1:48 – Congressman King adjourns the hearing. Did we learn anything?
1:38 – Rep. Pascrell (D-NJ): "Extremism is in the eye of the beholder."
1:33 – Rep. Duncan (R-SC) thinks we need to investigate Islamic doctrine, specifically Sharia law.Dr. Jasser, at least, responds with a distinction between personal sharia followed as an individual choice, and sharia dictated by the state, which of course the Constitution would never abide.
1:28 – Green says it "doesn't look right" to single out one religion as these hearings have done.
1:25 – Rep. Al Green (D-TX) recites the First Amendment's religious freedom clauses, professes love for all Americans, breaks into song. (No, not really)
1:18 – Sheriff Baca: "I don't believe you can judge one Muslim from the acts of another."
1:10 – Dr. Jasser says theocracy, which he defines as "political Islam" is the greatest enemy. Says that he believes if it's mandated by the state, it doesn't count as religion, which must be a free choice. Something we agree on! What we don't agree on: that American democracy becoming undone by Islamist theocrats is a serious threat.
12:48 – Sheriff Baca calls out Rep. Cravaack (R-MN) for the accusation that CAIR is a terrorist organization, using him to "implement their goals." Says if the FBI has something to charge CAIR with, they should bring them to court.
12:40 – Rep. Speier (D-CA) points to the problem of holding hearings targeting the entire Muslim community. Questioning the expertise of Dr. Jasser, she notes that being a Roman Catholic doesn't make her an expert to speak on the problem of pedophilia in the Catholic Church.
12:28 – Rep. Higgins (D-NY) reminds us that people generally don't come to this country to "create havoc". They come because they "thirst for freedom."
12:19 – Sheriff Baca says he has seen no evidence in Southern California that CAIR is supportive of terrorism.
12:14 Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-MI) says stereotyping and profiling can lead to more fear and hatred, causing more problems than it solves, he suggests.
12:08 – Rep. Broun (R-GA) says hearings about radicalization in Muslim-American community is important because we need to "know the enemy."
11:57 – Jasser says part of the problem is the ongoing narrative among Muslims that America is in a fight against Islam. I wonder what could have given them that idea?
11:53 – Baca says Muslims are "just as independent, just as feisty, just as concerned about safety. They certainly don't want their mosques or homes to be blown up" as other Americans. He sees "an emerging confidence" among Muslims in cooperating with law enforcement, counter to the claims of the Chairman.
11:49 – Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) finds this hearing to be discriminatory and an "abuse of power." Rep. King's scowl growing longer.
11:44 – It's becoming more and more clear that the primary focus of this committee hearing has been the committee hearing itself. That can't be what Rep. King envisioned, but is predictable, given the questionable basis of this proceeding to begin with.
11:39 – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee reminds the committee that the First Amendment promises the freedom of religion and association. Says nothing of value to homeland security can come from these hearings.
11:33 – Chairman King says he never said there are "too many mosques" in America, that he meant there are too many that do not cooperate with law enforcement. See for yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUsVBj4YwPM
11:28 – Sheriff Baca says America has become a "society of the world" and that respect for all peoples is necessary for law enforcement.
11:15 – Ranking member Thompson warning against religious profiling, says this hearing runs the risk of increasing profiling, extols the virtues of religious freedom.
11:05 – Rep. King still persists in asking whether this isn't a problem "in the Muslim-American community."
11:00 – Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca says focusing on Muslim radicalization gives the wrong impression that followers of Islam are more prone to this problem than those of other faiths. In fact most terrorist plots uncovered since September 11, he says, involve non-Muslims.
10:46 – Melvin Bledsoe's story is moving as well. His son converted to Islam, traveled to Yemen, and now is charged with shooting recruits at a US Army Recruiting Center in Arkansas after returning. Can't we look into what went wrong in his particular case without calling out all Muslim Americans?
10:35 – Jasser says Establishment Clause and principles of religious diversity demands that we be able to talk freely about the dangers of Islamic radicalization.
10:33 – Zuhdi Jasser, President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy says radicalization is real and exponentially growing problem, then in next sentence says he never personally knew someone who wouldn't turn in a fellow Muslim about to commit an act of violence.
10:28 – Congressman Wolf says he will offer legislation, but doesn't suggest what is in it. Also suggests Simon and Garfunkel used the word "radicalization" in a song. That can't be right, can it?
10:23 – While Congressman Wolf discusses the evils of CAIR, I can tell even through C-SPAN that the room is still alive with the emotion of Congressman Ellison's testimony. It's hard to imagine today's panels will generate any moment or revelation as powerful of his conclusion. This concern about the demonization of an entire community is real. It brings real pain, sorrow, and fear. Rep. Ellison made that emotion clear.
10:19 – Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) listing individuals in his district who have been arrested after being "radicalized", brings home not his own point, but that of Congressman Ellison earlier: we should investigate individuals who are dangerous, not the entire community that shares some version of their faith.
10:10 – Ellison: The Muslim community is just like the rest of us. Tells moving story of Muslim first-responder who bravely sacrificed his life on September 11 trying to help others, only to have his memory smeared by some who wrongly suggested he may have been involved in the attack because of his faith.
10:06 – Ellison reminds the committee of the backlash already facing many Muslims trying to build mosques and live peacefully. Worries these hearings could make those problems even worse.
10:02 – Ellison says even the title of the hearing, emphasizing the radicalization of a "community", is wrong and unjustly targets many for the actions of a very few.
9:59 – Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) argues the approach of this committee hearing is contrary to the best of America. I'm wondering if he will get around to defending CAIR in his statement.
9:55 – Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) the first speaker not to scowl. Begs the committee not to "blot the good name" of people en masse.
9:52 – Thompson worries that these hearings may inspire mistrust of the government within the Muslim community, but also mistrust of the Muslim community by others.
9:50 – In his opening statement, Democrat Bennie Thompson says recent would-be MLK Day bomber is white, comes from Timothy McVeigh school of anti-government hatred, calls focus on Muslims "myopic."
9:46 – King clearly finds in CAIR the face of the enemy as he sees it.
9:43 – Still in opening statement, Rep. King says the White House is supportive of this hearing. Wonder if that's true. Will anyone ask Jay Carney later today?
9:42 – King getting defensive, says hearings are not un-American.
9:40 – Congressman King in opening statement promises this is only the first in what will be a series of hearings on this topic of the radicalization of Muslim Americans… Joy.
9:38 – Looks like a packed house in Peter King's hearing room for his investigation called "The Extent of Radicalization of Muslim Americans" as the Congressman calls the room to order.
