Peter King's Muslim hearings: extremism and fear are our common enemies
Representative Peter King's (R-N.Y.) congressional hearings on the extent of radicalization in the American Muslim community are not designed to uncover facts and resolve conflicts. Like the McCarthy hearings of a bygone era, and indeed like the very extremism they claim to fight, the hearings are designed to fuel emotions - not noble emotions like patriotism, solidarity, and love of humankind but base emotions like fear, suspicion, and hatred. No matter how much we wish to argue against emotions with facts, emotions will always be more powerful than raw data. This makes emotions the source of our greatest weakness as well as our greatest strength.
Facts do not support the narrative of increasing Muslim-American radicalization. According to the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security, in 2010, the number of American Muslims involved in terrorist acts dropped by more than half compared to 2009. More non-Muslims than Muslims were involved in terrorist attacks overall. A fact-based approach would suggest that it is essential to let law enforcement officials testify on hearings that are supposed to "prove" how American Muslim leaders have failed to cooperate with law enforcement. As an American Muslim leader who has worked with FBI agents on eradicating extremism since right after 9/11, I am saddened that Rep. King feels that security professionals' and counterterrorism experts' testimony constitutes irrelevant data on this subject. Yet again, the hearings are not about data and facts. They are about emotions.
Muslims in the United States are certainly not immune to radicalizing emotions. No single group of people is. Radicals of every creed and religion often feed off of each others' hate and fear, fueling a vicious cycle of anger and violence. Similarly, moderates within creeds and religions have regularly broken religious lines to express solidarity with their supposed enemies. The largest single source of initial information on planned terrorist attacks by Muslims in the United States involved tips from the Muslim-American community itself. Can we really afford to alienate this vital moderate majority and tell Muslim Americans that they, their religion, their prayers, hopes and dreams for a safer world are unwelcome?
Singling out and alienating a religious community is not the antidote to extremism. The antidote is to unite against fear and anger, and for security, across all boundaries. Uniting against extremism means working across all religions and creeds, including with agnostics and atheists, towards the common human goals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It means refusing to ostracize a quarter of humanity simply because they are Muslims. It also means making sure we have the correct facts and are motivated by the right emotions for the wellbeing of all. This has been my goal and the mission of the Cordoba Initiative, the multi-faith, multi-national organization I founded to break the cycle of mistrust, misunderstanding and irrational fear that exists between many Muslims and Westerners.
In these difficult times, we would do well to remember Franklin Delano Roosevelt's words, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." Today, I urge all Americans to move away from one set of emotions towards another, from fear to courage, from self-destructive retreat to meaningful advance.
The actual battlefront of our times is not between Islam and America, but between moderates of all faiths against the extremists of all faiths, between the purveyors of fear and the champions of love. If we will not be convinced by the right facts, shouldn't we at least be motivated by the right emotions?
By
Feisal Abdul Rauf
|
March 10, 2011; 8:20 AM ET
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Posted by: dawnfreligh | March 16, 2011 2:51 PM
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King is doing the right thing, though it might be for the wrong reason, it is still the right thing. Learn to accept that and keep it in perspective if you really care about your host country in any way at all. This is America, not Lybya or Bahrain where citizens are being shot and killed for merely expressing their disappointment over the social and economic injustice and over the oppression they endure. America has been made America by the Christians, we don't need it to be converted into another muslim country, we have plenty of garbagy ones out there. Take a look around. THERE IS ONLY ONE USA!!!!!! and it desperately needs to be protected and preserved from vile criminals that claim to fight for justice and liberty when all they are interested in is suck this country's blood and precisely dissolve what makes it stand above the cheap crowd. You came here PRECISELY because of this country's Traits not those of your country of that of your ancestors. Now learn to respect them and revere them wether they be good or bad. If you are not happy about them, then move back out. Nobody is blocking your in. This country let you in out of courtesy and good heart, it did not let you in so you could come here and tell it how to run itself. How the muslims run things is largely demonstrated out there and it is anything but pretty. And NO!!!!I am not a racist or a discriminate person, I happen to be a former muslim who lived the mulslim crap from the inside out all the way to "china". I run here to find some peace and healthy freedom and I have. I don't want to lose it.
