Rights groups upset by professor's arrest

The Washington Times (UPI) ^ | February 20, 2003 | Anwar Iqbal

[Indy Pendance]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States.

Professor Sami Amin Al Arian was arrested earlier Thursday along with three other Arabs for their alleged links to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group already declared a terrorist outfit by the State Department.

[Richard Kimball]

The group said that the notion that there are hundreds of terrorists and dozens of sleeper cells in this country was abhorrent to the Arabs and Muslims as it was to other members of the American society.

They'd be doing here what they're doing in the Phillipines if they could get away with it.

[anniegetyourgun]

Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States.

Not unless they are themselves subversives.

[sport]

"Mere membership of an organization, in my belief, should not alone be the basis for prosecution," said Kit Gage, president of the National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom. "

Other than Senator robert byrd, does he feel the same if one is a member of, say, the KKK, NRA, or the local Baptist Church?

I would say, no.

[Popof8]

Nobody of any importance cares what these Arab/Muslim rights groups thinks.

Jesus died for Mohammads sins.

[TheBattman]

may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States.

Of course it will - perticularly for those with terrorist ties and/or support for such groups.

What are we suppose to do - ignore the terrorists out of fear of offending someone?

[Bob J]

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[concerned about politics]

Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States.

Yeh. He might just spill his guts about the rest of the terrorists in the U.S. (So the problem is.....?)

[cricket]

"Mere membership of an organization, in my belief, should not alone be the basis for prosecution," said Kit Gage, president of the National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom." . . .

. . .belief without knowledge makes for really stupid analysis. . .of course, if this were the only criteria; he would have been arrested months ago. . .and so would every Islamic in America.

These voices, protesting, are worse than stupid. . .

Get smart Kit. . .

[Saundra Duffy]

Useful idiots alert.

[cricket]

"Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States."

. . .life's a b----. . .and these people defending the indefensible will make things worse for these people, not better. . .

[tet68]

They'd be doing here what they're doing in the Phillipines if they could get away with it.


I would like to say, don't worry, but they did 911 and
that was not even the beginning.

[MindBender26]

Rights Terrorist and terrorist support groups upset by professor's arrest.

[rs79bm]

Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States.

A murderer is a murderer and who cares what these stupid people think. It just so happens that we are at war and the people out to kill us are Muslims and Arabs. So what? If you want us to stop arresting your people than I suggest you stop having them blow up innocent men women and children. Until then, the United States will hunt you down like a wolf hunts a chicken.

[CyberAnt]

"the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims"

WHY ...?? If other Arabs or Muslims are not committing crimes - why do they have to worry ...??

We cannot allow the rights groups to try to say this arrest reflects badly on ALLLLLLL Arabs and Muslims - IT DOES NOT!!

[angkor]

If you willingly provide money to terrorist groups which kill citizens - here or abroad, Israeli or American - then you are as guilty as the terrorists themselves.

Yes, I'd imagine "the Muslim community" in America is a little concerned.

But I particularly like the indictment against Sami because he failed to list his membership in Palestinean Islamic Jihad on his U.S. naturalization application.

After he serves his conspiracy sentence, he'll be deported home.

[angkor]

WHY ...?? If other Arabs or Muslims are not committing crimes

Well that's just the point.

By contributing funds to terrorist organizations, they are committing crimes.

The "advocates" are whining, but everyone understands this is the end of the free ride in America.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Commenting on Arian's arrest, Judy Genshaft, president of the University of South Florida, said she was "not particularly surprised" because "there have always been rumors that this might happen. However, it is certainly disturbing when a faculty member is arrested."

No comment on what he is alleged to have done, Judy?

[Blue Scourge]

Civil rights groups in Washington warned Thursday that the arrest of an Arab professor in Florida may have negative implications for other Arabs and Muslims living in the United States

Well, if they could get certain members of their ethnic/religious group to stop blowing themselves up or atleast quit taking other people with them than we wouldn't haven any problems would we.

