GHOUSE delivers the letter to President Trump

CFP delivers the letter to President Trump

Thursday, February 23, 2017, National Harbor, Washington, DC — Two days ago, the following letter (below) was drafted and was to be given to President Trump. Today at the C-PAC convention at the Gaylord Resorts, my determination was firm. I wasn’t sure what would happen next. I knew, however, that I would have no regrets for at least trying my best.

My friend, Jack Pagano, was resourceful in identifying the movers and shakers of the Conservative Union and, quite literally, we chased them to give them the letter. Things happened so fast, that we could not even take pictures. I am grateful to Jack for taking at least a few pictures. I will post some of the pictures later.  

 

We caught up with Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the Conservative Union, who put the whole C-PAC program together. He is a very gracious man. He actually took the time to stop and read the letter, word by word, and one paragraph – twice.  He said he believed in a Cohesive America and that the President needs to read this letter. He said he would give the letter to the President tomorrow.

VP Pence finished his thunderous speech around 9 PM, and as he and his security men walked out of the back door, I handed the letter to him and I asked him to read it. He folded it and said that he would read it later.

Nigel Farage from Brexit was next, he read the letter then placed it in his coat pocket and said he agreed with it and that he was going to talk with President Trump.

Tom McDevitt, Chairman of the Washington Times also read it, and asked me to give a copy to another gentleman who is a mover and shaker. He also liked the letter. A “positive turn of events” resulted in my being able to meet him tomorrow. 

Next, I reached one of the gentleman who was with Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus and he said he will pass the letters on to them.  In addition, the letter was shared with a few more individuals.  

I am so disappointed that I did not go on Wednesday night. My buddy, Sean Hannity, was there. He would have put me on the stage and my voice may have had even more of an impact.  Thanks to Hannity having me on his show over 100 times, almost everyone I met there knew me; including the man who ran against Paul Ryan!

Engaging with people whom you perceive to be opposed to you is the right thing to do. It will gradually dissolve your own prejudices against others and vice-versa.  If you have not read“1 of 4” of my series of notes called “Positive Engagement with the Polarized,” I will resend them. It is a series of video discussions from Fox News as well as other channels. 

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SHORTEST LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP

Dear Mr. President,

We the people of many faiths and no faith, Christians, Jews, Muslims, LGBT Communities, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Bahai’s, Jains, Native Americans, Pagans, Immigrants and fellow Americans are asking you to consider the following words or something to this effect in your next speech. 

“Fellow Americans, you chose me to be your President, and now I ask you to help me do the right thing for the good of all Americans. Listen carefully; stop those people who are making bomb threats against fellow Americans, particularly against the Jewish Community Centers which is not acceptable. We will hunt them down and punish them accordingly.

Stop them from harassment of Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Immigrants, African Americans or any American for that matter. The actions of those few misguided people are making me look bad and are a bad reflection on my administration. Stop them! I want an America where no one has to live in apprehension.

I will not tolerate any one ruining our country, neither should you! I appeal to you to stop them now; I will not accept my supporters doing hateful acts that malign me as your president.

I want an America where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.”
Standing up for Jews:  http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916, 
President Center for Pluralism
Mike@CenterforPluralism.com 
http://www.CenterforPluralism.com 

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THE LETTER WAS DELIVERED

Matt Schlapp told me that he had passed on the letter (To Trump) and said that he read it twice and liked the message!   Video –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZX2mr7k6fI&feature=youtu.be

Dr. Mike Ghouse is President and Executive Director of the Center for Pluralism committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, apprehension or fear of the other. He is a pluralist, thinker, writer, activist, motivational speaker and a news maker. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 65 links atwww.MikeGhouse.net

Time for Trump to learn, let the court slap heavy fines

TIME FOR TRUMP TO LEARN| Center for American Politcs.com

I hope everyone who has been messed by Trump staffers sue Mr. Trump, as he is the one who eggs on his staff to be violent, let the courts pile up cases upon cases, he said he will pay for it, let him, it is not the money, and it is the fact that his rudeness is established in the court.   This man Trump learns to treat people with respect.

America has always been a great country and Tramp is trashing it with his attitudes, language and violence.  Let him learn to behave.  

