Posted on 07/25/2007 6:16:10 PM PDT by goldstategop
He hasn't yet entered the Presidential race, and yet Fred Thompson, yesterday, showed us why he's the scariest Republican Presidential candidate. And maybe the scariest of both parties.
Don't believe Thompson's claim that he understands the Islamist jihadist threat to America. His announcement, yesterday, of his choice of Spencer Abraham as campaign manager, told us everything we need to know. Although Abraham, of Lebanese descent, is a Maronite Christian, he is a career water carrier for Islamists of the most extremist stripe and made that the cornerstone of his failed, one-term Senate career and equally lousy tenure as Energy Secretary.
Spencer Abraham: Former Bush Energy Secretary, Current Pan-Islamist & Fred Thompson Campaign Manager
As a conservative--but more important, as an American concerned about the future of this country in the face of a terrorist threat--Thompson's choice of Spencer Abraham was the nail in the coffin for me in opposing Fred Thompson's quest for the White House.
I know Spencer Abraham. He wrote one of my recommendations for law school. And the Spencer Abraham that I and all of America have since experienced is bad news for everyone except CAIR, ADC, MPAC, ISNA, and all Islamists who want to endanger America.
In 2003, I wrote the definitive column on Spencer Abraham a/k/a Spence a/k/a Edward Spencer Abraham (which was quoted in The Washington Post), and I re-publish it below, with several additions I've made, updating it. At the time Spence was still Energy Secretary, but he left to become a lobbyist for Islamist countries.
As a Senator, he took marching orders from James Zogby of the pan-Islamist Arab American Institute, opposing profiling of Arabs, the use of secret evidence against Muslims (at the behest of Muslim groups), attempting to repeal the Clinton counterterrorism package, refusing to fund computer tracking of student and other foreign aliens, giving millions in our tax money right to Hezbollah, and putting CAIR on the map on Capitol Hill (taking the group's officials around to meet other Senators and Members of Congress). He took campaign contributions from the relatives of Hezbollah-backed top Lebanese officials after he got the group millions in our tax money.
Spence was one of only two Senators in the entire U.S. Senate who refused to sign a letter calling on President Clinton to condemn Palestinian terrorism and Yasser Arafat. This was at the height of a series of homicide bombings in 1999 and 2000.
As Energy Secretary, he gave top secret tours of nuclear facilities, as well as detailed information on how we secure them to Muslim nations who are our enemies. And he gave out undue post-9/11 awards to Al-Qaeda money-launderers . . . at the White House. The money launderers were raided by U.S. Customs Service agents.
After he left the Bush cabinet, Spence became a lobbyist for Mid-Eastern Muslim countries that practice the Arab boycott of Israel and don't really like us too much either. He took their money and until the Thompson race, did their bidding.
Do you really support a guy, Fred Thompson, who picked this man to head up his team? Either Thompson is clueless about Abraham, which should immediately disqualify him for the White House and frighten all of us about how he makes decisions. Or he knows about Abraham, and went with him anyway. Just as bad.
If you want to say no to jihad, you WILL say NO to Fred Thompson. He chose, and now we must choose against him:
JIHAD SPENCE: Bush's Dangerous Energy Secretary is Now Fred Thompson's Campaign Manager
By Debbie Schlussel
Since the Blackout of 2003, he's gotten lots of TV face time. But should U.S. energy policy be entrusted to Spencer Abraham?
In 2000, President Bush said his Cabinet would "look like America," nominating Abraham, the defeated Lebanese-American Senator from Michigan, to Energy Secretary--part of the Bush strategy targeting the Arab vote.
But was this political strategy in the best interest of the country? Abraham's record suggests otherwise.
In the two years since 9/11, Abraham did absolutely nothing to improve our precarious electric power situation.
That would be bad enough.
But, since 9/11, Abraham continued a controversial UN-sponsored program allowing foreign visitors from countries on the State Department terrorist list to tour U.S. nuclear reactors. A course sponsored by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency, taught by U.S. nuclear weapons lab security personnel, gives tours of Nuclear Regulatory Commission facilities and teaches participants from 57 countries--including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia--security techniques employed at American nuclear sites. "They were teaching them to black out systems, which they could use against us at labs," an official told a popular newssite.
The Clinton Administration taught the course to foreign representatives, too. But that was pre-9/11. In the post-9/11 era, Abraham irresponsibly continued it, despite protests.
