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The Congressional Spectator
Radicalization Lessons
The good use to which Peter King’s and even Dick Durbin’s hearings can be put.
Earlier this week, Sen. Richard Durbin convened a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims.” The subcommittee heard from four witnesses, each giving the same one-sided narrative on this issue, but did not hear from any witnesses offering an alternative view. This was a sharp contrast to the more balanced and, indeed, statesmanlike hearings convened by Rep. Peter King, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, earlier this month.
That committee’s hearing on radicalization in the American Muslim community was an opportunity for focusing the public’s attention on how Congress often works. While the witness statements and exchanges provided those who care deeply about U.S. national security with valuable insight as to what is causing “homegrown terrorism” and hindering law enforcement efforts to stop it, the hearing itself also gave us a window into some procedural, tactical and strategic lessons that can be drawn from that day’s conversations as Congress hopefully continues to examine this issue.
To be sure, the substance of that hearing proved vital. We received first-hand accounts of families experiencing the process of recruitment to the jihadist cause. We learned that there are in fact brave American Muslims like Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy who are fighting — against incredible odds — to counteract the destructive presence of the Muslim Brotherhood and its front groups amongst Muslims in the United States. And we learned much about the congressional critics of the hearing as well, if only from their total lack of substance. Most of them, rather than delving seriously into this issue, fell back on tired claims of “Islamophobia,” insisting that the Ku Klux Klan and radical environmentalist groups were deserving of at least equal scrutiny, and that Chairman Peter King’s decision to convene this hearing was McCarthyism risen from the dead.
There were other important takeaways, however, which can inform what happens next.
The presence at the hearing of witnesses Rep. Keith Ellison, one of two Muslim Members of Congress, and Sheriff Lee Baca of Los Angeles County (who had previously defended his close working relationship with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR — an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial, the largest terrorism financing trial in U.S. history) caused some who were otherwise sympathetic to Chairman King’s objectives to question whether he was perhaps giving in to political correctness.
But as Hill staffers will tell you, it is common practice for congressional committee chairmen to accommodate a small number of witnesses with perspectives opposite their own, often as a matter of protocol, out of institutional respect for the Ranking Member and/or the other minority party members on the committee. Though there is no hard rule that committee chairmen allow minority-view witnesses to testify, it does happen. While the exact reasons for this are not definitively stated, it is worth observing, for example, that even Chairman Kerry and Ranking Member Lugar of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — both staunch advocates of the New START treaty with Russia — last year allowed testimony before their committee from two known treaty skeptics (though they were vastly outnumbered by witnesses in support of the treaty).
So we know that opposing-view witnesses do appear at congressional hearings, and their presence should not necessarily be used to question the committee chairman’s commitment to his/her own stated views.
More importantly, given this reality, the presence of opposing-view witnesses should be seen as another opportunity to draw out significant points, albeit through different methods. Rep. Chip Cravaack saw it as such, when he used what little time he had to question Sherriff Baca on his working relationship with CAIR, pointing out that CAIR has deep ties to Hamas and has arguably been using its relationship with the sheriff to give itself cover to undermine the pursuit of effective counter-terrorism and counter-radicalization policies. Similarly, Senators Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyl, despite facing a one-sided witness panel in the Senate Judiciary subcommittee’s hearing, took the opportunity to ask questions of the witnesses that drew out the Senators’ critical points about rising radicalization in the American Muslim community, and the need for Muslim American organizations to address hateful and violent rhetoric emanating from within elements of that community.
Watching these exchanges provides a valuable reminder to those dismayed by the presence of witnesses they may find objectionable: rather than asking “How could the committee let them testify?” they should instead be asking: “How do we turn this into a learning and teaching opportunity?”
Chairman King’s hearing also underscored the level of congressional interest in the subject of radicalization in the American Muslim community, and will hopefully serve as the critical jumping-off point not only for future hearings on it in the House Homeland Security Committee, but also in other congressional committees and subcommittees whose jurisdictions could merit their own scrutiny of related aspects of this important issue.
Some possibilities include, for example:
• The House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee could examine the Obama Administration’s foreign policy with respect to the Muslim Brotherhood overseas, and the question of whether our approach to a rapidly changing Middle East runs the risk of empowering that organization and its affiliates in the region.
