Biden Is Putting Arab Americans in an Impossible Position

Didn't Trump literally already say he was bringing back the Muslim ban and making it worse? But ok, I guess vote for him anyway. Most republican voters vote against their own interests all the time so they'll fit right in until they're deported.

They'll probably just not bother voting for either. Why waste time doing so if you'll get screwed regardless?
- Why waste time doing so if you’ll get screwed regardless?
  
  So the solution to this is to sit home knowing full well that benefits the man who is literally campaigning on the promise to screw you harder?
- Because they'll be screwed much, much harder with Trump.
- To not get screwed?

If Arabs don't vote for Joe or stay home pouting on the couch on election day, the only thing they'll accomplish is to enable the tragic national nightmare of a second trump misadministration and a whole new tsunami of violent, stochastic terrorism-driven Islamophobia that has already cost innocent Muslim Americans their lives

They’ve been put in a seriously shitty and unwinnable situation. Either way, Arab Americans lose and that’s fucked up.
The system is broken. How bad would Biden have to be to make it not worth voting for him? What could he get away with in this context? When your alternative is Trump the bar is so incredibly low.

It's too bad Americans can only choose between senile old people or criminals to be president

We're choosing between Trump and Trump?
It’s too bad Americans can only choose between senile old people or senile old criminals to be president

FTFY
As long as they don't vote in the primaries that will continue to be a problem.
- Primaries are controlled by the parties. If they see a candidate they really don't like *COUGH*Bernie*COUGH*Sanders*COUGH* then they'll pull out all the stops to prevent that candidate from winning. People like to think Trump wasn't wanted by the republican party, but his policies aligned 100% with theirs. Similarly, "hope and change" Obama was allowed to win because he was willing to play ball and went back on most or all of his promises immediately after getting elected.
- Good thing (for genocide Joe’s ego) the DNC is refusing to hold primaries at all then.
  
  The solution to this is so simple - Biden gets out of the way for literally any other Dem to run and sweep the election. The entrenched power structure won’t have it though.
  
  So, don’t blame Muslim Americans, progressives, or anyone else for Biden’s failure to lead. This is on him and the DNC who backs him.

I really, REALLY hate this line of thinking. I mean with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

Biden is in an unenviable position. Hamas started this war by launching an unprovoked attack knowing full well they couldn't handle the crackback. Israel has taken their retaliation way too far, well beyond the point of being defensible. They've bombed refugee camps and hospitals and when asked about the civillian casualties, basically said "sucks to be them". What they are doing now is committing the exact genocide that they themselves have been worried about for decades if not centuries now. Biden made a mistake by continuing to stand by Israel even after they admit to and just shrug off the atrocities they commit on the daily, but there was never a position where Biden could pick a side (or even choose to remain neutral) without alienating an entire community of people.

And in almost any other situation, I may agree with them in their desire to either vote for another candidate or just sit home. But there are literally only three options here: Hold your nose and vote for Biden, vote for Trump in protest of Biden, or sit home and not vote at all, which is a de facto vote for Trump. In the immortal words of Rush, "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." And that choice benefits Trump.

No matter how pissed off you are at Biden right now, do you think it would be any better under Trump? Did the Trump administration give you any indication that Trump is going to suddenly be sympathetic to an entire race of people that he to this day continues to use racial slurs to describe?

Your choices are (a) Biden, or (b) someone exponentially worse than Biden. That's it. This is the reality of the situation. If you do not choose (a), you're choosing (b). If you don't choose at all, you'll be given (b) by default. Your only realistic option is to choose (a). Doing anything else because you disagree with the path Biden chose to take will do nothing but make the situation worse. There is no other option. Voting against Biden or choosing to stay home in protest is a textbook example of cutting off your own nose to spite your face. I stopped supporting Israel in any of this the minute they thought bombing a hospital and writing off hundreds of patients as expendable collateral damage was in some way acceptable, but no matter how much I disagree with Biden's policies, I also know that the only other option available is much, much worse.

