Thursday, August 19th, 2010
New York City, New York
PANDERING AND HYPOCRISY
OVER A MOSQUE
The political pyromaniacs are on the loose in the nation's capitol, with both parties pandering to their respective bases. Neither democrats nor republicans could be accused of being "bathed in courage" on a litany of important national issues. Political demography is the sound bite of the day as shrill election rhetoric continues to mount.
Being a republican candidate this election season certainly is exhausting. These defenders of our American way of life are consumed by enemies galore, around the clock. As if Gays, socialists, Muslims, Arabs, and illegal immigrants were not enough, now they have to attend to the fear mongering over the Ground Zero mosque.
Except the proposed mosque and community center is not at ground Zero - it's several blocks away and a few hundred feet from an existing mosque. Yes, there will be a place of worship, but also a swimming pool, basketball court, bookstore, fitness center, performing arts center, and a food court. Heaven help us, now our way of life is to be threatened by lamb kabobs and hummus!
There was no real concern expressed over the proposed Islamic cultural center when it was first proposed back in December of 2009. The New York Times published a story at that time quoting the project's developer. "We want to push back against the extremists," said Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. Jewish leaders and a number of city officials, including the mayor's office, said they supported the idea, as did the mother of a man killed on 9/11. An FBI spokesman said the Imam, (the leader of the mosque), worked for the bureau for years.
Shortly after the Times story ran, conservative media personality Laura Ingraham interviewed Abdul Rauf's wife, Daisy Khan, while guest-hosting "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox. In hindsight, the segment is remarkable for its cordiality. "I can't find many people who really have a problem with it," Ingraham says of the mosque project, adding at the end of the interview, "I like what you're trying to do." This is the same Laura Ingraham who presently has a book listed as number two on the New York Times best sellers list called, "The Obama Diaries," a blistering attack on the current administration.
Muslims have been praying inside the Pentagon since Sept. 11, but those opposing the Ground Zero mosque have been strangely silent. That's right. Muslims have infiltrated the Pentagon for their nefarious, prayerful purposes - daring to practice their religion inside the building where 184 people died on Sept. 11, 2001. They haven't even had the sensitivity to move two blocks, let alone a mile, away from that sacred site.
As reported in the Washington Times, "Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon. God is most great, sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, as iftar - the end of the daily fast - began. Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah.
"In a ceremony following 9/11, Army Chaplain Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, the first Muslim chaplain to serve in the military, read a verse from the Koran at the memorial service at the Pentagon on a Thursday, exactly one month after the attack. Muhammad, who became a chaplain eight years ago and works at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, ministered to rescuers in front of the smoldering Pentagon after the attack."
So Muslims can pray at the Pentagon, but not several blocks away from Ground Zero? Maybe it's because most Americans, including virtually all of our politicians, see the Islamic world as a single confusing and troubling monolith. In the Christian world, we have no problem making distinctions. Just because someone is an Irish catholic living in New Orleans doesn't mean he's sympathetic to Irish Republican Army terrorists. Southern Baptists do not condone the murderers of abortion doctors.
But in America, we remain blind to the divisions and distinctions within Islam. There are 1.57 billion adherents to the Muslim faith around the globe, making up 23% of the world population. In the U.S., there are estimates of some 5 million Muslims. Yet American education rarely mentions this vast unknown population that many say is the fastest growing religion in the world as well as in the U.S. Without any basic knowledge, how can we determine friend or foe?
As far as the Ground Zero mosque, our politicians are falling all over themselves postulating that there should be no Muslim presence anywhere near this hallowed ground. In Louisiana's hotly contested U.S. Senate race, Incumbent David Vitter is demanding that the President reverse his support for building the mosque, while his opponent, Democrat Charlie Melancon, says that such a building "near Ground Zero isn't appropriate." Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich one ups both of them by declaring that building the mosque would be like putting a Nazi sign by a holocaust museum.
On one hand, there is a good audience for pandering as some two thirds of Americans are against the mosque. But we all have to deal with trifles like the 1st and 14th amendments. Legally, there is little wiggle room for the opposition. But does building such a center make good sense? Probably not. There is a difference between what any organization legally could do as compared to what they should do.
