Ibrahim, come in off that ledge.
Actually, this latest debacle for CAIR, following the disastrous Whitehead and Ballenger suits, involves CAIR-Canada. But I'm sure our friends in their parent group, CAIR-USA, are not thrilled with the outcome. David Harris is Director of the International and Terrorist Intelligence Program, INSIGNIS Strategic Research Inc. He is also a former Chief of Strategic Planning of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Here is a press release from Insignis:
ISLAMIC GROUP'S LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER CSIS OFFICIAL IS DISMISSEDStatement by David B. Harris, Director
International and Terrorist Intelligence Program,
INSIGNIS Strategic Research Inc.
Ottawa, Canada
24 April 2006The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), the Canadian chapter of the controversial Washington, DC-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has recently issued a press release (attached) purporting to report the outcome of a defamation lawsuit in which I was a defendant. Readers are cautioned that the CAIR-CAN document is misleading in certain important respects.
CAIR-CAN and its then-Chair, Dr. Sheema Khan, sued Ottawa radio station CFRA and me for remarks I made as a regular CFRA national-security guest during an interview with host Mr. Steve Madely on 1 April 2004. At all relevant times, Mr. Riad Saloojee was Executive Director of CAIR-CAN. Dr. Khan and Mr. Saloojee have lately been replaced in their positions by Mr. Abdul-Basit Khan and Mr. Karl Nickner, respectively.
I believe implicitly in the accuracy of all that I said on the radio program. I have withdrawn not a word, and never shall. In the course of the interview I posed a question: Shouldn't someone be looking into CAIR-CAN's relationship with its more-troubling American relative, CAIR? For this, I was sued for libel.
In the spirit of openness and disclosure, INSIGNIS Strategic Research Inc. is making available, on request, relevant legal documents concerning this case, including an unofficial transcript of the interview in question. This is being done so that media and other concerned citizens may satisfy themselves firsthand about the important issues at stake in this matter.As a commentator on national security affairs, my guiding principle throughout CAIR-CAN‚s lawsuit was never to compromise hard-won rights of media and media commentators to their exercise of responsible free expression under s. 2 of Canada‚s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I viewed this as a responsibility at a time when Canadians in Afghanistan and elsewhere are dying for such rights, and when civil liberties must be vigorously defended at home. Through the dedication of my family and many committed civil libertarians, including courageous colleagues of Muslim background, we prevailed against CAIR-CAN and Dr. Khan. CAIR-CAN and Dr. Khan dropped their suit, cold. No damages, no costs, no apology, no clarification.
It is for others to decide why CAIR-CAN balked at the prospect of proceeding to trial. It is unknown whether this unease stemmed from concern about the detailed review and disclosures that would derive from such proceedings. Or whether the collapse of its mother organization's US$1.35 million libel case against the American Anti-CAIR organization (proprietor of http://anti-CAIR-net.org), played a part. We do not know whether it was the unearthing of a December 2003 court document in which Dr. Khan had sworn to CAIR-CAN‚s subsidiary status in relation to the troubling US CAIR group. Perhaps it was a concern that, on the witness stand, CAIR-CAN officials would be asked to answer the questions I had asked about that relationship on CFRA radio.
Whatever the truth, it is remarkable, in light of the dramatic indictment of my remarks in CAIR-CAN‚s very own Statement of Claim (see below), that CAIR-CAN so abjectly dropped its suit against me. My determined refusal to pen any "apology" or "clarification," my refusal to pay damages, or any part of CAIR-CAN‚s legal costs or expenses, and my commitment through the present statement and other means to keep all of this transparent, paid off. This is a lesson to others in the media and elsewhere who face efforts to silence responsible questions.
Beyond this, certain features of the CAIR-CAN press release must be dealt with for the record.
The CAIR-CAN release boasts that "[f]ollowing the launch of the lawsuit, it appears that CFRA has not used Harris as a guest commentator since." This is incorrect and seriously misleading. Indeed, I am pleased to report that I have appeared as a guest on several CFRA programs "following the launch of the lawsuit" and during the lawsuit period. Moreover, and following the Notice of Libel, Mr. Steve Winogron, CFRA Assistant Program Director and CHUM Ottawa News Director, advised me directly that the lawsuit altered nothing of CFRA/CHUM‚s longstanding and high regard for my reliability and analysis, and that I would continue to be a CFRA/CHUM guest -- as, indeed, I have been.
I am also struck by CAIR-CAN's assertion that the last word on the group's lawsuit against distinguished Canadian journalist David Frum was an "editorial note" in the National Post. It is a matter of public record that Mr. Frum reasserted in at least one follow-on article, that he withdrew nothing he had written about CAIR and CAIR-CAN.
