THE SOROS-IZATION OF GROUND ZERO

Michelle Malkin ^ | June 7, 2005 | Michelle Malkin

[Velveeta]

Must-read. Debra Burlingame, sister of Charles F. "Chic" Burlingame III, pilot of American Airlines fight 77, which terrorists crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, has blown the whistle on George Soros and other human rights zealots who are trying to turn Ground Zero into a blame-America monument. Her piece is up at the WSJ.com site (subscription required...also try here). Here are a few blood-boiling excerpts:

The World Trade Center Memorial Cultural Complex will be an imposing edifice wedged in the place where the Twin Towers once stood. It will serve as the primary "gateway" to the underground area where the names of the lost are chiseled into concrete. The organizers of its principal tenant, the International Freedom Center (IFC), have stated that they intend to take us on "a journey through the history of freedom..."

...While the IFC is getting 300,000 square feet of space to teach us how to think about liberty, the actual Memorial Center on the opposite corner of the site will get a meager 50,000 square feet to exhibit its 9/11 artifacts, all out of sight and underground.

Meanwhile, generous space will be allotted to the International Freedom Center for exhibits on Chinese dissidents and Chilean refugees.

Burlingame reports further:

More disturbing, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. is handing over millions of federal dollars and the keys to that building to some of the very same people who consider the post-9/11 provisions of the Patriot Act more dangerous than the terrorists that they were enacted to apprehend -- people whose inflammatory claims of a deliberate torture policy at Guantanamo Bay are undermining this country's efforts to foster freedom elsewhere in the world.

Who's behind this sacrilege at Ground Zero? Burlingame continues:

The driving force behind the IFC is Tom Bernstein, the dynamic co-founder of the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex who made a fortune financing Hollywood movies. But his capital ventures appear to have funded his true calling, the pro bono work he has done his entire adult life -- as an activist lawyer in the human rights movement. He has been a proud member of Human Rights First since it was founded -- as the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights -- 27 years ago, and has served as its president for the last 12. The public has a right to know that it was Mr. Bernstein's organization, joined by the American Civil Liberties Union, that filed a lawsuit three months ago against Donald Rumsfeld on behalf of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was Human Rights First that filed an amicus brief on behalf of alleged "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla, an American citizen who the Justice Department believes is an al Qaeda recruit. It was Human Rights First that has called for a 9/11-style commission to investigate the alleged torture of detainees, complete with budget authority, subpoena power and the ability to demand that witnesses testify under oath.

In fact, the IFC's list of those who are shaping or influencing the content and programming for their Ground Zero exhibit includes a Who's Who of the human rights, Guantanamo-obsessed world:

• Michael Posner, executive director at Human Rights First who is leading the world-wide "Stop Torture Now" campaign focused entirely on the U.S. military. He has stated that Mr. Rumsfeld's refusal to resign in the wake of the Abu Ghraib scandal is "irresponsible and dishonorable."

• Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU, who is pushing IFC organizers for exhibits that showcase how civil liberties in this country have been curtailed since September 11.

• Eric Foner, radical-left history professor at Columbia University who, even as the bodies were being pulled out of a smoldering Ground Zero, wrote, "I'm not sure which is more frightening: the horror that engulfed New York City or the apocalyptic rhetoric emanating daily from the White House." This is the same man who participated in a "teach-in" at Columbia to protest the Iraq war, during which a colleague exhorted students with, "The only true heroes are those who find ways to defeat the U.S. military," and called for "a million Mogadishus." The IFC website has posted Mr. Foner's statement warning that future discussions should not be "overwhelmed" by the IFC's location at the World Trade Center site itself.

• George Soros, billionaire founder of Open Society Institute, the nonprofit foundation that helps fund Human Rights First and is an early contributor to the IFC. Mr. Soros has stated that the pictures of Abu Ghraib "hit us the same way as the terrorist attack itself."

Concludes Burlingame: "Ground Zero has been stolen, right from under our noses. How do we get it back?"

Start by contacting NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Then Gov. George Pataki.

