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So says Congresswoman Sue Myrick in a statement:
I decided to vet this matter personally. I met with Members of the House and Senate, Pentagon officials, and even Major Coughlin himself. Major Coughlin told me that he has had a great working relationship with the Joint Staff and that he did not believe there was any conspiracy to remove him from his position. In fact, he was already planning to leave the Joint Staff at the end of his contract. Lest the rumors persist, Major Coughlin will be associated with another office program within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he will continue to spread his message.
Coughlin, of course, is the Islamic law expert who had apparently been fired at the insistence of Hesham Islam, an assistant to Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England.
Andrew Bostom has details.
Posted by Robert at February 5, 2008 3:33 PM
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The ghost of Kim Philby is very upset.
Posted by: Frank![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 5, 2008 3:40 PM
This is a huge scandal.
That the home office, the FBI, homeland security is infiltrated with Muhammedan agit props and PC types who can't see past their desk is one thing, but that there is only one expert on Islamic doctrine who is being boycotted, sabotaged and finally stonewalled and pushed out, after being ridiculed as a 'Christian zealot' by a foreign agent and infil-traitor is mind-boggling.
Only in America!
(Or perhaps not...)
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at February 5, 2008 3:43 PM
Way to go, Miss Sue!! Now, can you do something about getting rid of Hesham Islam?
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at February 5, 2008 4:01 PM
"continue to spread his message"
-- from the statement by Representative Sue Myrick
The "message" is a simple one: Know something about the texts and tenets about Islam, and do not rely on Muslim apologists for your information. That should not be controversial. That should not be hard to grasp. It is not a "message." It is common sense.
Posted by: Hugh at February 5, 2008 4:06 PM
sheik yer'mami,
"...but that there is only one expert on Islamic doctrine.."
Isn't this the most rediculous thing you've ever heard of? 7 years after 9/11 and we have only one expert on islam - and he gets canned.
Our boarders and ports are still wide open. All we have to show for the past 7 years are a bunch of commities trying to "build those bridges to nowhere" and tons of money down the drain to monitor these barbarians; and to "win hearts and minds" in iraq and afghan...7 freaking years.
at February 5, 2008 4:12 PM
Great news.
I feel that Mr. Coughlin has a lot to offer our military.
It is nice to know that persistence works.
Unless any of us are in the market for swampland we should not let this get swept under the Persian rug in Mr. Islams office.
Posted by: Aunt Bea at February 5, 2008 4:15 PM
Kudos to Sue Myrick, (R, NC).
All that is left is to terminate Mr. Islam and Mr. England. If they remain then so does the cancer that gave rise to this abomination is the first place.
Oh, and one for time just for the record: I nominated Sue Myrick as the American anti-dhimmini for 2007. Mr Steyn was a worthy nominee, but he's not American. Myrick is. Let's get in right and straight in 2008, shall we?
Posted by: omvi at February 5, 2008 4:18 PM
"Hesham Islam"
Nice name for a taqiyya weasel.
The only Muslims I trust are known apostates, with death sentences on their heads.
Muslims deserve exactly and precisely what they wish on Jews and Infidels... no more, no less.
Posted by: cheese_burger at February 5, 2008 4:21 PM
Sue Myrick is my hero!
This war isn't easy to fight or understand. Jefferson didn't have a copy of the Quran because he was spiritually wandering. It was an intelligence report to him.
Posted by: Beagle
at February 5, 2008 4:31 PM
This is nowhere near over. Though Bostom's right about everything he says, I'm don't think Myrick is the person who should be addressing those issues.
Posted by: Beagle at February 5, 2008 4:36 PM
BOO-ya!
Posted by: undaunted at February 5, 2008 4:39 PM
Me, after I read this:
"Woo hoo! Glad to know my letter to my congressman wasn't in vain."
Too bad I can't say that more often ... :(
Posted by: Lori B. at February 5, 2008 4:39 PM
Assalamau Laikum all,
It is likely that Mr. Coughlin will be eh.. (cough, cough)working under Hesham Islam....so that a common peaceful message can still be given.
at February 5, 2008 5:02 PM
"Major Coughlin will be associated with another office program within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he will continue to"... have to keep his mouth shut and not be able to respond to any embarassing questions.
Posted by: des at February 5, 2008 5:06 PM
"Assalamau Laikum all,
It is likely that Mr. Coughlin will be eh.. (cough, cough)working under Hesham Islam....so that a common peaceful message can still be given.
Posted by: Naseem "
...perhaps, but he will also have direct access to the president , whoever that may be....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 5, 2008 5:08 PM
Lori B
write - don't just email - and praise Congresswoman Myrick (if she's *your* lady ). Zero in on the bits she's got right and apply praise. Apply discreet and very polite correction to anything you think she's still not 'getting'.
