by Tina Grazier
“When people hear ‘witch hunt,’ that can’t be good for us,” said an NYPD source.
Most people would agree that public attitudes are often determined by how an issue is framed in the media. The party or group with the most shocking early message often takes the prize in shaping attitudes and winning support. In fact shaping public opinion has become more important than informing the public, discovery of facts, or revealing vital information. It’s even become more important than the safety of the American people. The above quote is an example of how this little game works. Before a single question has been asked and before a single witness has been heard the public has been told that Peter King’s hearings are likely to be insensitive and bigoted. Lost is the purpose for which the hearing has been called and lost is the chance to take a serious look at what is quickly becoming America’s number one terror concern, homegrown terrorism.
This game works to the political advantage of those who artificially create public perceptions; we can only hope that a slowly awakening public will see it for what it is and pay attention instead to what is discovered through the hearing process. I for one would like to know what the witnesses have come to say and I am willing to give Peter King and his panel the benefit of the doubt and my full support. I don’t buy the witch hunt label. Most Americans have come to hate bigotry and are more than willing to live in peace side by side with people of all religions, races and cultures. This unconscionable game seeks to divide Americans at a time when we must find ways to solve an horrific problem.
This game also gives America an undeserved black eye in the global community and I resent that deeply.
Muslims are being harmed by this labeling game. Instead of being given the respect they deserve to come forward and speak honestly they have been made tools in the tawdry political wars. They are concerned now not because hearings are being held, but because the hearings have been made to represent bigotry and oppression toward them. That was the immediate message of the left; it shows up in report after report in the media. The issue in question, homegrown terrorism, has been hijacked and successfully reframed as a bigoted “witch hunt”. The actual purpose has been reframed as hate damaging any effort to get to the bottom of this very serious problem. The Muslim community, more than any other group of people in the US, more than the Department of Homeland Security, more than the FBI or the officers in any given city, have the ability to both name the problems and help to create solutions..if they are given the chance.
Kings intentions for these hearings should have been framed more accurately in the media. Had it been treated with seriousness and respect the pro-American Muslim community would have had an opportunity to participate honorably and fully with dignity. As it is they have been served a plate of suspicion and prejudice causing great concern and doubt.
But the illusion was more important than allowing Muslims to be at ease during this hearing. Winning political advantage took precedence over national security concerns. Partisan game playing, once again, will undermine our ability to address defense problems adequately. As the editors of National Review wrote today:
“…the scandal is not that House Committee on Homeland Security chairman Peter King (R., N.Y.) will tomorrow hold hearings on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response.” The scandal is that they have been so long in coming.”
Yes it is scandalous that nearly ten years after 911 we have yet to seriously look into this problem at home. A parallel scandal is that an army of the extreme left politic is deeply entrenched and determined to discover a bigot behind every legitimate question regarding this issue.
Who cries “witch hunt”? Democrats and leftists, schooled in the twin tools of Alinsky activism and political correctness, determined to smear the opposition regardless the harm it may cause or the lives that may be lost as a result.
This is becoming more confusing day after day, my take (optimistically) on King is he would like to get the answers to questions many are thinking ,but not really asking, “why isn’t the Muslim community more pro-active in outing jihadist sleepers in America”. Jack your point about ‘The Muslim community, more than any other group of people in the US, more than the Department of Homeland Security, more than the FBI or the officers in any given city, have the ability to both name the problems and help to create solutions..if they are given the chance’ seems direct enough but I still ask/think why haven’t they done more on their own? or is the media just avoiding this for intelligence reasons. The lack of my understanding of how Muslims in America are doing things can not be any more confused then most other peoples on this subject, we simply do not know and currently I do not see or hear of anything that they are doing to dislodge terrorist activity in America, why?
Is it that the Muslims do not see their role is necessary in helping protect America, or do they hold us in the same belief as the jihad religious duty of Muslims., I would like to know for sure, and that is what I want to believe King’s intentions are about. I do believe how ever the McCarthy angle the media is applying to this issue is part of a White House overall champaign to gather a support from a specific group of voters for Obama’s re-election.
“Lost is the purpose for which the hearing has been called and lost is the chance to take a serious look at what is quickly becoming America’s number one terror concern, homegrown terrorism.”
It is nowhere to be found here, that is for certain! Perhaps if a cogent argument for these hearings could be made . . . .
Who cries “witch hunt”?
People who have seen them! I am not old enough, but I did study the Army-McCarthy hearings. They were a witch hunt.
People who study history a lot have seen this a lot! You, Tina, being totally ignorant of history, and a redneck to boot, would be totally in favor of this egregious
assault on freedom.
No intelligent person is in favor these hearings. Not one.
