Posted on 09/29/2011 3:06:35 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
At last week’s presidential debate in Florida, Rick Perry said something that made the audience gasp in disbelief. He said critics of in-state college tuition for illegal aliens “have no heart.” Welcome to Compassionate Conservatism 2.0.
The Perry tactic of debate by slander was an eye-opener for many conservatives, and it probably contributed to his poor showing in the Florida straw poll that followed the debate. Republicans are in no mood for a replay of the Bush amnesty plans.
Or Perry’s poor showing in the Florida straw poll might have something to do with a recent report about the highly touted “Texas jobs created by Perry’s pro-growth policies.” The Center for Immigration Studies has discovered that 81% of the 279,000 jobs created in Texas from 2007 to 2011 went to non-citizens, a high number of them illegal aliens.
What is not yet as widely known about Perry is that he extends his taxpayer-funded compassion not only to illegal aliens but also to Muslim groups seeking to whitewash the violent history of that religion. Perry endorsed and facilitated the adoption in Texas public schools of a pro-Muslim curriculum unit developed by Muslim clerics in Pakistan.
Perry’s connections to Muslim groups in Texas are well documented. A recent Christian Science Monitor story said, “Perry has attended a number of Ismaili events in Texas, brokered a few agreements between the state and Ismailis (including the legislation introducing Islamic curricula into Texas schools), and even laid the first brick at the groundbreaking ceremony for an Ismaili worship center in Plano in 2005.”
The Muslim Histories and Cultures (MHC) project was formalized in 2004 in a signed agreement between the University of Texas at Austin and Aga Khan University in Pakistan. The announcement of the MHC project credited Gov. Perry by name with being “instrumental” in its launch.
The agreement calls for an extensive program of bi-cultural teacher training funded jointly by both parties. More than 200 Texas teachers have been trained in the program, which is ongoing. The project’s curriculum units were initially available for viewing on the university’s website, but have since been scrubbed from the Internet. It appears Texas officials do not want the curriculum examined by Texas taxpayers.
Islam scholar Robert Spencer, head of Jihad Watch, examined the program and concluded, “The curriculum is a complete whitewash and it’s got the endorsement of Perry. It’s not going to give you any idea why people are waging jihad against the West — it’s only going to make you think that the real problem is ‘Islamophobia.’”
Perhaps Spencer exaggerates the curriculum’s bias? Examine it for yourself here.
Perry’s close ties to Muslim groups led the political blog Salon to headline a recent story: “Rick Perry: The pro-Sharia candidate?” Evidence in support of that theme comes from Gov. Perry’s refusal to support legislation sponsored by Texas Republican legislators to outlaw Sharia law in Texas.
Perry’s close alliances with pro-Islamic Republican activists like Grover Norquist give additional cause for concern. Norquist supports open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens and is well known in Washington, D.C. circles for his tireless efforts to build Republican bridges to pro-amnesty groups and to slander advocates of immigration enforcement as “racists.” Norquist also has close ties to the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), whose Houston chapter bragged in a recent newsletter that “Rick Perry’s relationship with Muslims may set him apart.” Precisely so, but not in a way that helped him with voters in the Florida straw poll.
What is it with Republican elites like Perry? Do they think Republican primary voters are stupid? Does Perry think he can talk tough in defending the Texas death penalty and then waffle on border security and taxpayer support for illegal alien children? Why does he think he can claim to be the “tea party candidate” while endorsing a whitewash of Islamic extremism in Texas schools?
Perry’s ties to Muslim groups is only one red flag among many. His poor performance in the Florida debate may well be the beginning of a meltdown.
(Tom Tancredo represented Colorado’s 6th Congressional District from 1999 until 2009.)
I will give him this - he's better than Chris Christie.
It would be a great comfort if we had Australia’s leadership and their fortitude in Washington when it comes to Islamics in general. See France and Britain if you need any more perspective than 9/11 and the middle-east in general.
No. I’d heard about this, but it’s good to hear it in greater detail.
I supported Perry in the race for governor, because I thought he was better than Kaye Bailey Hutchinson. But that’s not saying a whole lot. At that time most Freepers seemed to have the same take on him—better than Hutchinson, but not great. I don’t know where this recent enthusiasm for Perry came from, but I must say it ignores a good bit of his actual record in office.
Why is Herman Cain not the perfect conservative candidate? That is not a rhetorical q, honestly.
Perry became friends with fellow Texan and Ismallis sect leader, Aga Khan. I see nothing sinister about this relationship. After all, Perry is the Governor of Texas and that includes ALL Texans --- Christians, Jews, Muslims, whatever. They're all Americans.
Perry initiated a teacher-training program on Islamic history and helped to get that curricula introduced into Texas schools. I see no evidence this is a play to push Islam or Sharia Law.
Besides, Perry is a huge supporter and defender of Israel. Also, Perry wants the Feds to secure the border. Texas has spent $350 million since 2005 on border security. Plug the hole in the border and the illegals will stop coming.
Thanks for this info, Reagan Man. I’m trying to get a balanced picture. Thanks to all FReepers who are helping us to weigh the evidence.
This is not another reference link to another queer Dallas website is it?
Perry, like the hack career politician he is, is trying to be on both sides of the issue. He claims to “support Israel” (without offering any specifics), but lavishes praise on the demonic imperialist cult of Islam, calling it a “great religion.” Perry’s position is virtually identical to that of Baraq Hussein 0bama. And why not? Perry is really just the same Al Gore “moderate” Demonrat he was in 1988.
Good analysis.
Decisions, decisions.
And just what the heck is wrong with being a nativist.
We need harsh punishments for the traitors who knowingly hire illegals. However, those people are in bed with Perry. They support his campaign.
Paging Rick Santorum: I believe we have a new debate issue for you to raise in two weeks.
Tom Tancredo is a Romney supporter isn’t he?
Check out Cain’s not so hot take on 2nd Amendment! Plus he is the ONLY one who stupidly and unconservatively said he would not support whomever the GOP nominee was. Sounds like he’s thinking about re-joining the 96% of em that voted for nobama.
Basically, Cain is a very unknown and untested item, even more unknown and untested that nobama.
Do you really R E A L L Y think the GOP Establishment is going to let Cain move in front of Romney? Cain must think the same because he is politicing for Romney’s VP slot.
I've been researching Perry since August and expected this issue to come up. Never thought my fellow Coloradan, Tom Tancredo, would be the one making a mountain out of a molehill. That's Tommy for ya. LOL
Perry does have a less than perfect record on immigration, but its nowhere near as bad as some are making it out to be. Perry's ties to Muslims living in Texas is not an issue at all. The smear merchants are working OT. Perry may not be the ideal candidate, but he is not the enemy either.
So far there is nothing good about Perry in view.
Sharia is an absolute disqualifier; no need to go any further; get him otta here yesterday.
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