Posted by: dawnfreligh | March 16, 2011 1:57 PM
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Chickens sh.ts ran away, when shown there REAL FACE... blocked the blog... up goes your freedom of speech. LIARS/KILLERS
Chicken sh.ts slandering Islam. Now why not keep it open and get the taste of truth. AFRAID THAT EVERY COMMON PERSON WILL KNOW YOUR FEALTHYNESS.
99.9% baby killer once pragnant proud womens of West. One can imagine your weired laws and practices and lawfulness.
UNO keep silent and do not pass any resolution when its Pimp USA keep bombing inocent Muslims childern and women all over world. But butcher Kadafi do something like this whole racist west including UNO starts whining...
Posted by: Mooody | March 14, 2011 11:07 AM
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Peter King didn't need these hearings to win re-election or election to anything at all. He is greatly beloved by his largely Roman Catholic constituency, but also by many Protestants, and, even now, retains some Muslim support.
Much has been made of his IRA endorsements. He has not now nor will he ever change his mind about them. He has never seen any contradiction between his support for the IRA and his unflagging patriotism for this country. Although he has never said it, he has implied that he does see the Brits as having a decidedly terrorist streak.
I'm not a King supporter. I would imagine that the 900 people the Brits murdered during their imperialist Falklands War, shot dead in an exclusion zone, qualifies as terror. Imprisoning HOlocaust refugees in internment camps in Cyprus, shooting men, women, and children survivors to death on a boat might also qualify as terror.
And Northern Ireland?
Like I said, I'm no King supporter, have never been. However, I will say that he's one Irish Catholic who has always taken a stance against antisemitism, notwithstanding the fact that Jews never vote for him. Remarkable in and of itself.
When I think of him as he's revealed himself over the years, although my politics are surely not his, I'm not certain I would call him a hypocrite.
Posted by: Farnaz2Mansouri21 | March 13, 2011 4:21 AM
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Dear Blogger(s); Enemies & Friends:
HARK! There will be GOOD & 'Nothing but the-Good',via The Truth [opposite MYTH]. so this Inquiry etc. is All GOOD!
There will be good-Tidings await'th US future-Bound & Space-Forth ready/Blessed APOCALYPTARIANS NATIONAL(s), aka, ALL AMERICAN), which Foundation is being set Nay only for Today's Youth/MiddleAge thy Elders but, PHILOSOPHICALLY preparing Them, For their Apocalyptic Thinking GENEPOOL's or Future MEME's, as "PROMISED" & foretold US (nay YE), o' BLIND&LAM in all Ye Infixus Books! So
Wherefore: Down With APATHY & THEOCRACY & MONARCH on S.S. Earth So letitbe, Let The Dice Roll YO!
'Whatever-Will-Be Will be', coming Out of These "McCarthy Style" KINGS HEARING [2011+]? Note; this ain't No "LYNCHING" now!
Secret (opposite Revealation; nay revelation)
The "A N T I - C H R I S T" (if any); Is doin Everything Possible to STOP these Fact/Truth Finding "HEARING(s)", (Nay Lynchings, & No Herrings). Like The R.C.C. & NATION, wants to Do anything To Distract, Cover-Up, Hide, Make Forget etc.. via their "MENS REA" (Abomination/Guilts) of the ""MOTHER of HARLOTS" Empires scattered through-out the Lands on our (not YE/YO) Holyi [NEBULAE BUILT] bless'th, Space Earth! Note: The Pedophile Father/Priests/Friars.. are also called "FATHER of HARLOTS" & NICOLAITAN (now)!
