Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Irvine Student Gathering to Discuss Danish Cartoons Draws Protesters
Apparently, the conference scheduled to discuss the controversy surrounding the Danish cartoons and the anti-Semitism and anti-Westernism in Muslim media is underway. Local affiliate KNBC has the latest update:
'The protest began when about 200 Muslim students, many wearing green armbands, placed mats on the barricaded street and said a prayer. When it ended, about 15 counterprotesters raised U.S. and Israeli flags, shouted "USA! USA!" and sang "God bless America."'
Unfortunately, images and audio are not yet available. One has to wonder what the significance of the green armbands were? An association with Hamas, perhaps? More details as they become available...
Monday, February 27, 2006
CAIR Joins Attacks On U.C. Irvine Republicans Over Display of Cartoons
An important story is developing at the University of California Irvine Campus, where the local chapter of the College Republicans is planning a panel discussion on Islamic extremism. As part of the forum, the Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammed as well as various anti-Semitic and anti-Western cartoons published in Muslim newspapers will be displayed.
Muslim students and CAIR have raised objections, naturally not to the showing of anti-Semitic and anti-Western material, but to the featuring of the Danish cartoons. According to the LA Times, Muslim students see this as a "provocation". Further, they intimate that the cartoons "will incite violence locally". CAIR has also supported the Muslim students' assertions, printing an "action alert" on their website.
Developing...
NBC4 has a more recent summation, saying that security has increased on the Irvine campus in anticipation of the conference. Muslim students are planning a protest and who knows what else?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
So Many Terrorists, So Little Time...
By now, most people know about the indictment of the terror cell operating in and around Toledo. The three terror suspects, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman el-Hindi and Wassim Mazloum were accused by the DOJ of "conspiring to commit acts of terrorism against persons overseas, including U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, and with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists". Read the entire indictment here.
Apart from weapons training, bomb construction and other nefarious activities, the indicted co-conspirators were just ordinary guys according to the mainstream media. In fact, the Toledo Blade produced this dribble which described one of the bums as a, "sensitive artist".
As details slowly emerge about the perpetrators, the more one should be concerned. El-Hindi spent time as a prison "Imam", undoubtedly filling the minds of prisoners with "jihadi" rhetoric. More concerning was that this man moved relatively easily through Muslim communities in New York, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio, undoubtedly receiving assistance along the way. Of note, El-Hindi was arrested in 1991 for receiving stolen property and was convicted of a misdemeanor related to a property issue.
In an un-related effort, one of the two original Virginia Jihadists found not guilty, Sabri Benkahla was indicted again on charges of lying to a grand jury. How quickly we forget about the pervasiveness of "The Fifth Column."
Friday, February 17, 2006
An Image from a "rally" at the Danish Embassy in NEW YORK CITY. Any questions about the Fifth Column?
Opening Statements in Hayat Trial
The trial involving the Hayat's is underway with opening statements delivered by the respective sides. Coverage is fairly extensive and the picture is suddenly becoming clearer. Read here, here, and here.
CAIR Shows Its True COLORS
I received this email exchange from a reader who chooses the pseudonym "Joe":
'Dear Mr. Hooper,
I recognize that CAIR has recently announced their aversion to the publishing of cartoons which depict the prophet Muhammed unfavorably and the resultant violence. Could you please comment on the huge amount of anti-Semitic material which appears almost daily in the media throught the Arab world?
Specifically, I call your attention to this video which appeared yesterday on Palestinian TV: http://www.pmw.org.il/asx/PMW_Hamas_suicide.asx
Among the horrific statements were:
"My message to the loathed Jews is that there is no god but Allah, we will chase you everywhere! We are a nation that drinks blood, and we know that there is no blood better than the blood of Jews. We will not leave you alone until we have quenched our thirst with your blood, and our children's thirst with your blood. We will not leave until you leave the Muslim countries."
and
"In the name of Allah, we will destroy you, blow you up, take revenge against you, [and] purify the land of you, pigs that have defiled our country... This operation is revenge against the sons of monkeys and pigs."
Your reaction would be appreciated.'
