FP: Mr. Epstein, welcome to FrontPage Interview.
Epstein: Thank you, Jamie
FP: Tell us about the event you have organized.
Epstein: The symposium is designed to delve into the minds of those who use terror as a tool. It will paint a profile of those who would slaughter, kidnap, torture and terrorize innocents.
We have assembled a panel of globally recognized experts to speak at the symposium. Many of the panel members has appeared as experts on counter-terrorism on a plethora of news channel talk shows and each has been published on the subject, some numerous times. Their areas of expertise range from having provided counter-terrorism training for our government agencies to having seen the horrors of radical Islamist terror first hand; one even experiencing the slaughter of her family. They all believe that an event of this magnitude – and importance – has never before been attempted.
FP: Who will the speakers be?
Epstein: Among the scheduled speakers committed to appearing are:
Dr. Andrew Bostom, a physician specializing in Epidemiology. Since 1997 he has been part of the full-time medical faculty at one of the two major teaching hospital affiliates of Brown University. His current research focuses on the relationship between kidney and cardiovascular disease. Bostom is also the editor of the newly-released book The Legacy of Jihad a compendium of writings, both modern and ancient, on the uniquely Islamic institution of Jihad.
Brigitte Gabriel, a former anchor for world news in the Middle East and a prominent Arab-American journalist, will provide a first-hand account of her experience with Islamic Jihad. Ms. Gabriel, a Christian native of Southern Lebanon, survived a bombing in which her family's home was reduced to rubble by radical Muslim forces. Prompted by the serious wounding of her mother, the family sought medical treatment in Israel - a place of refuge where the generosity and compassion of the people overwhelmed them.
David Horowitz, who I think Frontpage readers are very well familiar with, Jamie. But just for the sake of readers outside Frontpage, I’ll just say that he is the President of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture. A best-selling author and editor, he is best known for his lifelong intellectual and political journey from a radical activist in the '60s to a crusader against the corrosive effects of '60s leftism on modern American culture. He is the author of Unholy Alliance, which documents and analyzes the aid and comfort the Left gives to our enemies in the terror war, and of the new book The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America.
Joe Kaufman, the Chairman of Americans Against Hate and an investigative journalist for Frontpage Magazine. He is also the host of The Politics of Terrorism radio show and serves as Special Assistant to Larry Klayman of the Klayman Law Firm. In September of 2003, Joe was invited by Florida Speaker of the House Johnnie Byrd to give expert testimony in front of law enforcement and government representatives at a forum on terrorism and homeland security. Joe has been featured on Fox News and has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio shows.
Harvey Kushner, PhD., noted author, lecturer, professor and internationally recognized authority on terrorism. Dr. Kushner has advised and provided training to numerous government agencies, including the FBI, FAA, INS, and U.S. Customs. He is a frequent guest of all major television networks and is often quoted by news media worldwide.
Daniel Pipes, the director of the Middle East Forum and a prize-winning columnist for the New York Sun and The Jerusalem Post. Mr. Pipes was one of the few analysts who understood the threat of militant Islam (“Unnoticed by most Westerners,” he wrote in 1995, “war has been unilaterally declared on Europe and the United States”). The Boston Globe states that “If Pipes's admonitions had been heeded, there might never have been a 9/11.” The Wall Street Journal has called him “an authoritative commentator on the Middle East.” MSNBC describes him as one of the best-known “Mideast policy luminaries.”
Laura Mansfield, an author and counter-terror analyst. She uses her knowledge of the Arabic language and of Islamic culture and history to investigate jihad and jihadis both in the US and throughout the world.
Robert Spencer, the Director of Jihad Watch, a writer and researcher who has studied Islam for more than twenty years. He is an Adjunct Fellow with the Free Congress Foundation and has written a selection of critically acclaimed books on the subject of Islam. He has a regular column in Human Events titled Jihad Watch and has had his articles published in a variety of publications including the National Review and the Washington Times. He has appeared on CNN and Fox News and has been heard on Vatican Radio.
Paul Williams, a journalist and author of Al Qaeda Connection: International Terrorism, Organized Crime, and the Coming Apocalypse and Osama's Revenge: The Next 9/11: What the Media and the Government Haven't Told You. He has served as a consultant for the FBI, editor and publisher of the Metro in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as well as an adjunct professor of humanities at the University of Scranton.