 Let’s hope Trump’s bad news is good news for America.  Let me write this in bullets;

Trump’s Campaign Chief Corey Lewandowski was arrested and charged with simple battery.

Corey had grabbed the arm of the reporter Michelle Fields and pushed her out.

Corey denied and trump denied.

Michelle’s ugly boss man at Brietbart does not want to press charges against Trump, everyone should be outraged at this, and because she is woman the assholes discounted her story. I am glad she pursued.

References:  

1. Corey charges with simple battery.  http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/trump-campaign-manager-charged-with-simple-battery/index.html

2. Video of Corey and Michelle - http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/29/donald-trump-campaign-manager-lewandowski-charged-battery-lv.cnn

3. Trump on the tape - http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/29/donald-trump-defends-campaign-manager-corey-lewandowski-sot-lead.cnn/video/playlists/donald-trump/

Mike Ghouse

Mr. Trump, Islam does not hate us

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 Washington, DC 
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com
SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com


Mr. Trump, blaming Islam amounts to barking at the wrong tree.

Washington, D.C.  March 10, 2016 – Mr. Trump in an interview to CNN Anchor, Anderson Cooper said, “There’s an unbelievable hatred of us, we have got to get to the bottom of it, and there is unbelievable hatred of us.”Anderson interjects, “In Islam itself?” Trump responds, “You have to figure that out, ok, you will get another Pulitzer.” (Video)

He continues, “We have to be very vigilant, very careful and we cannot allow people coming into this country with this hatred of us”.

I want to assure Mr. Trump that Islam does not hate America, nor does Islam kill people, just as Guns don’t kill, but individuals do. 

Mr. Trump is seeking guidance when he says, “we have to get to the bottom of it” and I am pleased to offer my services to coach him in Islam and Muslim psyche.
Jesus did not give permission to Christians to go on the crusades, inquisitions, genocides of Native Americans, Holocaust, Bosnia and massacres etc? It is not Christians, but the men who did not get Christianity committed those crimes.

Muhammad (pbuh) did not give permission to Muslims to gas the Kurds, commit 9/11, genocide of people in Darfur? He did not give permission to the ISIS animals to forcibly subject Christian, Yazidi and Shia women to sex abuse?  It is not Muslims, but the men who did not get Islam committed those crimes.

If we are inclined to believe in that non-sense, we have a serious responsibility to find the truth, and truth shall set us free.

Bad things happen because those creeps did not get their religion right.
Who do you blame, religion or the creeps? 
If you blame the creeps what happens?  You’ll hunt them down wherever you can find them,  and punish according to restore trust in the society, so no one can live in apprehension or tensions. 

If you blame the religion what happens? Mr. Trump, nothing happens! It is the dumbest thing to blame the religion!  Religion is not a being, it is an intangible item, and you cannot shoot, kick, beat, thrash, hang, kill or bury a religion. Let’s not bark at religion, it does not good and no problem will be solved except aimless barking.

Problem remains, people will continue to remain apprehensive and fearful of each other. Let’s find solutions to these problems.

We are indeed committed to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live in Apprehension or fear of each other.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 talk/text
www.MuslimSpeaker.com 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India,Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in.
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Pope Francis on Trump's Christianity

POPE FRANCIS ON TRUMP’S CHRISTIANITY | www.InterfaithSpeaker.com

Pope Frances is one of my mentors, the man whom I admire and call a mercy to humanity, the man whom I would listen to in building a world of harmony. Keeping in line with his pronouncements replicating Jesus' wisdom - blame the sin and not the sinner. 

I wish he had said, "Those of us who are followers of Christ have responsibilities to fulfill towards fellow beings, one among them is to build bridges and not walls, I pray that we all live up to our responsibilities including those who are deficit."

““A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” Francis said when a reporter asked him about Mr. Trump on the papal airliner as he returned to Rome after his six-day visit to Mexico.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/world/americas/pope-francis-donald-trump-christian.html?_r=0

"Pope Francis waded into the United States’ immigration debate, criticizing presidential candidate Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall across the entire US/Mexico boarder. The comments came after a six-day trip to Mexico, culminating in the border city of Ciudad Juárez. Read the Human Rights Watch roadmap to immigration reform which emphasizes protection of immigrant families."

