GOP calls on Pelosi to cancel CAIR forum slated for Capitol
posted at 4:02 pm on March 12, 2007 by Allahpundit
I’m picturing an election ad with photos, names, and descriptions flashing by of the three CAIR officials convicted or deported for links to terrorism. Followed by this quote:
“It’s really disappointing,” said CAIR national communications director Ibrahim Hooper, that whenever there’s an attack from elective officials “we don’t even ask any more which party it is. It should be a concern to ordinary Republicans that the party is being viewed as a reservoir of anti-Muslim hate.”
It’ll never happen, though. For one thing, the attacks on CAIR are more bipartisan than Hooper would have us believe. And for another thing, er…
Still, it’s a bit of a dilemma for Madam Speaker. It was another Democrat, Rep. Bill Pascrell, who booked the room, which is assigned to the Ways and Means Committee; Pelosi’s office is claiming she has no authority over how it’s used, but I’m sure if she had a word with Pascrell he might “reconsider” his position.
Exit question: should we expect CAIR’s favorite congressman to intervene here or are his connections with the group something he’ll be keeping on the downlow from now on?
Blowback
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Fascinating. The Dem/jihadi alliance is put to the test.
RedWinged Blackbird on March 12, 2007 at 4:11 PM
I’m sure Muslims did nothing to contribute to all the “anti-Muslim hate”.
Also, I am concerned about the anti-Muslim hate. Their is not enough of it and we (the west) should be more angry than some of us are.
x95b10 on March 12, 2007 at 4:12 PM
Yeah, I got the impression you felt that way from your “raghead” comment in an earlier thread. I tried e-mailing you about it, but the e-mail bounced back. And now this.
You’re banned. Take care.
Allahpundit on March 12, 2007 at 4:18 PM
I’m just glad someone has stood up and said enough is enough. I guess Congressman Ellison is going to push this through?
d1carter on March 12, 2007 at 4:23 PM
This is an excellent development. We need constant public exposure of this group… and exposure of the American groups who apologize for it.
It’s great that CAIR is being explicitly Anti-Republican. This puts great focus on just what kind of group it is and compells the Democrats to declare whose side they are on… America’s or Islamic Jihad.
VinceP1974 on March 12, 2007 at 4:28 PM
I’m sure Ellison would like to sit this one out, but can he? After all, his district his predeominantly Muslim.
RedWinged Blackbird on March 12, 2007 at 4:30 PM
Wow. That’s just wrong. He said nothing that deserved a banning and what he said does did not even violate the terms of service for HotAir. Unless of course we have now added the “H” word to the list of illegal words.
Just wrong Allah.
Gregor on March 12, 2007 at 4:37 PM
I wonder how long before Daily KOS starts sending them money… Oh wait… that’s assuming they are not.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 12, 2007 at 4:39 PM
It’s more likely that CAIR is funding Kos
Gregor on March 12, 2007 at 4:41 PM
I don’t know, Gregor… “we don’t have enough anti muslim hate around here” certainly seems like it might be in the ballpark of “Nuke Mecca”.
Lehosh on March 12, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Sounds like a quote from Pro-Choice advocates,
or the NRA,
or Christians,
or WalMart,
or Smokers,
or Haliburton,
or Fox News,
or Libby’s attorneys
Suck it up fellas. This isn’t Fallujah. Everyone who lives here has a right to
attackfree speech.fogw on March 12, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Well, there is a fine line between espousing hate for all Muslims and hate for Jihadis/Terrorists.
Ok, maybe it’s not that fine a line.
vs
However, that’s just me, and I could be completely wrong…. beyond not politically correct.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 12, 2007 at 4:52 PM
‘Don’t run……we are your friends!”
Talon on March 12, 2007 at 4:55 PM
I’ll forgive Ibrahim Hooper if he’ll agree to do a little oil wrestling with Michael Moore.
Pay Per View millions, baby.
SWLiP on March 12, 2007 at 4:56 PM
ew.
You can have my seat. I’ll be busy washing my my brain out with bleach thanks to that mental image.
hindmost on March 12, 2007 at 4:59 PM
I got the impression that this was sort of a “last straw” situation – the hate comment on top of the “raghead” comment on top of what was apparently a bogus email address.
RedWinged Blackbird on March 12, 2007 at 5:01 PM
To be (the Huffington Post), or not to be (the Huffington Post). That is the question.
I don’t like seeing anyone getting banned, but commenting on HotAir is a privilege not a right. I don’t want the rants of a few to taint the image of the many.
Michelle, AP, Ian, Bryan, and company are trying to build a respected media source. “Raghead” and “hate the Muslims” isn’t going to cut it.
Regardless of personal feelings, a little common sense goes a long way.
natesnake on March 12, 2007 at 5:01 PM
He said nothing that deserved banning? I let him slide on the “raghead” thing, which I shouldn’t have done, and then he comes back with a demand for more “anti-Muslim” hate? Are you joking?
I’m sure that sort of thing is welcome at Free Republic. It’s not welcome here.
Allahpundit on March 12, 2007 at 5:02 PM
Wow. The Republicans actually made a good move. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while. This will force the Dems’ hand. Either they’ll embrace CAIR or be forced to confront CAIR’s unscrupulous ties to marginal characters/front groups.
Matticus Finch on March 12, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Hate is rarely the answer. When you hate you blind yourself to the possibilities. Hate allows you to make mistakes. Hate will get you killed. Hate is what extremist do.
I do not Hate anyone. I will have a clear head when I see a muslim walking down the street. I may be watching him closely, and if he pulls out a weopen shouting “allahu allah akbar” I will drop him, but it won’t be from hate.