Same deal for those other Americans posting here who are lucky enough to be constituents for the other congresspeople who belong to Myrick's anti-jihad caucus.
General remark: I wonder how much publicity this whole affair has generated for Coughlin's thesis?
The best thing that could happen would be for Myrick to encourage every last Senator and Congressperson to set aside one day to read "To Our Great Detriment".
In the meantime, where is the pulitzer-hunting journalist or journalists who will join Claudia Rosett in further deconstruction of H. Islam's background story?
Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at February 5, 2008 5:11 PM
Assalamau Laikum exsgtbrown....
You say ..."perhaps, but he will also have direct access to the president , whoever that may be...."
Not if Hesham will have anythiung to do with it...and anyway Hillary won't be interested...
she'll be too busy trying her burka on....
Posted by: Naseem at February 5, 2008 5:14 PM
That is good news...BUT
Hesham Islam still has some answering to do, why did he apparently lie on his bio?
If he did he should be kicked out on his ass.
He cannot be trusted at all in his position.
Muslims tell us over and over that their allegiance is to their religion before the state.
Why put a Muslim in a position within the walls of national security?
This is madness and another Bush blunder, I'm convinced that Bush has lost the plot entirely, as for Gordon England, maybe he is gay, or he is a closet Muslim, those are the only logical reasons I can think of him giving those glowing references to Hesham Islam.
He should be out on his ass as well, if it is proven that Hesham lied on his bio.
Posted by: Joe Bananas in Pajamas at February 5, 2008 5:14 PM
"Assalamau Laikum all,
It is likely that Mr. Coughlin will be eh.. (cough, cough)working Hesham Islam under .... so that a common peaceful message can still be given."
Posted by Naseem.
Just correcting your post a little bit, you know for clarity.
Posted by: Sounder at February 5, 2008 5:18 PM
Posted by: Naseem:
It is likely that Mr. Coughlin will be eh.. (cough, cough)working under Hesham Islam....so that a common peaceful message can still be given.
eh.. (cough, cough) that too, is a change that can be arranged.
Posted by: RalphInfidel at February 5, 2008 5:41 PM
The square-bracketed was my Feb 2 post:
[The pentagon makes its military policy based on taking advice from the "think tank," which is made up of various profit and non-profit organizations and interest groups, including those funded by foreign governments. Amongst these organizations, there are proponents as well opponents.
Major Stephan Coughlin belongs to one of these organizations called "think tank." It happened that the Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England has been a leading advocate for the Defense Department's outreach to Muslim groups, and he gave a contract to Major Coughlin specifically for such a purpose, but Major Coughlin had represented a total conflict of interest. The contract has ended and is not to be renewed, and there is no violation of the law for not renewing the contract.
There are many who are opposed to Muslim outreach in the Pentagon. Deputy Defense Secretary England, who advocates the Muslim outreach, happened to have hired Coughlin who should have been working for the opponents. The contract has ended, and it's time for Major Coughlin to switch sides.
End of issue.]
Sue Myrick in a statement:
Major Coughlin told me that he has had a great working relationship with the Joint Staff and that he did not believe there was any conspiracy to remove him from his position. In fact, he was already planning to leave the Joint Staff at the end of his contract. ßHe knew he worked for the wrong side.
Lest the rumors persist, Major Coughlin will be associated with another office program within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he will continue to spread his message. ß He will work for the opponents.
My take:
It’s in Pentagon’s interests to hear arguments from both sides to expose the most inconceivable weaknesses. Unless there is a solid evidence of mishandling classified materials, any proponent for Islamic outreach will remain. Free country, freethinking, and the debates continue.
Contrary to democracy, a totalitarian government would only present what’s pleasant to the dictator, which contributes to Saddam’s greatest fall.
The US is still a good country. Enjoy!
Posted by: ssa at February 5, 2008 5:47 PM
Good. Now, Habib Islam needs to be directed to the door, and told to leave.
at February 5, 2008 5:47 PM
The square-bracketed was my Feb 2 post:
[The pentagon makes its military policy based on taking advice from the "think tank," which is made up of various profit and non-profit organizations and interest groups, including those funded by foreign governments. Amongst these organizations, there are proponents as well opponents.
Major Stephan Coughlin belongs to one of these organizations called "think tank." It happened that the Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England has been a leading advocate for the Defense Department's outreach to Muslim groups, and he gave a contract to Major Coughlin specifically for such a purpose, but Major Coughlin had represented a total conflict of interest. The contract has ended and is not to be renewed, and there is no violation of the law for not renewing the contract.
There are many who are opposed to Muslim outreach in the Pentagon. Deputy Defense Secretary England, who advocates the Muslim outreach, happened to have hired Coughlin who should have been working for the opponents. The contract has ended, and it's time for Major Coughlin to switch sides.
End of issue.]
