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Kareem R. Khan, 1987-2007: Genuine American Hero (Updated w/ pictures)

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As Colin Powell's interview on Meet the Press unfolded, it was tempting for any Democrat to turn off the TV and start gloating on the Internet as soon as he said "I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama" at the end of a long, detailed, thoughtful discourse on how that decision came to him.

But as I watched on, it was Powell's even-handed but scathing condemnation of how the Republican party has disappointed him with its divisive, negative campaigning that I found even more reverberating.

And he mentioned the story of Kareem R. Khan, a Muslim born in New Jersey, who thought of himself as first and foremost and American, that I feel truly summarizes my discontent with the ugly campaign that McCain had started and Palin flamed on.

New York Times has an article that provided some info on Specialist Kareem R. Khan.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/...

On "Meet the Press" today, Colin L. Powell concluded his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama by referring to the death of a Muslim soldier, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan of Manahawkin, N.J., who was killed in Iraq on Aug. 6, 2007, and whose remains were buried in Arlington.

Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan and three other soldiers....were killed in Baquba after a bomb detonated while they were checking abandoned houses for explosives. They served in the Stryker Brigade combat team of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, based in Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Mr. Khan graduated from Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin in 2005, and enlisted in the Army a few months later, spurred by his memories of the 9/11 terror attacks. "His Muslim faith did not make him not want to go. It never stopped him," his father, Feroze Khan, told the Gannett News Service in a story printed shortly after his death. "He looked at it that he’s American and he has a job to do."

This is what Powell said about Khan on "Meet the Press:"

"He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could go serve his country, and he gave his life," Mr. Powell said. "Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way."

NYTimes also provided a link with photos of the tombstone.

http://www.findagrave.com/...

Thanks to dmht66 and dtruth, a link to the photo Powell spoke about:

Although I am very glad that Powell has the integrity to voice his support for Obama against his friendship with McCain over the years, I am most heartened by his clear declaration of his anger toward his own party that continues to divide America in order to conquer.

Powell's national-stage blasting of the attempt to combine a LIE (that Obama is a Muslim) and then a RACIST GUILT BY ASSOCIATION (that Muslims are all terrorists) will hopefully open the eyes of some undecided voters who will see the futility and the vile nature of such a GOP falsehood-based smear tactic.

In my view, the biggest difference between Obama's and McCain's campaigns in these waning days of the season:

Obama has been and still is trying to reach across all racial, religious, cultural boundaries, while McCain has resigned himself for a while to targeting "the base" by inciting fear, division ( "the real Virginia" comment by Nancy Pfotenhauer and "Which Senators are anti-American?" comment by Michele Bachmann) that have nothing to do with the problems facing the citizens of this country.

I can see why Powell is disappointed by his own party....the GOP is shooting for a 50.05% approval rating, and does not care if the country is completely splintered apart by smears, attacks, lies, and insults, as long as GOP politicians are elected.

UPDATE: Thanks for recommending this diary.

As some said on the comments section: we need to get this story out. Khan's story will expose the divisive tactics of the GOP campaign as completely useless and derogatory to everyday heroes and should ring true to all who value what is terrific about America rather than focus on what our non-important differences are.

I also agree with Powell's optimism that what's great about our country is still true, that people will still hope to come here, and that if we have a leader who symbolizes openness and unity our standing in the world will rise again.

Although I was a young child when my family came to the U.S., I can honestly say every day of my life that I have never regretted that my parents decided to come.

UPDATE TWO: GUEST BOOK for Kareem R. Khan. Looks like this has been up since 2007. Thanks to SilentSpring.

Please check it out and sign in to let the family know what wonderful thoughts you have of his sacrifice.

http://obits.cleveland.com/...


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