August 24,
2005
CAIR Still Very Much Alive and Well
In the past, I've written frequently about the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a radical Islamist group masquerading as a Muslim "civil rights" organization. Despite CAIR's lengthy ties to Islamic extremists and even to convicted terrorists (see here: http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=15698 and here: http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Printable.asp?ID=17315), the group continues to receive media and even government legitimacy. For example, it's members meet frequently with the FBI to provide the Bureau with "sensitivity training" in its dealings with American Muslims. They've also been guests at the White House under both the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.
This kind of mainstream access has granted CAIR a bully pulpit from which it accuses anyone who dares criticize Islam or Muslims--and heaven knows there's plenty to criticize these days--with being an "Islamophobe." This ridiculous little word is a relatively new addition to the American lexicon, having emerged in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001--right about the same time many liberal commentators and Islamic activists were spending more time pleading for tolerance of Muslims than they were mourning the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
The latest victim of one of CAIR's patented smear campaigns is conservative talk show host Michael Graham. During a July 21 broadcast on ABC Radio in Washington (WMAL 630), Graham said the following:
Because of the mix of Islamic theology that — rightly or wrongly — is interpreted to promote violence, added to an organizational structure that allows violent radicals to operate openly in Islam’s name with impunity, Islam has, sadly, become a terrorist organization. It pains me to say it. But the good news is it doesn’t have to stay this way, if the vast majority of Muslims who don’t support terror will step forward and re-claim their religion.
Sounds pretty reasonable, right? Even complimentary towards Muslims, particularly in the last line. But take a closer look at the sentence I italicized : Islam has, sadly, become a terrorist organization. Now, judging by the steady wave of hatred and violence that has emanated from the Islamic world since roughly 1979--when a maniacal, geriatric Ayatollah took the reins in Iran--Graham was right on target. Unfortunately, his very cogent observation on the current state of Islam cost Michael Graham his job. First, Graham was suspended from his duties by WMAL 630. This week, after refusing to apologize for or retract his statements, Graham was fired. The main culprit behind Graham's demise? You guessed it. CAIR.
Immediately after Graham's comments were aired, CAIR began lobbying the Disney-owned WMAL to fire him. And instead of laughing off CAIR's complaints as baseless babble from an extremist, fringe group, WMAL blinked. The ramifications here for free speech are absolutely chilling. If someone like Graham--who is paid to give his opinions and be provocative--can't criticize Islam, who can? Shame on WMAL for its politically correct lack of backbone. Thankfully, Graham has reportedly been offered a job by KFI Radio in Los Angeles. The station says it "still values free speech." I'd call this a happy ending, except that CAIR is still very much alive and well.
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