Maybe there isn't debate yet, but Obama's election has certainly elicited local questions across European democracies:

La ministre française Rama Yade parle de l'impossibilité d'un Obama français. (Aussi: Le Telegraph publie des articles en Français? Ouate de phoque?)

Why No Dutch Obama?

Bias 'would hamper British Obama'

etc.

Perhaps, Zawahiri said it on the sophmoric advice of AQ's California goofball, Adam Pearlman a.k.a "Adam Yahiye Gadahn", a.k.a. "Azzam the American", who seems to gravitate to pop leftism of the Howard Zinn- Noam Chomsky-MTV variety.

The only time Arabs should have been justified in their reflections on race and racism in their society is when Sen. McCain had to correct a woman who was worried about Obama being an Arab. If Arabs can be racist towards blacks, Asians, etc., they may soon get a taste of it themselves as time goes on from largely white people who Arabs happen to hold in high esteem.

". . . they may soon get a taste of it themselves.

may soon get?

Anti-Arab racism hasn't happened yet?

Is this that universe where Mr. Spock had that beard?

Is this that universe where Mr. Spock had that beard?

I believe this is not too dissimilar to that universe.

The bearded Mr. Spock had enough insight to comprehend the evil with which he was surrounded.

Perhaps you should consider cultivating a neat van Dyck of your own. Who knows where that might lead.

"... a neat van Dyck"

Is that phallic or lesbian innuendo?

And are we ruled by a galactic empire seeking mineral rights but where anti-Arab racism hasnt started yet?

Your agonizer, please.

Really? "anti-Arab racism?"
You’re conflating "race" and "religion" again. It’s quite a tiresome debating technique.

Incidentally, I found your mention of an ‘agonizer’ quite interesting.

You happen to be a character (villain, actually) in my draft novel who has the honour of getting killed by the hero/heroine team following their break and entry of a firm run by a partnership - foul tempered Financier and a Lady Macbeth like lawyer - located in the Gamma Pavonis elective oligarchy.

Hogan was busy with the power board, his back to him. Tyler eased his way around the corner, his nervbolt pistol held level with the lower part of his chest. He began a slow paced walk down the corridor towards the pundit.
Tyler’s lightweight boots made no sound on the smooth textured floor as he continued his advance.
With less than ten paces to go Tyler saw Hogan’s back tense and his head begin to turn. His slantwise gaze met Tyler’s. Hogan jerked his hand up to his chest as he spun around.
Tyler fired.
The neural charge jolted Hogan. His body convulsed, twisted, then hit the charcoal grey faux granite side of the corridor.
Tyler watched Hogan bounce off the wall and hit the dark blue flextile floor.
Tyler switched to a fast paced walk to move past the dying man and head towards the end of the corridor. He spared him only a brief glance as he sped past.
He heard a sharp crack behind him and spun around.
Lydia was in a shooter’s crouch. Her plasgun still aimed at Hogan whose head was now a smoking ruin, the stench of scorched flesh permeated the corridor.
Lydia’s eyes met his in reproach.
Tyler shook his head. “We’ve no time for mercy killing.”

I look forward to seeing you at my book signing.

Shouldn't you be out on a ledge somewhere?

Really? "anti-Arab racism?"
You’re conflating "race" and "religion" again.

Actually I am conflating ethnicity and race. Arab is not a religion.

Incidentally, I found your mention of an ‘agonizer’ quite interesting.

A hopefully always fictional device used on Mr Wesley after he screws up something on the transporter.

Matthew,

Arabs are largely indistinguishably Arab. Except if you are a woman tradionally dressed. You cant tell them from a Puerto Rican or a Brazilian and some will even think an Indian is an Arab. Such is race in the West- literally black and white. No gray.

What?

What kind of complete bollocis is that statement? Tell an "Arab" from a Puerto Rican?

That is utter tripe. Utter and complete tripe.

If you want to write "a Persian Gulf native, in general"... maybe.

L,

reading what bikhair wrote: I think she meant that many Westerners (she lives in England) can't distinguish Puerto Ricans from Arabs and that if you're not white, you're indistinguishable to most whites.

I wouldn't think that was true of even most of the inhabitants of cosmopolitan cities in the West (other than other recent immigrants, who often carry much more resentment at other immigrants th), and it comes close to a racist characterization of her own. I've had Libyan doctor friends who've ended up working in small towns in Canada, and experienced nothing more than "You're the new doctor, eh? You weren't born here, where are you from?"

My point was less profound; I was simply tryng to point out to the interesting interlocutor above (not Bikhair), that "Arab" is not a religion. Grammar school stuff.

As to the subtleties of and among racial and ethnic identities, I leave that to the anthropologists, geneticists, ideologues, script-writers, Nuremberg law draftors, and the deep thought of Balkan poliical theory.

Thank you Dawud.

Lounsbury youre from North Africa and you should know that better than anyone if you have visited America. No one will look at you and think you are North African but they will think you are some kind of Hispanic/mestizo.

I am not trying to insult you. North Africans are aesthetically fortunate.

Eh, well you're comment then reads almost the inverse of what you meant.

Am I the only one who is lost as to what this discussion is all about?
The first post by Bikhair is puzzling enough without any mention of agonizers.

This should help make things crystal clear.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/STMirrorMirror.jpg