In a CNN interview this week, presidential candidate Jeb Bush said that only Middle East Christians should be granted refugee status in the U.S. (a point I argued for two months prior to the Paris terrorist attacks which prompted Bush’s statement). In the midst of an otherwise good interview, however, Bush made a bizarre statement:
There are a lot of Christians in Syria that have no place now. They’ll be either executed or imprisoned, either by Assad or by ISIS.
“Executed or imprisoned” by Assad? This is an absurd and patently false assertion.
Not only have Christian minorities long been protected under the secular regime of Assad — himself a member of a religious minority — but many Christian refugees who fled the jihad in Iraq (which Jeb’s brother George uncorked) fled to Assad’s Syria for sanctuary. As Russian President Vladimir Putin once correctly opined: “People are running away not from the regime of Bashar Assad, but from Islamic State, which seized large areas in Syria and Iraq, and are committing atrocities there. That is what they are escaping from.”
This is not the first time that Jeb Bush, in the midst of making sound comments, revealed his true views on the Middle East. A few weeks earlier, he said… Keep reading

Allan Mandrowski says
Poor Jeb. Already senile. He got it mixed up, it’s his CIA backed and funded groups – such as ISIS – who murder Christians and other non-Muslims wholesale.
Christians were relatively protected under Assad’s regime.
But, the U.S. loves bombing Christians in Serbia and why not Syria too.
underbed cat says
Putin on RT video, made a comment that” the Christians in Syria know who wants to kill them”, apparently it was the ‘rebels”, aided by islamic isis( and the U.S.) a natural enemy of Christians and Judism. Putin stated this ( along with Raymond Ibrahim) and it opened my eyes to the misleading reports about Assad…which accused him of using chemical weapons and barrel bombs. I have to say that after also reading a letter posted a fews years back in the NYT’s , written by Putin to warn the United States about the Chechen brothers who were involved in the Boston terror attack, I have reflected many times that it was a revelation about our media and government information bias. Apparently, President Bush, relied on the mb operatives about the true nature of islam telling Bush they were tolerant and fought for justice…but could not be truthful about tolerance for Christians and Jews and sharia law. It is not a peaceful religion. So maybe he will catch on ..and notice the chaotic, murderous results of Afghanistan and Iraq..I have been reading the warring koran, I see why the ME is in chaos,..
gravenimage says
Assad may well have used chemical weapons. He is *not* a good guy. But of all the factions in Syria right now, he is by far the least evil.
Christianblood says
Totally agreed!
Godwin says
Fighting for survival, anybody will use any chemical weapons. Blame the evil West for selling him those weapons.
USA supplied weapons to the FSA who use it to kill Christians n traded some to IS.
Shane says
The Bushes are tools of the Saudis! It was Clinton who bombed the Christians to protect the Muslims, not Bush.
Myxlplik says
The only reason why politicians can get away with such stupidity is due to the fact that such ignorance is widely shared amongst the general population. If journalists were doing their jobs, then people wouldn’t be so ill informed. The information is out there, regarding the truth of this matter, but you have to dig a little bit. I don’t think the politicians are this stupid, but rather rely upon the general ignorance of our population to espouse lies, which further their adgenda. In this case, getting rid of Assad.
revereridesagain says
Someone like Assad makes an easier target because there is no “controversial” but Major World Religion he can hide behind. “Secular” is still a dirty word to most Christians. And not only is Assad at least nominally “secular”, he belongs to a minority sect hated by the pampered Muslims. If he’s a typical ME dictator on top of the rest, it’s “three strikes, yer out!”
somehistory says
Are you claiming to speak for “most Christians”?
Don McKellar says
A very correct and well thought out post. These Middle East dictators were secular and only ever used Islam when useful for controlling the ignorant populations. When they were removed or their power taken away, chaos was the result. Assad needs to be propped up and empowered. When he is degraded, we have seen the chaos that replaced his order. Look at Libya today. Evil order was replaced evil chaos — which will not resolve itself for decades.
Iron-fisted military dictators or Islamic theocracies are all any of the savages in that part of the world understand. That’s reality. I would argue that in Turkey we have a dictator who is using Islam for his personal power enhancement. In Egypt, they had to return to a military dictator. You don’t have to be an Assad fan, just recognize him as the lesser of two evils and make the world as a whole a safer place for it.
wildjew says
James Baker III (whose law firm defended members of the Saudi Royal family against 9/11 victims families) is advising Jeb Bush.
