Countdown

ABC News and CNN—Lowering the Bar

Volume VIII, No. 2
Posted on Tuesday January 16, 2007

ABC News and CNN—Lowering the Bar

In a move sure to win the coveted "xenophobe demographic," ABC News has hired CNN’s noted Islamophobe Glenn Beck as a regular commentator on "Good Morning America." According to the Washington Post, "Beck will make specials [for CNN in 2007] on people who believe in the apocalypse, Islam in America and the ‘myths of global warming.’" Have executives at ABC and CNN ever watched Beck’s show?

On August 10 and September 5, Beck stated that Arab and Muslim Americans are apathetic to terrorism and warned that Muslims “who have sat on [their] hands the whole time” rather than “lining up to shoot the bad Muslims in the head” will face dire consequences. (One of those consequences being that Muslims will be “looking through a razor wire fence at the West.”)

Last November, Beck interviewed then Congressman-elect Keith Ellison and asked him to “prove to me that you are not working with our enemies” simply because of Ellison’s religious affiliation. On November 15, he said he was surprised by a letter written by an American criticizing Al Qaeda because “the man who wrote it is a Muslim.” This is who they think is qualified to report and give commentary on Arab and Muslim Americans?

Homeland Insecurity

According to a very scary story in the Associated Press, Defense Department sales of surplus equipment (think yard sales with fighter jet parts rather than ceramics and old tie-dye shirts) have resulted in military equipment making its way to countries including Iran.

Pentagon rules say that sensitive items "are supposed to be demilitarized or ‘de-milled’—rendered useless for military purposes" before being sold. But last year, the Government Accountability Office "bought $1.1 million worth—including rocket launchers, body armor and surveillance antennas—by driving onto a base and posing as defense contractors. ‘They helped us load our van,’ [GAO’s Greg] Kutz said. Investigators used a fake identity to access a surplus Web site operated by a Pentagon contractor and bought still more, including a dozen microcircuits used on F-14 fighters."

Gone, But Not Forgotten

In his departing speech on the Senate floor, former Senator Rick Santorum promised to continue his warnings regarding the threat posed by "Islamic fascism." "I will do my best after I leave this place to continue to confront these enemies and to give the United States the opportunity to succeed in this war." Congressional Quarterly reports that Santorum will lead that charge as head of the "America’s Enemies" program at the Center for Ethics and Public Policy. And to think, we had hoped his resounding defeat might mean that we didn’t have to hear any more of his speeches…

Leadership from the Attorney General…

In a speech last week at the US Attorneys’ National Security Conference, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, spoke of the need to both protect and partner with Arab and Muslim American communities: "We must bear in mind that history will also record how well we protect civil liberties as we pursue justice for would-be terrorists. As US Attorneys, upholding civil liberties is utterly central to your work. As leaders in your communities, talking about how we as a government achieve the balance between individual rights and national security is a matter of civic responsibility. You also have a duty to show your colleagues and your districts that we are not engaged in a struggle against a faith or religion. On the contrary, we very much need the partnership of the Muslim community. Discouraging radicalism is vital, and that cannot be done effectively without Muslim community leadership. So seek it out in your districts. We believe in religious freedom for everyone. The Department of Justice is committed to protect these rights, and in doing so, I think we promote trust and provide an alternative way to that of radicalization."

Support our Comedians…

Check out Comedy Central’s groundbreaking new comedy show "The Watch List" starring your favorite Arab and Iranian American comedians, including Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed, Maysoon Zayid, Joe Derosa, Aron Kader, Maria Shehata, Seena Jon, Helen Maalik, Nasry Malak, Dean Obeidallah. The Watch List marks the first time a major American entertainment company has released a show exclusively starring Middle Eastern talent. To view The Watch List, go to www.comedycentral.com/shows/watch_list/index.jhtml and then click on "videos" in the left column.