As Thanksgiving Day draws to a close, I'm reminded of Senator John McCain's epic misstatement this past Summer, when he assured Americans that the Syrian Rebels were moderates, and that the Muslim jihad cry of "Allahu akbar" is equivalent to an American saying "Thank God."
Here's what I wrote back on September 3, followed by a re-post from JihadWatch:
McCain equates Syrian jihadists shouting "Allahu akbar" to Christians saying "Thank God"
Breathtaking ignorance and unworthy of an American leader. This is "religious equivalence fallacy" of the very worst kind, for it elevates the bloodthirsty jihad doctrine of Islam to the level of evcharistia, which is the Greek word for "thanksgiving." Senator John McCain has thus implicitly equated the Holy Eucharist with Islam's 1400 years of violent jihad against Christianity, and in so doing he defiles Christianity, crucifying the Son of God all over again. Father forgive them...
McCain defends Syrian jihadists's shouting "Allahu akbar," assures the world that they're moderates — by Robert Spencer, Jihad Watch — 9/3/2013
Allahu akbar does not mean “thank God,” as McCain seems to have affirmed when he said, “That’s what they’re saying.” Allahu akbar means “Allah is greater” – not, as it is often translated, “God is great.” The significance of this is enormous, as it is essentially a proclamation of superiority and supremacism. Allah is greater – than any of the gods of the infidels, and Islam is superior to all other religions.
Al-Islam.org states this obliquely: “Allahu akbar implies that God is superior to all tangible and intangible, temporal and celestial beings.” This may seem to be an innocuous theological statement until one recalls that Islam has always had a political aspect, and Islamic jihadists always shout “Allahu akbar” when attacking infidels. It is a declaration of the superiority of their god and their way of life over those of their victims. 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta also stated that it was meant to make the infidels afraid. He wrote instructions to jihadists that were found in his baggage: “Shout, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.”
And McCain guarantees that the Syrian rebels are moderates? This is the John McCain who, according to Lebanon’s Daily Star, “was unwittingly photographed with a known affiliate of the rebel group responsible for the kidnapping of 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims one year ago, during a brief and highly publicized visit inside Syria” in May. He has already proven that he wouldn't know a "moderate" if he were slitting the venerable Senator's throat.
"John McCain Blasts Fox News Over 'Allahu Akbar' Criticism (VIDEO)," from the Huffington Post, September 3 (thanks to Pamela Geller):
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) blasted Fox News' Brian Kilmeade on Tuesday for questioning members of a Syrian opposition groups' use of the phrase "Allahu Akbar" after what Kilmeade said "looks like a fighter jet being shot out of the sky."
“I have a problem helping those people screaming that after a hit,” Kilmeade said.
McCain criticized Kilmeade for his skepticism of the phrase, which means "God is greater" or "God is the greatest" in Arabic.
“Would you have a problem with an American person saying ‘Thank God? Thank God?'" McCain said. “That’s what they're saying. Come on! Of course they're Muslims, but they're moderates and I guarantee you they are moderates.”
McCain said on NBC's "Today" show he would support President Barack Obama's request for action, but didn't agree with the president that any military force should "be designed to be limited in duration and scope." McCain said he's hoping for resolution of intervention that includes authority to degrade Syria's air defenses.