is Muslim. Neither reactions have any basis in fact.
I am concerned about the over emotional reactions all over the world to both the Islamic community and to personalities like Trump's which are capitalizing on the paranoia from jihad attacks. This level of emotion is not conducive to rational thinking and good judgment.
Stop for a moment and ask yourselves if you are reacting more emotionally than rationally to these issues.
10
Trump has successfully coarsened the discourse in this nation. Roger's citation to Trump's "small fingers" is further evidence of this fact and the fact that Americans of all stripes have been chomping at the bit to misbehave.
5
GW Bush trusted his gut and that took us into the bottomless pit call Iraq. I do not mind having a president who actually thinks before squanders thousands of lives and billions of dollars in a pointless endeavor ...
14
Great article, really enjoyed reading it!
However, critical now that Khan tackles the housing crisis in London which is a major threat to opportunity and peaceful coexistence.
However, critical now that Khan tackles the housing crisis in London which is a major threat to opportunity and peaceful coexistence.
3
Great Brown Britain, that is how former British colony, India sees from here. The History of UK won't be surprised if Britain goes bust. With more Asia in Europe's great island, Britain has already exited the Europe long a ago.
Britain has literally nothing left to offer other than Tourism and Educational Institutes, its indeed a small country, described by Russian official and re-quoted by Chinese official.
Britain gets a Muslim mayor ? Question is not that, how will Britain get over the 21 century with all the great migrants flocking there, will they follow European way of advancement or will they follow Muslim way of laying down lazy with oil or lazy with bygone fame of Britain.
Population does plays a role. I simply have no interest of visiting UK, why its feels like more and more of Asia instead of Europe.
Good for Europe, UK is a island and in mainland.
Britain has literally nothing left to offer other than Tourism and Educational Institutes, its indeed a small country, described by Russian official and re-quoted by Chinese official.
Britain gets a Muslim mayor ? Question is not that, how will Britain get over the 21 century with all the great migrants flocking there, will they follow European way of advancement or will they follow Muslim way of laying down lazy with oil or lazy with bygone fame of Britain.
Population does plays a role. I simply have no interest of visiting UK, why its feels like more and more of Asia instead of Europe.
Good for Europe, UK is a island and in mainland.
5
Leaders, especially elected ones, matter less in our increasingly informed (or misinformed) world - Mr Khan may be no more reason for hope, than Mr Trump is reason for despair - except a few really bad bits - the Middle East as usual - the world is evolving to a more tolerant, more liberal place, thanks to the Internet noise which moderates human prejudices more than we give it credit for. Trump is just windbag, his 15 months of fame will soon be over, rest easy folks ..
2
In the tenth paragraph, why mention the Ivy League when referring to the Italian economist? Is that some kind of Good Housekeeping seal of approval? What if he was with a land grant state school in the Midwest? Would he still be OK?
8
Sadiq Khan, does indeed support opportunity, for all and certainly opposes isolation, confrontation ans intolerance and it is a good thing he lives and works in London. Cohen is ignoring is the fact that if Khan was living in Pakistan he would be in danger of being murdered.. In fact when Khan voted for same sex marriage as a Labour MP, he did receive death threats. Khan is not really a typical Muslim either in the UK or the Middle East. There was a report released about two weeks ago regarding the attitudes of Muslims living in the UK -- it revealed an isolationist, largely intolerant community completely at odds with the progressive, pluralistic society it was living in.
8
I don't imagine that the idiots bellowing about this representing the immigrant takeover of England bothered to read the first para, and note that Mr. Khan is the son of a London bus driver.
For crying out loud, people, London started pulling in people and cultures from all over the world at least three centuries ago.
For crying out loud, people, London started pulling in people and cultures from all over the world at least three centuries ago.
12
America first says Trump. Does Khan think UK first, I hope so. Everyone should place their country first
5
Well perhaps the U.S. should adopt the UK's no check policy for immigrants. Sorry, the UK does check all that enter the UK. Trump want to check out the immigrants better than the current procedure
4
This only represents a victory of political correctness. The author sees nothing wrong with the London Muslims voting for one of their own, but calls it "tribalism" if Americans do the same.
More generally, left-wing people find it natural that women and ethnic minorities should want to vote for people like them (see Madeleine Albright's remarks), but are outraged if men or members of the majority want to do the same.
Sadiq Khan called Muslims who are too accommodating "Uncle Toms", so he is quite nationalistic (which I find normal). This is something to be celebrated, apparently, but only for the right sort of people.
I find only one explanation: left-wing people think that ethnic minorities are superior, so their chauvinism is more justifiable than the majority's.
More generally, left-wing people find it natural that women and ethnic minorities should want to vote for people like them (see Madeleine Albright's remarks), but are outraged if men or members of the majority want to do the same.
Sadiq Khan called Muslims who are too accommodating "Uncle Toms", so he is quite nationalistic (which I find normal). This is something to be celebrated, apparently, but only for the right sort of people.
I find only one explanation: left-wing people think that ethnic minorities are superior, so their chauvinism is more justifiable than the majority's.
9
Overlooked in this column is not the musings of a man like Trump. It is that big corporations-- Southwest and American Airlines-- listened to the natterings of a handful of passengers, and allowed their specious claims to enter into decision making as to who is and who is not, a viable passenger/customer. In the USA our only option is the courts, and I hope these two sue the snot out of these companies for defamation of character and actual costs of the inconvenience. I suggest the FAA get seriously in the face of senior management of both and insist upon some level of diversity training, and perhaps an introduction into the constitutional concept of "innocent until proven guilty."
5
The rise of Sadiq Khan is one of the best arguments yet against the bloviating demagogue Donald J Trump and the very nature of demagoguery itself whether in the Trumpian or any other form -- and Roger Cohen has nailed it.
6
While I would sincerely love to be part of a society in which people of every religion (and of no religion) tolerate each other’s freedoms, I wonder if this is indeed possible. Here are 2 examples that made me question the possibility.
1. French bus drivers who practice an ordinary form of Islam refuse to drive a bus after it has been driven by a woman. This newspaper reported on how Muslim drivers forced a woman driver to move to a different bus route so they would not have to touch the wheel after she had. (The route now being driven by the woman is less convenient for her as it is much further from her home.)
2. A report by Kate Brady on 3/5/16 in DW (Deutsche Welle) reported on Sharia Police in Germany’s western state of N. Rhine-Westphalia where an estimated 1,800 are adherents of the ultra-conservative Salafist interpretation of Islam. In 2014, men wearing orange vests, identifying them as Sharia Police, gave out fliers declaring a Sharia Controlled Zone. They demanded that customers at a nightclub stop drinking alcohol and stop gambling.
Their leader is a preacher named Sven Lau. He was taken to the District Court for violating laws against wearing uniforms with political messages, but he was not convicted. A higher court just overturned this decision by saying the self-declared Sharia Police can face trial.
Can Muslims be as tolerant of us as they would like us to be of them?
1. French bus drivers who practice an ordinary form of Islam refuse to drive a bus after it has been driven by a woman. This newspaper reported on how Muslim drivers forced a woman driver to move to a different bus route so they would not have to touch the wheel after she had. (The route now being driven by the woman is less convenient for her as it is much further from her home.)
2. A report by Kate Brady on 3/5/16 in DW (Deutsche Welle) reported on Sharia Police in Germany’s western state of N. Rhine-Westphalia where an estimated 1,800 are adherents of the ultra-conservative Salafist interpretation of Islam. In 2014, men wearing orange vests, identifying them as Sharia Police, gave out fliers declaring a Sharia Controlled Zone. They demanded that customers at a nightclub stop drinking alcohol and stop gambling.
Their leader is a preacher named Sven Lau. He was taken to the District Court for violating laws against wearing uniforms with political messages, but he was not convicted. A higher court just overturned this decision by saying the self-declared Sharia Police can face trial.
Can Muslims be as tolerant of us as they would like us to be of them?
6
I do not know Sadiq Khan, however I am of Pakistani origin and I am PROUD to see him win this election. I am sure he will do a great job for London.
To those bigots who say he is a non-Muslim, they better go and look inside themselves as to what they are. Being a Muslim does not mean you are to abdicate your responsibilities of life. It means that you execute your life responsibilities in a conscientious manner, act honorably.
Persons who pray 5 times a day and read the Quran incessantly and call out Allah-u-Akbar and then blow themselves up are the ones who are NOT-Muslim.
Congratulations Mr. Sadiq Khan.
To those bigots who say he is a non-Muslim, they better go and look inside themselves as to what they are. Being a Muslim does not mean you are to abdicate your responsibilities of life. It means that you execute your life responsibilities in a conscientious manner, act honorably.
Persons who pray 5 times a day and read the Quran incessantly and call out Allah-u-Akbar and then blow themselves up are the ones who are NOT-Muslim.
Congratulations Mr. Sadiq Khan.
7
Maybe what we are seeing is just another chapter in mankind's long history of backwards versus forward, the birth of Democracy in Athens and the continuing battle ever since.
At least women still have the right to vote in this country. African Americans, maybe not so much if many of the Red states get their way.
At least women still have the right to vote in this country. African Americans, maybe not so much if many of the Red states get their way.
2
Mr. Khan is a progressive, attractive, articulate, thoughtful man who replaces an overweight. bullying. right-wing, narcissistic blowhard with funny hair.
We should be so lucky.
We should be so lucky.
4
This is the quote from Les Moonves, head of CBS.
“The money’s rolling in and this is fun. I’ve never seen anything like this, and this going to be a very good year for us. Sorry. It’s a terrible thing to say. But, bring it on, Donald. Keep going.”
They knew they were promoting an imbecile but were so elated with the ratings that they disregarded the huge danger to the country.
“The money’s rolling in and this is fun. I’ve never seen anything like this, and this going to be a very good year for us. Sorry. It’s a terrible thing to say. But, bring it on, Donald. Keep going.”
They knew they were promoting an imbecile but were so elated with the ratings that they disregarded the huge danger to the country.
3
It strikes me that Roger is trying to set up a rather black and white scenario here: the good, hard-working tolerant Muslim mayor and the ruthless, crude, bigoted American politician.
This simple narrative perhaps avoids more troubling issues that cannot be shoehorned into a tale of good vs evil. The rapid growth of Muslim populations in Europe to the point where Muslims start assuming the reigns of political power may or may not prove to be a good thing in the long run. It isn't unreasonable to question whether Muslims can be assimilated into Western culture like immigrants groups before them. Fundamentalist Islam and its concomitant terrorism is unprecedented, and a growing threat within Europe and Britain. A "moderate" politician who's nonetheless religious, may yet provide political cover for the advancement of less savory policies and people.
Time will tell, but Roger's optimism feels to me to be protesting too much. A little circumspection is in order.
This simple narrative perhaps avoids more troubling issues that cannot be shoehorned into a tale of good vs evil. The rapid growth of Muslim populations in Europe to the point where Muslims start assuming the reigns of political power may or may not prove to be a good thing in the long run. It isn't unreasonable to question whether Muslims can be assimilated into Western culture like immigrants groups before them. Fundamentalist Islam and its concomitant terrorism is unprecedented, and a growing threat within Europe and Britain. A "moderate" politician who's nonetheless religious, may yet provide political cover for the advancement of less savory policies and people.
Time will tell, but Roger's optimism feels to me to be protesting too much. A little circumspection is in order.
3
As always - Roger Cohen is the voice of reason.
4
"Khan has also reached out to Britain’s Jewish community, vigorously disavowing the creeping anti-Semitism in Labour ranks that last month saw Ken Livingstone, a former London mayor, suspended from the party." That is a very charitable interpretation of what actually happened: Khan said just enough to distance himself from it, but did not do so with anything that could fairly be described as vigour. Bearing in mind the make-up of his core vote, he had no reason to do so.
6
Ian, excellent point but last week also witnessed the latest in numerous financial improprieties around the world that lead to anti semitism. This particular issue was well covered in the London Financial Times Big Read: it involved "Sir" Phillip Green and how he destroyed and looted a large British retail chain, apparently making off with some Five hundred million in dividends routed to his wife's domicile in Monaco to avoid the taxman while eleven thousand employees of BHS(?) lost their pensions. So while we're all busy crying anti Semitic how about we produce a few more Bernies and a lot fewer Phillips, Blankfeins, Fulds, Zells, Adelsons and Bibis. Isn't not anti semitism it's anti greedy, sociopathic, jerks; not to mention the never ending war in the Middle East that's cost trillions and resulted in Europe having to clean up after the mess created by Bush, Cheney and Blair on behalf of Israel and Saudi oil. Clean up our act if we don't want to garner hatred. Bernie and Sadiq have proven beyond a doubt that it's individuals that create love and hatred not ethnicities or religions.
2
Mr. Cohen,
Thank you for writing this article. Congratulations to Mr. Khan for such a progressive political fights in London. Action is more important than winning the election. First thing Mr. Khan needs to do is to neutralize the social and political environment to more liberalism and progressivism. In his efforts, religion flavor of anything should take a back seat. Conservative politics supported by any religion would hinder the coexistence of human race. It will also threaten the destruction of gobal civilization.
Thank you for writing this article. Congratulations to Mr. Khan for such a progressive political fights in London. Action is more important than winning the election. First thing Mr. Khan needs to do is to neutralize the social and political environment to more liberalism and progressivism. In his efforts, religion flavor of anything should take a back seat. Conservative politics supported by any religion would hinder the coexistence of human race. It will also threaten the destruction of gobal civilization.
It's quite interesting to note how America, a supposedly Christian nation, has forgotten that Christianity was originally considered a strange offshoot of Judaism. Christianity would not have survived its early years except for its acceptance by the Jews who gave them refuge. Islam is another offshoot of Judaism with elements of Christianity in it. While Christians proceeded to persecute Jews and Muslims wherever they could, the latter two learned to live with Christians because it meant survival. Adaptation is often better than dominance, a lesson that Christians, who are a minority in the world, would do well to learn.
In addition to the above facts, all of us ought to remember that extremists of all stripes share many characteristics with each other rather than the religions they profess to follow. A Muslim extremist is an extremist who claims to be Muslim but is, like any other outlier, taking things out of context and using them as the basis to murder others. If Donald Trump feels that barring Muslims from America will solve the extremist problem he'd better look at his supposed party before he opens his mouth.
In addition to the above facts, all of us ought to remember that extremists of all stripes share many characteristics with each other rather than the religions they profess to follow. A Muslim extremist is an extremist who claims to be Muslim but is, like any other outlier, taking things out of context and using them as the basis to murder others. If Donald Trump feels that barring Muslims from America will solve the extremist problem he'd better look at his supposed party before he opens his mouth.
3
Does anyone really believe that Trump would not permit an exception to the "No Muslims" rule for the Mayor of London? Trump neither fears nor considers the concept of inconsistency. In his regal perception of himself what he wants is right. If he felt allowing Mr. Khan to enter the US would be beneficial to him then Mr. Khan would be allowed to enter thus proving how powerful is the Donald. "Is Trump strong; does Trump hit it long".
1
The two events you mentioned of South Western Airlines and American Airlines are data points of the state of our country - fear of ignorance griped the whole nation. "Fear" is our greatest enemy and now we have a Presidential candidate who without rescuing us from fear, is using the fear to win election.
This is a very dangerous moment in the history of our nation - we will be tested for our courage and integrity. History always tests the nation through this type of calamity - some time placing a false messiah, some time through natural calamity, sometime through economic perils.
Trump is a false messiah and we must reject him like Muslims are rejecting the Al- Baghdadi in the Middle East. If we fail, this great nation of our founding fathers will be harmed in a significant way and his slogan of "America First" will materialize as "America Ordinary".
This is a very dangerous moment in the history of our nation - we will be tested for our courage and integrity. History always tests the nation through this type of calamity - some time placing a false messiah, some time through natural calamity, sometime through economic perils.
Trump is a false messiah and we must reject him like Muslims are rejecting the Al- Baghdadi in the Middle East. If we fail, this great nation of our founding fathers will be harmed in a significant way and his slogan of "America First" will materialize as "America Ordinary".
5
In contrast to Mr. Trump. Mr. Khan presents as mature and grown-up. Like Barack Obama he has traveled some emotional terrain that has enlarged each with a broader world view and greater empathy for the "other". The privileged Donald Trump has always been top dog in his world, calling the shots. While his "strongman" persona is a comfort to many, it conflicts with what the ideals of what our nation is striving for, a more perfect union of opportunity and diversity and respect for the worth of the earth and all it's beings.
7
REALITY-CHECK: I've seen this guy, and others like Rep Keith Ellsion
These folks aren't 'good' Muslims, they are NON-Muslims
I don't care what they call themselves, they aren't following the teachings of the Koran, or the example of the Muhammad(PBUH)
Observant Muslims, don't look at him, or people like him as good examples, they are looked upon as Apostates, and unless they have good security, they are likely to be killed, not by Western Infidels, but by other Muslims following the teachings and examples of their religion
These folks aren't 'good' Muslims, they are NON-Muslims
I don't care what they call themselves, they aren't following the teachings of the Koran, or the example of the Muhammad(PBUH)
Observant Muslims, don't look at him, or people like him as good examples, they are looked upon as Apostates, and unless they have good security, they are likely to be killed, not by Western Infidels, but by other Muslims following the teachings and examples of their religion
4
Well, that's a brand-new bizarroland argument: MINOs. Amazing.
1
Do Muslims agree with our Freedom of Speech?
The writers and cartoonists at France’s satirical Charlie Hebdo made fun of every religion. A surprising percentage of British Muslims could not put up with its exercise of free speech.
The BBC conducted a poll of British Muslims after Muslim extremists killed 12 and wounded 11 Charlie Hebdo writers and cartoonists. 11% said the magazine deserved to be attacked. 24% said the attacks were justified. 27% admitted they held some sympathy for the motives behind the attack.
Britain has been tolerant in accepting Muslims, but many Muslims have not displayed the same tolerance for people with different ideas.
We all want to believe that the West can integrate people of all beliefs. We need to look below the surface to see if this is actually possible.
The writers and cartoonists at France’s satirical Charlie Hebdo made fun of every religion. A surprising percentage of British Muslims could not put up with its exercise of free speech.
The BBC conducted a poll of British Muslims after Muslim extremists killed 12 and wounded 11 Charlie Hebdo writers and cartoonists. 11% said the magazine deserved to be attacked. 24% said the attacks were justified. 27% admitted they held some sympathy for the motives behind the attack.
Britain has been tolerant in accepting Muslims, but many Muslims have not displayed the same tolerance for people with different ideas.
We all want to believe that the West can integrate people of all beliefs. We need to look below the surface to see if this is actually possible.
10
While you were hiding under your bed, the USA has in fact integrated Muslims into our melting pot. Read the article again, please.
2
Come on Roger. Sadiq Khan is hardly a Muslim.
Yes, his parents were Muslim. His name is Muslim. But his values, his mannerisms, his lifestyle is British. He exhibit neither of the 2 Islams practiced around the world – Mohammedan Islam that is universal, anti-Capitalist, anti-Democracy, pro Republic, pro-Justice, and Kaliphate Islam that is Tribal, neocon, misogynist. Khan is an establishment man pure and simple. That he has an oily skin and a name to boot matters little. He will perpetuate the old. Sadiq is a sold-out Muslim.
Trump on the other hand is anti-establishment, the kid who dared to call that emperor has no clothes. We are tired of the old. We want change. Trump is American to the core.
Trump revolution is much more daring than Khan one will ever be, if “revolution” it can be called at all.
Yes, his parents were Muslim. His name is Muslim. But his values, his mannerisms, his lifestyle is British. He exhibit neither of the 2 Islams practiced around the world – Mohammedan Islam that is universal, anti-Capitalist, anti-Democracy, pro Republic, pro-Justice, and Kaliphate Islam that is Tribal, neocon, misogynist. Khan is an establishment man pure and simple. That he has an oily skin and a name to boot matters little. He will perpetuate the old. Sadiq is a sold-out Muslim.
Trump on the other hand is anti-establishment, the kid who dared to call that emperor has no clothes. We are tired of the old. We want change. Trump is American to the core.
Trump revolution is much more daring than Khan one will ever be, if “revolution” it can be called at all.
19
If you knew anything about this country, you'd know that born-rich loudmouthed idiots are hardly something new.
1
So tell us Syed, what would you have?
1
Syed Abbas,
You just don't get it, do you? I feel sorry for people who think this way because the world is passing them by and they simply do not see it.
You just don't get it, do you? I feel sorry for people who think this way because the world is passing them by and they simply do not see it.
2
Cohen writes: "His election is a rebuke to extremists of all stripes, from Donald Trump to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, who assert that religions cannot peacefully coexist.”
What the what is Cohen talking about? It shows native-born are now a minority in London. It shows that, if they lose an election, they will not riot. We already knew that. But would the reverse be true? Could non-Muslims be elected take power -- in any city in a Muslim nation? Will they be able to do so in Britain if Muslims become a majority? Or will the issue become moot, because in a Muslim nation, non-Muslims will never win an election, because there will be no election. Because, over time, Britain will, like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia, become 100% Muslim? (How did that happen? Must be Cohen's "peaceful coexistence" at work. A one-way "coexistence." The same way it has been for 14 centuries.
What the what is Cohen talking about? It shows native-born are now a minority in London. It shows that, if they lose an election, they will not riot. We already knew that. But would the reverse be true? Could non-Muslims be elected take power -- in any city in a Muslim nation? Will they be able to do so in Britain if Muslims become a majority? Or will the issue become moot, because in a Muslim nation, non-Muslims will never win an election, because there will be no election. Because, over time, Britain will, like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia, become 100% Muslim? (How did that happen? Must be Cohen's "peaceful coexistence" at work. A one-way "coexistence." The same way it has been for 14 centuries.
10
How very considerate and 'white' of Trump to make Mr. Khan an exception to his ban on Muslims traveling to America.
Maybe he does have a speck of foreign policy savvy after all. /sarcasm
Maybe he does have a speck of foreign policy savvy after all. /sarcasm
3
Good column - spot of fresh air until you had to write about Trump's small fingers. Roger! what a cheap shot!
4
Get over it already! Trump fires off the most vitriolic sentiments about everyone who is not in his orbit - making fun of disabled journalists etc. Your Trump is the king of cheap shots!
4
I was more concerned about his failure to employ the subjunctive mood at the end of the sentence . . . .
1
Kahn rose to such prominence in a European city - a city that is a melting pot of many cultures. This can happen in societies that have freedom of opportunity. To the degree that it is protected and nurtured here, this same freedom is what makes America a great nation.
"Khan’s election is important because it gives the lie to the facile trope that Europe is being taken over by jihadi Islamists. It underscores the fact that terrorist acts hide a million quiet success stories among European Muslim communities." And later you write, "His election is important because the most effective voices against Islamist terrorism come from Muslims, and Khan has been prepared to speak out."
Roger, the two quotes from your column say a world. Twice in my life I have celebrated political choices: the Catholic John Kennedy and the Black Barak Obama: Kennedy overcame the issue of his faith and President Obama has lost to the color of his skin (to the detriment of America).
You are lauding Kahn's election and with good cause, but he, like Kennedy and Obama, has a huge task before him. It is perhaps the greatest undertaking of our age: that he can successfully confront jihad and also daunting will be a possible confrontation with Trump should worse come to worst.
Roger, the two quotes from your column say a world. Twice in my life I have celebrated political choices: the Catholic John Kennedy and the Black Barak Obama: Kennedy overcame the issue of his faith and President Obama has lost to the color of his skin (to the detriment of America).
You are lauding Kahn's election and with good cause, but he, like Kennedy and Obama, has a huge task before him. It is perhaps the greatest undertaking of our age: that he can successfully confront jihad and also daunting will be a possible confrontation with Trump should worse come to worst.
1
Khan was one of the Labour MP'S in support of banning Trump from the UK.
On one side stands the grandson of a German immigrant and son of an immigrant from the UK and on the other the son of immigrants to the UK.
The difference between these two men is one of attitude.
They live in, by any objective standard, wonderful countries and cities. Which one's point of view would make themselves and those around them happier?
On one side stands the grandson of a German immigrant and son of an immigrant from the UK and on the other the son of immigrants to the UK.
The difference between these two men is one of attitude.
They live in, by any objective standard, wonderful countries and cities. Which one's point of view would make themselves and those around them happier?
7
Excellent article by Mr. Cohen. And I look forward to following Mayor Khan as he takes the helm of one of the world's greatest cities.
2
By an odd coincidence the proportion of Muslims in London is the same as the proportion of blacks in the US: 12.5pc.
There are two deductions: Neither Obama nor Khan could have been elected without the votes of the general population, nor can we expect an early repetition of their achievement.
There are two deductions: Neither Obama nor Khan could have been elected without the votes of the general population, nor can we expect an early repetition of their achievement.
4
SADIQ KHAN Is an enlightened leader who has shown mature judgment and the ability to act in a fair-minded, rational way for the betterment of the government in which he has served. Presumably, his success will follow. Trump shows few if any of the traits, talents, motivations or psychological capacity for mature judgment, being fair-minded or rational or to look toward the betterment of government. It would be wonderful is Sadiq Khan could clone himself and send a Doppelgaenger to stand as a presidential candidate for the GOP, which would change the political discourse from the ravings of a madman to meaningful, reality-based, thoughtful, productive and constructive communication. Alas, all presidential candidates must be US born, so that's not possible (unless Sadiq could send over some cells to be cloned here in the US). Meanwhile, Trump suffers from the brain disorder of frontal lobe dementia, rendering him unfit for high office. Call me biased or whatever you will, but I don't trust anybody who says that being compared to Adolf Hitler does not bother him. With that statement, Trump has placed himself among some of the most horrible murderers in human history: Hitler, Stalin and Mao. Frankly, I think also that if the GOP has brought this on itself, Trump should be able to win the candidacy, after which there will most likely be a landslide sweeping most of the lunatic GOP members from office. Meanwhile, Londoners got very lucky with Sadiq Khan. DUMP TRUMP!
4
I live in London and watched the whole campaign unfold. I voted in the election too. Goldsmith ran a divisive, prejudiced campaign, and he was berated by all sides including from his own right wing here.
But Khan's religion is the only aspect anyone is concentrating on (revealing their own pre-occupations). Goldsmith inherited multi-millions, has never known hardship, has never had to earn to eat, and until just before election, lived abroad for "tax reasons". He is no man of the people, he is the opposite.
The vast majority of Londoners do not want social division and they do not want a pampered child of priviledge running their affairs - tax avoidance and housing are uppermost in people's minds. I am relieved and proud that fellow Londoners did not fall for the dumbed-down, social, political agitiation that Goldsmith indulged.
But Khan's religion is the only aspect anyone is concentrating on (revealing their own pre-occupations). Goldsmith inherited multi-millions, has never known hardship, has never had to earn to eat, and until just before election, lived abroad for "tax reasons". He is no man of the people, he is the opposite.
The vast majority of Londoners do not want social division and they do not want a pampered child of priviledge running their affairs - tax avoidance and housing are uppermost in people's minds. I am relieved and proud that fellow Londoners did not fall for the dumbed-down, social, political agitiation that Goldsmith indulged.
47
Cohen: "Finally the mayoral election is over and I can post this provocative piece I penned weeks ago to get in on all the clicks and comments (and money) that accompany anything dealing with Trump! Thank you London! Dinero!"
1
Really? Do you think journalists should work for free? Or do you only approve of this´who make their mega-millions with a nice nest egg from daddy, like Trump did?
Did you even read the piece? Cohen did his job as a political commentator, expressing his opinion about what he sees as a grave threat to America's future, while making sure people know how important Khan's election is to the global progressive society.
1
Liberals do well in big cities. Shocking. Did you just discover this?
5
Apparently you don't know that Boris Johnson, a Conservative ran London for 8 years. That Rudolph Guiliani, a Republican Conservative ran New York City for 7 years.
3
Funny you don't tell us why you think that happens. I don't presume to have all the answers but I'll ask you a question: Big cities are usually the most diverse environments in terms of population and culture. Why does that make their denizens less xenophobic than those of many (not all by any means) rural areas?
3
Said the Big Khan to the Little Don
I'll still be here when you are gone
I'll still be here when you are gone
13
Trump is doubling down on his race - bating and fear mongering (see his speech in WA. on Sunday). His rabid base can not get enough of this type of rhetoric and they are becoming emboldened in their racism.
Pandora's box is open and the dark underbelly of the USA is revealed.
This is going to get VERY ugly.
Pandora's box is open and the dark underbelly of the USA is revealed.
This is going to get VERY ugly.
13
You've put your finger on the really shocking part of the whole Trump phenomenon: the number of Americans who are voting for him, what you call the "dark underbelly." What frightens me is that so many Americans are apparently either in favor of his hate-mongering, or are not put off by it. Whether he is elected president or not, we now know how many of our fellow Americans are very un-American in their approach to people who are not WASPs.
4
The most salient point this column makes - hardly a new one - is that Trump's belligerence, and by extension that of his supporters, is generated and underpinned by insecurity and fear. When we had a middle class that felt stable and secure in their jobs and communities, JFK could sell the message that 'a rising tide lifts all boats' and LBJ could - granted, at the expense of much of his political capital - push through the Great Society. Insufficient space here to explore the multiple factors that ripped this apart' but basically we're living the Hunger Games except it's open to all ages. Racism is - and I would argue, always has been - a stalking horse for class, in a zero-sum game in which others (who are conveniently colour-coded for easy targeting) can move up the ladder only at the expense of shoving you down or off. Again, it would take a full-length essay to delve into this, but it's classic divide-and-conquer.
1
This is the quote from les Moonves, head of CBS.
“The money’s rolling in and this is fun. I’ve never seen anything like this, and this going to be a very good year for us. Sorry. It’s a terrible thing to say. But, bring it on, Donald. Keep going.”
They knew they were promoting an imbecile but were so elated with the ratings that they disregarded the huge danger to the country.
“The money’s rolling in and this is fun. I’ve never seen anything like this, and this going to be a very good year for us. Sorry. It’s a terrible thing to say. But, bring it on, Donald. Keep going.”
They knew they were promoting an imbecile but were so elated with the ratings that they disregarded the huge danger to the country.
4
BRAVO........Britain.....and Mayor Khan......
A well-written article Roger Cohen....and I think that your NYTimes should
promote what you have written....over and over again.....so that
...we might reclaim our right to hold our heads up ....because we
are no in utter disgrace by the two front runner candidates...
Trump...the ultimate media dissembler
and
Clinton...the driven ...political opportunist.
and
We really need this good example of the New World view promoted by
the UK...
and that is why...I am for Bernie Sanders....and hopefully Elizabeth Warren
as VP.
Good Going Roger...keep at it..!!!
A well-written article Roger Cohen....and I think that your NYTimes should
promote what you have written....over and over again.....so that
...we might reclaim our right to hold our heads up ....because we
are no in utter disgrace by the two front runner candidates...
Trump...the ultimate media dissembler
and
Clinton...the driven ...political opportunist.
and
We really need this good example of the New World view promoted by
the UK...
and that is why...I am for Bernie Sanders....and hopefully Elizabeth Warren
as VP.
Good Going Roger...keep at it..!!!
4
May be we should ask the families who lost loved ones in San Bernardino or 9/11...how they feel about vetting...
8
Mr. Cohen misses the point. It's all about overall Islamic encroachment on western civilization, and it comes in many forms....
4
I have a problem with only one word in Mr. Cohen's otherwise excellent essay. The use of the adjective "small" in reference to Mr. Trump's fingers on the nuclear button brings it down to the adolescent level of the Republican debate wherein barbs about the size of politician's appendages rained down like toxic sludge. Enough about size! Please!
There's more than enough about Mr. Trump to worry about without bringing in finger (and other appendage) size into the discussion.
There's more than enough about Mr. Trump to worry about without bringing in finger (and other appendage) size into the discussion.
6
In reading the letters sent in for this column, I wish people would remember that at times America had a huge foreign born population, much larger than it is today. There were the same fears; the same hysteria. And what happened? They just became us.
13
Yeah, but that's the point, the large majority of muslims don't become us, they want us to become them. That's the difference and if you cant see that then your kidding yourself.
1
You are wrong. Muslims are us. Look around you at your doctors, dentists, engineers everywhere. Just because a few crazy radicals mess things up for everyone, doesn't mean that every Muslim is that way. Check out your own workplace and I am sure you will find some Muslims there with whom you may agree on very many cultural issues.
2
"They" want us to become them rather less, I think you'll find, than the average evangelical Christian wants the same thing.
3
Ya Ya but the election is going to be held in America not Britain, and in America Trump would win in a landslide.
Americans are a rediculous people.
Americans are a rediculous people.
2
The rverberation of a great leader and Stateman's words.. It had something to do with fear and the proper placement of dealing with it.
From 1865 to 1915, at least 14% of the U.S. population was foreign-born, with large percentages before that, at least since the invention of steam ships made it easier for people to get here. Then the percentage began to drop, reaching it's lowest level in history in 1970 at less than 5%. It has been rising since then and may in a few years reach 14% again. In other words, we are getting back to normal.
But for baby boomers, that dip, that trough, is "normal" ... baby boomers grew up at a time when the number of foreign-born people in America was at an historic low, a fact of which we were all blissfully unaware.
So, not only are we living in a time in which the robber barons are back, and vast inequality reigns, a new gilded age, but we are back to a world of large immigrant populations. Any wonder why so many people want to return to other policies and conditions reminiscent of 1900, and wipe out the accomplishments of the 20th century?
But for baby boomers, that dip, that trough, is "normal" ... baby boomers grew up at a time when the number of foreign-born people in America was at an historic low, a fact of which we were all blissfully unaware.
So, not only are we living in a time in which the robber barons are back, and vast inequality reigns, a new gilded age, but we are back to a world of large immigrant populations. Any wonder why so many people want to return to other policies and conditions reminiscent of 1900, and wipe out the accomplishments of the 20th century?
