Hiding in Plain Sight (Al Arian at the White House)

Newsweek ^ | March 3rd, 2003 | Michael Isikoff

[Sabertooth]

For George W. Bush, it was just another campaign stop. But for Sami Al-Arian, a University of South Florida engineering professor, it was a golden opportunity. When Bush appeared at Tampa’s Strawberry Festival in March 2000, Al-Arian sidled up to the candidate and had his picture taken.

< -snip- >

Al-Arian’s politics took on a decidedly darker cast last week when federal agents arrested him at his home in south Florida and charged him with being a top leader of one of the world’s most violent terrorist organizations: Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

< -snip- >

Al-Arian certainly didn’t act like a sponsor of suicide bombings. Far from keeping to the shadows, he repeatedly lobbied Congress on civil-liberties issues, made thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to influential members of Congress and renounced violence during appearances on TV talk shows. In June 2001 Al-Arian was invited to a White House briefing for 150 Muslim American activists, at which political director Karl Rove talked about the Bush administration’s "outreach" efforts. A law-enforcement official told NEWSWEEK the Secret Service had flagged Al-Arian as a potential terrorist prior to the event. But White House aides, apparently reluctant to create an incident, let him through anyway. Such access had its advantages. "He always told me the charges were garbage," said Khaled Saffuri, chairman of the Islamic Institute. "When you hear he’s going to the White House, you figure what he’s saying must be true." In fact, federal prosecutors charged last week, Al-Arian carried out his secret terrorist agenda "under the guise of promoting and protecting Arab rights"—making his public profile a critical part of his MO. "It was the perfect cover," said Steven Emerson, a terrorism analyst who has followed Al-Arian for years.

[woofie]

The left is having a field day with this already and unless we stick a pin in it it isn't going to pop.

If you think this is important and DU thinks it means something then Im pretty sure it is no big deal...

[TLBSHOW]

Who invited and cleared Al-Arian and other suspected terrorist supporters into the White House?
From what I understand he was first cleared back when Clinton was in office ..
......

That is a whole story that needs to be told and has on many threads last night and this past week. Good post Mo1.
The problem is Clinton did not clear him for the picture with the President or the White House visit. Do you know who did? Did you know that Sami is the one that released the picture thru Ap and is given credit for it by AP when it is now published? Don't you find that rather strange like he planned to use it if arrested? Lots and lots of questions huh?

[Fred Mertz]

If it can be proven that Norquist is on the Wahabbi's payroll...

They provided start up money for his escapade. If you read enough, you'll find it.

[Sabertooth]

When you and I used to debate immigration matters, I would post information from the INS website, your first (and usual) reaction was to attack the source.

With contray figures, sources, links, and explanations as to why. Details like that.

[Sabertooth]

If it can be proven that Norquist is on the Wahabbi's payroll, he should be tried for treason, and I believe it would fall right in line with the Constitutional definition of the charge.

Spot on.

I don't know what to make of Norquist. I don't claim to know his motivations for being so badly in the wrong. Might be treason, might be naivete. Not sure it matters much, in the short term. He must be cut off.

[TLBSHOW]

If you think this is no big deal then that is your opinion.

If I was you I wouldn't bet on it. Do you really think Frank is going to drop it? When he has warned the President for almost 2 years now in Private and now public?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Bull kitty litter.

You attacked Ziglar, and the INS in general.

[Mo1]

Do you really think Frank is going to drop it? When he has warned the President for almost 2 years now in Private and now public?

And if there was any kind of an investigation .. Do you really thing the President would tell Frank?

[Fred Mertz]

Stay on topic big boy.

[Mo1]

I think we've already covered that area at length ..

[bonfire]

Love your tag line!!! And I AGREE!

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hey Fred, go nanny some other thread.

Or are you here standing in for Jael?

Toothy will get really pissed if you manage to get this one pulled as well.

[Fred Mertz]

And your point is?

[Luis Gonzalez]

BTW, are you actually going to add something of any substance to thread, or are you still in charge of the Pom-Poms and the bullhorn?

[TLBSHOW]

Do you really thing the President would tell Frank?


Frank from Ronald Reagans team? And who was Vice President with Ronald Reagan again?

I will be willing to bet you if you are correct that there has been an investigation of Grover over the past 2 years then like the arrest of Sami that happened this week the facts of such an investigation will come out within the next week.

[justshe]

The problem is Clinton did not clear him for the picture with the President or the White House visit.

Where does CLINTON come into clearing a picture of Bush?

Also, see here"

For George W. Bush, it was just another campaign stop. But for Sami Al-Arian, a University of South Florida engineering professor, it was a golden opportunity. When Bush appeared at Tampa’s Strawberry Festival in March 2000, Al-Arian sidled up to the candidate and had his picture taken. Notice this is from Newsweek.

Now notice this from yesterday's Boston Globe:

"Asked about the photo, White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said yesterday that Bush met Arian and his family at a strawberry festival in Florida. ''Then-Governor Bush just walked around greeting people,'' Buchan said. Arian did not contribute money or volunteer work to the Bush campaign, she said.

"Her account differed from Newsweek's in its July 16, 2001, issue:"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/849376/posts

It sounds to me like her account is EXACTLY as Newsweek even now is reporting. So then candidate Bush recognized David Bonior's aide, as the Boston Globe reports he greeted the son and tries to imply a closer relationship then there obviously ever was. Pathetic.

51 posted on 02/23/2003 1:33 PM PST by cyncooper

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/849957/posts?page=51#51

[Fred Mertz]

You've added nothing, in case you haven't noticed. But thanks for the bump.

[TLBSHOW]

Thanks which is why I have brought up the fact Sami has given the picture to AP and Ap is crediting him with it.

Again who cleared Sami for the White House visit after the picture episode?