Silent No More : Confronting America's False Images of Islam

Silent No More : Confronting America's False Images of Islam, by Paul Findley

In his recently released book Silent No More: Confronting America’s False Images of Islam, Paul Findley, a 22-year veteran of Congress, chronicles his long, far-flung trail of discovery through the World Of Islam: the false stereotypes that linger in the minds of the American people, the corrective actions that the leaders of America’s seven million Muslims are undertaking, and the community’s remarkable progress in mainstream politics. It is an indispensable source for Muslims and for anyone who speaks, writes, or worries about human rights, interfaith harmony and global cooperation.

With precise citations, Findley, a Christian, debunks in his narration, the stereotypes of Islam. The author of four other books, two of them on the Arab-Israeli conflict, Findley draws on his decade-long experience as the senior Republican on the House of Representatives subcommittee on the Middle East, his personal knowledge of the region and its leaders, as well as his nationwide acquaintance with U.S. Muslims.He writes: “Most Americans have never read a verse from the Qur’an, nor met a person they knew to be Muslim. Their distorted images of Islam come from snippets of television news and headlines that falsely link Islam with terrorism and the degradation of women. They have no awareness of Islamic principles and beliefs—monotheism, peace, charity, compassion, interfaith tolerance, women’s rights—common principles that should bind Muslims, Christians, and Jews together.”

The book is published by Amana Publications and is available from the publisher or the main bookstores such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles and Borders.

The partisan arena: “After being quietly on the sidelines for years, [Muslims] are gaining prominence in government and demonstrating skill in politics. They are getting elected to public office, helping other candidates win, providing leadership in political party and government policy activities, and establishing a presence in the judicial branch of government.” [See page 221] Bloc voting success: In November 7, 2000 presidential voting, “Muslims were the main new political element in Florida, whose twenty-five electoral votes finally settled the outcome of one of the most protracted presidential contests in history…. Bush benefited substantially from Muslim bloc voting. Florida Muslims provided him with a net margin that exceeded 60,000 votes, sixty times his winning margin.” [See pages 268-269] “Muslim bloc voting brought about a major alteration of the American political landscape…. During the year, over seven hundred Muslims sought election as candidates…. One hundred and fifty-two were victorious….

In major political campaigns of the future, every serious contender for a major office will seek an interview with Muslim leaders. As Albert Gore lists errors in his presidential campaign, his failure to reschedule his cancelled date with [national Muslim] leaders may head the list.” [See pages 271-272]“The Muslims who are engaged in organizational and public policy activities have made impressive strides in interfaith understanding, but they constitute only a small fraction of Islam’s community in America.” [See page 218] Findley’s advice to Muslims: “They must defend their faith aggressively and publicly against misconceptions and misrepresentations, especially those expressed by professed Muslims. Muslims should identify themselves publicly with Islam and seek ways to present the truth about their faith to non-Muslims….

Muslims can display their religious affiliation modestly but effectively by wearing a lapel pin, necklace, or ring that displays the word Allah, star-and-crescent, or some other visible linkage with Islam. [As a result of this display] their own good behavior and worthy accomplishments will be identified with Islam.” ...

It never fails and is predictable as the dinnerbell - you aparatchiks are recognized by the same MO, "vilification by vile association," and here we go: "
.......“one may check through an internet search engine and find that Findley and his works are prominently featured on ......vicious white supremacist and antisemitic organisations, and holocaust deniers websites”. “These sites are operated by some of the most notorious hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan's ‘Stormfront’, the Zundelsite, and Bradley Smith's CODOH's site”.....

I gather when he lost his congerssional seat he blamed "the Jewish Lobby." LOL...

As a matter of fact he did - you must have read his other book: "They dare to speak out." My my !