• The House and Senate Armed Services Committees could examine the extent to which our warfighters are being adequately trained to understand the doctrine of jihad that is motivating our enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Additionally, the Armed Services subcommittees on Oversight and Investigation could arguably further examine the extent of or risks of Islamic radicalization inside the United States military;
• The House and Senate Judiciary Committees could usefully explore whether our immigration policies are contributing to a radicalization environment in some parts of the country (subcommittees on immigration and border enforcement/security), and whether organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood — with radicalized agendas, but through non-violent means — are using civil rights laws and relationships with law enforcement agencies to provide themselves the kind of cover Rep. Cravaack discussed during his exchange with Sheriff Baca;
• The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform — specifically, the Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Ops — could usefully explore the methodology the federal government uses in providing homeland security grants, and to which outside organizations and entities;
Letter to the Editor View all comments (28) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Ben Lerner
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John| 3.30.11 @ 6:43AM
The king hearings are just a cover for Muslim hate. There should be hearings on how Zionists are subverting America to help a foreign power. These people are committing open treason at the highest level.
Michael Tomlinson| 3.30.11 @ 8:02AM
What a load of Democrat BS. The only people committing open treason in the US are Democrat Senators and staffers who leak classified documents to propaganda rags like the NY Times.
Eric Cartman| 3.30.11 @ 11:21AM
The only Douche Bag Schmuck Putz that makes Schumer look good - Little Dickie Durbin and his buddies like John there - the terrorists best friends.
David W| 3.30.11 @ 9:18AM
John, spoken like a true judeophobe and islamophile. Interesting that 'John' talks about anti-muslim "hate" when one can obviously see the hate that exudes from the muslim communities around the world - burning of churches, execution of Christians, stonings, forced marriage of underage girls, allowing rape of wives, keeping of real slaves (not just the economic slaves that result from democratic party policies), using false accusations of blasphemy to destroy innocents, fatwas calling for the death of those who insult the pedophilic prophet, etc.
Are there mosques in Italy - home of the Catholic Church? Yes. Are there mosques in Israel (like smack dab in the capital of Israel)? Yes. Yet why are there no churches or synagogues in Mecca or Medina? The religion of peace, brotherhood, and tolerance won't allow it (I dare you, John, to walk the streets of Mecca passing out Christian/Jewish phamplets. See how fast the religion of peace and love reacts. Oh wait, I don't think they allow non-muslims there - unless you perhaps are a muslim hiding behind the name of John).
The only time that muslims act peaceful and respectful to non-muslims is when they are weak and in the minority. Once they achieve power (mainly from idiots like John) then their true colors shine through. And yes, I have known good people to happen to be muslim. But they act the way they do in spite of the prophet's teachings, not because of them.
bd57| 3.30.11 @ 4:51PM
you forgot to include the "sarcasm" tag ....
Ret. Marine| 3.30.11 @ 7:03AM
I have to agree with the final questions and the methode articulated in this article. It must be noted that CAIR, and various associated terror linked and terror sponsored affiliates, have made large inroads into every faucet of our legal , social institutions, security as well, FBI, CIA, DIA, Top military brass, law enforcement all over this Country, Congress person's staff members, hell even in the inner circle of the Peoples House. Until this is directly addressed, nothing will change. This week I found out of all persons of the demonrat party membership, aka, socialist of the USA members, one in particular, trubin durbin has already made a mockery of Rep. Kings intentions. Some how not to be outdone in the who's the biggest schmuck headline, durbin now some how sees the muslim community as, well you guessed it, "victims" of the evil Conservative body politics, while at the same time grandstanding like the whore he is, in front of the camera's not to be seen as the two bit hypocrite he is when it serves his purpose, to say not in the too distant past of how much of a threat CAIR, muslims in general and radicals of this ideology are a security risk we can ill afford to ignore. Yeah with supposed friends like this turbin durbin, who in the hades name needs another enemy. Radical islam, it a false heading, islam is islam, there is nothing radical about reading the words of a false prophet and then going out and doing exactly as it is said of their "duty". Rep King barely scratched the surface of this subversive activity of the muslim community as a whole. Sad and pathetic to say the least. Stupid, We the People, hardly, dumb politicians, why yes indeed. But hey, we'll take their money for our coffers won't we turbin durbin?