[Catspaw]

If al-Arian gets the max, he'll be doing life without parole.

But it's amazing that they got the Sami spin machine up & running so soon. I saw two of his defenders on MSNBC this afternoon on Dan Abrams' show, both with the same set of talking points.

[CyberAnt]

You misunderstand what I said - I'm not saying these people are not guilty of crimes.

I'm saying that the rights groups try to paint this picture as if arresting an Arab or Muslim means we are against all Arabs and Muslims. My question was WHY?? Just because an Arab gets arrested, doesn't mean every Arab is guilty.

That's the point I was trying to make - sorry if I confused you.

[Indy Pendance]

They have to had to have it prepared and ready to go just for the day he would get busted.

[Indy Pendance]

It's the Times site, but it's a UPI article.

Can you add UPI to the thread? I found the article on the times site, but it came from UPI. Sorry for the mix up.

[Indy Pendance]

Excellent information. It just makes sense the commies are working with the radical islamic groups. Two peas in a pod.

[sarasmom]

The world would be a better place if some influential Islamic mullahs issued edicts proclaiming the virtue of peacefull,mass muslim suicides, to show all us infidels how correct the path of Allah was.They could set the date for tomorrow!And all the Islamic fanatics could attain their ideal heaven, simultaneously!

Everybody everywhere wins!

[angkor]

My question was WHY?? Just because an Arab gets arrested, doesn't mean every Arab is guilty.

I did understand what you said.

The larger message of the indictment is that contributing to "charities" that support terrorism is now an indictable offense.

The net of felonious behavior has now expanded considerably.

[Peaecon]

I agree.
The American way is innocent until proven guilty. We have now heard that there are two views. We can let the courts decide while this guy sits in prison.

[sinkspur]

The larger message of the indictment is that contributing to "charities" that support terrorism is now an indictable offense.

The net of felonious behavior has now expanded considerably.

Yes. Assisting terrorists in any way should be a felonious, indictable offense.

Why would you think otherwise?

[Fabozz]

"No comment on what he is alleged to have done, Judy?"

She can't comment, because she's involved in litigation with al-Arian. Genshaft is the person who suspended this sorry Jew-killer back in September of 2001, and then finally fired him in December of last year. Naturally, she was promptly sued by the "intellectual freedom" movement for her trouble. Her attorney won't let her make the comments I'm sure she'd like to make, such as "told you so" or "serves the murderous bastard right."

[Kahuna]

Hang the prikk

[fiftymegaton]

I cant believe these people. HE'S AN F'N TERRORIST!!

[CyberAnt]

Well ... from what I hear - these people were not arrested for "contributing" to charities - they were arrested for "using" charities to cover up their criminal activities. It's not a new idea - it's been done before.

My advise is - don't give to a charity when you don't know where the money's going!!

[WOSG]

Seamole, that is a HUGE REVELATION!!!!!!!

1. note that Wash. Times carried the UPI story.
The error is UPIs.

2. Note the author. I dont want to be prejudiced, but is this coming from a stright-up reporter here or a 'mole'?

3. "The NCPPF's current president, Sami al-Arian, has been identified as a leading figure in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, on the State Department terrorist list."

For the UPI article not to recognize the connection is a travesty!

[100%FEDUP]

I have three things to say to these blamethrowers:
1) That's the way it is.
2) Love it or leave it.
3) Get over it and move on!

[Cultural Jihad]

Here is a list of seditious organizations which Kit Gage has been involved in:

"Kit Gage
National Coordinator, National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom, Director, First Amendment Foundation and National Committee Against Repressive Legislation Executive Vice President, National Lawyers Guild Board, Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA. Over 25 years of activism as legal worker and organizer on civil liberties, civil and human rights, protecting political dissent."

http://www.islamonline.net/livedialogue/english/Guestcv.asp?hGuestID=61I7S7

Maybe she would be happier living in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza, rather than in oppressive, evil America.