Get rid of Hate and you can see your enemies for what they truly are.
Wyrd on March 12, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Maybe. If he intended it to “wish death”, but do we know that? Did he say that? It was a vague statement that he could have meant as a belief that Americans do not seem to fear Islam as much as they should. And I would agree with that belief. I would say that all the a$$ kissing by government officials would validate the feeling that many are not taking the threat seriously. For me, the rest of his comment indicated that he was speaking of a lack of fear and a sense that people are not taking the threat seriously. It definitely wasn’t clear enough to assume the worst and ban him.
As for the “nuke Mecca” comment. I did not see the context that it was used, so I’ll refrain judgment on that one. If it was used simply to insult Muslims, then he should have been banned right there on the spot. I would agree with that. But if it was used in the context that the writer believed it to be a legitimate defense strategy in war time, then I don’t even believe that to be a reason to ban someone. Should a person be banned for saying we should drop a daisy cutter on any mosque being used by terrorists to stage attacks?
Gregor on March 12, 2007 at 5:09 PM
How about this on Capital Hill, just a suggestion, someone might just want to bring it up:
“He said the forum “opens up an important dialogue about global public opinion concerning the
United StatesIslamo-Facisim,( or otherwise known as “Our Enemy in this War).”PinkyBigglesworth on March 12, 2007 at 5:13 PM
I agree. Calling for “hate” of Muslims is completely off base. I guess I just didn’t take his comment that way in it’s full context. But yeah, add the “raghead” thing and any previous history he might have had and maybe I see your point.
Gregor on March 12, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Wait now … I certainly do “hate” some muslims. I also agree that there are many Americans who are apathetic concerning hardcore islamists and confuse them with people who just want to live their lives.
Hate is an emotion, you can’t “ban” it. Look at the left … they pretty much ooze hate. On the other hand, I also understand the need for us to raise the level of discourse, but to somehow think that we can’t say “I hate” something or someone is going a little too far down the PC path for me.
darwin on March 12, 2007 at 5:20 PM
Piss on this Hooper assclown. “Wah wah wah the Republicans are mean bigots.” Next thing he’s going to say is that Republicans only want to cut taxes on the rich and stop grandma’s Social Security check. Filth.
As much as I appreciate Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin sticking it to CAIR, I think the reason Hooper plays the “Republicans are bigots” card is that most journalists will pass that on without a second thought. C’mon, how many journalists are actually going to check out if CAIR has terror ties? They’re just going to buy the “Republicans are bigots” line because it suits their prejudices.
CAIR sucks.
Enrique on March 12, 2007 at 5:57 PM
In the ’40s, most Americans would quickly tell you how much they hated the Germans, even though only the Nazi’s were bad guys. We won that war, btw.
Kevin M on March 12, 2007 at 5:58 PM
CAIR appears to have ties to terrorism. I am all for labeling them a terrorist group and having them deported to GITMO.
Having said that, I would like to have someone, anyone, stand up and point to a moderate Muslim group that is worth backing. If there is an Anti-Terrorist, pro-Islam group out there, they aren’t making enough noise.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 12, 2007 at 6:01 PM
treasonous to meet with cair.
Highrise on March 12, 2007 at 6:30 PM
CAIR may or may not have direct ties to “terrorism” but they are certainly not anti-jihadi and have no business in the capitol.
I have very stong feelings about muslims in general because I do not see or hear any muslim group denouncing the muslims that promote the demise of the U.S. and Israel.
brtex on March 12, 2007 at 8:20 PM
CAIR’s headquarters is a mere two blocks from the Capitol. Let them meet on their own premises. They shouldn’t be allowed to own property that close to the Capitol anyway.
Connie on March 12, 2007 at 9:39 PM
Speaking of hate, I “hate” Islam in the same manner that I “hate” communism. I do not hate people. It is much wiser to direct comments and discussion toward the ideology, rather than the people. Derogatory terminology is not helpful.
Connie on March 12, 2007 at 9:54 PM
The thing about hate is that it blinds and binds. This is what spawns violent racism (or most violent isms for that matter); more than just thinking one race is superior to another into calling for burnings, lynchings, beheadings, etc.
Now as to Connie hating Islam and Communism, this is not an evil hate. As in the Old Testament/Torah, when it speaks of God hating something, the Word ‘hate’ is not like the murdering hate hate that we see in the Jihadi’s, but an accurate translation of the Hebrew word is being against something completely and wholly; like being against something with all your againstness.
- The Cat
P.S. Calling for hate for a person or a people will lead to nothing less than calling for murderous thoughts for that person or people.
MirCat on March 12, 2007 at 11:44 PM
It sounds like AP tried to deal with him via email and warn him off on those comments, but email didn’t work.
Everyone is focusing on the person or faith instead of the ideal. It is ok to hate the ideology of terrorism and for me there is not enough hate for it and if those people happen to be Muslim that is of no consequence.
The problem here is generalization. We all do it at times because it’s the stereotypical members of any group that get the press and those that oppose that group vocally are few and far between.
Islamo-fascists and normal people of the Muslim faith.
The ones that do speak out are ignored or vilified.
Blacks and Bill Cosby.
When I read the comment in question, I read it as hating extremists. I believe that unless you are sensitive to the offended group, a person is going to use generalized ideals when expressing yourself. IE: Ni**er, Towel Heads, Muslims, Iranians, or Palistinians. Especially when the huge majority of the reporting of those groups are extremely negative in nature.
csdeven on March 13, 2007 at 6:34 AM
Wait if “nuke Mecca” is off limits does that mean that Tom Tancredo is banned from commenting at Hot Air?
aengus on March 13, 2007 at 5:40 PM