Maybe they're setting up a trap--they will sponsor the convention and then arrest everyone in it!

Posted by: GetBornAgain at August 27, 2007 9:03 AM

Just when I thought we had started to appoarch a corner in the distance where we might take a turn sometime in the distant future and protect ourselves, we slam it into reverse.

Posted by: KAOSKTRL at August 27, 2007 9:11 AM

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

Ronald Reagan

Posted by: KAOSKTRL at August 27, 2007 9:12 AM

....it looks like Bush did not fire enough justices....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at August 27, 2007 9:24 AM

"There is outrage among lawyers that the Department of Justice is funding a group named as a co-conspirator in a terrorist financing case," said a Justice lawyer who spoke to The Washington Times on the condition of anonymity."

Connection to AG resignation?

Posted by: Leave Iraq Now at August 27, 2007 10:25 AM

From the full article:

According to an e-mail from Susana Lorenzo-Giguere, acting deputy chief of the Voting Rights Division, the sponsorship will involve sending government lawyers to man a booth for the Labor Day weekend event in Illinois.

"This is an important outreach opportunity, and a chance to reach a community that is at once very much discriminated against, and very wary of the national government and its willingness to protect them," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said in an e-mail obtained by The Washington Times.

"It would be a great step forward to break through those barriers. And Chicago is lovely this time of year," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said.

By this logic the DOJ should be taking advantage of important "outreach" opportunities with the promoters of other morally equivalent failed ideologies who are also victimized enemies of democracy, freedom of conscience, gender & racial equality. Those would include victims like the KKK or neo-nazis for example.

Posted by: DrMack at August 27, 2007 11:01 AM

And I waste my good tax dollars paying for this fecklessness?

Isn't anyone serious in D.C. -other than the meter maids?

Posted by: profitsbeard at August 27, 2007 11:46 AM

Asinine! Surrender from the heart of the United States, the Department of Justice.

Posted by: Shawmut at August 27, 2007 12:26 PM

Greetings:

"It would be a great step forward to break through those barriers. And Chicago is lovely this time of year," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said.

And she has already picked out a hot new burka.

Posted by: 11B40 at August 27, 2007 12:42 PM

Greetings:

"This is an important outreach opportunity, and a chance to reach a community that is at once very much discriminated against, and very wary of the national government and its willingness to protect them," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said in an e-mail obtained by The Washington Times.

"It would be a great step forward to break through those barriers. And Chicago is lovely this time of year," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said.

And she has already picked out a hot new burka.

Posted by: 11B40 at August 27, 2007 12:44 PM

I hope there will be protestors at the event protesting both the ISNA and the DOJ being there.

Anyone live in the area?

Posted by: eve_anne_gelical at August 27, 2007 12:57 PM

this should surprise no one. bush's MO is to go down a road & not stop until he either achieves his objective or falls off a cliff. any warning signs along the way -- such as the naming of an islamic org. his admistration is cozying up to as an undicted co-conspirator in terrorist funding -- that would tell him he is heading in the wrong direction are blithely ignored. if you want to run your private life that way, bush, that's your business. but that's no way to run a country.

Posted by: sheik yer booty at August 27, 2007 1:16 PM

Yes and when the properly hijabed Deutsche Dhimmi Orchester begins to perform before the tastless muslim hordes, Beethoven, Brahms and Elgar will all be turning in thier graves. How discusting and akin to ‘casting pearls before swine’!

Posted by: descendantofacrusader at August 27, 2007 1:26 PM

woops! wrong thread!

Posted by: descendantofacrusader at August 27, 2007 1:30 PM

Article got expanded - here's the more complete version:

U.S. sponsors Islamic convention

By Audrey Hudson
August 27, 2007

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070827/NATION/108270070/1002

The Justice Department is co-sponsoring a convention held by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) — an unindicted co-conspirator in an ongoing federal terrorist funding case — a move that is raising concerns among the Justice's rank and file.

Justice lawyers have objected to the affiliation with ISNA, fearing it will undermine the case against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development in Dallas.

"There is outrage among lawyers that the Department of Justice is funding a group named as a co-conspirator in a terrorist financing case," said a Justice lawyer who spoke to The Washington Times on the condition of anonymity.

According to an e-mail from Susana Lorenzo-Giguere, acting deputy chief of the Voting Rights Division, the sponsorship will involve sending government lawyers to man a booth for the Labor Day weekend event in Illinois.

"This is an important outreach opportunity, and a chance to reach a community that is at once very much discriminated against, and very wary of the national government and its willingness to protect them," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said in an e-mail obtained by The Washington Times.

"It would be a great step forward to break through those barriers. And Chicago is lovely this time of year," Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere said.

ISNA is one of more than 300 unindicted co-conspirators in a case against the Holy Land Foundation, whose top officers are accused of raising money for Hamas.

Justice spokesman Erik Ablin said the agency participates in the annual convention to educate Muslims about their civil rights.

"The Civil Rights Division will have a table at the ISNA convention over Labor Day weekend to hand out literature and answer questions about the division's work. The ISNA convention attracts more than 30,000 American Muslims every year, and the division has had tables at the convention in previous years," Mr. Ablin said.

