SwiftVets.com

[NYCnative]

I found this in a local newspaper. I've heard this before and I'm wondering if any of you have heard this.

Religion News Service
By Jonah D. King

Washington-A new poll by a proinent civil rights group suggests that support for President Bush among Muslim voters has eroded so swiftly that Muslim voters for Sen. John Kerry could swing the presidential election in key battleground states.

Of the nearly 1,300 Muslim voters surveyed in June by the Council for American -Islamic Relations (CAIR), 55 % said they had voted for Bush in 2000, but only 3 % of those same voters would vote to re-elect him.

A full 54% of those surveyed said they would vote for Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, and 26% said they would vote for independent Ralph Nader. The drop in Muslim support for the president is dramatic - exit polls in the 2000 election indicated that Bush carried between 70% and 80% of the Muslims vote.

Muslim activists say their community may carry enough weight in key states like Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania to swing the vote for Kerry. CAIR has launched voter registration drives in California, Florida, Ohioand Texas, hoping to have 1.5 million Muslims registered to vote in Nov.

Eugene Bird, president of the Council for the National Interest, a Middle east watchdog group, said Bush won Florida - a state that was decided by 537 votes - with 64,000 more Muslim votes than Democrat Al Gore.

Nihad Awad, CAIR's executive director, said the nation's 5 million to 7 million Muslims have mainstream views on domestic issues, but have been turned away by the Bush administration's war on terrorism.

"What makes them different than most of the voters in this society is because they have been the prime target of certain practices of the government, they feel that their civil liberties have been sacrificed, " Awad said. "And on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan they feel they can't contribute to the decision-making process."

Nader, whose heritage is Lebanese Christian, participated in a panel discussion to release the poll and please many in attendance when he condemned the "messianic millitarism" of the Bush administration.

He also decried the "Washington puppet show," where Israeli leaders visit the president and congressional leaders and leave with billions. etc..etc..
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This goes on and on.

Are these the same guys how came to this country to abuse our system and use it against us? Who is this CAIR? Sounds like the same people who condemn America and feel we deserved 9-11. I'm sure.. This is a very dangerous article printed in our local newspaper.

I know some Muslims are not happy with the "profiling", but what do they expect? If they are not doing anything wrong, there normally is no problem. I can't believe the Iraqi - Americans feel the same way. I have heard American - Muslims say they would think there was something wrong if they weren't checked.

Am I just getting nervous or should we worry about this?
_________________
"From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." -Inscription on the Liberty Bell

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Research beats worrying.

Check out CAIR. Then check out anti-CAIR.

Also Jihadwatch, muslim-refusenik and any number of other sites which are oriented toward telling the truth about Islam.

If this doesn't wake people up, nothing will:
http://www.prophetofdoom.net/

A war has been declared upon us. And we don't understand the mind of the enemy. And we don't understand the importance of the war they've declared upon us.

Yet.

But, little by little, people are waking up, now.

Islam is NOT a religion of peace as practiced by the literalists. And the literalists number many more than the "tiny percentage" that most people think it is.

Behind closed doors, there are no "moderate" Muslims:
BushCountry.org
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[NYCnative]

[Scott]

Here's some more interesting info on CAIR from Michelle Malkin:

www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20040505.shtml

[NYCnative]

[ASPB]

If you're interested in learning more about CAIR, whose officers support Islamic terrorism go to:

http://www.anti-cair-net.org/
_________________
On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB

[NYCnative]

I sent a letter to this gentleman.. His book looks interesting. Thanks for all your help.. I'll write to anti-CAIR next!!!!

Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Adrian College in Michigan. He is on the board of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, Center for Balanced Development and the Association of Muslim Social Scientists.

He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations, Political Philosophy, and Islamic Political Thought, from Georgetown University in May 2000.


IJTIHAD
A Return to Enlightenment
Muqtedar Khan's Column on Islamic Affairs
September 7, 2003
Putting the American in 'American Muslim'
By MUQTEDAR KHAN

ASHINGTON — Muslims in America. American Muslims. The difference between these two labels may seem a matter of semantics, but making the transition from the first to the second represents a profound, if somewhat silent, revolution that many of us in the Muslim community have been undergoing in the two years since Sept. 11.

On its face, this shift would seem to threaten the very core of Muslim identity and empowerment. After all, in the decade before the events of Sept. 11, Islam was one of the fastest-growing religions in North America. Mosques and Islamic schools were going up in every major city. Groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Muslim Alliance established chapters in nearly every area with a Muslim population.

Muslim leaders, once a frustrated and marginal group, found themselves being courted by politicians, the news media and foreign governments seeking their support and influence. Indeed, many Muslims believe it was their votes that made the difference in Florida, making them primarily responsible for placing President Bush in the White House.

At the time, the word that best summed up the Muslim sense of self was "fateh" — a conqueror. Many religious and community leaders were convinced that Islam would not only manifest itself in its truest form in this country, but would also make America — already a great power — into a great society. Some even proclaimed that one day America would be an Islamic state.

On Sept. 11, of course, that dream evaporated. Today, the civil rights environment has declined drastically with the passage of the USA Patriot Act and other antiterrorism measures. Both sources of Islam's growth — immigration and conversion — are now in jeopardy, and we continue to face hostility and prejudice in many corners of society. There is no more talk of making America an Islamic state. Any reminder of this pre-9/11 vision generates sheepish giggles and snorts from Muslim audiences.

