Dear Capitol Hill: We Confess, Muslims Want to Serve America

This week, four Republican members of Congress (Sue Myrick [R-NC], John Shadegg [R-AZ], Paul Broun [R-GA] and Trent Franks [R-AZ]) called on the U.S. House of Representatives' Sergeant-at-Arms to investigate a national Muslim American civil rights organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), for encouraging young Muslim Americans to intern in Congressional offices. The accusation, based on an internal incriminating document, is that CAIR has a secret strategy of trying to plant "spies" into Congressional offices through, that's right, planting spies in congressional internships.

I confess. I've met with Presidents Clinton, Bush and advised them on counter-terrorism strategy. I've met with the FBI Director and discussed what helps partnerships with Muslim communities and what hurts. I've spoken before the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security and at the Secretary of State's Open Forum. I am guilty of civic engagement.

What's next? Muslims trying to infiltrate the Congress by scheduling lobby days, or by simply meeting with their members of Congress? It's a testament to how far some right-wing conspiracy theories have come that even the normal behavior of any advocacy group can be used as so-called evidence of a dangerous, seditious and destructive "plot".

In a bizarre McCarthy-era like press conference on Monday, the four lawmakers quoted from a yet-to-be released Islamophobic publication entitled, Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Conspiring to Islamize America. Published by right-wing conspiracy headquarters WorldNetDaily, the publication is co-authored by Dave Gaubatz, who has repeatedly accused members of Congress and the President of trying to implement sharia (Islamic law) in the United States.

The authors of this book and their four GOP stooges on Capitol Hill have one major characteristic in common with Al-Qaeda -- they all believe in conspiracy theories. They hope to repeat a lie aggressively until it becomes a fact in the public consciousness.

The Republican House leadership must follow in the footsteps of Rep. John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez to condemn this vicious and unfounded attack, and restore some sense of integrity in the U.S. Congress. In a clear statement yesterday, Rep. Conyers said:

"It shouldn't need to be said in 2009, and after the historic election of our first African-American president, but let me remind all my colleagues that patriotic Americans of all races, religions, and beliefs have the right -- and the responsibility -- to participate in our political process, including by volunteering to work in Congressional offices, Numerous Muslim-American interns have served the House ably and they deserve our appreciation and respect, not attacks on their character or patriotism."

What is more astounding is that this group of Islamophobes sent a spy (Chris Gaubatz, the son of Muslim Mafia co-author David Gaubatz) into CAIR's national headquarters to gather documents to accuse Muslims of spying on the Congress. Sounds fitting that conspiracy theorist neocons use the very tactics they accuse their "enemies" of.

But, don't feel sorry for Muslim Americans. We are not the victims in this absurd episode. The real victims are the sorry folks who promote this type of racist un-American propaganda and actually believe in it. They need therapy. They need our forgiveness for making America look so bad.

Follow Salam Al Marayati on Twitter: www.twitter.com/salampacker

Comments

[Socrmom]

Once again, Arizona is leader of the most outrageous right wing nuttery.

[OldBro70]

Could there be the slight possibility that these 4 Republithugs might actually fear that a new voting pattern is emerging that won't be favorable to their beliefs or party.?

[xypher0725]

I am a Muslim. You couldn't tell just by looking at me. I live in one of the most conservative area's in the reddest state in the Nation, yet no one notices me. I've assimilated so seamlessly into my new environment that I can walk about freely without ever raising and eyebrow. I have access to legal weaponry (guns, explosives, weapons related electronics). I have close ties with state level politicians, directors, and employee's. I am educated and physically fit. According to the above mentioned Republicans, I am the perfect spy. I demand to know...WHY THE HELL HAVE I NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED!...why has my loyalty not been called into question? why the f*&# can I still walk into any federal building?...I'll tell ya why, because if the A$$holes ever made a move on my inalienable rights as an American Citizen (full disclosure: naturalized, not born) I would sue them not just for their last penny, but for 3 out 4 strings of yarn that used to be their suits. I would use that money to send them wonderfully elaborate Christmas cards that say: "What a wonderful opportunity you are blessed with...You get to exercise the greatest Republican ideal...Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps!...PS: enjoy poverty while it lasts. I'm sure you'll be wealthy and powerful again some day...NOT. (I think Jesus would approve of them starting over with humble beginnings...I read it in a book somewhere)

[StillAmused]

Planting spies in Congressional offices would be the most surefire way to spin their wheels and neutralize them.

... which is why Republicans came up with this loopy idea.

It's getting funnier by the day.

[IllinoisTexan43]

Okay... is there ANY segment of the American population republicans HAVEN'T alienated yet?

//double face palm...

