To all those like State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and former GOP Chair Shawn Steel who continually assert that all Muslims support terrorism and that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) supports terrorists and terrorism, I present to you the CAIR response to the latest video from boogeyman Osama Bin Laden.
WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/11/07) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned a new video by Osama bin Laden in which the terror leader eulogizes a 9/11 hijacker.
SEE: Bin Laden Praises 9/11 Hijacker in Anniversary Video (Bloomberg)
In a statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:
“The despicable actions of the 9/11 hijackers should be repudiated by all Muslims, not praised as examples to follow. There can be no moral, ethical or religious justification for such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians. CAIR joins with Americans of all faiths in mourning the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and asks that we all use today’s anniversary to enhance our efforts to repudiate religious extremism and to promote mutual understanding. “
CAIR issued a joint American Muslim statement of condemnation within hours of the 9/11 attacks and published a similar statement in a full-page advertisement in the Washington Post just days later.
SEE: CAIR Full Page Advertisement, Sunday, September 16, 2001, Washington Post
SEE ALSO: U.S. Muslims Repudiate Rhetoric, Worldview of Al-Qaeda (CAIR)To read about CAIR’s other anti-terror initiatives, go to:
http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspxCAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices, chapters and affiliates nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Chris — it doesn’t matter what they say. Chuck never changes his mind. Neither will Steel.
I have never said “all Muslims support terrorism” much less “continually assert(ed)” it. If you’re going to slam me, do so with the facts.
As you may recall, I studied Arabic for two years and studied abroad at American University in Cairo Egypt learning about Islamic political thought.
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
http://www.ChuckDeVore.com
Well Chuck, here is an exchange between you and Claudio Gallegos on May 27, 2007 in response to a post “I decided to murder an Arab” :
It all comes down to this Chris, people like Shawn Steele, Chuck DeVore and conservatives like them HATE Muslims in general. They believe Islam should be subservient to Christianity. In essence, they are Christian supremacists seeking a Muslim/Christian world war.
DeVore wants war with Islam. Steele wants war with Islam. Most conservative Republicans want war with Islam, they want to either kill or convert them all. They are as bad in their own way as Al Queda is in their’s. Fanatics in Islam and Christianity are fueling this war and they will discredit anyone trying to shine light on the truth.
Claudio W. Gallegos
Faithful Believer in Jesus Christ
Not a fanatic
Claudio, respectfully, you don’t know what you are talking about.
Have you lived in an Arab country? I have. Have you studied Arabic? I have. Have you studied Islamic political thought? I have. Have you traveled to Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel?
Today on the plane ride back from Sacramento, I read a monologue on fatwas and their use by Islamic extremists to justify killing. One interesting point, Islamists often call Jews and Christians monkeys or dogs – this is a precursor to killing them as the Koran teaches that the rules for killing non-humans are more lenient than the rules for killing humans. Some of the MSU UCI speakers have called Jews monkeys and dogs. Interesting bit of hate speech, isn’t it.
I have a suggestion Claudio, read up on Islamists then engage me on the topic. I would enjoy it and the readers of these pages might learn something in the process.
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
http://www.ChuckDeVore.com
Or this on June 30, 2007 in response to the post Assalamu Alaikum (Peace Be Upon You):
After two days of discussion I made this point, to which you never responded Chuck:
Maybe these comments are why you are so misunderstood.
What’s the point of this post? I think it would have been inconceivable for CAIR NOT to denounce the video. What’s next?
d’Anconia-
Did YOU denounce the video?
Strange, haven’t read your press release.
So much for “inconceivable.”
You’re straining. Again, I never said it, never wrote it. I know and count too many Muslims as my friends for me to believe that, “all Muslims support terrorism.” Stop twisting my words to fit your conclusions.
Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District
DeVore,
You keep bringing up the fact that you traveled to the Middle East, as if that’s a good proof that Muslims support terrorism.
I lived in the Middle East for 18 years. I am an Arab. I happen to be a Muslim, although my mother is a Christian.
Extremism has no particular faith. You never condemn Jewish fanatics who call Palestinians cockroaches, or Christian Zionists.
Although CAIR clearly condemned terrorism, I don’t see why do they have to keep proving their opposition to terrorism. No other American’s have to prove their loyalty to America other than Arabs and Muslims.
I agree with d’anaconia – this post is bait to get Devore to talk to you Chris. I would hope that CAIR denounced Bin Laden and it is certainly not newsworthy…nor a blog worthy subject.
As to you question abut where is D’ana’s press release denouncing the same…I ask WHERE IS YOURS?
Flowerszzz,
While baiting Chuck was is added benefit, that was not the reason for the post. It is news and blog worthy to point out that a group that has been accused repeatedly of supporting terrorism has denounced it.
Even though CAIR and Muslims across the country have repeatedly denounced terrorism, a persistent perception that Islam is a religion of terror remains. Communicating to our readers that main stream Islamic groups denounce terrorism and the terrorist Bin Laden, helps to dispel those false perceptions.
Of course CAIR denounces terrorism and that is indeed expected. I believe it is important that we notice the fact that they do every now and then.
Perhaps Chris BUT it would indeed be more newsworthy if someone endorsed terrorism. It is plain common sense to oppose it. It is like me saying I support women, or you saying you support gays. it is a given and a non issue and nonsense to release a press release stating so.
Flowerszzz,
It is not a non issue when the perception of the opposite of the statement is what many people believe.
