Thursday, April 28, 2011
Holder Admits DOJ Dumped CAIR Case
Posted on April 28, 2011 by creeping
Hat tip Hyscience via NRO, With Dodging and More Dodging, Holder Admits DOJ Dumped CAIR Case:
U.S. attorney general Eric Holder has finally confirmed that Justice Department headquarters intervened to quash the prosecution of a top official of CAIR — the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The attorney general did not identify the CAIR official by name, although, at Pajamas Media, Patrick Poole reports that he is Omar Ahmad — who was in attendance at a 1993 meeting of what the FBI described as Hamas leaders, and who later founded CAIR, an Islamist organization designated by prosecutors as an unindicted coconspirator in a Hamas financing scheme.
(In the just released report by Steve Emerson’s Investigative Project on Terrorism, “The Case Against Omar Ahmad,” IPT notes that Ahmad actually “planned, convened and moderated an October 1993 meeting of the Palestine Committee [a Muslim Brotherhood front] in Philadelphia where members discussed ways to ‘derail’ a U.S.-led peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. The group knew that their Hamas support was problematic. They agreed to reference the group as sister ‘Samah’ [Hamas spelled backward] and warned each other that the U.S. had just proposed legislation that would designate Hamas as a terror organization.”)
Mosque denied in residential NJ neighborhood, legal jihad ensues
Posted on April 28, 2011 by creeping
An update on this previous post, via Mosque in Zone Fight – WSJ.com.
An Islamic group sued Bridgewater, N.J., for religious discrimination after the town changed zoning rules to block a mosque from opening in a residential neighborhood.
The Al Falah Center wanted to convert a former banquet hall located on a quiet side street into a mosque, day-care facility and community center for a diverse group of Muslim Americans who have been trying to find a home for the center more than a decade, according to the lawsuit filed on Tuesday in federal court in New Jersey.
But when the plans were making their way through the municipal channels, hundreds turned up to oppose the mosque. Though residents said their concerns were about traffic and other mundane quality-of-life issues, some people questioned where the group’s funding was coming from, and whether it had ties to terrorist organizations.
On March 14, the town agreed to limit houses of worship to certain main roads and other selected roads, including all areas where current churches and temples—including for Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish congregations—were already located. Al Falah said the town deliberately jimmied with the process, pushing their planning-board application hearing until after the town changed the law, to block the mosque.
“This conduct is discriminatory and imposes a substantial burden on plaintiffs’ right to the free exercise of their religion in violation of federal and state constitutional and statutory requirements,” the lawsuit said.
An attorney for the town, Bill Savo, said he hadn’t yet seen the complaint. “The town always has a history of acting in good faith,” he said. “We believe we acted appropriately.”
The flare-up over the Bridgewater mosque came in the wake of other efforts around the country to block or close mosques, including the so-called Ground Zero mosque in New York.
But the underlying tone of the debate was different in Bridgewater. Residents said they were supportive of mosques in the town—just not on Mountain Top Road, a small, winding street, without sidewalks, where some of the many trees come practically up to the asphalt.
“We have every religion in Bridgewater you can think of, many religions represented,” Mr. Savo said. “It’s just a concern about traffic-safety issues.”
Attorneys from the Brennan Center at New York University and the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund are among those representing Al Falah. Representatives from the Brennan Center said members of Al Falah declined to be interviewed about the issue.
Palestinians throw another wrench in peace process
Thursday, April 28, 2011 | Ryan Jones
A year ago, the Palestinian Authority defeated American efforts to kick-start the peace process by refusing to sit at the negotiating table with Israel.
Since the start of this year, the Palestinians have been laying the groundwork for a unilateral declaration of independence backed by the UN General Assembly.
Now, the regime of so-called Palestinian "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas is determined to put the final nail in the coffin of the peace process by reconciling with blood-soaked terrorist organization Hamas.
On Wednesday, Hamas and Abbas' own Fatah faction signed a preliminary reconciliation agreement brokered by the interim government in Egypt. The document is meant to be a first step toward a Hamas-Fatah unity government.
If the two groups come together, the US Congress is threatening to cut off American financial aid to the Palestinians. US law forbids granting financial aid to recognized terrorist organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister says the move will effectively kill any chances of a bilateral peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Hamas agrees.
"Our plan does not involve negotiations with Israel or recognizing it," Hamas delegation leader Mahmoud Zahar told The Jerusalem Post. "It will be impossible for an interim government to take part in the peace process with Israel."
read more: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/tabid/178/nid/22765/Default.aspx
Since the start of this year, the Palestinians have been laying the groundwork for a unilateral declaration of independence backed by the UN General Assembly.
Now, the regime of so-called Palestinian "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas is determined to put the final nail in the coffin of the peace process by reconciling with blood-soaked terrorist organization Hamas.
On Wednesday, Hamas and Abbas' own Fatah faction signed a preliminary reconciliation agreement brokered by the interim government in Egypt. The document is meant to be a first step toward a Hamas-Fatah unity government.