5
I keep looking every day in the NY Times.
For a smidgen, a crumb, a molecule of something positive about Mr. Trump.
The concept of "global identity" is a bit of a false objective, taking into account that maybe, possibly 20 or so countries (out of 195) in the world have cultures (both political and social) that can be considered successful and worth emulating.
If there were 195 computer manufacturers and of those 195, only 20 had working and functioning models, no one would suggest "Hey, let's build a computer with a global identity - let's incorporate features from the 175 non-working computers."
Which is what underlies the position of this columnist, in the pursuit of some vague concept of tolerance that has no qualitative measures.
For a smidgen, a crumb, a molecule of something positive about Mr. Trump.
The concept of "global identity" is a bit of a false objective, taking into account that maybe, possibly 20 or so countries (out of 195) in the world have cultures (both political and social) that can be considered successful and worth emulating.
If there were 195 computer manufacturers and of those 195, only 20 had working and functioning models, no one would suggest "Hey, let's build a computer with a global identity - let's incorporate features from the 175 non-working computers."
Which is what underlies the position of this columnist, in the pursuit of some vague concept of tolerance that has no qualitative measures.
4
Trump's position that he would allow Caitlin Jenner to use whatever bathroom she wanted was positive and the Times reported that.
1
You can stop looking. There is nothing positive about Mr. Trump, except that he is mortal.
As for your evaluation of cultures worth emulating, what is the basis of YOUR judgement? Skin color perhaps? Playing the game of superior cultures is nonsense. We can all play it. I don't know what YOUR people's culture was, but I am Greek. My people go back thousands of years. When all of the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Germanic ancestors were running berserk into battle, naked with blue paint on their faces, my people were inventing democracy, tragedy, philosophy, and building the Parthenon. The only other people older than mine were Chinese and Egyptians. Perhaps we should give preference to these three "cultures" in immigration to our country.
As for your evaluation of cultures worth emulating, what is the basis of YOUR judgement? Skin color perhaps? Playing the game of superior cultures is nonsense. We can all play it. I don't know what YOUR people's culture was, but I am Greek. My people go back thousands of years. When all of the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Germanic ancestors were running berserk into battle, naked with blue paint on their faces, my people were inventing democracy, tragedy, philosophy, and building the Parthenon. The only other people older than mine were Chinese and Egyptians. Perhaps we should give preference to these three "cultures" in immigration to our country.
5
Alex, there is nothing positive about Mr. Trump. And I'm not being mean spirited.
2
Khan wasn't exactly a human-rights lawyer. He was a human-rights-for-Muslims lawyer, who defended any number of creepy Islamists.
He also set a terrible precedent by moving his swearing-in-ceremony from its traditional location at City Hall, where it would have been secular and neutral, to an inter-faith event at Southwark Cathedral, sending a worrying message about the insertion of religion into British public life. He said it was to show respect for all groups. Except, obviously, non-believers.
He also set a terrible precedent by moving his swearing-in-ceremony from its traditional location at City Hall, where it would have been secular and neutral, to an inter-faith event at Southwark Cathedral, sending a worrying message about the insertion of religion into British public life. He said it was to show respect for all groups. Except, obviously, non-believers.
9
Countless western groups fight for human rights for Muslims and others. Muslim groups like CAIR, ISNA and the like appear to fight for the rights of Muslims. Other, lesser infidels, not so much.
1
Right, because religion has absolutely nothing to do with British public life, where the Queen is also the head of the Church of England. Also, religion has nothing to do with British history and identity.... As a non-believer (in fact, as a self-declared atheist) I, for one, do not feel offended by Mr. Khan's choice to move his swearing-in ceremony to an inter-faith venue.
3
There is no separation of state and religion in Great Britain. The Queen is head of the Church of England. You should worry more about the rabid religiosity in this country, despite the fact that the Constitution explicitly walls off religion from affairs of state, and all politicians feel compelled to wish that God, in his infinite wisdom, should especially "bless" these United States.
3
In an optimistic moment, Freud also said the voice of reason is soft but persistent. Reason prevailed in London. Let's hope we Americans learn the difference between reality and reality television.
10
It is a cute tag-line, but (regardless of how offensive I believe Trump is and supremely inadequate for POTUS) I don't believe that was what he said or intended.
However, I am not interested in defending the Cretan. He is an awful and offensive man.
I simply despise the sound-bite campaign he runs, followed by the adoring press, and Trump's wrapping up with a weird retraction.
All of which gets printed breathlessly.
It is as if we are all watching a giant car wreck, in slow motion; and our first instinct is to whip out our cell phones and get it on video, rather than to rush and aid the victims.
It is all getting very old, and we are just starting.
However, I am not interested in defending the Cretan. He is an awful and offensive man.
I simply despise the sound-bite campaign he runs, followed by the adoring press, and Trump's wrapping up with a weird retraction.
All of which gets printed breathlessly.
It is as if we are all watching a giant car wreck, in slow motion; and our first instinct is to whip out our cell phones and get it on video, rather than to rush and aid the victims.
It is all getting very old, and we are just starting.
1
In the wake of Khan's win, the famous red buses in London had an "ad" that said in Arabic "God is great". Funny, they never said "Jesus is the Messiah" when Christians were elected mayors.
We are witnessing the demise of Europe before our very eyes.
We are witnessing the demise of Europe before our very eyes.
15
That's completely different and nothing to do with the Mayor of London. It's not "in the wake of" as the campaign would have been run regardless of who won. If a Christian group wanted to run "Jesus is the Messiah" adverts on London buses they are free to do so.
4
But they do have buses with "Jesus Christ Superstar" posters on them.
1
Great imagination you have - or else please supply a reliable link that includes a picture - Cheers
3
President Obama before becoming the commander-in-chief was a community organizer in the Chicago black community precinct and saw with his own eyes the inequalities so many African-Americans were suffering and decided to do something about it - he then went on to become president of the USA. I suppose Khan is being driven by the same ardor by growing up in a public housing area, coming to be a human rights lawyer and a government minister. Though in different contexts both men saw in politics the true nature of being a special guide, serving communities for the common good, beacons of hope and belief in viewing themselves as interpreters of deep-seated human suffering but with a positive nuance and doing something about it. People like Obama and Khan are a breath of fresh air over this world of pestilential stench championed by the ones trying to bring the entire globe of ours to its final demise.
34
yeah Obama has made so much difference to human sufferings and has helped the poor so much, what a legend. what obamas rise shows is that you never should elect a person because of there physical traits, you elect them because they have a reasonable idea of what they are doing. Thers a strong chance London will find that out soon, unfortunately lefties wont learn for a long time yet. What the bet that the next democratic nominee after Clinton will be aminority, probably a Latino, he wont be the best candidate, just like Clinton isn't the best candidate this time.
1
It seems like a long time since I have read good news in the New York Times, although I may have forgotten something. Bravo London! Brilliant! Mr Sadiq's quotes were most interesting. An excellent mind with a good and powerful world view.
25
An excellent Jewish mind applauding the rise of a Muslim to power. what could possibly go wrong? Brilliant!
2
The election of Mayor Khan underscores the ugliness and
sheer stupidity of the Trump Muslim ban.
Yo Media, Attention Must Be Paid
sheer stupidity of the Trump Muslim ban.
Yo Media, Attention Must Be Paid
15
International attention for a big city mayor, citing him as a model for politicians everywhere.
How about De Blasio? A model for politicians everywhere? Great.
How about De Blasio? A model for politicians everywhere? Great.
I'd readily take De Blasio over the vast majority of American politicians - especially the Republicans.
> "The election of Mayor Khan underscores the ugliness and
sheer stupidity of the Trump Muslim ban"
Please tell that to the people of Boston, San Bernadino,the Twin Towers, and the soldiers who were at Ft. Hood
And also tell that to the Muslims themselves who keep blowing up each others Mosques and marketplaces because of a 1300+ year old feud over the importance of whether AbuBakr, or Ali should have succeeded the "Prophet"(PBUH)
sheer stupidity of the Trump Muslim ban"
Please tell that to the people of Boston, San Bernadino,the Twin Towers, and the soldiers who were at Ft. Hood
And also tell that to the Muslims themselves who keep blowing up each others Mosques and marketplaces because of a 1300+ year old feud over the importance of whether AbuBakr, or Ali should have succeeded the "Prophet"(PBUH)
1
As Harold Macmillan observed, politics is ultimately about “events, dear boy, events”.
Here are a few that could benefit Mr Trump between now and November.
1. Bill Clinton starts dating Donald’s daughter
2. Bernie starts dating Hillary
4. An FBI investigator on Hillary’s email case makes it a threesome
5. Elizabeth Warren starts dating Donald
6. Donald starts dating Megyn Kelly
7. Jon Stewart apologizes for saying Donald is a “man-baby”, who may be constitutionally ineligible to be president
8. Putin covers all Donald’s campaign expenses from his Panama account.
Here are a few that could benefit Mr Trump between now and November.
1. Bill Clinton starts dating Donald’s daughter
2. Bernie starts dating Hillary
4. An FBI investigator on Hillary’s email case makes it a threesome
5. Elizabeth Warren starts dating Donald
6. Donald starts dating Megyn Kelly
7. Jon Stewart apologizes for saying Donald is a “man-baby”, who may be constitutionally ineligible to be president
8. Putin covers all Donald’s campaign expenses from his Panama account.
3
Khan has also reached out to Britain’s Jewish community, vigorously disavowing the creeping anti-Semitism in Labour ranks ....
Roger Cohen has written an excellent article encouraging and exemplifying the acceptance of difference. However, his jibe at the UK Labour Party cannot be justified; instances of anti-Semitism in the party are extremely rare and there is no evidence that they are increasing. The allegations were made by Tories when their party was being criticised for their dog-whistle campaign that sought link Sadiq Khan with terrorism.
Roger Cohen has written an excellent article encouraging and exemplifying the acceptance of difference. However, his jibe at the UK Labour Party cannot be justified; instances of anti-Semitism in the party are extremely rare and there is no evidence that they are increasing. The allegations were made by Tories when their party was being criticised for their dog-whistle campaign that sought link Sadiq Khan with terrorism.
5
Philip Proust: Anti-semitism and hatred of Israel as a predominately Jewish state are par for the course in the UK Labour party and fairly common among the Conservatives as well. Let's not forget who caused the problem to begin with with stupid things like favoring the Arabs and turning back ships with Jewish refugees from the Holocaust.
Londoners have a long history of not evaluating political candidates by their ethnicity, but on their own merits.
In Victorian England, an Indian who had recently arrived from Bombay, Dadabhoy Naoroji, was elected Member of Parliament in 1892 from Finsbury Central constituency in London. A superlative orator and political mind, he won over the Cockney voters in his constituency with his platform.
So, also Sadiq Khan, who was elected for what he said he would do, and not for who his grandparents were.
Such is the broad-mindedness of Londoners, a trait that is seen also in New Yorkers—though, alas, not in their municipal politics, which is parochial.
In Victorian England, an Indian who had recently arrived from Bombay, Dadabhoy Naoroji, was elected Member of Parliament in 1892 from Finsbury Central constituency in London. A superlative orator and political mind, he won over the Cockney voters in his constituency with his platform.
So, also Sadiq Khan, who was elected for what he said he would do, and not for who his grandparents were.
Such is the broad-mindedness of Londoners, a trait that is seen also in New Yorkers—though, alas, not in their municipal politics, which is parochial.
7
Naoroji didn't win over that many voters. His margin of victory was 3 votes.
1
All he needed was one.
What Trump does not like, rightfully so, are the Wahabi muslims, who are financed by and highly promoted by the Saudis, who mainly teach them everything anti American. On one hand we support the Saudis, and on the other hand they are determined to destroy our culture with Wahabi-ism. NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE WAHABI.
5
Donald Trump never said anything about Wahabi. I am sure he is not even aware of the sect. He was specifically asked whether he meant ALL Muslim should be kept out of the US and he said "Yes". And you can be sure that the ignorant rightwing whiners who vote for him don't even care; they make no distinction between Arab, Moslem, Hindu, Sikh, whatever.
9
However, all muslims profess to believe in the Qur'an.
The Qur'an is the word of Allah, as given to the prophet Mohammed. Read Surah 2:191, 2:193, 2:194, 2:216, 4:47, 4:76, 4:89, 3:195, 5:33, 5:45, 8:12, 8:37, 8:67, 9:5, 9:29, 9:111, 9:123, 33:61, 47:4, 47:13. Just for a start. And the Hadith, the record of the life of Mohammed, is worse.
The Qur'an is the word of Allah, as given to the prophet Mohammed. Read Surah 2:191, 2:193, 2:194, 2:216, 4:47, 4:76, 4:89, 3:195, 5:33, 5:45, 8:12, 8:37, 8:67, 9:5, 9:29, 9:111, 9:123, 33:61, 47:4, 47:13. Just for a start. And the Hadith, the record of the life of Mohammed, is worse.
2
HE DOES NOW!
1
Newly elected mayor of London Sadiq Khan as a British Citizen will never have difficulty visiting USA for any official or personal business Trump or no Trump as president. As it stands every person is issued a visa on individual case by case basis. There have been incidences in the past the USA has denied visa or declared that they will denied visa to persons. Mr. Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India for several years as a chief minister of a state in India was denied entry into the USA. Only after the supreme court of India cleared him of allegations that he contributed to riots that occurred under his watch and after he became prime minister was Mr. Modi welcomed to the white house and has been invited by speaker Ryan to address the joint session of Congress. Mr. Khan should not try to take advantage of the lime light to make an issue that is a non issue before he has tested the waters or has applied. Either he is ignorant of the American system or he is being cheeky or fictitious. He needs to start functioning as the mayor of London and prove himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him by responding to the needs of Londoners instead of exploiting his new found celebrity status. I applauded Londoners for electing him based on merit and he should stick to meritorious service insread of acting like he is the mayor of the world.
3
The name Zadiq means "wise man who seeks justice" and Khan "ruler".
I hope the new mayor lives up to his name. Good luck.
I hope the new mayor lives up to his name. Good luck.
8
i could not agree more with roger cohen...contrarily to what the fear mongering and the self absorbed might believe, the global community is a multicultural one. it appears, however, that the focus of the media is perhaps too focused on those who would decry its capacity to survive extremism, fear and just plain ignorance. then there is political expediency which leads individuals to jump convictions as in a game of hopsctoch. fear mongering is the square in which politicians linger because they feel we want that. chicken and egg comes to mind. donald trump is not the only guilty party there. david cameron has jeopardised the uk's membership of the eu by suggesting that the uk could return to a former imperial glory which is no longer even possible today. hillary clinton switches discourse from one speaking event to another and it is now impossible to know for whom or for what she actually stands firmly but she definitely talks about defense in areas where there is no need to. more angela merkels and barack obamas would be a welcome addition to the world of governance. they appear to have paid as little attention as possible to what is thought of them from day to day in the moveable feast of politics and more to bringing to governance the good everybody touts but seems to forget on the platform of unbridled ambition. the media suggests angela merkel is worried about her political future. hardly. they also suggest obama is fixated on legacy. tunnel vision comes to mind.
1
This openness is all very nice, Khan is probably a fine fellow (although not to my full taste if in the past he defended Islamist hate preachers, but he will probably not do that as London Mayor)... but the world is not moving in that direction, as much as the MSM would like us to believe. In Europe the extremes (right but here and there also left) are galloping to power (look at Austria, France, Sweden, Netherlands, possibly Spain, ditto Brexit), Trump has a decent shot at getting into the White House (visualize the rebranding over there if he does), so... whom are we kidding?
2
Never confuse what is in the news with what is in the real world. The world is far more than its extremes.
2
This is a beautifully written, informative column, Mr. Cohen.
With Khan’s election as mayor, seems something positive at least has happened in the world.
Re that string of innocent people removed from airplanes, maybe their stories could be collected and turned into a reality TV show mini series.
Good quotes of Freud and Trump. And I keep picturing the ministers of Europe having anxiety ridden meetings to plan what to do in case Trump is elected president.
I recall the cspan coverage of the British parliamentary committee meetings on whether Trump should be barred from entry into Britain, after the requisite # of citizens had signed a petition to ban him. Maybe we could collect signatures to deport him from the US. Congress might pass it. What a relief!
With Khan’s election as mayor, seems something positive at least has happened in the world.
Re that string of innocent people removed from airplanes, maybe their stories could be collected and turned into a reality TV show mini series.
Good quotes of Freud and Trump. And I keep picturing the ministers of Europe having anxiety ridden meetings to plan what to do in case Trump is elected president.
I recall the cspan coverage of the British parliamentary committee meetings on whether Trump should be barred from entry into Britain, after the requisite # of citizens had signed a petition to ban him. Maybe we could collect signatures to deport him from the US. Congress might pass it. What a relief!
2
Most people do not know that American Presidential rule has a delayed reation of 8 years. Trump is not running on Obama's rule, but on Bush's failures. It has taken 8 years to almost correct the Bush administration failures. The election in 2016 will continue a correction or will start the cycle over again. Depemdimg on which party wins. Even most Americans do not recognize this delay. And they are being lead to believe that Trump will "repair" Obama's mistakes, not true.
I hope Mr. Khan reads this, and understands this American election a bit better than what he has commented on. Although he is not incorrect in the danger of a Trump victory, he seems to not have much faith in the overall good will of the average American to see reality.
One way or another, we Americans never cease to "amaze"?
I hope Mr. Khan reads this, and understands this American election a bit better than what he has commented on. Although he is not incorrect in the danger of a Trump victory, he seems to not have much faith in the overall good will of the average American to see reality.
One way or another, we Americans never cease to "amaze"?
5
Roger: Presidents don't rule. The government has three branches.
2
Yes, Americans are amazing, but some are MORE amazing than others, and what is amazing is their ignorance and their manic efforts to keep fighting the Civil War long after the defeat.
1
Not according to Barack "Executive Order" Obama. See also AG Lynch's questionable extension of Title IX to transgender individuals in North Carolina.
With the election of Mr. Khan, London must brace for another terrorist incident or possible assassination attempt on Mr. Khan. Why? For precisely all the positive reasons that he brings to the table. He is all that the terrorists don't want to see, assimilation and coexistence. And, God forbid there be another incident, expect some to come crawling out of the woodwork and say "if he hadn't been elected, this wouldn't have happened." He has a very tough job ahead of him, and the best news will be no news in this regard. Godspeed and good luck to him.
15
A secular blogger in Pakistan has already been killed for praising Khan as evidence that western secular democracy is better than theocracy.
2
Read the comments at the next Times article on refugees. You will see that the positive thoughts here about a person born Muslim is a "one off".
Mark my words.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Mark my words.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
1
Sadiq Khan presents himself to Times reporter as the multi-dimensional individual he and each hunan being is.
When will we begin to see Times writers ranging from Kristof to Blow do the same instead of putting us in archaic boxes called white and black?
Not in my lifetime but maybe a newborn's.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
When will we begin to see Times writers ranging from Kristof to Blow do the same instead of putting us in archaic boxes called white and black?
Not in my lifetime but maybe a newborn's.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
5
Fascinating reverse of how politics is played.
Mr. Khan is heralded as a Muslim, which is a first as it is entirely irrelevant, at least it has been in previous centuries.
At the same time Mr. Goldsmith was smeared for being a rich Jew, something that creates echoes of a very bad past.
But the world's press applauds and has no problem shifting from somewhat neutral to slightly Antisemitic and pro Muslim.
Makes you wonder what comes next?
Mr. Khan is heralded as a Muslim, which is a first as it is entirely irrelevant, at least it has been in previous centuries.
At the same time Mr. Goldsmith was smeared for being a rich Jew, something that creates echoes of a very bad past.
But the world's press applauds and has no problem shifting from somewhat neutral to slightly Antisemitic and pro Muslim.
Makes you wonder what comes next?
12
"slightly Anti-Semitic." You may want to rephrase that to read "incredibly anti-Semitic" when it comes describing to how the world's press views Jews.
I believe you are incorrect (lying) when you claim/state that Trump would bar Muslims. His statement, as I recall, that Muslims should not be admitted until a proper vetting system was in place...and it was in response to the Paris attacks.
You have also misstated the takeover by Muslims, as you call it. here is MUCH evidence to show that Muslims (who said jihadi Islamists...I am first hearing of this by you) are indeed taking over parts of cities and countries in Europe. Your proposition of "jihadi Islamists" is phony.
You have also misstated the takeover by Muslims, as you call it. here is MUCH evidence to show that Muslims (who said jihadi Islamists...I am first hearing of this by you) are indeed taking over parts of cities and countries in Europe. Your proposition of "jihadi Islamists" is phony.
4
If, by "taking over" you mean "living in", then yes, you got it spot on. If you mean to suggest that this is a bad thing, as opposed to a reflection of the ever-changing demographic of our country, and, I suppose, the world, then you are mistaken.
3
It is not Trump who inspired the fear that grips America it is a media who job is to sell product that gives America Donald Trump. I live where a number of our neighbouring cities towns and villages are begging to sponsor Syrian refugees. We know what diversity did for London, it put it back on the map as a world city.
Mayor Khan will not be as entertaining or as exciting as Boris Johnson but the world could do with a heck of a lot more peace and tranquility .
Maybe November will see both Mr Trump and Mr Johnson back where they belong on the telly instead of the newspapers.I don't read the tabloids or watch much television if I want to see boors in action I can call up CSPAN on the net.
Mayor Khan will not be as entertaining or as exciting as Boris Johnson but the world could do with a heck of a lot more peace and tranquility .
Maybe November will see both Mr Trump and Mr Johnson back where they belong on the telly instead of the newspapers.I don't read the tabloids or watch much television if I want to see boors in action I can call up CSPAN on the net.
7
"In this context, Sadiq Khan’s victory is reassuring because he represents currents in the world — toward global identity and integration ..."
Perhaps, but Londoners didn't have much of a choice, and they went with the populist instead of the elite. Now think about that for a second. You may want to take it easy on the Donald going forward.
Perhaps, but Londoners didn't have much of a choice, and they went with the populist instead of the elite. Now think about that for a second. You may want to take it easy on the Donald going forward.
3
There were at least ten choices for mayor on my ballot — Labour, Lib Dem, Conservatives, Greens, UKIP, BNP the 'Cannabis is Safer than Alcohol' guy who always runs, and a few more right-wing fringe candidates. (I didn't bother counting exactly, because there really were quite a few right-wing fringe candidates and they just don't interest me at all.) But that seems like plenty of choice to me.
Khan is more populist than Goldsmith, sure, but that's not exactly hard when you're up against a public-school billionaire. Khan is hardly even among the most populist in his only-recently-populist party — just look at how he's distanced himself from Corbyn.
Khan is more populist than Goldsmith, sure, but that's not exactly hard when you're up against a public-school billionaire. Khan is hardly even among the most populist in his only-recently-populist party — just look at how he's distanced himself from Corbyn.
"Khan’s election is important because it gives the lie to the facile trope that Europe is being taken over by jihadi Islamists. "
This is not a facile lie, it is a legitimate concern. In Sweden the housing minister (Mehmet Kaplan who is turkish-born) recently had to step down because it turned out he was an islamist. He had had meetings with hate preachers that called for the genocide of armenians and he had also made antisemitic comments.
There is a concern in Sweden that this is not the only high ranking islamist politician. Sweden is one of the few western countries to recognise Palestine as a state and have also had a detrimental immigration policy so favorable to muslim immigrants that the system collapsed and Sweden had to shut down its borders.
If this happened in Sweden it could also happen in Britain. I would be worried if I was British.
This is not a facile lie, it is a legitimate concern. In Sweden the housing minister (Mehmet Kaplan who is turkish-born) recently had to step down because it turned out he was an islamist. He had had meetings with hate preachers that called for the genocide of armenians and he had also made antisemitic comments.
There is a concern in Sweden that this is not the only high ranking islamist politician. Sweden is one of the few western countries to recognise Palestine as a state and have also had a detrimental immigration policy so favorable to muslim immigrants that the system collapsed and Sweden had to shut down its borders.
If this happened in Sweden it could also happen in Britain. I would be worried if I was British.
7
I am British. I am infinitesimally more concerned at the likely impact of small-minded, prejudiced, fear-driven, irrational and ignorant attitudes that underpin comments like this than at the possibility of my country becoming a caliphate but thank you for your concern.
8
Unfortunately for Trump and his supporters, the world's peoples are a rainbow colors and beliefs and the vast majority of us like it that way. Of future interest will be just how the loser Trump will explain his historic trouncing by the democrats in November.
8
What happened in London has no reference to what is happening in the U.S. America always marches to its own drummer. As inspirational as the London story is, our story now is one of anger and disunity. In 2008, America was on very hopeful terrain similar to what we see in the great English capital. However In the intervening years leading up to now, the opposing party lines in America have become starker, the racial animus more pronounced, and the rhetoric from the Trump Republicans more bigoted and inflammatory then anyone could have imagined. The venom we will hear from the curled lips of Trump between now in the general election will surpass our worst nightmare. Trumps legions are forming. They won't just be knocking at the door, they intend to kick it down.
11
The US already had a president who "trusted his gut" and look what that got us, Iraq, Afganistan and having seen rhe economy driven into the proverbial ditch. No thanks, we've see this movie before.
9
I cannot tell you how comforting it is to read a column as sane and reasonable as yours is in this age of horrific hyperbole. One can only hope that Americans will not, eventually, be led down the wrong path by the crazed rhetoric of hateful, know-nothing bigots like Trump. The Republican Party, with its very thin veneer of gentility, seems finally to have come up against the implications of its own disrespect for the truth. Under these circumstances, the victory of Sadiq Khan, a London human rights lawyer of Pakistani heritage, as Mayor of one of the world's major Western cities, is very welcome news indeed.
13
From the British perspective, Khan is Labour, he beat the Conservatives and good riddance to Boris Johnson too. That's it. Being Muslim, being Pakistani, these are interesting side notes - and I am sure that lots of Muslims and Pakistanis are especially proud of his achievement - but, he was voted in by people who were pro-Labour or anti-Conservative and because of what he promises to do as Mayor - and the vast majority of those who voted against him did so based on politics and nothing else.
I am not saying Britain is perfect - there is plenty of talk about the bloody immigrants coming over and sending their welfare cheques back to ... some other European country. But they are targets based upon country of origin and their perceived behaviour, not their religion.
The focus in the NYTimes upon Khan as a Muslim says more about America than it does about London.
I am not saying Britain is perfect - there is plenty of talk about the bloody immigrants coming over and sending their welfare cheques back to ... some other European country. But they are targets based upon country of origin and their perceived behaviour, not their religion.
The focus in the NYTimes upon Khan as a Muslim says more about America than it does about London.
9
Well put.
1
Has he even been sworn in yet ?
Mr Cohen is deifying him ,as
if he were already the greatest
mayor in London's history.
let's see whether he is a disaster
or a deity,before we tout him
as the next Prime Minister.
even a Muslim can be a rotten mayor.
tolerance, yes.
cheerleading, no.
Mr Cohen is deifying him ,as
if he were already the greatest
mayor in London's history.
let's see whether he is a disaster
or a deity,before we tout him
as the next Prime Minister.
even a Muslim can be a rotten mayor.
tolerance, yes.
cheerleading, no.
4
What a puzzlingly negative comment. Surely the article celebrates the victory of pluralism over prejudice rather than particularly celebrating the special qualities of Mr Khan as an individual, which nonetheless seem at least to qualify him for the job. It is entirely possible, as ever, that he may not turn out to be the world's greatest ever mayor, nor even in the top half, I suppose. But that's not really the point, is it?...
4
He officially became mayor on Saturday, so two days before this article was posted.
London's mayors will always be tipped as future prime ministers. The city is massive, and economically integral to the UK. Boris has also been tipped as a future PM for several years (he admittedly did nothing to discourage the thought, either). That Livingstone never was is more a testament to how much he was reviled in his own party back then, not to the fact that London's mayors aren't well in the pool of 'future prime ministers'.
London's mayors will always be tipped as future prime ministers. The city is massive, and economically integral to the UK. Boris has also been tipped as a future PM for several years (he admittedly did nothing to discourage the thought, either). That Livingstone never was is more a testament to how much he was reviled in his own party back then, not to the fact that London's mayors aren't well in the pool of 'future prime ministers'.
Just great. On so many levels. Muslim. British. Asian. Human rights lawyer. Family man. Speaks his mind and heart against radical terrorism. Against anti-semitism. Against Trump.
Yes, yes, and yes!
Yes, yes, and yes!
9
There is a sickness on our land. In difficult times both Mussolini and Hitler projected themselves as being strongmen that could restore greatness to a nation portrayed as weak and failing. Trump who honed his skills on Reality TV does exactly the same. Trump plays on nationalism and xenophobia like his predecessors. What is surprising however is his ability to be accepted as a success in business when it took 70 banks to bail him out of a near terminal bankruptcy after gambling his inheritance on bad deals. He is clearly a student of the Big Lie technique of Joseph Goebbels.
Trump meets every definition of a fascist. We must learn from history to stand up and call out people like Trump for who they are. These are very dangerous times for America.
Trump meets every definition of a fascist. We must learn from history to stand up and call out people like Trump for who they are. These are very dangerous times for America.
12
I just came back from London. It is a unreconginzable city then I lived there 25 years ago. It is in a sad state. Minorities are grouping themselves in isolated pods. Electing a Muslim mayor is appeasement to me. One thing I do not seem to understand from Mr. Cohen's point of view that why others have to help Muslims to integrate with the western society which they choose to live in a first place. There are other minorities who have successfully assimilated themselves. First thing first, these minorities must feel this is their country too. They do not have to wait for their own to be elected to the office. The way I see it, it will create more problems then it can solve.
5
You are wrong; it doesn't have to do with Muslims; it has to do with Europe. ere in New York, 3 miles from where the WTC towers fell, we have over 800,000 Muslims living and working. We do not patrol their neighborhoods (as Cruz advocated), we do not herd them in ghettos, we do not isolate their children in separate schools. They are Americans. In Europe, you can be 3 and 4 generations born in the country, but if your name is "different" and your skin a different shade, you are not British or French or German. THAT is the reason they suffer from native-born Jihhadis, who find no other venue than to lash out against persistent discrimination.
2
How is Mr. Khan's election proof that jihadi Islamists are not taking over Europe? One has nothing to do with the other. I have nothing against Mr. Khan but this column is wildly overblown.
6
The Sadiq election is not only a strong rejection of the Islamophobic mindset currently defining the Western mood but the vindication of faith in the democratic means over coercion and threat as the desired instruments of change in a civilised society. A fitting reply to the forces of retrogression and bigotry helll bent on destrying the civilisation and humanity.
8
Let's hope Mr. Khan can visit the U.S. any time he wants. And if he can't, he can always come north to Canada. We'll welcome him.
The story about the Italian student kicked off a plane because of mathematical calculations also struck a nerve. When did America become scared of mathematics, especially with the threat of climate change hanging over all our heads? Shame on American Airlines for buying into that nonsense as well.
The story about the Italian student kicked off a plane because of mathematical calculations also struck a nerve. When did America become scared of mathematics, especially with the threat of climate change hanging over all our heads? Shame on American Airlines for buying into that nonsense as well.
13
It does not surprise me that Trump would very likely be cowed by a 20-ish Italian mathematician. Trump's understanding of math begins and ends with arithmetic. Integrals, derivatives, limits, boolean logic are all foreign to him. And since they are "foreign," they are to be feared, shunned and banned.
That said, I'm not wholly in agreement with the notion that (all) religions can peacefully coexist. I think the word "peacefully" may be a bit strained in this context, unless "peacefully" is read only in the context of no blood being shed or lives cut short. Even among Christian sects, "peaceful" is sometimes relative. Ask the Protestants and Catholics of Ireland their take on this.
That said, I'm not wholly in agreement with the notion that (all) religions can peacefully coexist. I think the word "peacefully" may be a bit strained in this context, unless "peacefully" is read only in the context of no blood being shed or lives cut short. Even among Christian sects, "peaceful" is sometimes relative. Ask the Protestants and Catholics of Ireland their take on this.
Trump has such a poor knowledge of his country's history that he seemed not to be aware that America First , for which he describes some of his policies, was an anti-Semitic isolationist pre WWII movement led by Lindbergh. Its scare rhetoric against Jews was not all do different as Trump's scare rhetoric against Muslims. His amnesia regarding his knowledge of the Klan leader David Duke, can only lead one to believe he is either a liar or suffering early onset dementia.
7
Or else he remembered.
2
The same thing was likely said of the US about the election of Obama, yet racism persisted or was unaffected. Never-the-less, it is a positive development for pluralism.
3
Trump is loathe to do 'due diligence' on anything substantive. Trump would fit in well with that odd set of foreign, privileged youth who come to the US to enroll at an American university. These are the foreign students who purchase a luxury car before the first day of their first semester. Sadly, by the end of the first semester it is evident they are totally hapless in the classroom, in the research lab and in the world of innovation, creativity and collaboration. Trump is the isolated prince who has squandered his best years playing with his pet tiger.
3
I think that Trump has not laid out the specific rules for which specific Muslims would be banned. Therefore, it is impossible to say whether the new Mayor would be banned or not. I imagine that high-profile politicians would not be banned.
2
There is nothing to imagine. Trump said distinctly that ALL Muslim would be banned.
1
Bravo for Mr Cohen. The contrast between Mr. Khan and Mr. Trump is brilliant. President Obama should invite Mayor Khan to Washington to illustrate his inspiring story as an example of what tolerance and diversity can achieve in a world-class city and to show Trump as a loser. Trump is an embarrassment and a danger to America for the reasons stated. He must be soundly defeated and the GOP restored as America's moderate right party or replaced.
8
In the UK some say Khan is a flagrant amoral opportunist. Here he is lauded over Trump!
See how the commentators respond to these counterfactuals:
The Conservatives pointed out that Khan shared a platform with Gani in August 2004, at an event organised by Stop Political Terror, a now defunct extremist group that included among its supporters the senior Al Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki.
