[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[ppaul]

They're right.
They should instead be offered a noose.

[wjcsux]

If this guy doesn't like this, he ought to get his sorry ass on his camel, and go back to where he came from! These arrogant ragheads are really starting to piss me off! If they don't like our "opressive" country, they can leave and take a RAT under each arm with them!

[LibertyGirl77]

Why are they using a bunch of 20 year old muslim/commie students from Ann Arbor to give serious commentary on anything the FBI decides on? The title "Some Arab Groups..." implies more widespread disapproval, but if you really read the story, it just sounds like some chick and her friend started a Muslim Club at their college and wrote a press release.

[Let's Roll]

Bribery? Ya' think? DUH! What a maroon!

[Dante3]

I find this particular offer by Ashcroft utterly offensive. American citizenship should not be for sale or offered as some lottery prize. If those people are harboring terrorists and only give information for personal gain, they don't deserve US citizenship.

Among other abuses, this also lends for hardened terrorists to give up some minor terrorists to gain citizenship.