If the two groups come together, the US Congress is threatening to cut off American financial aid to the Palestinians. US law forbids granting financial aid to recognized terrorist organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister says the move will effectively kill any chances of a bilateral peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Hamas agrees.
"Our plan does not involve negotiations with Israel or recognizing it," Hamas delegation leader Mahmoud Zahar told The Jerusalem Post. "It will be impossible for an interim government to take part in the peace process with Israel."
read more: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/tabid/178/nid/22765/Default.aspx
Federal judge rules terror-linked CAIR, other Muslims can’t see FBI files
Posted on April 28, 2011 by creeping
via Federal judge rules Muslims can’t see FBI files – Forbes.com.
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a group of Muslim activists and organizations cannot review additional records of FBI inquiries into their activities but berated the government for misleading the court about the existence of the files.
U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney said six Muslim groups and five individuals who sued in 2007 to gain access to records they believed the FBI was keeping do not have a right to much of the information because of national security concerns.
The ruling came amid a nearly five-year battle by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Muslim activists to obtain files they believe would show the FBI has been unlawfully targeting Muslims in Southern California.
Carney reached his decision after privately reviewing more than 100 pages of documents to ensure the government had complied with Freedom of Information laws in denying access to plaintiffs.
Virginia judge denies Muslim inmate’s beard lawsuit
Posted on April 28, 2011 by creeping
“…he recently became convinced that his Islamic faith required him to wear a beard.” Who in the prison system convinced him of that and recommended he wage legal jihad? via In Good Faith: Judge denies Muslim inmate’s beard lawsuit – baltimoresun.com.
Virginia’s prison system did not violate a Muslim inmate’s religious rights when it refused to allow him to grow a 1/8-inch beard, which he believes is required by his religion, a federal judge has ruled.
William Couch, a 50-year-old Sunni Muslim, is a medium-security prisoner serving multiple life sentences for rape and other convictions. He challenged the Virginia Department of Corrections’ grooming policy, which bans long hair and beards.
U.S. District Judge Samuel G. Wilson in Harrisonburg sided with the department in a ruling Thursday. Couch’s attorney, Jeffrey Fogel, filed an appeal Monday.
Department spokesman Larry Traylor declined to comment on the case.
The Left’s Deranged Hatred of Allen West
Posted by Arnold Ahlert on Apr 28th, 2011
On the list of things that make progressives gnash their teeth and foam at their mouths, little tops an African-American of the conservative persuasion. Even more horrifying to the Left is one who makes clear: “you’re not going to intimidate me,” as Congressman Allen West (R-FL) said at a Tuesday night town hall meeting where leftists, including former Air America host Nicole Sandler (who was later arrested), tried to disrupt the event. From his successful 2010 congressional campaign through today, Congressman Allen West remains unfazed by such tactics. As a result, the attacks against him by the American Left continue.
The attacks began during West’s race for the House of Representatives against Democratic incumbent Ron Klein in what the Palm Beach Daily News characterized as “one of the nastiest campaigns of the season.” Klein’s political ads were a testament to that reality, focusing exclusively on attacking West’s character instead of on the issues. (Disclosure: I live in Florida, close to West’s district, and can personally attest to the tenor of Klein’s campaign.) According to Klein, West was “too dangerous and too extreme.” Klein also revealed that West had accumulated a tax lien and unpaid homeowner’s association dues, and claimed he was tied to the Outlaws motorcycle gang.
West’s responses? The debts were incurred while he was fighting for his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they have been paid off. He rides motorcycles, but has no affiliation to the Outlaws. Yet when the Florida Democratic Party made West’s tax lien document public, they included his social Security number in the release to 60,000 voters in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. West characterized the release as “a new low... it is not about character assassination, it is about destruction of a family,” he said, referring to the possibility of identification theft.
read more: http://frontpagemag.com/2011/04/28/the-lefts-deranged-war-on-allen-west/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=36303c0b09-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail
Brotherhood leader: Islam is the answer to price hikes
A Muslim Brotherhood member presented Islam as an economic solution during a conference in Daqahlia Governorate Tuesday.
Talaat al-Shennawy, head of the Brotherhood's Daqahlia office, said Egypt could curb price increases by following God's rules.
Shennawy said the greatness of Islam lies in it being a comprehensive religion that embraces all fields of life. He said people should apply all Islamic orders rather than just the ones they like.
In apparent conflicting messages, the Brotherhood said during another conference in Minya that it does not want religion to govern the state.
"The Brotherhood will opt for a civilian state and is seeking a strong parliament, as well as municipal councils free of bribery and nepotism, that can address citizens' needs," said Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie.
Brotherhood member al-Sayyed Talaat also called on all Egyptians to participate in rebuilding the country and said the group is always ready for cooperation.
Talaat al-Shennawy, head of the Brotherhood's Daqahlia office, said Egypt could curb price increases by following God's rules.
