Supporting Hezbollah ?

Nasser Beydoun responds to Nolan Finley.

I think Beydoun's careful critique of Finley is right on:

"As for the Arab American community’s support for terrorism, we have consistently denounced all acts of terror against civilian population, whether by organization or state. We are vigilant to ensure that terrorists don’t operate in our midst. We are Americans, frontline soldiers against Al Qaeda, America’s main enemy in the war on terrorism. But if we denounce the war in Iraq, it does not mean we are unpatriotic. If we support the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people and denounce Israeli polices, it does not mean we are anti-Semitic. And if we support our mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in South Lebanon, we are not supporting terrorism. "

I would go so far as to say that the term "terrorism" has taken such a beating and has been used as the boogieboy to shut down conversation. In conservative, backlash Michigan, there is a tendency to be scared of the word. The signs in many anti-war demonstrations have called Israel & the U.S. terrorist states. As Beydoun rightly points, carefully, that the majority of Arabs condemns any act of violence against civilian populations. If we, Arabs, are expected to condemn Hezbollah, Hammas for defending Lebanese and Palestinian populations, then those who support Israeli and U.S. violence against Arab peoples should be maligned. It is that simple. If someone is against the killing of innocents, then count all as innocent. Do not pick and choose whose life to value more. Clearly, Nolen Finley is arrogant and blind when it comes to Arabs, and I don't know why Nasser Beydoun wants to count him as a friend. He surely is not a friend to the Lebanese or the Palestinians. It's clear why Nolen Finley wants to continue his friendship with Nasser Beydoun-- as a ruse, a cover for his distorted and disingenuous views on Arabs.