WTF...just when I though this administration couldn't get worse, they prove me wrong.

[MED]

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/...e-muslims.html

The United States Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia celebrated Independence Day a month early -- to accommodate the country's Muslim population.
It seems the Fourth of July is right smack in the middle of Ramadan this year so the embassy decided to move America’s birthday to the Fourth of June.
“We are celebrating a month early to respect the holy month of Ramadan,” Ambassador Robert Blake told a gathering at the embassy.

It sounds like every day is April Fool's Day at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. I wouldn’t be surprised if they observe Good Friday on a Tuesday.

The Jakarta Post reported on the holiday swap. I suppose that Muslims would be too busy with their fasting and prayers to enjoy an all-beef frank and fireworks.
And as the Obama administration constantly reminds us -- we simply cannot offend Islamic sensibilities.
The State Department downplayed the change during a June 9 press briefing by pointing out that official Fourth of June celebrations are not meant for the average American living in Jakarta.
“These are not events for the American citizen population that’s resident there,” spokesman Jeff Rathke told a reporter. “It’s not like a picnic you have with your family and friends when you’re back here in the U.S. These are official events that are – the purpose of which is to represent the United States to the host nation and to the host government.”
That explanation did not set well with Jim Hanson, the executive director for the Center for Security Policy on June 10.
“I think the problem is we have become overly sensitive to Islamic sensibilities,” he told Fox & Friends. “Ramadan is a time when most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Well, if we wanted to be courteous, we could've just held the celebration at night. You know what else is great after sunset, fireworks?”
Mr. Hanson has a point. Sparklers aren’t nearly as fun during daylight hours.
Ambassador Blake told the Fourth of June gathering that their event was all the more meaningful because the “rights we celebrate are not America’s alone.”
You know what else is all the more meaningful? Celebrating America’s birthday on the right day – instead of getting into a dither over offending Muslims.
It’s really hard to mess up an Independence Day celebration – but the embassy staff even managed to get the theme wrong.
Instead of celebrating freedom, they celebrated green energy – complete with biodegradable balloons and something called “low-carbon sustainable food.” I think that’s government code for inedible food.
“The last time I checked July Fourth wasn't about green energy, it was about self-evident truths, that all men are created equal,” Hanson told Fox & Friends.
There you have it, America. Nothing says freedom quite like promoting green energy development. Because as we all know – our forefathers fought the British so that we might be able to compost and drive a Chevy Volt.

[clodhopper]

I didn't know Indonesia celebrated US holidays? In fact, I don't know any country other than the US that does celebrate it. With that fact, what impact would the embassy being closed for one day really have on the whole of Indonesia? Does the embassy really put on a huge celebration for the 4th? That seems strange to me. Jim Hanson was spot on, just have whatever celebration after sunset.

[crays]

If you are an American citizen living in Jakarta, muslim or not, you already know the drill for the 4th of July...also known as INDEPENCE DAY. If you wish to put your religious beliefs ahead of a Natiional Holiday of your home country, please feel free to do so. That's what's so great about independence and freedom. Don't be a twat waffle and expect everyone else to kowtow to your needs.

As said above by others, why is this such a big deal?

This administration and this whole PC thing is way out of control.

Not much rant-wise, but that's my response.

Sent from my work avoidance device.

[Hound]

The 4th is for us. Why is that a problem. The closest I think we come to something like this is Cinco de Mayo on the fifth of May. I am betting if we said.. "Hell, Let's just get it over with in April" there would be riots.

[crays]

I truly do not know, so this is a serious question:

Is there any significance to June 4 for muslims/islam? Are we being duped in more ways than one?

Not going all tin-foil, just curious (but not curious enough to google it myself).

Sent from my work avoidance device.

[Bailey Guns]

Is there any significance to June 4 for muslims/islam? Are we being duped in more ways than one?

OMG...you haven't heard yet?

[Irving]

I truly do not know, so this is a serious question:

Is there any significance to June 4 for muslims/islam? Are we being duped in more ways than one?

Not going all tin-foil, just curious (but not curious enough to google it myself).

Sent from my work avoidance device.

Yeah, that was the day that Muslims won an important social victory over the American government.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I didn't know Indonesia celebrated US holidays? In fact, I don't know any country other than the US that does celebrate it.

It's a chance for diplomatic relations. I don't have any problem with that but moving the holiday and changing it to celebrating green energy is bullcrap.

I have seen other countries join in with Americans celebrating our holidays just as we have joined in with Canadians and other foreign nationals celebrating their holidays in coalition environments at US facilities (and on American soil). For the record, I invited Korean nationals to join me and my detachment in celebrating the Fourth of July in South Korea. They got to sample classic American culture (including lots of flame-broiled meat) and enjoyed themselves heartily.

[Bailey Guns]

True story... Many years ago when my wife got back from England her sister asked her, "Do they have fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July in England?"

[Aloha_Shooter]

True story... Many years ago when my wife got back from England her sister asked her, "Do they have fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July in England?"

Bailey, not quite as bad as kids asking me in college if we had TV in Hawaii and what currency we used ... I assumed at first they were pulling my leg but they were seriously that ignorant. Bear in mind this was over 30 years ago at a rather elite university but still well over 20 years since Hawaii had become a state and over 40 years since Pearl Harbor.