Then there's Jamal Barzinji. Abraham enlisted him to find parties who helped and reached out to Muslims after 9/11, with Abraham hosting an awards ceremony for them. Problem is, Barzinji is an officer and/or director in SAFA Trust, Mar-Jac Poultry, and International Institute for Islamic Thought, all raided by Customs in March 2002 for laundering over $1.7 billion to Al-Quaida and Islamic Jihad (through indicted University of South Florida professor and alleged Islamic Jihad frontman Sami Al-Arian).
More troubling is Abraham's Senate record, ignored by his former Senate colleagues in an easy confirmation hearing.
Should a Senator who deliberately endangered national security for Arab/Muslim votes and campaign money be entrusted to oversee U.S. energy policy and access?
Abraham's frightening national security record included:
Liberal immigration policy, including lax foreign visitor tracking, at the behest of Arab/Muslim groups; Tried to End Profiling, Secret Evidence Use Against Terrorists
Abraham was Senate Immigration Subcommittee Chairman through the end of 2000. Abraham routinely caved to the demands of Arab/Muslim leaders, such as the Arab American Institute's James Zogby, on national security matters, especially immigration.
"Ever since (I first met) him, Abraham has been coming to us and giving advice, support and the benefits of his leadership," Zogby told The Detroit News.
And taking Zogby's advice, too.
Abraham actively worked to delay computer systems to track foreign visitors, which Arab/Muslim groups, including Zogby's, strongly opposed. 1996 immigration law required computerized entry and exit tracking of all temporary visas, but was gutted by Abraham and other legislators. They refused to allocate money for the program and delayed its full implementation until 2005. In 2000, Abraham, as Chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee, delayed implementation of other requirements of the 1996 immigration measure, including university-assisted enforcement student visa laws and collection of fees from foreign students to pay for computer tracking.
These programs might have prevented the Sept. 11 attacks. But Abraham desperately craved the Arab/Muslim vote in Michigan.
Abraham also sponsored and pushed for the repeal of the use of secret evidence against terrorists, a vital portion of the Clinton counterterrorism package. He also sought to outlaw profiling of Arabs and Muslims by federal law enforcement.
Foreign aid funding for Hezbollah, rewarded by pseudo-foreign campaign contributions
In July 2000, Abraham sought over $268 million in tax-funded USAID grants for Hezbollah terrorist-controlled Southern Lebanon, at Arab American Institute's Zogby's request. Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah, has targeted and murdered many Americans. Millions in similar USAID grants (which have scant strings and accountability attached) to Afghanistan were misspent on Taliban terrorist activities. Abraham enlisted Michigan Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg, on the House International Relations Committee, to push the questionable aid package in the House. They ended up obtaining $86 million, which went straight to Hezbollah and which was never tracked thereafter. They knew this, and that's why they and Zogby sought the money for their Hezbollah friends.
Abraham and Knollenberg were repaid for their efforts, receiving thousands in campaign contributions from Nijad Fares, the Houston-based greencard-holding son of Syrian-backed Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares.
Soft on terrorism
Abraham was one of only two U.S. Senators who refused to sign an October 2000 letter to President Clinton condemning terrorist acts by Yasser Arafat and the P.L.O.
Abraham led the nearly successful June 2001 attempt to reverse the use of classified evidence against terrorists, sponsoring the legislation at the behest of Islamist groups, including the American Muslim Association (AMA) and the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC), both headed by Agha Saeed.
In July 1999, Abraham wrote to Saeed, AMA, and AMPCC asking their support: "Your efforts are truly needed in the political arena. . . . You can truly make a difference in the political and policy arenas, and I remain committed to helping you achieve that goal."
But Saeed openly praised Palestinian terrorism as "armed resistance" and appeared at lectures and events sponsored by Hamas front groups, including one panel, in which he was joined by the indicted Al-Arian, entitled: "Zionism: A Racist and Colonialist Ideology." AMA-sponsored events featured these exhortations: "The trees and the stones will say, oh Muslim, there is a Jew hiding behind me. Come and kill him!" "Victory comes from Allah and Hezbollah is our model." "Hear that, Bill Clinton? We are all supporters of Hamas."
Given Spencer Abraham's record of kowtowing to Arab, Muslim, and foreign interests on virtually every national security issue, his hegemony at Energy is disturbing. He should control no form of power--political or electric.
I agree, that it is a strange choice.
I do have to laugh at the hysteria of the hit articles though. They truly do fear Fred.
Top of the polls. Heh.
For a woman as educated and brilliant as Debbie Schlussel, I’ve noted her mistakes tend to be quite large. I remember writing to her on her website on one such matter. The specifics escape me but I was disappointed as I recall it was inaccurate and worse in its misdirection.
I’m not a fan of Spencer Abraham but as for Christians in the Mid-East, including the Lebanese and Copts, I’m behind them all the way.
