Posted on 10/12/2006 6:07:28 PM PDT by SmithL
Anaheim, Calif. -- A powerful Republican Party operative who earlier this week accused a Muslim City Council candidate of supporting Islamic extremists on Thursday challenged the Syrian-born man to a debate on his views of Hezbollah and the Middle East.
The challenge from former state GOP chairman Shawn Steel came the same day that more than a half-dozen elected officials and civic and religious leaders rallied behind the candidate, Belal "Bill" Dalati, on the steps of City Hall.
A letter Steel wrote accusing Dalati of helping sponsor an anti-Israel rally and associating with "zany left wing groups" has circulated on the Internet since early this month. The letter was posted on OC Blog, a politically conservative site, by former state Sen. John Lewis, who is a consultant for Councilman Bob Hernandez, one of Dalati's opponents in the nonpartisan race. The post was titled "Something Scary in Anaheim."
On Thursday, Dalati's supporters gathered at City Hall to offer him support and condemn Steel's comments.
"We call on all Californians to reject attempts to spread fear of Islam and Muslims by falsely labeling Arab-American and Muslim-American candidates as extremists," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It is disturbing to see a public official exploit the growing anti-Muslim feeling in our society."
Steel's comments have generated heated debate in chatrooms and in Little Gaza, the ethnic core for many of Orange County's Arab-Americans, who numbered more than 24,000 in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. They have also angered elected officials.
"It's up to us as community leaders to stand up and say this is wrong, we shouldn't tolerate this," said Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Chavez. "This city is a very diverse city and to bring race into it and try to divide the city
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I wish you would post much more often on FReep, sir.
We desperately need intelligent commentary from California on this site. There is very little of it.
Now it is a hate crime to call a candidate to account for his publicly declared positions and sympathies.
This is censorship by consensus.
The institutional media ("MSM") are no more a "free press" than was Goebbels' propaganda ministry.
If you want to know Mr. Dalatis politics may I suggest all go to--- noiri.blogspot.com
The answer to many of Americas problems will be explained at this web sight.
Mr. Dalati is part of the coming problem for America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.