Yet adjusting to the new political and social realities of life in the United States these past two years has also had unexpected and positive effects for many Muslims. We have been compelled to transform ourselves to connect more intimately with American mainstream society.

Today, many Muslims realize that it is not their Islamic identity but their American citizenship that is fragile. Before Sept. 11, Muslims in America focused primarily on changing United States policy toward Palestine, Kashmir and Iraq. Since Sept. 11, the attempt to reconstitute our identity as American Muslims is making domestic relations — and civil rights and interfaith relations — more important.

Much of this is playing out at the local level. In Miami, for example, efforts are underway by a group of progressive Muslims to endow chairs in Islamic studies at American universities. In the Muslim community in Duluth, Minn., fund-raising has begun to support social services, including housing and health care initiatives for the poor. In Indianapolis, Muslim residents are opening soup kitchens. And think of the familiar advertising campaign by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in which Muslims announce, "We are American and we are Muslims." It is not without design that "American" is stated first.

Even more vital, many Muslims in this country have come to acutely understand the vulnerabilities of minorities and the importance of democracy and civil rights. Because we took our American citizenship for granted, we did not acknowledge its value and virtues. But now that it is imperiled, the overwhelming desire of many Muslims is that America remain true to its democratic and secular values.

This summer I addressed the National Imams' Conference in Washington and spent a week in the Sierras with 400 American Muslims. I had extended conversations with participants. Both leaders and ordinary Muslims seem to be possessed with a strong desire for change and self-transformation. These were some of the frequent sentiments that I heard:

"America is our home, we will not become foreigners in our own homeland." "Islam is about invitation and peace, not conflict." "We have to take back Islam and also win back the hearts and minds of Americans."

It is unfortunate that American Muslim identity is being reconstructed under duress. But it can still be a meaningful and transcendent experience. The aftermath of Sept. 11 may have shattered some dreams, but it has also forced us to reconnect with reality and empower ourselves.

There is still much progress to be made. We need to continue to demonstrate that Muslims in this country constitute an ethical and philanthropic community that cares about humanitarian causes, about America and Americans and stands for justice and rights as embodied in the Constitution. Just like other ethnic groups before us, we have to pay our dues to this nation before we demand that they change themselves and the world for us.

But Americans, too, must play a role. They cannot allow events overseas to foster anti-Muslim sentiments and Islamophobia at home. They must recognize the insecurities and fears of their Muslim neighbors and extend a hand of friendship and support. The choices we face are tough, but Muslims must realize that the interests of our sons and daughters, who are American, must come before the interests of our brothers and sisters, whether they are Palestinian, Kashmiri or Iraqi. Only then will Muslims in America become American Muslims.

Muqtedar Khan, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, is author of ``American Muslims: Bridging Faith and Freedom.''
_________________
"From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." -Inscription on the Liberty Bell

[fortdixlover]

[nakona]

There is a major struggle in Islam today, with one faction wanting to live in the 21st century and the other in the 12th.
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13F20P

[ASPB]

[NYCnative]

[NYCnative]

Got this response from the Anti-CAIR guy..
As follows:

> [Original Message]
> From: AJWhitehead <ajwhitehead@anti-cair-net.org>
> Date: 7/15/04 8:54:32 PM
> Subject: RE: local paper quoting CAIR as Muslim point of view.help
>
> Hi (my name):
>
> I wouldn't take the word of CAIR on any subject. CAIR is agenda driven
> and their agenda does not include representing mainstream Islam in the US.
>
> Consider:
>
> 1. Who took the poll? (CAIR) Why didn't they have a professional
> poll-taking organization do the poll?
>
> 2. Who was the sample?
>
> 3. How were the samples chosen? (If you take a poll in prisons, I'm sure
> you'll find people who don't like the police, right? If you poll Islamics,
> I'm sure you'll find people who don't like Bush?)
>
> In short, I am suspect of any poll CAIR does, whether it supports the
> president or not.
>
> Andrew Whitehead
> ACAIR
>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now I'm emailing him back..

Thank you for responding. I know this is not the Muslim community speaking. My problem is my local newspapers are taking their word on what "Muslims" think. This lame reporting doesn't do the Muslim community any justice. I was quite offended by their running it. Do you or does any other agencies take it upon themselves to debunk the rhetoric that they get printed in our news media? I'm really think this is junk reporting and the NYC area should be hearing from the side of the community that you represent. Keep up the good work. Thanks again for your response.

My name...
_________________
"From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." -Inscription on the Liberty Bell

[hist/student]

retracted

[NYCnative]

[NYCnative]

Forget about petitioning. Nice guy, but he isn't in the postion to speak to the general media the way I would like.. Last correspondence with him.

From:
Andy W.
ACAIR

Dear (me)

You can vote with your TV remote and your choice of newspapers on the
rack. This is the only language the media understands. The majority
Islamic community, I believe, is either supportive of, or ignorant of,
CAIR's activities. I can't think of any other scenario as I don't see a lot
of protesting against CAIR by the Islamic community.

I can't speak for New York, I live in Virginia. However, I am saddened by
the overall lack of concern for the events of 9-11, not only in New York,
but nationwide.

Andy W.
ACAIR

My last letter back:

We live in tough times... Good luck in life, and many thanks for your time. It's been nice talking with you.
_________________
"From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." -Inscription on the Liberty Bell