There has been quite a fuss in media circles over Michael Graham. As you know, the media is all about free speech, except when it hurts ratings or offends political correctness. Graham was definitely not politically correct when he linked the religion of Islam with terrorism. Muslims protested in the form of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). ABC took Graham off the air.

We all know that not all Muslims are terrorists or support terrorism. I had a Muslim intern who the greatest guy you could meet. We also know that most of the terrorism we see today is linked to Islam by the terrorists themselves, they are sponsored by Muslim money and are encouraged and exalted by the Islamic clergy and press. The first attack on Britain was claimed by a Muslim organization. That was the context of Mr. Graham’s comments.
Graham went beyond mentioning these unassailable facts by claiming that Islam itself encouraged terrorism. That may or may not be true, but it is no more inflammatory than claiming President Bush is like Adolph Hitler or Republicans are Nazis, all of which has occurred on national networks. Regardless, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, went after him and ABC. ABC caved.

What is CAIR? It is relevant to know what they are and what they stand for, since they are active now in countering any assaults on the reputation of Islam. It is especially relevant if you live in Texas.

The founder of the Texas chapter of CAIR is Ghassan Elashi. He is also chairman of the Holy Land Foundation of Dallas. Elashi was convicted of supporting terrorism. He was convicted of more than 20 counts. He sent money to Hamas, the terrorist group. The money was sent to Mousa Abu Marzook. Elashi is, by the way, the third CAIR leader convicted of terrorism related charges in the last few years. His two brothers were also convicted. The cases were tried in Dallas, our sister city to the east. Elashi was also convicted recently for making illegal technology shipments Libya and Syria, along with four of his brothers. Elashi and his brothers are Muslims and were born in Palestine.

You can see why ABC would care what CAIR thinks.

Of further interest, if you live in Dallas County, is the connection between CAIR and the Islamic Association For Palestine, founded in Richardson. It was founded by Mousa Abu Marzook. CAIR is a sort of spin off from that organization. Marzook is the deputy chief of Hamas' bureau in Syria. The United States deported Marzook.

So, I guess, Dallas now where “the Middle-East peters out”.

Anyway, back to CAIR, also convicted of terror related crimes are Randall Todd "Ismail" Royer and Bassem Khafagi, director of “community relations”. Royer got 30 years after he trained to conduct holy war against America. He also sent others to a terrorist training group in Pakistan. Khafagi was convicted on fraud and terrorism charges.

The chairman of CAIR’s board of directors is Omar Ahmad, who said the Quran should be the authority over America and Islam should dominate.

By the way, it is called Holy War because it is a war to advance Islam.

Like Mr. Graham said.