Sen. Boxer rescinds honor amid terror concerns

[Freddie Stubbs]

Associated Press

Published on: 01/05/07

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sen. Barbara Boxer rescinded a certificate honoring a member of a Muslim advocacy group after his national organization was accused on conservative Web sites of supporting terrorism.

''We made a bad mistake not researching the organization,'' the California Democrat said. ''My organization created this problem. I caused people grief, and I feel terrible. Yet I need to set the record straight, and I'm setting the record straight.''

A leader of the group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the organization did not support terrorism and was being misrepresented because of the actions of a couple of former officials.

''Anyone who doubts where we stand on the issue of terrorism does not understand Islam, the Muslim community or CAIR,'' said Nihad Awad, the group's national executive director.

more: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/01/05/0105boxer.html

[ixion]

1. so because a bunch of 'conservative' [sic] web sites make the claim

then it must be true?

Senator Boxer, I would think you'd be a little wary of what so-called conservative web sites say. :eyes:

[Ian David]

4. A stopped Conservative is right twice per day. n/t

[ixion]

6. and wrong for the remainder

so, with a 22:2 ration of wrong:right, I'd be looking good and hard at what they claim as 'true'.

[wellst0nev0ter]

7. Actually, it's more like 86,398/2

and that ratios doesn't come anywhere close in representing the scope and the magnitude of the right-wing's wrongness.

[Minnesota_Lib]

2. I used to know CAIR's national spokesman, Ibrahim (Doug) Hooper back...

...when we worked together for a few years in late 80s and early 90s. We spoke often of his beliefs.

I think I can safely say that Doug would not be a part of an organization that supports terrorism. Considering that the charges originated from the always unreliable David wHorowitz, I have to wonder why Boxer is caving. To Horowitz and the bigoted RW blogoshere, just being a Muslim means you support terrorism.

[LetsThink]

3. Hope this is vigorously, very publicly investigated ......

Perhaps that is why Senator Boxer made her comments, e.g. caved? Assuming CAIR is vindicated (very likely) and the actions of former members (if indeed tainted) are separated from the organization by broad public discussion, then CAIR is strengthened and we now have a highly visible group in the U.S. around which good forces within the Muslim community can rally. A good thing.

Another positive would be the presence of a high-profile Muslim group in the U.S. with which other religions can begin to interact. Right now the lack of a group readily identified with American Muslims is a significant stumbling block to enhancing and normalizing relations with various major American religious groups. That is the kind of public discourse necessary to avoid some of the difficult (even violent) situations recently experienced in European countries and elsewhere, as Muslims attain greater prevalence. Another good thing.

[Ian David]

5. That's funny, because the right-wing says Boxer is a terrorist-loving Jew-hater. Just can't win.

Anyone who says that the Palestinians have a right to exist is labeled an anti-semite by the right-wing.

Anyone who says Israel has a right to exist is labeled anti-Muslim by the left-wing.

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. For Fucks Sake, FAUX Nooze Is A Bigger Supporter Of Terra-ists

than CAIR ever was:

JERUSALEM – Palestinian terror groups and security organizations in the Gaza Strip received $2 million from a U.S. source in exchange for the release of Fox News employees Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig, who were kidnapped here last summer, a senior leader of one of the groups suspected of the abductions told WND.

The terror leader, from the Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees, said his organization's share of the money was used to purchase weapons, which he said would be utilized "to hit the Zionists."

He said he expects the payments for Centanni and Wiig's freedom will encourage Palestinian groups to carry out further kidnappings.

http://wnd.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52960

[maddezmom]

9. locking

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