President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union Address (SOTU) yesterday, and included in the speech were his thoughts on Islamophobia, the conflict in Syria and Daesh. His words were often greeted by applause in the chamber, however there was also the inevitable criticism coming primarily from the Republican side.
One of the key points conservatives tend to bring up is Obama’s alleged avoidance of the term “radical Islamic terrorism.” Democrat candidates have said that using the term is not particularly helpful, with Hillary Clinton saying that it would not benefit US attempts to reach out to Islamic countries. Republicans, on the other hand, have argued that by using the term, the US would be able to define the enemy.
In the wake of the SOTU address, Republican candidate Senator Ted Cruz was quick to slam Obama for not using the term.
.@POTUS refused to say the words "radical Islamic terrorism" much less demonstrate any plan to destroy it. He diminished the threat of ISIS.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 13, 2016
Cruz is not the only one to think that Obama not using the term is such a big deal. In December, Donald Trump live-tweeted during an Oval Office address and brought up the issue.
Well, Obama refused to say (he just can't say it), that we are at WAR with RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISTS.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015
Many find this fixation on the term amusing and bewildering, leading some to ask why it matters.
Here are some of the responses to Cruz’s recent comments, via Twitter.
@SenTedCruz What happens if he says the magic words?
— Doremus Jessup (@DoremusJ) January 13, 2016@SenTedCruz @POTUS If he says the words "radicial Islamic terrorism" will that make you feel better? Promise not to pee your pants?
— Robert Kuhne (@rbtkhn) January 13, 2016@SenTedCruz @POTUS So radical and terrorism isn't enough, you have to link it to a religion that billions practice peacefully every day?
— VpYPfEfNXxXvbXjqFAxU (@VpYPfEfNXxXvbXj) January 13, 2016@SenTedCruz @POTUS Well sometimes not saying anything is saying something. Why mention them directly? It may validate them? #SOTU16
— dnyou (@danyou74) January 13, 2016