Sue Myrick in a statement:
Major Coughlin told me that he has had a great working relationship with the Joint Staff and that he did not believe there was any conspiracy to remove him from his position. In fact, he was already planning to leave the Joint Staff at the end of his contract. ßHe knew he worked for the wrong side.
Lest the rumors persist, Major Coughlin will be associated with another office program within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he will continue to spread his message. ß He will work for the opponents.
My take:
It’s in Pentagon’s interests to hear arguments from both sides to expose the most inconceivable weaknesses. Unless there is a solid evidence of mishandling classified materials, any proponent for Islamic outreach will remain. Free country, freethinking, and the debates continue.
Contrary to democracy, a totalitarian government would only present what’s pleasant to the dictator, which contributes to Saddam’s greatest fall.
The US is still a good country. Enjoy!
Posted by: ssa at February 5, 2008 5:48 PM
Good. Now, Habib Islam needs to be directed to the door, and told to leave.
at February 5, 2008 5:52 PM
We need more Coughlin, less Islam...There will always be an England, but not in the Pentagon...
Posted by: duh_swami at February 5, 2008 6:16 PM
I think Coughlins comments on this are reasonable as he attempts to smoothen out the appearance of a polarizing relationship possibly with the number 2 man in the Pentagon,Gordon England while still maintaining his read on Islamic jihad.
The internal shake up was more than likely fraught with some degree of confrontational dialogue. What came out to the media and congresswoman Sue Myrick was closer to pablum for obvious reasons.
There should still be an investigation that gets to the bottom of Hesham Islams seeemingly or apparent indescepancies and posibly outright lies about his background. Still it is disturbing that a Middle East born Muslim may have top secret clearances in our military community when there are civilians that have been rejected for black world jobs simply because they had a relative in the Middle East.
The main thing that is most desirable is that no Muslim who is part of an outreach program tries to tell him to soften his approach to Islam.
Posted by: Mackie at February 5, 2008 6:29 PM
Speaking of think tanks, former President of Spain from 1996 to 2004, José Maria Aznar -- one of the most savvy politicians in the West with regard to Islam (and who lost his third bid for re-election after the Madrid bombings, proving that terrorism works: it terrifies and thus strengthens pusillanimous PC) -- has a think tank, the F.A.E.S. (Fundación para el Análisis y los Estudios Sociales), whose center is in Washington, D.C., where Aznar also sojourns as a guest lecturer at George Washington University.
at February 5, 2008 6:30 PM
I am scoring this in the win column as a victory for the anti-jihad blogosphere. Was this reported anywhere in the MSM besides a few moments on Hannity? Of course the Wash Times deserves utmost praise. But more stories on this were dispersed around the internet than any other media. How many of us sent Myrick and our legislators emails on our position?
This media can work to change things.
First shamnesty is stopped (with help from talk radio), then Coughlin rehired.
I am relieved and inspired by this good news.
at February 5, 2008 7:51 PM
Let's hope Mr. Coughlin isn't being pushed into a back office somewhere and that his retention is not less than it appears to be. He might be put into a new post where he can continue to spread his message. The overriding question: will anyone hear it?
Posted by: PMK at February 5, 2008 7:56 PM
For those who came in late, the Coughlin thesis may be accessed at:
http://www.strategycenter.net/docLib/20080107_Coughlin_ExtremistJihad.pdf
It is definitely a must-read, for the bankrupt “Current Approach” to the so-called “War on Terror” Coughlin so devastatingly debunks is the approach not only of the Department of Defense but of American society as a whole.
at February 5, 2008 8:50 PM
This seems like good news.
It still does not answer the questions about Hesham Islams bogus resume, nor does it address the cronyism issues within the institution.
I am a bit surprised that in an election year this issue was not siezed upon by some of the candidates or their surrogates in the house or the senate.
Posted by: stickman at February 5, 2008 8:53 PM
Good news so far.
Let's keep it up until Hesham Islam is in Guantanomo, that is, at least until McCain shuts it down.
Posted by: awake at February 5, 2008 9:54 PM
It is likely that Mr. Coughlin will be eh.. (cough, cough)working under Hesham Islam....so that a common peaceful message can still be given. Posted by: Naseem
You mean 'common lies' don't you Naseem? Do you have a cold or is that 'taqiyya' your doing. Could have fooled me!
Posted by: Im.mad.as.HELL! at February 5, 2008 10:03 PM
When was this statement released? If to the press, why did it not appear in the press?
Posted by: Hugh at February 5, 2008 10:38 PM
More details on Islamgate by Steve Emerson 2/4/08
http://www.investigativeproject.org/article/596
Posted by: USorThem at February 5, 2008 11:51 PM
Islam and England, England and Islam, going together like oyster and pearl...
England and Islam, Islam and England, now there's a sandwich for which there's no earl...