People of good faith must look carefully at the broader implications of all of this. In their Statement of Claim, CAIR-CAN chose to construe my question about its relationship with US CAIR, as implying that:
a. CAIR-CAN is an Islamist, extremist sympathetic group in Canada supporting terrorism;
b. Sheema Khan is an individual supporting Islamic, extremist causes, including the support of terrorism;
c. CAIR-CAN is a subsidiary of its parent organization, CAIR, which itself is an organization supporting terrorism and run by individuals convicted of terrorist-related offences. CAIR-CAN and CAIR share a common and inter-related goal of fostering their extremist views, and of supporting terrorism to achieve their objectives;
d. CAIR-CAN and Sheema Khan falsely and fraudulently misrepresent themselves as moderate representatives of Muslim interests;
e. CAIR-CAN and Sheema Khan are frightening moderate Islamists, and are driving young people into extremism;
f. CAIR-CAN and Sheema Khan, as extremists and supporters of terrorism, have an insidious and chilling agenda that is furthered by portraying themselves as moderates and gaining access first to the media and then to government;
g. Given their extremists [sic] views, CAIR-CAN and Sheema Khan should not have access to the media and government;
h. If CAIR-CAN and Sheema Khan continue to have access to the media and government, they will continue to alienate moderate Muslims and there will be some real tragedy;
i. The Globe and Mail acted irresponsibly in giving Sheema Khan an opportunity to be published in its newspaper, given that she is an extremist and terrorist supporter acting on behalf of CAIR-CAN, an extremist organization supporting terrorism;
j. The media, and most notably the CBC, has acted irresponsibly in providing CAIR-CAN with air-time, given CAIR-CAN's extremism and support for terror; and
k. Committees of the House of Commons have acted irresponsibly in allowing CAIR-CAN, as an extremist organization supporting terrorism, to officially express its views, and further in giving credence to those views.
Yet, having formed that view of my question, CAIR-CAN dropped the suit and swallowed their costs. Why?
Hmmm. Why indeed? Ibrahim? Ibrahim? Nihad? Sheema? Anyone? Anyone?
This is a strong and well written position statement against the efforts of Islamic extremists to silence our free expression. I hope it is widely published in the mainstream media and certainly beyond this alternative news outlet here.
Congratulations, Mr Harris. Your stand is an inspiration to us all.
Best news I’ve heard in a long time. I commend Mr. Harris and CFRA for taking their stand and not backing up one bit. Other people in the radio and news media should stand up in defense of their country as these have done.
“People of good faith must look carefully at the broader implications of all of this. In their Statement of Claim, CAIR-CAN chose to construe my question about its relationship with US CAIR, as implying that: - etc. - I have the impression CAIR-CAN admitted many of the devious activities they are involved in.
Where's DCWatson been? All this CAIR activity with CAIR's reputation going down like a sinking ship and not a word from him...
My guess.... Mr. Watson is enjoying a cold Rolling Rock with a big smile on his face.
Wonder if these mohometans will ever catch on that the bs you ply your media sycophants with just wont wash in a non-sharia court of law?
Don't you CAIR types think it is about time to fold your tents and retreat to friendlier surroundings? Maybe KSA? Don't let the door hit you...
It's been a long day and admittedly legalese tends to put me to sleep but it would appear that the substance of this libel suit was the fact that Mr. Harris associated CAN-CAIR with USA-CAIR?
"In the course of the interview I posed a question: Shouldn't someone be looking into CAIR-CAN's relationship with its more-troubling American relative, CAIR? For this, I was sued for libel."
On the surface, then, it would appear that the suit is a direct indictment of CAIR-USA - as in, how dare you libel us by associating us with that nefarious group?
"It is for others to decide why CAIR-CAN balked at the prospect of proceeding to trial. .... We do not know whether it was the unearthing of a December 2003 court document in which Dr. Khan had sworn to CAIR-CAN‚s subsidiary status in relation to the troubling US CAIR group. Perhaps it was a concern that, on the witness stand, CAIR-CAN officials would be asked to answer the questions I had asked about that relationship on CFRA radio."
So isn't the filing of the libel suit itself a direct indictment of CAIR-USA by CAN-CAIR, which appears to want to remain dissociated from CAIR-USA and in fact considered it libelous for the defendant to associate the two? Or am I missing something? Because if that is the case, it would appear to me that filing the suit in the first place was a blow to CAIR-USA, and an indirect acknowledgement of its nefarious ties, whatever the actual outcome of the suit.
Or maybe I'm simply misunderstanding something here. If I am, my apologies. I'm not a lawyer.
Great news coming from a Cdn court at last! it will give Cair to be more careful, and the truth is coming out!
Great article. Congratulations Mr. Harris, for not wavering.
Check this out, CAIR's having another fit because a professor at the U.of Michigan dared to 'diss the snarling jihadists in the Muslim Student Assoication. I love his letter to them; it is priceless!