Publius-
I am not Muslim nor do I represent the interests of a large number of them. A press release from me would mean nothing but a sign of common sense. CAIR on the other hand is under the spotlight in situations like this one, and a press release coming from them denouncing terrorism is not NEWS because it’s EXPECTED.
Chris-
It is a non issue because of the reason previously stated by Flowerszzz. The reason CAIR has to release a press release like this is because the group is trying to get a little bit of credibility back.
You took the Assemblyman’s words, twisted them, created a straw man, and then proceeded to bury that straw man with rhetoric all in one post.
I respect the Assemblyman’s willingness to respond to your unfounded criticism, but I wish he would just ignore irrelevant posts like this one from time to time.
d’Anconia,
So let’s see if I’ve got this right. Since it is expected that CAIR would renounce terrorism it is not news and therefore should not be acknowledged.
I guess that would make it easier to claim that they support terrorism. Since if it isn’t reported on or acknowleged, nobody would know any different.
As far as me twisting Assemblyman DeVore’s words… I stated my perception of his previous statements, he responded and I clarified why I held my perception.
Readers, like you are entitled to draw your own conclusions. The benefit however is that Assemblyman DeVore has now clearly stated that he doesn’t believe all Muslims are terrorists. Taking him at his word, this is a step in a good direction.
Chris-
I never said that CAIR’s denouncement of terrorism should not be acknowledged. My point is this: the fact that you are posting their press release as a response to their previous lack of credibility on this issue says a lot about how the organization has poorly communicated their denouncement of terrorism in their previous opportunities to do so.
I believe the Assemblyman has made a good argument that organizations such as CAIR should be MUCH more active in their operations in trying to denounce terrorism and advocate for tolerance.
Sending out a press release denouncing a video made by a Muslim terrorist who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people is hardly taking a pro-active stance AGAINST terrorism. It’s simply expected.
Everyone, Chuck DeVore is nothing more than a conceited, irrelevant, sanctimonious man. He won the 2004 primary by accident, he was never meant to win, but the two other leading candidates tanked. Why did the machine not let him run for the 35th and instead chose a first term Councilwoman for that district? That speaks volumes in itself.
Instead of representing the taxpayers of his district, he always seems to find time to blog and send press releases begging the media to come and interview him. Then, when he is interviewed, he posts it and talks about how he is on TV. The man has serious “I” issues. He thinks a vacation to the middle east makes him an expert on all things Islamic. The fact that he is a radical Christian fanatic skews his views on Islam and he goes in with a subjective point of view trying to find all things bad about it.
He has joined in the effort to create tension between Muslim and Jewish students there. He should spend more time helping his constituents, not creating wedge issues. I have spoken to Jewish students at UCI and they admit he and this Jonathan Constantine character are making things worse. In fact I would not be suprised if the Young Republicans were the ones who committed the vandalism. I remember the day of the Steve Young/PDA/No on 85 rally at UCI, that they acting like a bunch of obnoxious spoiled brats.
So to point out, Chuck Devore is the type of guy who always thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong. This is why after six years in the Assembly, he will go back to being just another loudmouth on the GOP Central Committee.
“So to point out, Chuck Devore is the type of guy who always thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong. This is why after six years in the Assembly, he will go back to being just another loudmouth on the GOP Central Committee. ”
As opposed to you; a blogger who no one listens to.
Claudio, Chuck has accomplished more in the last 2 weeks than you can ever possibly dream of accomplishing in a lifetime of blogging.
Well-said, Claudio. I remember a comment by Bladerunner about DeVore believing he works for the Irvine Republican Assembly and not the voters of the 71st. Sad but true.
Does anyone know if D’Anconia works for Chuck?
Publius-
Good question.
Everyone-
Check this out:
http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx
CAIR has CONSTANTLY been denouncing terrorism since 2001. Yet, for some reason, right-wing fanatics like the OC Blog crowd have been yelling and screaming about peaceful Muslim-American organizations like CAIR being a part of some “radical Islamist terrorist agenda”. Well, now that ALL THIS EVIDENCE has disproven that, I hope they can finally stop trashing our Muslim friends.
I don’t work for Chuck or any other legislator.
Although I do appreciate Chuck’s efforts.
“To all those like State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, and former GOP Chair Shawn Steel who continually assert that all Muslims support terrorism…”
I have never stated nor do I believe that “all Muslims support terrorism.”
Certainly a significant minority, perhaps 10% according to Bernard Lewis may, at times, embrace Jihadism. And Bin Laden is the most popular leader in Pakistan. And 10% to 1 billion is enough to keep most rational people nervous.
Like any significant political movement [ USA founding fathers or Lenin’s colleagues] traumatic change, either for good or evil, begin with strong ideas and just a few initially devout believers.
What i want to know about CAIR is who finances them? That will tell us much about who they really are.
As I would like to know exactly who finances the Lincoln Club. That would tell us much about who they really represent.
Chris the Lincoln Club has a PAC….you can easily look online to see who contributes/finances it.
“Certainly a significant minority, perhaps 10% [of Muslims] according to Bernard Lewis may, at times, embrace Jihadism. And Bin Laden is the most popular leader in Pakistan. And 10% to 1 billion is enough to keep most rational people nervous.” “May at times” is a weak and hedged assertion, eh? How about the 33% or so of 300mil Americans who we know continue to support the Iraq atrocity? Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are dead. That makes rational people nervous, to use your phrase, and it hardly needs any hedging, either.