Some Arab Groups Criticize Ashcroft's Offer of Citizenship for Information as Akin to Bribery

Associated Press ^ | AP-ES-11-30-01 1002EST | By Michael Dabney

[Black Agnes]

What do they think of the offer of 72 virgins for suicidal martyrdom killing Christians/Americans? Nah, that's not bribery, that's....that's...that's....er...Hmmm, sounds like bribery!

[lavaroise]

We just can't do anything right with those people until we all convert to their unrepenting faith from hell. I say burn them at the stake.

[Miss Marple]

You took the words right out of my mouth! Not to mention that the culture of many of these countries has a long tradition of bakshish (bribery to officials) and what about the Afghans who switch sides based on money?

And as a matter of fact, I do not care if it IS bribery. President Bush said we would use every method at our disposal, and this is one method that might work. If it hurts their feelings, well, too bad.

AND, if they were so honorable, it wouldn't work, would it?

[cake_crumb]

"What do they think of the offer of 72 virgins for suicidal martyrdom killing Christians/Americans? Nah, that's not bribery, that's....that's...that's....er...Hmmm, sounds like bribery!"

ROFLOL...that deserves a BUMP

Seriously, though, there is nothing that John Ashcroft can ever say or do to change the minds of his detractors, American citizans and Arabs alike.

This'll earn me a flame from the tinfoil hat crowd, but I don't care. I really like Ashcroft. He's doing an excellent job.

[wheezer]

Seriously, though, there is nothing that John Ashcroft can ever say or do to change the minds of his detractors,

As one of his most consistent detractors...I must say I agree with that statement 110%. ;o)

[cake_crumb]

"As one of his most consistent detractors...I must say I agree with that statement 110%. ;o)"

<G> See what I mean?

[chachacha]

"It's what I would think some authoritarian government in the Middle East would do," he said" Maybe he should consider moving back to his homeland and leave this horrible country. Folks, I really don't understand what's so hard about understanding this simple fact. If you want to live in this country be part of it's solutions. Stop protecting the corrupt elements in your Society and stand for those that truly want to be American. Hell, I'm an Irish Greek and I'll stand or go to war against any one of those country's if they had terrorized this country. "Love it or Leave it" I for one won't miss you!

[truther]

My thought exactly.
Bribery or reward, does it really matter in the time when we have to deal with life or death situation? Police are doing it all the time and rely on it in fighting criminals. Any complaints about it?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

And I bet Ashcroft is the very first law enforcement/prosecutorial agent who has used this type of deal to get information........NOT!

Can it be any more obvious the is Pile-on Ashcroft Month?

[Hail Caesar]

American Citizenship is a privilege and, in some cases, a right. However, most important of all, American Citizenship is an HONOR. If humble immigrants wish to avail themselves of this honor, even after taking advantage of this type of incentive to do the right thing, then, more power to them. A win-win situation for our great country.

I fully support both the manner and intent of AG Ashcroft's position on this issue. God Bless America.

[hellinahandcart]

"It's bribery and it's disgusting," said Marwan Kreidie, executive director of the Philadelphia Arab-American Community Development Corp.

Sounds like Marwan is a little upset over the possibility that someone just might violate the Arab-American Community Omerta.

But Kreidie and others said taking advantage of people's desire to become U.S. citizens would only lead to more work for investigators. "People may make up stuff just to get in," Kreidie said.

Ah, when all else fails, the old "it's too much work, so it'll never work" gambit. Followed by "our people lie like dogs after dinner, you can't trust a word any of them say" (whose side is this guy on?). HELLO?? Mashwan, honey. Ashcroft said it had to be GOOD information, or they don't get bupkis.

[hellinahandcart]

(How did I get "Mashwan" out of Marwan? Oops.)

[Nineteen_Kilo]

"It's bribery and it's disgusting," said Marwan Kreidie, executive director of the Philadelphia Arab-American Community Development Corp.

"It's what I would think some authoritarian government in the Middle East would do," he said

Yeah, right. Exactly how many immigrants does Iraq have to turn back every year? How many people, longing for a better way of life, have braved the sands of the Sahara to make their way to Libya? How many boat people, desperate for life in a better society, have risked their lives to sail the Indian ocean to Saudi Arabia? Show me the Turks clamoring to make the perilous border crossing into Syria.

As Marwan himself notes, the Middle East is rife with totalitarianism, a form of government that most people loathe. Marwan Kreddie, for example, prefers to enjoy the blessings of liberty in Philadelphia. It is unseemly for him to suggest that we not extend those same blessings to people who assist America in her time of need.

[Jim Noble]

>>"It's what I would think some authoritarian government in the Middle East would do," he said<<

US citizenship is a big prize.

Nobody would cross the street to become a citizen of Syria.

[Timm]

Oh, Chr**t. Straight to the birdcage with this.

Suppose Ashcroft received information from non-citizens, and then wouldn't expedite their citizenship process. What do you think the article would say, then? That Ashcroft had taken a courageous and principled stand, by refusing to insult Arabs by trading citizenship assistance for criminal information?

Let Aschroft refuse to make the offer and then we'd have this reporter whining to high heaven about Ashcroft's "racism"-- Ashcroft is willing to help Colombians trading drug information to get citizenship, isn't he? Won't the government pay elaborate sums to convicted American killers in exchange for witness testimony? Blah blah blah.

Are these reporters for real?

[pttttt]

If the Arab groups don't like it, Ashcroft must be doing something right. Maybe they're afraid enough people will break the omerta to show up the other terrorist-tolerating vermin for the enemies they are. Maybe it's also time to revive the old Senate Internal Security Committee and HUAC. There's been lots of un-American stuff going on.

[ikanakattara]

I thought they wrote the book on baksheesh.

[Calpublican]

These Arab groups are sensitive to everything.

IMO they're just too darn sensitive to be Americans.

We're an open society and they can't even handle certain words like "infinite" and "cooperation" (cooperation being their latest gripe with respect to Ashcroft's offer).

Note to our government: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop letting these people into our country.

[TADSLOS]

Take it or leave (without) it.