Be careful what you wish for, guys. You might get it.

That's a lot of words to say "at least he's not Trump!!" Sure would be nice if democrats had a strategy other than that. You know, like actually trying to improve things. What incentive do democrats have to improve things when your vote is guaranteed because not voting for democrats "is a vote for fascism"? I mean, here is Biden, pledging EVEN MORE billions of dollars to Israel as they ramp up their ethnic cleansing efforts. Democrats being fascists with a kinder image isn't good enough.
- It sucks to vote for the least of two evils. But not voting at all is effectively half a vote for the worst of the two. Yeah, it feels like youre resisting if you refuse to play when there's only a two party system. Not gonna accept only having a choice between two crappy people and their parties! Hold out by not voting! Or by voting for someone who has NO chance ? Well great, then you up your chances of next having no choice at all -- with just one insane party and its dictator when they make it permanent. Not acting makes you responsible for installing Emperor Trump. Dint kid yourself.
- It'll have to be good enough for the next 4 years. When the choice is no longer incumbent vs actual monsters...
  
  Pounding fists on the table saying it's unacceptable is just little kid energy; like breaking your own toys cuz you're mad.
- The fact that "it's not Trump" isn't enough only shows how far US politics has fallen.
- You know there are 3 branches of government right? It just so happens that the Senate in the legislative branch is controlled by obstructionist Republicans.

That's the reality of the two party system. They don't matter, because what are they ultimately gonna do, vote for the other guy?

Or just not vote.
- So few people vote that it doesnt even read as a protest anymore but "voter apathy" and one party benefits more from it.
- I mean, at this point if they want to support fascist white supremacy, there's not much I can do for them. That's what not voting is.
- If they feel like that, at least vote for downballot and leave the top blank. We have downballot Dems who are in support of civilians in Israel-Hamas war and make it clear that aid for war is not unconditional.
Even if they do, the Palestinian diaspora has almost no presence in “swing states” in the US.
- What are you talking about? Detroit has a ton of them and Michigan is a swing state.

Man the amount of people in this thread that can't understand that some people don't want to vote for someone who is supporting a genocide of their own people. "But Trump is worse!" Well, yeah, but this is still pretty fucking bad, and were I American I'd hesitate to support it too. It's not like most of these people will vote for Trump, they'll just stay home or vote for a 3rd party.

Those comments make me so angry. There is a genocide being perpetrated on Arabs in Palestine, and Biden is actively defending it. It should be absolutely no surprise that Muslims and Arabs are not going to vote for a genocide denying turd actively trying to fund and arm the perpetrator.
- For real, Democratic administrations can't go and have whatever abhorrent policies, including actively supporting an ethnic cleansing, and turn around and go "the other guy is worse, actually. And if YOU don't vote for us it's YOUR fault if this country devolves into fascism"
  
  That is not what a functioning democracy looks like.
- It should be absolutely no surprise that Muslims and Arabs are not going to vote for a genocide denying turd actively trying to fund and arm the perpetrator.
  
  I can't see how voting for the guy who's going to fund and arm the perpetrator anyway, while using racial slurs to describe you and get you kicked out of the country is any better.
- You realize that Trump and the Maga cult will do the same exact thing right? Evangelicals think Isreal has to be there for their rapture to occur? They also pump the military industrial complex more so than democrats do but you think voting for the literal Christian Fascist will end better for Arab populations? And not voting just gives more power to trump. Honestly I get there is a lot of emotion here but you can't be that fucking stupid and short sited right? I hate what's going on but we still live in a dual party system and unless you genocide half the US population that's not gonna change anytime soon. Maybe in 2028 if all unions can get their contracts to align and effectively create a general strike legally we could finally see some change but it takes time.
Man, the amount of people in this thread that don't understand downballot exists, and that's the best tool to force direction changes within upballot. I always vote for the least worst on the upballot and exclusively progressive+educated in the downballot.