On the other, far from engendering good will and better understanding, Abdul Rauf and his fellow mosque supporters have started a firestorm that has rekindled animosity and distrust. While there may not be a logical foundation for such vehemence -- justified or not, it exists. To be tolerated, both sides, including mosque supporters must be sensitive to the wounds of 9/11 that have yet to heal.
In the current election season, one would think that the campaigns would focus on the economy, healthcare, Iraq, Afghanistan and who is best qualified to lead us. Instead, those who hope to lead are spending too much time exploiting the anger, self-righteous indignation and arrogance concerning the mosque placement at the expense of other very pressing issues.
British economist Josiah Stamp wrote: "It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities."
Too many elected officials are dodging the major issues facing this country today. Unfortunately, it is the rest of us who will suffer the consequences.
Peace and Justice.
Jim Brown
Jim Brown's syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers and websites throughout the South. You can read all is past columns and see continuing updates at www.jimbrownusa.com. You can also hear Jim's nationally syndicated radio show each Sunday morning from 9 am till 11:00 am, central time, on the Genesis Radio Network, with a live stream at http://www.jimbrownusa.com. The show is televised at http://www.justin.tv/jimbrownusa.
New Orleans political commentator Clancy Dubos from Gambit Weekly joined Rachel Maddow to discuss Senator Vitter and how his moral and ethical problems will affect the campaign.
This week saw the official start of the U.S. Senate election – forget about the primary – Senator David Vitter and Congressman Melancon are racing directly to November.
Here are the two Ads – follow the jump for commentary.
The Republican Party of Louisiana seems to be having some major issues.
In recent weeks I have been talking with my Republican Friends, many of which are leaders in the Republican Party and all of them have been throwing up their hands in disbelief at the seeming lack of direction and lack of credibility the state party has been displaying.
About a year ago is when this started happening.Take for example the attack launched by Party Boss Roger Villere against then Speaker Pro-Tem Representative Karen Carter Peterson.Villere launched a huge attack with a blanket FOIA request for all public documents from Carter-Peterson.This attack which was little more than a stunt but which cost the tax-payers of this state in the form of payroll likely thousands of dollars all to try to score political points.This stunt lead to the open rebuke and requests for his resignation by many Republican Representatives.Villere refused to resign and nothing was discovered from this stunt.It should be noted that this stunt was fueled by Peterson daring to criticize Governor Jindal’s administrations attempts at killing legislation that would make the records of his office open to public inspection.Yes, the very same topic that he and other Republicans were constantly attacking Governor Blanco over – seems now that Bobby is in the Governor’s Mansion transparency is irrelevant.
Today Congressman and Democratic Challenger to Senator Vitter, Charlie Melancon called on the Senate to finish their work before they leave town.
At issue is the bill that passed in the House but is left inside a huge stack of bills in the Senate.This bill would effectively end the moratorium for those rigs who are meeting or exceeding their responsibilities to operate safely and would provide over $1.2 Billion in penalties against BP that would be directed to Costal Restoration projects.It appears that these bills are caught up in politics and not what is best for Louisiana.
US Senator David Vitter is scheduled to appear on Fox News Sunday tomorrow morning which has all of us at The Daily Kingfish wondering – Will they have the journalistic integrity to ask Senator Vitter the questions that everyone is wanting to know the answer to?Or will Chris Wallace and Fox News give Vitter a soft landing spot that they always seem to do with Republicans?
Yesterday saw the close of the qualifying period for a slew of races.These races include the replacement of Mitch Landrieu as our Lt. Governor and all of the Federal races – each congressional district as well as the Vitter Senate seat.(This column is about the Federal Races, the State races will follow.)
There has been so much action it is almost enough to make this political junkies head spin right off my neck, but let’s take a look at the more notable races.
USSenate
David Vitter has had his share of problems and now it seems as if he has more than his far share of challengers.First – let’s look at the Republican Primary – yes, - exciting – there will be one!
