Posted on 10/01/2008 9:23:13 PM PDT by dmanLA
IRVINE - An Irvine councilman has questioned his political opponent's work with what he called a "dangerous" Islamic advocacy group with alleged terrorist ties, drawing the ire of many in the local Muslim community who described the comments as divisive and false.
The comments by Councilman Steven Choi came at the close of a recent Chamber of Commerce election forum attended by the dozen candidates for Irvine office. Choi cautioned the audience of business and community leaders not to vote for a candidate who works for the Council on American-Islamic Relations – commonly known as CAIR – which he described as a "dangerous and Islamic organization."
Supporters say the high-profile Muslim advocacy group helps spread understanding of Islam and protection of civil liberties. But critics of the group question its funding and political agenda, claiming that it is linked to terrorist groups.
While Choi did not identify the candidate by name, the barb was clearly directed at Todd Gallinger, a lawyer and born-again Muslim who has represented CAIR in several class-action lawsuits. Gallinger is a member of the Keep Irvine Safe political slate with Councilman Sukhee Kang, Mayor Beth Krom and Councilman Larry Agran.
"Obviously it's just slimy political tactics," Gallinger said. "It's an attempt to play on xenophobia and fear."
Choi said his comments were directed specifically at CAIR, not at the Muslim community.
"I just don't want to make a big deal out of it. It went out of proportion," Choi said. "I did not even mention the candidate's name, but I wanted to bring up the fact there is a candidate who works at CAIR. Looking back I should have stopped there."
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
I’d rather be tied to Palin’s PIT BULL than tied to CAIR!!
Your opponent has some of this guy's ties, too!
As for the xenophobia canard...Choi isn't exactly the proverbial "typical white person." Besides that, a healthy distrust of people who wish to do violence to us (and have done violence to us) is not xenophobic - it's simply being responsible.
bump
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