Goodnight!
at February 6, 2008 1:04 AM
"where he will continue to spread his message."
One wonders why "his message", his perspicuous and self-evident "message", hasn't caught on like wildfire and others aren't spreading his message also. Fear of disfavor and guilt by association?
"Let's hope Mr. Coughlin isn't being pushed into a back office somewhere and that his retention is not less than it appears to be."
Posted by: PMK
I posited a few days back that it would be in the Pentagon's self interest (vis a vis, maintaining the "Current Approach") to retain Major Coughlin in a dark back office capacity, far from where his message might be heard, much less take root, and where his freedom to speak would be contractually limited. I think we should continue to monitor his career progress closely. They would like us to forget about him. Let's not.
"did not believe there was any conspiracy"
Hell, I did not believe there was any conspiracy. I believe they were quite quite open and obvious about sh_tcanning him for speaking the truth without fear.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen at February 6, 2008 1:57 AM
This could be evidence of intelligent life on earth.
Posted by: joeblough at February 6, 2008 2:07 AM
GO GIANTS!!!!!! Oh, that one was Tom..
Looks like the name Coughlin is getting it done recently.
Posted by: Allah Schmallah at February 6, 2008 5:30 AM
GO GIANTS!!!!!! Oh, that one was Tom..
Looks like the name Coughlin is getting it done recently.
Posted by: Allah Schmallah at February 6, 2008 5:31 AM
It's as disgusting as when Jews from Syria and Iraq were refused permission to act as interpreters because their Arab counterparts refused to sit next to Jews.
Posted by: eneri at February 6, 2008 7:37 AM
If it weren't for the activism of righteous individuals such as the founders of this website, conservative bloggers, and non-PC, courageous legislators, who exposed the scandal, Mr. Coughlin would not have been retained.
Kudos to all such heroes! These are all small but very significant kuffar victories in this final epic battle between Islam and the Rest.
Posted by: US_infidel at February 6, 2008 12:46 PM
Ah, perhaps there is hope for the world--Stephen Coughlin remains on-board, Representative Myrick remains on watch--and Jeffrey Carr can sit back, with his muzzle on, and WATCH WHAT'S GOIN' DOWN NEXT.
UP THE COUNTERJIHAD! Deus vult!!
Posted by: John C at February 6, 2008 6:20 PM
H U R R A H
However, I'll believe it when I see it.
If you don't keep your eyes on this, the treacherous scum will ever so carefully sideline this.
Anyway, there are still sane heads in the US.
H U R R A H
If there were real justice in this World, heads would've rolled. Literally.
Posted by: ewha1 at February 7, 2008 8:03 AM
Don't forget to thank the other members of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus:
Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL)
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX)
Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY)
at February 7, 2008 11:42 AM
AuntyBea:"I feel that Mr. Coughlin has a lot to offer our military.
It is nice to know that persistence works.'
Absolutely true.
Posted by: ewha1 at February 8, 2008 2:13 AM
Is anyone still following this thread, who can answer this?
Whatever happened to Appendix E of Coughlin's thesis?
Its absence is conspicuous. and a bit maddening. There isn't even any indication in the document as to the subject matter. Does he name names or something of the sort? Is it classified material? (I can't imagine anything being of greater strategic value than what he has already written...)
By the way, Coughlin's thesis is a MUST-READ. He presents a watertight debate and shows mastery of all aspects of counterjihad intelligence. His knowledge of Islamic law devastates what he calls the "Current Approach" -- the PC gloss that has kept much of the military/intelligence community in the dark. His treatment is in strict terms understandable by any expert in law or military strategy. Very timely, or perhaps much later than something like this ought to have been done.
I have one reservation: the awful English, grammar an typography throughout. What was his Masters Thesis committee thinking? It is normal for a Masters thesis to be full of surface blemishes, but the committee members are supposed to present the candidate with a list of corrections. Surely somebody should have caught that "Pedigree" is not spelled "Pedagree" -- which appears, of all places, in a major heading and in the table of contents!
I spotted literally hundreds of typos and English glitches; On the surface level it has the appearance of toss-off writing like this: a comment in a blog. With a minimum of effort it could be far more presentable.
It would be a shame if some did not take his writing seriously because of this kind of typographical acne. I seriously hope someone with a copy editor's heart is working with Coughlin to put the document into a more final, presentable and publishable form.
If someone is doing so, and would like a list of corrections from me, I give permission for the JihadWatch admin to forward a request to my personal email address.
Posted by: Archimedes2 at February 10, 2008 9:18 PM
Missed it the first time. Appendix E is, apparently, titled
“Goals of Muslim Brotherhood Outreach to Clergy, Educators and
Leaders”
Now I wish even more it had been included -- this is an issue of great relevance to me. I hope this information will be released soon in some alternate form...
Posted by: Archimedes2 at February 10, 2008 11:00 PM
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