The previous year Khan had attended a conference which was also addressed by Yasser al-Siri, a convicted terrorist, and Sajeel Abu Ibrahim, a member of the now banned organisation al-Muhajiroun, who trained the 7/7 bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan
See how the commentators respond to these counterfactuals:
The Conservatives pointed out that Khan shared a platform with Gani in August 2004, at an event organised by Stop Political Terror, a now defunct extremist group that included among its supporters the senior Al Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki.
The previous year Khan had attended a conference which was also addressed by Yasser al-Siri, a convicted terrorist, and Sajeel Abu Ibrahim, a member of the now banned organisation al-Muhajiroun, who trained the 7/7 bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan
Blow, Cohen and Krugman. Each had columns on Trump. Yet the times is supposedly Pro-Hillary and Anti-Trump (Don't get me started on Sanders). Do we really need to keep him in the forefront when issues that need to be addressed like the budget, the wars, and class inequality are sitting on a burner somewhere. Damn it, get over him already. Do without the ad revenue.
7
I think Trump needs as much negative publicity as he can get. Even better than negative publicity is well-reasoned, factual arguments as to why he would be a disaster for our country. I especially enjoy the emphasis on the importance of unity in this article.
2
Mr. Cohen, while I'm on board with all the negative comments regarding the presumptive GOP nominee, you really took out the white-wash brush for Mayor Khan. His background is far more complicated than you admit and his past associations troubling for anyone familiar with Islam within Britain. I urge Times readers to do a more thorough web search about the new London leader.
In no way am I suggesting Khan is a sympathizer with the most radical elements. But he is hardly the plain vanilla up by the bootstraps immigrant son made good that your profile selectively (and misleadingly) would have us believe. He had to apologize during the campaign for calling a fellow Muslim an "uncle Tom". His sectarianism within Islam against minority Muslim sects has been questioned and there is more about his past very troubling associations. The demagoguery of Trump doesn't mean the rest of us have to turn a blind eye to questionable associations and statements.
In no way am I suggesting Khan is a sympathizer with the most radical elements. But he is hardly the plain vanilla up by the bootstraps immigrant son made good that your profile selectively (and misleadingly) would have us believe. He had to apologize during the campaign for calling a fellow Muslim an "uncle Tom". His sectarianism within Islam against minority Muslim sects has been questioned and there is more about his past very troubling associations. The demagoguery of Trump doesn't mean the rest of us have to turn a blind eye to questionable associations and statements.
2
You've made one substantive point: yes, Mr Khan did use the ugly expression "Uncle Toms" -- for which he has apologized.
But the rest of your comment is mere hand-waving. Unless you can back up your smears then you shouldn't air them.
But the rest of your comment is mere hand-waving. Unless you can back up your smears then you shouldn't air them.
1
Mr Trump is tough to swallow, but he did not get to this point on his own.
He was put there by citizens who voted in a free and fair contest. Even hampered by long lines and less polling places he handily beat back all opposition. For those who rue the free coverage even he would have been loathe to fund, take a peep in the mirror.
As stated, he may be a hatemongering polituician, but like it or not he is our hatemongering politician who was put into the position he now holds by fellow Americans.
He is just one of many. He is just one of us.
He was put there by citizens who voted in a free and fair contest. Even hampered by long lines and less polling places he handily beat back all opposition. For those who rue the free coverage even he would have been loathe to fund, take a peep in the mirror.
As stated, he may be a hatemongering polituician, but like it or not he is our hatemongering politician who was put into the position he now holds by fellow Americans.
He is just one of many. He is just one of us.
2
Trump says: “I have learned to listen and trust my gut. It’s one of my most valued counselors.”
GW Bush used to say how God was his counselor (the Prince of Peace evidently advised him to start the unnecessary Iraq War), how he trusted his "gut" and "instinct", & prided himself on his impulsive "decisiveness". Sound familiar?
We need leaders who are intelligent & thoughtful. Conservative is fine with me, as long as he/she is an informed, responsible & cautious person.
We've had a thoughtful, cautious President now for 8 years, and because of that, in spite of consistent solid opposition to his every move, we've begun to heal from the devastation of the impulsiveness of the previous administration.
Apparently people feel safe enough now to afford the luxury to gamble on crazy again.
GW Bush used to say how God was his counselor (the Prince of Peace evidently advised him to start the unnecessary Iraq War), how he trusted his "gut" and "instinct", & prided himself on his impulsive "decisiveness". Sound familiar?
We need leaders who are intelligent & thoughtful. Conservative is fine with me, as long as he/she is an informed, responsible & cautious person.
We've had a thoughtful, cautious President now for 8 years, and because of that, in spite of consistent solid opposition to his every move, we've begun to heal from the devastation of the impulsiveness of the previous administration.
Apparently people feel safe enough now to afford the luxury to gamble on crazy again.
8
Let's not forget in the loud media circus around Trump's reality show, that the US has elected an equivalent politician to Mr. Khan eight years ago, and re-elected in 2012: President Barack Hussein Obama. His voters have not vanished. His approval ratings are around 50%. Mr. Trump gave people with fascist-nationalist tendencies a public voice and feeds into the fears and anxieties the GOP has nourished over years. Right now they have the stage but once the election cycle enters the national stage the Obama voters and Sanders supporters will raise their voice of passion and reason and progress and social justice. Trump has his moment of fame now but will go up in flames on Election Day. He will be revealed as a loser and leave the stage a broken man: you are fired and you never had a chance.
1
Quite honestly I am surprised by all the comments/controversy regarding Mr. Kahn's election to London's mayoral post. I may be mistaken but apparently many have missed the object of Mr. Cohen's intent.
Mr. Khan is RC's vehicle to further protest the Trump campaign, his anti- vision if you will. I wonder how many of the NY Times would do this for free? Consider yourself lucky Mr. Cohen: NY Times is paying you for this [biased] opinion.
Point of contention: My recollection is that Trump qualified his comment regarding "barring Muslims" from US entry with until properly vetted. Or is that simply a figment of my imagination - admittedly, at my age senility and dementia may have set in and I'm simply delusional.
We can agree though: "Sadiq Khan’s victory is reassuring because he represents currents in the world — toward global identity and integration;" maybe this contagion will spread to Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, etc [espousing demise of others for religious differences or apostasy].
Mr. Khan is RC's vehicle to further protest the Trump campaign, his anti- vision if you will. I wonder how many of the NY Times would do this for free? Consider yourself lucky Mr. Cohen: NY Times is paying you for this [biased] opinion.
Point of contention: My recollection is that Trump qualified his comment regarding "barring Muslims" from US entry with until properly vetted. Or is that simply a figment of my imagination - admittedly, at my age senility and dementia may have set in and I'm simply delusional.
We can agree though: "Sadiq Khan’s victory is reassuring because he represents currents in the world — toward global identity and integration;" maybe this contagion will spread to Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, etc [espousing demise of others for religious differences or apostasy].
Let's not get too excited This election is an accomplishment and an accolade for a segment of the London electorate. But, is this London's/ Britain's "Obama" moment?
1
Khan is the Obama of London Politics in the sense a person of color won a position of power that normally lays in the hands of the majority i.e. whites. England is also known for its class system which can be subtle yet felt across English society from which prep schools one attended. To having the right contacts in the right places to advance. Khan is the rarity where he wasn't "groomed" for the position and truly has a up from the bootstraps personal narrative.
While with Trump he had inherited wealth, went to elite schools, and worked on high end real estate projects.Never held a blue collar job or exposed to hard labor. Never had to struggle living check to check. He isn't seeking to be president or Public Servant in Chief but be Billioniare in Chief. In his mind he feels entitled to the position. Just another vanity project.
While with Trump he had inherited wealth, went to elite schools, and worked on high end real estate projects.Never held a blue collar job or exposed to hard labor. Never had to struggle living check to check. He isn't seeking to be president or Public Servant in Chief but be Billioniare in Chief. In his mind he feels entitled to the position. Just another vanity project.
4
It is simplistic and stupid to say "Muslim equals danger". But it takes a special kind of mindless sanctimony to preach, as Mr Cohen does, that orthodox Islam can "peacefully co-exist" with the modern world. Maybe he skipped over the 109 separate passages in the Koran where Muslims are exhorted by their fearless leader to kill all non-Muslims? Let's hope Mr Khan has...
4
Well, I guess we'll see how Mr. Khan does in London. We have four years to find out. Several folks here make the key point that in no way could a non-Islamic believer ever even be appointed dog catcher in a large number of Islam dominated countries. So, the West conducts the experiments. Some work, some don't in Great Britain as the following notes:
http://www.meforum.org/5994/london-mayor-election
It's always good to get varying viewpoints on the key issue of the day---can Islam be accepted in Western culture without its (WC) destruction? Will Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, etc. ever be accorded similar acceptance in Muslim-dominated countries? Poster LV below has it more right than most.
http://www.meforum.org/5994/london-mayor-election
It's always good to get varying viewpoints on the key issue of the day---can Islam be accepted in Western culture without its (WC) destruction? Will Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, etc. ever be accorded similar acceptance in Muslim-dominated countries? Poster LV below has it more right than most.
For a blueprint of an Islamic Mayor of a major European city, look to Rotterdam, the third largest port in the world and a diverse, modern city. Ahmed Aboutaleb, a dual Dutch/Moroccan citizen, has been Rotterdam's mayor since 2009. He is the Netherlands' most popular politician and an ardent, effective representative of his city's economy around the world. He takes an active stance against Islamic terrorism and, like Khan, believes himself uniquely positioned to confront extremism from within the Muslim community.
4
First of all Mr. Cohen, thank you for not closing down your comments early in the day like Blow and Krugman. I am usually focused on my work in my office and even though I have a pc on my desk I usually do not comment before 3 or 4 p.m.
I am disheartened at what I believe are false statements when it comes to posting about Trump. Some examples: Trump is anti-Muslim -- whereas, what he has actually said is no Muslims from ISIS controlled countries until we have figured this out. Another example, Trump wants to lower taxes -- well he has been talking about raising taxes on the top one percent including himself for about two months now. Example #3: Trump said women should be punished if they have an abortion but it was said in the context (by Chris Matthews) of a big IF -- if abortion is illegal, should women be punished? That answer is still be printed and shouted from the roof tops today after numerous explanation.
I voted for Obama twice and I believe that he did a good job but the political system is corrupt and both parties' establishment is not working for the people but rather for high-dollar donors and lobbyists.
I plan to vote for Bernie or Trump.
I am disheartened at what I believe are false statements when it comes to posting about Trump. Some examples: Trump is anti-Muslim -- whereas, what he has actually said is no Muslims from ISIS controlled countries until we have figured this out. Another example, Trump wants to lower taxes -- well he has been talking about raising taxes on the top one percent including himself for about two months now. Example #3: Trump said women should be punished if they have an abortion but it was said in the context (by Chris Matthews) of a big IF -- if abortion is illegal, should women be punished? That answer is still be printed and shouted from the roof tops today after numerous explanation.
I voted for Obama twice and I believe that he did a good job but the political system is corrupt and both parties' establishment is not working for the people but rather for high-dollar donors and lobbyists.
I plan to vote for Bernie or Trump.
2
It's not about fear. The proliferation of guns in America is a greater threat to the average citizen going about his or her business than are Muslim visitors. But you don't see conservatives asking to have guns banned. (And on a separate note, the thriving of the gun industry is not about reverence for the Second Amendment. It's about the conservative God, the Almighty Dollar.)
Banning Muslims? It's not about fear, it is about "those people," whoever they may be at the time. It's about misdirecting the people's anxiety from real problems. It's about sounding tough and patriotic. It's Ronald Reagan on a horse again.
But we are a nation that elected a black man with a Muslim-sounding name -- twice. We are better than this and we've proven it.
Banning Muslims? It's not about fear, it is about "those people," whoever they may be at the time. It's about misdirecting the people's anxiety from real problems. It's about sounding tough and patriotic. It's Ronald Reagan on a horse again.
But we are a nation that elected a black man with a Muslim-sounding name -- twice. We are better than this and we've proven it.
3
The voters of London are apparently more thoughtful and mature than a lot of their American counterparts. It's the voters who decide the course, not the Trumps of the world.
4
I'm not sure that's true. At the 2012 election, voters had their opportunity to dump Obama; the economy wasn't great, Romney was a safe pair of hands and electing the first black president had already happened. Instead, the best candidate was re-elected.
Americans don't know math nor Arabic (nor many other foreign languages for that matter, they barely master their own), so when the Italian economist's seatmate saw the scribble, he thought it was Arabic. They fear what they don't know, and just like Trump, and they know very little and fear a lot.
1
Brilliant !! As a Frenchman who has lived for a long period of my life in the US, I have come to realize that Europe has been destroyed itself with crass nationalism and its avatars of racism and antisemitism in its recent past. Let's hope that the US does not follow the same path, because it would mean the end of civilization. America has a lot of energy; some of it is toxic (the populism of the Republican party, which has finally led to a US form of Mussolini). A unified and skeptical European Union, with its appeased social values (after so many dead!) could help mollify America's harshness. So, let's hope that the new London mayor's attachment to Europe will be confirmed by a sound rejection of Brexit at the polls in a few weeks. Otherwise...
1
As a Londoner and a Labour Party member I am of course pleased that Sadiq won and we don't have another ultra rich right wing ex-private schoolboy as mayor.
But I must correct one thing - there is no "creeping anti-Semitism in Labour ranks". This is just as much of a slur as saying Khan is linked to Muslim extremists. In 35 years' membership of Labour, and from a Jewish family, I have never once come across anything remotely antisemitic from our ranks.
As Michael Rosen, a children's novelist and poet, has just written, if and when antisemitism really does become a threat here it is only the left that can be depended on to fight it, and certainly not the right wing press and commentators trying to slur us with false equivalence with criticising Israel.
But I must correct one thing - there is no "creeping anti-Semitism in Labour ranks". This is just as much of a slur as saying Khan is linked to Muslim extremists. In 35 years' membership of Labour, and from a Jewish family, I have never once come across anything remotely antisemitic from our ranks.
As Michael Rosen, a children's novelist and poet, has just written, if and when antisemitism really does become a threat here it is only the left that can be depended on to fight it, and certainly not the right wing press and commentators trying to slur us with false equivalence with criticising Israel.
60
Agreed. It's bizarre that those accusing the left of anti-Semitism (including Roger Cohen in a recent column) overlook the fact that Labour's previous leader, Ed Miliband, is Jewish, the son of Holocaust refugees, and was its candidate for prime minister in last year's UK general election.
Of course, in its entire history the US hasn't had a single Jewish candidate for its highest elected office. Already this century the UK has had two, the other being Michael Howard for the Conservatives.
Of course, in its entire history the US hasn't had a single Jewish candidate for its highest elected office. Already this century the UK has had two, the other being Michael Howard for the Conservatives.
2
What do you call it when the former London mayor (and prominent Labour party member) says HItler was a Zionist and all Jews should go to the U.S. Are you delusional?
While you correctly identify a "false equivalence" between criticism of the Israeli government and anti-Semitism, there is a fairly wide grey area among those whose vociferous attacks on Israel as a nation veers toward the existential - and this is often overlooked in these discussions. If one vehemently hopes for and works toward a change to a more reasoned and progressive Israeli regime (as I do) that's constructive. On the other hand, when one allows frustration and anger at the terrible consequences of the current intractable regime to question the very existence of Israel as a nation, that is nothing but destructive and this line of thinking ought be challenged vigorously.
Is it really very smart to compare the mayor of a no count city to the future president of the USA? Promoting this as a major world event is just silly. If the man was not a Muslim the election would not have gotten a mention anywhere. He is a nobody from a nowhere city in a country that simply does not matter. Poor pitiful little England is going out the chute faster than a shorn sheep and the new Muslim Mayor is not going to make any difference except maybe to speed up the process even more.
2
Having a bad day, or just remembering why your ancestors were sent to Australia?
Dismissing London as a "no count city", whatever that means, is plain silly.
Dismissing London as a "no count city", whatever that means, is plain silly.
3
Many who opined here are using this column as an excuse to:
(a) predictably attack Mr. Khan's faith;
(b) go off on tangents about countries like Saudi Arabia and how a non-Muslim wouldn't get elected to a high ranking position in that nation; and/or
(c) discuss the ins and outs of BDS, Zionism, and related issues.
But, those reactions all miss the reason that we should celebrate Mayor Khan's election.
Here's the rub. We are living in times when reactionaries like Trump, and his compatriots in Europe are trying their best to narrowly define "American-ness" or "Britishness." And those folks invariably think that America, Britain, and Europe need to be made "great again" because they are no longer uniformly white and Christian.
So, Londoners voting decisively for Mayor Khan is a huge deal, because his election is a resounding affirmation that he - a Muslim son of Pakistani immigrants - is indeed a Londoner, and is British. That's why we should celebrate his election and should celebrate "London Values."
I hope he does well as mayor. And if he does a bad job, than he should be criticized for his mayoral performance just as any British Londoner would be criticized.
(a) predictably attack Mr. Khan's faith;
(b) go off on tangents about countries like Saudi Arabia and how a non-Muslim wouldn't get elected to a high ranking position in that nation; and/or
(c) discuss the ins and outs of BDS, Zionism, and related issues.
But, those reactions all miss the reason that we should celebrate Mayor Khan's election.
Here's the rub. We are living in times when reactionaries like Trump, and his compatriots in Europe are trying their best to narrowly define "American-ness" or "Britishness." And those folks invariably think that America, Britain, and Europe need to be made "great again" because they are no longer uniformly white and Christian.
So, Londoners voting decisively for Mayor Khan is a huge deal, because his election is a resounding affirmation that he - a Muslim son of Pakistani immigrants - is indeed a Londoner, and is British. That's why we should celebrate his election and should celebrate "London Values."
I hope he does well as mayor. And if he does a bad job, than he should be criticized for his mayoral performance just as any British Londoner would be criticized.
7
"Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability" and you get -- a very dangerous idiot who parades his idiocy as a badge of honor .
The thing is that DJT isnothing more than a logical incarnation of what the GOP has long since become, a fear-mongering collection of angry partisans, entirely bereft of vision beyond the foreclisure of governance itself.
We bewail the ascendance of Trump as the most obscene possible destination of American Republicanism, but he may be the least bad of very sorry lot. Does anybody seriously believe that Ted Cruz would have been a more acceptable choice?
How about Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie? Please! Donald Trump may be the noisiest of an execrable line-up, bnot he may noy be the worst, or most dangerous.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
The thing is that DJT isnothing more than a logical incarnation of what the GOP has long since become, a fear-mongering collection of angry partisans, entirely bereft of vision beyond the foreclisure of governance itself.
We bewail the ascendance of Trump as the most obscene possible destination of American Republicanism, but he may be the least bad of very sorry lot. Does anybody seriously believe that Ted Cruz would have been a more acceptable choice?
How about Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie? Please! Donald Trump may be the noisiest of an execrable line-up, bnot he may noy be the worst, or most dangerous.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
1
"I looked president Putin in the eye and saw his soul, he's a good guy" said former President Bush 2. But M. Trump is much better, for he can see the soul of thousands of Muslims and Hispanics and declare them dangerous guys, rapists, etc. Will the election of Mr. Sadiq Khan in London be able to stop the wave of fear that is sweeping in many European countries and part the US population ? Maybe.
However, the critical mass of people who fear the other is dangerously building up in this country, and American exceptionalism is tilted in a direction incompatible with American values of openness and freedom of speech. If today a few words in Arabic or an algebra formula gets you kicked out the plane you're flying, what's going to happen tomorrow if M. Trump's mantras of division and confrontation are picked up by a larger critical mass of angry citizens ?
Many Americans believed that by ignoring M. Trump's rise to the top, it would fade by itself. But this is hardly the case as M. Trump is advancing to get his hands on the prize. I pray Mrs. Clinton defeat Mr. Trump for the presidency, because it will mean that my American brothers and sisters saw the ugly face of hatred in Donal Trump's eye and decided to break the cycle of fear, and voted to nip it in the bud like the Londoners just did.
However, the critical mass of people who fear the other is dangerously building up in this country, and American exceptionalism is tilted in a direction incompatible with American values of openness and freedom of speech. If today a few words in Arabic or an algebra formula gets you kicked out the plane you're flying, what's going to happen tomorrow if M. Trump's mantras of division and confrontation are picked up by a larger critical mass of angry citizens ?
Many Americans believed that by ignoring M. Trump's rise to the top, it would fade by itself. But this is hardly the case as M. Trump is advancing to get his hands on the prize. I pray Mrs. Clinton defeat Mr. Trump for the presidency, because it will mean that my American brothers and sisters saw the ugly face of hatred in Donal Trump's eye and decided to break the cycle of fear, and voted to nip it in the bud like the Londoners just did.
2
Kahn's election is no more surprising than Obama's to anyone who understands that most people in the world are peace-loving and open-minded. Hard-core bigots account for only a small minority of most populations.
Unfortunately, determined, angry bigots can often whip up ugly passions among people who feel themselves disadvantaged or marginalized. Down through history dictators have risen to power through such demagoguery.
The coming election is an opportunity for Americans to show the world that the vast majority will have no truck with ignorance, hatred and nihilism.
Unfortunately, determined, angry bigots can often whip up ugly passions among people who feel themselves disadvantaged or marginalized. Down through history dictators have risen to power through such demagoguery.
The coming election is an opportunity for Americans to show the world that the vast majority will have no truck with ignorance, hatred and nihilism.
40
Among the many distinctions Mr. Kahn brings to office--an impressive qualification is his title of human rights lawyer.
23
Ann, when Rev. Louis Farrakhan was banned from entry to Britain, it was Sadiq Khan who campaigned to overturn the ban. Likewise, he has gone out of his way to provide legal defense to various Islamist terrorists, including one imprisoned at Guantanamo. By way of comparison, he's never gigen any similar support to British skinheads or the IRA. So would you not agree that Mr Khan has been rather selective on human rights?
1
Ann, when Rev. Louis Farrakhan was banned from entry to Britain, it was Sadiq Khan who campaigned to overturn the ban. Likewise, he has gone out of his way to provide legal defense to various Islamist terrorists, including one imprisoned at Guantanamo. By way of comparison, he's never given any similar support to British skinheads or the IRA. So would you not agree that Mr Khan has been rather selective on human rights?
2
Human rights lawyer? nothing special about that. These so called socialists are the worst species on the planet. They continuously go round in circles.
Despite the naysayers and the skeptics, Mr Sadiq Khan's election to the Mayoral post in London; one of Europe's capitals and a Wester megacity, is a major blow to the Islamic radicals who seek to portray the existence of a insurmountable chasm between Islam and the West. Naturally, there exists considerable discrimination against, and disenfranchisement of, Muslim communities in Europe, but this is a huge victory for anti-bigotry and radicalism.
It's also a stark contrast with many Arab nations where a mayor of a tiny town, or a headmaster of a public school, would never be elected or appointed if of a different religion than Islam.
It's also a stark contrast with many Arab nations where a mayor of a tiny town, or a headmaster of a public school, would never be elected or appointed if of a different religion than Islam.
69
Not entirely correct. For many years Bahrain had a Jewish ambassador in Washington DC.
48 years after implementing Nixon's Southern Strategy, the GOP has reaped exactly the candidate that embodies it. Romney, McCain, Dole and the Bushes were more civil, circumspect & tactical than Trump, but they courted the very same base of voters even as demographics changed. Trump or Cruz was the best they could do.
It's may be interesting than London voters elected a Muslim mayor (and the US a bi-racial President 7 years ago) but London's mayoralty is irrelevant to the GOP's base inmates taking over the Party asylum! That process has been in the works for years. The Republicans got exactly the unvarnished, ignorant, narcissist that they deserve... Archie Bunker with money!
It's may be interesting than London voters elected a Muslim mayor (and the US a bi-racial President 7 years ago) but London's mayoralty is irrelevant to the GOP's base inmates taking over the Party asylum! That process has been in the works for years. The Republicans got exactly the unvarnished, ignorant, narcissist that they deserve... Archie Bunker with money!
61
London's population by ethnicity
White British 45%
Other White 15%
Mixed 5%
Indian 7%
Pakistaini 3%
Bangladeshi 3%
Black African 7%
Black Carribean 4%
Other 12%
A lot of non-muslims must have voted for him to win.
White British 45%
Other White 15%
Mixed 5%
Indian 7%
Pakistaini 3%
Bangladeshi 3%
Black African 7%
Black Carribean 4%
Other 12%
A lot of non-muslims must have voted for him to win.
147
I have two non-Muslim adult sons in London. Yes, a lot of non-Muslims voted for Mr. Khan.
33
If you are lumping the Irish, Scots, and Welsh as "White British" or even "Other White", you have awfully short historic memory.
There are many Europeans who are ecstatic when a person who represents their political outlook gathers enough momentum to claim the stairs of success. One could still hear the almost orgasmic noise coming out of Germans when Obama visited their motherland at the start of his presidential journey. Nor could one forget the Nobel peace price given to him by the Norwegians who fell in love and wanted him to be this peace loving dove. All the events since then have proven that Obama was not all that glitters and his military policy was, shall we say less than peaceful. The same exaltation is being voiced right now with Sadiq Khan. He represents a Muslim that all Europeans would like to have as a neighbor. Unfortunately he does not represent the majority, quiet the opposite. He is well educated, majority of Muslims are not. He wants to have a dialog with the Jewish community, again most Muslims do not. He so eloquently states:, “I’m a Londoner, I’m a European, I’m British, I’m English, I’m of Islamic faith, of Asian origin, of Pakistani heritage, a dad, a husband." Most Muslims do not see themselves in the same sequence. I am willing to wager a lot of $$$ that for most it would be Muslim, first, Pakistani second, Asian third, and Londoner fourth, with the rest left blank.
Global identity and integration, so far, has been a one-way street. Going out from the liberal capitals of Europe outwards and almost none coming in the other direction. It is unlikely that Mr. Khan will be safe in Pakistan from where his parents migrated should he choose to make a visit. Nothing less than a reformation of orthodox Islam could bring about the change that Mr. Cohen is looking for.
As for Mr. Trump, his tribalism and nativism will be held in check even if he were to be elected. Unlike most Islamic countries, the US has many institutions that will provide the check and balance.
As for Mr. Trump, his tribalism and nativism will be held in check even if he were to be elected. Unlike most Islamic countries, the US has many institutions that will provide the check and balance.
38
Your reasoning is a little off. First, the USA had rampant "tribalism and nativism" in the White House from early slaveholders to Woodrow Wilson's purge of Blacks from Federal positions—they were not held in check. Second, Mr. Trump has made it amply clear that he will NOT be held in check, So, perhaps it's really nothing less than a reformation of orthodox Trumpism that could bring about the change that Mr. Cohen is talking about.
'Institutions' with straight-jackets.
Ken Livingstone's comment re "Hitler was a Zionist" was stupid, but the notion that it is "anti-Semitic" really depends on an absurdly low threshold for declaring speech, stupid speech, not just merely dumb but "per se" hate iff it refers to Jewish people.
There is no question at all that the Nazis and some Zionists engaged in some dialogue before 1939 as to Jewish emigration - this is a matter of historical fact having nothing at all to do with Nazi atrocities.
I submit to you that the free and easy accusation of "anti-Semitism" is a bad idea, and one that lumps in genuine Judeophobia (plenty of it in the UK, and plenty of it within the BDS movement although its presence is typically wildly overstated to attack the integrity of the secular humanism of the majority) with entirely valid criticism.
Corbyn is a target of the UK's disproportionately {by % of the population) powerful Jewish-Zionist Lobby {there aren't a lot of Evangelicals running about) not because he's Judeophobic or even especially critical of Israel - he just dared say some words in support of the Palestinians, and that outraged the Israel Right or Wrong Crowd.
http://www.redressonline.com/2016/05/get-corbyn-labours-anti-semitism-in...
Here's the thing - Khan was the better candidate and Goldsmith ran a racist campaign.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racis...
Why isn't the Islamophobia a hot topic?
There is no question at all that the Nazis and some Zionists engaged in some dialogue before 1939 as to Jewish emigration - this is a matter of historical fact having nothing at all to do with Nazi atrocities.
I submit to you that the free and easy accusation of "anti-Semitism" is a bad idea, and one that lumps in genuine Judeophobia (plenty of it in the UK, and plenty of it within the BDS movement although its presence is typically wildly overstated to attack the integrity of the secular humanism of the majority) with entirely valid criticism.
Corbyn is a target of the UK's disproportionately {by % of the population) powerful Jewish-Zionist Lobby {there aren't a lot of Evangelicals running about) not because he's Judeophobic or even especially critical of Israel - he just dared say some words in support of the Palestinians, and that outraged the Israel Right or Wrong Crowd.
http://www.redressonline.com/2016/05/get-corbyn-labours-anti-semitism-in...
Here's the thing - Khan was the better candidate and Goldsmith ran a racist campaign.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racis...
Why isn't the Islamophobia a hot topic?
9
Oh please do make your editorials so highly ridiculous. This man is a dignitary he is not a person (illegal or otherwise) coming to live here and abuse all of our social services.
17
There is more abuse of social services by white people than all other races combined.
Corbyn is a target of the UK's disproportionately {by % of the population) powerful Jewish-Zionist Lobby {there aren't a lot of Evangelicals running about) not because he's Judeophobic or even especially critical of Israel - he just dared say some words in support of the Palestinians, and that outraged the Israel Right or Wrong Crowd.
http://www.redressonline.com/2016/05/get-corbyn-labours-anti-semitism-in...
Here's the thing - Khan was the better candidate and Goldsmith ran a racist campaign.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racis...
Why isn't the Islamophobia a hot topic?
http://www.redressonline.com/2016/05/get-corbyn-labours-anti-semitism-in...
Here's the thing - Khan was the better candidate and Goldsmith ran a racist campaign.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/07/zac-goldsmith-racis...
Why isn't the Islamophobia a hot topic?
10
Campaigns waged on cultural and religious fault lines are nothing new as is clearly the case and when they are waged dishonestly deserve to be exposed as such, however the regressive left's trope of conflating racism and criticism of Islam, i.e. Islamophobia is insidious, shutting down debate and stifling any voices for reform who dare risk being slurred. The true casualty ultimately is honest and open dialogue particularly in western capitals like London where those who wish to advocate reform (presumably) should be free from reprisal where basic human rights of free speech are afforded.
Lost in all this, of course, is the ugly Islamophobia of Mr. Goldsmith's campaign.
As usual, of course, if the violence, hate, or terror comes from Israel or Jews, it is memory-holed, while every attack by "muslim terrorists" {apart from incidences of rape in Germany and Sweden, of course, it would be "racist" to cover those incidents} is widely decried. Every knife attack by a Palestinian is on the front page, while every attack by jewish settlers or needless use of lethal force by the IDF is simply never covered.
Listen, Times writers and editors - I lived through Belfast in the 70s. Only covering one side's violence and racism doesn't help.
As usual, of course, if the violence, hate, or terror comes from Israel or Jews, it is memory-holed, while every attack by "muslim terrorists" {apart from incidences of rape in Germany and Sweden, of course, it would be "racist" to cover those incidents} is widely decried. Every knife attack by a Palestinian is on the front page, while every attack by jewish settlers or needless use of lethal force by the IDF is simply never covered.
Listen, Times writers and editors - I lived through Belfast in the 70s. Only covering one side's violence and racism doesn't help.
36
You have certainly made a valid point that probably has quite a few tip-toeing around it.
There's little doubt Mr. Goldsmith's allegations were totally uncalled for, especially given the unending rifts in Israeli / Palestinian politics.
He played the low card and lost the deck.,,,and the game.
There's little doubt Mr. Goldsmith's allegations were totally uncalled for, especially given the unending rifts in Israeli / Palestinian politics.
He played the low card and lost the deck.,,,and the game.
1
This comment is inaccurate. There is robust coverage of the unfortunate atrocities by individual Israelis when they kill or maim Palestinians (as the boy who was murdered), or recently when an Israeli soldier shoots a Palestinian attacker and is charged with murder. The Times and other reputable news sources do cover both sides. It is sad there is so much violence for them to cover, on both sides. And, unlike Belfast, this shows no signs of stopping.
1
Sixty-eight years after 1948 and the Palestinians haven't even begun to make peace with the idea of a Jewish Israel.
2
Ironic when the "American dream" regarding political achievement by the children of immigrants appears to have greater vitality in Great Britain than in the United States. If Mr. Trump has his way, no child of a Muslim immigrant or any other nationality, religion, race, or other group that might fall out of favor with him or his supporters could ever achieve what Mr. Khan has achieved. Even though, the last time I checked, almost all of us, including Mr. Trump, are the descendants of immigrants who came to this country for a better life even though, at the time, not all of those living here welcomed them with open arms.
35
I fail to understand the fuss. Mr. Khan is a British and a member of the labour party. He inherited Islam through his parents. Whether he practices this or not or whichever way if he does, is a matter uniquely and distinctively of his personal choice. He is a labour leader. I hope someday he would be elected as a PM of the UK.
If Mr. Cohen wants to convince me about the role of a Muslim leader to denounce the maddening violence of some section of the believers of Islam, the perfect role model would be the Saudi Monarch. If the Saudi King speaks out openly against violence in the name of Islam, this will me a trillion time more effective than Mr. Khan’s election as a Mayor of just one western city, how central to the world of culture and commerce it may be. He hardly can do anything as Saudi Arabia is both part of the problem as well as a huge part of the solution. The murky ground reality is occupied by the killing machine of ISIL. All other empty talks won’t let he ISIL lay down their ever sharper knives pointed towards the throats of humanity
Let Mr. Kahn run the city according to the principles that a cosmopolis should be effectively run. We should not accept anything else from Mr. Khan. By doing so, we would be just wasting our resources & responsibilities to make the world a safer place full of peace, pluralism, diversity, humanism, and universal tolerance and human rights.