Secret 2: All,Every &Any, (NO EXCEPTIONs) Christians, All Judeo's, All Judeo-Ishlamic's, All Arian-Hindu's, Vedic SINO-Buddhists et al, need a Great CORRECTION OF SIN(s), ias EVILY depicted in All Ye/Yo (Nay/No/Not OUR) Pre-Apocalyptic Cursed/Sinned INFIXUS-BOOKS; a/k/a
Correcting The CHUMASH/TALMUDs, QURAN/KORAN's, GEETA/UPANISHADS, KANGYURs/TANGYURS, Gatha's etc.
da HOlyi COsmic FEeler's FAith [HO-CO-FE-FA] System", like Religion.Theres more so leave it at that Aye?
Note again: Since All of Ye Pre-Apocalyptarians [MAGOG's & Delusionals] & Leader ships, via someone-else's RELIGION (what ever that Means today; from Yesterdays) or via "SUPERSTUPIDSTITIOUSNESS" DOCTRINES et seq, Is
PROOF that Ye Al,l a "ANTI-CHRIST"! Anti-MAHDI! Anti-MAETRAUA! ANTi"S-H-I-{-O-H", anti APOCALYPTIC GOVERNMENT & Anti GRIDARIAN DEMOCRACY!
Behold! O' ALL/EVERY/ANY of YE & YO's Anti-HUMANITY, ANTi-FAMILY cruel JEALOUSY/FEAR ENFORCERS' O Wretched Ugly S-A-T-A-N-I-C -- v-e-rs-US Lovers!
PS: For The N'th Time & Tome: All VEDICS+ ALL JUDEO+ Jealous Plagiarizer's Wannabe God/Allah/Hashem/Atman/OSIRIS.. self serving LEADERSHIPs of GOD (PRE-Apocalyptarians, aka NICOLAITAN's), In Sweet Sweet U.S. of A.'s are in Facts UN-AMERiCAN!
All Are (competing for a Name for "IT") r IMPORTED-Systems shoved-down Ye-Throats to Use-Against-US (EKLAHTi-ON's), pushed by Monarchs&Theocratp AGENTs frm Abroad. Nay/No/Zero MADE IN AMERICA!
Posted by: ITs-TIME | March 12, 2011 6:46 PM
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THANK YOU RAUF FOR THE BEST SUMMARY OF ISLAM EVER WRITTEN. Your experience with islam and introspection after the 9/11 mosque fiasco must have helped you with this insight.
You wrote in your article above:
"... designed to fuel emotions - not noble emotions like patriotism, solidarity, and love of humankind but base emotions like fear, suspicion, and hatred."
This describes Islam precisely.
Posted by: clearthinking1 | March 12, 2011 2:07 PM
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'Rep. King is WARNING America—thus his character is being assassinated by CAIR, the Muslim Students Association (founded by the Muslim Brotherhood), and the useful idiots in our government and “liberal” press who are whoring for Muslim $$$ (NPR can you hear me now)?'
King is hardly worried about his character, and the right wing has plenty of useful idiots as well - that's who King is speaking to in the context of these 'hearings'. And mabe he can pick up a few independent votes along the way. Vote King for the Senate in 2012.....
The GOP voter base sez, 'We hear you, loud and clear.'
Anyone who truly hates Muslims should just stop buying gas - now that would be the act of a real patriot and true believer.
Posted by: persiflage | March 12, 2011 8:44 AM
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FACT: radical Islam is a deadly threat. America – do your own homework and consult writers like Dr. Zuhdi Jasser (www.aifdemocracy.org) who testified at hearing, and Ayyan Hirsi Ali (theahafoundation.org) and Walid Phares who were denied the right to testify at hearings (thank you CAIR) and more writers like Nonie Darwish (Cruel and Unusual Punishment), Wafa Sultan (The God Who Hates) Dr. Tawfik Hamid (www.tawfikhamid.com), Bruce Bawer (While Europe Slept), plus well-researched books like the “Muslim Mafia.” Rep. King is WARNING America—thus his character is being assassinated by CAIR, the Muslim Students Association (founded by the Muslim Brotherhood), and the useful idiots in our government and “liberal” press who are whoring for Muslim $$$ (NPR can you hear me now)?