CAIR's reply:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECAIR CONDEMNS IRANIAN HOLOCAUST CARTOON CONTEST (WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/8/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations today condemned a plan by an Iranian newspaper to solicit cartoons denying the Nazi Holocaust.Iran's Hamshahri newspaper says the contest is in reaction to the publication in Europe of cartoons mocking Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The controversy over those cartoon sparked worldwide protests.In a statement, CAIR said:"Now is the time for responsible people of all faiths to avoid inflammatory actions that are clearly designed to incite hatred. We call on Hamshahri newspaper to drop its plans to denigrate the immense suffering caused by the Nazi Holocaust and urge the Iranian government to repudiate such an insensitive proposal."The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: 'Goodness and evil cannot be equal. Repel (evil) with something that is better. Then you will see that he with whom you had enmity will become your close friend. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint.' (41:34-35) "The Holocaust, like all other acts of genocide, represents one of the lowest moments in human history and should not be the subject of derogatory cartoons. One cannot demand responsible behavior from others while at the same time acting irresponsibly." Previously, CAIR and other American Muslim groups rejected the use of violence in response to the defamatory caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in European newspapers. In reaction to the cartoon controversy, CAIR officials met with the Norwegian and Danish ambassadors to express the Muslim community's concerns about the caricatures and urged American Muslims to educate others about the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad.CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.- END -CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org.
Either CAIR didn't understand the question or purposefully chose not to respond, so "Joe" wrote,
"Dear Mr. Hooper,
Thank you for sending the press release regarding CAIR's position on the Iranian cartoon contest, however I would appreciate understanding CAIR's response to all of the incitement and anti-Semitic material which appears on state run media stations in such countries as Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Territories?"
CAIR didn't reply. Why is that Mr. Hooper? Why does CAIR fail to condemn the anti-Semitism and atrocities committed in the name of Islam?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
New Developments in the Hayat Terror Case
(Would you let these men date your daughters?)
Back in January, defense lawyers for the Lodi. CA men accused of assisting Al-Qaeda sought dismissal of the case. The good news is that the case is finally moving forward and the trial is imminent. Unfortunately, media leaks are rife and the government is moving forward to aggressively curtail them. Jury selection is in process and although the pair are to be tried together, they will be afforded independent juries. An excellent summary can be found here. Hopefully, this trial will conclude swiftly and justly.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
CAIR Detroit Excuses Cartoon Protests
Muzammil Ahmed, Board Member of the Michigan Chapter of CAIR recently crafted a response to the appearance of Danish cartoons and ensuing violence. While the headline claims that the letter "aims for healing", reading between the lines reveals a different message:
"The uproar over the Danish cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad is a victory for extremist elements in both Western and Islamic societies. Rather than try to foster bridges of understanding and stimulate communication, the various publishers of the offensive cartoons made a calculated move to incite Muslims across the world."
This is a clearly false and misleading statement. According to Wikipedia, "the cultural editor of Jyllands-Posten, commissioned twelve cartoonists to draw them and published the cartoons in response to the difficulty that Danish writer Kåre Bluitgen had finding artists to illustrate his children's book about Muhammad, because the artists feared violent attacks by extremist Muslims." Were the Danish cartoons the product of "extremists" and how did their publication benefit extremist elements in Western societies? The response to the publication of the cartoons was clear - violent protests, torching of embassies throughout the Arab world, and threats of even greater violence by Muslims.
"mainstream Muslim organizations in North America condemn these violent protests, particularly when there are more important issues facing the Muslim world."
So, the Muslim organizations condemn the violence not because of the inherent moral question, but because there are "more important issues" to deal with?
"No mainstream publisher would intentionally produce material that is considered racist, anti-Semitic or offensive to specific ethnicities. The publication of such material is not an issue of free speech, but an issue of respect and responsibility. The choice to be offensive to an entire community will certainly invite people to boycott and protest. Inevitably, a minority of the protesters also becomes irresponsible, and the situation can spiral out of control."
Here, Mr. Ahmed's argument self-destructs. Throughout the Muslim world, the "mainstream media" including official government sanctioned outlets routinely print, broadcast, and distribute horribly anti-Semitic propaganda. How does he explain this?
Moreover, he appears to rationalize the violence as a natural reaction to being offended. This is a dangerous and extremely provacative response encompassing thinly veiled threats. Evidence is emerging even in the arab media that the violence was intentionally orchestrated by Imams and state sponsored agencies rather than being spontaneous.
"The Danish newspaper publisher has apologized and the editor has been fired. This is a time for Muslims to gracefully accept such gestures and use them as an opportunity to create further understanding. There are many divisions between the large immigrant Muslim populations in the West and their host countries. Both sides must make a conscious effort to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and strive toward peaceful coexistence."
Well, the editor has taken an indefinite leave, probably in part to protect himself against the death threats. Ahmed correctly identifies that "divisions" exist between Muslim immigrants and Western countries. Unfortunately, many of these "divisions" result from the fundamental differences between Islamic and Western law - namely protection of women and minorities, equality, free speech, and social justice in the later.