Two Republican Challengers will be facing off with the embattled senator and they are former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor and little known Nick Accardo of Franklin.Traylor is definitely the surprise here in this race and could really give Vitter a run for his money.Lacking no far right bonafides, Traylor enters the race as a “country lawyer” with strong support from north Louisiana and in the business community.Traylor is arguably most famous for writing the opinion of Louisiana’s highest court that retained Louisiana’s Anti Sodomy Laws that are still on the books here in our state (albeit completely unenforceable after Lawrence v. Texas).For more on this check out what they are saying on TPM.
Talking Points Memo has obtained directories clearly showing that Brent Furer was assigned to women’s issues and go on to say that while “Lying is a strong word to be used in politics.And it’s usually best to be avoided.”Vitter’s first run in with reporters yesterday in Baton Rouge the Senator unequivocally stated that Furer was not assigned to Women’s issues instead, he claimed that it has always been the case that a staffer in Lafayette and his deputy COS have always handled these issues. TPM clearly shows that has not been the case and points back to the ABC reports from the previous few days that show that as recently as two months ago, Furer was actively working on this issue and met with different Women's Advocacy and Anti-Domestic Violence groups.
Furer you will recall from previous news accounts was arrested and charged with several crimes surrounding an incident where his ex girlfriend claims she was held at knifepoint for over 90 minutes, cut, threatened that she was going to be killed and when she tried to call 911 on her cell phone Furer smashed the phone.
As is so often the case with politicians when they get caught up in the scandal… they lies they produce often only add fuel to the flames.In this case, because Vitter so skillfully evades reporters, this makes it only worse.
In related issues – yesterday as a post script, I posted the Lafayette KATC coverage of this matter.The troubling point is to see the comments from folks who saw the report.They made claims of bias on the part of the reporter and that they would stop watching the channel due to this “clear bias.”Have we really come to this?News, real news, that gets reported on that we don’t like or that doesn’t fit neatly into our own views then it is BIASED?I like most like to listen and engage with like minded folks, but I also want news – even when it hurts or challenges my beliefs or desires.
Vitter said the issue has been "misrepresented" and "misreported," and he called it old news.
"Well, the event was two years ago. The discipline he got in the office was two years ago," Vitter told reporters.
The senator's remarks came on the heels of an announcement from the National Organization for Women over the weekend calling on the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee to censure Sen. David Vitter for tolerating the behavior of a top aide who allegedly threatened to kill a female friend and held her at knife-point during a 90-minute ordeal.
David Vitter continues to support the Republican lead Filibuster on the extension of Unemployment INSURANCE Benefits to those who need it the most.Republicans have stood out and finally found their inner “fiscal conservatives” and the way they intend to show it?By punishing those who have been trying to find work and have been unsuccessful.
There is no argument in Economy – one of the most stimulating things you can do is to fund Unemployment Benefits.You see that money almost immediately goes back into the economy to pay Rent, Mortgage, buy groceries and pay insurance and other debts.Vitter and his Republican friends also count “Unemployment Insurance” as an Entitlement Program – something they hate.The fact is that Unemployment INSURANCE is paid into by workers and employers alike and is there, much like your car insurance, to cover you when you need it most.Most employees never need to seek unemployment, but when you do… you really need it.This extension would allow a few extra months for folks to continue to receive those benefits while they continue to seek employment.
Republican’s who just now becoming “born again” on their “fiscal conservative” side is really troubling when you can see that for the previous 8 years, while they had complete control, they spent like drunken sailors.
Quin Hillyer, former state chair of the Louisiana Young Republicans pens this op-ed for GAMBIT wherein he writes:
Vitter thus far has survived his infamous ties to the "D.C. Madam," along with credible accusations of earlier assignations with at least one other call girl. Supporters apparently forgave his moral lapse — and overlooked the fact that paying prostitutes is a crime. Nobody should be in the Senate drafting laws if he is unwilling to abide by them.
It seems to show that many are starting to agree with this sentiment, and traditional political wisdom is that if an incumbent is under 50% in the polls, they have something to worry about.So Senator Vitter, take heed.
