Video: Your Friendly Neighborhood AQ Sympathizer
posted at 6:55 pm on June 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Fox News profiles an American al-Qaeda sympathizer who operates a website from his Charlotte, North Carolina home calling for the killing of American soldiers in Iraq. Samir Khan has one of the most effective al-Qaeda propaganda sites in English, and posts video of US troops getting blown up by IEDs. His neighbors don’t like it, but American authorities apparently have little power to stop him:
In a quiet, upscale neighborhood in Charlotte, N.C., rows of custom-style homes and neatly landscaped lawns represent the American dream.
But one local resident has shattered that image, calling for the death of American troops in Iraq and supporting Al Qaeda through his Web site, which he reportedly runs from his parents’ home.
Samir Khan is the man behind Revolution.Muslimpad.com — a radical Islamic site that praises Usama bin Laden and asks for Allah to “curse more American soldiers.”
The site posts videos of U.S. Humvees being blown up by roadside bombs in Iraq. It aims to inspire young Muslims to wage war against the West.
Khan’s actions apparently don’t meet the legal standard of aiding and abetting an enemy, which would be treason. It comes pretty close, but Khan so far has managed not to cross that line. He hasn’t volunteered for training in AQ camps, but the terrorists probably like him right where he’s at.
Do Hot Air readers consider this a free speech issue? If all he does is cheer Osama bin Laden, then it’s repulsive but not illegal. If he’s egging on people to join AQ and fight against Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, that’s a different story, but from a cursory look at the site, it doesn’t appear that Khan does that. He’s basically an AQ cheerleader and offers virulent anti-Semitism, calling Jews “scums of the earth”.
Khan seems like an Adam Gadahn wannabe more than anything else — but that doesn’t mean I’d ask to see his Cutco knives, either.
Update: Rusty Shackleford had this last year, when the New York Times blew an investigation into Khan. Thanks to Buy Danish in the comments.
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We need a little neighborhood vigilante justice
ToddonCapeCod on June 6, 2008 at 6:58 PM
I take it this moron doesn’t wander to far from his moms basement….
ajmontana on June 6, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Does he work for the local Obama campaign office?
After all, we just need to find common ground, and focus on what unites us instead of what divides us…
Hrrrumphhhhh !
singlemalt_18 on June 6, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Rusty Shackleford needs to see this…he’ll organize a thing to go after the hosting company.
bikermailman on June 6, 2008 at 7:02 PM
He’s a scumbag- but I’d say free speech… though not by much. No doubt the authorities are keeping an eye on him- if he starts transferring money or goes overseas, nail him.
While beating him within an inch of his life would be illegal and not a matter of free speech, I wouldn’t interfere if I happened to see it happen.
Hollowpoint on June 6, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Free speech protections exist to protect unpopular speech. If it’s not illegal, nothing can be done. I have no problem with this because it works in both directions.
Gilda on June 6, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Is there a hacker in the house?
SoulGlo on June 6, 2008 at 7:11 PM
From the looks of the house/neighborhood, I would guess it’s either in SE Charlotte (Matthews, Mint Hill), Myers Park (unlikely based on the new look of the house), or the Ballantyne area (this is the best bet). You can’t really tell; all the McMansions that are popping up everywhere look the same. Isn’t this the same guy that pledged “death to Rusty Shackelford“?
malan89 on June 6, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Amazing! If you did a Christian version of that in an Islamic country they’d behead you before you could say Jesus Cristo.
TheSitRep on June 6, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Would people feel the same about…
A Nazi
A Communist
What if both of those ideologies were responsible for a domestic attack?
F this piece of sh*t. Free speech my a$$.
benrand on June 6, 2008 at 7:20 PM
And why hasnt a conservative person or group done a simple DOS attack on the website? A website run out of a house could be destroyed in 10 minutes.
muyoso on June 6, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Why wasn’t the name of his parents named in this report? And what exactly are the neighbors afraid of? Free speech is one thing, public humiliation of people that shelter him and to ostracize him are two different things.
