I am ashamed of the handlers for the campaign. They should know better and make better decisions. This was a foolish, if well intentioned choice. They should be instructed better and things like who sits in camera range should be a dicision left to people with more authority. If this decision came from those in greater authority, then shame on them, too. Ultimately, the choice is Obama’s – or at least he is accountable for everything seen and heard (hence the disclaimers aftr each ad). I hope he is made aware and that he takes care fo this problem. Every mountain started as a hill, every hill started as a pile, every pile started as a mound, and every mound started from the first push of a few grains of dirt.
(Actualy, that may be an amusing metaphor, but lousy geology. Mountains come first – thrust from the mantle of the earth or flowing as volcanic eruptions, then they are worn down by wind and water. I suppose the analogy holds – this media made mountain can be worn down if attended to).

These were Obama Volunteers seating people invited to the Detroit Rally for Barack Obama. The people in charge of Volunteers should have been the ones who decided who sits where, and for what reason. Obviously it wasn’t caused by Obama when he wants to bring all people together. He can’t babysit volunteers, so his people in charge should be checked carefully and held to their responsibilites.

Ultimately it’s because they are all concerned about the Republican disinformation machine and not giving it any crumbs. It’s a shame one of our political parties is so despicable.

According to NPR news this is being sorted out. Appologies have been amde and some corrective steps taken. It sounds like they will be asked to join another audience – in camera view. Also, Obama may be calling and appologizing as well.
The paranoia about all things Islam in this country is unnerving. As a nation we need to grow up and stop looking for enemieis around every corner. And in the absence of real enemies, some people (like FOX”news”) work hard at creating them.

There are so many ironies in this story:
1) If McCain had two women in head scarves standing behind him, the media would say he was reaching-out to the Moslem community; for Obama it would mean he’s a terrorist.
2) Moslem women wear head scarves to perserve modesty, but these women complain their were’nt allowed the opportuniy to display their modesty in full view of television cameras.
3) The two are Obama volunteers supposedly because they support his message and policies and then turn around and give the campaign this headache.
Political rallies are staged events and the campaign has every right to control the image in projects. Beside the head scarf/Moslem/terrorist angle that would have been made, head scarves are seen by many Democrats, liberals, and feminists as a symbol of the oppression of women by a patriarchal religion. Fox news would have jumped on the former, some party faithful on the latter (like I just did and probably would have).
Playing devil’s advocate: If an Obama volunteer showed up at a rally dressed in Star Trek uniform and Spock-ears because he genuinely believed Star Trek advanced the philosophy of tolerance and progress that fit well with Obama’s message, and he was denied a seat behind the candidate, would that be wrong?

OK sinsonte, now you are cutting me to the quick! Do you mean to say i will not be welcomed in my Star Fleet authorized deck officers shirt, complete with pips of rank? Do they not understand “Live long and Prosper”? Are they not in synch with the Vulcan concept of IDIC (Inifinite diversity in Infinite Combinations)? Next you will be saying they do not approve of Yoda & Obi Wan’s salutation, “May the Force be With You” [and also with you]. Soon we cannot even wish each other Salaam or Shalom or Pax or Peace (or my personal favorite, the scandinavian, “Fred” – as “Hey, Fred!”, as said by the prophet Barney Rubble; the modern equivalent of “Hi, Norm”, an affirmation of the status quo by bar flies in Boston)
Trekkers, unite with any others of Diverse -United – Human (DUH – a variation on Homer Simpson’s mediatative sound, “Doh!”)
Seriously, I agree the ironies make the entire episode more amusing than newsworthy. It is a lesson that if you want to find an enemy you will. That is also the definition of paranoia. In our fear we are becoming schizophrenic – and we are letting the self-destructive voices rule our choices.
I hope the Obama campaign, and the candidate huimself follow through with making amends. Then, lets push on. Everybody SING!, “It’s a long long way until November…”

sinsote,
marvelous observations.

Jestrfyl, and Sinsonte great posts! We’ve had eight years of looking under seats, and behind doors in America, we need some good old Democratic governing to stop this paranoia! The ladies with the scarves should only make us see their beautiful eyes, and their desire for modesty. This reminds me of the Disneyland in FL article elsewhere on Beliefnet. The Sikhs wearing their Turbans are attractive to look at, for whatever reason they wear what they do it isn’t hurting me and it’s their business. If they resent wearing scarves then they should do something about it themselves, and not have to have political parties deciding they are being abused and making an issue out of it. Scarves do not equal=terriorists, and Turbans do not equal=reason to fire someone when they wear them.