“Look, we’re not silly—we know what Trump has done to our communities,” says Amer Zahr, the president of the Dearborn-based New Generation for Palestine. But when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he continues, “The policies are basically the same. Except when Trump does it, you get some pushback from the Democratic Party.”

Positively delusional.

Right? Like great, vote for the GOP, they will definitely care about Arab policies. /s

Foolish and short sighted. Sorry but 2/3 of the US population supports Israel in this conflict, and likely all of the remaining 1/3 is from the young liberal left. Biden is an old democrat, expecting any other result was naive.

But sure, elect an authoritarian Trump. Then instead of protesting, just get thrown in a camp for not being white and christian.
- It's like they've forgotten Trump's policies on Israel that were explicitly reversals of Dem policy during Obama, and even reversals of former, less jingoistically pro-Israel policies of the pre-Obama GOP. Which, mind, were major wins for the far-right government of Bibi which is currently in power in Israel, and eked into power by a fucking thread.
  
  I guess the great thing about being an American is how well everyone assimilates, regardless of ethnic origin. They're just following in the long and storied American tradition of being fucking clueless about foreign affairs and having the political memories of goldfish.

So they're going to vote for Trump? Trump is a very strong ally to Israel. Trump certified their land grab of the golan heights. Best guess is he would certify the land grab of all of gaza

No, they just probably won't vote at all or vote for a third party who won't win.

Not that it's a good idea, but that's what will probably happen. And tbf this is more of a problem resulting from the two party system, so most people don't like to follow the logic of vote for the lesser evil when there are many other countries that don't force you into such a situation on literally every political decision.
- Which is fair. Neither side really has your back on anything.
  
  Is it better to vote for something you want and not get it, or something you don't want and get it.
- The Founding Fathers envisioned it this way.
  
  After they were done slaughtering the natives
- I mean a lot would vote for trump for his conservatives views, because these people only care about if you're willing to hurt the "right" people, even if you hurt the "wrong" people as well.
- The unfortunate reality is that Biden is their option that's most likely to cause the least further harm.
  
  If they vote for Trump, that son of a bitch would be ordering our military to also bomb them, and telling Israel to go further.
  
  Third parties don't even take themselves seriously.
  
  Not voting at all is still a decision, one that may result in Trump.
  
  I'm not thrilled with Biden's response here either, and I wish he would tell Israel they've gone way too far. But there's really no other choice. The position to take here is clear, but unenviable.
GAH ZAH. Have you seen this place? Rubble everywhere. You can't live there. It's in Israel, isn't it? I say, let the Israelis have their pile of rubble. Those Palestinians don't live there anymore, can't imagine why! They should take all of that rubble, crush it down into TINY TINY pebbles, and dump it all on Hilary's front lawn!

I still don't understand why the US only has a two-party system, and both of them suck ass. Can't they elect someone else who actually has actual goals that actually benefit the country and its people? Why aren't they allowed to do something like this? So much for freedom.

First past the post and the electoral college

Any third party candidate has next to no chance of winning, we have to vote against one side, not for another, so a 3rd party has to get enough support that they can pull the entire base of one side or the other side wins.
- Don't forget single-member districts.
- Yeah this is just crazy
Primary in candidates who want to change the system

And educate people on the side
- I don't get it

The two party system is the system we have because we believe in the efficacy of it. I know we make the "vote blue no matter who" arguments but thats fucking exactly what they want. The parties are perfectly positioned to secure different sections of voters and lock them in. Where I felt like I wouldnt want another choice two weeks ago, I am far more likely to consider it now.

The two party system is the system we have because we believe in the efficacy of it.

No, noone believes in the efficacy of it. It is the system you have because it is now beyond anyone's powers to reform it. It is a mixture of archaic and wilfully corrupt laws and rules, which has petrified into something that disproportionally serves one minority fringe and its interests over all others.

