Posted on 09/16/2005 1:14:48 PM PDT by Pikamax
Romney, criticized by Muslims, refuses to back down from comments By Associated Press Friday, September 16, 2005 - Updated: 03:13 PM EST
BOSTON - Muslim groups and civil libertarians demanded an apology from Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday for his comments about wiretapping mosques and monitoring foreign students, but the governor stood by his words, saying he was only advocating for improved homeland security.
The groups, which included the American Civil Liberties Union and various mosques and Islamic organizations, delivered a letter to Romney around noon which said ``your desire to wiretap mosques is an affront to the values and principles that make America a great country.''
``As religious, community, and student leaders, we expect far more from our elected officials. Your remarks have failed us,'' said Caline Jarudi, director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, reading from the letter.
After the letter was delivered, spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the governor would not apologize or retract the comments.
Romney made the comments Wednesday during a speech in Washington at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank he consults on policy issues.
During the speech, Romney discussed homeland security and the need to devote resources to anti-terrorism intelligence. He referred to the state's 120 colleges and universities, and speculated about students who are from countries that sponsor terrorism, asking ``Do we know where they are, are we tracking them?''
He also spoke about gathering intelligence at mosques ``that may be teaching doctrines of hate and terror.''
``Are we monitoring that? Are we wiretapping?'' he asked. ``Are we following what's going on? Are we seeing who's coming in, who's coming out? Are we eavesdropping, carrying out surveillance on those individuals from places that sponsor domestic terror?''
Romney said Friday morning he wasn't advocating for anything that wasn't already being done.
``I don't have any suggestions that are beyond the scope of what's done by the FBI today,'' he said after a speech at an unrelated event. ``It's just the level of resources is something I think we should substantially enhance.''
But some Muslims said that Romney is stereotyping all Muslims as terrorists and promoting dangerous policies that erode civil liberties.
Imam Abdullah Faaruuq of the Mosque for the Praising of Allah in Boston urged Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008, to ``stop pandering to conservatives.''
``I pray ... that this man will never reach the office of being in control of this country as a whole, and may he be limited to this term that he's in presently, because he doesn't understand what true leadership is about here in America,'' he said.
One of the activists, Hamza Pelletier, spokesman for the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, said his group planned to attend all of Romney's public appearance until he retracts the statements.
Fehrnstrom, who retreated to the governor's office after facing angry questions from people who held the press conference, said Romney was ``not advocating throwing the constitution out the window.''
``What he's saying is that if there are mosques that preaching doctrines of hate and violence, they warrant more attention than the local 4H Club,'' he said. ``And if there are students in our country, from Syria or Iraq, and they are engaging in suspicious behavior, then they warrant more attention than a student from Newton or Middleborough.''
We all know what he thinks. The question is how big will the hissy fit be?
Just what I need, a muzzie telling me what 'true leadership' is here in this country.
Interesting. (Cool new tagline ...)
There's a significant legal difference, I should think, between wiretapping or other electronic surveillance of mosques, on the one hand, and close observation of foreign nationals (students or not) on the other hand.
We should already be keeping much better track of foreigners in the country.
Well, Caline, since there are still mosques in the USA operated by Wahabi nut jobs, and since there are still islamist 'students' being nabbed for not paying for the disguises they purchased...I'd say they are failing the rest of us a lot more.
If I spent 5 minutes watching every abortion-loving gay-supporting gun-grabbing full-of-himself RINO I'd never get anything done.
We were investigated to see if we should lose our tax exemption. Of course, he also had the voting records of the candidates in the foyer of the church to pick up on the way out. I guess he should have just said we should blow somebody up or cut their heads off. That would have been OK.
PS. The tax exempt status stayed, but the preacher went. Seems the big money givers didn't like his politics. Where I live, you can't be dogcatcher unless you are a Dem. I left too, so I guess they hired an "ear tickler" now.
BTW, for the non- Baptists out there, you don't have to support the clergy where the "Word" isn't spoken. I've seen so many that won't say a word against their church or denomination cause they've been there all there life. It's about seeking God, not an attendence award. To get these pretenders out of your church or denomination, you have to say something. Christ was not a communist. It pains me to see mainline denominations ruined by these pretenders.
"He could catch before we can execute our plans," Imam Abdullah Faaruuq added.
/sarcasm
The Imam is obviously a well-informed American. President Bush can't run for another term.
Headline: Muslims to be constant attendees at Romney appearences!
One of the activists, Hamza Pelletier, spokesman for the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, said his group planned to attend all of Romney's public appearances...
I like this guy and contrary to popular opinion I think he can win. Imagine a Republican from a blue state winning. Total annihilation for the Dums. He is exactly a RINO in the Chafee mold either. (Yes I know he isnt a "movement" conservative before you blast me).
now this is the kind of stuff I like.
This thread is about Mitt Romney.
The Imam was referring to Mitt Romney's term as governor of Massachusetts.
This may well be Mitt's only term as governor, as he trails in the polls to some tom fool of a state attorney general, and may back out of running for reelection anyway considering his chances.
If Mitt is smart he will realize there are MILLIONS of national votes for the taking if one goes after Muslims and doesn't back down.
You are correct. Thanks for the catch.
I guess I'm getting sensitive.
>>Mitt said he said exactly what he meant and stood by those words.
That is refreshing to hear from a pol.
I just heard on WRKO Boston that he backed down - he says FBI is doing it.
Mitt's real chance is as VP running-mate - he's a smart guy and photogenic and has one heck of a pedigree.
He needs some foreign policy/ military credentials if he want to make a real run for the oval office.
This isn't the last you will hear from Mitt. Mitt has the dough to personally fund focus group examination of the issues with respect to his exposure and the language he uses. In a city near you, there will be people who get an invitation to gather for a discussion of current events for a stipend of $100 and a gift certificate for dinner at a nice place.
Mitt will find a wedge issue with respect to criminal aliens, tax reform, gun control, personal responsibility, and national security, that will cause him to become the standard bearer for a right thinking, conservative, nationalistic, GOP Presidential contender.
Yeah! GO, MITT. STOP, Anti Christian Litigation Unit!
How very un-Massachusetts of him!
Mosques = Terrorist Training Centers
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