[TaiTai]

The right need to make up their mind. Either Obama is a Muslim who wants to install an ultra social conservative Sharia law, or he is a godless Marxist who wants everyone to be gay. They can't have it both ways. Jeez - it is any wonder that just 20% of Americans now claim to be Republicans?

[DJ Koolkat]

Both are bad so obviously Obama must want it all.

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

All religious groups should have their ties with government thoroughly investigated else we are being negligent on issues of church/state separation.

[alysheba 3]

What religious group? These are Americans who want to work with their government. Are you telling me that no Christians should be allowed to work within the Congressional Intern system?

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

Oh, and perhaps my lack of statement on this other issue is what truly bothered you and understandably it was a notable omission on my part:

The Republican Representatives involved in this witchhunt deserve the worse possible punishment befitting the crime. I would see them punished to the utmost for their blatant and biased attempt at limiting the rights of a particular group of people. I sincerely hope that they are removed from office for this despicable transgression.

[ranchero42]

Maybe this is the key to a bloodless cleansing action the right wing sorely needs. If their tendency is to cite virulently intolerant material (and there is no way to over-emphasize this: it is!!) virtually anything they pick up that seems to give aid and comfort to the Right COULD BE ENTRAPMENT! But they'll never notice that. They won't care. As long as they maintain purity of their most cherished dogma; nothing else matters.

[Demarcus Jackson]

I wish just one elected Republican leader would stand up for what is right and denounce these hateful and bigoted congressional leaders. This is pure professional bigotry in my view and cannot be tolerated. Muslim-Americans are like most other Americans---proud of their nation and called to serve.

[efmo]

Didn't Michelle Bachman (not sure I am spelling her first name right) say that Congress itself should be investigated for un-Americans?

[ranchero42]

I notice she didn't volunteer herself and her staff to start. It also got real quiet after that comment.

[OldBro70]

You are right.

[gbee]

OMG, American Muslims want to exercise their RIGHTS as Americans and work to be thought better of! This is the GOP's idea of a "conspiracy?" Sad, sad little party, that.

I guess the "conspiracy" is working, though - the more I see of the GOP, the BETTER I like EVERYONE else.

[metalboi]

Indeed, the Republicans are doing a fantastic job campaigning for the Democratic party.

[majii]

This says it all:

"But, don't feel sorry for Muslim Americans. We are not the victims in this absurd episode. The real victims are the sorry folks who promote this type of racist un-American propaganda and actually believe in it. They need therapy. They need our forgiveness for making America look so bad."

This is what happens when a party has no ideas, says no to all reasonable ideas from others, and tries to improve their public persona by creating ridiculous monsters that can be used to
give the impression that they are doing something for their constituents besides keeping a seat warm in Congress.

[kylennblack]

Infiltrating congress? Last time I checked Rep. Keith Ellison was freely elected. If I lived in his district I would have voted for him too.

[Khirad]

Yes, and the nerve of him to take his oath upon Jefferson's Qur'an [or Koran, in Jefferson's case]!

[Tundrapat]

Didn't some Gooper protest that he wasn't truly sworn in and thus, shouldn't be able to vote? Because he used a Qur'an?

Or maybe he just refused to shake hands or talk to him. Didn't want Qurooties, I suppose...

[truthartbeauty]

I dont want ANY religion anywhere near politics. I dont care if its muslim, christian, or spaghetti monster.

[MoodIndigo]

While I believe that no religious doctrine should be forced upon american citizans as law, all organizations have the right partipate in the democratic process and have their voice heard.

[LiberalLee]

Sorry, but if religions want to claim tax-exempt status, they give up their rights to agatate politically.
Even the X-ristian tenets hold that as a maxim." Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's" meaning to keep 'god' stuff and secular gov't stuff separate.
Of course if the collective churches of the US want to pay up their back-taxes...! Then they can play!

[adabsurdum25]

This is not an incident that has anything to do with religion in government. Nobody's trying to get the Quran on the ballot. This is a civil rights issue all the way. Sending young people/interns to Congress so they may represent their community, which in this case is a Muslim one, has to do with ensuring that citizens are respected and their rights maintained DESPITE their religion. Replace the word Muslim with Latin, African-American, Asian, Disabled, or any other community that engages in civic duty, and ask yourself if your reaction would be the same. There is definitely a conversation to be had on the role of religion in government. This is not that conversation.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***I dont want ANY religion anywhere near politics. I dont care if its muslim, christian, or spaghetti monster***


I forgive your blasphemy against the Noodly Deity

[Tundrapat]

Yarr! The scurvy dog's blasphemy be forgiven!

[Feesister]

I saw part of the press conference, and was completely stunned. These people from Congress had absolutely no shame in what they were doing. My fear is that they actually are representing the attitudes of their own constiuents.