Walid Shoebat’s statements, like so-called “ex-terrorist” Kamal Saleem‘s statements, about being a former Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorist inspired by so-called “radical Islam” just don’t add up. The PLO is based secular with quasi-marxist roots with Christians associated and a part of it historically. That Shoebat said he was a militant PLO “former terrorist” inspired by “radical Islam,” a group was vigorously opposed at that time by the Muslim Brotherhood inspired Hamas is absurd.
Also, “former terrorists” just don’t get visas into the country legally. He is either lying about his so-called terrorism affiliation, which I think he is continuing to exhibit the character of a charlatan, or he has committed immigration fraud in which he should be immediately stripped of his citizenship and deported.
Think about it.
***
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_df8b3c7c-7b74-11e0-86ef-001cc4c002e0.html
Former PLO terrorist to make presentation at security conference
David Montgomery Journal staff Rapid City Journal | Posted: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 7:30 am
A controversial speaker about Islamic terrorism is scheduled today to address a Homeland Security Conference in Rapid City.
Walid Shoebat, an author and speaker who said he is a former PLO terrorist, is to give a presentation that will “expose the true mindset of a terrorist” and “educate on basic Islam theology,” according to conference materials.
Former U.S. Sen. James Abourezk, who now lives in Sioux Falls, said he had seen Shoebat speak in the past and that he preached “a message of hate to Muslims.”
Abourezk, a Christian of Lebanese ancestry, co-founded the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee.
In an email to the Journal, Abourezk said Shoebat uses rhetoric to put all Muslims in a negative light.
“In this case, Shoebat is endangering the lives of peaceful Muslims who are minding their own business and trying to worship as they see fit. Shoebat preaches hatred of Muslims, telling his audiences that they are in danger from allowing Muslims such freedom in America,” he said in the email.
Jim Carpenter, the state’s director of homeland security, said Islamic terrorism is a topic South Dakota law enforcement should be aware of.
“I don’t think we should be complacent in any way,” he said. “Sometimes it takes folks to wake us up a little bit.”
This is the second year in a row that Shoebat has spoken at the state Homeland Security Conference. He spoke to the inaugural conference last year in Sioux Falls.
According to news reports, Shoebat said in the speech that a good source of information on terrorist activities is Muslim student groups and mosques, which should be monitored.
Shoebat has been criticized for his conservative Christian faith and for his statements about Islam.
On his website, www.Shoebat.com, Shoebat says he “used to be a radicalized Muslim willing to die for the cause of Jihad until I converted to Christianity in 1994. As a member of the PLO, I was involved in terror activity and was imprisoned in Jerusalem for three weeks.”
In the past, he has been interviewed by G. Gordon Liddy, Pat Robertson, Dennis Miller, Lou Dobbs and Sean Hannity.
The 2011 South Dakota Homeland Security Conference, which started Tuesday and continues through Thursday at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, features a number of lectures and breakout sessions for law enforcement, fire and medical first responders, schools and other organizations.
On the agenda are topics ranging from flood mitigation and bullying to agro-terrorism and tribal law enforcement.
The Homeland Security Conference is entirely funded by federal Department of Homeland Security grants. The approximately 325 participants at this year’s conference paid between $150 and $200 in registration fees, but those fees are eligible to be reimbursed from Homeland Security grants.
Shoebat knows NOTHING about Muslim Americans, let alone the long peaceful history of Muslims in South Dakota. Not just a couple decades, but over 100 years of peace! Carpenter should have done his job better & not invited the man as an “expert” when he has questionable credentials at best & worst is merely a criminal who never went to prison for his terrorist activities (if its true)! Considering the Jerusal Post couldn’t find any proof to his story, our law enforcement should question his credentials. But instead Carpenter PAID him to come back a second year!???
He is conning the state out of limited federal funds & worst yet is he is placing misinformation into the minds of law enforcement & emergency responders, who have taken NO TIME to learn the true history of Islam or of Muslims as they relate to this state.
As a South Dakota Muslim who has lived here for over 20 years & who has spent years working as a community advocate, and who sits on charity committees and is currently a city counsel woman; I am sickened by the lack of judgement by Carpenter and the rest of the committee who selected Shoebat to speak.
I’d like to know why they will not share with the media the amount of money given to the con-artist, for his speaking engagement? It is after all Public funds & should not be kept secret!
Anisah of South Dakota