If Mr. Cohen wants to convince me about the role of a Muslim leader to denounce the maddening violence of some section of the believers of Islam, the perfect role model would be the Saudi Monarch. If the Saudi King speaks out openly against violence in the name of Islam, this will me a trillion time more effective than Mr. Khan’s election as a Mayor of just one western city, how central to the world of culture and commerce it may be. He hardly can do anything as Saudi Arabia is both part of the problem as well as a huge part of the solution. The murky ground reality is occupied by the killing machine of ISIL. All other empty talks won’t let he ISIL lay down their ever sharper knives pointed towards the throats of humanity
Let Mr. Kahn run the city according to the principles that a cosmopolis should be effectively run. We should not accept anything else from Mr. Khan. By doing so, we would be just wasting our resources & responsibilities to make the world a safer place full of peace, pluralism, diversity, humanism, and universal tolerance and human rights.
16
Mr Romeo, this is not about Saudi Arabs, or Pakistanis, or Moslems in general. This is about British citizens in London voting a minority person into major political office. Mr. Saddiq is a minority by religion, by parentage, by origin, and even by skin color. You may pretend that this is nothing unusual, but it is, very much so. There have been so many incidents and examples of mindless racism and prejudice historically in Great Britain, and you cannot deny that racism continues to color all aspects of life in London, and other places in Great Britain. So, it is a big thing, and we hope it is not an isolated occurrence. I would pose the same exact argument for the election of Barak Obama in the US, where the Republican party is currently seeking to institutionalize racism, as we judge by the words and actions of the man they have chosen as their presidential candidate. So, before we make elaborate pronouncements about other countries, let us find out whether we are as free of prejudice and racism as we proclaim to be.
Sadiq Khan's election, along with that of Marvin Rees, the mayor of Bristol, whose father was born in Jamaica, is a sign and sigil of a new, multicultural Britain. As a native Londoner whose father, like Rees's, was a Jamaican immigrant, and who remembers days of unremitting racism half a century ago, I am deeply, thoroughly, completely cheered. Trump and those like him represent a dead past. Khan and Rees are the future.
44
So, let me see if I understand this. Regardless of Irish history, regardless of tens of thousands who died fighting to free the country from oppressive British rule, I'm "racist" if I don't want my people {the Irish and Gaels, more particularly} to become a minority in our own homeland, our homeland for 2200 years {more, really, as the blood of the people who built Newgrange still runs through our blood} - I am a "racist."
BUT when Zionists refuse to admit non-Jews and create Jewish only settlements where people whose ancestors lived in Poland for 800 years claim to have more of a right to the land than the people who've loved there for hundreds of years {or more} - that is.. what, exactly?
Seriously, this "you're racist" stuff is not only inane, it's often proposed by people who ought to disappear in a puff of hypocrisy.
BUT when Zionists refuse to admit non-Jews and create Jewish only settlements where people whose ancestors lived in Poland for 800 years claim to have more of a right to the land than the people who've loved there for hundreds of years {or more} - that is.. what, exactly?
Seriously, this "you're racist" stuff is not only inane, it's often proposed by people who ought to disappear in a puff of hypocrisy.
69
Thank you.
Relatives in the UK have told me that Khan, as a human rights lawyer, would only represent members of his own faith. Unsure if this is true or not but perhaps a deeper look into his work as a lawyer should be scrutinized more closely. They also claim that he'd only represent those who disliked infidels. Maybe not entirely fact but perhaps a kernel of truth here.
Those celebrating his election win should pause and have more of a wait and see attitude. Why is it all good just because he's a Muslim alone? This I find somewhat biased in itself. Let his work in London be more representative. The liberal 'Unitarians on ecstasy' response is often an unreliable one.
Those celebrating his election win should pause and have more of a wait and see attitude. Why is it all good just because he's a Muslim alone? This I find somewhat biased in itself. Let his work in London be more representative. The liberal 'Unitarians on ecstasy' response is often an unreliable one.
34
It was Goldsmith, his opponent, who tried to make him into a "terrorist" and all about being Muslim only. If you had listened to what he said and what has been written about him, you would not be trying to propagate all of these doubts about him. He has said time and time and again, and demonstrated in action, that he wants to represent all Londoners. From one Angelo to another......
39
This is a perfect example of what passes for logic for Trump and his supporters: "I've (supposedly) heard something bad about someone. I don't know if its true, but we better act like it is to be on the safe side." Weak. Plus, read the article again and try harder this time - it is full of reasons to be happy about Khan's election that are not about him being a Muslim. For example, "Khan stood up for openness against isolationism, integration against confrontation, opportunity for all against racism and misogyny."
54
Sounds as if you're hoping something can be found that makes Trump's "Muslims Hate Us" nonsense true. Yes, it appears that you have a problem with Mr. Khan precisely because he is a Muslim.
6
... I’m a European, I’m British, I’m English, I’m of Islamic faith, of Asian origin, of Pakistani heritage, a dad, a husband. ...
While, of course, he is safe in London with these views, he might not be in many Islamic countries where not putting the Islam and only the Islam first can frequently lead to an abruptly truncated life. While not everybody in those countries subscribes to those views, any citizen who opposes publicly is a clear target for drive by shootings or worse.
While, of course, he is safe in London with these views, he might not be in many Islamic countries where not putting the Islam and only the Islam first can frequently lead to an abruptly truncated life. While not everybody in those countries subscribes to those views, any citizen who opposes publicly is a clear target for drive by shootings or worse.
37
He is not a mayor of Karachi, he is a mayor of London. This is the way to crush islamic fundamentalism, by showing what is a true alternative to bigotry, racism and extremism.
40
There are many who put their lives on hold to fight ill-informed people like Trump, People talk about sharia Law, where is it?? Which country Saudis follow Wahhabism, nothing to do with the main stream Islam
Wow, Sadiq Khan would soon become a trend setter for new generation of politicians in Europe and North America . Even for Donald Trump with huge ego , self promoting and bragging rights , and newest to politics , an outsider of the Grand Old Party 's becoming presumptive presidential nominee in November elections . If Mr. Tump after awareness of his innate inadequacies , knows issues with his attitudes and lack of sensitivity etc. , an elected political leader to important position. Mr. Sadiq Khan, the newly elected Mayor of London , U. K. would be interesting to be watched .
3
“I have learned to listen and trust my gut. It’s one of my most valued counselors.” “We must, as a nation, be more unpredictable.” Trump
Do we really want another George W. Bush? Haven't we had enough shoot-first-ask-questions-later foreign policy? Didn't Bush do enough damage to America and the world?
George W. Bush was the worst president in the history of our country; his ego as the "decider," who acted upon his gut, led to catastrophes that we will be living with for at least two generations. But, at least George W. Bush was no Trump. Is that what Republicans seek? The lowest possible candidate, so they can elevate George W. Bush from worst to "not quite the worst."
Do we really want another George W. Bush? Haven't we had enough shoot-first-ask-questions-later foreign policy? Didn't Bush do enough damage to America and the world?
George W. Bush was the worst president in the history of our country; his ego as the "decider," who acted upon his gut, led to catastrophes that we will be living with for at least two generations. But, at least George W. Bush was no Trump. Is that what Republicans seek? The lowest possible candidate, so they can elevate George W. Bush from worst to "not quite the worst."
18
The solution to avoiding travel issues for Mr. Khan to the US are obvious, simple. Mr. smiling Khan has only to disavow the primitive, violent, heathen muslim ideology, a belief system antithetical to freedom, democracy, Western Civilization. But everyone already know this..
10
ISIS represents Islam as much as the KKK with its "crosses lighted in the name of Jesus Christ", the Lords Resistance Army, and the genocidal anti-Muslim Serbian Chetniks, replete with outlandish Orthodox Crosses, represent Western Civilization and Christianity.
4
Mr. Trump has only to disavow the primitive, violent, Christian ideology, a belief system antithetical to freedom, democracy, Western Civilization. But everyone already know this.
1
So do we keep out Christians until they denounce the primitive, violent, heathen christian ideology?
I mean, more Christians here in the U.S. killed people based on religion since 9/11 than have Muslims, so clearly I have a lot more to fear from so-called Christians than I do so-called Muslims!
And given Mr. Khan already has a well-documented history of opposing the primitive, the violent and things antithetical to freedom and democracy (unlike, say, the Republican Party in the U.S., who can't pass enough laws restricting personal rights fast enough to please their base)...I mean, Mr. Khan was born and raised in the UK. His father was a bus driver, his mother a seamstress. He became a lawyer, and specialized in human rights law, defending the weak and discriminated against for years before running for political office as a left-moderate in the Labour Party. As a member of that party, he voted to legalize gay marriage (something American Christians claim to oppose). Indeed, he was attacked and criticized for his vote by both examples of primitive and violent religious ideologies, Christians and Muslims!
But doesn't everyone already know this?...so why would you bring up totally false accusations about a good man? Unless...you too are a member of a primitive heathen ideology antithetical to freedom and democracy?
I mean, more Christians here in the U.S. killed people based on religion since 9/11 than have Muslims, so clearly I have a lot more to fear from so-called Christians than I do so-called Muslims!
And given Mr. Khan already has a well-documented history of opposing the primitive, the violent and things antithetical to freedom and democracy (unlike, say, the Republican Party in the U.S., who can't pass enough laws restricting personal rights fast enough to please their base)...I mean, Mr. Khan was born and raised in the UK. His father was a bus driver, his mother a seamstress. He became a lawyer, and specialized in human rights law, defending the weak and discriminated against for years before running for political office as a left-moderate in the Labour Party. As a member of that party, he voted to legalize gay marriage (something American Christians claim to oppose). Indeed, he was attacked and criticized for his vote by both examples of primitive and violent religious ideologies, Christians and Muslims!
But doesn't everyone already know this?...so why would you bring up totally false accusations about a good man? Unless...you too are a member of a primitive heathen ideology antithetical to freedom and democracy?
3
I know nothing about Sadiq Khan so for argument sake I will accept what Roger Cohen writes about him.
However this acceptance of Khan is not in any way a [proof that Trump is wrong.
Trump did not say all Muslims should be stopped from coming to the USA.
He stated that we have no way of telling who should be admitted and who shouldn't and that we need a way of telling them apart and because we can not tell we should stop them all.
I disagree with him but you have not proven he is wrong as he has acknowledged there will be people like Mr. Kahn who should be allowed to come in.
If what Cohen states is correct then I have to praise the people who voted for him.
Mr. Kahn was not elected because he is a Muslim
He was elected because he won the election on his own merits.
Trump would probably vote for him if he could.
If I am right then this article is completely irrelevant to the issue.
However this acceptance of Khan is not in any way a [proof that Trump is wrong.
Trump did not say all Muslims should be stopped from coming to the USA.
He stated that we have no way of telling who should be admitted and who shouldn't and that we need a way of telling them apart and because we can not tell we should stop them all.
I disagree with him but you have not proven he is wrong as he has acknowledged there will be people like Mr. Kahn who should be allowed to come in.
If what Cohen states is correct then I have to praise the people who voted for him.
Mr. Kahn was not elected because he is a Muslim
He was elected because he won the election on his own merits.
Trump would probably vote for him if he could.
If I am right then this article is completely irrelevant to the issue.
8
And why will Trump be elected?
This will be a watershed election, not for political parties, but for American sensibilities. Admittedly "some" politicians have sold most of "us" down the river for the sake of ideology.... But the fact remains that the rich get richer and everyone else scrambles for bits and pieces. The Trump supporters are angry sure. But what if they had bothered to vote? Maybe the Republicans would and not sold out to the 1%.
This will be a watershed election, not for political parties, but for American sensibilities. Admittedly "some" politicians have sold most of "us" down the river for the sake of ideology.... But the fact remains that the rich get richer and everyone else scrambles for bits and pieces. The Trump supporters are angry sure. But what if they had bothered to vote? Maybe the Republicans would and not sold out to the 1%.
I don't understand how your comment is a reply to mine.
I don't support Trump.
From your comment I don't now if you support him.
I can answer your question.
Trump most likely will lose.
He might win if people think that the press is trying to manipulate the election so Hillary wins.
Articles like this one actually help him more than hurt him.
The only people who will like this article would be the ones who would vote for her if this article wasn't written.
The people who do not will look at this and see it as the establishment (The New York Times) manipulating the election and will go the other way.
Most people want to be rich so even if they are not they will
reject a politician who claims the rich are bad.
Therefore Sanders has no chance and the more Hillary is seen the same way she will also lose.
Hillary will lose if the only reason to vote for her is because she is not Trump.
She has to convince people to vote for her on her merit.
This article doesn't do that.
She needs a running mate who can make the argument she can not make for herself.
Because of her age there is a very good chance she will die before her term is over.
She therefore has to pick someone who the people can trust to be competent as well as convincing.
The only name I can think of would be Cuomo.
What do you think.
I don't support Trump.
From your comment I don't now if you support him.
I can answer your question.
Trump most likely will lose.
He might win if people think that the press is trying to manipulate the election so Hillary wins.
Articles like this one actually help him more than hurt him.
The only people who will like this article would be the ones who would vote for her if this article wasn't written.
The people who do not will look at this and see it as the establishment (The New York Times) manipulating the election and will go the other way.
Most people want to be rich so even if they are not they will
reject a politician who claims the rich are bad.
Therefore Sanders has no chance and the more Hillary is seen the same way she will also lose.
Hillary will lose if the only reason to vote for her is because she is not Trump.
She has to convince people to vote for her on her merit.
This article doesn't do that.
She needs a running mate who can make the argument she can not make for herself.
Because of her age there is a very good chance she will die before her term is over.
She therefore has to pick someone who the people can trust to be competent as well as convincing.
The only name I can think of would be Cuomo.
What do you think.
So the question is: could Mr. Khan's background be checked prior to entry into the USA? Of course. So no problem there.
That's not the case with many folks that would enter this country.
According to my understanding, Mr. Trump wanted to ensure that the vetting process was solid. That was the goal. He said it in his typical flamboyant style, but I believe that was the idea. What's so evil about that?
That's not the case with many folks that would enter this country.
According to my understanding, Mr. Trump wanted to ensure that the vetting process was solid. That was the goal. He said it in his typical flamboyant style, but I believe that was the idea. What's so evil about that?
8
The current process for refugees is a multiple-source check, involving at least six different agencies, and taking a minimum of two full years. There literally is no more extensive background check than that for refugees (Muslim or non-Muslim).
Is it successful? Well, since 9/11, more than 800,000 refugees have been admitted to the U.S. Of those, precisely TWO have been associated with terrorism (and not terrorist acts, but for contributing money to agencies considered by the U.S. government to be supportive of terrorism). That's it...TWO!!! Out of 800,000!
When this first came up, Mr. Trump was specifically talking about Syrian refugees. We've taken in more than 2,000 of them in the last 10 years. Exactly ZERO have been in any way subsequently associated with terrorism.
So, simple fact is, when it comes to refugees we ARE vetting people with a solid process, and it works! So...what is he opposed to, if not the refugees themselves for no apparent reason?
And before you bring it up, the 9/11 terrorists came in on tourist visas, still the easiest to obtain, and yes, we could tighten down on such visas, and quite a bit! But then states like Florida will scream bloody murder, as hundreds of thousands fewer tourists visit Disneyworld or EPCOT. And the San Bernadino terrorists were an American citizen, born and raised, and his wife (who came in on a spousal visa, also fairly easy to pass). And these visas aren't what Trump has been talking about!
Is it successful? Well, since 9/11, more than 800,000 refugees have been admitted to the U.S. Of those, precisely TWO have been associated with terrorism (and not terrorist acts, but for contributing money to agencies considered by the U.S. government to be supportive of terrorism). That's it...TWO!!! Out of 800,000!
When this first came up, Mr. Trump was specifically talking about Syrian refugees. We've taken in more than 2,000 of them in the last 10 years. Exactly ZERO have been in any way subsequently associated with terrorism.
So, simple fact is, when it comes to refugees we ARE vetting people with a solid process, and it works! So...what is he opposed to, if not the refugees themselves for no apparent reason?
And before you bring it up, the 9/11 terrorists came in on tourist visas, still the easiest to obtain, and yes, we could tighten down on such visas, and quite a bit! But then states like Florida will scream bloody murder, as hundreds of thousands fewer tourists visit Disneyworld or EPCOT. And the San Bernadino terrorists were an American citizen, born and raised, and his wife (who came in on a spousal visa, also fairly easy to pass). And these visas aren't what Trump has been talking about!
Well, he did not say he wanted to vet any Norwegians, or any Irish, or any Italians. He only wanted to prevent any Muslim, and all Muslim, just because they are Muslim. That is racist. I understand that your capacity for understanding this may be overwhelmed by the task, judging by your reply. That IS unfortunate.
1
Trump didn't actually say he would bar muslims permanently from immigrating to the US. But Israel's government bars them from doing so - but, that's okay, right, Mr. Cohen?
15
"The world of the 21st century is going to be shaped by such elided, many- faceted identities and by the booming cities that celebrate diversity, not by some bullying, brash, bigoted, “America first” white dude who wants to build walls."
Kindly inform Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Cohen. He hasn't got that memo.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3224394/Israeli-Prime-Minister-r...
Diversirty for thee, but not for me, eh?
Kindly inform Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Cohen. He hasn't got that memo.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3224394/Israeli-Prime-Minister-r...
Diversirty for thee, but not for me, eh?
18
I hope that the backers of Trump read this column, because without people voting for him he is just another loser. I have great faith in Americans ultimately doing the right thing and am keeping my hope. But just in case I am wrong Americans are welcome to move to Canada before we build our wall.
13
Well, there are barrier borders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, UAE, among many others. So why are so many wetting their pants over securing the US border? Trump is anti-ILLEGAL immigration. Why is this racist? It isn't.
Its remarkable how often I read opinions from Zionist Jewish writers as to the obligation for European nations to allow replacement-level immigration, as they remain silent on Israel's racialist policies and laws and ongoing expropriation of Palestinian land.
Got hypocrisy?
Got hypocrisy?
28
While the Brits were oppressing the Irish they were working over the Palestinians. THe British ruling class doesn't give a damn about Jews or any other peoples. All peoples are just pawns in their manipulation game. The British are the authors of most of the world's enduring misery.
1
Got a definition of racial that corresponds with Jewish I wonder, my sister-in-law is Ethiopian and Jewish so no, do not get the hypocrisy. Probably as diverse a group racially as you can finds which begs the question, got anti-semitism?
1
Give me a break! The "Spin Masters" of media are alive and well. FACT: The board members of the FCC are elected by the sitting President. He can only elect 3 from his own party. Today 3 out of 5 are Democrat and the other 2 are Republican. Media takes the side of which board members are the majority. Have you noticed how Hillary is always portrayed as smiling and Donald always has a bad expression. It's a cheap shot to sway voters. Voting for Hillary is a wasted vote. Between war crimes and her emails she belongs in prison. If she were you or I we'd already be there. As for Donald Trump with regard to shutting the American borders to Muslims. What he said on the campaign trail was that he basically wanted them closed until we can figure out which Muslims in the U.S. are fraternizing with terrorist. So what if he is profiling! Have you forgotten? Every terrorist attack since 9/11 has been claimed by Muslim terrorist groups. Not all Muslims are the target. As an American it makes me sick to my stomach to see this nation being attacked by any terrorist, especially on our own soil. I don't care which party the next President is with. I personally want someone who cannot be bought and sold. Someone who will work hard on my behalf to re-establish the government of the people. Someone who won't knuckle under to self serving elected officials. It appears many others feel like I do. I am willing to give Trump a chance. After all he cannot be any worse than the current President.
17
The FBI reports that the majority of terrorist attacks in the US since 9-11 have been carried out by whites, NOT MUSLIMS.
35
MinnMom,
You're absolutely right and I'm surprised the NY Manifesto printed your comment. Our good friend Michael says more terrorist attacks have been carried out by whites. Of course, when the WH Administration classifies the Fort Hood shooter as "workplace violence" and not terrorism there is always a way to massage the statistics to fit an all-so-convenient narrative, isn't there? Trump 2016!
You're absolutely right and I'm surprised the NY Manifesto printed your comment. Our good friend Michael says more terrorist attacks have been carried out by whites. Of course, when the WH Administration classifies the Fort Hood shooter as "workplace violence" and not terrorism there is always a way to massage the statistics to fit an all-so-convenient narrative, isn't there? Trump 2016!
Nice try, but boy are you wrong!!!
The current FEC is composed of three REPUBLICANS, two Democrats and one independent. Or officially that's what it says...in reality, it's composed of two Democrats and FOUR Republicans! People have forgotten that the FEC was 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans for decades, until 2008. In 2008, two of the Democratic members resigned, so George W. Bush got to name two replacements. They should have been two Democrats, as the law very clearly requires there be no more than three FEC members from one political party.
But just days after the two Democrats resigned, two of the Republican members suddenly announced they were re-registering as independents! That "officially" made the FEC composed of two independents, one Democrat and one Republican. Bush promptly replaced the two Democrats with two registered Republicans, claiming he was in full compliance with the law! To this day (because Senate Republicans have refused to confirm Mr. Obama's nominees), we have in reality four Republicans on the FEC!
FYI, five of the six members also are on "expired" terms in office, remaining until (or perhaps if ever) Republicans will confirm their replacements. But of course, if they do that, the FEC will return to three Democrats and three Republicans, so Republicans will lose their voting advantage.
Oh, and in point of fact, most terrorist attacks since 9/11 in the U.S. were by Christians and conservatives, not Muslims! Do some basic research!
The current FEC is composed of three REPUBLICANS, two Democrats and one independent. Or officially that's what it says...in reality, it's composed of two Democrats and FOUR Republicans! People have forgotten that the FEC was 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans for decades, until 2008. In 2008, two of the Democratic members resigned, so George W. Bush got to name two replacements. They should have been two Democrats, as the law very clearly requires there be no more than three FEC members from one political party.
But just days after the two Democrats resigned, two of the Republican members suddenly announced they were re-registering as independents! That "officially" made the FEC composed of two independents, one Democrat and one Republican. Bush promptly replaced the two Democrats with two registered Republicans, claiming he was in full compliance with the law! To this day (because Senate Republicans have refused to confirm Mr. Obama's nominees), we have in reality four Republicans on the FEC!
FYI, five of the six members also are on "expired" terms in office, remaining until (or perhaps if ever) Republicans will confirm their replacements. But of course, if they do that, the FEC will return to three Democrats and three Republicans, so Republicans will lose their voting advantage.
Oh, and in point of fact, most terrorist attacks since 9/11 in the U.S. were by Christians and conservatives, not Muslims! Do some basic research!
"Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability and you have a dangerous brew that could put civilization at risk. Those small fingers would have access to the nuclear codes if Trump were elected."
The contrast of character between these two political figures is definitive and is truly the core of our problem in regard to our current state. The fact that DT can be this close to the most powerful office in the world, is frightening beyond belief. People can try and rationalize and argue that he is capable of doing the job all that they want. Unlike the humility and grace that Sadiq Khan approaches his elected position with, DT has shown no redeeming quality or proof that he knows what he is doing. His stance reflects ignorance and laziness and childish across the board. The integrity of the USA is the lowest risk if he were to become POTUS. Humanity will suffer from his ignorance. The damage he has already done by his efforts to date are significant and immeasurable. DT would benefit from the example that Mr. Khan provides but alas, we know he will not even begin to consider the thought. I have significant hope that we as a nation will make sure that DT will not get any closer to the office of the POTUS and that we will learn from this before any more damage is done. If we don't I firmly believe that the consequences will be great suffering for all. Not just the USA. History has shown what men like DT can do to cause harm to all.
The contrast of character between these two political figures is definitive and is truly the core of our problem in regard to our current state. The fact that DT can be this close to the most powerful office in the world, is frightening beyond belief. People can try and rationalize and argue that he is capable of doing the job all that they want. Unlike the humility and grace that Sadiq Khan approaches his elected position with, DT has shown no redeeming quality or proof that he knows what he is doing. His stance reflects ignorance and laziness and childish across the board. The integrity of the USA is the lowest risk if he were to become POTUS. Humanity will suffer from his ignorance. The damage he has already done by his efforts to date are significant and immeasurable. DT would benefit from the example that Mr. Khan provides but alas, we know he will not even begin to consider the thought. I have significant hope that we as a nation will make sure that DT will not get any closer to the office of the POTUS and that we will learn from this before any more damage is done. If we don't I firmly believe that the consequences will be great suffering for all. Not just the USA. History has shown what men like DT can do to cause harm to all.
4
Another of Cohen's many distortions. Trump proposed to deny entry to Muslims without proper identity checks which he rightly claimed was not the case at present.
In an ideal world Khan's election as Mayor is perfectly reasonable given the needs of so any Londoners whose grievances are justifiable to a large extent. But in our real world many ill advised London Moslems see his election as a triumph for the "poor" Moslem son of an immigrant over the "millionaire" Jew heir to a family fortune. It is this latter attitude which will stoke the fires of sectarian passions as sure as night follows day. I do not foresee a good end to the narrative which Enoch Powell was spot on in his view of what the future would bring.
In an ideal world Khan's election as Mayor is perfectly reasonable given the needs of so any Londoners whose grievances are justifiable to a large extent. But in our real world many ill advised London Moslems see his election as a triumph for the "poor" Moslem son of an immigrant over the "millionaire" Jew heir to a family fortune. It is this latter attitude which will stoke the fires of sectarian passions as sure as night follows day. I do not foresee a good end to the narrative which Enoch Powell was spot on in his view of what the future would bring.
13
Wake up and smell the coffee. Sheesh, where does racism get its validity from?
6
Enoch Powell was a blatant moronic racist, and your bringing him up as a source for quotation reveals YOUR prejudices far beyond any inanities you may mouth.
1
For those of us who only understand plain English, what exactly do you mean to say?
I understand the new mayor has had ties to radical Islamists. If this is supposed be a sign of progress, then we've all crossed over into Wonderland and will be having tea with the Mad Hatter presently.
12
"I understand the new mayor has had ties to radical Islamists." Do you have evidence for this? Or do you live in the fantasy that a lie of repeated with become the truth?
8
You don't understand "the new mayor has had ties to radical Islamists" - you have just fallen hook, line and sinker for a bit of political trolling led by our beloved Prime Minister David Cameron, who really could not accept a Labour candidate winning the London Mayoral race. Cameron has used Cruz/NRA/Trump hate politics. And lost the argument.
13
Maybe you live in the fantasyland. According to Maajid Nawaz, who is himself a former Islamist, Khan has had troublesome ties to radical Islamists.
"During London’s ’90s Islamist heyday, Khan’s brother-in-law Makbool Javaid was affiliated and listed as a spokesman to the now-banned terrorist group al-Muhajiroun...
Through such connections Khan ingratiated himself in the London Islamist scene. In 2003, he appeared at a conference alongside Sajeel Abu Ibrahim, a member of that same banned al-Muhajiroun....Sajeel ran a camp in Pakistan that trained the 7/7 bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan. "
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/08/the-secret-life-of-sadi...
"During London’s ’90s Islamist heyday, Khan’s brother-in-law Makbool Javaid was affiliated and listed as a spokesman to the now-banned terrorist group al-Muhajiroun...
Through such connections Khan ingratiated himself in the London Islamist scene. In 2003, he appeared at a conference alongside Sajeel Abu Ibrahim, a member of that same banned al-Muhajiroun....Sajeel ran a camp in Pakistan that trained the 7/7 bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan. "
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/08/the-secret-life-of-sadi...
1
London is a true cosmopolitan city, but alas here in the U.S. Donald Trump is tapping into those outside our own cosmopolitan urban centers who are not taken with cultural diversity nor those who are immigrants or the sons of immigrants. As the son of an immigrant who started off as a street peddler, but flourished enough to send me to an Ivy League university and then to become a college professor, I know that immigrants have enriched America, a country of immigrants, and it is they that make and will continue to "Make America Great Again." But we live in a very frightening economic time when the income divide has become huge with many feeling left our or left behind. History shows that we often get frightening, mentally unstable individuals who make wild promises and then create immense, destructive chaos when they come to power. Donald Trump is our uniquely American version of the demagogic, disturbed, dictator-in-chief. He is, as so many before him whose carnage litters the history of the 20th century, a nasty narcissist who has within his grasp the world's most powerful office with all the destructive power it commands.
3
Everyone in the US has an ancestry that is composed of immigrants - from the Mayflower onwards. (Apologies to those native Americans who were already in the US before the Mayflower). Everyone in the US is Heinz 57 - and the sooner the US realises that, then maybe the politics of hatred and exclusion will wither and die.
5
While your point may be valid, it doesn't reach far enough to include African slaves, who as unwilling "immigrants", also passed through England on their way to Plantations in the New World and the Caribbean.
Mr. cohen while you rejoice at Mr. Khans victory in London you omit to say that native englih people are now a minority in their capital city. This is what your glorious multiculturalism has done to London.
Whe white christians become a minority in their own city it makes a muslim victory so much easier don't you think?
Now you say that Mr. Trump wants a blanket ban on all Muslim immigration to the USA. He did not say that. After the terrorist atrocity in California he basically said whoa lets hold back on Muslim immigration till we find out what is going on. Now that is nor unreasonable it is common sense.
When you say Mr. Khan spoke out against Muslim terrorism did it cross your mind that he would have to say that.
Now to Kem Livingstone while he has been accused of 'antisemitism he actually spoke the truth, if alittle clumsily. He was refering to the Haavara agreement between Nazi Germany and World Zionist organisation.
Here is alink to the Jewish Virtual Library.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0008_0_080...
So there is seems to be an awful lot of omission and distortion in this article.
Whe white christians become a minority in their own city it makes a muslim victory so much easier don't you think?
Now you say that Mr. Trump wants a blanket ban on all Muslim immigration to the USA. He did not say that. After the terrorist atrocity in California he basically said whoa lets hold back on Muslim immigration till we find out what is going on. Now that is nor unreasonable it is common sense.
When you say Mr. Khan spoke out against Muslim terrorism did it cross your mind that he would have to say that.
Now to Kem Livingstone while he has been accused of 'antisemitism he actually spoke the truth, if alittle clumsily. He was refering to the Haavara agreement between Nazi Germany and World Zionist organisation.
Here is alink to the Jewish Virtual Library.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0008_0_080...
So there is seems to be an awful lot of omission and distortion in this article.
6
"native english people "?? Mr. Khan was born in London. That makes him a native. Unless your phrase is actually a code for something far more parochial.
14
Spender. CGB from Dublin . You state that " London you omit to say that native englih people are now a minority in their capital city". Well thats just not true and you know it. You are a racist scaremonger who thinks that denial of facts is ok to peddle.
You need at least to check the last London census to check your facts - but I suspect you are far too lazy to do that. And the rest of your lazy, lacadaisical comments are not worth a roll of toilet paper.
Oh and bye the bye, please check you spelling before you post - it undermines any authenticity that you may think you have. The beauty of living in the UK is that we really don't give flying fig about religion - it's so last year. And don't think that Londoners -white in your terminology - are Christian. Thankfully, most of the UK have no religious belief, do not want any religion involved in their politics and express that by voting for Khan.
I note you post from Dublin - whats your angle, from an Island that is suffused with political religous bigotry? (I include Eire and N.I. in that statement).
You need at least to check the last London census to check your facts - but I suspect you are far too lazy to do that. And the rest of your lazy, lacadaisical comments are not worth a roll of toilet paper.
Oh and bye the bye, please check you spelling before you post - it undermines any authenticity that you may think you have. The beauty of living in the UK is that we really don't give flying fig about religion - it's so last year. And don't think that Londoners -white in your terminology - are Christian. Thankfully, most of the UK have no religious belief, do not want any religion involved in their politics and express that by voting for Khan.
I note you post from Dublin - whats your angle, from an Island that is suffused with political religous bigotry? (I include Eire and N.I. in that statement).
12
well as a native Londerner myself,white as it happens,I'm wondering if you regard the hundreds of thousands of people of Irish descent who live there as natives?As for christians,the vast majority of the British population are not particularly religious,& lastly London has been multicultural for centuries...think Romans,French,Saxons,Huguenots,& many more,which most port cities inevitably are...& for myself I love London in its multi cultural splendour,one of the city's great strengths
1
I wonder, Mr. Cohen, if you would describe Israel's refusal to take in any refugees as "tribalism and nativism"
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-illegal-african-immigrants-...
Probably not - and in the case of Israel, it is not only refusing refugees, it is continuing its slow-burn ethnic cleansing and annexation in defiance of international law and multiple un resolutions.
Yet somehow, this paper does not describe Likud and Shas as "anti-immigrant" and "right-wing".
Why is that?
Is it because you think European nations should accept every immigrant who wants in, and that no European nation should remain a majority, while Israel can worry about racial purity and its only punishment will be billions in us tax dollars?
You bet it is.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-illegal-african-immigrants-...
Probably not - and in the case of Israel, it is not only refusing refugees, it is continuing its slow-burn ethnic cleansing and annexation in defiance of international law and multiple un resolutions.
Yet somehow, this paper does not describe Likud and Shas as "anti-immigrant" and "right-wing".
Why is that?
Is it because you think European nations should accept every immigrant who wants in, and that no European nation should remain a majority, while Israel can worry about racial purity and its only punishment will be billions in us tax dollars?
You bet it is.
18
I am one who believes that we inherit a tribal mind and that it is a complex arrangement of the we vs them but also that the we is among natures experiment with altruism as a survival strategy. We live in a time when the we can be recognized as all in our species. We are all of the same colony. We can continue to emerge......or not.
trump will get along well with him then!. they will make great deals! always look at the bright side.
1
Far more important than "Khan’s rise, by contrast, is a story of victory over the fears engendered by 9/11," is the fact that it is a story of victory over the fears engendered by 7/7--London's own version of 9/11.