Democrats are shell-shocked. Tomorrow it appears that, with the connivance of their congressional leaders, they will let the administration read our email and listen to our phone calls with no meaningful judicial oversight. Sometimes they are pathetic. The alternative is, unfortunately, worse.

As an American female Muslim who wears hijab proudly, it is sad that these two girls have basically been profiled and discriminated against – maybe NOT by Obama’s campaign, but by the volunteers that have issues with Muslims. HAving said that, I do beleive that these two girls should have been allowed to contribute by standing up for Obama as their friends were. This particular rally was held in Detroit, Detroit has the largest population of Muslims than any other city in the US. If the rally was supposed to be representative of a cross section of the city’s citizenship, then the girls had a right to be there. By denying them, the volunteers, not Obama, were saying that this presidential candidate is willing to work for everyone but women who choose to wear their scarves because it is a command of God. It is no less a commandment of God than “Honor thy mother and father” or “Thou shalt not kill”. Many practicing Muslim women find that not wearing their hijab makes life easier. I applaude these two sisters for not compromising and removing their scarf just to be seen on television. I also applaude them for not sitting back and not bringing this to light. By speaking up,they have opened the door to understanding and dialog regarding the millions of Muslims in the US who back Obama but are questioning the necessity to distance himself (through his volunteers) from Islam. Insha’Allah, this will lead to a more solidified campaign in the future.

Much ADO about Nothing!! You know Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, you should ALL start complaining about the STONINGS, Darfur and the terror between Shias and Sunnis before you start getting so worked up about, now what? NOTHING!!

I am very sorry this happened to anyone who was there to support Obama. I doubt if the volunteers had a problem with the headscarves, they were probably afraid of what Fox news would do with the pictures. Rememver the stink over Rachel Ray and the hoopla over the hand bump? They were trying to keep Fox from accusing him falsely of sympathizing with terrorist. It is so sad that a so called news station would say anyone wearing Muslim attire is linked to terrorist activity but that is exactly what they do. Have you seen the awful emails that are circulating about Obama and the Muslim faith? I am ashamed that my country is vilifying an entire religion because of the actions of a few.
Lets just all work together to get someone elected who will not try to continue the fear mongering. That is what creates these situations.

The ignorant attitude displayed by Obama’s campaign this week in Detroit over Muslim headscarves has been condoned for months by all the Presidential candidates. The 2008 election has promoted an atmosphere where Muslims need not apply, and they should “shut up and be quiet” no matter how valid their grievances are. Muslims will only be more discouraged from supporting these clowns as they are continually profiled and discriminated against based on their predjudices from overblown FOXX-style stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists.
Maybe Timothy McVey and his kind are closet Muslims?! Obama’s staff needs to get a reality grip about who the real terrorists are, which would start with looking at the leading state sponsor of terror, Israel. The Bush Neocons supporting Israel pushed our country into the illegal war with Iraq and now want us to fight another battle in vain with Iran. Wake up, Obama! The real enemy is Israel, not Iran!
I am supporting Nader not only because of Obama’s hesitancy to include Muslims in his campaign, but also because he claims he is a Zionist! How can any rational person support a terrorist state like Israel that’s origin was rooted in wiping hundreds of Palestinian villages off the map of Palestine? What kind of justice would Obama practice with his foreign policy? Apparently more of the same pandering to the AIPAC crowd, and no real “change”. Nader would change our foreign policy so as not to give Israel “the green light” unconditionally with BILLION$$$ in military aid to attack it’s neighbors. Nader’s policies of change would save our country from having to defend against more attacks from the millions of Muslim and Christian people worldwide fighting Israel’s U.S.-backed terror.
It’s a well known fact around the world. Britain and America has for decades been complicit in and supportive of the continued Zionist aggression against Middle Eastern neighbors and the oppression of the Palestinians. This is all to support the Zionist agenda, to have their empire stretch from the Nile to the Euphrates. If the indiginous people are in the way, too bad! The Zionists believe they are the Chosen ones to settle the land!
Now why should Muslim voters get out of his way and support the Zionist Obama? Please, do tell! I’m sure some Neocon supporters will have some good answers to try to spin on us again.