Jack Diamond says
That explains a lot, besides Jeb Bush being an uninformed idiot. However, the obsession with overthrowing Assad continues on from Democrats, Republicans, Gulf Arabs, Fox commentators. Lindsay Graham still links “destroying ISIS” with the imperative to overthrow Assad. The rise of ISIS is somehow blamed on not overthrowing Assad. The unmitigated disaster of the Arab Spring provides no lessons for any of them, no teaching moment, the same wise guys favored overthrowing Mubarak and Gaddafi and believed in finding Moderate Jihadists to oppose Radical Jihadists. (But then neither did the welcomed overthrow of the Shah and its consequences teach them anything). Then they run for President on their expertise in foreign affairs. Hillary still thinks Libya is gonna work out.
mortimer says
Wildjew wrote: “James Baker III … is advising Jeb Bush.”
Therefore, Bush is singing from the Saudi hymnbook and slanders Assad in consequence.
Champ says
Jeb Bush is a complete idiot, and thank God that he probably won’t become the Republican candidate for president …
But what’s *really* scary is that Hillary Clinton MIGHT become our next president. God help us if that happens!! I mean if that forked-tongue, lying snake, obama, can be elected, not once–but twice, then Hilarious Clown becoming our next commander-in-chief is quite plausible. 🙁 …and I live in California so I feel like my vote is wasted here. Nevertheless, I still vote at each, and every, election.
Wellington says
Actually, Champ, I don’t think Jeb Bush is an idiot. I wish he were then he would be even further down in the polls than he is. I do believe he is demonstrative of the political elites from both parties (though Democrats are even worse than Republicans treated in the aggregate) who continue in pretty much full ignorance mode about Islam and that strangest part of all the world, the Middle East.
He’s really a very bright (though often boring) guy. He is fluent in Spanish and has many good ideas about how to govern (some bad ideas too). I understand the impulse to call someone like Jeb Bush an idiot. I have succumbed to that impulse at times but I would contend that, all in all, he’s even worse than an idiot because he’s certainly smart enough to know better than he has spoken here.
Hope you and family are doing well. A Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Champ says
Hi, Wellington, thank you for writing …and sorry I should have been more clear. I think Jeb Bush is a complete idiot with regards to what Raymond is pointing out, here, not in general terms. And I don’t know about these polls, what with Donald Trump having been ahead for so long. Go figure!
Thank you! …and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, as well 🙂
gravenimage says
A Happy Thanksgiving to you both, Wellington and Champ. Even in these perilous times, we have a great deal to be thankful for–and to fight to defend.
Wellington says
Indeed, gravenimage. Well said as always. Happy Thanksgiving to you and for all whom you hold close to your heart.
Champ ♥ says
Thank you, Graven! …you’re right, and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! xo
Angemon says
Champ posted:
“But what’s *really* scary is that Hillary Clinton MIGHT become our next president.”
I wouldn’t bet on that – she’s having trouble with the token old white guy the democrats used as a sacrificial lamb to pretend they were considering someone else other than Hillary for 2016 (remember Malala in 2013 talking about a woman president?). And Bernie Sanders practically resigned when he said there was no need to talk about Hillary’s emails.
Champ says
Thank you, Angemon …and I *really* hope you’re right.
Christianblood says
Raymond Ibrahim, thanks again sharing this. I was actrually watching it when Jeb Bush said that and couldn’t believe it. Don’t know if it was because of his cluelessness or because of stupidity. may be it is both. There is another US congress man named Tom Cotton and he said exactly the same thing last week on the CNN. These American leaders and their government are providing huge amounts of funding and weaponry to their islamic jihadist allies that are murdering Christians in the M.E. and yet they accuse the only leader who is protecting millions of Christians in Syria with crazy and ridiculously fabricated lies. Shame on them: One can watch Syrian jihadists using American-supplied anti-tank guided missiles
against Assad tanks on the link below:
خَليفة says
A strong secular government in the Middle East will help to create peace, having no secular government leads to emboldening Muslims to do atrocities. As bad as Sadam Hussein was, he was secular and kept the Islamic lunatics in check. Same with Assad.
Christianblood says
خَليفة
Don’t know why but America and the West seem to be watering in the mouth to get rid off secular dictators like Qaddafi, Assad, Mubarak and Saddam and yet they not only tolerate islamic jihadist groups/states (Saudi Arabia, ISIS, Al-Nusra, Libyan jihadists etc) but they fight their wars for them and fund them and train them to take over whole countries. Any explanation?
Wellington says
You know, Christianblood, I find myself at times thinking you make a lot of sense. I have disagreed elsewhere with you but perhaps, just perhaps, we can minimize our differences and maximize what we have in common.
Christianblood says
Wellington
I agree with your statement. Keep up the good work and may God bless you!
Gerry Castaneda says
Perhaps the elites and their wealthy allies deliberately want the Arab world to be in chaos, for reasons which you an I are too stupid to figure out.
gravenimage says
Raymond Ibrahim: Jeb Bush Lies, Says Bashar Assad ‘Executes’ Christians
…………………..