Michael Tomlinson| 3.30.11 @ 8:05AM
Hey, don't be so hard on whores they're people too. Unlike the CAIR slut Dick Durbin who reminds me of one of Hitler's or Pol Pot's appeasers and apologists.
Intelligent Design| 3.30.11 @ 7:18AM
Islam is about the merger of state and religion under a dictatorship. Religious freedom is impossible. A "bill of rights" is impossible. Nothing could be more hostile to our Constitution, and freedom everywhere.
The problem is not just Muslims terrorists, who have killed thousands of people over the last few years. The problem is not just the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the engine of subversion behind mosques, Muslim "charities", and student groups. The problem is Islam itself. For centuries, its objective has been and continues to be the submission of all other (legitimate) religions to Islam, which is actually a collectivist political ideology similar to Nazism and Soviet Communism. There is no room for individual rights or religious freedom in Islamic states, all of which have one thing in common: lack of freedom. Saudi Arabia is good example. In Saudi Arabia the constitution is the Koran, the law is "holy law" (shari'a), and the practice of all religions other than Islam is prohibited. Non-Muslims are not even allowed to travel to Medina and Mecca. Women are second class citizens.
There is no such thing as a "moderate" Muslim, any more than a woman can be "sort of" pregnant. Being a Muslim means being opposed to religious and individual freedom. The best thing Muslims can do is commit apostasy, thereby taking a step toward rejecting the 7th century and joining the 21st century. Of course they risk being sentenced to death by other Muslims for taking this step.
Islam is not even a true religion, since true religions oppose evil, whereas Islam embodies evil. As the Ayatollah Khomeini once said, Islam is nothing if it is not politics. Congress should identify Islam as an ideology and organization subversive to our Constitution / Bill of Rights.
Brian Mc| 3.30.11 @ 7:55AM
As far as I know, the only religious literary work that instructs its followers to lie in order to deceive their enemies to their intentions is the Koran.
Any "hearing" that demands answers from adherents to this spawn of Satan is most likely being led by the gullible who are there to hear what they want to hear.
The Koran abhores peace just so long as there are other religions in the world that have not submitted to Allah and his prophet. This is the 'jihad' that the west must come to grips with-a fight for our very survival. There is no such thing as "peaceful" Islam just so long as there are those of us standing in the way who do not admit to their rule: their complete submission of all others to their rule. I'll doubt every word uttered by a Muslim, not because of my 'phobia' but, because of the book they adhere and adore-that instructs them on ways of deception to infidels like you and me.
Intelligent Design| 3.30.11 @ 8:30AM
www.thereligionofpeace.com gives the long bloody history of Islam, including daily updates.
Brian Mc| 3.30.11 @ 8:38AM
Appreciate the link, I.D.
Intelligent Design| 3.30.11 @ 2:06PM
I hope people will look at the daily slaughter being committed by Muslims:
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ Yesterday Muslim terrorists killed 50 people in Tikrit, Iraq. Two days ago al Qaeda killed 150 people in Jaar, Yemen. These are just "small" examples of the daily "contributions" of Islam. Meanwhile, the media and politicians refer to generic "insurgents", "intruders", "militants", "combatants", "rebels" ..... to avoid offending them?
Michael Tomlinson| 3.30.11 @ 7:59AM
Dick Durbin is a Nazi with the civility and objectivity of Pol Pots teenage executioners who needs to spend a few hours in a Muslim bath house on Man Love Thursday since he likes to bend over and take it from Muslims.
martin j smith| 3.30.11 @ 8:03AM
How about a discussion about why the Socialist democrat Party is afraid of a look into radicalization of Muslims here in American and also while we are at it, what is the connection between private individuals such as George Soros, Obama and the policies in the middle east as well
as the propaganda against a look into Radicalization of Muslims in our country. This will occur thru implication,not thru direct investigation I would surmise.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.30.11 @ 10:05AM
John,
The only question really is whether or not the OVERTLY combative muslims will cause enough havoc to force us to act with all of our power against them.