Of course I have noticed blacks were “always” (ironically) included in Hillary’s back ground as well as John McCains. It is always staged just as movies, commercials, and print ads are scrutinized for public appeal. Thus the term media event. Do you suppose in at least one instance (at least one) a Caucasian was not allowed to sit in only to make room for a minority…absolutely! Should this be a major media event… I could care less.
This is the discriminatory world/nation we live in. I don’t ever recall seeing a muslim woman with head scarf in McCain’s or Hillary’s back ground and it is possible that the same situation may have occurred
There is only one entity to blame it is US! Or at least the percentage of the population that chooses to discriminate and not stand with a person of a different religion or color. And evidently it is a strong percentage.

I don’t think Obama has to apologize to her he did nothing. People need to get a grip, and stop holding others responsible for the behavior of any affliated in one way are another.. She need to get over it. I’t call Life stuff and things will happen why take it personal, where is your self esteem , and being a Muslim she should know better God is in control.. Oviously it was not meant for her to be seated there.

Why would any Muslim want to associate him or herself with Obama anyway? Obama fell all over himself fawning in adoration at the AIPAC conference; his remarks were nauseating. Prior to that, he criticized the fact that Gazans were allowed to have free elections in 2006, thereby electing Hamas to represent them, and so what if those elections were free and monitored by the Carter Center. And of course, Obama has gone to great lengths to deny being a Muslim, much as one would deny being a leper.

I’m with MariaminPakistan. Why should Muslims support a self-proclaimed Zionist?!

Well, well, talk about prejudice.
Maybe it’s because of entrenched anti-muslim, anti-others, anti-semitic, anti-israel attitudes like those of my muslim and mariamimpakistan that people are so afraid of muslims.
what kind of respect do you show others that you should demand respect for yourselves?!

whoops – meant to say anti – anyone who is not muslim.
messed up in my anger and reaction to the ignorance of the two previous posts.
with people like that around, there really will never be peace in the middle east.

I would like to say that from the comments that I have read there is a lot of people that fit the scripture ” having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” We as a people have the responsibility to trust in GOD,whatever decision we make, if it is indeed made for the right reason.There are rules of conduct, whether you believe in GOD or not. There are standards that we should go by. If someone, anyone is not what you feel they should be, then there is no need to down them. Make the decision that you choose and be done with it. You do not have to answer to anyone but GOD. This I know,whether you believe it or not. So let’s have a fair, honest,unbiased election and keep in mind that GOD says, “I, THE LORD, put down one and set up another.” Enough said.
Best wishes to you all and yours!!!!!!!!!!

I’m not a B.O. fan but where on earth do they get these stories from are they even true?

The stories come from peoples prejudices, and the ability to make up stories to advance their own candidate for office of President. No they’re not true, but the opposite side loves them. It’s just family values.

One more irony:
It’s the Republican party who has won elections demonizing the Moslem community and yet it’s the Obama campaign that gets criticized.
p.a. Need I remind my Moslem brother and sisters how may of their co-religonsits were rounded up in the days following 9/11? What administration, pray tell, did that? What administration made belief in the veracity of the Qu’ran equal to allegiance to Bin Laden?
p.p.s. Though I often disagee with Israel and its policies (ask eastcoastlady), I believe it has a right to exist within safe and secure boaders; therefore, I’m a Zionist — as are most Americans (Oy vey! Like they need the tsores: a feygele alter kocher like me in their corner!).

Like they need the tsores: a feygele alter kocher like me in their corner!).
OMG, sinsote, LMAO, too funny.
I’ll take a feygele alter kocker like you in my corner anytime.
P.S. I don’t agree with everything Israel does, either. But her right to exist should not be questioned.

obama should show his true colors now before it’s too late, make a stand mr. obama or watch what real americans will say, think, and do.
remember your in the political spotlight, and you want our vote, right.

What “true colors” are missing from Sen. Obama’s speeches that true Americans are missing? l. 2. 3. Curtis Williams?

THE CONCERN IS NOT RACE COLOR OR CREED……….WHEN OBAMA WAS SWORN IN AS A SENATOR, DOES IT NOT CONCERN U AND ALL OF US AMERICANS THAT HE REFUSED TO SWEAR ON THE BIBLE AND DEMANDED TO BE SWORN IN ON THE MUSLIM KORAN.?

