Mohammad Othman – Jailed for an idea

by on October 18, 2009 35
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From Adalah-NY:

mohammadothman1
mohammadothman2

Comic by Ethan Heitner for Adalah-NY. Download a pdf version of it here.

About Adam Horowitz

Adam Horowitz is Co-Editor of Mondoweiss.net.
Posted in Israel/Palestine

{ 35 comments... read them below or add one }

  1. Citizen says:
    October 18, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    I see the BDS is having an effect on Lev’s racial real estate business.

    • Mooser says:
      October 18, 2009 at 2:42 pm

      BDS is a great thing. I remember not just the boycott, but also the interest in it, and the score-keeping (who’s boycotting? who’s not? and why?) was a major factor in keeping the apartheid South Africa in the news, and focused attention on the regime.
      And BDS has the potential to do the same for Israel. And almost everyone can participate.

  2. Citizen says:
    October 18, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    But it sure is up against a powerful domestic force with different eyes during the BDS mission against aparthid S Africa. This is worth a read if you want to know the mechanics of how your government is led by the nose by a tiny ethnocratic nation far away–the whole world knows it, but not the average American.

    link to opinion-maker.org

    PS, you can lump in the MSM has different eyes these days too.

  3. MRW says:
    October 18, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    To everyone on Mondoweiss: Jailed for an idea?

    How about John Boehner’s letter of what will happen to all of us here on Mondoweiss if the Senate allows the cretins who just snuck, on October 12, 2009, a constitutional amendment into the First Amendment and Bill of Rights without a full vote by the American people. An outrage.
    Read and weep: link to congress.org

    This is one time to fire up the word processor — no email — and write these bastards and remind them of the wording of the First Amendment, or you wont be typing on this board for much longer without going to jail.

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    The House just struck this. Read Boehner’s letter.

    It will be against the law to criticize Israel, and only Israel, a foreign country. It will carve out of the First Amendment an exception for a religion that represents 2.4% of the population of the USA, at best, thereby establishing a religion for the USA in complete contravention of our founding principle of the separation of Church and State.

    Here are the DC addresses for those officials mentioned in this letter. Write the letter. Put a plain old USPO stamp on it. Only letters get read in DC. Not email (subject to the delete/delete/delete button by assistants.)

    President Barack Obama
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20500

    Senator George V. Voinovich
    524 Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510

    Senator Sherrod Brown
    713 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
    Washington, DC 20510

    Representative John Boehner
    1011 Longworth House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515

    And I would add the Senate Majority leader and the Speaker of the House:

    Senator Harry Reid
    528 Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510

    Representative Nancy Pelosi
    235 Cannon HOB
    Washington, DC 20515

    Do this.

  4. MRW says:
    October 18, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    For those of you who dont think that a letter, a plain ordinary letter, wont do the trick, watch what Chris Matthews said on Bill Maher’s show two nights ago about it, how he described that a business letter, typed, with your home address, and signed with a real signature in a letter that indicates you can and will vote against the official for his actions gets real attention in DC. Matthews said it is the only thing that gets attention; he called Congress “old school.” Email does not; neither do phone calls. A Letter. Remember that Matthews worked for Moynihan:
    The Bill Maher episode: link to billshow.net
    Fast Forward to 39:27 minutes.

  5. MRW says:
    October 18, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    Alert: It looks as if I went half-cocked on this. On another thread, Jeffrey Blankfort wrote this:

    Jeffrey Blankfort October 18, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    This does not seem to be a letter from Rep. John Boehner but from a constituent to him, Obama and Ohio’s two US senators from a constituent in Dayton, Ohio. From what I have seen of the Hate Crimes bill it does NOT make criticizing Israel a hate crime.

    I apologize if I got this all wrong, and got overwrought about it. The Chris Matthews info about writing a letter still stands. I am a little trigger-happy since habeas corpus went out the window, and I failed to act then. I hate it when I get these things wrong, but I thank Jeffrey Blankfort for the cold water.

    • carnas says:
      October 18, 2009 at 4:24 pm

      As usual, posters here blurt the dumbest nonsense and are taken seriously. This site is the epitome of ignorance.