There’s nothing wrong with the neighborhood holding these people out to ridicule and scorn.
lowandslow on June 6, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Why doesn’t NC use it’s hate crime laws? Are the hate crime laws only to protect ex-senators from being called names by girls?
Are hate crime laws not applicable to muslims? Muslims can’t hate like blacks can’t be racists?
peacenprosperity on June 6, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Sedition
Although unused since at least 1961, the Smith Act remains US law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition
How about a citizens arrest?
mred on June 6, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I don’t believe that the government can’t stop him. I think it’s more likely that they don’t want to because they are watching him (and his supporters).
Buy Danish on June 6, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I say we TP the place!
omnipotent on June 6, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Just started “McCarthy and His Enemies” today (Buckley/Bozell mention it within the first ten pages), and I was thinking the same thing.
My take: The law protects him from government interference. It says nothing about, say, a few able-bodied neighborhood boys taking a stand for the country. Who’d punish them?
emailnuevo on June 6, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Let’s hand it over to the folks at 4chan. Tell ‘em it’s a scientologist website. It’ll be gone in 4 minutes ;-)
malan89 on June 6, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I thought this story sounded familiar. From the Jawa Report in 2007:
Michael Moss of the New York Times has outted Inshallashaheed, the al Qaeda supporting blogger who we’ve been investigating for over a year. I’ve been sitting on his true identity for months, but in one fell swoop Samir ibn Zafar Khan, who lives in Charlotte North Carolina, has been identified.
Thanks a lot to Michael Moss and the New York Times for blowing an ongoing investigation into a known al Qaeda sympathizer who lives here in the United States. I’ve known about this piece for a few weeks and wrote the NY Times to ask Moss not to run it. No reply from the Times.
Typical.
Buy Danish on June 6, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Singlemalt18
His parents have not had their son quit it.
His community needs to give that family the 86t entire cold shoulder treatment.
That family owes America a huge apology! They are excrement that revolt the earth itself. Proof is in the pudding.
Before the story broke out, what did anyone see looking at the nice home? Nice people, the same sort of nice people who endorse Obama’s campaign. Their names should be researched concerning political contributions, open information.
maverick muse on June 6, 2008 at 7:32 PM
The NYT did a piece on this scumbag last year.
malan89 on June 6, 2008 at 7:35 PM
diesel fuel
pabarge on June 6, 2008 at 7:36 PM
a few able-bodied neighborhood boys taking a stand for the country. Who’d punish them?
The ACLU would thrive on taking sides with Khan and using the hate crime legislation to crucify any patriotic vigilantees.
Just deny the Khans the social benefits and treat them as the creeps that they left their homeland to escape. 86 them. Find grounds to downsize at his employment. Don’t shop where they shop or don’t buy where they sell. Boycott them.
maverick muse on June 6, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Sometimes, not often, justice comes out of the barrel of a .45.
Like Samir Khan, I’m not advocating violence, just making an observation.
Exit question: If I call muslims “scums of the earth” is that “hate speech”?
Just curious, as there appear to be different rules for different religions.
GarandFan on June 6, 2008 at 7:40 PM
No, free speech exists to protect pornography. Political speech is no longer protected in this country.
Charles Martel on June 6, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Even the local muslim says this is not something that represents the muslim community at large. Muslim NEVER come right out and denounce this crap.
He should have said “this idiot does not speak for ME, and I denounce his moronic and destructive behavior”. Instead he left a slight opening for some type of current or potential alliance. Disgusting!
nottakingsides on June 6, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Aren’t we at war with “terrorists and those who support them“? Just words?
CP on June 6, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Everybody in the neighborhood with a dog should have them use his front yard as a toilet. Or worse.
East Villager on June 6, 2008 at 8:15 PM
so… would holding a pig pickin’ across the street be considered hate speech?
Bob Owens on June 6, 2008 at 8:22 PM
almost forgot. Some of you may not even know what that is.
Bob Owens on June 6, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Back in the days of the Civil War, one could ask what would Abraham Lincoln have done.