Jeb Bush is either lying, or confused.
While Assad has not been the champion of Christians that some would like to think–there were still large numbers of unprosecuted attacks on Christians in Syria–he doesn’t actually murder Christians himself.
He is as close to a protector of Christians as you can find in the Middle East outside of Israel. All Christians in Syria support him, and fear his falling. Whatever would replace him would virtually certainly be much, much worse.
Mazo says
Cravenmirage lies again. Assad never tolerated attacks on native Orthodox and Catholic Christians.
Evangelical Protestant mssionaries trying to convert Syrians were attacked by the Orthodox and Catholics, who demaned that the Syrian government boot them out and close all their house Churches.
Some unknown othes also have attacked Evangelical Protestant converts. Attacks on native Christians were never tolerated.
Right wing israeli Lehava settlers spewed bile against Christianity and advocate burning Christian Churches.
Mathew Solo says
http://www.globalresearch.ca/why-syrians-support-bashar-al-assad/5405208
By Prof. Tim Anderson: An article found in Global Research…it covers this subject pretty well.
Jay Boo says
Jeb Bush apologetically bowing to Leftist CNN by equivocating
BringBackTheCrucades says
This Freudian slip of the toung is a confirmation that the same MB that advised Condi in 2007 as SecSt is still advising JB.
underbed cat says
Mb or as I like to say the “suit men”, I first learned about the organizations from UTT.com. It is possible they have flooded our government, always with some scholarly advice about islam, and maybe a financial gift….but the advice will only aid when the dark clouds from the explosives darken the sky. sort of a smoothie. They can take an apparent reality and turn it around…very charming, very sincere but the words they use have two meanings.
If the m brotherhood is advising JB nothing will change. Who? Shocking Shocking…..
somehistory says
In times past, there have been secular rulers who were kind to their citizens, both Jews and Christians.
In the Bible, much space is given to detailing some of the things that happen when a *ruler* takes care to do the job as it should be done. If he does, it benefits all over whom he rules.
There are verses specifically for Christians, admonishing them to pray for those ruling. And when they do, it can well be that the prayer is for those ruling to make wise and fair decisions and stay safe from those ones who would assassinate.
Christians come in all shapes and sizes and of differing backgrounds. But those who faithfully read Christ’s commands know when someone is treating them with a measure of dignity and allowing a measure of freedom of worship. And they appreciate it.
As one who believes in Christ as The Savior, it is clear to me that before the *arab spring* and the uprising by fanatics with weapons and fighting their internal struggle to use those weapons successfully against Christians, there was not a lot of complaint from Christians in Syria concerning Assad compared to what is happening there now with isis, al queda, the *moderates*, al nusra, etc.
Bush should have a redo…he should speak with people who know and not listen to some of his campaign know nothings about it. He should, at the very least, read what Mr. Ibrahim has written about it.
RC says
Fortunately Jeb will not be POTUS in 2017.
duh_swami says
No more Bush’s, no more Clinton’s, no more family dynasties…period…
Miao Zedong says
Jeb is an useless idiot. I rather endure the current one for another term.
Jeremiah says
We are so far behind Obama it is ludicrous. We are having academic arguments about who lied. We need to act fast.
We can prevent further attacks by raiding mosques, jailing Imams and identifying those who teach the Koran. Then we don’t need to respond, we don’t need to fight it and we don’t need to defeat it. There is no reason for people to continue to live in fear except for Political Correctness. There is no need to fight all muslims, only those who object to the closure of mosques. There is no need to kill on a large scale, only those who are willing to defend Islam. It is Islam and its teaching which is our enemy! All this talk about trying to find terrorists is nonsense. All this fear is misplaced. Only Political Correctness can kill us. No need to “flag” anybody on a terror watch list. Bring them all in for questioning. Just close the mosques! The mosques contain the entire terror network that we are looking for. No terror network exists outside the mosques, so why are we avoiding mosques?
Plutarchus says
Pamela Geller in Breitbart News: DNC Makes George W. Bush Its New Hero to Deny Existence of ‘Radical Islam’ | Pamela Geller
CNN.COM
Bush: U.S. at war with ‘Islamic fascists’
Thursday, August 10, 2006; Posted: 4:43 p.m. EDT (20:43 GMT)
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (CNN) — President Bush said Thursday that an uncovered British terror plot to blow up planes flying to the United States was further proof “that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists.”
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITI…
http://www.apollospeaks.com
jewdog says
Lies? Nah, that takes too much intelligence.
Sting George II says
If the Muslim express keeps getting waved through every border and junction our next generation will have this same real dopey George look. He’s definitely baffled.
RC says
Of course Jeb lies–Bush’s are well known to be liars.