Mike Ghouse
Text or Talk at (214) 325-1916

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com 

Sicko Politicians about Supreme Court nominee and their Joke

ARE WE SICK OF THE POLITICIANS? ENJOY THE JOKE No one seems to be clean, neither Democrats nor Republicans. We need a new breed of people to run for public office – they go in there to serve a maximum of two terms, if they are elected at the end of the first term if not take a hike. No one should sit there to become a professional politicians bought out by the interest groups, get out and let others serve. They need to put America first, and not their interests. I dislike the words “Powerful Senator” or “Long term serving congressman” both are anti-democratic. We need Senators and Congressmen who serve and not flaunt around their bloody power. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader jumped the gun and flat out said he will oppose any of Obama’s nominees to replace Justice Scalia at the Supreme Court that was ugly bad; he has a record of saying that his only purpose in Senate is to defeat Obama. Is this the reason he wants the power? Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senator said identical things 8 years ago to Bush that he cannot nominate a Supreme Court Judge in the last year of his election. Now, the news findings are Democratic senate had voted against it in 1960. Hypocrites or idiots, they need to look into their own pants before calling others dirty. Ted Cruz lied about not confirming any nominee in 80 years, whereas it has happened plenty of times. CBS News guy established the fact and did not give any leeway to the candidates. Last night, Jeb and George Bush were on Sean Hannity, repeating the same BS – which it has not happened in 80 years. All the Republican Presidential candidates ‘believe’ the same lie and the only thing they are offering to Americans is to undo what Obama has done, a bunch of destructors. They have nothing constructive to offer. Hillary has a lot of baggage on her back; I don’t know how she is going to shake it off, though she is better than all the candidates on the other side. I had a high opinion of Jeb, but the more he opens his mouth, the more he doubles down on his imbecile statements, no one can justify the lies his brother said and he keeps defending him. That does not sit well with a majority of Americans. For the sake of dignity, I wish GW had stayed out of public eye, Trump will attack him, even though I did not like the actions of President Bush, I won't like Trump denigrating him in public either. Sanders seemed clean, but the new revelations are he opposed the Iraqi war but had voted to fund it, same goes with Homeland funding. Where is a clean politician? Here is a joke, a man was riding a horse in a Cannibal country, he was hungry and stops at a road side restaurant with a big Menu board that said – Teacher’s Ribs $10, Preacher’s Ribs $15, and Politician’s Ribs $25. The man was puzzled with such a huge difference in price, so he asks the owner of the restaurant why the politician’s ribs are twice more expense than Teachers? The man replied – have you ever cleaned one of those things?

Mike Ghouse
Text or Talk at (214) 325-1916

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in.

America’s enduring value; freedom and Hijab.

America’s enduring value; freedom and Hijab | www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

One should have the freedom to wear, eat, drink or believe whatever the hell they want, as long as they are not taking anything away from you. 

The Taliban extremists force women to wear the full Burqa, where as the French extremists force the women not to wear.  These brutes do not represent civil society, as both of them want to tell a woman what she wears. Who the hell are they?

Wearing Hijab does not amount to oppression, forcing them not to wear amounts to oppression.  Hijab is a cultural expression,   a woman who is raised wearing full skirts will not be comfortable wearing mini-skirts; many a women are not comfortable showing cleavage, whereas others are comfortable with it. Neither is good or bad, it is what the individual is comfortable with.

Hijab is not a religious requirement, however modesty is. Modesty is not only religious and but the civilized thing to do. The men are first asked to lower their gaze and not look lustily at women, and then women are asked in equal terms to cover their bosoms.

On the other hand, Muslim men are not comfortable wearing shorts, or going shirtless even around their own kids and family members.  Men in other cultures have a range – but very few walk around naked in their homes.

I will stand with Muslim women who want to wear Hijab; it is their choice and will stand against men who force their women to wear the Hijab.

What is your problem? What is your loss? Why do you want to impose your ideas on others? The America I cherish is the America where people mind their own business, and not hell bent on imposing their ideas on others.

Everyone has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  One of the enduring American values is freedom, freedom to choose what one wears, eats, drinks or believes.

One has a right to be a Taliban or French extremists, but being pro-choice respects the God given inalienable rights of individuals.