BTW, just because you say so doesn't mean that Findley belongs to any or all of those organizions that you cite above. I don't even know whether they exist, and you have shown no evidence what he belongs to. Your ilk's agenda depends on smearing reputation by associating your enemies with disreputable names. No substance, no proof, just slander and name-calling, simply because you cannot refute facts. - This relegates you to the the bottom rung as primitive debater. BTW, Findley is not the only congress member who lost campaigns or positions because of AIPAC, the average AMERICAN knows this - and Findley cites several other names of AMERICAN victims of this foreign interest group, AIPAC in his earlier book. Also, perhaps you didn't know that Findley is an important and frequent contributor to the Washington Report on the Middle East Affairs, a very respectable magazine, published by the AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL TRUST. Here is one of his articles where several years ago he described the plight of a Palestinian landowner who suffers confiscation of his land ( just like the Kulags did under STalin in the USSR):

http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/081186/860811014.html

Here is Findley's background which - unlike your primitive slander - these data are substantiated, he is the founder of:

The Council for the National Interest, that dares to speak out as the only lobbying organization of its kind advocating grassroot support for a balanced US foreign policy in the Middle East, a short-term reduction in U.S. aid for Israel, and recognition of an independent Palestinian state alongside the Jewish-Arab state of Israel. CNI members promote negotiations that openly discuss a shared Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, water, and land. (Thereby you can see that his organization has set important standards under recent presidents.)

Mission of the CNI:

• To implement a U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East that is consistent with American values, protects our national interests, and contributes to a just solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

• To restore a political environment in America in which voters and their elected officials are free from undue influence and pressure of a foreign country, namely Israel.

Goals of the CNI:

• Total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territory ( the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and South Lebanon)

• A shared Jerusalem...the capital of two states...Israel and Palestine

• End of Israeli acts of aggression, provocation, and massive retaliation against its Arab neighbors

• American recognition of a totally independent state of Palestine

• A reduction and eventual elimination of U.S. aid to Israel

• A political atmosphere in which: (1) a fair and objective media covers the Middle East without fear of retaliation by advertisers and Israeli groups; (2) the American electorate is unafraid to debate the issues openly and frankly; and (3) our elected officials vote their conscience.

Three Bills the CNI tried to pass through Congress:

• Middle East Peace Facilitation Act

• Embassy for Palestine in Jerusalem Act

• Peace Act

As you can see that Findley's organization is mainstream American, and considering Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, better balanced information on the Middle East and open critic, among numerous processes, it can record a relatively successful track.

Here is the link to the Council for the National Interest, - and if you are on the AMERICAN side - I am almost sure they would let you join:-).

http://www.cnionline.org/

Speaking of the AMERICAN SIDE... LOL....

Americans on Palestinian terrorism

Frank Luntz

Imagine for a minute that a popular restaurant in Manhattan's Times Square was blown to bits by a terrorist's bomb. Would the American public demand from the Bush administration an immediate and aggressive effort to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future? Or would Americans prefer a wringing of hands so as not to perpetuate a "cycle of violence" or "inflame" an already volatile and dangerous enemy?

The answer is obvious.

So it is no surprise that Americans overwhelmingly support Israel's efforts to combat terrorism against its own citizens. A bipartisan poll recently released by the American Middle East Information Network (AMEIN) that Luntz Research helped conduct reveals an American public loudly, clearly and overwhelmingly in favor of Israel's use of force to protect its people.

The questionnaire language left nothing to the imagination – and the results are truly striking. A convincing 73 percent of Americans believe that Israel is "justified" in "attempting to kill" a terrorist when "Israel has proof that a terrorist is planning a suicide bomb or other act of terrorism that is likely to result in the death of Israelis." Neither the wording nor the results are in question. The vast majority of Americans share Israel's view that terrorism must be dealt with swiftly and surely if it is to be dealt with effectively.

Similarly, despite the best efforts of the increasingly effective Palestinian spin machine, 55 percent of Americans describe the actions of the Palestinians as either "terrorism" or "warfare," while just 21 percent describe the Palestinians' actions as either "self-defense" or "resistance." The poll clearly shows that Americans, like Israelis, perceive the Palestinian attackers as soldiers waging war against civilians – and civilians have a right to use preventive lethal force to defend themselves.

Follow link for more of this article from the Washington Times.

Mr. Findley sounds like a bitter man. That happens to some people when their constituents kick their butts out of office. Oh well.

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