The liberals fear Fred, the Democrats fear Fred. Even the Duncanistas fear Fred. LOL
Duncan Hunter has as good a chance as Lindsay Lohan. At least she has name recognition. No one I know outside of FR has ever heard of Duncan. Maybe in 2016. A deep back bench is a good thing. For now, Fred looks a lot like Reagan to me. We need a “great communicator” who can handle the left-wing press. He is that person.
I followed that link to Right Wing Nation and read nothing but some quite vulgar jibes at Schlussel, with posters contriving crude insults for her. Are there some substantive complaints against her with well-documented arguments, or is it just this juvenile stuff?
Fact remains, if FredT wants the support of most conservatives, he’ll have to work for it. I like FredT. I hope he gets in the race and doesn’t pull a last minute switcharooski.
“Thanks. I don’t support anyone right now. Its still early for me. But I don’t believe Abraham or Schlussel will be on the Colorado GOP primary ballot or the general election ballot. Some people enjoy overreacting. Especially when their candidate is receiving weak support, hardly registering in every poll under the sun.
Still, FredT`s choice of Abraham is puzzling.”
Well, I find that perfectly respectable (ie your decesion to wait on whom you’d support). I probably shouldn’t invest too much time in politics now, either...or atleast in making that sort of decesion. Really...the primaries are far way. A lot can happen from now to then.
I agree on your final thoughts.
The proportion in which I think this threatens his chances or threatens conservative ideals...not much at all. I’m sure many people within the grassroots are emailing him with this concern (right now).
The hit pieces will continue, I’m sure.
Now Newt is stirring the pot with his renewed talk of running.
I may have to quit reading political boards during this election. Don’t think I can take it.
You "don't want to have to look at him"? Doubtless you are a marvel of personal beauty yourself, but since when did appearance portend intellect, character, wisdom, or policy positions? In my previous post to you I suggested the application of linear thinking in this matter, but apparently you have decided to disregard the suggestion and consider the candidates' prettiness or lack thereof in determining who will lead this nation. Logic avails naught, I see.
The idea that there are women in this land who still will base their votes on such stupid, stupid criteria makes me want to weep.
Oh, and by the way, since it seems to be so important to you, we who live and work in Washington have heard nothing of the rumors you down in Florida, a thousand miles away, claim to have heard.
“Removed this entry”. How convenient...
I sent FredT an email on this issue. I advise all conservatives to let him know there are better choices then Spencer Abraham.
And you're right. A whole lot can happen over the next 5-6 months.
that’s right. all these terrorists...they just happen to be arab muslims. We should strip search 70 year old swedish grandmothers because you never know who wants to blow themselves up.
The question isn’t whether Schlussel is a conservative, a liberal, or a Martian. The question is whether what she states about Fred Thompson’s campaign manager sympathizing with the enemies of America is accurate or not. If you’re settiing out to defend Thompson, I presume you have something more to offer than shooting the messenger?
WOW! Funny you should mention that.
Several of us were just discussing that over a late dinner. For someone that is no stranger to Hollywood sound stages, celebrities, and the elite corridors of D.C. several of us found that comparison alarming and way too much deja vue.
I’ll hold off making any judgments for now regarding Fred...
I still like his stances on the following:
The ongoing threat of Islamist terrorism
The unresolved economic threat of entitlements
The need for lower taxes to ensure our nation remains economically competitive and innovative
The need to secure our borders
The need to support families and to protect our children from the harder edges of culture
The need to remain engaged in the world while remaining true to America’s principles
Fred or Duncan.... or Tom.... it’s still too early and whose to say what will happen.
I hadn’t seen this - not a big fan of Debbie Schlussel - don’t really like the way she writes - kind of like a p’o-ed chihuahua.....
" Some sources describe the role of the presumed candidate's wife, Jeri, as vast and powerful. Sources say "she's integrally involved in every decision" and that Fred Thompson has "set it up so everything goes through her." Critically, that was cast as "running it like a congressional campaign" and from the "kitchen table."
The Jeri Factor
the problem is anyone can make a stance but if someone appoints people who contradicts his stated policies...that tells you something about his trusted circle and where he will go next.
welcome to the coulterization of conservative bloggers...
I’ve always thought Schussel had a few screws loose, and this piece confirms it: characterizing an Orthodox Christian (not a Maronite, he’s a communicant of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese) as a ‘Pan-Islamist’, when on top of his own faith he has supported Israel against the Muslim Arabs who beset it, is just over the top.
Schussel seems to actually be an anti-Arab racist.
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