Questions we would love the Senator to answer:
Does his office conduct background checks on all employees?Does his campaign?
When did you/your office learn of Mr. Furer’s repeated brushes with the law including DWI’s and the arrest for domestic abuse (et al.) and the subsequent pleading to lesser charges?
Why did you retain Mr. Furer and why did you keep him assigned to Women’s Issues/Abortion?
It seems very troubling to me that this has been out there now for weeks and the Senator has been able to avoid speaking with the media.It seems even more troubling to me that local and national news stations are not staking the guy out.I mean he was at the event here in Lafayette – we had two days notice and it appears not one reporter even approached him on these issues.
The Daily Kingfish for one is NOT going to let this issue go, we are going to stay on it.
The Lafayette Daily Advertiser is reporting on the story we first broke yesterday here at The Daily Kingfish.David Vitter has forced himself onto the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra’s “Red, White and Boom” concert.
The ASO, which will continue as planned with the event, said Friday that was not the nonprofit group's intent.
"We did not invite him," ASO Executive Director Jenny Krueger said of Vitter. "He contacted us and said he wanted to be a part of the program. Anybody is welcome to appear. Our organization as a whole strives to be politically neutral.
So there you have it – double confirmed here – David Vitter invited himself to this Non-Profit event.And seriously think about how they would have turned him down?Impossible.Now it’s not like Vitter even LIVES in Acadiana – so he is making a special trip here and strong arming a local Non-Profit in to letting him speak at an event that they “strived to be politically neutral.”
And what do you get from Vitter when asked?Nothing.But that is nothing new.As KATC reported this week Vitter is refusing to do any interviews (Save apparently the one he did with WWL that never aired). Let’s hope some enterprising reporter will be staking out this event to see how “non-political” only “patriotic” the Senator really is in his speech.
(Bringing this back up to the top, in case anyone missed it! - promoted by Matt B)
As summer sets in and Louisiana yet again finds itself in crisis, many folks are looking towards November to see what if anything recent primaries held throughout the country tell us of our political future.Charlie Melancon is challenging Senator David “Serious Sin” Vitter, Congressman Cao at least on paper seems to be toast and political newcomer Ravi Sangisetty could keep the LA3 in Democratic hands… or…
Nationally pundits can’t seem to stop themselves from pontificating the end of one party or the other using the party primaries in Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Kentucky as their crystal ball.Yet I think many of them are missing the point – what can be learned from these races and what, if anything, does it say for the November results.
Arlen Specter, long time Republican turned Democrat for what appears to be only due to self preservation went down to General turned Congressman Joe Sestak.The “party bosses” from the President through the Governor all supported Specter – yet Sestak won.In Kentucky’s Republican Senate primary Dr. Rand Paul won hands down against the “establishment” choice.And in Arkansas Democratic incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln is facing a difficult fight with Lt. Governor Bill Halter because she couldn’t muster the support of at least 50% of the Democratic Primary voters to save her position.In all of these cases I think the lesson that can be learned is – “ignore your constituents to your own peril.”
Specter clearly had his own skin as his motivating factor and Sestak caught it on tape and used it against him.Lincoln is in a state where polls showed that well over 65% of the population and almost 90% of Democratic Voters supported Healthcare Reform – yet she fought against it tooth and nail.And in Kentucky “Tea Party” favorite Rand Paul pulls out a win against Party insiders largely due to a revolt against the establishment.Now, most of the country is learning more than they ever cared to about “libertarian views” a la debating the Civil Rights Act.
Points that must be made…In Kentucky with all the “air” being sucked up by the Republican Primary one missed the point that Democrats turned out 3 to 2 at the polls to send state Attorney General Jack Conway to November.So much for Democrats being demoralized and not interested, huh?