The explosions in their own subway system and on a London city bus were far more frightening and personal for the Brits than anything that happened on 9/11. Can we imagine a Muslim being elected to the mayoralty of New York City or Washington D.C.? It's hard to even build a new mosque, let alone elect "one of those people" to high office.
We think of England as the land of Downton Abbey and tea cozies, but in fact, they are some of the most quietly brave and determined people on the planet. The spirit that kept the young Princess Elizabeth in London during the Blitz lives on in people who rode the buses and subways right after 7/7 with the attitude of one older lady who was quoted as saying something to the effect of "well, you really can't let them win, now can you?"
The explosions in their own subway system and on a London city bus were far more frightening and personal for the Brits than anything that happened on 9/11. Can we imagine a Muslim being elected to the mayoralty of New York City or Washington D.C.? It's hard to even build a new mosque, let alone elect "one of those people" to high office.
We think of England as the land of Downton Abbey and tea cozies, but in fact, they are some of the most quietly brave and determined people on the planet. The spirit that kept the young Princess Elizabeth in London during the Blitz lives on in people who rode the buses and subways right after 7/7 with the attitude of one older lady who was quoted as saying something to the effect of "well, you really can't let them win, now can you?"
7
Our Mother country and northern neighbor are the adults in the room. I am 70 and doubt I will live long enough to see our juvenile country grow up. We are so far behind the rest of civilized nations. This doesn't mean, however, I won't do what I can to change things. I'm just trying to be realistic.
4
Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary was re-elected in 2013 with 74 per cent of the vote. The same year Nenshi was named the second most important politician in Canada by Maclean's, the national newsmagazine. The graduate of the JFK school of government at Harvard was also awarded a prize by the World Economic Forum for urban planning. He had taken Calgary, Canada's oil capital, from sprawl to neighbourhoods while abolishing developer subsidies. Cowtown became culture hub.
Nenshi is a Moslem, the son of South Asian immigrants from Tanzania.
Despite American reliance on Canadian oil, Trump would ban Nenshi from entering the U.S. Trump says the war on ISIS should be led by Moslems, and for once he's right. But I guess King Abdullah and Jordanian staff officers could be covert terrorists so they get banned.
Americans should read 1984. It tells of how an indeterminate eternal war kills human rights.
Nenshi is a Moslem, the son of South Asian immigrants from Tanzania.
Despite American reliance on Canadian oil, Trump would ban Nenshi from entering the U.S. Trump says the war on ISIS should be led by Moslems, and for once he's right. But I guess King Abdullah and Jordanian staff officers could be covert terrorists so they get banned.
Americans should read 1984. It tells of how an indeterminate eternal war kills human rights.
9
I've sent this article to more of my friends and relatives than I have to all but a few former columns. An excellent analysis and discussion of a sea-changing Britain. Kahn, like Obama, the right man at the right time.
6
Dan Kravitz, in Harpswell, Me., suggests that a U.C. Berkeley student was removed from an airplane because he said the word "Inshallah" ("God willing") on a cell phone call.
I wasn't on the plane, but I've read accounts that it was an Arabic speaker who heard the U.C. student say the word "martyr" in Arabic, and it was the Arabic speaker who reported the incident. After 9/11, it was appropriate to have removed the speaker from the aircraft to permit a full and complete inquiry into the matter. Whether we like it or not, words have consequences, and context is critical.
Better the safety of many than the "civil rights" of one. Even in America, you cannot falsely yell "Fire!" in a crowded theatre.
By the way, I suspect Mr. Kravitz was also not on the flight in question.
I wasn't on the plane, but I've read accounts that it was an Arabic speaker who heard the U.C. student say the word "martyr" in Arabic, and it was the Arabic speaker who reported the incident. After 9/11, it was appropriate to have removed the speaker from the aircraft to permit a full and complete inquiry into the matter. Whether we like it or not, words have consequences, and context is critical.
Better the safety of many than the "civil rights" of one. Even in America, you cannot falsely yell "Fire!" in a crowded theatre.
By the way, I suspect Mr. Kravitz was also not on the flight in question.
8
Is it possible that people are reporting these things to get extra room to travel?
2
All Sadiq Khan has to do is make sure the potholes are repaired and the rubbish gets collected throughout London.
3
So Trump has same job, bring potheads and rubbish to power?
1
Yes he Khan.
10
no you Kant be funny either
4
Your essay portrays Donald Trump as the mouthpiece for frightened America; the adjective "frightened" is just a cute way of being able to argue, "I didn't say ALL of America." Except you did.
And you've spent much of the past year arguing that the US shold be pouring troops into Syria and taking control of the Middle East. The US should be sending its sons and daughters and money into that part of the world and putting an end to the chaos. But Obama has been too feckless and weak (the old London mayor had very particular opinions about what motivates the US president. Did you share them?)
So are we a racist nation of bigots or a rational world leader who is singularly responsible for maintaining peace and order?
I think your analysis is incoherent.
And you've spent much of the past year arguing that the US shold be pouring troops into Syria and taking control of the Middle East. The US should be sending its sons and daughters and money into that part of the world and putting an end to the chaos. But Obama has been too feckless and weak (the old London mayor had very particular opinions about what motivates the US president. Did you share them?)
So are we a racist nation of bigots or a rational world leader who is singularly responsible for maintaining peace and order?
I think your analysis is incoherent.
4
Mr. Cohen wants the US in Syria for the perceived benefit of Israel, and Israel's Zionist right has long wanted Syria and Iraq destroyed.
http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=western_support_for_islam...
Even "liberal" zionists can't seem to be liberal when it comes to using US blood and treasure for an expansionist, belligerent, apartheid-colonialist Jewish state.
http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=western_support_for_islam...
Even "liberal" zionists can't seem to be liberal when it comes to using US blood and treasure for an expansionist, belligerent, apartheid-colonialist Jewish state.
6
You asked the question. I think, unfortunately that the answer is the former.
1
Election of Sadik Khan is especially important for Muslims, not just because of Islamophobia and racism, but he will be great role model for disoriented and lost Muslim youths, who become easy target for extremism. Sadik Khan shows an other path for these youths.
10
“I have learned to listen and trust my gut. It’s one of my most valued counselors.” He recently said, “We must, as a nation, be more unpredictable."
So says Trump.
Didn't we just hear something amazingly similar from George W. Bush? You know, the guy who gave us the biggest terrorist attack on our soil in history, the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression, and the most ineffective federal response to a natural disaster in modern history, and the most stupid foreign policy decision (Invading Iraq.) ever.
We can't do this again, can we? Dear God, I hope not.
So says Trump.
Didn't we just hear something amazingly similar from George W. Bush? You know, the guy who gave us the biggest terrorist attack on our soil in history, the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression, and the most ineffective federal response to a natural disaster in modern history, and the most stupid foreign policy decision (Invading Iraq.) ever.
We can't do this again, can we? Dear God, I hope not.
13
You can do it all over again, if you continue to let the GOP to exist as a valid political aprty. Over to you, US.
3
So, basically, Europeans have to agree to turn themselves into ethnic minorities into every society they have created around the world. If they dare to express any misgivings about the implications this might have for their descendants, they are "narrow-minded haters".
No non-Europeans face such an obligation, though. No one would even dream of suggesting it to them. And if they did, they would be laughed at or given a smack. But they are not haters. Only us.
No non-Europeans face such an obligation, though. No one would even dream of suggesting it to them. And if they did, they would be laughed at or given a smack. But they are not haters. Only us.
74
Well Mr. Cohen is absolutely consistent. He regularly demands that Israel take in a fair share of refugees, and regularly reports on Israeli racism and the lifeof Palestinians under occupation.
I wonder if Mr. Cohen supports the work of Barbara Specter, who moved from the Us, to Israel, and then on to Sweden where she never learned Swedish
https://archive.org/details/EuropeWillNotSurvive
But began loudly advocating for more immigration.
I can respect people who believe in open borders.
But I can't respect hypocrites whose compassion is limited to "them" but not us.
I wonder if Mr. Cohen supports the work of Barbara Specter, who moved from the Us, to Israel, and then on to Sweden where she never learned Swedish
https://archive.org/details/EuropeWillNotSurvive
But began loudly advocating for more immigration.
I can respect people who believe in open borders.
But I can't respect hypocrites whose compassion is limited to "them" but not us.
1
Sadiq Khan, last I checked, was a European.
10
9 out of 10 Zionists agree...
"diversity" for thee
but not for we!
"diversity" for thee
but not for we!
10
Khan's election is a bright spot in the gloom of our floundering politics. And he certainly represents a contrast with Trump. However, he also represents a contrast with the man he replaces, Boris Johnson, an overgrown conservative schoolboy. Khan's opponent, Goldsmith, son of a billionaire, ran a dirty campaign. Goldsmith and Trump are the dark clouds in our politics, and they do not stand alone.
4
Muslims need more Sadiq Khans, many, many more.
3
Actually Americans need more Sadiq Khan's
6
"Sadiq Khan’s victory is reassuring because he represents currents in the world — toward global identity and integration"
It's more like regression to the mean. As more Western countries experience rapid growth in Muslim populations you will see the eventual demise of Western culture. And as more Western couples prefer to fewer children Muslim families' sizes are increase at an alarming rate. Eventually a tipping point will occur as Europeans begin to feel like foreigners in their own countries. The same is happening in the US will the influx of illegal aliens residing among us and the potential Muslim "refugees" that the Democrats want to bring in.
It's more like regression to the mean. As more Western countries experience rapid growth in Muslim populations you will see the eventual demise of Western culture. And as more Western couples prefer to fewer children Muslim families' sizes are increase at an alarming rate. Eventually a tipping point will occur as Europeans begin to feel like foreigners in their own countries. The same is happening in the US will the influx of illegal aliens residing among us and the potential Muslim "refugees" that the Democrats want to bring in.
2
Oh dear, the fear factor based on the empeoroers new clothes has seized your mind. You should not vote.
6
One of Cohen's best column and an extremely important one. But because it's so hopeful and deep, the story won't get much play in the dub-it-down American media
2
Quoting:
"...Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability and you have a dangerous brew that could put civilization at risk. Those small fingers would have access to the nuclear codes if Trump were elected..."
These words are true. That they are often repeated by Cohen and others- does not dilute their meaning or significance.
"...Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability and you have a dangerous brew that could put civilization at risk. Those small fingers would have access to the nuclear codes if Trump were elected..."
These words are true. That they are often repeated by Cohen and others- does not dilute their meaning or significance.
I think the reference to small fingers was uncalled for.
2
Hillary Clinton would improve the odds of winning the presidential contest if she systematically and persistently exploits Donald Trump's core vulnerability: his shallowness in the affairs of government. It is reasonable for the Clinton team to speculate that he would be “dangerous” as President. But he has already demonstrated to most of us over the last eleven months that he is just a buffoon – “an empty suit”. Clearly, this is a sufficient reason for disqualifying him as our next President.
The upcoming debates would provide Mrs. Clinton countless opportunities to expose Mr. Trump’s inability to go much beyond catchy populist proclamations on how he would solve U.S.’s problems. For example, he claims that his deal-making expertise would make America an inevitable winner in foreign trade but reputable business leaders and economists warn that his huge fees on imports would lead to trade wars disastrous to our economy. Drawing on her diversified experience, well-thought out plans and excellent staff, Mrs. Clinton could show that this and his other grandiose contentions are empty promises.
The upcoming debates would provide Mrs. Clinton countless opportunities to expose Mr. Trump’s inability to go much beyond catchy populist proclamations on how he would solve U.S.’s problems. For example, he claims that his deal-making expertise would make America an inevitable winner in foreign trade but reputable business leaders and economists warn that his huge fees on imports would lead to trade wars disastrous to our economy. Drawing on her diversified experience, well-thought out plans and excellent staff, Mrs. Clinton could show that this and his other grandiose contentions are empty promises.
1
Mr. Cohen, what right-minded foreign head of state or dignitary would wish to meet with Donald Trump? He (or she) could attend a comic opera in their home country without catching something.
Yes, Roger, love this:
"Khan’s election is important because it gives the lie to the facile trope that Europe is being taken over by jihadi Islamists. It underscores the fact that terrorist acts hide a million quiet success stories among European Muslim communities. One of seven children of a Pakistani immigrant family, Khan grew up in public housing and went on to become a human rights lawyer and government minister. He won more than 1.3 million votes in the London election, a personal mandate unsurpassed by any politician in British history."
Not this:
"Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability and you have a dangerous brew that could put civilization at risk. Those small fingers would have access to the nuclear codes if Trump were elected."
You fear Trump as Trump's gang fears Muslims.
Fear Trump as we once feared Goldwater.
Which caused us to run into the arms of Lyndon Baines Johnson.
Who turned Vietnam into a disaster by trying to overpower.
But your scare story on Trump would have us running into the arms of Hillary, *who has a lust for power not less than LBJ's,
*is a committed Neocon and Bibi's girl,
*who on the Iraq vote, desire to use force in Libya and Syria, ran counter to Obama's cool hand.
Peace with HIllary is no sure thing.
What she, Trump and the rest of the world need to learn is that every action creates an equal and opposite reaction.
Violence echoes, so does peace.
"Khan’s election is important because it gives the lie to the facile trope that Europe is being taken over by jihadi Islamists. It underscores the fact that terrorist acts hide a million quiet success stories among European Muslim communities. One of seven children of a Pakistani immigrant family, Khan grew up in public housing and went on to become a human rights lawyer and government minister. He won more than 1.3 million votes in the London election, a personal mandate unsurpassed by any politician in British history."
Not this:
"Put together an egotist, a bully, immense power and a taste for gut-driven unpredictability and you have a dangerous brew that could put civilization at risk. Those small fingers would have access to the nuclear codes if Trump were elected."
You fear Trump as Trump's gang fears Muslims.
Fear Trump as we once feared Goldwater.
Which caused us to run into the arms of Lyndon Baines Johnson.
Who turned Vietnam into a disaster by trying to overpower.
But your scare story on Trump would have us running into the arms of Hillary, *who has a lust for power not less than LBJ's,
*is a committed Neocon and Bibi's girl,
*who on the Iraq vote, desire to use force in Libya and Syria, ran counter to Obama's cool hand.
Peace with HIllary is no sure thing.
What she, Trump and the rest of the world need to learn is that every action creates an equal and opposite reaction.
Violence echoes, so does peace.
2
LBJ did not have a lust for power as such. He gave the South to Republicans as the price for progress towards racial justice. When he saw that his war in Vietnam was splitting the country, he dropped out of running for reelection.
He knew Vietnam was an unwinnable mess, but he also knew that withdrawing would brand his party as cowards and traitors and cement Republican control for the foreseeable future. So it fell to the Republicans to be in charge as we withdrew and watched our puppet government founder.
He knew Vietnam was an unwinnable mess, but he also knew that withdrawing would brand his party as cowards and traitors and cement Republican control for the foreseeable future. So it fell to the Republicans to be in charge as we withdrew and watched our puppet government founder.
Well, Cornwall, (England?) I assume from your remarks that we differ from one another because in the LBJ era, I was in America, draftable, and have read every line of Robert Caro's LBJ books.
AND No man in American history had a greater lust for power than LBJ.
Tragically, unlike Kennedy, but like W, LBJ had never been in combat and was ignorant of anything outside the USA.
So he used what he knew by trying to overpower Vietnam -- like he tried to overpower congress.
The fact is that he didn't realize Vietnam was unwinnable until he'd committed over 500,000 troops, bombed Hanoi and Haiphong -- and things only got worse.
Read Neil Sheehan's (NYT) "Bright Shining Lie."
He didn't realize Vietnam was unwinnable until Walter Cronkite declared it so.
& at the end -- you can look it up -- he was afraid that Humphrey was going to betray their policy -- so he withheld help for HHH's campaign.
Some other points:
*that JFK told Senator Mike Mansfied we were withdrawing after he won what he expected would be a landslide victory over Barry Goldwater in '64.
* Caro recounts episodes strongly suggesting Johnson was a coward, while JFK was almost given the medal of honor for World War 2 service.
When JFK asked him to inspect Vietnam, (less than 3,000 advisors were then committed) LBJ begged off, afraid he might be killed.
"Don't worry Lyndon," as I recall, Kennedy told him, "If anything happens to you, we will hold the biggest funeral Washington D.C. has ever seen."
AND No man in American history had a greater lust for power than LBJ.
Tragically, unlike Kennedy, but like W, LBJ had never been in combat and was ignorant of anything outside the USA.
So he used what he knew by trying to overpower Vietnam -- like he tried to overpower congress.
The fact is that he didn't realize Vietnam was unwinnable until he'd committed over 500,000 troops, bombed Hanoi and Haiphong -- and things only got worse.
Read Neil Sheehan's (NYT) "Bright Shining Lie."
He didn't realize Vietnam was unwinnable until Walter Cronkite declared it so.
& at the end -- you can look it up -- he was afraid that Humphrey was going to betray their policy -- so he withheld help for HHH's campaign.
Some other points:
*that JFK told Senator Mike Mansfied we were withdrawing after he won what he expected would be a landslide victory over Barry Goldwater in '64.
* Caro recounts episodes strongly suggesting Johnson was a coward, while JFK was almost given the medal of honor for World War 2 service.
When JFK asked him to inspect Vietnam, (less than 3,000 advisors were then committed) LBJ begged off, afraid he might be killed.
"Don't worry Lyndon," as I recall, Kennedy told him, "If anything happens to you, we will hold the biggest funeral Washington D.C. has ever seen."
1
Hey Rog: How about Sadiq Khan vs your favorite supposed moderates ruling Iran -- supposed moderates that even Obama's own digital propaganda "minister" Ben Rhodes admitted in the NY Times this week are a fabrication which you swallowed hook line and sinker? No rationalizations for Trump of course but loads from you for the mullahs. Is that your bottom line?
3
Londoners can be proud! And we in America, should feel shame.
7
Somehow, I can’t take Mr. Khan seriously without a blonde mop of road-kill on his head and bad teeth. But these days, Boris Johnson is trying to become PM, so I guess we’ll all just have to make allowances.
It’s been a long time since we flexed our muscles in any way that Europe needed to fear. Of course, if insisting that they burden themselves with a greater percentage of the cost required to protect them against the bad guys in the world, then we should note that BOTH Barack Obama AND Donald Trump are guilty of that insistence.
We’ll need to see how supportive of Mr. Khan Londoners REMAIN, if indeed he’s committed to true integration around a “global identity”. Such integration by necessity assumes the loss of British and English identity in order to make way for a global one. Those so desirous of a “Brexit” precisely to protect what is British and English may just be re-thinking their fascination with Sadiq Khan.
In the meantime, I’d be willing to bet that Mr. Khan would be admitted to the U.S. on the order of a President Trump, even if he HADN’T won London’s mayoralty.
It’s been a long time since we flexed our muscles in any way that Europe needed to fear. Of course, if insisting that they burden themselves with a greater percentage of the cost required to protect them against the bad guys in the world, then we should note that BOTH Barack Obama AND Donald Trump are guilty of that insistence.
We’ll need to see how supportive of Mr. Khan Londoners REMAIN, if indeed he’s committed to true integration around a “global identity”. Such integration by necessity assumes the loss of British and English identity in order to make way for a global one. Those so desirous of a “Brexit” precisely to protect what is British and English may just be re-thinking their fascination with Sadiq Khan.
In the meantime, I’d be willing to bet that Mr. Khan would be admitted to the U.S. on the order of a President Trump, even if he HADN’T won London’s mayoralty.
1
I guess, Richard, the difference between how you think and how I think is that Europe doesn't need to "fear" the United States.
1
Good for Britain!
But barring the mayor from the Us is too good an occasion to remind you NY Times readers that previous Mayor, Boris Johnson, was also prevented from entering the US.
The colorful Johnson had the misfortune to be born in the US to British parents temporarily in the US, and thus acquired US citizenship.
Although he left the US at age of 4, never to live here again, he was prosecuted some years ago by the IRS for for failure to pay $ 100 000 plus of US capital gains tax when he sold his home in England, a tax free transaction under British law
To be enforced with with arrest upon entering the US. Thus he stayed away.
He eventually settled. But it left a sour taste, not only in Britain, about the ever increasing extraterritorial claims of US law.
Will be interesting to see how Johnson treats the US, should he become PM, a realistic prospect.
But barring the mayor from the Us is too good an occasion to remind you NY Times readers that previous Mayor, Boris Johnson, was also prevented from entering the US.
The colorful Johnson had the misfortune to be born in the US to British parents temporarily in the US, and thus acquired US citizenship.
Although he left the US at age of 4, never to live here again, he was prosecuted some years ago by the IRS for for failure to pay $ 100 000 plus of US capital gains tax when he sold his home in England, a tax free transaction under British law
To be enforced with with arrest upon entering the US. Thus he stayed away.
He eventually settled. But it left a sour taste, not only in Britain, about the ever increasing extraterritorial claims of US law.
Will be interesting to see how Johnson treats the US, should he become PM, a realistic prospect.
4
Sleep easy - Johnson will never be a Pm - we are much more discriminating in our choice of leaders - and as he has chosen to Brexit, which will fail, he will be lost to the political classes.
Regarded by many (possibly most?) in the UK as a scarecrow buffoon, we are mature enough to enjoy his quips but to mark him down a a loser. Even his father noted his Brexit scam was a ‘career ending move’.
Regarded by many (possibly most?) in the UK as a scarecrow buffoon, we are mature enough to enjoy his quips but to mark him down a a loser. Even his father noted his Brexit scam was a ‘career ending move’.
2
The election of Mr. Khan is a triumph (in a long series of triumphs) for Western culture and democracy. It is why many Muslims feel more at home in the West than they do in the country of origin despite the occasional Trump or the dedicated Le Pen.
6
Does feeling at home in the West mean killing innocent people in the Twin Towers, in Boston, in San Bernardino , etc? If so, I wholly support rounding up all Muslims and sending them to their countries of origin. America has enough homegrown crazies, thanks.
A son of a London bus driver and a Muslim is elected mayor of London. I call this democracy at work. And the shame that is Donald Trump expands daily here in the US.
9
Please add Ahmed Aboutaleb, currently mayor of one of the world's largest port citiies (Rotterdam, The Netherlands), to the list of Muslim noncitizens not to be allowed to visit the United States under Trump's ban.
5
It is so encouraging to see Londoners look beyond a name and fear of terrorism to vote for Mr. Khan. Islamic people represent so many points of view and we must listen to them.
The campaign of Donald Trump on the other hand represents the close mindedness of many in our country, a close mindedness that stifles our growth as a nation.
The campaign of Donald Trump on the other hand represents the close mindedness of many in our country, a close mindedness that stifles our growth as a nation.
7
It appears that the American Dream - the rise from humble beginnings to prominent leadership - has emigrated east across the Atlantic.
5
Khan is success of modern society, Trump is the mold of the old one.
7
hese comments are not related to this post but I could not resist to enter my sentiments about your great piece that I just read in NY Times about Sadiq Khan. Well done sir, beautifully written and very appealing to the common sense. I am an American. I am a Muslim. I am of Pakistani descent. With my limited reading of antisemitism in Europe for past hundreds of years, I came to conclude that hate is basically unconquerable https://abakht.wordpress.com/category/holocaust/ but with this great victory of Sadiq Khan over the politics of fear made me change my mind. Important to note that Muslims and people of Pakistani origin are only 12% and 9% of the population of London respectively and yet overwhelming majority voted to select a son of a bus driver over a elite son of billionaire (otherwise not a bad man himself). Your piece confirmed my optimism. Thank you very much.
7
Woven through these themes of 'national identity' and 'going back to the good old days', are the subtexts of racial identity, and yes, racial purity. Now I'm not saying that every Trump supporter is a racist or a white supremacist, but denying that undercurrent is there won't make it go away, and indeed, it must go away.
It's undeniable that demographic shifts mostly due to birth rates, are making our world more 'black and brown', and that many people see this as a grave threat. Fortunately, most people don't. The same with the increasing numbers of mixed race children being born.
It's undeniable that demographic shifts mostly due to birth rates, are making our world more 'black and brown', and that many people see this as a grave threat. Fortunately, most people don't. The same with the increasing numbers of mixed race children being born.
2
Congratulations to Mayor Sadiq Khan. When I heard of his election, I remembered my father, a leftist and anti-colonial academic who wanted to be born in England in his next birth if there was a next birth. When asked why he would say because of the invention of a constitutional monarchy.
4
well what do know, America first by an American. who would have thunk it. Perhaps those from Britton have a britton first attitude, so what wrong
2
Ever learn to spell in grade school?
1
@Marjie:
Were you not taught how to write in complete sentences?
Were you not taught how to write in complete sentences?
1
After you get off of your high horse, Mr. Cohen, maybe you can examine the effect this "rebuke" is going to have on Britain and the rest of Europe. Every time a political action is taken to put a "white dude" is his place, UKIP, FN, AfD, etc. gain strength.
You write as though Khan's election will unite people, while at the same time you chastise anyone who doesn't love that a Muslim who claims Muslims are not more responsible for terrorism than other groups is mayor of London. You also chastise anyone who doesn't generally believe that less white people should be in charge in Europe--race matters so little that it is, in fact, the most important factor by your logic. You claim your ideology unites and insult anyone who disagrees without ever noticing the irony. Just as much as the terrorism and mass migration that give the right wing its platform, this holier than thou shaming and cries of bigotry and racism (when they are illegitimate) from liberals feed the right wingers who gain in popularity every day.
Thank you, multicultural left, for doing your part to stoke tensions in the West over this tricky and complex issue. When the extremists (Islamist and nationalist) rule the day, the blood is on your hands as well.
You write as though Khan's election will unite people, while at the same time you chastise anyone who doesn't love that a Muslim who claims Muslims are not more responsible for terrorism than other groups is mayor of London. You also chastise anyone who doesn't generally believe that less white people should be in charge in Europe--race matters so little that it is, in fact, the most important factor by your logic. You claim your ideology unites and insult anyone who disagrees without ever noticing the irony. Just as much as the terrorism and mass migration that give the right wing its platform, this holier than thou shaming and cries of bigotry and racism (when they are illegitimate) from liberals feed the right wingers who gain in popularity every day.
Thank you, multicultural left, for doing your part to stoke tensions in the West over this tricky and complex issue. When the extremists (Islamist and nationalist) rule the day, the blood is on your hands as well.
18
Thank you, Kurt, for brilliantly and curtly making Roger's point for him all by yourself.
4
So Europeans should only elect white people to prevent the rise of FN, AfD, etc..? Strange logic at best
4
As a practicing Catholic I applaud Mr. Khan's election victory. Open dialogue with all of the other world's religions is the future. It is not the one espoused by the anti-Christian Donald Trump that trumpets religious exclusion.
1
SADIQ KHAN Is the new face of Europe. His in Arabic, means, True, truthful, honest, sincere, devoted, faithful, veracious. Khan understands that diversity is a source of creativity and strength. The more invested people are in the success of their society, the better they protect what matters the most--those whom they hold dear, including family, friends and others they know. He is the anti-Trump. In fact, I hesitate to mention both names in the same breath. I wish that Khan could clone himself and come over here to the US where our grasp on reality is becoming more and more remote. Sadiq Khan's statements are fine examples of a person who is in good health, both physical and neurological. He exhibits engagement with others, support of others, values careful attention to the solution of problems and in responding to the needs of the city where he will be mayor, London. I'd say that Trump should visit him to see what competent leadership looks like, but I fear it would be a complete and utter waste of time, especially for Sadiq Khan, who is devoted to bringing London into the 21st century with honor, dignity and success. Trump, by contrast, would flush the US down the toilet, lock, scok and barrel. His farewell to the US would be, You're Disgusting! No, Donald, YOU'RE Disgusting!
2
Muslims routinely call for 'tolerance' for their medieval, illiberal beliefs and social practices. They use western rights and freedoms to weave theocracy and oppression into open societies. I'll believe Khan is sincere when he refuses to accommodate religious laws into civic code or stands up for women's rights or LBGT rights and freedoms or condemns anti-Semitism. Time will tell.
4
This is a good description of two very different opposites, Mr. Khan and Trump. First, it is very reassuring to have someone like Mr. Khan being elected as Mayor of a major international city like London, especially in the fear infested times we live in today. We had a similar moment when Barack Hussein Obama became President but it led to a nasty backlash from the forces of bigotry/racism etc which is now manifest as Trump. I hope, as an optimist, that should not be the case in London, keeping my fingers crossed!
3
We in the US are not defined by Trump. After all we have shown ourselves able to stretch to where we elected Obama twice. And we'll now probably elect a woman as President. I cheer for Khan and London but it could happen here. For example, Minnesota has a Muslim in the US House of Representatives and Minneapolis just elected a Somali American to its city council.
3
Lies and dishonesty here Roger. You certainly don't know that Trump would forbid Khan to visit. Trump said he wanted to prevent Muslims not to enter only to the extent we could not figure out they weren't terrorists. This obviously would not apply to the London Mayor. There is a systematic vilifying of Trump in the press by elite journalists who spend their time criticizing anything without having done anything productive in their life. There is also their followers who can't think for themselves and love to become angry and fearful at D Trump predicting without reason the end to all - like some many commentators here. They take any analogy and apply it without rigor. Protecting one nation's borders become a crime, a holocaust. It is sad to realize people against Trump are more delusional than the Trump they imagine. Worst, the more delusional, the more lessons they want to teach, and that goes for Cohen who's telling us the end of the world is near, and that it is really great for London to have a muslim mayor. To receive such praise before being in office, It's a little bit like Obama receiving the Nobel prize without lifting a finger. And look where we are now: the worst refugees crisis of modern times, Syria and Libya. So please Roger bestow your blames and praises after the facts, not before - or you'll belong to the same category of people you despise.
4
All reporters for any news service should demand an answer from Trump now about his ban on Muslims. Force Trump to explain what he will do about any visiting head of state, dignitary, business person or United Nations member who is Muslim. All you journalists must demand an answer from Trump now. We the people need to know before this election.
3
Trump has said in a recent interview that there will be exceptions for diplomatic meetings and "other things."
3
While I do applaud Mr. Khan's electoral success, I would like to point out that he might represent the exception rather than the rule as far as Muslims integration in European society. If ALL Muslims in Europe were to accept European values, with particular emphasis on the treatment of women and acceptance of other religions, we certainly would not have the integration problems they still face in the United Kingdom, France and other European countries.
Finally, I cannot see what Trump has to do with Khan's election or what we in the United States should read in it. Mr. Trump's success is due to a complete revolt of a portion of the American electorate against a political system that is no longer in touch with the voters. After at least 16 years of political gridlock most American voters - and I am one of them - just want to get rid of all of them! Unfortunately, until we get to a simpler and more democratic electoral system, the current situation - Trump or no Trump - will persist.
Finally, I cannot see what Trump has to do with Khan's election or what we in the United States should read in it. Mr. Trump's success is due to a complete revolt of a portion of the American electorate against a political system that is no longer in touch with the voters. After at least 16 years of political gridlock most American voters - and I am one of them - just want to get rid of all of them! Unfortunately, until we get to a simpler and more democratic electoral system, the current situation - Trump or no Trump - will persist.
3
There is such a wide range of views among the billions of Islamic thinkers and believers. In the west we tend to lump them together as terrorists and thus our fear over rules getting to know them. It is heartening to know that Londoners are willing to go beyond fears to listening to what Mr. Khan says and voting for him.
On the other hand Trump represents the shutting down of our culture to any sort of understanding and our capitulation to fear. Sad. Very sad.
On the other hand Trump represents the shutting down of our culture to any sort of understanding and our capitulation to fear. Sad. Very sad.
4
Choosing a Muslim mayor is a first for Londoners and a positive development for integration. But it needs to be put into context! According to Wikipedia: "At the 2011 census London had a population of 8,173,941. Of this number, 44.9% were White British. 37% of the population were born outside the UK, including 24.5% born outside of Europe." In other words, London is not representative of Europe - or England. Considering the U-turn against immigration in the rest of Europe, it appears that what happens in London stays in London!
3
Yes, great, isn't it?
2
"The most important event of recent weeks...was not the emergence of Donald J.Trump...but the electoral victory of Sadiq Khan". Whoa Roger, we know you're an Anglophile,but does London have its own Nuclear weapons? Will Sadiq Khan have nuclear codes? Will Sadiq Khan command the most powerful military force in world history? A little hyperbole is to be expected, but it morphs into absurdity in Roger's quote. Sadiq Khan's election in a cosmopolitan melting pot where over 1/3 of the population is foreign born, with an extensive Muslim population, is the exception that underlines the precipitous descent of the rest of the world into tribal entities separated by ethnic,sectarian, and racial fault lines."Khan's victory represents currents...that will prove stronger over time...than the tribalism and nativism of Trump" How much time Roger? Current events in Afghanistan,Syria, Africa, Europe, Iraq, and the U.S. totally invalidate your contention.
3
The nations with the most Muslims on Earth are Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. All of these nation states had or have female heads of state and/or government in nominally civil secular parliamentary democracies. All of these nation states have majority Sunni Muslims within many different ethnic groups. Only 20% of the planet's 1.6 billion Muslims are Arabs. None of these nations are American foes nor dependents.
India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons and are not parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. None of these nations except Pakistan receive any significant American primarily military aid. India is the world number one arms buyer. America is the world number one arms seller.
Sadiq Khan is United Kingdom British by birth and Indian Pakistani Punjabi Muslim by parental national origin, ethnicity and faith. The United Kingdom is America's closest and most important ally. Trump should welcome Khan or any Muslim leader from Indonesia, Pakistan, India or Bangladesh.
Trump should instead declare persona non grata King Benjamin Netanyahu and his ilk from the Zionist Jewish Israeli Empire of ethnic sectarian supremacist colonial occupation, blockade/siege, exile and 2nd class Jim Crow citizenship and apartheid. Since the end of World War II, tiny tyrant Israel has been the number one recipient of American military aid. Israel denies the humanity and equality of 6 million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis under it's dominion with nukes.