Perhaps the most cogent analysis to date has been that of Charles Krauthammer. In his February 9th op-ed, Mr. Krauthammer observed:
"What passes for moderation in the Islamic community -- "I share your rage but don't torch that embassy" -- is nothing of the sort. It is simply a cynical way to endorse the goals of the mob without endorsing its means. It is fraudulent because, while pretending to uphold the principle of religious sensitivity, it is interested only in this instance of religious insensitivity."
He continues:
"A true Muslim moderate is one who protests desecrations of all faiths. Those who don't are not moderates but hypocrites, opportunists and agents for the rioters, merely using different means to advance the same goal: to impose upon the West, with its traditions of freedom of speech, a set of taboos that is exclusive to the Islamic faith. These are not defenders of religion but Muslim supremacists trying to force their dictates upon the liberal West."
Once again, proving the "Fifth Column" at work.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Free Speech
A friend emailed me this controversial cartoon. In the name of free speech, I've reprinted it here. Comments are always welcome.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
In Deference To Our Danish Cousins
I came across this cartoon which summarizes the conflict precisely. It doesn't blasphame the pro-fit, nor are there graven images, so it must be acceptable?
Nearly 60 years ago, perhaps one of the most powerful post-war speeches in history was delivered. The message is as relevant today as it was when it was uttered on that blustery day in March of 1946 (March 6th to be precise). So, with apologies to Sir Winston Churchill I've included some of the most pertinent highlights:
"The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American democracy. For with this primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. As you look around you, you must feel not only the sense of duty done, but also you must feel anxiety lest you fall below the level of achievement. Opportunity is here now, clear and shining, for both our countries. To reject it or ignore it or fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the aftertime.
It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall rule and guide the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war. We must, and I believe we shall, prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement.
...an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.
I repulse the idea that a new war is inevitable -- still more that it is imminent. It is because I am sure that our fortunes are still in our own hands and that we hold the power to save the future, that I feel the duty to speak out now that I have the occasion and the opportunity to do so.
But what we have to consider here today while time remains, is the permanent prevention of war and the establishment of conditions of freedom and democracy as rapidly as possible in all countries. Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them. They will not be removed by mere waiting to see what happens; nor will they be removed by a policy of appeasement.
What is needed is a settlement, and the longer this is delayed, the more difficult it will be and the greater our dangers will become.
Last time I saw it all coming and I cried aloud to my own fellow countrymen and to the world, but no one paid any attention. Up till the year 1933 or even 1935, Germany might have been saved from the awful fate which has overtaken her and we might all have been spared the miseries Hitler let loose upon mankind.
There never was a war in history easier to prevent by timely action than the one which has just desolated such great areas of the globe. It could have been prevented, in my belief, without the firing of a single shot, and Germany might be powerful, prosperous and honored today; but no one would listen and one by one we were all sucked into the awful whirlpool.
We must not let it happen again."
Monday, February 06, 2006
Arab American Organizations' Responses to Danish C...
Arab American Organizations' Responses to the Danish Cartoons
The Muslim world has exploded recently in violent outbursts over the publication of cartoons lampooning the prophet Muhammad in an obscure Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten. The images, which appeared in September of last year, were created by 12 different cartoonists as part of a discussion of free speech. According to Wikipedia, "the cultural editor of Jyllands-Posten, commissioned twelve cartoonists to draw them and published the cartoons in response to the difficulty that Danish writer Kåre Bluitgen had finding artists to illustrate his children's book about Muhammad, because the artists feared violent attacks by extremist Muslims.
The Danish writer had great foresight, as violence has indeed been the Muslim response. To date, violent protests have occurred throughout the Muslim world culminating in the burning of the Danish embassies in Damascus and Beirut and the deaths of several protesters. Additionally, rather aggressive protests have been staged throughout Europe including cries for "behead(ing) those who insult Islam." Ironically, due to "vandalism" Wikipedia had to restrict any editing on this topic.
Surprisingly, American newspapers have generally avoided the controversy while American - Muslims' reactions have been more subdued. CAIR and other Arab American organizations including the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee have issued a series of statements condemning the violence stemming from the cartoons' publication. But these organizations and the protesters interviewed seem to be more concerned with the Muslim community’s conviction, "that the controversy is not an issue of free speech, but is instead based on concerns over hate speech and incitement." Even the ADL, issued a statement about the cartoons calling them, "troubling" and urging newspapers to, "take into account the sensitivities of racial, ethnic and religious groups.”