King has a line up of Muslims who wanted to come forward and speak about problems they face or concerns they have. Some of this was leaning towards tacit or implied support of extremism by certain members. The liberal side of the media has liken this the days when Japanese-Americans were moved to internment camps. Those are the kind of people with either a distorted view of reality or with their own hidden agenda that are making a mockery of this investigative process. Its just one more thing that undermines the security of this country.
Harold I share your concerns and curiosity. Bringing this discussion into the light will be a positive step if handled well. I think one reason is because they have been convinced by irresponsible left wingers that many Americans hate them. It’s important to condemn actual cases of bigotry; it is equally important to condemn those who cry bigotry where none exists creating unnecessary fear.
Quentin: “People who have seen them! I am not old enough, but I did study the Army-McCarthy hearings. They were a witch hunt.”
McCarthy was a zealot but as we found when the Russian archives were opened he was not wrong:
http://www.emory.edu/PROVOST/greatscholars_old/HarveyKlehr.htm
Those who study history with an eye toward the whole truth include information that leftist communist apologists leave out.
The following are a few of the goals these communist infiltrators were given to achieve. Taken from the congressional record Jan. 10, 1963
Look around…many of these goals have been achieved. In the sixties these commies were very successful at brainwashing college students. they have gone on to spread the doctrine into all aspects of American life.
“People who study history a lot have seen this a lot! You, Tina, being totally ignorant of history, and a redneck to boot, would be totally in favor of this egregious assault on freedom.”
Asking questions and allowing people to share their experiences is an assault on freedom? What country do you live in?
And I, ignorant of history? Well I’m no expert but the above demonstrates I am not, as you wildly claim, ignorant of history.
Tina–“Before a single question has been asked and before a single witness has been heard the public has been told that Peter King’s hearings are likely to be insensitive and bigoted.”
Part of that might be because Peter King has a history of being insensitive and bigoted toward Muslims, such as when he baselessly claimed that 80% of mosques in America are controlled by radical Imams.
Another big reason might be that Peter King is A-OK with terrorism when it’s done by white folks.
These hearings are show trials. Islamic terrorism is one of, if not the, biggest national security problem plaguing out nation today. What does King hope to accomplish with these hearings that our intelligence services have not?
Chris, to set the record straight King said, “The only real testimony we have on it was actually from Sheikh Kabbani, who was a Muslim leader during the Clinton Administration, he testified, this is back in 1999 and 2000, before the State Department that he thought over 80 percent of the mosques in this country are controlled by radical Imams. Certainly from what I’ve seen and dealings I’ve had, that number seems accurate.” –Rep. Peter King, Jan. 24, 2011 He later said he had no hard data on this number it was just his opinion.
Chris I’d say he hopes to bring to light the fact that radicals do exist, are in control of some Mosques, are intimidating and radicalizing Muslims, and that this poses a problem that could be better adressed if Muslims felt they would be supported and protected if they came forward.
Muslims believe they are hated because the left keeps saying they are. The left is so bent on making this a bigoted Muslim issue to smear Republicans that they have in fact made Muslims believe they are targets. Thanks a bunch.
We are faced with a difficult situation. We don’t want good Muslims to feel unwelcome in America. On the other hand we don’t want to be complacent with regard to those who are tied to extremist views and plans to harm us. the left doesn’t seem capable of striking a balance but instead, fearing the hate label, bend over backwards to deny and cover.
The congressman (King) conducted himself well affording those who testified the opportunity to make a public declaration about the intimidation they have experienced. I salute these brave Americans for coming forward to testify. THAT SHOULD BE THE STORY TODAY!
You show me some materials which prove the goals of the communists. you show me nothing which shows that the witch hunt was the correct course of action.
You do this a lot. I don’t care what someone’s goals are.
NONE of these goals have been achieved, Tina–except in your paranoid delusions.
As I have stated, Tina, you’re NOT as stupid as you play. Your goal is to torpedo freedom.
We know this.
Tina–“Chris I’d say he hopes to bring to light the fact that radicals do exist, are in control of some Mosques, are intimidating and radicalizing Muslims, and that this poses a problem that could be better adressed if Muslims felt they would be supported and protected if they came forward.”
This is so general, and so obvious. No one denies that there are radical Muslims out there, and that they are always recruiting.
“Muslims believe they are hated because the left keeps saying they are.”
This is just patronizing, condescending nonsense. It assumes that Muslims are too stupid to draw conclusions from their own observations on how they are treated in society.
“THAT SHOULD BE THE STORY TODAY!”
The story should be why we are allowing a known terrorist supporter to conduct hearings on anti-terrorism. Yet this has been almost entirely glossed over by the so-called “liberal” mainstream media.
