Thomas hate monger

THANK FOX FOR 'SIMPSONS' EPISODE CHALLENGING ISLAMOPHOBIA

(LOS ANGELES, CA, 12/3/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to thank the Fox television network and the creator of "The Simpsons" for a recent episode that used comedy to challenge Islamophobia.

The episode, which aired Sunday evening and is titled "Mypods and Boomsticks," highlights anti-Muslim sentiment by featuring a young Muslim character named Bashir and his family who face prejudice after moving to Springfield. In the program, Homer Simpson wrongly suspects that Bashir's family is involved in a terror plot. Bart Simpson befriends Bashir and defends him from bullies.

To view the entire episode, click here.

CAIR's Greater Los Angeles Area office (CAIR-LA) sent a letter today to the show's creator Matt Groening thanking him for challenging anti-Muslim prejudice.

The letter said Sunday's episode "brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and inclusion by getting to know their neighbors." It went on to state: "The episode also builds on the values that have made America the great nation it is a nation in which citizenship is about finding common ground and building a better society. American Muslims have been doing just that by making daily contributions to our society that often go unrecognized."

"Because of its acceptance in popular culture, comedy is often one of the best vehicles for challenging stereotypes and intolerance," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Fox and Matt Groening are to be congratulated for tackling the disturbing phenomenon of Islamophobia."

ACTION REQUESTED:

Send a message expressing appreciation for highlighting both anti-Muslim attitudes and the need for mutual respect and inclusion in our society.

E-Mail: peter.liguori@fox.com (Peter Liguori, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Co.); dana.walden@fox.com (Dana Walden, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television); gary.newman@fox.com (Gary Newman, Chairman, Twentieth Century Fox Television) COPY TO: info@losangeles.cair.com

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CAL THOMAS: NO NEW AMERICAN MOSQUES - TOP
Cal Thomas' incomplete 'solution' to Islamic terrorism
Jeffrey Weiss, Dallas Morning News, 12/2/08


From Cal Thomas' latest column, in response to the attack on Mumbai:

At the very least, all non-Western immigrants to Britain and America should be told prior to their arrival that our intention is to westernize them. They must learn English, study and embrace the history of their host nation and, if they are Muslim, they will be allowed to worship only in existing mosques. No new ones should be built. Existing mosques must be monitored to make sure that hate is not taught and aggressive behavior toward their host countries is not promoted. If such behavior and speech are detected, the mosques should be closed and the imams arrested or deported.


Leave the First Amendment aside for a moment (in the US, anyway). His prescription lacks some practical details. How would he propose controlling worship? Ankle bracelets with audio transmitters? After all, both the 9/11 attack and the Mumbai attack were carried out by groups that would fit into a large living room -- no standalone mosque needed.

And who defines what "hate" is? Would he allow that kind of monitoring in churches? Say, this one? Or this one? There are parts of this country where a majority of citizens consider support of "gay marriage" as hateful. And other parts where the vice is versa. Ditto on the two sides of the abortion debate. Who gets to decide? Not all slopes are equally slippery, I aver. And he's right that this is a tough problem. But is this the right answer? Or even a possible one?

[Note: Cal Thomas claims to be the America's most widely read nationally-syndicated columnist. To read his column on this subject, click here.]

ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE.)

Send polite comments to Cal Thomas' distributor, Tribune Media Services:

Ms. Mary Elson
Managing Editor
Tribune Media Services

E-Mail: melson@tribune.com
COPY TO: info@cair.com

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CAIR-SFL: RACISM REJECTED - TOP
Altaf Ali, Miami Herald, 12/3/08


The Nov. 29 letter Muslims mum? asserts that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) did not condemn Ayman al-Zawahri's recent video criticizing President-elect Barack Obama with racist rhetoric.

In fact, CAIR issued a statement on Nov. 19 that read in part: ``As Muslims and as Americans, we will never let terrorist groups or terror leaders falsely claim to represent us or our faith. The legitimate grievances of Muslims in many areas of the world can never serve as an excuse or a justification for attacks on civilian populations. We once again repudiate al Qaeda's actions, rhetoric and worldview and restate our condemnation of all forms of terrorism and religious extremism.''

CAIR took particular offense to al-Zawahri's use of the offensive term ''house Negro'' in reference to Obama. Islam rejects racism and seeks universal peace and brotherhood. We repudiate any and all uses of racial slurs or insults.