India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons and are not parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. None of these nations except Pakistan receive any significant American primarily military aid. India is the world number one arms buyer. America is the world number one arms seller.
Sadiq Khan is United Kingdom British by birth and Indian Pakistani Punjabi Muslim by parental national origin, ethnicity and faith. The United Kingdom is America's closest and most important ally. Trump should welcome Khan or any Muslim leader from Indonesia, Pakistan, India or Bangladesh.
Trump should instead declare persona non grata King Benjamin Netanyahu and his ilk from the Zionist Jewish Israeli Empire of ethnic sectarian supremacist colonial occupation, blockade/siege, exile and 2nd class Jim Crow citizenship and apartheid. Since the end of World War II, tiny tyrant Israel has been the number one recipient of American military aid. Israel denies the humanity and equality of 6 million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis under it's dominion with nukes.
5
"the Zionist Jewish Israeli Empire of ethnic sectarian supremacist colonial occupation, blockade/siege, exile and 2nd class Jim Crow citizenship and apartheid." blah blah blah (throwing up sound).
Did you forget to take your medication this morning?
Kafka couldn't have made this up. A rank anti-semite ranting about hate coming from someone else. I don't expect you to fathom the irony in all this.
Did you forget to take your medication this morning?
Kafka couldn't have made this up. A rank anti-semite ranting about hate coming from someone else. I don't expect you to fathom the irony in all this.
10
You're right about Kafka - here, you object to someone accusing Israel of practicing state racism.
It's "hate" to decry Israel's hate, is it?
Are there a lot of other countries where a top religious leaders said other peoples were "born to serve them"?
Do you think the occupation and the settlement process isn't racist, or, is it that you simply believe Israel must never be criticized?
It's "hate" to decry Israel's hate, is it?
Are there a lot of other countries where a top religious leaders said other peoples were "born to serve them"?
Do you think the occupation and the settlement process isn't racist, or, is it that you simply believe Israel must never be criticized?
5
The Jews have returned to the ancestral homeland. They don't owe anyone an apology -- especially to haters like you. The fact that people like you obsess over a minor grouping of Arabs who just "happen" to be in conflict with the Jewish state, but could care less about the Tibetans, the Kurds, the illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus etc speaks for itself.
Israel was more than willing to compromise over historical land which was stolen from them and controlled by one conqueror to the next, the present being Arabs who started settling in the 8th Century and accelerated the process in the 19th. If the Arabs refuse to recognize the Jews have a right to be there, wish to spread the blood libel of supposed genocide -- never mind their population has grown five times since 1948, wish to spread the lie the Jews have no history there, reject EVERY peace proposal ever tabled that would have given them a state 60 years ago and onward, and continue to dream of destroying a country that is now 8.5 million people in which ALL its citizens have the right to vote, attend the same institutions of higher learning and participate in government with full freedom of speech -- rights not found in any Arab country -- then that's their problem. And yours.
Israel was more than willing to compromise over historical land which was stolen from them and controlled by one conqueror to the next, the present being Arabs who started settling in the 8th Century and accelerated the process in the 19th. If the Arabs refuse to recognize the Jews have a right to be there, wish to spread the blood libel of supposed genocide -- never mind their population has grown five times since 1948, wish to spread the lie the Jews have no history there, reject EVERY peace proposal ever tabled that would have given them a state 60 years ago and onward, and continue to dream of destroying a country that is now 8.5 million people in which ALL its citizens have the right to vote, attend the same institutions of higher learning and participate in government with full freedom of speech -- rights not found in any Arab country -- then that's their problem. And yours.
8
Donald Trump,★☆☆☆☆
Not recommended. Trump typifies everything that is wrong and miss-guided in our greed based system. Perhaps if he gave some of those billions back to the people that earned it, then he would earn some votes. These billionaires and corporations are taking greed to a hate crime level. History has shown that entire collapse of civilizations was because of these corrupt and greedy persons hording the wealth of everyone. In my opinion they are guilty of crimes against humanity and an affront to the working American and every person on Earth. Trump's form of egoist sociopath y is a danger to all. His star belongs on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk and not in the White House.
Not recommended. Trump typifies everything that is wrong and miss-guided in our greed based system. Perhaps if he gave some of those billions back to the people that earned it, then he would earn some votes. These billionaires and corporations are taking greed to a hate crime level. History has shown that entire collapse of civilizations was because of these corrupt and greedy persons hording the wealth of everyone. In my opinion they are guilty of crimes against humanity and an affront to the working American and every person on Earth. Trump's form of egoist sociopath y is a danger to all. His star belongs on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk and not in the White House.
Donald Trump,★☆☆☆☆
Not recommended. Trump typifies everything that is wrong and miss-guided in our greed based system. Perhaps if he gave some of those billions back to the people that earned it, then he would earn some votes. These billionaires and corporations are taking greed to a hate crime level. History has shown that entire collapse of civilizations was because of these corrupt and greedy persons hording the wealth of everyone. In my opinion they are guilty of crimes against humanity and an affront to the working American and every person on Earth. Trump's form of greedy egoist sociopath y is a danger to all. His star belongs on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk and not in the White House.
Not recommended. Trump typifies everything that is wrong and miss-guided in our greed based system. Perhaps if he gave some of those billions back to the people that earned it, then he would earn some votes. These billionaires and corporations are taking greed to a hate crime level. History has shown that entire collapse of civilizations was because of these corrupt and greedy persons hording the wealth of everyone. In my opinion they are guilty of crimes against humanity and an affront to the working American and every person on Earth. Trump's form of greedy egoist sociopath y is a danger to all. His star belongs on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk and not in the White House.
1
'The world of the 21st century is going to be shaped by such elided, many- faceted identities and by the booming cities that celebrate diversity, not by some bullying, brash, bigoted, “America first” white dude who wants to build walls.'
Thank you Mr. Cohen!
And I have tried to comment exactly the same quite often in the comment section of the NYT - but it never passed moderation - it must have been my use of the word: dude for Drumpf?
Thank you Mr. Cohen!
And I have tried to comment exactly the same quite often in the comment section of the NYT - but it never passed moderation - it must have been my use of the word: dude for Drumpf?
2
If the less then honest NYT really read what Trump said originally that no Muslims from failed governments where we can't verify what and who they are will be accepted till we can't guarantee their screening procedures. He welcomed Muslims who are citizens of legitimate states.
Isn't it embarrassing that a new face like Khan is in London and in the US we have a re-tread and failed Secretary of State like Hillary who is in the pocket of Wall Street and who is a misogynistic enabler of a abusive former impeached president for sexual molestation!
Isn't it embarrassing that a new face like Khan is in London and in the US we have a re-tread and failed Secretary of State like Hillary who is in the pocket of Wall Street and who is a misogynistic enabler of a abusive former impeached president for sexual molestation!
2
Errr don't get your point.
I watched the last pre-election TV debate between Kahn and Goldsmith last week and felt awe, admiration, and sadness. Awe because this was a brilliant, real debate between two very smart and respectful politicians. The moderator was long-time BBC intellectual/commentator Kirsty Wark. If Khan is the anti-Trump, Wark is the anti-person for the shallow, false-eyelash world of stupid questions that Fox and CNN gives us. Wark, who looked almost refreshingly dowdy, held both candidates' feet to the fire and they were not allowed to wiggle their way out of anything. She clearly got the job because of her brain. When I compared this with the state of American politics and its buffoonery, that's when I felt the sadness. London has long been my favorite city in the world. Today it is the most diverse place one can visit. And now I admire the people of London so much for electing their own "Bernie" . . . sticking it in the face of Islamophobes everything . . . jolly good show!
452
Americans would greatly benefit by taking the time to watch the BBC or Chanel 4 online, and witness probing, insightful, curious and demanding journalists do the job they are paid to do .... unlike what passes as pasty-faced, shallow and spluttering so-called T.V. personalities. And what great credit I give to London for having the intelligence to past the baton to Sadiq Khan, a most eminent and qualified lawyer, and well-primed for the job on hand. We are looking more and more like tiny-minded buffoons daily.
5
You're spot on Gerald. I lived in London for 13 years. When I first moved there I was horrified by the prospect of paying a "television licence fee" to support the BBC. Surely my freedom of speech was being infringed upon!
When I left London I realized that the BBC was one of the finest, most important cultural institutions of modern Britain. An example to the world of how news media are to conduct themselves.
When I left London I realized that the BBC was one of the finest, most important cultural institutions of modern Britain. An example to the world of how news media are to conduct themselves.
3
Sorry. I fail to see any aspect of "Bernie" in the election of Mr. Khan.
Not least of because he was winning throughout the race, and actually won, but because there was never any malapropros behavior on his account at any time throughout the campaign.
Khan appealed to a large majority of Londoners (I know, I've followed the Brit Press and have asked all of my friends living there), and did not pitch himself to any one specific age-group or, race demographic at the cost of another.
In the end, that is truly what it means to represent "The People".
Congratulations to the Lord Mayor of London.
Not least of because he was winning throughout the race, and actually won, but because there was never any malapropros behavior on his account at any time throughout the campaign.
Khan appealed to a large majority of Londoners (I know, I've followed the Brit Press and have asked all of my friends living there), and did not pitch himself to any one specific age-group or, race demographic at the cost of another.
In the end, that is truly what it means to represent "The People".
Congratulations to the Lord Mayor of London.
2
I don't know Mr. Kahn so I can't say what he will be or not be; however, I do know one thing the UK government could start taking a stand against extremism by eliminating the funding of relgious schools now and I mean religious schools of all religions. It's time that secular governments stop supporting relgious education. I hope Mr. Kahn will support that first step.
For now I just say congratulations to him and best wishes for a good term as Mayor.
For now I just say congratulations to him and best wishes for a good term as Mayor.
7
yes you are correct .
the minority UK candidates reinforced Sadiq Khan 's credentials and stature by comparison. London elects its mayor by majority of primary and secondary choices. Khan was the clear winner by primary ballot, but addition of secondary reinforced majority. More parties with more choices. what a great concept.
5
The position of mayor of London is largely ceremonial.
Sadiq Khan's opponent was an obnoxious billionaire (and Jew), so it is difficult to swallow Cohen's conclusions about the defeat of "racism" etc.
That Sadiq Khan's personal mandate is the biggest ever in British history is a result of the fact that British constituencies - be they parliamentary or city-wide - are nor large enough to produce as many votes as he got.
That Sadiq will be denounced as the Muslim equivalent of an Uncle Tom is inevitable. Let's hope he succeeds. Let's hope too that Cohen's facile comparison between his current country (the USA) and his most recent one (the UK) doesn't extend to his next.
Sadiq Khan's opponent was an obnoxious billionaire (and Jew), so it is difficult to swallow Cohen's conclusions about the defeat of "racism" etc.
That Sadiq Khan's personal mandate is the biggest ever in British history is a result of the fact that British constituencies - be they parliamentary or city-wide - are nor large enough to produce as many votes as he got.
That Sadiq will be denounced as the Muslim equivalent of an Uncle Tom is inevitable. Let's hope he succeeds. Let's hope too that Cohen's facile comparison between his current country (the USA) and his most recent one (the UK) doesn't extend to his next.
This is not true. The position of Lord Mayor is largely ceremonial and totally confined to the City of London which is the financial centre. The Mayor of London is a completely entity and is democratically elected, he has responsibilty for police,transport and other infrastucture related things. He is answerable to the London Assembly.
2
You may be confusing the title of Lord Mayor of London, whose position is indeed largely ceremonial, and whose constituency is the City of London, with the Mayor of London who presides over a budget the size of a small country, the police and many other administrative functions, like the mayors of many cities in the USA.
4
The position of mayor of London is not largely ceremonial, though the position of Lord Mayor is. Sadiq Khan's opponent is not particularly obnoxious (especially when compared with other Tory politicians) and he is only half Jewish on his father's side.
I don't understand your statement about British constituencies.
I don't understand your statement about British constituencies.
4
Mr Cohen, were you running out of time? By comparing these two men in their own elections you are making a very facile and therefore pointless argument.
Donald Trump does represent the anger, fear, racism, etc etc that exists in America but you seem to go an incongruous step further to present his imminent success in securing the GOP nomination as an overall symptom of what really is happening in America.
Sadiq Khan does represent the very high level of multiculturalism, inclusion, compromise, hope, etc etc that exists in London but also incongruously you then seem to present his success in securing the mayorship as an example of European progressivism representing "currents in the world"
However, you then go on to conveniently forget that the UK has Nigel Farage who recently took UKIP to a whole new level in UK politics. Farage and his party made huge inroads not in London but across many other parts of the country mostly with white, working-class Britons who feel disenfranchised, are angry and afraid and who fear immigration and fiercely back "Brexit". You can find very similar examples across Western Europe where fear and anger, bigotry and racism are the mainstay of very strong far-right parties.
Houston, Texas had a lesbian mayor for 12 years (3 terms) -- I don't recall much being written about her success or about Houston being a beacon of progressivism in an age when the Tea Party saw its birth and growth with many of its fans in Texas.
Donald Trump does represent the anger, fear, racism, etc etc that exists in America but you seem to go an incongruous step further to present his imminent success in securing the GOP nomination as an overall symptom of what really is happening in America.
Sadiq Khan does represent the very high level of multiculturalism, inclusion, compromise, hope, etc etc that exists in London but also incongruously you then seem to present his success in securing the mayorship as an example of European progressivism representing "currents in the world"
However, you then go on to conveniently forget that the UK has Nigel Farage who recently took UKIP to a whole new level in UK politics. Farage and his party made huge inroads not in London but across many other parts of the country mostly with white, working-class Britons who feel disenfranchised, are angry and afraid and who fear immigration and fiercely back "Brexit". You can find very similar examples across Western Europe where fear and anger, bigotry and racism are the mainstay of very strong far-right parties.
Houston, Texas had a lesbian mayor for 12 years (3 terms) -- I don't recall much being written about her success or about Houston being a beacon of progressivism in an age when the Tea Party saw its birth and growth with many of its fans in Texas.
9
I guess Roger Cohen missed Sadiq Khan calling moderate Muslim groups "Uncle Toms". That little fact would ruin the "narrative". Try finding reference to this anywhere on this site. Then go look at the English press. Why the suppression of facts?
20
Please support your statements with factual references.
2
And Mr. Khan has apologized. How many times has "The Donald" apologized? For ANYthing?
1
Got a cite, other than "the English press"?
1
One hopes the mayor of London and the Prime Minister concur. Ban the The Donald from invading your shores, Great Britain. This man's a menace to society. Right now his infectious ideas permeate the United States. There is no need to let this social decease spread beyond our borders. Trump needs to be quarantined. We must not let this guy leave the country.
Britons, stand fast, along with other nations of the world. Do not let this virus spread and become a worldwide plague upon you. We Americans will do are best to make sure this pariah goes no further come Fall. You have been forewarned.
DD
Manhattan
Britons, stand fast, along with other nations of the world. Do not let this virus spread and become a worldwide plague upon you. We Americans will do are best to make sure this pariah goes no further come Fall. You have been forewarned.
DD
Manhattan
10
Your article says that he is one of 7 children. Wikipedia lists him as being one of 8 children.
How many millions of dollars did it cost the British taxpayers to support Khan’s Pakistani immigrant father who chose to have 8 children – socialist education, housing, medical care? How many British families can afford to have 8 children?
The human population over 7 billion means nothing but horror for other living things. Does Islam even talk about that? Most of the stress in SE Asia and the middle east is caused by overpopulation, over consumption of earth’s bounty and people pressing up against each other for limited resources. It is what causes the massive migrations.
What a hell we have created for other living things to accommodate this human population.. A world in which every day millions of creatures go to their death without knowing the least measure of human kindness. A world in which animals are in retreat all over the planet for want of habitat, and others are prized by hunters because their very existence lies in the balance. A world where animals are kept in sheds their entire lives without ever seeing sunlight until led to their death.
So, how do you write an article in the Times and so glibly pass over that number of 7 or 8?. That is what it is all about. It is time to question old assumptions.
How many millions of dollars did it cost the British taxpayers to support Khan’s Pakistani immigrant father who chose to have 8 children – socialist education, housing, medical care? How many British families can afford to have 8 children?
The human population over 7 billion means nothing but horror for other living things. Does Islam even talk about that? Most of the stress in SE Asia and the middle east is caused by overpopulation, over consumption of earth’s bounty and people pressing up against each other for limited resources. It is what causes the massive migrations.
What a hell we have created for other living things to accommodate this human population.. A world in which every day millions of creatures go to their death without knowing the least measure of human kindness. A world in which animals are in retreat all over the planet for want of habitat, and others are prized by hunters because their very existence lies in the balance. A world where animals are kept in sheds their entire lives without ever seeing sunlight until led to their death.
So, how do you write an article in the Times and so glibly pass over that number of 7 or 8?. That is what it is all about. It is time to question old assumptions.
68
One of 7 or one of 8 hardly matters here. the most important point is the people of London have elected a Muslim as their mayor. Thank God that there is the welfare system that made it possible for this man to get educated. Of course, we can now say that of the 1.5 odd millions of people who voted for him, the majority are Muslims and that too because each working class Muslim family has a large number of children.
"So, how do you write an article in the Times and so glibly pass over that number of 7 or 8?. That is what it is all about. "
No, that is not what it is all about. In fact, the column is about comparing the democratic election of Khan, a progressive Muslim, with an upcoming election involving Trump, who is as predictable as a drunken sailor with an open fly.
The column is not at all about global overpopulation or vegan shaming, so the comment is completely off-topic.
No, that is not what it is all about. In fact, the column is about comparing the democratic election of Khan, a progressive Muslim, with an upcoming election involving Trump, who is as predictable as a drunken sailor with an open fly.
The column is not at all about global overpopulation or vegan shaming, so the comment is completely off-topic.
1
It is certainly time to question old assumptions. Let's start with your comment. First, I doubt it takes "many millions of dollars" for the British taxpayers to support Mr. Khan's father and his 7 or 8 children. Yes, he grew up in public housing, but his father was a bus driver and not living on the dole as you imply.
Further, the people in my town having 8 or more children are the Catholics. Please don't suggest that our planet is overcrowded only by Muslims. If you shut down abortion and birth control as the Catholic churches and hospitals want to do, you are going to have a lot more children. Does Catholism ever talk about the overpopulation of the planet? Only very recently, in the unexpected voice of Pope Francis, who is reviled by the internal traditionalists in the Vatican. As a Catholic myself, I find my church's positions to be reprehensible vis-a-vis the planet.
So challenge old assumptions--but include all of them.
Further, the people in my town having 8 or more children are the Catholics. Please don't suggest that our planet is overcrowded only by Muslims. If you shut down abortion and birth control as the Catholic churches and hospitals want to do, you are going to have a lot more children. Does Catholism ever talk about the overpopulation of the planet? Only very recently, in the unexpected voice of Pope Francis, who is reviled by the internal traditionalists in the Vatican. As a Catholic myself, I find my church's positions to be reprehensible vis-a-vis the planet.
So challenge old assumptions--but include all of them.
4
You neglected to mention, Mayor-elect Khan has been condemned by Imams in Britain for his support of gay marriage and his encouragement of Muslims to participate in democracy. The Imams consider him guilty of apostasy against Islam, a capital offense under Sharia law. Khan also split with Labor Party leader Corbyn and supported the US drone strike that killed UK citizen 'Jihadi John' saying it made Britain safer.
In November, 2015 Khan said: “We’ve protected people’s right to live their cultural life at the expense of creating a common life. Too many British Muslims grow up without really knowing anyone from a different background, without understanding or empathizing with the lives and beliefs of others.
“And too many British people have never befriended a Muslim, never worked together, never eaten together, never played sports together. As a result, too many people have formed a single identity – too often based around their religion or ethnicity.”
In November, 2015 Khan said: “We’ve protected people’s right to live their cultural life at the expense of creating a common life. Too many British Muslims grow up without really knowing anyone from a different background, without understanding or empathizing with the lives and beliefs of others.
“And too many British people have never befriended a Muslim, never worked together, never eaten together, never played sports together. As a result, too many people have formed a single identity – too often based around their religion or ethnicity.”
27
This is precicely the "new face" of Islam that we need to bridge the gaps. No middle eastern Islam will ever be accepted or tolerated even in its "peaceful" form because that form is not peaceful. Its a lie and coward's shield to hide radical agendas. Ive befriended plenty of muslims but its not some kind of qualification for knowing right from wrong. No such friendship should ever be required, thats fascist though policing and dictating racial and societal choices.
"The Imams consider him guilty..." Names, please!
1
Why is it that even in a serious thoughtful column the author cannot stop himself from making a juvenile reference to small fingers? At least he refrained from making fun of Trump's hair.
On the positive side: That Sadiq Kahn's victory is a "rebuke to Osama bin Laden" is an excellent point and reason for celebration.
On the positive side: That Sadiq Kahn's victory is a "rebuke to Osama bin Laden" is an excellent point and reason for celebration.
12
First of all. I couldn't disagree more with the premise of your supposition.
Namely, that Donald Trump will be elected into the Oval Office.
And why you feel the need to toss that idea into the ring is beyond me.
Mr. Khan has enough hard-earned merits of his own to write about, and the ubiquitous Mr. Trump is most definitely not lacking in any form of coverage. At this point the interest and emphasis should be in how to stop him, not on what kind of miserably shallow President he would make.
And one can only hope that for the most part, Americans already know that.
Namely, that Donald Trump will be elected into the Oval Office.
And why you feel the need to toss that idea into the ring is beyond me.
Mr. Khan has enough hard-earned merits of his own to write about, and the ubiquitous Mr. Trump is most definitely not lacking in any form of coverage. At this point the interest and emphasis should be in how to stop him, not on what kind of miserably shallow President he would make.
And one can only hope that for the most part, Americans already know that.
27
One can not make stand the impossibility of Trumplestiltskin's election in light of the enduring negatives carried by Hillary Clinton, partnered with her utter lack of charisma on the stump, and her propensity for the appallingly flip, superior sound bite (two examples: in Appalachia, "we're going to put a lot of coal miners, and coal companies, out of businesses." About Qaddafi: "we came, we saw, he died.")
Now link that to Mencken's quip: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
It COULD happen here...
Now link that to Mencken's quip: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
It COULD happen here...
1
Sorry, ND, disagree all you wish, but Trump's election is a real possibility. Cohen has a perfect right to contrast Trump with Khan. They represent two very different personal styles and two very different political platforms. For all its variations in recent years, the Labour Party is not a right-wing Tory machine. For all his variations, Trump is not a man of the people, but thinks he knows enough about us to solve our problems. I am not a malfunctioning light switch; neither am I a golf green with weeds threatening my smooth surface.
The GOP may fracture. Or it may rally around Trump--he's already backed off on his mouthings about taxes. Heck, it isn't after Labor Day yet. It isn't even June,
The GOP may fracture. Or it may rally around Trump--he's already backed off on his mouthings about taxes. Heck, it isn't after Labor Day yet. It isn't even June,
Sorry; after my own half century of political involvement, I don't share your confidence in the American electorate. Given that ~30% would vote for, in polite terms, a baloney sandwich, as long as it had "R" after its name, repetition of what's at stake this November is no vice.
I think some sections of the US Media are overdoing the 'xenophobia' and racist reports based on isolated incidents in airplanes and other places. Thousands of people fly everyday and 2 incidents does not mean the whole country is afraid of Muslims and brown people. I have lived for 3 years in the US and can say that I seldom faced any discrimination due to my nationality or skin color.
As for Trump, he is more of an isolationist than a racist. When your society is being fundamentally transformed due to immigration and globalization, it is natural to expect a backlash and a yearning to go back to the 'good old days'. This is what I feel is happening among some Americans, especially those who haven't adapted to the changing America. Trump is simply an outlet for such people.
As for Trump, he is more of an isolationist than a racist. When your society is being fundamentally transformed due to immigration and globalization, it is natural to expect a backlash and a yearning to go back to the 'good old days'. This is what I feel is happening among some Americans, especially those who haven't adapted to the changing America. Trump is simply an outlet for such people.
108
Is our society being fundamentally transformed by immigration? Is this true? Can you prove it? If so, how is this different from any time in the past? Aren't we a nation of immigrants?
Globalization clearly very important. What about income and wealth inequality? Seems just as important if not more. Also the relatively flimsy social safety net.
The popularity of Trump doesn't fit with these issues. The blame is shifted away from austerity loving republicans on to the "other."
Globalization clearly very important. What about income and wealth inequality? Seems just as important if not more. Also the relatively flimsy social safety net.
The popularity of Trump doesn't fit with these issues. The blame is shifted away from austerity loving republicans on to the "other."
You have been in this country three years. You have a lot to learn. Many in the US have faced a lifetime of discrimination. The events you see and read in the news are not made up. Many people have real cause to be angry.
Whether you have experienced discrimination personally or not, this is a big part of the history of this country.
Whether you have experienced discrimination personally or not, this is a big part of the history of this country.
1
I favor going back to the racial composition of the US in 1491.
Yeah, Roger, Trump is a problem, but your journalistic over-reactions about him are a bigger problem. Tying Trump to the two airline passengers removed from planes is absurd. In the aftermath of numerous terrorist attacks, the liberal media and government spokespersons have been telling us to report suspicious behavior.
And tho Kahn spoke out against the attack against the French cartoonists, as reported in the NY Times this week, he did so in 'measured' terms - meaning he never said those cartoonists had a right to publish satiric cartoons of Mohammud, or any similar reassurances to his Brittish co-citizens that they too have a right to be critical of the teachings of Islam that applaud the killing of those disbelievers who refuse to submit to it.
And Roger, a snide 'little fingers' remark? Really?
And tho Kahn spoke out against the attack against the French cartoonists, as reported in the NY Times this week, he did so in 'measured' terms - meaning he never said those cartoonists had a right to publish satiric cartoons of Mohammud, or any similar reassurances to his Brittish co-citizens that they too have a right to be critical of the teachings of Islam that applaud the killing of those disbelievers who refuse to submit to it.
And Roger, a snide 'little fingers' remark? Really?
12
WONDERFUL column!
Roger, why not mention the Christian & Jewish mayors that have done so well lately in Muslim cities?
21
Perfect! And far too subtle for the majority of these Hillary Clinton supporters condemned to go thru life with their leftwing blinders firmly attached.
4
Not too subtle. Far too stupid and racist. What Muslim cities and countries are doing does not reflect on what we should be doing. After all, we claim to be the ones standing for freedom and tolerance.
1
"Far too stupid and racist."
Stupid?
Couldn't fool you, could I, Marty!
Stupid?
Couldn't fool you, could I, Marty!
Thank you, Roger Cohen. Your elegantly written columns are always among the first I turn to, even though I do not always agree with your views. This column is one of those that not only do I welcome (and agree with) but also consider to be of the greatest importance for American readers of the NY Times.
10
“I have learned to listen and trust my gut."...said Trump.
Oh no not another one! I remember you well...George Bush and what your gut spewed forth.
Oh no not another one! I remember you well...George Bush and what your gut spewed forth.
24
Yes great idea electing Mr. Khan,Mr Cohen, "London’s new Muslim mayor calls moderate Muslims “Uncle Toms”“Sadiq Khan issues grovelling apology after video shows him using ‘Uncle Toms’ slur against moderate Muslims,”May 4, 2016.So no problem with that Mr. Cohen, oh I forgot he apologized and said he is but a moderate Muslim.Which makes everything ok? Happy are Islamic supremacists worldwide: members of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), the party of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the majority party in the nation’s National Assembly, held up a sign emblazoned: “Heartiest Congratulation to Sadiq Khan 1st Muslim Mayor of London who defeated millionaire Jew Zec Goldsmith.” Other problematic aspects of Mr. Khan's record,A letter to the Guardian in the wake of the 7/7 terrorist bombings on London, blaming terrorism on British Government policy.
His legal defence of Zacarias Moussaoui, a 9/11 terrorist who confessed to being a member of Al Qaeda.
His chapter in a book, entitled ‘Actions Against the Police’ which advises on how to bring charges against the police for “racism”. This is the same police force that Mr. Khan as London mayor would exercise authority over.
His defence of Islamist extremist Azzam Tamimi.
But Mr. Trump is so much more terrifying Mr. Cohen?
His legal defence of Zacarias Moussaoui, a 9/11 terrorist who confessed to being a member of Al Qaeda.
His chapter in a book, entitled ‘Actions Against the Police’ which advises on how to bring charges against the police for “racism”. This is the same police force that Mr. Khan as London mayor would exercise authority over.
His defence of Islamist extremist Azzam Tamimi.
But Mr. Trump is so much more terrifying Mr. Cohen?
22
Got any cites to your "facts"?
"It is worth noting that under the ban on Muslim noncitizens entering the country that Trump proposes, Khan would not be allowed to visit the United States."
I always thought that Trump was talking about immigration and people who can not be vetted. This is twisting facts by Mr. Cohen.
"His election is important because the most effective voices against Islamist terrorism come from Muslims, and Khan has been prepared to speak out. After the Paris attacks last year, he said in a speech that Muslims had a “special role” to play in countering the terrorism “not because we are more responsible than others, as some have wrongly claimed, but because we can be more effective at tackling extremism than anyone else.”
Excellent words. Unfortunately, he is in minority. Forgive me if I am wrong but Muslims in New York protested not ISIS attacks but police surveillance. I do not remember reading about protesting ISIS attacks by Muslims anywhere in the world.
Looks like Mr. Kahn is different than the majority of Muslims and I am happy for him. Hopefully, he will be a role model for young Muslims and not only for them.
I always thought that Trump was talking about immigration and people who can not be vetted. This is twisting facts by Mr. Cohen.
"His election is important because the most effective voices against Islamist terrorism come from Muslims, and Khan has been prepared to speak out. After the Paris attacks last year, he said in a speech that Muslims had a “special role” to play in countering the terrorism “not because we are more responsible than others, as some have wrongly claimed, but because we can be more effective at tackling extremism than anyone else.”
Excellent words. Unfortunately, he is in minority. Forgive me if I am wrong but Muslims in New York protested not ISIS attacks but police surveillance. I do not remember reading about protesting ISIS attacks by Muslims anywhere in the world.
Looks like Mr. Kahn is different than the majority of Muslims and I am happy for him. Hopefully, he will be a role model for young Muslims and not only for them.
12
@Alex: Did you attend any protests against ISIS attacks? I haven't heard about any such protests being held in NYC. Trump wants to keep all Muslims out until "we can figure out what's going on." I'm not sure how he's going to determine who's a Muslim and who isn't (it's not like Muslims are blue-skinned or carry Muslim DNA) but his attitude is both obnoxious and un-American and probably unconstitutional. I'd sooner cast my vote for Mr. Khan or for that matter Genghis Khan.
10
Dear New York Times commentators,
Stop writing about this man. It is the press that drove him to the nomination by their unceasing coverage, treating him like a celebrity. Please learn from your mistakes and do not continue to cover him -- you will drive him to the White House, and all of us will be losers. Look at the front page today, it's all about him and not at all about the Dems. Please stop your fascination with this "reality star."
Stop writing about this man. It is the press that drove him to the nomination by their unceasing coverage, treating him like a celebrity. Please learn from your mistakes and do not continue to cover him -- you will drive him to the White House, and all of us will be losers. Look at the front page today, it's all about him and not at all about the Dems. Please stop your fascination with this "reality star."
2
Half of the faith comes from honesty and there is no important of the other half comes from wheter jews,christianity or muslim.I think god sent us different prophets because the misinterpret of the previous one.It is not important a jews,christian or a muslim manages my city the important is how much honesty with he will manage.
1
Comparing Trump and Khan is an insult to Khan.
6
Instead of “Sadiq Khan vs. Donald Trump,” a more apt title for Roger Cohen’s column might have been “Hope vs. Fear,” or “Inclusion vs. Exclusion,” or “Knowledge vs. Ignorance,” or, in terms that the Donald would best understand, “Winner vs. Loser.”
1
While I like the article about Khan, you didn't need to include Trump except incidentally. Trump is not news, even bad news. The real news is about the issues that come up in the Sanders Clinton primary. You need op-eds about that.
Stop pandering to Trump. Stop talking about him. He is not worthy of notice.
Stop pandering to Trump. Stop talking about him. He is not worthy of notice.
6
What has become of the New York Times’ policy of referring to a person’s race only when race is relevant? Why refer to Donald Trump as a “white dude” in an article that does not involve race? Sadiq Khan’s surname indicates he most likely has both Asian and Caucasian ancestry, but he would normally be classified as white. But Trump has not proposed shutting down Asian immigration. So why does Roger Cohen apply the racial slur “white dude” to Donald Trump? Does Roger Cohen imagine that Muslims are a racial group rather than a religious group? Has the New York Times Manual of Style and Usage redefined race?
9
you are kidding, right ? Mr Cohen can call him anything he wants. This is an op-ed piece.And The Noisemaker is a white dude.
It obviously conforms to the Liberal MSM stylebook which has been enforced for quite some time. All whites are to be distinctly identified as such, especially those holding Conservative views, while non-whites need not be identified as such all the time.
Mr Cohen would do well to read today's column by Maajid Nawaz in the Daily Beast in order to get a better informed view of Sadiq Khan.
Mr Nawaz was an Islamist extremist who was represented by Mr Khan when Mr Khan was a lawyer practicing human rights defense. He knew Mr Khan well. He presents a nuanced view of Mr Khan as a liberal Muslim but one who regularly associated with Islamic extremists in both professional and personal capacities. Mr Nawaz's theory is that Mr Khan did so for political purposes in order to broaden his appeal among the Islamic Pakistani population in London.
So rather than some beacon of light, Mr Khan may be just as much a political opportunist as Donald Trump, although more nuanced in his approach. Only time will tell. As I recall, Mr Cohen was an ardent supporter of the Arab Spring Not, whose journalist fanned aura of liberalism also proved somewhat premature in the face of Islamic fundamentalism.