It is not unreasonable to question King’s motives given his history, nor is it a stretch to say that he may be motivated more out of Islamophobia than by any actual principles regarding terrorism.
Q: “you show me nothing which shows that the witch hunt was the correct course of action.”
I would have had that been the point of this article. Try one of the other articles posted on this hearing.
“NONE of these goals have been achieved”
Really? the Democrat party is loaded with Marxist loving representatives, some actually carry the card…and the love of big government speaks to the ultimate goal of central planning. the others noted have all been similarly met with considerable success.
How am I trying to torpedo freedom? You keep accusing me but you fail to tell our readers how! You will have to do better if you are going to convince those who read this blog.
Chris: “No one denies that there are radical Muslims out there, and that they are always recruiting.”
I don’t agree. Every time an attempt is made to silence those who wish to discuss the matter is an act to deny this fact, or to push it underground.
“This is just patronizing, condescending nonsense. It assumes that Muslims are too stupid to draw conclusions from their own observations on how they are treated in society.”
I disagree. The left has been rediculous and if not the cause for concern it certainly has not had a positive effect. The left sensationalizes, exagerates, and assumes bigotry whenever the subject comes up.
“The story should be why we are allowing a known terrorist supporter to conduct hearings on anti-terrorism.”
Wrong! The story should be about those who had the opportunity to make a public declaration about the intimidation they have experienced in the muslim community…because THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE ARE ADDRESSING IN THE HEARINGS.
Your side is free to do its thing every day of the week. This hearing was about giving a voice to the people being intimidated to be silent.
“It is not unreasonable to question King’s motives given his history…”
You can question all you want. So far there isn’t any evidence to support your preference that he not be allowed to conduct these hearings. King has been fair and respectful.
Tina–“I don’t agree. Every time an attempt is made to silence those who wish to discuss the matter is an act to deny this fact, or to push it underground.”
Who is attempting to discuss this matter that you feel is being silenced?
“I disagree. The left has been rediculous and if not the cause for concern it certainly has not had a positive effect. The left sensationalizes, exagerates, and assumes bigotry whenever the subject comes up.”
I will admit that many liberals, myself included, feel a knee-jerk sense of paranoia at anything that might be interpreted as unfairly targeting minorities. I will also admit that I felt this way as soon as I heard about the hearings. But in this case, after looking at King’s history, I feel that these feelings are justified.
“Your side is free to do its thing every day of the week. This hearing was about giving a voice to the people being intimidated to be silent.”
What people? Who are they? Who is intimidating them?
There are many in law enforcement who have refuted King’s claims, pointing to evidence that shows that, far from being “silent,” Muslims have been key in working with law enforcement to prevent terrorist attacks.
“So far there isn’t any evidence to support your preference that he not be allowed to conduct these hearings.”
The fact that he is a terrorist supporter isn’t enough evidence? You said yourself that his history harms the cause of these hearings. I’m a forgiving guy, but I think this should be a disqualifying factor.
Chris: “Who is attempting to discuss this matter that you feel is being silenced?”
I didn’t make that point very well. I should have said anyone who attempts to discuss this is called islamaphobic and accused of bigotry and hate…I should have said an attempt is made to discredit and malign. I said silence because that is the ultiimate goal that intimidation and bullying of that stripe is meant to achieve. I don’t believe that is what you are up to. I think you have a genuine, youthful, commitment to fairness, kindness, understanding and inclusion. But I definitely think that many on the left do wish to silence all voices that attempt to expose extremist Islamists and their ego driven intent to establish a worldwide caliphate.
Many people think its foolish to worry about this because they say there are so few of them compared to the larger number of Muslims around the world who are not radicalized. I believe that is foolish. Freedom is precious and we must be ever vigilent if we expect to keep it.
“What people? Who are they? Who is intimidating them?”
Muslims by terrorist leaders and some Muslims leaders.
http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/03/05/35434-terrorism-grows-within-us-borders/
Testimony from the hearings:
Muslims on Muslim websites that lure young American men:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/09/60minutes/main6470032.shtml
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0626/p01s01-ussc.html
Looking at what is going on in Europe it is sensible, IMHO, to be vigilant about the Mosques in America, especially those that terror suspects have attended:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/world/europe/13germany.html
Similar reports come out of England. We posted a story some time ago about an undercover reporter who brought materials and video out of a mosque that presented a very different public face than what the reporter found went on inside.
Chris while searching for these examples I found a very good article on this subject; I thought you might enjoy reading it as well:
http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-chicago/homegrown-terrorism-and-muslim-radicalization-a-complex-but-real-threat