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-33/1145911766317600.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
he makes me proud of being a fellow michigander!!!now just gotta forword it to Belmont,they need to learn what free speach is
Hi all,
Now that CAIR has admitted to the verity of
various statements with respect to support of
the jihadist effort, when can we expect our
government to deport them? This deportation
should apply to all members and supporters of
CAIR and its related organizations.
There is supposed to be a war on, you know.
Aid and comfort to the enemy ought to be a
deportable offense.
Magooey
Thanks for asking about me, Avatar. D.C. Watson is never far from the essential, important, and thriving Jihad Watch site. I am full of joy, watching CAIR swirl around in the bowl, waiting for it to disappear into the pipe below.
With the funding that backs these rats, that will likely be a while. So, we keep grounding and pounding away.
The JW/DW sites have become so big, that Robert, Hugh, Rebecca, and the rest of the staff are constantly at work trying to keep up with everything that's going on, and reporting it to all who do their reading here.
I am never far away, and I watch CAIR's maneuvering like a hawk. By all means, please keep reading JW/DW, and the sites linked to them.
They are what have educated so many about the CAIRs that live among us.
D.C.
LOL I nearly choked on the rice cake I was eating, when I read the part about sensitivity training! Yes, indeed--for Allah's sake--since these poor darling students are all big, gaping, raw, weeping sores, let's make everyone else that way, too! Let's all get sensitive!
Magooey, aid and comfort to the enemy should be a capital offense but muslims get preferential treatment. It's because of their "religion", which is so very special and unique. We've been trying to figure out for several years why the likes of Ibrahim Hooper and his cabal of terrorist supporters and fifth columnists are invited to dinner at the White House and give "sensitivity" training to FBI agents.
We live in strange times. You could ask your Congressional representatives but don't expect a logical answer.
"I am never far away."
-- D. C. Watson, posting above
At Debbie Schlussel's site, just today, disorientedly checking the story about ungendering non-Muslim gyms, or gendering them (I forget which), I came across a comment posted by "D. C. Watson," and felt right at home.
Here's why I nick named her Sheema Khan/AKA con-job Khan.
In previous post I pointed out her overt lies as a witness at a Government inquiry into "Islamophobia" in Canada.
CAIR used bogus surveys to get sympathy to push their Sensitivity-training agenda for islam in Public Schools and Government workplaces , and the Arar alleged torture and detainment was caused by CAIR itself for coaching Arar to avoid helping the West investigate suspected terrorists or terror cells.
CAIR mislead the media and Public about Arar and their Lawyer was in on it too , plus CAIR helped Arar file a $400,000,000.00 Civil suit against Canadian taxpayers for a unproven harm while in Syria.
Sheema Khan also defended two Sunni Muslim male students caught tresspassing at a Nuclear Power Plant and taking flying lessons near that same Plant. Con-job Khan claimed that "Lots of people take flying lessons,and walk along the beach near power plants" .
Yes Sheema, my dad took us there every summer just for the fun and having the beach to ourselves .
But not all Canadians are illegals with forged Passports and fake ID and from a know terrorist area of pakistan and are Sunni Muslims with expired student visas.
Our previous PM actually met with a group of CAIR's Moderate Imams to denounce the London subway attacks, but once again CAIR only denounced the killing of "Innocent Civilians" by Terrorists.
CAIR did not, nor has ever told the truth about who "Innocent civilians" are in the Quran, and the definition of a Terrorist according to Muhammed.
To be honest, I haven't seen any Islamic Org. that is moderate, only less violent and hatefull that other org.s speaking for Islam.
KNOW ISLAM - NO PEACE
NO CAIR - DON'T CARE
The next person CAIR sues should immediately raise collateral estoppel and remind the judge of SLAPP suits (strategic lawsuits against public participation).
If any group should be punished in some way for abusing the legal process, it's CAIR. Their intimidation tactics and frivolous defamation suits are nothing but a legal assault on our freedoms, and an effort to "strike terror in the hearts of the unbelievers."
In India, that's blowing up a Hindu shrine. In the United States, what's more terrifying than dragging someone into costly and protracted - frivolous - litigation?
"This is incorrect and seriously misleading."
I realize that Mr. Harris has to choose his words carefully so as to avoid another b.s. lawsuit form this garbage, but I don't.
To be "incorrect" only implies that one's information is not "correct".
Obviously
The word, however, does not carry with it any implication that the one who makes the untrue statement is intending to deceive.
Lying is advancing information one knows to be incorrect with the intent of deception.
The members of CAIR-CAN who released the statement were not mistaken.
They are LIARS!
Sue me.
Of course, that should have been:
"...from this garbage, but I don't."
Holy Thomases Edison and Paine! Can the lightbulbs be going on in government and media circles? Bravo for alteration of hue and cry. Stay brilliant. Keep giving deception a bad reception and place the evil fibsters in the nearest receptacle where they belong.