We can only hope that Mr Khan will prove to be as secularly influential to the Muslim community that Mr Cohen deems him to be. It's way too early to assume that he will prove able to bridge the divide between Islamic culture and secular liberal culture even if his personal example may yet prove to be exemplary.
Mr Nawaz was an Islamist extremist who was represented by Mr Khan when Mr Khan was a lawyer practicing human rights defense. He knew Mr Khan well. He presents a nuanced view of Mr Khan as a liberal Muslim but one who regularly associated with Islamic extremists in both professional and personal capacities. Mr Nawaz's theory is that Mr Khan did so for political purposes in order to broaden his appeal among the Islamic Pakistani population in London.
So rather than some beacon of light, Mr Khan may be just as much a political opportunist as Donald Trump, although more nuanced in his approach. Only time will tell. As I recall, Mr Cohen was an ardent supporter of the Arab Spring Not, whose journalist fanned aura of liberalism also proved somewhat premature in the face of Islamic fundamentalism.
We can only hope that Mr Khan will prove to be as secularly influential to the Muslim community that Mr Cohen deems him to be. It's way too early to assume that he will prove able to bridge the divide between Islamic culture and secular liberal culture even if his personal example may yet prove to be exemplary.
5
I really do not trust this paper on any issue related to Islam. They have a long history of dishonesty that is all about pretending that Muslims are great people.
1
Great column! Inclusion is the way we win, as the British have shown us. With over a billion Muslims in the world, we have no choice but to get along with them.
3
On Ken Livingston and Hitler...much writing can be read that says many Jews were not in favor of having a state as they feared setting off a situation where they could be more easily targeted. The diaspora was more reasonable to some. Their fears turn out to be well founded as they did not settle in an empty land and the price for having a nation gets higher and higher.
To suggest that the establishment of Israel might not have been the best of ideas is now considered anti-Semitic when once it was a vigorously discussed option, by Jews themselves. A 'what if'.
To suggest that the establishment of Israel might not have been the best of ideas is now considered anti-Semitic when once it was a vigorously discussed option, by Jews themselves. A 'what if'.
1
Yes, if the choice is between Freud and Trump, Freud wins.
Among the many differences between Sadiq Khan and Donald Trump, the most significant one is that Khan has a vision and pleads for tolerance, openness and diversity. He convinces with humanism and progressivism. Trump is quite the opposite, and has an insular, backward looking world view. He needs to incite disaffected supporters to violence during his rallies in order to win their support. Erratic and impetuous, Trump is too divisive and lacks the temperament to lead a military superpower. America will lose its international standing, with a Trump presidency.
Khan's election is historic, and it shows that there are sensible voters in Britain. But it is still too early to tell whether it could translate into a victory for the stay-camp in next month's referendum on Britain's EU membership.
Khan's election is historic, and it shows that there are sensible voters in Britain. But it is still too early to tell whether it could translate into a victory for the stay-camp in next month's referendum on Britain's EU membership.
26
This is exactly I tell to my non Muslim friends in West, that Muslim countries are the best for minorities and helping them get equal rights. Trump should learn from Islamic countries.
Reading this column, it is important to disambiguate the message. The writer is a staunch supporter of "internationalism" in likely all facets. (Well, maybe not for Israel.) And due to that fact, Hillary Clinton is most likely his candidate. Another "internationalist", who, opportunistically, will commit American assets for this venture. Presently, Europe is undergoing a "democratic transformation". (In many ways not unlike North America during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.) Immigration is proceeding from the Middle East, Central Asia and sub-Sahara Africa. Whether this new movement of populace ends successfully, from an economic and political perspective, is still in question. But the critical point, it is only an American pursuit if the electorate of the United States chooses to make it their own. And fear of the electorate, aforementioned, turning away from this undertaking (global identity and integration) is what motivates the harsh tones and directive, delineated in the article. The message: Internationalism, not nationalism.
6
I agree with President Sarkozy of France when he said that 10% of Muslims in Europe will become more European that the Europeans themselves, 80% will keep their Muslim identity but get on with life and integrate to a large extent, while the remaining 10% will reject everything about the West. Khan is clearly one of those who has made the effort to integrate and shows tolerance for all, and i commend him for this.
I'm more worried however about the 10% who reject everything about the West. And 10% of a large number is also a large number. It is for this reason that the mass importation of millions of young males from the Middle East without having a clue who they are is so dangerous. And it is for this reason that Trump is right, we need border controls and vastly reduced inward migration. That's all most people are asking for.
I'm more worried however about the 10% who reject everything about the West. And 10% of a large number is also a large number. It is for this reason that the mass importation of millions of young males from the Middle East without having a clue who they are is so dangerous. And it is for this reason that Trump is right, we need border controls and vastly reduced inward migration. That's all most people are asking for.
48
It's strange to me that if someone rejects the values of the West that they would refuse to integrate into that new community and remain in a place that they feel is unwholesome or has offensive cultural values...so why stay? I can only assume that it is due to the money & support that is so generously offered as well as being able to live, school, work in relative peace.
Thank you NYT and Mr. Cohen for a story that focuses our attention on positive trends in the world, other that just one very bad trend in our country. A lesson I learned in a statistics course I took many decades ago, which the media has not learned, is always asking the question, "what is your sample size," and then the next question, "how did you determine your sample." I understand, media ratings are based on stories that capture your attention, the reason they capture your attention is they fall outside the norm of what we expect ---what the National Enquirer makes it money at. But, daily, our mainstream media is falling into that National Enquirer mode, leaving vast untold stories of normative trends that need to be reported.
2
Well said. Trump's tribalism ought to be abhorrent to any civilized, self-respecting individual(s). Trump is the direct opposite of what the world needs now. And Sadiq Khan is showing the way. Who would have thought that money, and its pampering, would stunt one's mind to a pauper's?
4
I take comfort in the thought that Trump would be clobbered in a race for the NYC mayoralty - just as he will be clobbered in the general election.
6
Congratulations to Mayor-elect Khan and to London. This is one of the best articles that Roger Cohen has ever written.
Sadiq Khan and London can serve as a beacon and a model to the world. I hope he succeeds and that the major media do not lose interest in him.
The saga of Donald Trump is something qualitatively different from the election of Sadiq Khan. I don't think that Trump is the cause of the shredding of the Republican party, but rather a vessel for it and a result of it. That party has been on a self-destructive trajectory for decades. This morning on NPR I listened to a prominent Florida Republican use the words "cult," "Caesarism," and "fascist" to refer to Trump and his movement. Yesterday evening I listened briefly to a woman at a restaurant holding forth on Trump (I'm paraphrasing):
"I don't like Trump, I think he's a male chauvinist p----, but I'm beginning to think he knows what he's talking about . . ." She went on to denigrate immigrant workers. It was obvious that she was very intoxicated, she looked horribly ravaged and emaciated by alcoholism or other substance abuse, she was grungy, and she had tattoos over about half of her body. But then, I recall that eight years ago, when I knocked on doors for Obama, I spoke with some people who resembled her, who said they thought Obama knew what he was talking about and were planning to vote for him. We were happy to have their votes.
Welcome to politics.
Sadiq Khan and London can serve as a beacon and a model to the world. I hope he succeeds and that the major media do not lose interest in him.
The saga of Donald Trump is something qualitatively different from the election of Sadiq Khan. I don't think that Trump is the cause of the shredding of the Republican party, but rather a vessel for it and a result of it. That party has been on a self-destructive trajectory for decades. This morning on NPR I listened to a prominent Florida Republican use the words "cult," "Caesarism," and "fascist" to refer to Trump and his movement. Yesterday evening I listened briefly to a woman at a restaurant holding forth on Trump (I'm paraphrasing):
"I don't like Trump, I think he's a male chauvinist p----, but I'm beginning to think he knows what he's talking about . . ." She went on to denigrate immigrant workers. It was obvious that she was very intoxicated, she looked horribly ravaged and emaciated by alcoholism or other substance abuse, she was grungy, and she had tattoos over about half of her body. But then, I recall that eight years ago, when I knocked on doors for Obama, I spoke with some people who resembled her, who said they thought Obama knew what he was talking about and were planning to vote for him. We were happy to have their votes.
Welcome to politics.
2
The Gipper
The Decider
The Donald
The End
The Decider
The Donald
The End
12
I have not experience the "American fear and anger" until Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president
1
It's incredibly reassuring to see Khan's statement that Muslims are 'more effective at tackling extremism than anyone else'. Indeed there's no way to truly tackle extremism apart from starting within the Muslim community itself. I hope that he uses his influence to lead the charge, rallying together as many Muslim leaders as possible to speak out in unison against extremism. Now is the time to turn the tide. But his election alone, as historic as it is, will not change a thing. Khan will need to actively agitate for a paradigm shift, even to the point of deeply riling up conservative Muslim leaders who are far more concerned with carrying on about 'Islamophobia' than about actually eradicating extremism from within their own community. He has a golden opportunity that no other leader in the Western world has, not even Barack Hussein Obama. He has the opportunity to speak directly to the Muslim community as a Muslim himself, now as the most powerful Muslim leader in the entire Western world. Unfortunately in the past, Khan has proven again and again to cozy up to dangerous Islamists to gain votes and influence. There is no way around this disturbing fact. These are not 'racist' accusations without merit from his Conservative opponent, these are known facts. One can only hope that now that he is in a position of true power, he will not feel the need to use such ugly tactics and will instead use his power to fight against Islamism and extremism instead of cynically courting it.
3
Islam is neither a race nor an ethnicity. It is an ideology, open to all, and it is arguably the most dangerous, oppressive ideology ever concocted, as anyone who honestly studies it will conclude. The fact that some apparently democratic and liberal people, such as Kahn claim allegiance to Islam shows only that their dedication to Islam is nominal or perhaps deliberately softened to placate gullible multi-culturalists. It emphatically does not show that Islam itself is tolerant or liberal. Let us hope that Khan's religious identification is indeed skin deep. If not, London can look forward to an ever growing assault on freedoms of every kind, beginning with the freedom to criticize Islam
24
While I disagree entirely and forcefully with your opinion that Islam is 'the most dangerous, oppressive ideology' ever concocted, given that Khan is only mayor of London he will never be able to 'assault freedoms' of any kind, given that his powers extend only to transport, planning, and the emergency services.
2
Khan may not lead any such assault, he may just acquiesce as Islamists push for hate speech laws, support for domestic Sharia courts, and a continuing ban on vocal critics of Islam. Just look at what is already happening in the Netherlands if you want a preview. As for whether Islam is oppressive, Exhibit One is every Islamic republic on earth where women are explicitly denied equal rights, gays are routinely killed by the state for being gay, all other religions are either outlawed or severely circumscribed, and any criticism of Mohammed is punishable by death. These are just facts and easy to verify.
Please do reply .
Please do reply .
Trump's "gut" is one of his "most valued counselors"? We recently had a President who thought that his "gut feelings" were the voice of the Lord. Remember how well that turned out?
7
And in Obama we've got a POTUS whose obvious 'gut' counseling is derived from the likes of Leftwing radicals like Bill Ayers and Saul Alinsky. And we know how well that's turned out in the past 8 years.
That's right Jacob. Unemployment cut in half, stock markets doubled, war in Iraq ended, American troops withdrawn, recession ended, Bin Laden dead, American motor industries saved, millions of people with health insurance. Should I go on?
3
"In his victory, a triumph over the slurs that tried to tie him to Islamist extremism"
Khan is not an extremist, but has courted extremists too often in the past to gain votes. Pandering to members of al-Muhajiroun (a banned Islamist terrorist group in the UK) and to unsavory characters like Yusuf al-Qaradawi is simply not acceptable.
Let me repeat that: it is simply not acceptable.
We would not allow any white, Christian politicians to share forums with theocrats and traitors to secularism. So to let a Muslim man do this is a double standard that cannot be tolerated.
"It is worth noting that under the ban on Muslim noncitizens entering the country that Trump proposes, Khan would not be allowed to visit the United States."
This is factually untrue. On a recent interview, Trump noted that he would of course make exceptions for diplomatic visits. Whether you support Trump's Muslim ban or not, please get your facts straight.
"His election is important because the most effective voices against Islamist terrorism come from Muslims, and Khan has been prepared to speak out. "
Indeed true. And one hopes he will use his mandate to do so. I just fear that in doing so, some fundamentalist "takfiri" nutjobs will start labelling him an "apostate." This could potentially lead to some extremely ugly scenarios, especially if some Muslim extremists decide to take up violence.
Khan is not an extremist, but has courted extremists too often in the past to gain votes. Pandering to members of al-Muhajiroun (a banned Islamist terrorist group in the UK) and to unsavory characters like Yusuf al-Qaradawi is simply not acceptable.
Let me repeat that: it is simply not acceptable.
We would not allow any white, Christian politicians to share forums with theocrats and traitors to secularism. So to let a Muslim man do this is a double standard that cannot be tolerated.
"It is worth noting that under the ban on Muslim noncitizens entering the country that Trump proposes, Khan would not be allowed to visit the United States."
This is factually untrue. On a recent interview, Trump noted that he would of course make exceptions for diplomatic visits. Whether you support Trump's Muslim ban or not, please get your facts straight.
"His election is important because the most effective voices against Islamist terrorism come from Muslims, and Khan has been prepared to speak out. "
Indeed true. And one hopes he will use his mandate to do so. I just fear that in doing so, some fundamentalist "takfiri" nutjobs will start labelling him an "apostate." This could potentially lead to some extremely ugly scenarios, especially if some Muslim extremists decide to take up violence.
19
Thank you for this fine piece, Mr. Cohen. As I was reading about Trump listening to his gut which is obviously filled with bile, I could not help but recall that the last president who did the same was G.W. Bush. To those who are not blinded by right-wing ideology, his legacy is one of war, economic disaster and the shame of Hurricane Katrina to name but a few. The mere thought of having an unstable bigot like Donald Trump in the Oval Office makes my skin crawl.
13
Wonderful article! Through electing Mr. Khan, London has become a beacon of light, a symbol of hope for the world. I wish Mr. Khan all the very best. May the good will of his constituents and colleagues be with him. We all need him to succeed.
16
Obama's drones have killed thousands of Muslims. Trump only wants to deny them visas to enter the US.
I am puzzled why Trump is "anti-Muslim" and Obama is not.
Could it be the party that each of them belongs to?
Or could it be that Trump talks, loudly, and Obama kills, softly?
I am puzzled why Trump is "anti-Muslim" and Obama is not.
Could it be the party that each of them belongs to?
Or could it be that Trump talks, loudly, and Obama kills, softly?
36
"Thousands"? Where'd you get this amount from. The only people killing thousands of Muslims are other Muslims. Take a deep breath and release it slowly, please.
1
Aruna - the people killed by "Obama's drones" are targeted because they are terrorists, not because they are Muslim. To suggest otherwise is wrong.
4
It's incredibly reassuring to see Khan's statement that Muslims have a 'special role' and that they can be 'more effective at tackling extremism than anyone else'. Indeed there's no way to truly tackle extremism apart from starting within the Muslim community itself. I sincerely hope that he uses his influence to lead the charge, rallying together as many Muslim leaders as possible to speak out in unison against both extremism and also against anti-Western Islamism that has long festered within certain pockets of the British Muslim community. Now is the time to truly turn the tide. But his election alone, as historic as it is, will not change a thing. Khan will need to actively agitate for a paradigm shift, even to the point of deeply riling up conservative Muslim leaders who are far more concerned with carrying on about 'Islamophobia' than about eradicating extremism from within their own community. He has a golden opportunity that no other leader in the Western world has, not even Barack Hussein Obama. He has the opportunity to speak directly to the Muslim community as a Muslim himself, now as the most powerful Muslim leader in the entire Western world.
9
I think the election of Mr. Khan is an extremely positive development. Let us hope it would help the Muslims living in the West make peace with the Western Values.
9
London has become a cosmopolis. Many shades and many tongues reside there. In this, there is neither virtue nor vice. The transformation of London from British to cosmopolitan is marked by Sadiq Kahn's election as Mayor of London. However, the consequence of becoming more like everyone is that everyone becomes less British. Something is lost as something is gained.
11
What Cohen does not bother to mention is that "BRITAIN is home to more than 3 million Muslims for the first time ever with more than half born outside the UK, according to new figures. Soaring immigration and sky high birth rates have seen the number in the country double in a little over a decade. Some parts of London are now almost 50 per cent Islamic, according to analysis from the Office for National Statistics. "
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6898434/Muslims-in-UK-top-3m-f...
With Muslim population so high in London the election of a Muslim mayor should come as no surprise. Fortunately he has little power and despite the overly warm opinion of Mr Cohen, this serves more as a warning to the UK and other EUropean countries than as a cause of celebration.
Europe need to get control of its immigration policy and do something about the flood of illegal immigrants swarming the coasts of the the EU.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6898434/Muslims-in-UK-top-3m-f...
With Muslim population so high in London the election of a Muslim mayor should come as no surprise. Fortunately he has little power and despite the overly warm opinion of Mr Cohen, this serves more as a warning to the UK and other EUropean countries than as a cause of celebration.
Europe need to get control of its immigration policy and do something about the flood of illegal immigrants swarming the coasts of the the EU.
117
The same fearful response was heard years ago regarding each of the many, many immigrants, many coming from former British colonies, who have transformed the complexion of that complex nation. Overcoming that postcolonial melancholy, as Paul Gilroy has termed it, has been a defining characteristic of that great country--Druids, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Vikings, Normans, Irish, Jamaicans,.. Rule Britannia!
19
I can't help but feel that the tenor of this 'T pick' comment is, shall we say, a tad fearful of the 'other', to put it tactfully.
A big reason for immigration from some Islamic countries has to do with the fact that we in the west have turned them into varying degrees of war zones over the last 15 years. And yes, demographically many of these nations also have 'sky high' birth rates. In fact, Mr. Khan's home country of Pakistan is already more populous than Russia. And at current rates of population growth, Russia will be eclipsed by Yemen around 2040. The forth most populous nation of Indonesia (right behind the U.S.) is majority Islamic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_popu...
The world will look much different in 100 years than it does today. Fighting against this inevitability will only create more problems.
A big reason for immigration from some Islamic countries has to do with the fact that we in the west have turned them into varying degrees of war zones over the last 15 years. And yes, demographically many of these nations also have 'sky high' birth rates. In fact, Mr. Khan's home country of Pakistan is already more populous than Russia. And at current rates of population growth, Russia will be eclipsed by Yemen around 2040. The forth most populous nation of Indonesia (right behind the U.S.) is majority Islamic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_popu...
The world will look much different in 100 years than it does today. Fighting against this inevitability will only create more problems.
9
Except that muslims, unlike all the other peoples you mentioned, are notoriously resistant to assimilating as history has proven. Wherever they are found, especially in Europe, they remain first, last and always, muslims living in Europe.
4
I understand that the average low info voter cannot make head or tail of policy positions. But what is impossible to comprehend is that such a voter appears blind to Trump's long history of screwing people. Between his bankruptcies, his licensing out his name/brand to unscrupulous operators, and his penchant for serial monogamy, this is a man who gorges himself on the fools who think that they can make out on some deal they forge with him. Trump ravages those who have engaged with him and then moves on, targeting some new sucker who thinks he will benefit from some alchemical form of wealth contagion. Those who have voted for him, and those who plan on voting for him, will be in for a nasty surprise should the unthinkable happen, a Trump presidency. As is his pattern, he will suck them/us dry, then walk away with the spoils. His very best deal - himself its sole beneficiary - may very well be in the offing.
2
The liberal, metropolitan, and modern values we ought to admire — pluralism, freedom of thought, intellectual honesty, tolerance, etc. — are the very values that run counter to the intrinsically divisive values exhibited by revealed religions. By reading the Koran and hadith, for example, it's abundantly clear that liberal values are qualities that Islam vilifies, not embraces.
Creating a peaceful global civilization, therefore, will require that we embrace the very liberal values that run counter to those promoted by religious doctrine. Accomplishing this will require that we continue to *ignore* most parts of our holy books. Peace won't be achieved from reading the texts more closely; it will be achieved by ignoring and refuting many of the immoral and outdated doctrines and ideologies they are founded on.
What’s interesting, however, is that the reason why Trump is so unpalatable to so many people, and the reason why he should rightly be criticized, is precisely because his platform so closely resembles organized religion: tribal, hateful, insular, arrogant, stubborn, dogmatic, fearful.
The only antidote to both religious and right-wing insanity is secular liberalism.
Creating a peaceful global civilization, therefore, will require that we embrace the very liberal values that run counter to those promoted by religious doctrine. Accomplishing this will require that we continue to *ignore* most parts of our holy books. Peace won't be achieved from reading the texts more closely; it will be achieved by ignoring and refuting many of the immoral and outdated doctrines and ideologies they are founded on.
What’s interesting, however, is that the reason why Trump is so unpalatable to so many people, and the reason why he should rightly be criticized, is precisely because his platform so closely resembles organized religion: tribal, hateful, insular, arrogant, stubborn, dogmatic, fearful.
The only antidote to both religious and right-wing insanity is secular liberalism.
5
Naajid Nawaz's commentary on Khan's political evolution, in "The Daily Beast," adds necessary perspective to our view on the election--most prominent politicians do not become such solely through moral purity and consistent adherence to the highest principles. Still, Londoners' ability to evaluate a Muslim politician on the basis of what he demonstrably stands for does indeed represent the way forward for civilization in the 21st century. If you read both Khan and Nawaz and compare them to the dialog in the American presidential campaign, it's hard to escape the conclusion that the difference lies not so much in a difference in commitment to global identity and integration as a vast difference in respect for, and emphasis on, the essential role of reason and knowledge in our decision making, and the kind of education system that makes that possible.
6
In this column, Mr.Cohen assumes that the multicultural democracy symbolized by the victory of Sadiq Khan represents the future. From this hopeful perspective, the nativist, antidemocratic movement spearheaded by Donald Trump amounts to no more than a temporary diversion from our true destiny, the rearguard action of dark forces from a more racist past. May his prediction prove prophetic.
Even a brief glance at the American past, however, justifies some skepticism about the validity of this linear view of history. The past two centuries have witnessed a major expansion of our definition of democracy, with the progressive inclusion in the political community of previously marginalized groups. But the process has repeatedly faltered in the face of organized efforts to brand some ethnic or religious element as unworthy of a seat at the electoral table.
The racism and religious bigotry that stain the Trump candidacy, therefore, form part of an authentic American heritage, a byproduct of the fears and anxieties of a diverse population whose members do not entirely trust one another. especially in times of stress. In 2008, the election of Mr. Obama, like the outcome of the London mayoral contest, offered hope for the future. Yet that victory triggered a visceral reaction that transcended policy disagreements.
Dr. King believed the long arc of history bends toward justice. Perhaps so, but the slope of the arc is not smooth, and no law of nature dictates its direction.
Even a brief glance at the American past, however, justifies some skepticism about the validity of this linear view of history. The past two centuries have witnessed a major expansion of our definition of democracy, with the progressive inclusion in the political community of previously marginalized groups. But the process has repeatedly faltered in the face of organized efforts to brand some ethnic or religious element as unworthy of a seat at the electoral table.
The racism and religious bigotry that stain the Trump candidacy, therefore, form part of an authentic American heritage, a byproduct of the fears and anxieties of a diverse population whose members do not entirely trust one another. especially in times of stress. In 2008, the election of Mr. Obama, like the outcome of the London mayoral contest, offered hope for the future. Yet that victory triggered a visceral reaction that transcended policy disagreements.
Dr. King believed the long arc of history bends toward justice. Perhaps so, but the slope of the arc is not smooth, and no law of nature dictates its direction.
I apologize for having to say this, but nobody, absolutely nobody plays the victim card better than the Muslims. They would have made the mayorial campaign about being the victim of religious hate no matter how politically correct Goldsmith side would have been. It is now exactly what they are doing to Donald Trump. I would say that the media has killed critical thinking but all they are doing is making it easier to find something to fake outtrage over.
13
@JamesSmith: I agree "tout a fait."While French government subsidizes building of 2,000 mosques, its Muslim population complains of being victims of discrimination.Yet every Muslim entering the country receives welfare benefits, and in some respects is better off than many of the native born. Have sympathy for former harkis who fought for France during the Algerian war, and were then abandoned , but that was over a half century ago. Algeria today remains quasi "invivable," and once Evian Accords had taken effect, a mass migration from the former "departements d'outre mer" to metropolitan France began and has not stopped.. Recall years ago entering "le Provencal," a well known café in Marseilles and seeing only Mahgrebins at the "zinc,". Asked the "garcon" "0u sont les Francais?" His cheery reply was "les Francais, ils n'ont pas d'argent. Ils sont pauvres!"Charity should begin at home, but it does not in EU countries and the US, more concerned with well being of foreign nationals than with their own citizenry. The indulgence towards the "etranger" shown by the government in France is duplicated throughout Europe and in the US. Just as the FN is the "dernier refuge" of Frenchmen sold out by established political parties, Donald Trump's brand of nationalism is the last recourse of Americans who look at Obama's tolerance of open borders, among other anti-American measures , and say to themselves: "We too r second class citizens in the land where we were born."
1
Another reason to be hopeful about the religious and racial fissures that are splitting open old North-South issues. If Khan is allowed to be a bridge between all groups in Britain in a way that Obama was not allowed to be between Black and White in the US, he and his supporters can do much to preserve civil society in London and perhaps in Britain at large. Who knows, he could be Britain's prime minister one day! Inclusion fails, however, when the included are expected to self-abnegate - and internalize the orthodox story lines of dominant groups instead of expanding the pool of stories which allow a society to understand itself. That is Britain's challenge and not least, the United States's challenge as well
3
Sadiq Khan is just a symptom of the fact that England is changing, probably for the worse. Mohammed is the most common name given to newborn boys there now, and whole towns have gone over to Islamacist, Sharia mediated law - one of the more striking and horrific outcomes being the rape of 1,600 girls in Rotterham that went unreported and uninvestigated for so many years.
Another sign of the times is the anti-Semite problem that Khan's party currently has. While Roger elides past this and gives it a small mention, this is currently roiling the party and I'd encourage the readers here to learn more about this.
Outside of Khan's London, on the continent, there are other abundant signs of how much Europe is changing too. So while a Muslim multi-culturalist might win in London or Rotterham, and while their anti-semitic parties might gain in places, we've also had a strong electoral pushback - Le Pen will likely win in 2017, AfD is winning in Germany, and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban is being widely hailed as a voice that speaks truth to power and is out to protect his people from the invasive tide that threatens to swamp Europe.
So I would say that framing this as Sadiq Khan vs, Trump probably is somewhat accurate, but that most of Europe probably sides with Trump. Of course a large urban area is going to differ; NYC has De Blasio after all, who would never win at the national level here. Just as open borders Clinton is going to find out how unpopular these views are.
Another sign of the times is the anti-Semite problem that Khan's party currently has. While Roger elides past this and gives it a small mention, this is currently roiling the party and I'd encourage the readers here to learn more about this.
Outside of Khan's London, on the continent, there are other abundant signs of how much Europe is changing too. So while a Muslim multi-culturalist might win in London or Rotterham, and while their anti-semitic parties might gain in places, we've also had a strong electoral pushback - Le Pen will likely win in 2017, AfD is winning in Germany, and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban is being widely hailed as a voice that speaks truth to power and is out to protect his people from the invasive tide that threatens to swamp Europe.
So I would say that framing this as Sadiq Khan vs, Trump probably is somewhat accurate, but that most of Europe probably sides with Trump. Of course a large urban area is going to differ; NYC has De Blasio after all, who would never win at the national level here. Just as open borders Clinton is going to find out how unpopular these views are.
10
What drugs are you on, there isn't any place in the uk with Sharia law and a buffoon like Trump wouldn't be allowed to run a tea shop let alone a country.
3
In times of conflict and fear, what is startling is that voices of clarity and tolerance often emerge amid the screamers and haters. We know this in Colombia where courageous voices for peace have emerged after living through seven decades of war.
Voices of tolerance often come from the community of victims. Even amid the hatred and violence their quiet dignity and humanity are somehow able to pierce the broader consciousness. The best democratically elected officials do no preach revenge, but rather counsel tolerance and justice.
The new mayor of London is someone who certainly has experienced anti-Islamic hatred but was nevertheless able to rise above it with a message of cosmopolitan, multi-cultural unity. The election of Barak Obama once symbolized such tolerance across the globe. In many ways his policies have fallen short though he continues to inspire with his dignity, intellect and honesty. Many of the politicians of the future will be women and men like Obama and Khan: democratic, multi-cultural leaders who speak for the diversity of their nations and not just for a privileged minority. One can be British, Muslim, European, Pakistani, a human rights defender, a dad and a husband all at the same time.
In this light, Trump and the European far right represent challenges to be overcome. Their siren songs will not disappear anytime soon. However the election of Sadiq Khan shows that a more welcoming and enlightened politics is possible, and it inspires hope.
Voices of tolerance often come from the community of victims. Even amid the hatred and violence their quiet dignity and humanity are somehow able to pierce the broader consciousness. The best democratically elected officials do no preach revenge, but rather counsel tolerance and justice.
The new mayor of London is someone who certainly has experienced anti-Islamic hatred but was nevertheless able to rise above it with a message of cosmopolitan, multi-cultural unity. The election of Barak Obama once symbolized such tolerance across the globe. In many ways his policies have fallen short though he continues to inspire with his dignity, intellect and honesty. Many of the politicians of the future will be women and men like Obama and Khan: democratic, multi-cultural leaders who speak for the diversity of their nations and not just for a privileged minority. One can be British, Muslim, European, Pakistani, a human rights defender, a dad and a husband all at the same time.
In this light, Trump and the European far right represent challenges to be overcome. Their siren songs will not disappear anytime soon. However the election of Sadiq Khan shows that a more welcoming and enlightened politics is possible, and it inspires hope.
5
Trump is a casino man.His main accomplishment if he got elected would be the first president ever to build a casino in the White House.I watched him carefully every time he talks like he introduces wrestlers on the stage.It will be a true disaster if he got elected.
1
What we see today is what Plato feared when he wrote the Republic almost 2400 years ago. If you give the power of the vote to uneducated, ignorant people, you will get a ruined country. And someone as irrational, unqualified and unstable as Trump.
Democracy only works if people have knowledge and facts. It's clear a huge number in this country are moronic. It's very hard obviously to cure the disease of ignorance. Wish I had a solution. Hope lots of sensible people vote this fall.
Democracy only works if people have knowledge and facts. It's clear a huge number in this country are moronic. It's very hard obviously to cure the disease of ignorance. Wish I had a solution. Hope lots of sensible people vote this fall.
4
I'm sure Sadiq will be fine. I didn't vote for him and I didn't vote for Zac Goldsmith either. Why not? My natural tendency is to the left, so I don't vote for the right. But today the morally-compromised left, flirting with fascism when it comes in exotic oriental packages, gives me nothing to vote for. The sooner we stop rambling on about attitudes and diversity and multicultural sensitivity, the sooner we can return to a real, muscular liberalism, a state of achieved and well-defended tolerance rather than vague assurances about dialogue and victimhood. A vigorous society where people strive and are protected equally under the law - and their hurt feelings are their problem. Where Sadiq is just a qualified guy, not a figurehead for some integrational cultural imperative. You know - a real enlightenment.
7
I dont think "slurs" is quite true? The man himself has mentiomed he has ties with now banned islamic groups. There is plenty of video/audio evidence available showing that he has had friendly interactions with extremist groups. I still think he will be a good mayor, as long as he leaves his past behind. His intentions in associating with these organizatioms was to get votes, and he is not an extremist himself.
2
We may think we are a superpower with brute strength, the leader to have all the answers to catastrophic events, now raging our Planet. That is denial. That is not owning up to the fact that we are not winning. As an all American, I can see this fallacy, considering all our helplessness and complete inability to control the scourge. Bombing incessantly has not contained the problem. But London is again showing us the way by a perfect solution to conquer this war by electing Sadiq Khan and that too with a resounding victory. It is saying that empowering real Muslims will allow them to come out and express their real views without fear, without bigotry. It is showing us that there is a viable option to stop this war on the nebulous but real mass murderers. Is'nt that what the West wants, is'nt that the complaint that normal Muslims are not rising and denouncing the atrocities by pseudo Muslims? Congratulations Sadiq Khan! And congratulations to Londoners for making this happen. With Trump as President here, it might be the end of our special relationship with Great Britain, our loss of our real ally unlike Saudi Arabia who are only adding fuel to the raging fire. I don't think, Great Britain will take kindly the insult if the Mayor of their Capital is not allowed into the U.S.
1
Where is Sigmund Freud when we really need him to put Trump on a public couch?
Freud studied at length the deep insecurities of the narcissistic mind of bullies and noted that they are suffering from projection defense mechanism, projecting their own faults and shortcoming always on others while at the same time blaming them.
Trump is the prototype of that group, trying to project his massive inner insecurity on his opponents by thundering that America will never be 'great again' without him leading the nation.
Il Trumpolini is not only a 'bullying, brash, bigoted "America first" white dude', he is also a trash spewing vulgarian pulling the whole nation into the gutter.
Freud studied at length the deep insecurities of the narcissistic mind of bullies and noted that they are suffering from projection defense mechanism, projecting their own faults and shortcoming always on others while at the same time blaming them.
Trump is the prototype of that group, trying to project his massive inner insecurity on his opponents by thundering that America will never be 'great again' without him leading the nation.
Il Trumpolini is not only a 'bullying, brash, bigoted "America first" white dude', he is also a trash spewing vulgarian pulling the whole nation into the gutter.
8
I was just thinking the same thing, except wishing that Hunter S. Thompson was still around to utterly prosaically demolish Trump and his lemmings.
Oh, what fun that would've been to read...
Oh, what fun that would've been to read...