The Justice Department declined to say how much the sponsorship will cost.

"This is just staggering, it's outrageous," the lawyer said. "Lawyers from the Civil Rights Division traveling to Chicago on the federal dime. This will cost thousands of dollars."

A second lawyer responded to Mrs. Lorenzo-Giguere's e-mail questioning the participation and said it "seems like an odd time for one part of DOJ to lend credence and visible support to ISNA at the same time DOJ prosecutors will be called on to defend their decision to name ISNA as a conspirator."

"Presumably the prosecutors have determined that they might need that testimony admitted; I hope we don't undermine their position," the second lawyer said. "Needless to say, [the Holy Land Foundation trial] is a very significant case."

Mohamed Elsanousi, director of communications and community outreach for ISNA, says the annual convention is open to anyone who provides services or information of value to convention participants.

"For many years, we have welcomed representatives from U.S. government agencies who wish to share information about their services and have the opportunity to reach out to the Muslim American community," Mr. Elsanousi said.

The convention features book signings, musical entertainment and seminars on family, community service and political activism.

But the first lawyer also pointed to a morning session on "the threat and reality of U.S.-sponsored torture" as contrary to the department's mission. The Justice Department was responsible for signing off on the legality and constitutionality of interrogation techniques.

"The extensive news coverage by the U.S. and international media sources makes it all too clear that the grim abuses in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and the sending of detainees to secret prisons around the world that are known to torture during interrogations, are not isolated incidents, but rather constitute policy of the U.S. government," the schedule of events said.

"This session will describe the nature of U.S.-sponsored torture, the effects of torture on its victims, the efforts of the U.S. religious community, and what you can do to help end U.S.-sponsored torture," the schedule said.

==========================================================

ISNA 44th Annual ISNA Convention Program

http://www.isna.net/uploads/media/UpholdingFaithServingHumanityProgramV4.0.pdf

Saturday, September 1, 2007

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Session 4B: Ending U.S. Sponsored Torture: A Concern for All People of Faith
Room 14
The threat and reality of U.S. sponsored torture is still an issue today. The extensive news coverage by the U.S. and international media sources makes it all too clear that the grim abuses in Abu Gharib, Guantanamo Bay, and the sending of detainees to secret prisons around the world that are known to torture during interrogations, are not isolated incidents, but rather constitute policy of the U.S. government. ISNA, Christian (including evangelical), Jewish and Sikh organizations have created the National Religious Campaign Against Torture to lead the faith-based efforts to end U.S. sponsored torture. This session will describe the nature of U.S. sponsored torture, the effects of torture on its victims, the efforts of the U.S. religious community, and what you can do to help end U.S. sponsored torture.
Speakers: Ingrid Mattson, Jeanne Herrick-Stare, Rev. Richard Killmer, Tom Whittle
Moderator: Mohamed Elsanousi

Posted by: jeffreyimm at August 27, 2007 2:07 PM

U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison to be Keynote Speaker at September 1 ISNA Chicago Convention -- Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is an unindicted co-conspirator in an ongoing federal terrorist funding case
http://www.isna.net/conferences/annualconvention2007/csrl.html
http://www.nysun.com/article/55778
http://www.pipelinenews.org/images/2007-05-29-US%20v%20HLF-ListCoConspirators.pdf
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6178

Main speakers include:
http://www.isna.net/conferences/annualconvention2007/speakers.html#5
Abdalla Idris Alim, Abdullah Adhami, Aisha Al-Adawiya, Altaf Husain, Hamza Yusuf, Ihsan Bagby, Ingrid Mattson, Jamal Badawi, Muneer Fareed, Muzammil Siddiqi, Sherman A. (Abd al-Hakim) Jackson, Siraj Wahhaj, Umar Faruq Abd-Allah, Zaid Shakir

Abdalla Idris Ali: in 2003, Ali sat "on the board of the American Muslim Council, an organization whose leaders have openly supported terrorist groups, such as Hamas"
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={FB47D145-E8C5-41AD-ACE8-23F219F6F1A5}

Hamza Yusuf: The "Sufi" Master of Deceit: Hamza Yusuf Hanson
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/global.php?id=881447
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/challenges.php?id=361269
Hamza Yusuf Fails My "Test"
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/327

Ihsan Bagby: "we [Muslims] can never be full citizens of this country. . . because there is no way we can be fully committed to the institutions and ideologies of this country."
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={2C4510CC-1D2C-48C4-9797-73EB60DB5D9A}
The Muslims of America, 'Political Activities of Muslims in America,' Oxford University Press, 1991

Ingrid Mattson: "[the Christians] are really anti-Semitic. They do not like Jews"
http://misskelly.typepad.com/miss_kelly_/2007/03/ingrid_tries_to.html

Jamal Badawi: on Jihad and other subjects
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/005440.php
http://misskelly.typepad.com/miss_kelly_/2007/03/mit_and_isb_inv.html

