Posted on 03/02/2009 1:09:01 PM PST by chuck_the_tv_out
The revelation that the FBI planted a spy in a Southern California mosque was explosive news in a Muslim community that has long suspected the government of even broader surveillance.
Muslim-American organizations have demanded an inquiry. Some say the news has rattled their faith in American democracy.
Despite the reaction, former FBI agents and federal prosecutors say spying on mosques is still one of the government's best weapons to thwart terrorists and that the benefit to national security is likely to far outweigh any embarrassment to the agency.
"What matters to the FBI is preventing a massive attack that might be planned by some people ... using the mosque ... as a shield because they believe they're safe there," said Robert Blitzer, the FBI's former counterterrorism chief.
"That is what the American people want the FBI to do," he said. "They don't want some type of attack happening on U.S. soil because the FBI didn't act on information."
One of the most-heralded U.S. terrorism convictions, for example, grew out of the work of an informant who spent months inside a New Jersey mosque and derailed a plan to blow up New York City landmarks. Radical Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman was sentenced to life in prison in 1995. He was also the so-called "spiritual leader" for the men convicted in the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center.
"A lot of what happened was planned in the mosque," said Andy McCarthy, who was lead prosecutor on the case. "The recruiting went on in the mosque, a lot of the instruction went on in the mosque. We even had gun transactions in there."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
And the Mexicans are demanding we stop enforcing any immigration laws, even against CRIMINAL illegal aliens.
Between them and the Muslims is a constant whine-fest.
If ya don’t like it here, JUST GO!
“This should have a PMS warning - Permanent Muslim Snit”
Sweet.
Would anyone from a Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic or any other religion care if the FBI attended their churches? I think not. These people are hiding something. I wonder what that could be?
good term. yours?
Yes, thanks. Do you think I should write it like this?
"The swaggering cowardice of crowds"™
If I heard anyone in our church agitating for terrorist activity, I’d sure talk to them directly first, and if that didn’t dissuade them, go with a few elders to talk to him, then if necessary, turn it over to the authorities.
There may be a time for it at some point, but it’s not now.
If the majority of muslims were not terrorist, or did not support the terrorists, or ignore the fact that their religion is the prime source of terrorism in the world, maybe things would be better for them...
These people are using American Democracy against us.
Why are they so frightened of the FBI, The FBI is run by Obama the Muslim.
By the way we have FBI in my Church too They worship there.
I want the f.b.i. in mosques as well as all radical church’s
Too f'ing bad.
They ought to be happy the Federal Bureau of Incineration isn't burning them to a crisp, like they gassed, lit up, and murdered men, women, and children in their church home because they were gun-owning Christians.
"That is what the American people want the FBI to do," he said. "They don't want some type of attack happening on U.S. soil because the FBI didn't act on information."Evey mosque should have an American Patriotic spy in it.
Where else can the Islamic terrorists safely store their weapons and plan the destruction of the USA?
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