How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sharia?

From THINK PROGRESS (2-1-11):

Amidst the political upheaval in Egypt, conservatives are scare-mongering about the possible Muslim Brotherhood takeover of Egypt. But leading neoconservative Frank Gaffney is taking Muslim Brotherhood fearmongering to new heights. This past weekend, Gaffney was a featured speaker at the Educational Policy Conference in St. Louis, an annual gathering of social conservatives. Gaffney used the opportunity to discuss how the Muslim Brotherhood is not only poised to implement a new theocracy in Egypt, but is also operating in the United States under “front groups” like the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil liberties group dedicated to “protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of faith.”

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The Raisin Gives This Movie a Thumbs Down

From THINK PROGRESS:

– Newt Gingrich is using the September 11th anniversary to unveil a new movie called “America At Risk,” which Gingrich says will drive the “national dialogue” about President Obama’s failure to address the rise of “Radical Islam” and its attempt to impose Sharia law on the United States. Gingrich’s website notes that the public can “pre-order your copy now for just $19.95 plus $4 shipping.”

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(Front row, l to r: John Bolton, Callista Gingrich, Newt Gingrich. Back row, l to r: Michael Chertoff, David Bossie, Frank Gaffney, Michael Ledeen.)

It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity

From CNN:

Fresh on the heels of a new immigration law that has led to calls to boycott her state, Arizona’s governor has signed a bill banning ethnic studies classes that “promote resentment” of other racial groups.

Gov. Jan Brewer approved the measure without public statement Tuesday, according to state legislative records. The new law forbids elementary or secondary schools to teach classes that are “designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group” and advocate “the overthrow of the United States government” or “resentment toward a race or class of people.”

Hmmmm, I wonder what she thinks about Confederate History Month.

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Brewer’s Yeesh

From USA TODAY:

Arizona‘s controversial immigration enforcement law was the target of fresh attacks Sunday as opponents, from national civil rights activists to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, vowed to take their fight to the courts as soon as this week.

Gordon, a Democrat, joined some federal lawmakers, including Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., and about 3,500 protesters Sunday at the Arizona Capitol, assailing the measure signed Friday by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer as a “racist and unjust” attempt at achieving an overhaul of the USA’s immigration policies.

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Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!

Good new, kids! The problem of terrorism has been pinpointed, and the solution is at hand. From DIGITAL JOURNAL:

The ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee believes one thing President Obama could do to fix the holes in the US’s air security system is to say the word “terrorism” more.
United State congressman Peter King (R-NY) made those comments to Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos while they were discussing specific ways in which the Obama administration could improve air traffic security measures. “Name one other specific recommendation that the president could implement right now to fix this.” Stephanopoulos asked King. “I think one main thing would be to — just himself — to use the word terrorism more often,” King responded.

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(l to r: Peter Huckster Hoekstra, Deadeye Dick Cheney, Snarlin’ Liz Cheney, Peter Hair On Fire King, Jim Demented DeMint, Dan Baby Daddy Burton)

The Price of Terror

From The Detroit News:

The Rick Snyder gubernatorial campaign took a swipe at fellow Republican candidate U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra today, saying he’s inappropriately using the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack at Detroit Metro Airport in an attempt to solicit political donations.

Hoekstra, R-Holland, sent out a fundraising letter today that opens with an account of the incident aboard Flight 253 and closes with this statement: “I know that as governor, my most solemn obligation will be to work every day to make sure that Michigan families are safe … Together, let’s stand up for America, and stand up for Michigan. Please help me fight by making a most generous contribution of $25, $50, $100 or even $250.”

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Law & Disorder

From The Arizona Republic:

Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl are continuing to press Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on the decision to limit Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration-enforcement authority.

Amid controversy over Arpaio’s ongoing crime-suppression sweeps, Immigration and Customs Enforcement dropped the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office from the 287(g) “task force model” that allowed deputies to enforce federal immigration laws on the streets. (The Sheriff’s Office still can enforce immigration laws in the jails.) Homeland Security officials have said Arpaio’s wide-reaching operations don’t align with ICE priorities of targeting only “serious criminal aliens.”

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Susan Collins, Person of InFLUence

From The Nation:

When House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey, the Wisconsin Democrat who has long championed investment in pandemic preparation, included roughly $900 million for that purpose in this year’s emergency stimulus bill, he was ridiculed by conservative operatives and congressional Republicans.

Obey and other advocates for the spending argued […that…] pandemic preparation was essential to any responsible plan for renewing the U.S. economy.

Now, as the World Health Organization says a deadly swine flu outbreak that apparently began in Mexico but has spread to the United States has the potential to develop into a pandemic, Obey’s attempt to secure the money seems eerily prescient.

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