The Democracy Project asks if this is appropriate. Pictured above is University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann with Saad Saadi - a student of her college.
The Democracy Project stated: (Quote) University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann threw her annual Halloween costume party at her home Tuesday night. Among the guests was Saad Saadi, who came dressed as a suicide bomber, complete with plastic dynamite strapped to his chest and a toy automatic rifle. Worse, Gutmann posed with Saadi!
An obvious question: would Gutmann have posed with a guest--or even allowed him into her house--if he'd dressed as Adolf Hitler or a Nazi SS officer? A KKK member? (End quote)
Pictures once posted on Saad Saadi's website have been taken down. But you know how the internet is. The originals can be seen at the above linked website.
Saad, when he removed the pictures from his website placed this disclaimer in it's place, (Quote) - "My friend, Jason, and I express our condolences and sympathy to all offended by our costumes. We wish to make it clear that we do not support terrorism, violence, or anything that is against society. There is no agenda or statement associated with our behavior shown in these pictures. The costumes are meant to portray scary characters much like many other costumes on Halloween. We are deeply sorry for anyone who has been hurt or upset. Additionally, we strive for all societies to instill healthy non-violent values." (End quote)
Digging around Saad's website he links to this Google page of videos Saad Saadi has uploaded. Some of the videos really show him striving real hard to instill healthy non-violent values.
Amy Gutman posted a statement: (quote) "Each year, the president hosts a Halloween party for Penn students. More than 700 students attend. They all crowd around to have their picture taken with me in costume. This year, one student who had a toy gun in hand had his picture taken with me before it was obvious to me that he was dressed as a suicide bomber. He posted the photo on a website and it was picked up on several other websites.
The costume is clearly offensive and I was offended by it. As soon as I realized what his costume was, I refused to take any more pictures with him, as he requested. The student had the right to wear the costume just as I, and others, have a right to criticize his wearing of it." (End quote)
Prying1 sez: I think this is disgusting but typical of the left. Looking at the pictures shows that at least some of these kids think this is funny. One of the videos Saad uploaded shows their total disdain for President Bush but it also shows that he has a lot of growing up to do. I expect college students to do stupid things. The videos show that. I do have to wonder how true Amy Gutmans statement is re: her not realizing Saad was dressed as a suicide bomber. For some reason I have a lot of doubt that is true.
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Hattip to Okie on the Lam
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