Related Articles:

Al-Azhar confirms Hijab is not a part of the religion
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/al-azhar-confirms-hijab-is-not-part-of.html

Hijab is Cultural and not Religious
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/07/hijab-is-cultural-and-not-religious_19.html

Burn the Burqa
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/01/burn-burqa.html

Burqa to no Burqa
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/07/burqa-to-no-burqa.html

Trump is right for once
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2015/11/trump-is-right-burqa-is-matter-of.html

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

Human Rights are more important than the sovereignty of nations

What it means is, that a nations’ sovereignty is inferior to the sovereignty of human rights. Human rights are more important than nations or religious rights.

What it means for Saudi Arabia is, that they have to honor the inalienable rights of individuals over the laws of the nation or religion, any religion for that matter. Nothing is greater than the inalienable rights of individuals.

In our land, we have come a long way, but more to go. Little men like Trump attempt to mess it, but all of them come and go, and our constitution remains an enduring value for ages to come, and we have to defend it no matter what sacrifices we have to make. Mike Ghouse

Our Immortal declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics,terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

Donald Trump's first TV Commercial, what can Muslims do about it?

What can we do about Trump's ad Campaign?  | www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Washington, DC, January 5, 2016 -- Perceptions are created through imagery, and the images drive one into taking clumsy actions.  Senior Bush had won against Dukakis through the imagery of Willie Horton, and Junior Bush used the speed boat commercial against John Kerry, both were reprehensible actions, but had won them the elections.  The new political ad from Donald Trump is no different, except that it may create chaos. 

The image of Hijabi woman used in this video poses serious security issues to innocent women wearing Hijab at work place, hospitals, Halls of Congress, Senate, buses, cafeteria or in the Public Square.  To protect the rights of fellow Americans, we may have to deploy more police in every street corner. That is not the America we want to become. 

 url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEAJrT8PeOo

Two CNN shows on Sunday (1/3/15), laid out the profiles of Trump supporters as uneducated middle income Americans, who are dwindling in numbers, and were referred to as losers.  Americans in general, and Muslims Americans in particular don't like such terms ascribed to fellow Americans.   

They see Trump as a savior who would regain the lost glory from two devastating wars. Who would not want America to do well?
  

As American Muslims, we take this responsibility seriously, and to do our share of work in restoring the glory days by assuring fellow Americans that we are committed to the safety of every American, we believe, whatever happens to one will happen to the other.  We will also continue to report any one who is a suspect or a threat to the security of our nation, and finally, we will watch out for the tell tale signs of members who are asocial and isolated for no reason.

We are in this together and we will solve our problems together without pitching one American against the other.

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My op-ed will be out on Wednesday presenting the outline and 

I am available for interviews

Mike Ghouse | (214) 325-1916 | MikeGhouse@aol.com

America Together Foundation 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, Terrorism,  and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

Conservatives talk show hosts are fun to work with.

Washington, DC Press Club, December 15, 2015 

While I was watching the Presidential debate at the National Press Club, there was another group watching right behind me.  When Lindsey Graham spoke eloquently about blaming the individuals and not the faith, which is my mantra, I clapped, and they booed.  One of the ladies and her husband beckoned me to join them, and told me they were conservatives and asked about me, "I am a moderate" I said. 

Melody and Dave Clarke, and Mike Ghouse

Of course we exchanged a few thoughts on what is being a moderate – it is someone who does not see the conservative and liberals as his or her adversaries, it is someone who had no problem with a different point of view, it is someone who understands different perspectives without agreeing to them. I introduced myself and gave them my card that read, Mike Ghouse, Executive Director, American Muslim Institution. 

What followed after that was an interesting but a familiar conversation, Déjà vu!   It appears that most of the conservatives have memorized certain things about Muslims, and reel it off.  I don’t get offended; instead I listen to them patiently and share my perspective. They asked me about Sharia and I gave them a short talk on the topic and referred them to my website www.ShariaLaws.com and asked them to read at least two articles listed on the left panel; Genesis of Sharia and Fixing Sharia.

