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.

[Sabertooth]

Bull kitty litter.

I'm drinking Glenmorangie, a 10 year old single malt. You?

[Sabertooth]

This visit happened long before 9/11, as did the photo op. It was a whole different world then.

The American Muslim Council was at the White House last month.
Check the first two pages of this thread. The links are there, and the problem remains.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Of course I've added something to this thread.

I have once again outted you, and exposed you for the silly old woman that you are.

[justshe]

Are you ever going to answer my question here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/849957/posts?page=229#229

[chnsmok]

I don't drink anything I can't pronounce :-)

[Mo1]

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

What the heck does that mean ... Who cares if Frank worked for Reagan .. It doesn't mean Bush43 would tell him squat .. to be honest I really doubt Bush 43 or 41 would tell Frank about any possible on going investigation .. if there is one

And if there is one, it's a matter of time before it is released from the DOJ

In the mean time .. you have not offered and hard evidence .. just accusations

[Sabertooth]

Then enlighten, your analogy has evidently escaped me.

[TLBSHOW]

That is funny when I talk with Fred he sounds like a very smart man.

[Sabertooth]

I don't drink anything I can't pronounce :-)

I could say it when I started. Or last night , or something.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Fred just cringed.

[TLBSHOW]

As I said if you are correct and there is an investigation it will come out this next week. If there isn't one then Frank is not going to stop until he gets to the bottom of it. Which means as I said last week the stories will just keep coming.

[TLBSHOW]

I doubt it.

[Mo1]

here is a question .. what if there is an investigation and Grover is cleared .. will Frank back off

Something tells me the answer would be no

[Sabertooth]

I know that this concept may run a bit against the grain in here, but until such a time as some sort of charges are brought up against the American Muslim Council, they have every right to visit the White House, and request an audience with the President. To date, and this may actually change soon, speaking out in support of an unpopular cause isn't a crime in America.

Who's suggesting it was a crime? The issue here, is the wisdom of dealing with terrorist sympathizers in the White House.

[TLBSHOW]

Islamic Institute Chairman Khaled Saffuri claims to be shocked at the arrest of Al-Arian, telling Newsweek, "If these charges are true, then he’s betrayed me—and a whole lot of others in the Muslim community." Nevertheless, Norquist has continued to rail against critics of Islamist terrorist fronts, calling them "bigots and racists."

Is another shoe about to drop? According to the federal grand jury indictment, Al-Arian and his confederates tried to penetrate the mainstream political system to influence U.S. government counterterrorism policy. The Wall Street Journal states, "the indictment alludes to efforts by the defendants to gain political clout, alleging that they sought 'to obtain support from influential individuals in the United States under the guise of promoting and protecting Arab rights."

Again, the question must be answered: Who invited and cleared Al-Arian and other suspected terrorist supporters into the White House?


http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/index.jsp?section=today

[chnsmok]

Damage done. Most here just do not want it to happen again. Get out in front of this before it really blows up. Blame game doesn't help. Remember the "Bush knew" mantra. There will be more crap like 911 happening. I do not want to say that the Dems would like that, but garbage stories like this will play right into the their hands.

[justshe]

Again, the question must be answered: Who invited and cleared Al-Arian and other suspected terrorist supporters into the White House?

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I know.......but I'M not going to tell you. Two can play this game of dodge ball. Answers are NOT given to those who refuse to answer, grasshopper.

[TLBSHOW]

Frank is asking the question send him a email and let him know. Can you tell me because my guess is its

Norquist's Islamic Institute