“THAT HE REFUSED TO SWEAR ON THE BIBLE AND DEMANDED TO BE SWORN IN ON THE MUSLIM KORAN.?”
How to put this delicately?….NOT!
My dear Mosesnassersr, You’re confused, befuddled and, perhaps bewitched. You’re conflating the next President of the United States and Restorer of the Republic witb Rep. Keith Ellison, of Minnesota, who is a Moslem. For your own sake and for the sake of your “Caps Lock” button, eschew all e-mails from anyone named “Bubba” and all correspondences written in crayon. BTW, you can’t have it both ways:
Either Obama is a radical Muslim who knuckle-punches his white-hating wife in a terroristic fashion, or he’s a commie agitator who is a member of radical Black-identiy Chistian church lead by Rev. Wright. He can’t be both.

Or he is simply a politician like all of the rest.

Politicians – they are all the same – black, white, Muslim or Christian!
The leaders of this world, have really F***ed the world up – and thats the truth, it really isnt about religion or race – just about who is the bigger dog!
and who ever actually believes in this religion or race nonsense, really needs to learn how to think for him or herself!

Sorry, I have friends living in Palestine, and Palestinian friends living in the US. I know from what they tell me, what is the situation in Palestine and how the Israeli government forces them to live. And so accordingly, I am anti-Israel. I don’t believe one single dime in support should go to them because of their outrageous treatment of Palestinian Arabs, both Christian and Muslim. I will not vote for a candidate who is in favor of supporting the Israeli regime. Remember the Nakba.

It concerns me that Obama has no problem renouncing his Islamic heritage (father), his church leader (whom he admitted had had a great influence in his life), another church leader/friend and basically anyone else who doesn’t fit the ‘image’ he wants to sell in order to become president. Personally I would have admired him more if he had defended their comments as ‘freedom of speech’, demonstrated loyalty and kept their friendships. America is composed of every nation and every religion on the planet – our strength is in our diversity and our ability to accept various opinions. We definitely don’t want a leader who drops us and runs at the first bump in the road.

I am so ashamed of people who are discrimatory towards others. In the Holy Koran it tells us islamic believers to treat all people regardless of their religious beliefs as you would treat your brother or sister. It is a shame that the person or persons in question of Obamas staff that showed and proved their discrimination towards the muslim women and their hijab aren’t relieved of their duties, because by relieving them with an apology would show the people that he won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour.

Just because everyone has been watching the bad side of politics for a lot of years doesn’t mean that there haven’t been some good politics in motion, too. Obama apologized to the ladies with the scarves, they are invited again to sit where they had intended to sit at the next speech they can attend. It’s old business, was the next day, it’s time to stop using it as a whip for your agendas. People make mistakes, nobody died, why does their punishment mean so much to you, have you never made mistakes?
Obama has not rejected his bringing-up at any time. He has not rejected his friends that were unwise in their behavior. He has rejected their opinions, and doesn’t want people to think that they are his opinions. Really, if you’re not looking to kick him, and push him out of his position you should be able to understand this.

I am a muslim American head scarf wearing woman also. But I think these two women are very shortsighted and selfish if this is a true account. All muslims should work together to help elect a democrat in the hopes that we will have a better America as well as better treatment of Muslims worldwide. In the current political climate there is not any candidate that will stick his neck out for muslims, but with the democrats we will have the lesser of two evils. If the two ladies in question take a moment to step back and swallow their pride (because I’m sure it was an insulting incident) they might realise that they are cutting off our muslim noses to spite our faces. Get with the program. Work together not against one another. We can’t all have the spotlight! That is real ISLAM!
Kim

Good advice Kim.

Non-Sense, Those muslim sisters most likely dress like that everyday, thats not selfish on their part. I understand how they would be hurt, this was real life, it happened to them and where they least expected it. Senator Obama while he may be a better choice than Sen McCain he and his campaign have promised more than they can or even plan to deliver. This brother is not the “Change we can believe in” everything in his record including this indicate that he, his campaign staff and his future administration will be far more reluctant to change than they have led so many to believe. Everyday Sen Barack steps back on something – 1. PUBLIC FINANCE, 2. DC GUN BAN 3. AT UNITY, NH NOW HE SAYS HE WANTS A SLOW SLOW GRADUAL PULL BACK IN IRAQ, DONT FORGET THE DAY AFTER FINAL PRIMARIES HE GOES to AIPAC the leading Jewish Israeli Lobby and says “he truly understands and supports the Zionist cause”. Thats like saying I understand and support Apartheid.
Once again we have a choice between “not good (Barack) and worse (McCain)”. Either way what we are getting is not in our best interest overall as Americans. A shame we do not have better choices.

bad advice kim, you may be the one who is selfish.