 If we bear any responsibility towards the well being of fellow Americans, we must talk with the idea of communicating our points of view, and to understand and not to put down the other, even if the other does that. That is precisely what Jesus meant when he said to turn the other check, meaning don’t aggravate the conflict, mitigate it, and that is precisely the approach of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), both of them are my mentors in human development.

Melody Clarke is a conservative Radio talk show host; and her husband Dave and we had a good time learning our differences on political issues.  She has offered me to join on her on her show in North Carolina, and I have been on many conservative shows across the nation.  I hope a few more will see another point of view, shame on us, as Muslims, we have not offered an alternate narrative about Muslims, and instead we defend and blame them and cause them to dig in their heels. On the other hand our conservative friends have not made an effort to see if there is another point of view.  

 I am sure you have had that experience, with patience; people will learn to respect you, and gradually see your point of view as a courtesy. Instead of falling into the trap and getting agitated, if you take the approach of listening with patience, it opens them with common decency to listen to you; a dialogue begins at that time.

If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.  It is not 2+2 = 4, but we have to go through emotional process to achieve that for a better world around us. 

There is no joy greater than living without conflicts with fellow beings. By the way, do join us for this God given opportunity to build stronger bonds with fellow Americans on the steps of Lincoln Memorial for joint celebrations of Christmas and Milad (Prophet Muhammad's birth day) with Christmas Carols and Nasheeds.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/merry-christmas-milad-mubarak-tickets-20040393356

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine Terrorism and foreign policy. Over 3000 Articles have been published on the subjects. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com  

Trump is right; Burqa is matter of individual choice.

Donald Trump speaks the language of the street, and it has its own appeal. He argued in a New Hampshire rally (October 26, 2015) in defense of the wearing of the Burqa, the full-length robe for women covering all but the upper face.  “In fact, it is easier; you don’t have to put on make-up.” Indeed, that is one of the most common arguments in favor of the Burqa; women don’t have to spend hours doing their hair or spend time on makeup.

Born and raised in New York, Trump understands diversity. He probably has seen all the cultural expressions of New York’s inhabitants, and seems to have accepted diversity as a part of God’s creation.

The Burqa is a regional and a cultural wear and not a religious garment.  But over a period of time, culture and religion in certain parts of the Middle East and Central Asia have blended and become inseparable. Being cultural, it varies from country to country– not all Muslim women wear Burqa; A Muslim woman’s modesty garments vary from a simple scarf to wrap-around scarf to a shuttle-cock covering. Trump is right when he says Burqa “is a matter of individual choice.”

The purpose of Hijab (covering) is twofold; to ensure safety of women through modesty, and to prevent men from staring at the obvious. The Quran says to men; “Lower your gaze” and to women, “Cover your bosoms” and live freely without apprehensions. 


Those who are not personally familiar with Muslims may find it difficult to understand that the head covering in America is becoming more of a fashion statement than a religious one. A huge percent of girls wear the Hijab even though their mothers and grandmothers don’t. Minorities seem to have a need for identity. The Orthodox Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and all others find different expressions of their identities.

Indeed, attachment to culture is much deeper than religion; culture is a way of life that emulates the practices of families and friends. For example, the marriage rituals of Indian Muslims are heavily influenced by Hindu culture, and nowhere else on the earth, other than the Subcontinent , do Muslim marriages look like Hindu marriages.

American culture is unique; it permeates into every other culture and religion. When an American joins a buffet line for lunch, he or she takes his place in the line and rarely does he or she violates the rule. Whether one is weak or strong, man or a woman, in a hurry or not, the principle of equality prevails. America does it to everyone, thank God for that!

Whether you go to a Jain Temple, Hindu Temple, Gurdwara or a Mosque – men and women sit separately; it is cultural and not a religious thing.  When devotional songs or prayers begin, all the women cover their heads with aanchal (an extended garment to cover hair) – very few of them don’t. Indeed, Catholic women also cover their heads and Jewish women do it in their own way, in fact at one time they wore wigs.

Except for a few women from major metropolitan cities, most Indian women from all faiths will not wear mini-skirts when they are here in America; you cannot get them to wear it either and that is their comfort zone.

Muslim women have been wearing different forms of head coverings for centuries. A woman who covers her full face will not take the scarf off when that is her comfort zone.