Learn more about Human Rights First here.

This abomination needs to be nipped in the bud. Now.

***

[retrokitten]

I understand.

[nw_arizona_granny]

"If this is allowed to stand, it would in essence convey that we deserved to
be hit on 9/11, IMO."

The above is your anger Vel and mine.

But to the commie liberal it is a fact.

Yes, I hear it all the time on the radio, that the liberal
thinks all the terrorist attacks are all our fault.

I heard one of them apologize for having taken Mexico away from the Mexicans and tell them they should have the western states back........

That was upsetting, but then 4 or 5 called in the next hour and offered false history of how we got the western states, as proof that America is evil.

Understand these were the wonderful well bred voices of Americans.

We are fighting a war against evil, it is creeping out of the pores of America and it not stopped will consume us.

The evil of America is within its elected offices and in the public offices, busy at brainwashing our young.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Must-read. Debra Burlingame, sister of Charles F. "Chic" Burlingame
III, pilot of American Airlines fight 77, which terrorists crashed into the
Pentagon on September 11, 2001, has blown the whistle on George
Soros and other human rights zealots who are trying to turn Ground
Zero into a blame-America monument. Her piece is up at the WSJ.com
site (subscription required...also try here). Here are a few
blood-boiling excerpts:>>>

Ping, call for help to stop the Soros takeover.

[Mr. Silverback]

Personal Prerogative Ping!

HIT THESE SCUMBAGS LIKE A TON OF BRICKS!

[Howlin]

Did you see the Wall Street journal article?

Look at this:

According to the New York Times, early renderings of the center's exhibit area created by its Norwegian architectural firm depicted a large mural of an Iraqi voter. That image was replaced by a photograph of Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson when the designs were made public.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[luvie]

Thanks for the *ping*--this had better be stopped NOW or we may as well just concede that we concervatives have absolutely no power to change things!

[lonevoice]

Ping!

We DO NOT need Abu Ghraib drivel and the ACLU talking points promoted at Ground Zero!

[Calpernia]

ping

[dangus]

Gee, Mr. Silverback. Tell us, do you have any feelings on the subject. Zheesh.
(Which is not to say that I don't agree with you 100%, you great American, you!)

[Paul_Denton]

Didn't Donald Trump propose building the towers back just like they were, only a floor higher? I am not a huge Donald fan but I like that idea. What would be a memorial for us is a "trophy" for the terrorists. I say building the towers back taller is like giving them the bird instead. He said he had support but I have not heard anything more about it.

Yeah he did. Team Twin Towers backs him I belive.

And I agree. Build em back. Taller, better, stronger. There is no better memorial than building them back in all their glory.

[Mr. Silverback]

Heh-heh! Some things have got to be said loud, baby!

Fix bayonets, Freepers. Let's do this for Barabra Olson and Battlaion Chief Moran.

[kcvl]

I can't believe they are going to trash that site!

UNBELIEVABLE!



New York Headquarters
Human Rights First
333 Seventh Avenue,
13th Floor
New York, NY 10001-5004

Tel: (212) 845 5200
Fax: (212) 845 5299

For comments, please write to:
feedback@humanrightsfirst.org


Washington Office

Human Rights First
100 Maryland Avenue, NE;
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20002-5625

Tel: (202) 547 5692
Fax: (202) 543 5999

[xJones]

Excellent thread, and this is enraging....

[maica]

I heard Debra Burlingame discussing this on Bill Bennett's radio show this morning.

#####

Same here. I wish the WSJ had put this column in its free OpinionJournal.com lineup. I plan to buy a copy of the Journal to get this article, and tell everyone I know about this abomination.

I am listening to the book on tape "Firehouse" by David Halberstam. It reviews the FDNY and 9/11/01 through the men of one of its firehouses that was severely hit .

We regularly need to be reminded of what Americans suffered on that day, not more PC antiAmerican propaganda.

[alnick]

Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson!?! Dear Lord!

I won't do to have a tribute to the Iraqi voters. Blood boiling over here.

