[randita]

At the very worst, it was a severe security lapse. One would at least hope that al-Arian was thoroughly searched before going into the WH.

At the least, it was an effort by Bush to demonstrate that his indictment of Muslim terrorists was not an indictment of all Muslims. Little did he know.

Al-Arian was involved in a few very innocent sounding Islam groups that on their face sounded as if they were humanitarian causes.

[mattdono]

Al-Arian was involved in a few very innocent sounding Islam groups that on their face sounded as if they were humanitarian causes.

And that is the real evil behind this. This isn't happenstance; this is by design. These Islamists know that the American left-wing media will pick up on this story and run with it...as they have.

[itsahoot]

At the very worst, it was a severe security lapse.

If only that were true, sadly, it may not be the worst at all.

[philosofy123]

Al-Arian was involved in a few very innocent sounding Islam groups that on their face sounded as if they were humanitarian causes. Nonsense! The ignorance of Bush and his so called advisors as illustrated in this picture is very shoking. There are plenty of Moslem people that live in this country, pay taxes, and never associate themselves with militant Wahhabist Fanatical Islam. All you need to know is are their women wearing head cover? Are the guys wearing beards?

The problem with Bush and with all political candidates for that matter is during the campaign, they need to display that they love everybody (including Nazis/child molesters/gang leaders…)! They also need any financial contribution that they can get. In this case, this Palestinian professor with ties to the Saudis must have had a lot of money to give to the Bush candidacy, for which, Bush does not mind prostituting his dignity and beliefs?

[mass55th]

I wrote to Mr. Gaffney:

Thank God he was indicted...finally. Let's just hope that another Clinton isn't in a position to pardon him!

[TLBSHOW]

The government's long-running investigation, like the university's actions, has been troubling at times. Mr. Al-Arian's brother-in-law, Mazen Al-Najjar, was held on secret evidence for nearly four years while the government pursued his deportation. But the indictment suggests that many people were too reflexive in their disbelief that an urbane, politically active professor -- one who had been to the White House and who regularly talked to journalists -- could be a genuine terrorist, and in their automatic assumption that he must be a victim of university railroading and FBI abuses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55830-2003Feb23.html

[Republic of Texas]

I would be more upset about this, except for the fact that it all took place pre-9/11. Most of us, at that time, thought that Muslims were like us. They had their extremists, but all religions do, and the vast majority of them just wanted peace. I think we have all learned better since then, and that includes the FBI, GW Bush and the WH staff.