I took my kids to every place of worship so they could grow up to be accepting of others,  and when I went to the Baptist Church I wore casual clothes, and my jeans had a hole on the back pocket, I was comfortable with that,  but my wife was not, so the next day my favorite pants disappeared. Culture means conformity with others in a given situation.

Every woman has her own comfort zone and so does every man.  Most men from South Asia will not walk around naked in their homes, even if a few may do, and that is their comfort zone. Most Muslim men will not take their shirts off in the presence of female members of the family, nor will they wear shorts in their homes, and that is their comfort zone. 

Personally, I am not in favor of the Burqa, but several years ago, my late wife gave me a panic attack. One day, she announced that she will start wearing the Burqa. She had never worn any kind of Hijab other than covering her head during the prayers, which most women do. For a few minutes I was dumbed down; I acted like a snake had bitten me.  I had to arrest myself before speaking, as the thoughts raced. “Am I a brute to tell her not to wear? Can I tell her not to wear? Will I go out shopping with her in that Burqa?” It was quite a mental exercise for me, and I am glad I was put to the test and finally said, “Najma, that is your choice”. She was probably testing to see if the man who believes in equality would live up to his words.

Women should not be a game for men – they should have the freedom to wear what gives them comfort. No man should tell her to wear or not to wear the Burqa. It should be her choice. 

When we understand true freedom, we will learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the uniqueness of each individual. We all need to grow up and shed our biases towards any one and any culture.

We ought to take the steps to prevent anyone from forcing their values onto others. Remember, most men are civil, and only a few are bad. It has nothing to do with religion, culture, income level and it has all to do with how they were raised or how they were influenced by friends around them.

 It is utterly wrong to conclude that Muslim, Sikh, Hindu or Christian men treat their women badly. No, that is not the truth. You will find a similar percentage of men in all groups treating women badly. It has got to go. 

What is it to you if a woman wears Burqa or not? What is your gain or loss? Let it be her choice. 

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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, human rights, foreign policy and building cohesive societies. Mike offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com  

Have Faith in America, Carson and Trump are losers

HAVE FAITH IN AMERICA 

DO WORRY ABOUT CARSON AND TRUMP

BUT DON'T LOSE SLEEP OVER IT

 

Relax and be assured, we have never elected extremist presidential candidates ever, Carson and Trump will fall by the wayside, if Trump makes it in the primaries, he will lose it in general election. The Math does not support these two.

Democracies in general and two party systems in particular have the voters divided into approximately 45/45 each party with about 10% independents or a variation there of. Then there is thing called Reagan Democrats or Obama Republicans, those who choose the sensible candidate regardless of their party affiliation. 

In the general election, the silent but moderate Republicans will not vote for Trump or Carson and most of the Democrats will puke at them. Even the African American votes will not go to Carson for the negative comments he has made about the African Americans. The right wing Republicans who hate Obama, will support Carson just enough to delude themselves that they are not prejudiced.  

Even the Republicans on the right have condemned Carson for his remarks, Senator Lindsey Graham has made the strongest case against Carson's opportunist rhetoric. Even Ted Cruz has not spared Carson. Bernie Sanders gave it to him.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He6NKZaHXLM

Carson will fall off the radar, when it gets down to serious business. 

Trump will not make it in the general Election.

Each one of them is exceptionally good in their field of specialty,  what they can do as Surgeons or businessmen, they cannot do as politicians, they are not well rounded. 

I was on Fox News today the 23rd of September with Stuart Varney and made these points:

Dr. BEN CARSON  has made 5 mistakes

When I get chance, I will expand on these bullets, and will also post the video interview. 

1. Did not have faith in constitution. "That all humans are created equal."

2. Did not respect Americans. They will not elect anyone who holds extreme views about fellow Americans. Just because some one runs.

3. Does not believe that one is innocent until proven guilty - he assumes all Muslims are guilty.

4. Rev Martin Luther King, Jr would rebuke him for judging people for their character based on faith

5. Opportunist - when he saw trump gaining a few points by his uncouth rhetoric, he jumped in too to get his piece. 

God Save us all, and God bless America!

Mike is a speaker, thinker, writer, pluralist, TV-Radio commentator and a human rights activist committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His info in 63 links at MikeGhouse.net and writings at TheGhouseDiary.com