1) You're conflating race (a relatively static and socially determined category) with political orientation (a "choice").
Being Arab or Arab-American is not a political point of view. Surprise: Arabs and Arab-Americans have extremely diverse political views.
Right-wing anti-government libertarianism is, however.
2) If his name was Ahmed, you could rightly point out that taking action against anyone assumed to be Arab or Muslim would be wrong (see #1). You could, however, argue that certain clerics' incendiary rhetoric does a lot to instigate violence. Which is a much better comparison to what Cole is doing here.
So going after a political ideology is NOT the same as indiscriminately going after an entire racial, religious or ethnic group who hold extremely varied political views. Going after the political ideologues (radical clerics or right-wing tv hosts/ex-half-term governors) who instigate violence is completely valid.
Sarah palin, glenn beck, and sharon angle are just the radical clerics of the american right.
You mean the same Ron Paul that sent out racist newsletters for years and then gave about 4 different contradictory explanations for them?
And the same Ron Paul that gladly accepted campaign donations from KKK leader David Duke? And then posed for pictures with him?
The connection between libertarianism and the militia movement is thoroughly documented...good try though.
1) You're conflating race (a relatively static and socially determined category) with political orientation (a "choice").
Being Arab or Arab-American is not a political point of view. Surprise: Arabs and Arab-Americans have extremely diverse political views.
Right-wing anti-government libertarianism is, however.
2) If his name was Ahmed, you could rightly point out that taking action against anyone assumed to be Arab or Muslim would be wrong (see #1). You could, however, argue that certain clerics' incendiary rhetoric does a lot to instigate violence. Which is a much better comparison to what Cole is doing here.
So going after a political ideology is NOT the same as indiscriminately going after an entire racial, religious or ethnic group who hold extremely varied political views. Going after the political ideologues (radical clerics or right-wing tv hosts/ex-half-term governors) who instigate violence is completely valid.
Sarah palin, glenn beck, and sharon angle are just the radical clerics of the american right.
Absolutely agree. Those who are using the fact that he smoked marijuana as indicative of liberalism may need to get out more.