But what does this say for our chances here in Louisiana.We have to look at the races: (those races after the jump)
In honor of the late Ashley Morris, I am using his FYYFF rant to nail Beyond Petroleum British Petroleum and their sweetheart David Vitter. Yeah, dat's right, Louisiana, BP does not stand for Beyond Petroleum, it stands for BRITISH Petroleum. And yet some of our nation's illustrious conservatives seem to think it's "un-American" to criticize BP for its efforts in responding to the disaster in the Gulf that they wrought because they didn't want to follow proper safety procedures prior to drilling some 18,000 feet under the sea, all in the name of saving a few bucks.
Don't believe me? Then watch this video, and you'll be outraged at British Petroleum:
So ... British Petroleum, FYYFF.
But far worse than calling folks un-American for criticizing British Petroleum is carrying their water up in on Capitol Hill. And guess who is doing dat?
Yeah, dat's right, the Sinning Senator himself.
The bill he asked the Senate to give unanimous consent to - the BP Bailout Bill - caps the economic liability of British Petroleum to $150 million OR it's last 4 quarters of profits, whichever is higher. To be fair, BP's last four quarter's of profits were $20 billion. But the bill doesn't designate any company as the "responsible" party, it simply relates back to the Oil Pollution Action of 1990, which makes the companies holding the lease responsible for any environmental disaster.
Why is this relevant? Because BP doesn't own the entirety of the lease, it only owns 65% of it. Another company, Anadarko, owns 25% of the lease. In the last 4 quarters, Anadarko has lost $135 million, so they would face no more than $150 million in liability, despite the fact that they hold an estimated $50 billion in assets. And take a wild guess at how much money Anadarko has given the Sinning Senator since his campaign for the Senate in 2004?
At least $14,000. That's just the PAC that Anadarko has. It doesn't include their employees' individual giving, but my money is on a lot more cash being given to the Sinning Senator from Anadarko, as he is the #2 recipient of oil & gas campaign cash in the United States Senate for the last five years, to the tune of $389,000.
Thankfully, y'all have the opportunity to kick the Sinning Senator to the curb by voting him out of office this fall. Don't squander the opportunity to do so, Louisiana.
The Sinning Senator is asked a serious question by a Louisiana voter:
Here's the transcript:
Senator Vitter: Hey! How are you doing?
Concerned Voters: Hi, I have a question for you.
Senator Vitter: Sure!
Concerned Voter: Are you campaigning on family values this year?
Senator Vitter: I'm sorry?
Concerned Voter: This time around are you campaigning on family values again?
Staffer: I'm sorry I've ---
Senator Vitter: I'm campaigning....on all the... things I've...... fought for in the US Senate.
Concerned Voter: You lied to us in '04 what makes us think we can believe you now!
Awww ... the poor Sinning Senator can't even produce a coherent answer, other than what he's fought for in the Senate. Hmmm ... let's see ... damn, I can't even tell you what he's actually gotten passed in the Senate that eventually became law either.
But seriously, he fooled us in 2004 about being the "family values" candidate. Is he lying to us now, and if so, what about?
Now that the Risque Republican National Committee has identified who they reimbursed for the bill, folks really want to know who the guests of Mr. Erik Brown were. Since one of the guests wasn't, according to the RNC, their own Chairman, Michael Steele, might one of them have been a certain Sinning Senator from Louisiana?
Indeed, a Louisiana Democratic official dropped this little gem:
"We are investigating whether this event was a fundraiser for Vitter's campaign or whether Vitter attended the event. Given his past, you never know where David Vitter is going to show up."
So the floor is yours, Senator Vitter ... were you at the Voyeur West Hollywood club with Erik Brown on that February night?
Ah, poor David Vitter ... every single time a political sex scandal hits the news, the GOP runs out to defend the politician, unless, of course, that politician is a Democrat, because, of course, IOKIYAR:
Today Congressman and Democratic Challenger to Senator Vitter, Charlie Melancon called on the Senate to finish their work before they leave town. 
US Senator David Vitter is scheduled to appear on Fox News Sunday tomorrow morning which has all of us at The Daily Kingfish wondering – Will they have the journalistic integrity to ask Senator Vitter the questions that everyone is wanting to know the answer to?
Talking Points Memo has 
David Vitter continues to 