Posted by: LaurainLA | March 12, 2011 1:37 AM
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@yeal9
Take a chill pill! Hate Hate Hate. Not good for you man(or woman)
Posted by: englishman7 | March 11, 2011 9:16 PM
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@ TRUTHPOST
This has not always been a 'nation of Judeo-Christian beliefs' It was a nation of many religious practices with supernatural concern. Christianity was spread by force (and slavery) throughout America. Real Islam is spreading with peace so don't be surprised that your ignorant rhetoric falls on deaf ears. Most converts are educated and understand the peaceful and meaningful way of Islamic life (not too different to the real Judeo-Christian way of life)Make Muslim friends, live amongst Muslims then you will realise that you really have been barking up the wrong tree. I suggest the same to ignorant Muslims! go and make Christian friends and we will all discover that this hatred is all of a false and ignorant nature created by those who want control...mid east tyrants, western defence companies, mad mullahs, mad right wing politicians, the tony blair's, the mubaraks...Don't let these people dehumanise us. Don't let the next Gas Chambers be built for Muslims!
Posted by: englishman7 | March 11, 2011 9:11 PM
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@TRUTHPOST
You sound like you have a touch of the good old 'repent through Christ or be doomed' disease yourself. I really don't think you are one to lecture on extremism. I suggest you read up on your history sir. Start with the Spanish Inquisition (Muslims saving christians and jews from Christians), Saladin in the Crusades (again saving Christians), The rape of Kosovo (by hardline Christians), The Third Reich (Christians). Oh and the first terrorist attack in modern day middleast King David Hotel (july 26th 1946, jews slaughtering Christians)
How dare you judge the whole of Pakistan by the actions of one maniac? Are all Christians pedophiles? I have visited Pakistan more times than you Sir and lived amongst Christians there. There are many churches and christian schools (which even muslims attend). Muslims and Christians live happily side by side until hate mongers like you upset matters.
Posted by: englishman7 | March 11, 2011 8:51 PM
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Extremism is front and center in Islamic teachings and most certainly in Islamic actions around the middle east and the world. If anyone denies this they are sticking their heads in the sand. Islam can never co-exist with "other faiths". Infidels is a part of your Koran. They, muslims, are murdering most all "non-believers", christians, jews, hindu, etc.etc.etc. to deny this is foolishness. Straighten out the middle east extremism first. They are representatives of your faith. This is and always has been a nation of Judeo-Christian laws and beliefs. We believe in freedom. Islam believes in submission. freedom and submission can never co-exist, anymore than the north pole can touch the south pole.
Posted by: TRUTHPOST | March 10, 2011 11:11 PM
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Mr.Rauf. If you sir are so peace loving, than I would suggest you go to Iran. They need you there much more than here. Or to Afganistan. We are sure they could use your insight to calm the fighting, and killing that is going on in those countrys. Also, you might want to negotiate with the Pakistanies, that just murdered the only "peace person" in their parliment. He happened to be a christian. Tolerence? Love? Peace? Start There First.
Posted by: TRUTHPOST | March 10, 2011 10:50 PM
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I think it's about time that hate language should be ended, it serves no useful purpose and only ends up causing a great deal of harm between people with whom we should be creating a Loving relationship, not one of hatred. Our Muslim brothers are people just like us, they Love, they marry, have children and try to live the best life they can, according to their beliefs, like all people who are good.
Posted by: tony55398 | March 10, 2011 8:29 PM
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Posted by: nabi18 | March 10, 2011 7:30 PM
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STRANGgggg.
me tried to post on ONFAITH's "GUESTVOICES" to
Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.) article entitled, "Congressman King creating a religious enemy" (Whip and member of House Budget and Appropriations Committees) but i [WE] Jealously get,
"Other views on religion in the news.
Comment Submission Error. Your comment submission failed for the following reasons: [ for THEFT of Intellectual Property] Invalid request Return to the original entry."
Note: WE[i] only used 2 dots. O' Jealousy!
___________________________________________
Me wanted to say to Cong. Honda; that if He Stood-Up and said, "LET's BUILT A "SHINTO" Temple On Pear Harbor Islands..." i'm sure He will be IMPEACHED or better, voted out!
