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.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"You know this new person maybe Grover..."

So, it's not just Bush, Ashcroft, and God?

You think The Muppets are FReepin' just to talk to you too?

Is there no end to this?

[TLBSHOW]

The Bush administration has been careful to separate the terrorists from Muslims generally. The problem is he has done so in the company of some Muslim leaders who do not preach or practice what the president says they do.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/851079/posts

[Mo1]

FOFL!!!

[Texasforever]

Bears repeating.

I am still trying to figure out the nefarious motive of taking this key operative and Bush confidant out of circulation by arresting him. I guess GW is a moron after all.

[Mo1]

OK .. I'm starting to get confused .. which "Bush Knew" thread is this one .. they all seem alike

[Texasforever]

I'm starting to get confused .. which "Bush Knew" thread is this one .. they all seem alike

As far as I can tell this is the one that is claiming that Bush just had his favorite terrorist arrested and that it is proof that he is in cahoots with him. Makes a lot of sense to me, how about you?

[justshe]

That's because they ARE all alike.

Oh...and I heard Gaffney being interviewed about this issue by John Gibson on Fox News today. But guess what.....not ONE word about that nefarious 'insider' Norquist. Not ONE word. LOL

Gibson asked Gaffney what the big deal was....since administrationS...administrationS (I had to repeat that) have been dealing for decades with the Saudis and they are of the Wahabi(sp?) sect....the division which Gaffney is most up in arms about.

I can't help but think this is about somebody getting their nose out of joint and deciding that instead of dealing with a concern privately thru channels, they could go public and REALLY make a stink (and be invited on talks shows and get columns written about them, etc.---OH....and garner some publicity for their Center at the same time).

[justshe]

Actually......I think I see an 'end' in sight. :-)

You have FRmail.

[justshe]

So this ISN'T the one about how the White House is harboring terrorists?

[Mo1]

Yep I saw the interview .. and I wasn't really impressed

[Mo1]

Makes a lot of sense to me, how about you?

oh surrrrrrrrrrrre ...

[Texasforever]

So this ISN'T the one about how the White House is harboring terrorists?

Sure it is. Hell don't you get it? Stay with me here. We have a terrorist "advisor" to the prez telling him to blow the hell out of "innocent" Muslims in Afghanistan and to round up all US based Muslims, including himself, and put them on trial. It is a bit complicated and I haven't figured out the Bildiburger, CFR, Tri-lat connection yet but it will come out in a day or so and then we all will know. The next step will be an in-depth analysis of how Bush pissing off the UN, France, Germany and every retread hippie in the world is just another step in the UN take-over of our vital fluids.

[Nogbad]

Ping

[Frankie Fiveangels]

Yeah - but you're a lefty so why should me care?

[aristeides]

Just what makes you think I'm a leftist?