It is the sneaky COVERT liars, that concern me the most. As mentioned above, lying is part of their religion, just as much as murdering innocents. Their god is the father of lies.
My newest novel is being published as I speak. The title is "America Alone Said NO!" I will announce it when the web-site comes up on the net.
First though, let me assure all of the hundreds of readers of TAS who have already purchased Part One, ("Texas Said NO!") that Part Two, will be delivered to you the moment the site is up.
NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE.
If you want to write down the link to the new website, with customer reviews it will be:
www.americaalonesaidno.com
GENE HAUBER| 3.30.11 @ 2:26PM
No matter what congress decides to do or says, the radicalization of muslims in this country or anywhere else is an ongoing thing. It is not a phenomena; it is a fact of life that we all need to understand.
Radicalization of muslims follows adolescence or younger age, as night follows day.
The NEED to interdict this evolution in this country CANNOT be over stated.......THESE PEOPLE POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO AMERICA THAT WE HAVE YET TO COME NEAR TO COMPREHENDING. THEIR NEED TO KILL AND DESTROY IS INHERENT IN THEIR RELIGION AND THAT'S WHY WE MUST IN THIS CASE DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ISLAM BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS POLITICAL THREAT TO ANY PEACE IN THE WORLD. THEIR DEFINITION OF PEACE IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM EVERYONE ELSES....IT IS ALL ON THEIR TERMS.
Rep. Kings hearings should have gone on for weeks.
John| 3.30.11 @ 4:45PM
May be if you left them alone you know all those endless occupations , military bases, apartheid - they might be more cooperative.
John| 3.30.11 @ 3:24PM
Muslims do not lie. Or more precisely lie no more than anybody else. Islam abhors lying . Islam is in war with no one . The statement makes no sense. Islam is like the universe - it has no centre. The atrocities committed against America were done by individuals mostly Saudis. This can only be understood in terms of nationalism not religion. All this venom concerning Islam is just misdirection. Islam is ultimate salvation if you cherish monotheism.
Brian Mc| 3.30.11 @ 4:16PM
The most obtuse rambling on this site to date.
"Islam: What the West Needs to Know"
Then, get back to me, John and let me know where these scholars and prior members of Jihad are in error.
John| 3.30.11 @ 4:30PM
The Jihadist were created by uncle sam. Let me jog your memory, remember the cold war, Afghanistan , early eighties . Ah now its coming back to you. this violent jihad has nothing to do with Islam everything to do with secret agencies .
bd57| 3.30.11 @ 4:53PM
Blah blah blah ... it's always someone else's fault, isn't it, John?
John| 3.30.11 @ 5:14PM
Not always. But sometimes it is some one elses fault.
Frisbee| 3.30.11 @ 10:07PM
So Uncle Sam inspired Mohammed to attack Medina? Face it, Islam is a religion of war, founded by a warrior.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.30.11 @ 5:00PM
John, you are lying about what your own scriptures teach. We can read, dumbbunny. If you won't lie for Mohamed...then you are apostate and should be killed by your co-religionists.
Please quit embarrasing yourself here.
John| 3.30.11 @ 7:00PM
How can I lie about the scriptures they're in the public domian. it is your warped thinking that distorts things. Islam is no explanation for most of the things that you spout. You confuse correlation with causation. Islam in its entire history has brought only goodness. it is by definition a religion of the good. its primary purpose is salvation. it can fit in anywhere. if you like it- good. If you dislike it- good.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.30.11 @ 8:13PM
Well, John
I have to hand it to you...
You are truly stupid.
Do you really believe your pig-shit is going to change any minds here?
Mohamed was a murderous pig...and your future wife will have no clitoris.
I would feel sorry for you except that I enjoy the fact that you will spend eternity with your Father...in hell where he is boss.
One day soon some of your braver, (stupider), co-religionists will cross the line and it will be open season on murderer/pedophiles like you.
What's really ironic is that Mohamed could not attract a real woman. Heh. He had to molest little girls.
Brian Mc| 3.31.11 @ 6:06AM
Watch the documentary mentioned above then get back to us and explain where we have erred, John.
Creative Recreation | 8.10.11 @ 11:10PM
is good