Note: It was by our comment on this blogg , that not long ago; during the World Trade Center, MOSQUE Building protest/Debacle/Comedia, that
Senator GINGRICH (directly or Indirectly) STOLE that Line (from Here)! How Audacious!
i [WE] Wonder Who keeps getting these Browny-Points (Stealing Ideas; with-out Credit, let alone Compen$ation to Us loyal & Intelligent 'Onfaith' BLOGGERS; or at least Give some Alm's from Ye Paychecks & or from Our Books, Oooopss, YO Books from Royalties.
I.e., Deepak Chopra For One. Elizabeth Tenetey for Two; Eboo Patel For Three, Rabbinate of America & Israel for four, The R.C.C. for five, The Eviljealousical's for 666 et al! Even The ISHLAMI's!
Pleaza give Credits to: WWW
J░O░Z░E░V░Z░●░U░S
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TRUTH + FREEDOM = Our-Religion NO PELEG-Islami!
1 Space-Ship Earth, 1 LiFE, 1 G-D?, 1 i + Holyi-TiME
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............................ _.-(_)._
........................... '______'
.......................... {______} . . . If iSLAM is A Peaceful
.......................... /./.♥.\/.♥.\.\ . . Ummah, Then WHY Art
.......................... |.\__/\__/.|.. . YE Acquiring A 'WMD'
.......................... \.....--....../ . . against 'KAFIR' Ummah?
......................... /'...."""....'\ .
....................... \/_.............._\
....................... (__/....'|....\__)
.......................... |___.|___|
........................... '---------'. By GARY, STAN & Family
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░M░A░D░E░░I░N░░U●░S●░A●░
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COPY RIGHT; ░2░░0░░1░░1░
M░░M░░X░░I░ ,░5░░7░░7░░1
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http://onwapo.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/news/
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Posted by: letitbe | March 10, 2011 5:32 PM
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BROTHER RAUF & SISTER KHAN et al
YOU are NO "MODERATE"!
Unlike Many Faiths in Sweet sweet U.S. of A.ian Whom Took some Time to try to 'Americvanize" their [IMPORTED RELIGION] via Books (Scripture, Sura, Stanza, Pasik..) That
via YE & YO's Imported (LAST RELIGION?) QURAN//KORAN(s), also needs not some, but lots of "CORRECTION OF SIN"s there to anf therefrom written, and
(Technically) Are Enforcible under the ISLAMic Command "ALAH AKAR" in JIHADtimes or days, Yet Still Enforcible Against US, {APOCALYPTARIAN's}; according to Ye & YO's Emir's, Sultans, Mullah's, Ayatollah's, Wahhabi-bi's et al. Aye?
Interestingly today; see Sister's Michelle BroorStein's Article entitled, ""
EXCERPT: "As late as the 1950s, a few translations dominated English-speaking Christianity. Today there are dozens, and even more niche-marketed Bible study guides: for women, youths, cartoon lovers, golfers, people who only want to carry a thin volume. The new NIV alone has 33 different study guides coming out by this summer."
Time to "Americanize" the Quran/Koran! Aye?
____
Interestingly, HON. Peter KING; Should simultaneousy Ascertain/Entertain, includes todays Article, by Mr. Water's; on an Islamic "Sharia" Question here; entitled, "Anti-sharia laws: Legislating religiosity" Please see
EXCERPT: "A number of state legislatures have introduced bills to ban or limit sharia, or Islamic sacred law, but the anti-sharia shenanigans by legislators in Tennessee and Alabama seem particularly suited for future lawsuits challenging their constitutionality."
SO, Hon. Frank King et al, need to, forthwith use this [FEDERAL?] case by looking into What the JEWISH Community (othodox & CO.,) Are Doing about Halal, Kosher , Halacha, SHARIA (RELIGIO) enforcement & or Punishment & or FINE(s)? QUESTIONS; AND
Also, Mr. Frank KING et al; Should Also observe The Fact that Any Duly 'Sworn' "IMAM", in sweet sweet AMERICA & those Similarly Situated, Have Authority to effectuate or consume, as an "AGENT" for the State, involving Signing a bona fide State issued "MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE," Upon Requesting Party's to be So WED (Islamically, Hindu, Jewish...), before at-least two(2) Witnesses (In America) Not MECCA. Not ISLAMABAD. Not ANKARA....
