What Muslim Scientific Achievements?
07/14/2010
One headline writer in Washington proclaimed the notion “Lost in Space.”
That’s how many reacted to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden’s comments that he’s been directed by President Obama to reach out to Muslim nations to honor their technological and scientific accomplishments as one of his agency’s priorities.
Bolden, in an interview with Al Jazeera, ignited significant backlash when he said that the President encouraged him to “find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contributions to science.”
The comments have sparked much debate in the blogosphere and among pundits but have gained little traction among mainstream media outlets where Bolden’s explanation of the President’s NASA goals have been underreported at best.
Opponents have questioned the administration’s commitment to space exploration and said using the program as an appeasement for Muslim nations is a misuse of the agency.
Daniel Pipes, director the Middle East Forum, echoed the sentiments of Obama critics in a blog post that questioned why the administration would use a space agency like NASA as a feel-good for foreign policy. He called Obama’s mandate to Bolden a “farcical” and “failed” attempt to win the hearts of Muslims.
“It is inordinately patronizing for Americans to make Muslims ‘feel good’ about the medieval contributions to science,” Mr. Pipes wrote. “This will lead to more resentment than gratitude.”
He added: “Muslims at present do lag in the sciences and the way to fix this is not condescension from NASA but some deep Muslim introspection. Put differently, accomplished scientists of Muslim origin—including NASA’s Farouk El-Baz, who is of Egyptian origins—do exist. The problem lies in societies, and includes everything from insufficient resources to poor education to the ravages of Islamism.”Pipes went on to point out that Obama has been steadily losing his public-opinion contest with Muslims—“his popularity in majority-Muslim countries hardly better than George W. Bush’s.”
Walid Phares, an author and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that the U.S. shouldn’t “be in the business of bringing religion, Islam or other to space development.”
Said Phares: “The initial policy of dealing with international relations in religious terms is faulty and in contradiction with international principles of human rights and also with the U.S. constitutional principles. The Obama Administration was very badly advised since day one on how to engage Muslim majority countries around the world.”
Mr. Phares took issue with the notion of that the “Muslim world” was one unit, separate from the rest of international society, noting that such a division “plays into the hands of jihadists.” He noted that with 1.2 billion Muslims living in 52 countries worldwide, their ranks are hugely diverse.
“The Obama narrative about addressing nation-states as one religious empire looks more like the medieval times than the 21st Century,” he said. “The U.S. can and should have a policy of technological support to as many countries as possible, including all the Muslim majority countries that needs it, inasmuch as other non-Muslim countries.
“Space exploration,” he added, “is a universal frontier, not a matter of public relations reflecting political interests. Talking about Muslims in space is like talking about Sunnis, Shia, Catholics, Mormons, or Taoists sent into orbit.
“This is a ridiculous concept. Those who enter a spaceship are humans not members of religious sects. I think what lays behind this medieval perception of space technology is a policy of partnership with Islamist regimes, most of which are oppressive of their own people.”
On Monday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs pushed back on Mr. Bolden’s comments and said the space agency administrator misspoke. “That was not his task and that’s not the task of NASA,” Mr. Gibbs said, adding that the remarks have been addressed.
That’s how many reacted to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden’s comments that he’s been directed by President Obama to reach out to Muslim nations to honor their technological and scientific accomplishments as one of his agency’s priorities.
Bolden, in an interview with Al Jazeera, ignited significant backlash when he said that the President encouraged him to “find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contributions to science.”
The comments have sparked much debate in the blogosphere and among pundits but have gained little traction among mainstream media outlets where Bolden’s explanation of the President’s NASA goals have been underreported at best.
Opponents have questioned the administration’s commitment to space exploration and said using the program as an appeasement for Muslim nations is a misuse of the agency.
Daniel Pipes, director the Middle East Forum, echoed the sentiments of Obama critics in a blog post that questioned why the administration would use a space agency like NASA as a feel-good for foreign policy. He called Obama’s mandate to Bolden a “farcical” and “failed” attempt to win the hearts of Muslims.
“It is inordinately patronizing for Americans to make Muslims ‘feel good’ about the medieval contributions to science,” Mr. Pipes wrote. “This will lead to more resentment than gratitude.”
He added: “Muslims at present do lag in the sciences and the way to fix this is not condescension from NASA but some deep Muslim introspection. Put differently, accomplished scientists of Muslim origin—including NASA’s Farouk El-Baz, who is of Egyptian origins—do exist. The problem lies in societies, and includes everything from insufficient resources to poor education to the ravages of Islamism.”Pipes went on to point out that Obama has been steadily losing his public-opinion contest with Muslims—“his popularity in majority-Muslim countries hardly better than George W. Bush’s.”
Walid Phares, an author and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that the U.S. shouldn’t “be in the business of bringing religion, Islam or other to space development.”
Said Phares: “The initial policy of dealing with international relations in religious terms is faulty and in contradiction with international principles of human rights and also with the U.S. constitutional principles. The Obama Administration was very badly advised since day one on how to engage Muslim majority countries around the world.”
Mr. Phares took issue with the notion of that the “Muslim world” was one unit, separate from the rest of international society, noting that such a division “plays into the hands of jihadists.” He noted that with 1.2 billion Muslims living in 52 countries worldwide, their ranks are hugely diverse.
