Muslim-American leaders call Patriot Act threat to democracy

Modesto Bee ^ | 12/21/02 | Laura Wides

[hoosierskypilot]

LONG BEACH, Calif.(AP) - The USA Patriot Act passed in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks constitutes the biggest threat to democracy in the United States, Muslim leaders and activists charged Saturday at a Muslim-American convention.

The denouncement came days after vocal protests were held over the detention of hundreds of Middle Eastern immigrants who voluntarily registered with the Immigration and Naturalization Service under new federal guidelines.

Speakers called on the American public to challenge the Patriot Act, which they called an unconstitutional law that violates basic civil liberties.

They also urged the roughly 1,500 people in attendance at the Muslim Public Affairs Council convention to demand the media provide diverse perspectives on the potential war with Iraq to complement the official government stand.

"The Patriot Act is the biggest attack on democracy in America right now," said council board chairman Omar Ricci during his opening remarks at the two-day annual conference at the Long Beach Convention Center.

[Texas Eagle]

Muslim-American???? What the hell?

[Lion Den Dan]

As much as I hate to agree with a bunch of Islamists, they may be right. The contract lays heavily upon white Americans and has many holes for our enemies.

[Tacis]

Didn't bother reading the article, but isn't it that Muslims are a threat to democracy? Here in the U.S., I don't see any Muslims being particularly vocal about the terrot or the terrorists. I understand that not all followers of a false prophet need be terrorists, but it seems that those who are not ought to be vocal about their opposition. It is one thing for Muslims in America to protest the application of anti-terrorist safeguards. It is, apparantly, a completely different issue for them to protest the terrorists and terrorism. Religiuos fanatics of any stripe are a threat to democracy!

[pacpam]

Why is it that when you break the law, a particular segment of society then attacks the law instead of chastizing the lawbreakers?

[joesnuffy]

They are just nervous that with the negative statements made by the Americans it actually is targeting it may be aimed in the right direction sooner or later...
-theirs

[Karsus]

What are you going to do when the libs get in control and ban Christian churches? Are you going to follow the law then?

[VOA]

Why is it that when you break the law, a particular segment of society then
attacks the law instead of chastizing the lawbreakers?

I suspect that in most of these cases being protested, it is because...
THEY HAD A GOOD DEAL GOING.

A huge band of these folks shut down evening rush-hour traffic here in Los Angeles
Wednesday night; I got off my bus and hiked the last two miles home thanks to these peckerwoods.

Generally, the protest did seem to have a lot of Iranians wailing that "we don't have
anything to do with Osama!". Thus, it may be a common situation that some folks
who got here from Iran and other Muslim countries...just...sort of...
forgot to go home.

Yeah, they lived in the underground economy, had problems ever leaving the USA
and returning, and feared a knock on the door.
At the same time, they probably have earned lots of money tax-free, not lost lots of
money to Soc. Security, and never been expected to join the military (of course,
the last issue is moot, given our volunteer military).

Well, now they are feeling the squeeze...and are being put under scrutiny...along with bad actors
who probably deserve life in prison or worse.

I don't know what I'd do with these folks. All the entangling issues of some
of them having forged honest, virtuous lives here, national security, immigration law,
and prevention of terrorism leaves my head spinning as to what to do to assure fairness to all.

At the same time, I'm glad we have "adults" on watch in Washington, D.C. and that
at least SOMETHING is being done to try to find the bad boys (and girls).

[Michael2001]

The USA Patriot Act passed in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks constitutes the biggest threat to democracy in the United States, Muslim leaders and activists charged Saturday at a Muslim-American convention.

Actually, Abdul, the biggest threat to our democracy is Islamic terrorism.

[Karsus]

No. The biggest threat to our democracy is ignoring our Constitution.

[VOA]

What are you going to do when the libs get in control and ban Christian churches?
Are you going to follow the law then?

Won't happen.
Too many libs know what a lot of Christians do after getting home from Sunday Morning
Services.
After we have noon meal, we target practice.
Besides, there may be some friends at our side, former members of a group that
used to be monolithically liberal Democrat(see: www.jpfo.org).

Besides, the Mormons showed what has to be done when the "authorities" are trying
to disarm you...you do NOT give up your guns. (The Mormons won a few
skirmishes with the United States Army, before something called The Civil War diverted
the attention of the US Military)

It's no mistake that one of the greatest designer of guns and rifle was a Mormon,
John Moses Browning.

[Karsus]

Just like the govement tracking damn near everything we do will never happen? (TIA)

Also, the poster I was responding to said in another thread the if the goverment passed a law removing the 2nd adm he would turn in his guns...

[Publius6961]

Any Muslim-Americans would do well to keep their mouths shut.
Islam is not exactly a culture endeared with freedoms.

By the way, I am an American. No hyphen allowed.

[Publius6961]

The biggest threat to our democracy is ignoring our Constitution.

Which one?
The pre-civil war one?
The pre-1930 one?

The "living" one?

When the original returns, I will be more prone to get exercised about it.

[Karsus]

If they are American's do the not get the protection of the 1st Amd. also?

[flamefront]

Put a islamofascist mullah in charge of govt. instead?

That ought to help democracy. NOT.