OBAMA DIDN'T SAY "JIHADIST RUMPLESTILTSKIN"!!!!!

Yesterday, President Obama issued a statement on the shootings in Paris:

I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time. France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world. Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended. France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers. We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.

In a 145-word statement, I see the word "terrorist" twice (once in the plural form). Do you think that satisfies the right? Nahhh. Here's Greg Campbell at the Tea Party News Network:

What words were absent from this plain, canned faux-outrage?

Give up?

“Muslim,” “Islam,” “Jihad,” and “Islamic terrorists”- just to name a few.

Headline at Weasel Zippers: "Words Not Used By Obama To Condemn Paris Terror Attack: 'Islam,' 'Muslim,' 'Jihad'..."

And in the Ralph Peters appearance on Fox News that I quoted last night, there's this exchange with Fox anchor Bill Hemmer:

HEMMER: Ralph, it appears the White House changed its language within an hour this morning, initially calling it "a terrible act of violence," then Josh Earnest, about thirty minutes go, talked about "the act of terrorism" and the president put out a statement about the "terrorist" act and talked about "the fight against terrorists." So then, is this a case where the White House perhaps has gotten it right now?

PETERS: No, because it has to say "Islamist terror." This administration is just soft on radical Islam.

(UPDATE: Here's Fox's Megyn Kelly saying the same thing, in an interview with Mitch McConnell. McConnell eagerly agrees, of course.)

I went over to the archive of whitehouse.gov for the Bush era, and went specifically to the September 2001 news page. President Bush's statements are collected there. Go here, for instance, to read a transcript of Bush's televised address to the nation on the night of September 11.

So, how many times did he use the words "Islam," "Muslim," "jihad" in that speech, or any form of those words?

Zero.

Here are "Remarks by the President In Photo Opportunity with the National Security Team," on September 12, 2001. Uses of "Islam," "Muslim," "jihad," or variations? None. Same with Bush's proclamation of a national day of prayer and remembrance for the 9/11 victims, issued on September 13, 2001. Same with the remarks made by the president in his famous "bullhorn moment" at Ground Zero on September 14, 2001. Same with the Bush's radio address on September 15, 2001. Same with his remarks on his return to Washington on September 16, 2001.

Do you know when President first mentioned Islam in a public statement after the 9/11 attacks?

It was in a public appearance in September 17, 2001. Here it is, as presented on the archived whitehouse.gov:

"Islam is Peace" Says President
Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

... Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday's attacks. And so were Muslims all across the world. Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.

These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that.

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace....

So please don't tell me that President Obama isn't saying enough nasty things about Muslims.