While it appears that the American Muslim organizations have suddenly become concerned with justice and an aversion of "hate speech", they are noticeably silent on the fact that the Arab media is rife with anti-Semitic caricatures, cartoons, and videos. The ADL correctly observes, "What has been overlooked in the controversy is the fact that despicable anti-Jewish caricatures appear daily in newspapers across the Arab and Muslim world. While invoking the supposed "freedom of the press" in their countries, Arab and Muslim leaders have refused to take any action to stem the drumbeat of anti-Semitism in widely circulated newspapers, many state-sponsored. Indeed, leaders of regimes such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia have virtually ignored appeals from the United States and Jewish organizations to put an end to incitement in their media, excusing it in the name of "freedom of the press." One would hope that leaders of Arab and Muslim countries would turn all of the anger being aimed at the European press into a larger lesson for their own people about the power of images." In fact, even Arab American Newspapers have printed anti-Semitic cartoons!
About the Danish cartoons, Kareem Shora of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), had the chutzpah to say, "This (controversy) echoes the historical problems that Europeans had with anti-Semitism." Yet he failed to acknowledge the constant discharge of anti-Christian and anti-Jewish sentiment which percolates endlessly throughout the Arab world. When a reporter in New York asked some Muslim protesters about the demeaning caricatures of Jews that regularly appear in Middle Eastern newspapers, a group of teenaged girls holding picket signs said that the comparison was false.
Although the protests in the U.S. have been peaceful, their message and that of Arab American Organizations has not - it is fine for Muslims to denigrate and humiliate others but any hint of "free speech" or "controversy" involving Islam will be met with intimidation, threats, and violence.
CAIR Rallies To Defend Terrorist
CAIR joined a coalition of Arab American groups, The Chicago Tribune, and others to file briefs protesting Federal Judge Amy St. Eve's ruling to close her court during sensitive testimony in the trial against suspected terrorist, Muhammad Salah.
Background: Muhammad Salah, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Jordan was arrested and had his assets seized in 1998. It wasn't until 2004 that he and two other co-conspirators were indicted by a Grand Jury on RICO violations of money laundering for the terrorist group HAMAS. According to the DOJ, Salah "traveled throughout the United States and to London, Israel and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on behalf of Hamas, meeting with its leaders and members, recruiting and training new members in the United States, and disbursing money from the United States to directly support the activities of Hamas." The five-count indictment also sought forfeiture of approximately $2.7 million - not a bad stash for a gentleman whose occupation was listed as a "used car salesman". The indictment can be found here.
Salah was just one of at least 94 known terrorists operating on U.S. soil.
More troubling is CAIR's defense of and association with a suspected terrorist. Contrast CAIR's reaction with that of the ADL when Irv Rubin, leader of the JDL was arrested on alleged acts of terrorism. CAIR continues to portray itself as a mainstream Muslim "civil rights and advocacy group", yet their actions speak otherwise.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Muslims Challenge Law & Liquor in Oakland, CA
Muslims Challenge Law & Liquor in Oakland, CA
The selling of liquor is legal and regulated by the State of California, so why would this upset Muslim leaders in Oakland, CA? That question was punctuated by a rally in front of City Hall and a march held to intimidate shop keepers from selling alcohol this past Saturday. According to two reports (SF Chronicle & Inside Bay Area), approximately 150 Bay Area Muslims gathered to protest the sale of liquor store owners, many of whom are Muslims themselves.
Recalling the attacks on Oakland liquor stores a few weeks ago by assailants identified to be associated with a local Muslim bakery, Faheem Shuaibe, resident imam of the Masjidul Waritheen mosque in East Oakland noted, "It was the right intent, but simply done in the wrong way."
The selling of liquor is legal and regulated by the State of California, so why would this upset Muslim leaders in Oakland, CA? That question was punctuated by a rally in front of City Hall and a march held to intimidate shop keepers from selling alcohol this past Saturday. According to two reports (SF Chronicle & Inside Bay Area), approximately 150 Bay Area Muslims gathered to protest the sale of liquor store owners, many of whom are Muslims themselves.
Recalling the attacks on Oakland liquor stores a few weeks ago by assailants identified to be associated with a local Muslim bakery, Faheem Shuaibe, resident imam of the Masjidul Waritheen mosque in East Oakland noted, "It was the right intent, but simply done in the wrong way."
According to the Inside Bay Area, “The march and rally were planned by Muslims and mosque officers from all over the Bay Area.
But initially it looked like a march by supporters and associates of Your Black Muslim Bakery, Inc. The march of 75 men, women and children was preceded by three luxury cars, a Chevrolet Suburban, a Lexus and a BMW, each carrying distinctive red-and-white crescent flags.
A phalanx of men in black coats ran alongside the cars, ahead of the marchers. The group stopped at liquor stores along the route, and Your Black Muslim Bakery representatives stationed themselves like sentries at the door of each store.”
Where were the police during all of this? Isn't it a crime to intimidate minorities in this country? Aren't U.S. laws the basis for our societal governance? Since when did religious doctrine trump our legal doctrine. These developments are quite scary indeed.