🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <9CIk3.47212$AU3.1026383@news2.giganews.com>, usenet@admin.u.nu says...
> Elric of Imrryr <Elric_of_Imrryr@email.com> wrote:
> >>> Consider how at appointment of an arab american to anti-terrorist panel
> >>> was sunkl because of protests by a RELIGION group.
> >> 
> >> Tell me more. When and where? 
> > 
> > Do you live under a rock? 
> 
> Next best thing; I live in DC which has no newspaper to speak of, so it's
> not worth subscribing and I don't get much news.
> 
> > It was big news a few weeks ago. Jewish groups got the guys appointment
> > nuked, and arab americans are screaming about how they are akways treated
> > liked second class citizens.
> 
> Any idea what his name was? I'd like to read about it but I need something
> to search for. Thanks.
> 
> miguel
> 
Gephardt Withdraws Muslim Nominee

By BARRY SCHWEID AP Diplomatic Writer 

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt has withdrawn his appointment of a 
Muslim leader to a congressional panel assigned to review U.S. policy on terrorism. Jewish 
groups and
several members of Congress said the nominee had justified acts of terror against Israel and the 
United States.

In a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., Gephardt said Salam Al-Marayati, director 
of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles, had been recommended to him as having 
extensive public
service experience and being involved in interfaith dialogue.

The Missouri Democrat said, however, the appointment was subsequently questioned and since a 
security check could take a year, twice as long as the life of the commission, he was 
withdrawing the
nomination.

``Despite these circumstances, Mr. Al-Marayati is prepared to provide input to the commission on 
matters of interest and concern to the American Muslim community,'' Gephardt said in the letter, 
obtained
by The Associated Press.

Gephardt told Hastert he hoped the panel would ``listen to the voices of this community and 
address the issues of civil rights for all Americans consistent with a strong U.S. anti-
terrorism policy.''

Seven House members wrote FBI Director Louis Freeh they had received information of statements 
by Al-Marayati justifying terrorism against Israel and the United States.

``These assertions cause us great concern as it is essential that all members of the commission 
be unequivocally committed to the prevention and prosecution of terrorism directed at the United 
States or our
ally Israel,'' they said.

The appointment had been challenged by the Zionist Organization of America, the American Jewish 
Congress, the Anti-Defamation League and by the American Jewish Committee.

David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said Al-Marayati for a 
number of years had justified and minimized acts of terrorism against Israel and against the 
United States.

Morton A, Klein, national director of the Zionist Organization of America, said in a statement 
that ``these anti-Israel and pro-terrorist individuals and groups should be condemned and 
relegated to the margins
of society, not granted credibility by being given government appointments and meetings at the 
White House.''

The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced Gephardt's decision and said he had bowed to 
political pressure.

``This reversal by Representative Gephardt will only serve to institutionalize discrimination 
against American Muslims and their leaders,'' the council said in a statement. ``Muslims have 
been widely
stereotyped using the issue of terrorism and it is therefore essential that a credible Muslim 
voice be heard.''

The Muslim Public Affairs Council called on Hastert and Gephardt to reinstate their director 
``and allow the country to hear a Muslim voice'' on the commission.

It accused the ``pro-Israel lobby'' of manipulating discussion of an important issue, and said 
the Jewish groups that oppsoed Al-Marayati were ``extreme Zionist organizations'' trying to 
establish a pro-Israel
litmus test for any Muslim considered for national service.

Al-Marayati told The New York Times he would not withdraw. ``I think that if there is a 
political will, there is a way to expedite these security clearances and get down to the 
business of the country,'' he was
quoted as saying.