Whalid Shoebat, who was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Walid's grandfather was the Muslim Mukhtar (chieftain) of Beit Sahour-Bethlehem (The Shepherd's Fields) and a friend of Haj-Ameen Al-Husseni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and notorious friend of Adolf Hitler. Walid's great grandfather, Abdullah Ali Awad-Allah, was also a fighter and close associate of both Abdul Qader and Haj Amin Al-Husseini, who led the Palestinians against Israel. Walid lived through and witnessed Israel’s Six Day War while living in Jericho. As a young man, he became a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and participated in acts of terror and violence against Israel, and was later imprisoned in the Russian Compound, Jerusalem's central prison for incitement and violence against Israel. After his release, he continued his life of violence and rioting in Bethlehem and the Temple Mount. After entering the U.S, he worked as a counsellor for the Arab Student Organization at Loop College in Chicago and continued his anti-Israel activities. In 1993, Walid studied the Tanach (Jewish Bible) in a challenge to convert his wife to Islam. Six months later, after intense study, Walid realized that everything he had been taught about Jews was a lie. Convinced he was on the side of evil, he became an advocate for his former enemy.
We are also in negotiations with other noted scholars and former high-ranking Administration officials.
FP: Who is the symposium geared toward?
Epstein: Warmly invited are those patriotic Americans who share ATF's concerns for the future of our nation - especially those interested in learning more about radical Islamic terrorism and the threat it poses to future generations. The symposium will be geared toward both the professional and average citizen. Many in attendance will be individuals from law enforcement, the counter terrorism community, the military and our government.
Early on, the Hindu community rallied behind us. They are convinced of the necessity to unite all Americans in a common front to stand strong against our enemies.
FP: Why is it important to attend?
Epstein: As we bear witness to the terror attacks in Spain and England; the uprising and rioting in France, Germany, Denmark and Belgium; and the incredible reality that the United Nations cannot find itself able to define even the word "terrorism," - and as our brave men and women of the US Armed Forces wage battle to promote freedom and democracy in the face of oppression and intolerance - it is critical that the American public and free thinking people everywhere not remain ignorant of the facts. Losing this war against totalitarian and radical terrorism will result in the ever-encroaching loss of freedom throughout the world.
It’s time for all concerned Americans to wake-up, roll up their sleeves and take a stand – talking and disseminating emails is not enough. America needs to know the facts because the onus of responsibility for understanding the evil that faces out country in the form of radical terrorism rests with the American people – not just on the shoulders of a few committed individuals who are operating in a “high stakes” game at tremendous personal sacrifice. We certainly can’t rely on the mainstream media to inform the country on this matter without bias. The dissemination of accurate and truthful information regarding this looming danger has become the civic responsibility of We the People. It has become a duty of vigilance demanded by the spirit of our Founders for the well being of our nation.
FP: Why has America’s Truth Forum taken on this responsibility?
Epstein: America’s Truth Forum assumed this responsibility because the majority of Americans don’t realize we are in a struggle for our very existence; the War on Terror. They don’t understand that we could very well lose this conflict. In short order, America’s Truth Forum has drawn considerable attention from both members of the counter-terrorism community and folks on Capitol Hill. According to one Congressman, our organization is on the absolute “cutting edge” of a critical and necessary initiative to wake up the people of America before it’s too late. The government has been lacklustre in their attempts to inform the public on this very real threat because many in our government – political opportunists – have chosen to politicize the War on Terror this matter. This, in and of itself, is the reason the majority of Americans don’t realize we are in a struggle for the preservation of our way of life. This, in of itself, is the reason the majority of Americans don’t understand that we could very well lose this conflict.
I am convinced that the threat we are currently facing from radical Islam greatly surpasses that which was posed by the Third Reich – an educated opinion based on information received from our nation’s leading counter-terrorism experts, law enforcement agencies, investigative reporters, and high-ranking military leaders.
FP: For those who want to come, who do they contact?
Epstein: The success of the symposium will not be possible without considerable financial assistance from upstanding corporations and concerned citizens. Incredibly, many in the American corporate community have chosen to provide little more than rhetoric, putting their financial well-being above the need of the American people to acquire information that could very well save their lives. That leaves those who have the wherewithal to understand the very real threat we face to dig deep in an effort to do the right thing.
To learn more about how you can support this crucial initiative and/or reserve space for the symposium, visit www.americastruthforum.com or call (866)-709-3474.
Contributions may be made via PayPal at www.americastruthforum.com or mailed to:
America’s Truth Forum
P.O. Box 802
Glastonbury, CT. 06033
FP: Mr. Epstein, thank you for joing us and good luck in your important endeavours. Thank you for the courageous work that you do.
Epstein: Thank you Jamie.
