Zawahiri expresses bigotry toward Obama

CNN:

A purported message from al Qaeda's deputy leader posted on Islamist Web sites on Wednesday told President-elect Barack Obama that "a heavy legacy of failure and crimes awaits you."

In the video, Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's No. 2, castigated Obama's foreign policy stances on Afghanistan and Israel and ridiculed the president-elect's worldview. Al-Zawahiri compared Obama unfavorably to the late Malcolm X, an African-American militant who adopted Islam.

Al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden are believed to be hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

Al-Zawahiri can be heard saying, "In you and in Colin Powell, [Condoleezza] Rice and your likes, the words of Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him) concerning 'house Negroes' are confirmed."

"House Negroes" is the English translation of the Arabic term "house slaves."

The posting, which appeared on the Web on Wednesday, includes videos from Malcolm X speeches.

It shows a still image of Malcolm X on a Muslim prayer rug in a mosque; then images of Obama, wearing a Jewish skullcap, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and video of al-Zawahiri. It is entitled, "The departure of Bush and the arrival of Obama."

...

The speaker also said Obama's stance of pulling troops from Iraq and sending them to Afghanistan "is a policy which was destined for failure before it was born."

"If you still want to be stubborn about America's failure in Afghanistan, then remember the fate of Bush and Pervez Musharraf, and the fate of the Soviets and British before them," the message said. "And be aware that the dogs of Afghanistan have found the flesh of your soldiers to be delicious, so send thousands after thousands to them."

The message said Obama appears "to be captive to the same criminal American mentality towards the world and towards the Muslims." The speaker cited Muslims' ire toward Obama's support of Israel.

The message said Obama represents the "direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X.

The message also made reference to Obama's Muslim father and his Christian religion.

"You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America.

"And so you promised to back Israel, and you threatened to strike the tribal regions in Pakistan, and to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan, in order for the crimes of the American crusade in it to continue," the message said.

Obviously Obama did not represent the hope and change Zawahiri had in mind. Zawahiri has always been a religious bigot and you see that in his discussion about Obama's religion. But, he adds a racist element because of what he sees as Obama's apostasy of rejecting Islam. Ultimately his hatred is directed toward anyone who does not accept his weird religious beliefs even if they are Muslims. The device of referring to Malcolm X may have been intended to play some mind games with Obama who, as I recall, makes some reference to him in his books.

By treating Obama like he does Bush he elevates both to leaders of his enemy. It may occur to some on the left that Bush was not the problem after all. That would be the beginning of their enlightenment about our enemy.

The timing is interesting. Zawahiri is basically saying he is still alive and still hate us, but it has taken him weeks to respond to the election. It is clear that he is dodging the Hellfire from the Predators over Pakistan, and must pick his moments for movement.