____
Q U E S T I O N:
WHAT will Happen, In U.S.A., to Cases that involve, let's say, an AMERICAN Muslim/Moslem Patriotic-Girl Who Wants to WED a "JEWISH BOY"? Or a "HINDU" boy, or a "GREEKORTHO" Boy...? OR Vis Avis? Without Fear of [SHARIA] style "Corporal Punishment", Threats/Harm, FINANCIAL & Mental Well being etc.. to Well Being Etc.?
SUGGESTION: They Should Make It a LAW, to more Easily allow such Cases/VICTIM of Religion (Imported or Not) To Sue their FAMILY &or FRIENDS or 3rd/4th Proxies to! SoFEAR-NOT, GOD!
Posted by: letitbe | March 10, 2011 3:28 PM
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The reason for this hearing and one that takes priority over any hurt feelings or tears:
What instigated the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon? And what continues to drive Muslims to commit global acts of terror and horror? The koran, Mohammed's book of death for all infidels and Muslim domination of the world by any means. Muslims must clean up this book removing said passages admitting that they are based on the Gabriel myth and therefore obviously the hallucinations and/or lies of Mohammed. Then we can talk about the safety and location of mosques and what is taught therein. Until then, no male Muslim can be trusted anytime or anywhere.–
(Dr. Jasser, one of the witnesses at the hearing definitely is aware of the situation within Islam. One hopes he is successful in his attempts to modernize Islam.)
Posted by: YEAL9 | March 10, 2011 2:51 PM
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Posted by: letitbe | March 10, 2011 2:38 PM
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Interesting how some Catholics who dismiss the terrorism of their pervert priests as "individual acts" then lump all Muslims together as complicit for their murderous terrorists.
Posted by: areyousaying | March 10, 2011 2:04 PM
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YEAL9
Your comments shows that you do not read any article itself, just cutting and pasting seems to be your hobby.
Like a cat sneeks in everyhome in the neighborhood you go aricle to aricle just cutting and pasting same old stuff.
Posted by: hitman2 | March 10, 2011 11:38 AM
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If you don't call King's strategy out for what it is, you aren't making the most effective imaginable argument against it. King is grandstanding to the Republican electorate, to inflame in it the notion that Republicans are "tough on terror" while Democrats are not. His obnoxious initiative and propagandizing statements do not correspond to objective reality. He has said, there's no need for him to hold hearings about any group other than Muslims. If that's so, then why did Pastor Terry Jones's threat to burn a Koran cause panic in the upper reaches of the US government and military? An anti-Muslim Christian extremist was putting our soldiers in increased danger. We furthermore saw violent attacks against Muslims on our on soil, such as the stabbing of an innocent NYC cab driver, which sullies our image in the Muslim world, putting us at increased risk of attack. The message to King should be Stop taking cheap shots at Muslims for Republican political gain. That is what King is attempting to do, and we should not hesitate to say that we recognize what he's attempting to do, and that we condemn it unequivocally.
Posted by: ScottRose | March 10, 2011 10:35 AM
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Imam Rauf, what a joke this guy and his wife Daisy are and they continue to be Muslim evangelicals pulling down ~$400,000/yr spouting their support for a religion that dictates Islamic domination of the world by any means to include killing all infidels.
Posted by: YEAL9 | March 10, 2011 8:53 AM
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I just love it when muslims proceed to using the very US ethics that allowed them to live in the US in peace and proseperity, against poor mother USA to advance their highjacking agenda.
Let's reversely use the same strategy in the middle east and see how it will be handled and reacted to. ...if what/how they are doing is just fine and dundy in their satanic eyes.
Lord Jesus help us!
Mother Mary intercede on our behalf.