“The Obama narrative about addressing nation-states as one religious empire looks more like the medieval times than the 21st Century,” he said. “The U.S. can and should have a policy of technological support to as many countries as possible, including all the Muslim majority countries that needs it, inasmuch as other non-Muslim countries.
“Space exploration,” he added, “is a universal frontier, not a matter of public relations reflecting political interests. Talking about Muslims in space is like talking about Sunnis, Shia, Catholics, Mormons, or Taoists sent into orbit.
“This is a ridiculous concept. Those who enter a spaceship are humans not members of religious sects. I think what lays behind this medieval perception of space technology is a policy of partnership with Islamist regimes, most of which are oppressive of their own people.”
On Monday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs pushed back on Mr. Bolden’s comments and said the space agency administrator misspoke. “That was not his task and that’s not the task of NASA,” Mr. Gibbs said, adding that the remarks have been addressed.
Andrea Billups is a freelance journalist and author based in Michigan.
Reader Comments: (
53
) Report Abusive PostI don’t give a damn what the blind Left Wing statists put out there, this president is failing because he is 1) NOT up to the job, and 2) The job he wants to do is contrary to our beliefs.
This man has no core�"and it is very, very plain to see. Even though I disagree with his policies and ideology, he has failed in key area by his own standards. The reason is simple�"HE CANNOT TAKE THE HEAT. HE CANNOT STOMACH THE UNCOMFORTABLE.
1. His campaign paragon, leaving Iraq completely by mid 2009�"failed. He couldn’t stomach the weighty ACT that went beyond his own speech. He fiddles.
2. Closing GITMO. This was his DAY-ONE promise…his first act as president. We are still there and he still has no plan. He could have left, sent them to his choice of places, but he couldn’t stomach the criticism. He fiddles.
3. His circuitous path on ‘don’t ask-don’t tell’ is a profile in cowardice. He has a belief, the power, and can’t stand taking the heat.
4. BP: an exercise in executive ineptness. He fiddles (and golfs).
There are many, many other examples. The dynamic is the same. Barack Obama loves being the focus, but he can’t make tough calls. He can’t even act on his beliefs.
Thank God he lacks guts. He is truly that man in women’s pants at the All Star Game. He can’t reach home plate, but he survives criticizing the way we do.
www.conservativemusiconline.com
This man has no core�"and it is very, very plain to see. Even though I disagree with his policies and ideology, he has failed in key area by his own standards. The reason is simple�"HE CANNOT TAKE THE HEAT. HE CANNOT STOMACH THE UNCOMFORTABLE.
1. His campaign paragon, leaving Iraq completely by mid 2009�"failed. He couldn’t stomach the weighty ACT that went beyond his own speech. He fiddles.
2. Closing GITMO. This was his DAY-ONE promise…his first act as president. We are still there and he still has no plan. He could have left, sent them to his choice of places, but he couldn’t stomach the criticism. He fiddles.
3. His circuitous path on ‘don’t ask-don’t tell’ is a profile in cowardice. He has a belief, the power, and can’t stand taking the heat.
4. BP: an exercise in executive ineptness. He fiddles (and golfs).
There are many, many other examples. The dynamic is the same. Barack Obama loves being the focus, but he can’t make tough calls. He can’t even act on his beliefs.
Thank God he lacks guts. He is truly that man in women’s pants at the All Star Game. He can’t reach home plate, but he survives criticizing the way we do.
www.conservativemusiconline.com
Jul 14, 2010 @ 05:35 AM
Lance Morrison, CA
Report Abusive PostThe Muslim world hasn't had a scientific contribution since they became Muslims in the 8th century
Jul 14, 2010 @ 07:28 AM
JamesJ, Lusby, MD
Report Abusive PostObama has singlehandedly destroyed our future by killing any new space projects at NASA. His act will destroy the east coast Florida economy,as we are now dependent on Russia to get our people into space.Now he wants to convert NASA into a propaganda machine to win the hearts and minds of Muslims.Bottom line; Obama is a traitor to American exceptional-ism,and a slave to foreign interests.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 07:44 AM
Boot out the Commies, Heartland
Report Abusive PostI thought this administration--like all other democratic administrations--fought to maintain the fundamental belief of the separation between church and state? Doesn't having a federally funded organization (like NASA) focus specifically on encouraging the individuals of one religion violate that fundamental belief? Or is it, "I can do what I want when I want because...I won."
Jul 14, 2010 @ 08:08 AM
The Triguy, because running is just not enough, Northern Virginia
Report Abusive PostThe only achievements the muslims have accomplished is the murder of innocent people. The Kenyan in the White House is one of the biggest jokes of the century. The only thing is, the destruction of America by this evil man and his cohorts is no joke.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 08:36 AM
Ed, Pennsylvania
Report Abusive PostI'm UTTERLY SHOCKED by the vehement anti-Muslim responses by your readers! It really is sad to see this degree of hatred and religious intolerance alive and well in America today. (If you doubt this statement whatsoever, just look at the comment above: "The only achievements the muslims have accomplished is the murder of innocent people.") What total ignorance! What hatred! This makes me sick.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 09:07 AM
Scott G, Buffalo, NY
Report Abusive PostIf I have to choose which man is lying without anything else to go on? I'd take the word of Bolden, a career Marine over that of a race hustler 'community disorganizer.'
Jul 14, 2010 @ 09:11 AM
David T, Olive Branch, MS
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