For those who know history, Abe would have jailed this guy or at least exiled him. I guess that we live in a much more tolerant time (while the bad guys continue to scheme to kill us).
Special Forces Grunt on June 6, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Some one hint that he’s doing roids, has a bucket of trans fat or someimported cigars, they’ll kick down his door in a heart beat.
Alden Pyle on June 6, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Perhaps people should take some pigs for a walk and have them dump on the sidewalk and driveway of the house?
aikidoka on June 6, 2008 at 8:44 PM
As respulsive as this is, not every can expected to be a good citizen. He wants to join AQ? Go ahead, changes his status tremendously.
Hog Wild on June 6, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Hmmm. Osama Bin Laden says that everyone who pays taxes to the USA is the enemy of Islam and are legitimate targets. If this Al Qaeda cheerleader pays taxes, shouldn’t he kill himself?
Tantor on June 6, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Can he be sent to Gitmo as an enemy combatant? If so, make sure he is in a cage with some pigs.
Mooseman on June 6, 2008 at 8:48 PM
He’ll have to leave his basement this November when he goes to vote for Barack Hussein Obama.
Bill Brasky on June 6, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Neither do I.
Zorro on June 6, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Dear Mr. Kahn,
I support your right to free speech.
Do you support mine?……
Limerick’s F150
Your neighbor,
Limerick
Limerick on June 6, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Charlotte is not far from the Fort Bragg retirement community of Fayetteville. There are more than one out of work snipers in that area. I’m not advocating any harm come to this piece of trash that is not even worthy of viewing the bottoms of my feet. I’m just making an observation.
Hammie on June 6, 2008 at 9:29 PM
“Put holes where holes belong.”
Nice.
malan89 on June 6, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Address removed. We’re not going to go there. — Ed
jp on June 6, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Sure would be a shame if anything happened to him…
packsoldier on June 6, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Yes, this is pure First Amendment stuff. . . until he gets into incitement of imminent lawless action and is likely to incite such action. But barring the incitement, we as citizens can pretty much say anything against our Country. As it should be. Criticism of the government is the core of the First Amendment. I give this man the leeway to say these things, knowing that I can be just as critical.
Troy Rasmussen on June 6, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Where’s Tony Soprano when you need him.
patrick neid on June 6, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Hmph.
malan89 on June 6, 2008 at 10:49 PM
You should know better than to post that dirt bags address on Hot Air. It’s just not right. However if you want to send it to HouseofGuardian at yahoo, that would be a different story.
Guardian on June 6, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Strong feelings here in the commentariat. Strong words.
Jaibones on June 6, 2008 at 11:20 PM
It shouldn’t be illegal for him to do this, but it also shouldn’t be illegal for his neighbors to spit in his face.
Jim Treacher on June 7, 2008 at 12:02 AM
I remember a time when immigrants were very proud to be Americans.
Johan Klaus on June 7, 2008 at 12:02 AM
More proof that the NYT does more propaganda damage than “Smeared Can”.
jgapinoy on June 7, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Ed, sorry….this tool literally lives about 2 miles from me. I play the golf course he lives on sometimes…
jp on June 7, 2008 at 12:20 AM
He’s basically an AQ cheerleader and offers virulent anti-Semitism, calling Jews “scums of the earth”.
So what is different about him from your average Islamic jihadist wannabe?
awake on June 7, 2008 at 12:46 AM
What course would that be, so as to avoid it?
awake on June 7, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Tradition, one of the Carolina Trail courses. not far from concord mills and university area.
jp on June 7, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Sowing the seeds of hate
Kini on June 7, 2008 at 2:11 AM
Please do not end sentences with prepositions. Using proper English, the sentence should read: …but the terrorists probably like him right where he is. Thank you.
pleaseandthankyou on June 7, 2008 at 5:41 AM
I don’t know who’s a bigger punk: Khan, or his neighbor, Ron Williams. Williams sounds like he either really doesn’t care about this muslim hate monger, or that he tacitly supports it (meaning he’s a liberal). Also, while that guy from the mosque ‘denounces’ the website, I don’t see him, or his buddies, really doing much about it, just like CAIR says they don’t like things, but do absolutely nothing to show it. Funny how Mr. Fight the Power works out of his in his parents’ basement.