[Cultural Jihad]

Professor Sami Amin Al Arian was arrested earlier Thursday along with three other Arabs for their alleged links to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group already declared a terrorist outfit by the State Department.

MoveOn!

[montag813]

Where is the indictment for Grover Norquist? He was an ally and friend of Sami Al-Arian. When Al-Arian sent an email to the authorities denying all charges against him, he even cc'ed Norquist on it. It's time to expose this Muslim agent in our midst and eliminate his White House and GOP access.

BLACKLIST THE TRAITOR GROVER NORQUIST NOW!

[The Electrician]

Dick Beard, chairman of the USF Board of Trustees, said the indictment could "mark the beginning of the end of this issue" at the university, adding that the indictment was one more indication that university's president was right in starting the removal proceedings against the Palestinian professor.

It's not clear whether the appellation, "Palestinian professor", originated with UPI or with the chairman of the USF Board of Trustees, however I thought that Al Arian was born in Kuwait. While I don't have a map in front of me, the last time that I looked at one, Kuwait was far, far away from Palestine. So, is this another example of UPI's "fact checking", or is there really a valid reason to call him a "Palestinian professor"?

[sport]

It should be.

[Soul Citizen]

Judy Genshaft should be fired for the following reason:

All she would do is suspend this terrorist because she lacked backbone and listened to the lawyers, rather than exhibiting leadership on this and firing the S.O.B.

Even in light of the latest indictment the University of South Florida is still lacking the courage to fire the S.O.B.

What does the University need to see to believe the people?

USF lost attendance over this issue and UCF over took over in attendance.

END ALL FUNDING FOR USF!!!!

STOP FUNDING RESEARCH AT USF

[The Grammarian]

The implication of the very first statement of this article, to me, is that we shouldn't arrest Arabs because it might lead to other Arabs being arrested. If the man is a terrorist, the fact that he is an Arab should be no excuse; neither should it be a consideration at all.

[ping jockey]

If the towel fits wear it.

[CFC__VRWC]

But it's amazing that they got the Sami spin machine up & running so soon. I saw two of his defenders on MSNBC this afternoon on Dan Abrams' show, both with the same set of talking points.

I live less than 2 hrs away from USF - this is not a surprise. The feds have been after Al Arian for years - they just haven't had anything hard to pin him with until now (at least they finally got him!). USF's president, Judi Genshaft, has been trying to get Al Arian canned ever since O'Reilly's first piece on him after the 9/11 attacks, so Sami's supporters have had plenty of time and plenty of practice to get their media performance fine-tuned.

Needless to say, virtually every faculty member throughout the Florida university system, virtually every Florida media outlet and every left-wing "civil rights" and "academic freedom" group you can imagine have gone all out in rushing to Al Arian's defense throughout the years. They've probably been expecting this day for some time now.

This one is going to get really nasty as it makes its way through the courts, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see as many "Free Sami" signs at the next anti-American ANSWER rally as you see "Free Mumia" signs.

[doug from upland]

We know where the Mosques are, and we are watching. They had better behave.

[CFC__VRWC]

She can't comment, because she's involved in litigation with al-Arian. Genshaft is the person who suspended this sorry Jew-killer back in September of 2001, and then finally fired him in December of last year. Naturally, she was promptly sued by the "intellectual freedom" movement for her trouble. Her attorney won't let her make the comments I'm sure she'd like to make, such as "told you so" or "serves the murderous bastard right."

I concur completely. Al Arian's been doing his thing for a long time - much longer than Genshaft has been president of USF. She has been the only one with enough spine to actually do something about this terrorist - previous USF presidents have stuck their heads firmly in the sand. Genshaft has been subjected to incredible abuse at the hands of academics, "civil rights" groups and the media.

[hellinahandcart]

Holy crap, seamole.

'Pod, take a look at #23. Sami al-Arian has a connection to the National Lawyers Guild.

Jeez, all these groups really are interchangeable, and they're all working together.