skip to main |
skip to sidebar
4:17 PM
Reut R. Cohen
(Right to Left: James Lafferty, unidentified, unidentified, Che Guevara)
Gary Fouse posted the following useful information which clearly demonstrates the alliances that theatrical and academically dishonest groups like the Muslim Student Union or Muslim Student Association make to further a reprehensible cause which supports terrorism:
During last quarter's Muslim Student Union week-long events at UC-Irvine (May 2008), one of their sponsored speakers was James Lafferty, Executive Director of the National Lawyers Guild, Los Angeles Chapter. Lafferty's appearance may have been lost in the shuffle of speakers since more flamboyant figures were on the schedule, such as Amir Abdel Malik Ali. Yet, Lafferty's presence at this event should not escape notice. It shows that once again, the MSU's choice of associates and speakers is open to question.
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG)was founded in 1937. According to "Discover the Networks.org", NLG's earliest predecessor organization was MOPR, a Russian acronym for International Class War Prisoners Aid Society, founded in 1922 under the auspices of the Communist International (Comintern). The NLG (according to Discover the Networks.org) was founded in 1937 by attorneys for the Communist Party USA. During the period of the Cold War, the organization consistently allied itself with the pro-Soviet agenda. It labels itself as a "progressive" legal body of lawyers and activists that involves itself in issues of civil rights, human rights, etc. On the surface, its agenda, when taken in a general context (civil-human rights), might appear laudable.
Yet, the organization over the years has allied itself with virtually every far left-wing cause imaginable-anything that would paint the US in a bad light is fertile ground for this group. Indeed, over the years, their critics have understandably accused them of being little more than a communist front group.
In recent years, this group has taken up the banner for people like Lynne Stewart, the convicted attorney for the "Blind Sheikh", Omar Abdul Rahman who passed terrorist communications from Rahman to his terrorist associates and Jamal Abu Mumia, the convicted Philadelphia cop killer on death row, Sami al-Arian, ex-terrorist fugitive Sara Jane Olsen and Leonard Peltier of the American Indian Movement (AIM), who was imprisoned for the murder of two FBI agents. In 2005, the Guild floated a resolution equating Zionism with racism.
Quite a record. In Lafferty, this is another example of what UCI's Muslim Student Union brings to our campus as a featured speaker.
During his UCI speech (in which I was present), Lafferty went through the usual litany of complaints, condemning Israel, the US Government and the Bush Administration for all the problems of the world. In answer to a question about the solution to the Middle East problems, he stated that "Jews should leave Palestine."
He also made this rather ominous statement: He said that just prior to his talk, someone (presumably at UCI) had informed him that there was not a level playing field at UCI for those expressing their opinions about the (Israel-Palestinian) issue. He then added that he and his organization were going to see what they could do to provide such a level playing field. (I am paraphrasing.)
So here we have yet another example of how the MSU aligns itself with radical, far-left and anti-American voices. As they say, you are known by the friends you keep. Nevertheless, the MSU will still complain and wonder why so many Americans view them with suspicion. Maybe the National Lawyers Guild and CAIR can file a lawsuit on behalf of the MSU forcing Americans not to view them with so much suspicion.
*See http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6162
3 comments. Leave a comment:
Ms. Cohen I am a huge fan (if that sort of phraseology is applicable to blogs) and have been following your blog for some time. I am curious to know your thoughts on the following two organizations:
Neturei Karta
and
Anarchists Against the Wall
I would personally love to hear your thoughts, perhaps in a new post? :crosses fingers:
Anyway, keep on doing what you're doing, there are many of us out there who support you so don't let the occasional naysayer get you down!
-Brenda Anske
Hi Brenda,
I've just posted information about Neturei Karta and hope you find that useful. I've been working with discoverthenetworks.org to update the database of individuals and groups. If you're ever looking for specific information about a group or person, you could try to search the extensive database there or use the search feature on this blog.
Thanks so much for reading and your suggestion! You can also feel free to contact me via e-mail at reutrcohen@hotmail.com
Yours Sincerely,
Reut R. Cohen
Reut,
Attached is my latest post.