The majority of people does not think it serves their interests, but they are powerless to change it exactly because the small but powerful group whom it actually benefits has disproportionate power to prevent it from happening.
- I'm glad to read this, some of that vote-against-biden rhetoric was starting to get into my head this week 😮‍💨

TBF, if Time magazine is saying this then it should cause at least some general concern as we're a week + one year out from the vote. Single issue voters exist. I'm not addressing/excusing the rationale behind this and I can't believe I'm calling this pain down on myself, but where are all the "big tent Dems" at? I mean, we can rationalize pandering to the right to pick up house moms that would otherwise vote for Trump, but the concerns of the Arab Americans are a bridge to far? This seems like a blind spot that could come back to haunt us like not campaigning in the midwest in 16'.

Before I get the "blue no matter whos" choir on me as well, just remember there's a saying that proceeded that; "Democrats vote with their heart" and we need to be very mindful of everyone that relates to, as we can't afford to lose anyone. Hate doesn't need to be rational. It often finds it's best fuel to be emotion.

I mean, man, if I had my way, I'd say fuck Israel, either reduce aid drastically or demand more accountability regarding civilian casualties. But unfortunately, a good half of Dem voters are still quite content to support Israel unconditionally. I absolutely am in favor of reaching out to the Arab-American community, but I doubt it's going to happen anytime soon.

Honestly, the 'best' realistic outcome is that many of us will remember this shitshow, especially those who are young enough to still be forming opinions on international affairs, and unconditional support for Israel will drop further with upcoming voting age cohorts.
- Pug Jesus, you always spoil me by the grace of your presence. I hear ya. With the shit shows I've been in the middle of lately, doubly so. I didn't think as much of this when I first heard it, but this is like the 3rd time I'm hearing it and it feels like someone out there in media thinks this is worth warning about.
  
  It already seems like the Biden admin is beginning to see that they are between a rock and a hard place here, so I think a lot of it will come down to how they handle this. Both parties and this system is beyond fucked, but we're all at the mercy of it till someone can take fascism off the table and put it back in the toilet. I just really hope that they don't fuck this up man. It already looks like Biden can't get Israel back on "plan" or pull back on the reins anymore or it would have happened middle of last week. So it feels fucked.
  
  I was knocking doors for candidates today and had an old man just go on for 20 minutes about how things are all falling apart because of 20 years of immigration and that he knew who was secretly all behind it. Yup, Obama. And THAT is why you don't hear about him in the news anymore.
  
  I don't want this war to come back here but maybe it was always inevitable. Just so you know, rifle plates and carriers are relatively cheap. <3

"both sides" ☝️🤓

How are democrats different from republicans when it comes to israel? If the shoe fits...
- At least some democrats are willing to admit that Israel may have done some bad

Yeah this is the point at which pressure to pick a side, even if it's a contest between unacceptable options, gets in the way of being able to have the conversations necessary for a people to engage in self-governance.

Would I like it if I could vote directly on the question of whether or not to send money and military aid to a country engaged in apartheid and genocide? From my POV Israel should be pressured to choose between having US backing and continuing to commit obvious crimes against humanity, but unfortunately the false-binary rhetoric field is super-strong on this issue and obvs that means I should be shamed for being nazi-level anti-semitic or something like that /s

HOW DARE THE BROWN PEOPLE NOT VOTE FOR OUR PREFERRED GREMLIN? DON'T THEY KNOW OUR GREMLIN WILL EAT TWICE AS FEW FACES AS THE OTHER SIDES GREMLIN? IS THAT WHAT THEY WANT, A GREMLIN THAT EATS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF FACES? THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM WHEN IT COMES TO GREMLINS AND FACE EATING.

I mean yeah that's exactly what they should do.

Hey! This guy says he's gonna fuck us over twice as hard as the other guy! We should all ignore that fact and vote for him anyway because we're already being fucked! Might as well make it worse right? Like what's the worst that could happen they start genociding us here? Lmao no bro this is America they'd never really let such horrendous things occur here!
- THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. THESE BROWN SKINS NEED TO JUST DO WHAT WE TELL THEM IS BEST FOR THEM AND STOP HOLLERING SO MUCH. WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN THE. SO MUCH BY LETTING THEM IN OUR COUNTRY.