2
If only America would follow the British model of 6 weeks of campaigning before an election, and no political advertisements allowed, we would be spared two years of noise and punditry. Alas, too many Americans think in sound bites. So much bigotry--a sad situation we're in.
7
"It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct."
A corollary to this would be the renunciation of instinct in favor of intelligence and demonstrated reality.
Trump and the contemporary GOP are the antithesis of this.
A corollary to this would be the renunciation of instinct in favor of intelligence and demonstrated reality.
Trump and the contemporary GOP are the antithesis of this.
1
Khan is a progressive choice for mayor but that is not likely to signal any deep change of mindset in Europe. It may even expose a dark side of fear and hatred within a segment of the British.
The US elected a president who happened to have a father from Kenya. Sure that couldn't have happened 200 years ago but it seems to have exposed just how stagnated a certain mindset is within some significant demographic of the population which exists like it is still in the 17th century.
The US elected a president who happened to have a father from Kenya. Sure that couldn't have happened 200 years ago but it seems to have exposed just how stagnated a certain mindset is within some significant demographic of the population which exists like it is still in the 17th century.
IN advertising one must be suspicious of your own press. Trump believes wholehearted in his press and derives correctness from the amount of notice instead of facts. Madison Avenue warns that the elixir of note and notice is dangerous in a vacuum and great marketing must be substantiated by delivering value. Trump is an unholy mix of fantasy and bluster and voters are going to be supprised when they discover that the"Beef" was tainted with Listeria.
1
Roger is not saying that terrorism isn't a threat. And his support for the Syrian refugees may be his heart winning out over his head. But where's he's absolutely right is when he refuses to demonize the innocent. Those who want simple answers and brutal solutions will have to look elsewhere.
2
If ever there were a good reason to fund public education, among them would certainly be to teach our populace the difference between differential equations and terrorist manifestos. We could call it: Calculus and Civics, an Introduction to Smart People that Don't want to Kill Us.
I guess it all looks scary to those that don't know the difference between Arabic and Integrals.
I guess it all looks scary to those that don't know the difference between Arabic and Integrals.
What exactly does the Lord Mayor of London do? If I knew more about his powers or lack of them I could make an intelligent comment but without knowing anything I am at a loss.
3
Khan is Mayor of Greater London, not Lord Mayor of London. As Mayor, Khan is responsible mainly for strategic planning and policy oversight but it is not what would be called a "strong Mayor" in the US. The various borough councils exercise substantial control over local services including education, waste disposal and revenue collection. The Lord Mayor of London is the ceremonial leader of the City, the part of London where the financial services industry is located, and therefore the main spokesperson for that industry.
2
Sadiq Khan is Mayor of London; Lord Mayor of London is a different position.
The mayor has power over four main areas: transportation, planning/housing, emergency services (fire and ambulance), and in a more roundabout way, the police. These are all important powers in a city of 8 million. More importantly, the mayor is the global face of our city. It's also evidently a good staging-ground for a future high position at Westminster.
The mayor has power over four main areas: transportation, planning/housing, emergency services (fire and ambulance), and in a more roundabout way, the police. These are all important powers in a city of 8 million. More importantly, the mayor is the global face of our city. It's also evidently a good staging-ground for a future high position at Westminster.
2
Mr Khan was not elected Lord Mayor (an honorific). He was elected the mayor of Greater London, a job just like the mayor of any USA major city.
1
More than Sadiq Khan, the credit goes to all citizens of London who elected him as mayor in spite of all the Islamic terrorist incidents happening in many European cities. If every Muslim living in Europe starts thinking like Sadiq Khan that they are Europeans first, then only Muslims and start assimilating into mainstream European culture, European cities including London will become a much safer place for every one.
8
"If every Muslim living in Europe starts thinking like Sadiq Khan that they are Europeans first"
And that will happen immediately after pigs start to fly! (smile).
It is your word "every" which scares me. I am not afraid of Sadiq Khan, for he is a moderate Muslim of which there are many.
I am afraid of sentimental PC people (perhaps you are one of them) who do not realize that radical Islam is also part of Islam, and radical Islam prefers to kill rather than run for political office.
Radical Islam is not going to go away just because of your sentimental word "every".
And that will happen immediately after pigs start to fly! (smile).
It is your word "every" which scares me. I am not afraid of Sadiq Khan, for he is a moderate Muslim of which there are many.
I am afraid of sentimental PC people (perhaps you are one of them) who do not realize that radical Islam is also part of Islam, and radical Islam prefers to kill rather than run for political office.
Radical Islam is not going to go away just because of your sentimental word "every".
3
Thank you, Mr. Cohen! You have brilliantly and succinctly described the shocking contrast between Mr. Kahn and the boorish Donald, who hardly deserves the term, Mister, let alone the term, Mr. President.
I too was immediately struck by the contrast.
The chaos-loving, the risk-courting, the gambling- addicted DT should stick to casinos. The presidency is not the venue for such addled behavior.
Gone with the wind: that's my wish for the donald.
I too was immediately struck by the contrast.
The chaos-loving, the risk-courting, the gambling- addicted DT should stick to casinos. The presidency is not the venue for such addled behavior.
Gone with the wind: that's my wish for the donald.
32
"the shocking contrast between Mr. Kahn and the boorish Donald"
You forget that the "boorish Donald" did not carry out the massacres in Paris, Brussels and San Bernardino. AFAIK, he has not killed ANY Muslims. Obama's drones have killed thousands of Muslims, all without the benefit of a trial.
Trump is wrong to fear all Muslims, for most of them are peaceful. But his fear of radical Islam is completely justified, and radical Islam combined with your sentimentality is a real threat to civilization.
You forget that the "boorish Donald" did not carry out the massacres in Paris, Brussels and San Bernardino. AFAIK, he has not killed ANY Muslims. Obama's drones have killed thousands of Muslims, all without the benefit of a trial.
Trump is wrong to fear all Muslims, for most of them are peaceful. But his fear of radical Islam is completely justified, and radical Islam combined with your sentimentality is a real threat to civilization.
3
This is indeed an opportunity to walk the talk of peaceful acceptance from ALL groups. Idealistic but we have to begin the process of sowing the seeds of tolerance and preventing ignorant humans like Trump and Al Baghdad from dictating how we live and spreading hate.
Time to make America great again sans Trump. The American people must rise up against ignorance and bias. Hate will not destroy ISIS or bring jobs or improve the environment. Sense and factual kmowldge will. Tolerating differences in how and to whom a pray will matter.
Time to make America great again sans Trump. The American people must rise up against ignorance and bias. Hate will not destroy ISIS or bring jobs or improve the environment. Sense and factual kmowldge will. Tolerating differences in how and to whom a pray will matter.
12
Trump offers scapegoats. That is the essence of this appeal. And it is part of an lengthy lineage of conservative scapegoating. Start with Nixon's "Southern Strategy." Next to Reagan's "welfare queens driving Cadillacs. On to gays. Now Muslims and Mexicans. Simple soundbite answers to complex problems.
23
Yes, Sadiq Khan's election as Mayor of London was an important event in the UK and in the world. And Khan's wish that Donald Trump lose the American Presidential election, of which he is today the presumptive Republican nominee is terrific. Given Trump's anti-Muslim diatribes, anti-immigration, misogyny, demagoguery, bullying, flat-earth birther card-carrying, small wonder that the new Muslim Mayor of London is harboring hopes for the Donald's defeat (as are millions of Americans who are waiting to see what will happen in the coming 6 months of President Barack Hussein Obama's last Presidential term). Trump is the fear-mongering bloviator who has risen to the top of the heap of GOP wannabe POTUSes, by fair means and foul. His party is in disarray and trying desperately to come up with a third party choice for the Presidency that will smash Trump's hopes and fling him in the circular file ash heap where he's thrown his 17 GOP competitors. May Americans not vote for little fingers on the nuclear codes. And congratulations to Sadiq Khan, may he be a good Mayor, insh'allah!
15
Sadiq Khan has gone out of his way to provide legal defense for various terrorists, including one imprisoned in Guantanamo. In remarks to Iran's Press TV, he referred to moderate Muslims as "Uncle Toms". It was Khan who injected race into the campaign by railing against "racism" as a way to rally non-whites to his side. What was his opponent supposed to do - just take that lying down? No, his opponent replied in kind, but when a white guy does it, then suddenly it's "dog whistle politics". The fact is that Khan shouldn't have gone down that road to begin with, since he's the one who set that divisive tone from the get-go. Khan predicably got the entire Muslim vote, since Muslims always vote for their own - and that's everywhere in the world and under every circumstance, not just London. The fact that one out of every eight Londoners is Muslim and that over a third of Londoners are foreign-born, only tilted the elections in Khan's favor, since whites are far more likely to vote beyond their ethnicity, as compared to those who wear their ethnicity on their sleeve. As London increasingly becomes a Tower of Babel, identity politics will increasingly be brought to the fore, rather than receding into irrelevance. Khan has made grand promises on housing and transport, while having no experience in how to provide redress in these matters. There are more experienced Labourites who may be able to help him - since they're better versed in the issues, while lacking his ethnic moniker.
76
You sound like a Trump supporter, albeit a Canadian.
If you are white, people like you have a place in his America.
If you are white, people like you have a place in his America.
3
Typical hindu response to a muslim victory. When the world is applauding he finds an angle to criticize a person who has not yet taken an oath. Grow up
Mr Sanjay. People like you had an enough of these. Its time to move on. Be realistic.
Mr Sanjay. People like you had an enough of these. Its time to move on. Be realistic.
3
"Typical hindu response to a muslim victory."
David Marsh,
I am an atheist, and I regard Hinduism to be man-made fiction, as I do for all religion. What led you to think I was Hindu - just the sound of my name? Sir, while you may generalize all Hindus as being typically hateful and all Muslims as deserving of high office or the key to the city just for being Muslim, I'd prefer to judge Sadiq Khan on his track record, which I quite frankly find to be lacking.
David Marsh,
I am an atheist, and I regard Hinduism to be man-made fiction, as I do for all religion. What led you to think I was Hindu - just the sound of my name? Sir, while you may generalize all Hindus as being typically hateful and all Muslims as deserving of high office or the key to the city just for being Muslim, I'd prefer to judge Sadiq Khan on his track record, which I quite frankly find to be lacking.
2
I think it is possible to welcome the election of Khan as London's new mayor, without bashing Trump.
Khan represents moderate Islam. But radical Islam also exists in the form of ISIS, the massacres in Paris and Brussels etc.
Khan's election, while a good event, does not erase these other facts.
Of course Trump's attitude towards Muslims is extreme and unrealistic. But realism is not Trump's game. He prefers drama and I suspect that if Trump becomes president, then Khan, if he visits, might find himself treated to a delicious Halal dinner in the White House.
You BLAME Trump for inconsistency but you do not give him credit for it. Taking a strong position and then backing off from it to a reasonable compromise is something that businessmen and politicians do.
Obama said, more than once, "Assad must go." A completely unrealistic position given that his ally was a power with 1900 nuclear weapons.
But Obama too has seen the wisdom of inconsistency. Now the US is "working with Russia" on Syria's future.
Khan represents moderate Islam. But radical Islam also exists in the form of ISIS, the massacres in Paris and Brussels etc.
Khan's election, while a good event, does not erase these other facts.
Of course Trump's attitude towards Muslims is extreme and unrealistic. But realism is not Trump's game. He prefers drama and I suspect that if Trump becomes president, then Khan, if he visits, might find himself treated to a delicious Halal dinner in the White House.
You BLAME Trump for inconsistency but you do not give him credit for it. Taking a strong position and then backing off from it to a reasonable compromise is something that businessmen and politicians do.
Obama said, more than once, "Assad must go." A completely unrealistic position given that his ally was a power with 1900 nuclear weapons.
But Obama too has seen the wisdom of inconsistency. Now the US is "working with Russia" on Syria's future.
5
Nicely said, Mr. Cohen.
7
So you all are in favor of letting 60,000 muslims into the US when we have no possible way of knowing anything about their background or agenda?
15
This is just an ignorant statement. We don't just let them in; they are vetted, often times for a two year period.
5
But America did elect (1) a black President (2) with the middle name "Hussein," and this right after the Iraq war. So the issue isn't all that clear-cut. Donald Trump is the reaction to the disappointments of the Obama era, including the rise of ISIS.
7
Trump's rise is the result of his pandering to a very angry base of people on the losing side of the 4 decade old Republicon defacto policy of sending jobs overseas to fatten the offshore accounts of Wall St. financial wizards, and to the 'gordonian' knot' foreign policy debacle caused by Bush and Cheney.
4
The same week Sadiq Khan was elected mayor of London, an economist was taken off an American Airlines flight in the United States of America because the idiot sitting next to him mistook his mathematical scribblings for Arabic! What a contrast! Is this still the land of the free and home of the brave?
If that economist had actually described his writings using that dangerous Arabic word “algebra” he probably would have been kicked off the plane for good!
If that economist had actually described his writings using that dangerous Arabic word “algebra” he probably would have been kicked off the plane for good!
40
Not exactly on point, but I think that if you complain about the passenger sitting next to you, and force them to be removed from the plane, you should be removed from the plane as well so you can provide a statement to the authorities.
If your reason for making the complaint is non-sensical, you should be charged with making a false statement to authorities. You should also be responsible for civil penalties if your fellow passenger(s) is harmed by your unjustified actions.
If your reason for making the complaint is non-sensical, you should be charged with making a false statement to authorities. You should also be responsible for civil penalties if your fellow passenger(s) is harmed by your unjustified actions.
2
some bullying, brash, bigoted, “America first” white dude
...exchange white, with 'black' or 'jewish'
and Mr. Cohen becomes a racist bigot
...but leave it 'white' and he's 'progressive'
This disgusting example exemplifies exactly the kind of double standard that motivates Trump voters
I just lost tons of respect for this columnist
...exchange white, with 'black' or 'jewish'
and Mr. Cohen becomes a racist bigot
...but leave it 'white' and he's 'progressive'
This disgusting example exemplifies exactly the kind of double standard that motivates Trump voters
I just lost tons of respect for this columnist
14
"Bullying, brash and bigoted" are never progressive.
3
One need not mention Trump, correctly to observe that whereas the right-wing portrayals of Sadiq Khan perhaps go overboard in mentioning dubious things from his past, many left-wing commenters -- while trumpeting his election as some great victory -- seem to go out of their way to suppress dubious moments from his past. For example, he fought to lift the ban on entry to Britain on Louis Farrakhan, (and note, recently Farrakhan said that he, Farrakhan "represents that messiah that has come to end this civilization."
Khan asserted that Farrakhan is not a Jew hater, whereas in any given week, Farrakhan spews an entire sewer's worth of anti-Jewish hate speech.
Then too, speaking to Iranian state television, Khan called moderate Muslims "Uncle Toms."
There is a whole catalog of such things with Khan; ignoring them to trumpet him as some great herald of liberalism is problematic, especially for a news organization.
Khan asserted that Farrakhan is not a Jew hater, whereas in any given week, Farrakhan spews an entire sewer's worth of anti-Jewish hate speech.
Then too, speaking to Iranian state television, Khan called moderate Muslims "Uncle Toms."
There is a whole catalog of such things with Khan; ignoring them to trumpet him as some great herald of liberalism is problematic, especially for a news organization.
15
It sounds like Sadiq Khan is quite a guy, London was smart to elect him as mayor while I wish a person of his temperament and background were on our ballot in November. While Trump is an example of what not to be, his American First platform rings true for many. The perception of many is that while the conditions inside of the US seem to be declining we are busy helping and policing the world. While our citizens suffer Immigrant's get everything for free. Lots of this is caused by the obstructionist policy of the GOP and it's campaign of half truths and lies. The next President and CONGRESS need to start the country moving ahead again while being a member of the world community, not its leader or nation builder!
1
Sadiq Khan has distinguished himself morally by separating himself from Jeremy Corbyn, the hapless Labour leader, on the issue of anti-Semitism. A poll showed that Corbyn's approach to the rise of anti-Semitism in his party was so inept that Labour captured less than 10% of the Jewish vote in the recent local elections. Corbyn's basic approach is that there is nothing too terrible to say about the Jews as long has you have slipped in the word "Zionist" somewhere in your rant. Khan's approach has been wiser, and he has repeatedly and loudly called for Labour's leadership to get a grip on the anti-Semitism issue. And one of Khan's first acts after the election was to attend a Holocaust day commemorative service -- something Corbyn would fling an encyclopedia of excuses in order to avoid.
11
Freud is talking about keeping the superego in charge, while Trump favors the id (mature adult vs two year old).
It is wonderful to see the people of London look beyond labels to elect a leader. There certainly are issues in Europe when it comes to the ghettoization of minorities, including Muslims. Let's not blame that on them, though, as integration is nearly impossible in some places.
We do better in this country, but it is natural for immigrants to want to gather with folks from 'home,' (e.g., we have oodles of Polish folks in Chicago). I have, both in my apartment complex and the wider neighborhood, many immigrant neighbors - many of them Muslims (Middle Eastern, central European & African). I see them - going to work, walking their kids to school, picnicking in the park, shopping for groceries - in short, doing just what the rest of us do.
Xenophobia often comes from lack of experience with those who are not like "us." Mr. Trump surely has wider experience of people and the world than many of his fans. He should know better.
It is wonderful to see the people of London look beyond labels to elect a leader. There certainly are issues in Europe when it comes to the ghettoization of minorities, including Muslims. Let's not blame that on them, though, as integration is nearly impossible in some places.
We do better in this country, but it is natural for immigrants to want to gather with folks from 'home,' (e.g., we have oodles of Polish folks in Chicago). I have, both in my apartment complex and the wider neighborhood, many immigrant neighbors - many of them Muslims (Middle Eastern, central European & African). I see them - going to work, walking their kids to school, picnicking in the park, shopping for groceries - in short, doing just what the rest of us do.
Xenophobia often comes from lack of experience with those who are not like "us." Mr. Trump surely has wider experience of people and the world than many of his fans. He should know better.
91
A mayor is not more important than the Presidency of the United States.
The mayor in question is a hopeful sign. He's also foreign and unique, and just a mayor.
The mayor in question is a hopeful sign. He's also foreign and unique, and just a mayor.
9
Just a mayor of a city of 8 million. My state of New Mexico has a population of 2 million.
9
How absurd!
2
As Roger Cohen argues, there is much to hope for as a result of Mr. Khan becoming Mayor of London.
Those who want to attribute terrorist attacks on European or American soil to ISIS are missing the point. Those attacks are not orchestrated by a division of ISIS operating out of Syria, they emanate from minority communities in the West who feel disaffected and therefore prone to the misguided rhetoric of the terrorists in their midst.
Hopefully Mr. Khan's election can show that Muslims can play an effective part in Western politics, reducing their feeling of disaffection and providing an alternative dialogue to that of the terrorist.
Just as Benjamin Netanyahu can sit down with Saudis, so can Mr. Trump with Mr. Khan.
We wish Mr. Khan every success as Mayor of London.
Those who want to attribute terrorist attacks on European or American soil to ISIS are missing the point. Those attacks are not orchestrated by a division of ISIS operating out of Syria, they emanate from minority communities in the West who feel disaffected and therefore prone to the misguided rhetoric of the terrorists in their midst.
Hopefully Mr. Khan's election can show that Muslims can play an effective part in Western politics, reducing their feeling of disaffection and providing an alternative dialogue to that of the terrorist.
Just as Benjamin Netanyahu can sit down with Saudis, so can Mr. Trump with Mr. Khan.
We wish Mr. Khan every success as Mayor of London.
114
Well, as far as Netanyahu goes, it may help that the Salman bin Abdulaziz apparently financed the Israeli prime minister's election campaign to the tune of $80M in 2015.
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/05/09/464706/Saudi-Arabia-King-Salman-...
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/05/09/464706/Saudi-Arabia-King-Salman-...
Mr. Cohen has it exactly right. Trump appeals to the worst in us as humans, Mayor Kahn to the best. The US Presidential election this year may turn out to be the most consequential in history. God bless us all!
283
Good luck to Mayor Kahn in the presidential election!
1
Doyle, wonderful comment, you are absolutely correct , this is the most important election in American History: Vote for Change, Vote for Bernie, he is the Sadiq Kahn that Informed, thoughtful Americans yearn for, the other two Canidates unfortunately are intellectually more aligned with the "shrub" and Tony Blair in a pant suit.
1
Yes, the London mayor is different than the presumptive nominee of the republican party. Yes, an apple growing in China is different than an orange growing in Greece.
The city-country divide is more pronounced in the US than in UK. There are more guns, more drugs, more violence here. Even though there is sufficient hatred to go around, London is tolerant, educated, civic city in the world. A snapshot of a crowded underground station on the Waterloo line, and that of Trump's acolytes at his revival meetings - will show the contrast. US is more segregated. We have a Talibanic religious theocracy and a secessionist state in the South and some of the Midwest. Our border is porous; landscape on the border is more 'Sicario' than 'Bridges of Madison County.' London is a service economy; banking, tourism, entertainment. We are diverse. Trump would not win a mayoral election in LA, San Francisco, or NY City. Mr. Khan would win no election in the US.
In other words, one is an apple, the other orange.
If you must compare, then you must compare the voters and the parties. Trump is everything the Republican party has worked to produce. Khan is everything that the Labor Party has worked to produce. Trump reflects the American zeitgeist; we are weary of war, our infrastructure is a giant crater, we have debt beyond comprehension, a drug problem, and a robber baron class that rules with arrogance. Khan reflects London.
Your point is what?
Kalidan
The city-country divide is more pronounced in the US than in UK. There are more guns, more drugs, more violence here. Even though there is sufficient hatred to go around, London is tolerant, educated, civic city in the world. A snapshot of a crowded underground station on the Waterloo line, and that of Trump's acolytes at his revival meetings - will show the contrast. US is more segregated. We have a Talibanic religious theocracy and a secessionist state in the South and some of the Midwest. Our border is porous; landscape on the border is more 'Sicario' than 'Bridges of Madison County.' London is a service economy; banking, tourism, entertainment. We are diverse. Trump would not win a mayoral election in LA, San Francisco, or NY City. Mr. Khan would win no election in the US.
In other words, one is an apple, the other orange.
If you must compare, then you must compare the voters and the parties. Trump is everything the Republican party has worked to produce. Khan is everything that the Labor Party has worked to produce. Trump reflects the American zeitgeist; we are weary of war, our infrastructure is a giant crater, we have debt beyond comprehension, a drug problem, and a robber baron class that rules with arrogance. Khan reflects London.
Your point is what?
Kalidan
45
I think the point is that it is possible to conduct a positive and inclusive campaign and win. Fear does not Trump all.
1
Agee 100%. Best wishes to Khan, but a comparison of the mayor of one of the world's most cosmopolitan metropolises with the presidential nominee of the US's deranged conservative party (who is not going to win the presidency) is a bit of a stretch.
Am not sure what Kalidan's point is, either.
I agree completely. As Pope Francis teach, I believe in building bridges, not walls. I was very glad to know about Mr. Khan's victory.
71
0ver 30,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2015. Maybe we should put gun production and posession to a halt to - as Mr. Trump has said about Muslim entry onto the U.S - "Figure what the hell is going on."
431
Donald Trump says he has a permit and packs a gun.....what does that tell you?
The Republican Party as it currently exists should be renamed the "Gut Reaction" party, since it operates on reactive ignorance based fear and nostalgia for a less diverse yesteryear. The current GOP embodies the emotional IQ that traditional Republicans stoked for decades in order to get people to vote for a shrinking demographic of rich white guys whose only object has always only been to get richer. Trump is the personification of the qualities that the GOP cultivated in its voters.
57
Thank you.
13
Roger Cohen hit the spot - again!
38
'Trump as a politician is a product of American fear and anger '
Clueless! Trump as a politician is a product of Obama's ineptness and disastrous policies both foreign and domestic. And Mr Khan's past associations with Islamists should be a cause for concern. Except for his victory, Khan's Labour party was thoroughly trounced in the elections. The huge muslim percentage of London's population was the deciding factor in his victory.
Clueless! Trump as a politician is a product of Obama's ineptness and disastrous policies both foreign and domestic. And Mr Khan's past associations with Islamists should be a cause for concern. Except for his victory, Khan's Labour party was thoroughly trounced in the elections. The huge muslim percentage of London's population was the deciding factor in his victory.
7
Trump is the product of inheriting more money than he can waste.
9
Actually, a little research shows that the Muslim population of London is about 5%, but you do you....
5
@Rob
Absolutely untrue. One in eight Londoners consider themselves Muslim, or around 12.5%.
5% is closer to the number for the UK as a whole.
Absolutely untrue. One in eight Londoners consider themselves Muslim, or around 12.5%.
5% is closer to the number for the UK as a whole.
8
Thank you Mr Cohen for shining a light on this uplifting news. It is a great triumph for the world and for humanity when inclusiveness and competence win over fearmongering and bigotary.
We all have fears which are easy to give into. In fact our instincts are hardwired to give into those fears. Tribalism is just another survival instinct. A key role for leaders, which includes politicans, is to drive people's thinking towards rational evaluation of facts instead of surrendering to base survival tactics. (This is what distinguish humans from other animals.)
Trumpism is at heart a Us vs Them philosophy, where the tribes are based on skin color and religion. This is driving his supporters, so it doesn't matter what he says or does. I wish Trump supporters would realize that American exceptionalism is a direct result of the opposite: a philosophy of inclusiveness that was able to look beyond your tribe, unlike any other nation in the world.
America used to be the new frontier that welcomed anyone looking to build a new life that didn't rely on their identity. I hope Trumpism doesn't destroy this.
We all have fears which are easy to give into. In fact our instincts are hardwired to give into those fears. Tribalism is just another survival instinct. A key role for leaders, which includes politicans, is to drive people's thinking towards rational evaluation of facts instead of surrendering to base survival tactics. (This is what distinguish humans from other animals.)
Trumpism is at heart a Us vs Them philosophy, where the tribes are based on skin color and religion. This is driving his supporters, so it doesn't matter what he says or does. I wish Trump supporters would realize that American exceptionalism is a direct result of the opposite: a philosophy of inclusiveness that was able to look beyond your tribe, unlike any other nation in the world.
America used to be the new frontier that welcomed anyone looking to build a new life that didn't rely on their identity. I hope Trumpism doesn't destroy this.
15
The only thing Trump knows less about is himself.
He is clueless about his own psyche and motivations and is in the process of destroying any credibility he may have.
The joke is on him.
He is clueless about his own psyche and motivations and is in the process of destroying any credibility he may have.
The joke is on him.
52
Astute. Not much dialogue about what makes him the way he is. I always used to say to my patients that, when things really don't make sense to their adult minds, the problem is psychological, not logical. It's very true with Trump. He's acting out something really painful & taking us with him, or, hopefully, not.
3
The joke is on you, fellow citizens. I feel very much sorry that you have been heavily brainwashed by the media. I am genuinely amazed how blind you are and unable to think critically. Even a person with one eye ball and half a brain could see all the issues and concerns from afar. Educate yourself! Stop being ignorant and insolent.
We have seen the stories about how saying 'Inshallah' or writing economic formulae can get you kicked off of a plane.
I am curious to know if the two people whose complaints resulted in these evictions have been publicly identified, shamed, and informed that they themselves are being placed on a 'do not fly' list. If ignorance is dangerous these people represent a clear and present danger to the United States, just like Donald Trump.
Dan Kravitz
I am curious to know if the two people whose complaints resulted in these evictions have been publicly identified, shamed, and informed that they themselves are being placed on a 'do not fly' list. If ignorance is dangerous these people represent a clear and present danger to the United States, just like Donald Trump.
Dan Kravitz
349
"publicly identified, shamed"
C'mon, Hester Prynne is not the way to go. You're closer to the Donald Trump side of things than to the Sadiq Khan side. Just saying...
C'mon, Hester Prynne is not the way to go. You're closer to the Donald Trump side of things than to the Sadiq Khan side. Just saying...
4
How easy to Monday morning quarter back, and disgusting to want to publicly shame others. Did you forget, that it was an airline security agent who went against her instincts, and allowed the worst of the worst to board a plane on 9/11. Thousands of innocent souls would not have died the worst death imaginable, if she could concentrate on passenger safety first, instead of tending to PC pressure by those like yourself. It is not an easy situation, when there is Muslim terrorism daily and the ultimate goal for jihadists is to down a plane.
2
If there is a law against public nudity why isn't there one for falsely accusing someone for being a terrorist on a plane?
1
If you are thinking that election of Mr. Khan has any lessons for the mindless sheep (sorry, sheep) followers of Trump, you are sadly mistaken.
The sheep support Trump not because of his reasoned stands and values, but due to lack of any. Mere mouthing of the words by The Great Communicator, as needed at the moment, is quite enough for them.
I am waiting to hear how Trump spins the election of the new mayor of London. What sort of *disaster* he alludes to it.
The sheep support Trump not because of his reasoned stands and values, but due to lack of any. Mere mouthing of the words by The Great Communicator, as needed at the moment, is quite enough for them.
I am waiting to hear how Trump spins the election of the new mayor of London. What sort of *disaster* he alludes to it.
35
Donald Trump wants to build walls to control illegal immigration. The UK does the same, and so does every reasonable leader.
3
One other famous and ignorant president was quoted as having listened to "his gut" the inestimable George W. See what he did to this country, and cringe.
389
And so did Teddy Roosevelt, next....
4
You have your facile tropes mixed up. One London mayor does not put the lie to the very real problem of jihadi terrorism. Saying that Kahn's election proves all is right in Europe does not make it so. Muslims in Europe have the same responsibility to assimilate as any immigrant in any host country. They must first accept the language, morals and laws of the country they have made the conscious choice to live in. Otherwise, you invite chaos. Muslim dominated nations have not made a very good example lately. Look at Turkey, your shining example of modern Islamic rule, where Erdogan is putting the finishing touches on his Islamic dictatorship. Muslims have to figure out how to live in a modern secular society without destroying it. One lone London mayor does not constitute a solution.
154
His point is that a Moslem who speaks against jihad is more powerful than a non Muslim speaking against jihad.
8
Another voice of reason, thank you, sir, for speaking up.
2
Because America is a melting pot, our country is a unique land where men and women all backgrounds can live in peace. As a melting port, our country assimilate newcomers while America grows by absorbing the best of new cultures. As a melting port, America has achieved spectacular prosperity over the past several century. Jim, and Mr. Trump, would have us believe that America should look backward and only accept newcomers who look and think like who we are now but not how we can and will be. We should pity people like Mr. Trump who are weak and are frighten of changes but we should recognize that their path is wrong leading toward stagnation and decay.
7
Trump may be, as Cohen says, the product of fear and anger, but that fear and anger is itself the product of a decades-old Republican political strategy founded on bigotry and false promises, a strategy encouraged by the manipulations of a few greedy ultra-wealthy Americans (David & Charles Koch, Richard Mellon Scaife, John Olin, and others). Bernie Sanders keeps saying the system is "rigged," and he's right. But that rigging has been put in place over nearly half a century; it is nothing new. What's new is that the fearful and angry powerless passengers in steerage have gotten up on deck, overpowered a few of the crew, and started ignorantly pulling the lines thinking they can steer the ship. If their leader is elected, they'll run it aground taking the rest of us with them. -- Khan's election in Britain may be globally reassuring, but we still have to work hard for such enlightened outcomes to be possible in the United States of 2016.
253
Ahem, I guess you never heard of the Democrat George Wallace?
Fortunately for all Americans, the country came to an enlightening outcome in November 2008. Let's hope those who made that happen turn out in force this November. The world order, such as it is, will be in the balance.
3
Perhaps, just perhaps , 9/11 and the rise of ISIS, the terrorist bombings in Europe, Asia and the Middle East may have something to do with the "fear" you blame entirely on Republicans.
1
A typical Roger column. Meaning that Roger picks his biases and then finds examples to supposedly prove them. In this case, he is talking diversity and lauds the new London Mayor, even before he has taken office. And of course, he uses Trump to prove his point. But, he really has no point yet....rather people must prove themselves on the job before others laud them....
11
This is news indeed, though it barely broke through the "All Trump, All The Time" t.v. broadcasts. Let's hope that Kahn continues to be the anti-Trump, even in the face of pressure. His "strong" opposition to BDS morphed, after opposition, to a lack of support for boycotts only, and even his "I do not support boycotts of Israel" tweet was deleted from his twitter account, allegedly "accidentally." To his credit, the tweet made its way back. Sadly, Kahn's election serves to highlight the bigotry, xenophobia, etc. of so much of the American electorate.
8
This sounds all very nice but its not the truth. David Cameron said, and its a fact, that Khan had repeatedly stood next to an ISIS sympathizer. I think I would rather Donald Trump.
9
Yes, he did stand next to him...to rebuke him.
Ronnie Reagan stood next to the leaders of the USSR. That made Ronnie a Commie, right?
Ronnie Reagan stood next to the leaders of the USSR. That made Ronnie a Commie, right?
26
And found to be incorrect, just a strike at Kahn by a conservative. Get your facts straight.
19
Garak, no he didn't rebuke him.
When Britain banned Rev. Louis Farrakhan from entry, it was Sadiq Khan who campaigned to overturn the ban. This is progress to you?
When Britain banned Rev. Louis Farrakhan from entry, it was Sadiq Khan who campaigned to overturn the ban. This is progress to you?
4
An eloquent statement of a very important truth. Let's hope that Americans demonstrate the same will as Londoners to reject the facile, fascist fear-mongering of the Donald. It's time to tell Trump "you're fired."
119
Sorry, you forgot to mention:" And let us give political power to hostile groups, so they can have things run their way. Only then will all be complete."
3
@Max: But hostile groups DO have political power in this country. The white supremacists have publicly thrown their support behind Donald Trump. Racists love him. The anti-abortion terrorists who spend their days threatening doctors and screaming in the faces of women entering clinics for Pap smears . . . well, Cruz is gone, so they'll just vote for whatever Republican is handy.
2