You forgot the "L".
Posted on 03/20/2007 6:28:14 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
Freshman Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) has ignited a controversy after agreeing to be the keynote speaker at an April 7 banquet and fundraiser hosted by the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights group in the country, with 30 chapters nationwide. Jewish organizations and conservative groups have criticized CAIR for not labeling Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations and for not specifically denouncing suicide bombings against Israelis.
Sestak's acceptance of the invitation has particularly enraged members of the Philadelphia Jewish community, who bombarded him with critical questions at a two-hour forum last week.
According to Rabbi Lisa Malik, whose synagogue co-sponsored the forum, the event was nearly canceled after word of Sestak's scheduled appearance at CAIR's function leaked out. When the congressman did speak at the Jewish Community Center in Havertown, protesters gathered outside.
"I don't think he came across looking that good. A lot of his answers came across as very wishy-washy," Malik said. "He had the opportunity to become a hero. I was hoping after hearing everyone's complaints, he would cancel his appearance at the CAIR function or at least reconsider it."
Sestak is among a growing number of lawmakers to take flak over associations with CAIR. In January, after drawing criticism, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) rescinded a letter of appreciation that she offered to the head of CAIR's Sacramento chapter. Boxer later said her office hadn't thoroughly vetted the organization.
CAIR vigorously disputes criticism of the organization. Legislative director Corey Saylor said his group has "gone above and beyond in terms of condemning terrorism and extremism." In 2005, CAIR signed on in support of a fatwa condemning "religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives."
Referring to critics, Saylor said, "These groups want to see Muslims disenfranchised."
But at the very least, CAIR has taken positions that appear to clash with those of Israel supporters. That could prove to be politically harmful to Sestak in his suburban Philadelphia district, which has a politically influential bloc of Jewish voters. And some CAIR supporters, including one of the speakers at the fundraiser, have made statements Jewish leaders have labeled as anti-Semitic.
One of the featured speakers at the event is Muslim activist Rafael Narbaez, who has made a number of controversial comments about Israel. During a July 2006 speech at a Detroit mosque, Narbaez said Zionists have "the same racist ideology that the Nazis of Germany had."
"To me, the notion that you can sit down with CAIR and help them, and affirm yourself as a supporter of Israel, is a contradiction," said Jonathan S. Tobin, executive editor of the Jewish Exponent, a weekly newspaper in Philadelphia. "Many people in this region feel the same way."
The brouhaha began two weeks ago, when Sestak's outreach coordinator, Adeeba Al-Zaman, booked the congressman for an event other Sestak aides presented as a banquet. But CAIR's Philadelphia chapter put out fliers billing the congressman as the featured speaker at a fundraiser. Al-Zaman is the former director of communications for CAIR's Philadelphia chapter.
Upon receiving complaints, Sestak insisted he wouldn't speak unless he was the only speaker and was disassociated from the fundraising portion of the event. CAIR responded by advertising Sestak's speech as part of a "banquet," while other featured speakers and entertainment would be listed under the fundraiser. Despite the changes, attendees still need to pay $50 to attend the banquet and hear Sestak speak.
"It's disingenuous to say they're two separate events," Malik said.
Sestak said he would not cancel because more than 200 of his constituents would be in the audience. He also said his speech would criticize CAIR and call on the organization to more explicitly condemn terrorism.
"The easiest thing to do was to cancel, but I don't think it's the right thing to do," Sestak said. "The best way forward is to take advantage of this, to speak, and to speak truth to power. And to speak directly and candidly of what I believe."
Sestak said his speech will reiterate his "strong support for Israel" and criticize terrorist groups. He added that he hasn't seen any instance in which CAIR has specifically singled out extremist organizations for criticism.
"I can't find where it's ever condemned Hamas and Hezbollah by name," Sestak said.
At the same time, Sestak said CAIR was a "legitimate organization," and he pointed to its "good work" in fighting racial profiling.
But his suggestion at having a "Sister Souljah moment" of sorts in front of CAIR has done little to sway his detractors.
"Unless he says something really specific, it doesn't really mean anything. It's somewhat insulting," Malik said. "After a point, you can't just forgive him because he's a rookie. It would have been nice if he said, after all you told me about CAIR, I'd perhaps reconsider. He didn't even go that far."
