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American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics

by TChris

American Muslims, tired of being the targets of venom after 9/11, are starting to respond to their critics. Attendees at a weekend conference of the Islamic Society of North America are learning “how to apply pressure on politicians who smear the faith, the benefits of corporate boycotts and what constitutes legal grounds for defamation suits.” Those tactics have been used with some success by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

CAIR, for example, sued a North Carolina congressman after he accused the organization of acting as a fundraising arm for Hezbollah, a militant Palestinian group. The council also organized a boycott against a radio station until it fired a disc jockey who called Islam a terrorist organization. CAIR also brought considerable pressure on a Colorado lawmaker who asserted that America should take out Islam's holy sites in the event of another terrorist attack.

The conference also discussed how American Muslims can “counter extremists who cite the religion to justify violence and terrorism.”

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    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:16 PM EST
    American muslims, is that a joke, oh yes now we can play the race and religion cards, can we? the right and left will fall in line and get in line to help nin laden, here is what i think of that so called faith. 666, and @#@##$%$, all of the L$. can go to@##@ and the main P##@#$^$# is in hell doing the #@#$$#...will i now get my head cut off? by islamic laws.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#2)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:16 PM EST
    The question is, are they intetested in answering critics or are they interested in silencing them? I hope it is the former. Here is some comments from FrontPage.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#3)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:16 PM EST
    The question is, are they interested in answering critics or are they interested in silencing them?
    Something along the lines of "silencing" Joseph C. Wilson (Valerie Plame's husband) what you had in mind, Jim?

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#4)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:16 PM EST
    Lawsuits & boycotts are are sometimes useful response to, and quite a bit more benign than, slander & defamation...

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#5)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:17 PM EST
    No edger, something along the lines of an open discussion regarding the various issues. But since your idea of discussions includes telling the other party to shoot themselves, I doubt you understand.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:17 PM EST
    PPJ- Isn't the point of answering critics to shut them up. If allaying their ill found fears by helping them understand who they are does not break down Muslim stereotyping the critics are just bigots and not asking sincere questions.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:17 PM EST
    Jim, I figure that if people really want to play with guns, they should point 'em at themselves, because that way it limits the number of people who get shot... and there is always a need to keep the good ones around awhile longer... you never know what their potential is... and they might be good friends to have around in an emergency... ;-) What do you say we go get drunk, you and I... and talk about girls, or argue about which scotch is best, or something other than politics for a while... I'll buy the first round, then we alternate. Fair? ...edger

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#8)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:18 PM EST
    Kris Kristofferson (Owed to John Prine) Jesus was a Capricorn, he ate organic foods. He believed in love and peace and never wore no shoes. Long hair, beard and sandals and a funky bunch of friends. Reckon they'd just nail him up if He come down again. 'Cos everybody's got to have somebody to look down on. Who they can feel better than at anytime they please. Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on. If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me. Egg Head's cousin Red Neck's cussin' hippies for their hair. Others laugh at straights who laugh at freaks who laugh at squares. Some folks hate the whites who hate the blacks who hate the clan. Most of us hate anything that we don't understand. 'Cos everybody's got to have somebody to look down on. Who they can feel better than at anytime they please. Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on. If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#9)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:22 PM EST
    Squeaky - First you answer the questions. edger - Only if the bar has Fat Tire.

    Re: American Muslims Urged to Answer Critics (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:03:23 PM EST
    Sweet: While Bush was getting religion, American Muslims finally wised-up and got themselves attorneys. When all else fails ... litigate. When in America ...