[kcvl]

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2005


Contact: Neil Hicks, (212) 845-5248
HicksN@humanrightsfirst.org or
Nicky Lazar, (212) 845-5220 LazarN@humanrightsfirst.org


Human Rights First and Carter Center Team Up to Address New Challenges Facing Human Rights Defenders: 15 Leading Activists at Risk

snip

The new environment in the global “war against terrorism” is having very damaging consequences for human rights activists working in countries where even peaceful dissent against government policies is often labeled as “terrorism”. Many of these human rights defenders are traveling to the U.S. at risk of reprisal when they return home. Some of them have been imprisoned and tortured in their home countries, and many have lost colleagues and relatives. Leading human rights activists from the following countries will be available to speak to the press on the dates listed below: Burma, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Thailand, United States, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

* June 6-7th: Human rights defenders from 15 countries will gather in Atlanta to Advance Security and Rule of Law at the 2005 Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum titled: Human Rights Defenders on the Frontlines of Freedom: Advancing Security and Rule of Law. President Carter will be giving the key note address.
* June 8-9th: Many of the defenders will be visiting DC to meet with members of Congress.
* June 8th: Roundtable at Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. Featured human rights defenders: Yuri Dzhibladze from Russia, Gustavo Gallón from Colombia, Nozima Kamalova from Uzbekistan, and Chibli Mallat from Lebanon.

For information about the Conference and attendees in Atlanta on June 6-7:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/defenders/hrd_global/hrd_global_03.htm
http://cartercenter.org/doc2105.htm

The following defenders will be visiting DC and available for interviews June 8-9:
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/defenders/pdf/carter-dc-060205.pdf

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I agree!

We don't need the ACLU indoctrinations any where,IMO!

[kcvl]

"Human Rights First" = HATE AMERICA FIRST



In Their Own Words: Detainees Tell of Degradation of Religious Beliefs at Guantanamo
Media Alert
(05/19/05)



Donald RumsfeldSenior Officials Not Held Accountable for Torture

* Where Are They Now?
* Watch 'One Year After Abu Ghraib'
* One Year After Abu Ghraib: Human Rights First Assessment



Former State Department Legal Adviser Says Torture and Abuse was Predictable; Blames Decision to Deny Geneva Protections

Read Former State Department Official William Taft’s March 24, 2005 American University Washington College of Law Speech In Its Entirety (PDF-24KB)
(04/04/05)


Human Rights First, Military Leaders and ACLU Sue Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Over U.S. Torture Policies
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld bears direct responsibility for the torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. custody, Human Rights First, the ACLU and military leaders charged, in the first federal court lawsuit to name a top U.S. official in the ongoing torture scandal in Afghanistan and Iraq. The lawsuit was filed March 1, 2005 and announced at a press conference in Washington, DC. More»
Read the press release ARABIC VERSION (PDF 157KB)
Read Mike Posner’s statement
View the timeline of facts in
the case (PDF 140KB)


Human Rights First Calls for Full Examination of CIA Interrogation Practices
Media Alert
Report on secret detentions
Report on previous investigations (PDF-401KB)
(03/23/05)


New Legal Brief Urges Supreme Court to Uphold U.S. International Legal Obligations, Advance Respect for Rule of Law

On January 24, Human Rights First and fifteen other leading human rights organizations and bar associations submitted a ‘friends of the court’ brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Medellin v. Dretke, arguing that the United States has a binding obligation to comply its international legal obligations.
Read Human Rights First’s Statement and Other Briefs Filed in Medellin v. Dretke
Bar Associations and Human Rights Organizations’ Amicus Brief in Medellin v. Dretke as filed 1/24/05
(PDF-260KB)
(Updated 03/23/05)


U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Indefinite Detention of Foreign Nationals

Media Alert
Human Rights First's "Friend of the Court" Brief (PDF -137KB)

Rights Without a Country by Deborah Pearlstein
The Supreme Court rules against the administration on foreign detainees. Again.

(Updated 01/25/05)


http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/us_law/us_law.htm

[trisham]

Thanks for the ping. This is an outrage.