In 2006, Sestak handily defeated GOP Rep. Curt Weldon, aided in part by an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into Weldon's lobbying ties.
Sestak's military experience as a retired Navy vice admiral has made him one of the leading Democratic spokesmen on foreign policy. He participated in a four-person panel on "Meet the Press" Sunday to discuss the Iraq war.
Political analysts believe the Democratic tilt of Sestak's district makes his reelection fairly secure, but the CAIR controversy has given Republicans new optimism in trying to pick up the seat.
Real estate executive Tim Pulte has met with officials from the National Republican Congressional Committee and is leaning toward a run, according to a Republican operative.
Sestak's spokesman said politics is the furthest thing from the congressman's mind in determining whether to speak at the CAIR function.
"He tells people what he thinks," said spokesman Ryan Rudominer. "He's not necessarily afraid of the political consequences of doing what he feels is in the best interest of his district -- in this case, speaking with 250 constituents."
This guy is a real low life.
Call his office and demand that he demand CAIR answer this question with a yes or no at his meeting:
Is Hezbollah a terrorist organization. YES or NO.
Those things can be dangerous.
These reprsentatives will steal from their old grandmas handbag if they could get away with it. They don't work for us they work for the enemy!
"They don't work for us they work for the enemy!"
A fact that is readily becoming more and more apparent...
Obviously he won't do that. He knows CAIR's postition and he is sucking up to them anyway. He is among a group of "Rent a Vets" recruited to run in the 06 elections.
So what are Sestak and his Clintonista cohorts up to? Berger would sell anything to the Chinese, it wouldn't surprise me if he sold out to the Muslims.
One good thing is that the district that fired Weldon to elect this dipstick is getting embarrassed.
Sestak acted like PA's version of John Kerry this weekend on MTP-arrogant, superior, condescending,
" I served in the military and you didn't, so I know more than you about everything," etc.
I bet he pulls the " Don't you know who I am ?" act wherever he goes.
He's a perfect fit for CAIR.
I guess Sestak is just being a good Democrat, and recognizing that Muslim votes are more important than the safety and security of this country and his fellow citizens.
Why this guy couldn't have faded away quietly when he got s-canned I'll never know. Incoming CNO took a whopping 24 hours to give this guy his walking papers. That should tell you something.
Weldon blasts Sestak’s ties with fired CIA senior analyst
"..Sestak, who served as director for defense policy on Bill Clinton’s National Security Council, received two donations from McCarthy last month totaling $350. McCarthy also contributed $2,000 to Sen. John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign.
Weldon’s campaign reiterated that Sestak accepted contributions from former Clinton National Security Adviser Samuel "Sandy" Berger and former CIA Director John Deutch -- both of whom have admitted to mishandling classified information..."
Glad to see some constantcy in things. Sestak was a rabid raging asshole while in uniform too
"Incoming CNO took a whopping 24 hours to give this guy his walking papers."
The former Clinton Administration needed someone to run against Weldon. They picked this guy. The Clinton Administration will probably be covering its ass for the next 10 or so years. Lots to be embarrassed about. Look how Bill freaked out when Chris Wallace asked him a question. All these people do is cover their tracks.
You forgot the "L".
Right! He was fired (administratively reassigned), but nobody
fades away when they can run for Congress and those yokels in the 7th District bought it. They never looked past his Stars.
LOL! I was waiting for that picture on this thread!
Spencer: Joe Sestak: The man, the myth, the admiral
"..They say, make no mistake about it, Sestak was "fired" from his job because he couldn’t get along with others, subordinates or fellow admirals.
One retired Navy captain who worked closely with Sestak, described him to me as "arrogant," "narcissistic" and "Machiavellian."
"The joke (around the Pentagon) was you could tell where Joe Sestak was working by the people flinging themselves out the window. He was that self-serving and infuriating."
Another Navy colleague and critic was kinder, but admitted Sestak was awful to work with..."
Sestak did serve in the military, and during that time never got anywhere near combat. For ground combat experience contact Duncan Hunter, Jim Marshall, etc. Sestak was an excellent bureaucrat though, you can't take that away from him.
Anti-truth, anti-freedom, anti-individual, anti-life collectivists are likely to join forces.
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