Virus-X on June 7, 2008 at 6:47 AM
.
Spitting in someone’s face is an assault.
.
Informing his daddy’s employer and co-workers about this disgusting web site is free speech.
Right_of_Attila on June 7, 2008 at 8:44 AM
In NASCAR country no less. He (mommy and daddy) must live in a liberal leaning community away from the patriotic Americans I have come to associate with that area.
jarhead05 on June 7, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Actually, I hope he keeps the site up. The information is out there anyway and because it is in English, likely provides a pretty good opportunity to punk domestic dirtbags for intel.
moxie_neanderthal on June 7, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Somebody needs to go to that guy’s house and plant 1000 American flags in his yard. Maybe a few crosses and Stars of David sprinkled in for good measure. That’s how I would deal with it. We need a pro-America version of Code Pink to get in these people’s faces.
rockmom on June 7, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Two best ideas: TP the place and walk your dog on the lawn! I also like the American flag thing but I wouldn’t want to get dog doo on my shoes!
Babs on June 7, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Ha. I played there once last year. What hole is he on? I think I might start hooking the ball real bad the next time I play there… POW…broken window ;-)
malan89 on June 7, 2008 at 10:34 AM
And thanks to Malan, too, whose comment I missed. Sorry about that.
Ed Morrissey on June 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Fvck each quarter-educated journalist who thinks a house with a yard is the American dream. Does anyone know the source of this cliche?
Kralizec on June 7, 2008 at 12:36 PM
It wipes right off.
Jim Treacher on June 7, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Someone explain to me how this dickwad ISN’T advocating violent attacks against the US and its citizens?
How is he NOT a hop, skip, and a jump over that line?
People need to not just INFORM his parents’ companies of the connection, but make it VERY public and let them know that the longer they associate with this behavior, the sooner they’ll lose their customer base.
Merovign on June 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM
You ask if this is protected speech under the First Amendment.
“When a nation is at war many thing which might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its efforts that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and no court could regard them as protected by any Constitutional right.” [Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Schenk v. US, 249 US 47, 52 (1919)]
Charles Schenk distributed leaflets to troops urging them to desert. He was arrested and served time in prison. As this decision noted, the First Amendment does not protect all speech during a time of war.
The criteria used in this decision is whether or not the speech in question causes a “clear and present danger.” Does Kahn’s speech create a clear and present danger to himself, his neighbors, or the nation as a whole.
If so, then he SHOULD be arrested and put on trial.
I think it does. In my opinion, he crosses the line with his website, and that he is NOT entitled to First Amendment protection. I believe that this is infinitely more egregious than passing out leaflets urging mutiny and desertion. I believe that he is actively attempting to give aid and comfort (i.e., encouragement) to our enemy. I also believe that his continued celebration over the deaths of our troops negatively affects morale and, therefore, is a clear and present danger to the country during wartime.
BTW, this decision was the source of the exclusion of “shouting fire in a theater” as protected speech.
georgej on June 7, 2008 at 2:06 PM
We need interfaith dialogue, Islamophobia workshops, and some hate crimes prosecutions to iron this out. I can’t believe anyone won’t die for his right to kill you.
Naji kufr!
Beagle on June 7, 2008 at 10:32 PM
It seems clear that this fellow is over the line. It’s just the political correctness and incompetence of the justice department that has blown every anti terrorist case to date that lets this guy continue his incitement against the American people in a time of war.
FactsofLife on June 8, 2008 at 12:08 AM
I’m a strong believer and supporter of First Amendment rights. However, we’re a country at war and their must be limits, especially when any person[s] openly aids and abets our enemies. Enough is enough. We can’t have it both ways under those circumstances. IMO, there’s no reason why this individual, and many others deemed a threat, be incarcerated at Gitmo for the duration of the war on terror.
byteshredder on June 8, 2008 at 10:06 PM
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