In regards to the on-going controversy over anti-Semitism at UC-Irvine, the liberal publication, The Nation recently published an article by UCI professor, Jon Wiener, in which he attributes the transfer of a Jewish professor (Daniel Schroeter) from UCI to the University of Minnesota to pressure from "right-wing Zionists" in the UCI community who allegedly put undue pressure on Schroeter to speak out about anti-Semitism at UCI. Wiener also blames "right-wing Zionists" for fanning the flames at UCI and basically defended the university administration. His article may be viewed at:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080707/wiener
This week, I assisted UCI Professor Seymour Menton in sending a critical response to Wiener's article through The Nation's blog. It also may be viewed on The Nation's blog.
This morning, I have sent my own response to The Nation, which is below:
"As one who has been a part-time teacher at the University of California at Irvine since 1998, I would like to respond to Jon Wiener’s recent article in your publication on the on-going issue between the Muslim Student Union (MSU) and Irvine‘s Jewish community.
Leaving aside the controversy over Daniel Schroeter‘s decision to leave UCI, an issue I am not qualified to comment on, there is no question in my mind from my own observations over the years at UCI that the MSU has been guilty of bringing radical, hateful speakers to UCI over the years. Many of these speakers are not only anti-Israel, but anti-Jewish and anti-America as well. Anti-Semitism (on the part of the MSU) is a problem at UCI. To borrow a line from professor Wiener, I should know. I teach there too.
Virtually, ever quarter, the MSU brings in Oakland based imam, Amir Abdel Malik Ali. This is a man who not only condemns Israel and the US, but calls suicide bombers in Israel heroes and martyrs. He defends organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Another controversial speaker is Abdul Alim Musa, a Washington-based imam, who is an ally of the above two organizations and Iran. He speaks of the day when Islam will take over the US.
Then there is Mohammed Al-Asi, another frequent speaker at UCI sponsored by the MSU. This imam is also a supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian Government. In previous speeches at UCI, he has referred to Jews as “low life ghetto dwellers” and said, “you can take the Jew out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the Jew.” In his last appearance at UCI in May, in which I was present, he gave ominous warnings to the Jews to get out of “Palestine” before it is too late. (I am paraphrasing.)
Also, during the MSU-sponsored events in May, they erected a mock wall depicting the wall Israel has erected to keep out suicide bombers. On that wall were numerous photos, phrases and slogans. Most notably, there was a cartoon depiction of Ariel Sharon drawn in the old style of Julius Streicher’s Der Stuermer, a notorious anti-Semitic newspaper of the Third Reich. The picture showed Sharon with all the stereotyped Jewish features, huge hooked nose, big lips and a leering expression on his face. That drawing remained there for an entire week.
These are examples of why I consider the MSU to be sympathetic to terrorism directed against Israel and to be anti-Semitic (though they deny it).
In addition, I have nothing but criticism for the administration at UCI. They deny charges of anti-Semitism at UCI and defend “free speech”. I too defend free speech. No one is dragging these hateful characters off to jail and I don’t advocate that. However, I call this what it is-hate speech. I also believe that the UCI administration has been indifferent to Jewish complaints of anti-Semitism at the university. They have failed to provide a safe and peaceful environment for their Jewish students.
Wiener, in his article, passes off complaints as coming from “right-wing” Zionists” and three Republican senators. His repeated use of the term, “right-wing Zionists” betrays his political agenda. Anti-Semitic hate speech should not be an issue of liberal vs. conservative nor an item of concern for only Jewish Zionists. Reasonable people can disagree on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. However, for this issue to lead to expressions of anti-Jewish sentiment on an American campus is wrong.
As I have stated repeatedly, 99% of the students at UCI are not involved in this ugliness. There are two problems; a radical MSU and an indifferent administration and faculty . As a result, what should be a great university has acquired a notorious national reputation-which, as far as I am concerned, it deserves.
Gary C Fouse
Adjunct teacher
University of California Ext"
Post a Comment
Comments and feedback are welcome and appreciated. Please stay on topic and avoid profanities unless it is relevant to the discussion. By commenting on the site, you agree that you are not impersonating anyone else and that you are solely responsible for the content you post. In commenting on the website you agree that you are not violating copyright or intellectual property rights of others. Spam and commercial posts are not permitted and will not be published. Disagreement and debates are welcome, but comments which are slanderous, demeaning, obscene, resort to ad hominem, and/or are of a threatening nature will not be published. Opinions expressed in the comments section do not necessarily reflect the views of the website’s author. The author of the website reserves the right to reject or remove comments at any time and for any reason.