Shennawy said the greatness of Islam lies in it being a comprehensive religion that embraces all fields of life. He said people should apply all Islamic orders rather than just the ones they like.
In apparent conflicting messages, the Brotherhood said during another conference in Minya that it does not want religion to govern the state.
"The Brotherhood will opt for a civilian state and is seeking a strong parliament, as well as municipal councils free of bribery and nepotism, that can address citizens' needs," said Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie.
Brotherhood member al-Sayyed Talaat also called on all Egyptians to participate in rebuilding the country and said the group is always ready for cooperation.
Pastor Jones fails in his mission
Letter From America
Luckily however, Pastor Jones, and his colleagues who were posing a threat to public safety were arrested on the orders of a jury, and one of his followers was arrested as well. The two men later posted bond, and were released from jail. The prosecutor argued that Pastor Jones and his associate, Pastor Sapp, were free to speak in one of the cities, for “free speech” zones, but both the Pastors, opposed restrictions to their First Amendment rights on free speech and free assembly. The jury reached a unanimous verdict, that the pastors were a threat to public safety. The judge said the verdict required him to set a bond of $25,000, but taking a lenient view, the Pastors post dollar one bond each. The judgment also said that both the pastors cannot go to the Islamic Center of America, or the property nearby, for the length of the bond, which was 14 years. The rally that had been scheduled for 5 p.m., never took place.
Pastor Jones told the jurors that he and Pastor Sapp had come in peace in Dearborn, a city of 98,000 people, out of which 32,000 residents are Arab Muslims. Both pastors asserted that they didn’t intend to burn the Quran, as they had done last month in Florida. The judge said that he and the jurors were not trying to suppress the free speech rights of the pastors, but opposed the timing and the location of the planned rally. Dearborn police chief said his department was aware of 300 death threats against Pastor Jones and Sapp.
read more: http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=88998
Burhanuddin Hasan
Pastor Terry Jones, who had the audacity to burn the pages of the Holy Quran, had another evil plan to go to Dearborn, Michigan, where the largest Muslim Arab community in the United States resides, and hold a rally in front of the biggest mosque in America and speak against radical Islam, Shariah Law, and Jihad. He reached the mosque, with another pastor; both had pistols in their possession. A large majority of Muslims had also gathered in front of the mosque, and there was likelihood of a clash. Luckily however, Pastor Jones, and his colleagues who were posing a threat to public safety were arrested on the orders of a jury, and one of his followers was arrested as well. The two men later posted bond, and were released from jail. The prosecutor argued that Pastor Jones and his associate, Pastor Sapp, were free to speak in one of the cities, for “free speech” zones, but both the Pastors, opposed restrictions to their First Amendment rights on free speech and free assembly. The jury reached a unanimous verdict, that the pastors were a threat to public safety. The judge said the verdict required him to set a bond of $25,000, but taking a lenient view, the Pastors post dollar one bond each. The judgment also said that both the pastors cannot go to the Islamic Center of America, or the property nearby, for the length of the bond, which was 14 years. The rally that had been scheduled for 5 p.m., never took place.
Pastor Jones told the jurors that he and Pastor Sapp had come in peace in Dearborn, a city of 98,000 people, out of which 32,000 residents are Arab Muslims. Both pastors asserted that they didn’t intend to burn the Quran, as they had done last month in Florida. The judge said that he and the jurors were not trying to suppress the free speech rights of the pastors, but opposed the timing and the location of the planned rally. Dearborn police chief said his department was aware of 300 death threats against Pastor Jones and Sapp.
read more: http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=88998
Defense Department Shakeup
Posted by Alan W. Dowd on Apr 28th, 2011
With Robert Gates set to leave his post as Pentagon chief this summer, reports are circulating that President Barack Obama will soon appoint CIA Director Leon Panetta to take over as secretary of defense and Gen. David Petraeus to slide into the top spot at the CIA. Given the alternatives that Obama could have chosen—and probably would rather choose—Panetta and Petraeus are solid picks. Not only do they have proven track records and backing in Congress; they also underscore that despite all the rhetoric, Obama continues to fill key security and defense posts with people who understand the country is at war.
A little history is in order. It pays to recall that as a candidate and in the early months of his presidency, Obama rejected the Bush administration’s characterization of America being a nation at war. For example, the Obama administration made a concerted effort to expunge the “war on terrorism” phraseology from official pronouncements, ordering the executive branch to use the banal, bland and bureaucratic “overseas contingency operations” instead. In quick succession, Obama ordered the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, sped up the pullout of troops from Iraq, put a time limit on the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and made entreaties to the thugs who run Iran. In the midst of this 180-degree turn, Obama’s secretary of homeland security even went so far as to use the Orwellian phrase “man-caused disasters” rather than call terrorism by its name.
read more: http://frontpagemag.com/2011/04/28/defense-department-shakeup/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FrontpageMag+%28FrontPage+Magazine+%C2%BB+FrontPage%29
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