Muzammil Siddiqi: Islamic Society of Orange County where Al-Qaeda's Adam Gadahn (Azzam the American) was a member
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/002051.php
Muzammil the "Moderate" -- by Steven Emerson
http://www.steveemerson.com/blog/2007/07/muzammil-the-moderate.html
Adam Gadahn's Extremist American Imam: In 1995, Siddiqi praised jihad and martyrdom in the Kansas City Star. "Those who die on the part of justice are alive, and their place is with [Allah], and they receive the highest position, because this is the highest honor."
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/columns/column052804.shtml

Siraj Wahhaj: called the blind Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, who is in prison for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a "respected scholar" and "strong preacher of Islam."
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015556.php
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/77
Unindicted co conspirator linked to WTC bombing Siraj Wahaj being brought to FAU campus by Muslim Student Organisation & MAS
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/382
"If only Muslims were clever politically, they could take over the United States and replace its constitutional government with a caliphate."
http://www.danielpipes.org/article/77

Zaid Shakir: "Every Muslim who is honest would say, I would like to see America become a Muslim country"
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/us/18imams.html?ei=5090&en=0e7bc45a0b83a46b&ex=1308283200&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Posted by: jeffreyimm at August 27, 2007 2:08 PM

state and the Justice Department are just looking to their retirements where they will go work for a Saudi organization like the good little dhimmi they're trying to be nevermind their actions hurt the country they are supposed to be defending the actions they take help the terrorists and Saudi Arabians are supporting

Posted by: mowasaperv at August 27, 2007 3:11 PM

"...what you can do to help end U.S. sponsored torture."

'What can they do to end torture in Islamic countries?' would be more to the point. It is practically impossible to deport any mass-murder plotting imam from the UK to their country of origin because of the likelihood of their being tortured. I also seem to remember a certain seventh century, child fancying autocrat who went in for the practice and that guy is seen by Mohammedans as an ideal example of how to behave.

Posted by: wallyUK at August 27, 2007 7:00 PM

Quite a distinguished line-up they've booked for their "convention", being paid for in part by you and me. I'd love to know who makes the decisions to sponsor radical islamic groups for anything, to attend their meetings and conferences, and to participate in the America-bashing sessions that occur at all of them.

These "American" muslims are so concerned about torture in Gitmo and secret prisons, but when will they address the savagery that occurs daily in muslim countries and everywhere muslims live? When will they address the issue of islamic terrorism committed in the name of islam and allah? When will these big, bold muslim rats stand up before a public mirophone, full of piss and vinegar, and tell the American people that they intend to make the U.S an islamic country, and repeat their outrageous threats against America, threats that are a matter of public record but were made to audiences of hostile muslims and not intended for infidels to hear. As always, the oleaginous muslim cowards lambaste, condemn, and accuse America and the West of every human rights violation imaginable, while they live and practice a savage, immutable, archaic creed created by a medieval pedophile, rapist, and genocidal pervert. Their hypocrisy is astounding, and they can't even see it, nor can the stupid feds.

These people are not interested in understanding our justice system; they have nothing but contempt for our government but their slick muslim attorneys have learned quite well how to exploit it to their advantage and to our detriment. Why does the DOJ feel compelled to assist them in their seditious campaigns?

Within the deep, dark caverns of the federal bureaucracies, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. How could people working in the same department fail to be aware of something as important as this case and trial? How could it be jeopardized by some stupid bureaucrat's bleeding heart desire to cater to poor, pitiful, persecuted muslims who want to destroy our government and country?

Posted by: Susanp at August 27, 2007 11:27 PM

Dear Mr Spencer

Many muslims and non muslims are claiming that you refuse to debate with their scholars (and i don't mean Karen Armstrong). For example ExamineTheTruth website destroyed Ali Sina and i listened to the debate and he was literally made to look like an idiot (he is simply not good enough). This is quite disconcerting since prominent Christian haters like Nadir Ahmed and Zakir Naik are always thrown up where i'm from in London in response to whether Christianity is a better religion than Islam. Things are at a point where the conversion rate amongst Christians, especially amongst blacks is worryingly high.

I recommended your website to a muslim colleague of mine and he declared that when he tried to open up a debate by making a comment he was barred from successfully logging in. If this is the case then that is a shame because he was hoping for meaningful dialogue.

I have been shown passages of the Quran and the quotes you make are usually half quotes and not in reference to when the verse was revealed or its context.

I do not believe that this is the correct way to debate. While the Muslims have Izhar Ul Huq and Ibn Taymiyyah's critique of Islam as well as the other Christian hater Ahmed Deedat's body of work is there anything that you can recommend that destroys muslim rationality and their belief system. I have had too many occasions where i have used sources which i must be fair in saying have been logically and factually refuted.

The Emmanuel Church centre in London where i run Bible classes would relish the opportunity to have someone as notable as you debate one of these muslim scholars. We would be happy to finance your travel and subsisdence.

You can contact me at michael_regis786@hotmail.co.uk

(The 786 is something that i have been able to make muslims admit is quite silly, in some mulim sects they belive that it is the magical numbers for 'in the name of God'.)

Hope to hear from you soon.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Posted by: Nick at August 28, 2007 7:22 PM