Posted on 01/23/2007 12:39:23 AM PST by atomic conspiracy
Edited on 01/23/2007 8:09:47 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
What began as a brief e-mail exchange between a U.S. soldier in Iraq and a Wisconsin-based online retailer has erupted into an international incident that has pitted military supporters against free speech advocates and threatens to shut down the local company.
Bargain Suppliers of West Allis said its discount-mats.com Web site had to be taken down Monday to address the thousands of e-mails it's received since news of the exchange - in which an employee voiced opposition to the war in Iraq - began circulating on the Internet last week.
Vice president Sajid Nasir said the employee is being "held accountable." But he said the incendiary and threatening nature of some of the e-mails - and voicemails left at the West Allis home that co-owner Faisal Khetani shares with his parents - have shaken the family.
"It's really getting out of control," said Nasir, who described the messages as "angry and vulgar."
"Our main concern is for the safety of the family. That's more important than the business," he said.
Repeated attempts to reach the Khetanis were unsuccessful.
The controversy exploded last week when a soldier, identifying himself as Sgt. Jason Hess of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, sent an e-mail to discount-mats.com asking if it ships to military addresses.
Someone on the other end answered no, but went on to add that "even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq."
A handful of Hess' friends got wind of the exchange, and soon it was ricocheting around the Internet - first on the Web site snopes.com, then on conservative and military forums and blogs - and has since made its way to talk radio.
Military supporters were outraged, calling it disrespectful and urging one another to flood the company with e-mails and calls.
Several posted Khetani's name, telephone number and address, which is also the business address, though Nasir insists it's for mailing purposes only.
Many of the messages invoked anti-Middle Eastern or anti-Muslim sentiment. (Khetani is Muslim, Nasir said.) Others vowed to shut the company down, and a few suggested they might make a personal visit.
"I think it's disgraceful," said Sgt. Maj. Dennis Webster, executive director of the First Cavalry Association in Copperas Cove, Texas, who learned of the e-mail exchange from a reporter.
"He's certainly entitled to his opinion. That's what soldiers defend," Webster said. "But there's a matter of respect. A young soldier isn't making those decisions. He's following orders."
Eduardo Briones, a Milwaukee native and retired Army sergeant who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., said: "All he needed to say was no."
"I personally think we screwed up in the war, but that's not the fault of the soldiers. That's the fault of the politicians," he said.
Anti-war and free speech advocates were equally offended, by the widespread criticism of the company and the individual who responded to the soldier.
"This is a matter of free speech," said Julie Enslow, an organizer with Peace Action Wisconsin in Milwaukee. "It is totally irresponsible for radio stations and bloggers to attack a person for his personal political views."
Othman Atta, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, said he would fault the worker for his lack of tact but defended his right to speak his mind.
"If you look at the polls, his opinion is reflected by a majority of Americans now," Atta said. "In the United States, everyone one is free to speak their opinion."
Atta appeared concerned that the controversy might fuel anti-Muslim and anti-Middle Eastern sentiment.
"Some people will look for any excuse to target people from the Middle East," he said.
A person identifying himself as Hess, who was reached via a military e-mail address, has agreed to an online interview but has yet to respond to a list of questions.
West Allis police said Monday that they were aware of the controversy.
"We're monitoring the situation, in case somebody decides to retaliate," Capt. Tom Kukowski said.
"But we're hoping people use good judgment."
"....an international incident that has pitted military supporters against free speech advocates and threatens to shut down the local company."
Do those who disagree with the company's e-mail not also have the right of free speech? No reasonable person would countenance death threats but your wording does not make this distinction. Somehow, any statement disagreeing with the anti-war e-mail is in opposition to free speech. In placing "military supporters" on one side and diametrically opposing them with "free speech advocates" your own words leave no room for any other conclusion.
Contrary to leftist dogma and the invited inference in your article, the Constitution does not grant immunity to criticism or disagreement. To pretend otherwise does not support free speech, it supports fascism.
Take a look at the "quotables" box at the link if there is any remaining doubt about the MJS's bias
Well, we know who works there.
These leftists are nuts. They attack conservatives from Pres. Bush on down for their political views every day.
You reap what you sow. No pity here.
BINGO! The same, tired old screed. Hey, the left says, you can't attack free speech, so shut up! Apparently, most of the left thinks free speech means leftist propoganda, free of criticism.
Someone at the company made this political, and now bloggers and radio aren't supposed to comment on it? I guess that "free speech" doesn't apply to them.
This Orwellian interpretation of free speech is the absolute essense of totalitarian activism. The idea that leftists are immune to criticism is bizarre but 40 years of media indoctrination have ensured that it reaches every nook and cranny of American society. It is the default response to criticism for all leftists, implying that their rights are somehow violated when someone disagrees with them. We heard it from the Dixie Chicks, we hear it from rank-and-file liberals on person in the street interviews. Millions are intimidated by it, because they do not know what their own rights are.
Web Site Kicks Sand in Faces of GIs in Iraq Asking for Mats to Ease Hardship of Sleeping on Ground
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,245718,00.html
(video link called 'Request denied' about half way down.
"This is a matter of free speech," said Julie Enslow, an organizer with Peace Action Wisconsin in Milwaukee. "It is totally irresponsible for radio stations and bloggers to attack a person for his personal political views."
It always amazes me how little people understand how freedom of speech works in America - the give and take. Let's see how Alexis De Tocqueville described it back in 1835:
"In America, the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion: within these barriers, an author may write what he pleases; but woe to him if he goes beyond them."
up this company's River Wazoo on a rusty meathook...well fouled with salt...
A classic example of poor screening by personnel...
Better known as "Poison L"...and lack of defined SOP's...
up this company's River Wazoo on a rusty meathook...well fouled with salt...
A classic example of poor screening by personnel...
Better known as "Poison L"...and lack of defined SOP's...
It looks like the mat company is middle eastern owned and operated. It is no big surprise that one of the employees acted out in this way.
Please add their hypocritical leftist allies to that. Without the support of the left and the leftist media, the Islamic terrorists would be less than nothing. Make no mistake, free speech is the left's ultimate target. That is where we get this weird idea of pretending that disagreement with the left somehow violates their rights. Two generations of Americans are so heavily indoctrinated by left-media that they don't realize they do have the right to disagree with lefties in public. Stalin made it a crime to criticize his regime, America's left is well on its way to doing the same.
The 'left' in this country will not succeed. They'll be wiped out in a civil war if in the end that is what it takes to stop them.
Oh. comeon now, It was John Kerry that answered that e-mail, and he was trying to make a joke. The problem is that conservatives don't understand liberal jokes. /sarc
It gives me no joy to say so, but I think that is exactly what it will take.
Wonderful post!
Ditto.
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