    • Citizen says:
      October 18, 2009 at 5:19 pm

      Well, Jeffrey Blankfort at best only threw luke warm water on the point of the
      letter in question; your suggestion to write snail mail in this matter is a good one. As a lawyer I know that wording in any document is everything–Jeff doesn’t tell us what legislative words he actually read, or has “seen,” and federal legislation affects
      us all. The best intentions, especially with legislation, often go awry. I suggest
      you read this, as I suggested on the other thread–it’s about the Hate Bill in the context of weasel words in legalese–elastic words that can and have been used by those with special agendas:

      link to counterpunch.org

      • Citizen says:
        October 18, 2009 at 5:35 pm

        Here’s more in the same vein, the slippery slope of hate crime laws and their actual implementation–who benefits from these laws?
        link to examiner.com

      • Citizen says:
        October 18, 2009 at 5:58 pm

        ADL offers to help train prosecutors and law enforcement officers–it has been trying to pass the hate crimes bill for years; at last, with a democratic congress in charge, the way is near, already past the house, now onto the senate and finally Obama’s signature–stuck as a poison pill in the heart of the pentagon bill, a mammouth rip off
        pork bill for useless F-35 engines that will keep the military industrial complex humming–Obama himself hates the pentagon funding bill but loves the hate crimes bill wedged within in it; the Republicans are the opposite in view–anyway
        All Americans can be thankful the ADL is volunteering to train the hate crime bill
        enforcers:
        ADL offers to help train prosecutors and law enforcement officers

        link to israel-palestinenews.org

        link to israel-palestinenews.org

      • VR says:
        October 18, 2009 at 6:06 pm

        Yes Citizen, I call these “dragnet” interpretations. It is like if you’re home was wrongfully targeted as lets say a terrorist haven, and they happen to find a potted marijuana plant, etc. It can be used as a tool of harassment, where you are nt necessarily prosecuted but constantly watched on a sort of surveillance list – this can even happen at times if you are considered to be in “wrong company,” trying to intimidate. They try to create a stigma by an arrest, thereby causing general fear by others in a group and the arousal of suspicions – what is commonly termed “bad jacketing.” The way these laws can be interpreted, and you can see the intention by their vagueness, is almost endless. Finally, with reference to this new law, when you think of Zionists and how they have operated in the past, do you think that such a law would not be used in this manner?

      • Nolan says:
        October 18, 2009 at 6:32 pm

        All Americans can be thankful the ADL is volunteering to train the hate crime bill enforcers:

        Did you mean that in jest or are actually serious about it?

        If anything the ADL is yet another AIPAC, except it’s cloaked with this anti-racism canard.

      • Mooser says:
        October 18, 2009 at 6:45 pm

        “ADL offers to help train prosecutors and law enforcement officers–it has been trying to pass the hate crimes bill for years;”

        Hey, what’s your objection? I thought you wanted a “small government”? And private companies performing these jobs on contract to the government is how we do that, and rein in the deficit, too. I would have though you would be in favor of anything which helped bring about “small government”.

      • VR says:
        October 18, 2009 at 6:48 pm

        Note what it is officially called:

        “Hate Crimes Prevention Act
        Includes the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which provides technical and financial support to local law enforcement and prosecutors so that they can more aggressively try violent crimes motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
        The Hate Crimes Prevention Act expands the ability of federal prosecutors to try similar types of cases in federal court if state or local officials are unable or unwilling to prosecute these cases, and criminalizes attacks against U.S. service members on account of their service to our country.
        The Conference Managers included stronger protections for freedom of speech and association, including religious speech and association, than the House-passed version of this legislation. Consequently, religious leaders will not have to change the expression of their beliefs or how they service their congregations, as a result of the enactment of Hate Crimes legislation.”

        Table of Contents H.R. 2647, FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report Summary

        Note that it is a “prevention” act, that is, it carries the “preemptive” quality, in other words if you are accessed to have a probability of committing a “hate crime” you are addressed before the fact. Also note that it calls acts against soldiers as criminal acts – which may give us an idea of the increased participation of armed forces in the contiguous USA.

      • VR says:
        October 18, 2009 at 7:56 pm

        “SEC. 524. PROHIBITION ON RECRUITMENT, ENLISTMENT, OR RETENTION OF PERSONS ASSOCIATED OR AFFILIATED WITH GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH HATE-RELATED VIOLENCE AGAINST GROUPS OR PERSONS OR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
        7 Section 504 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sub section:
        (c) PERSONS ASSOCIATED OR AFFILIATED WITH HATE GROUPS.—
        (1) PROHIBITION.—A person associated or affiliated with a group associated with hate-related violence against groups or persons or the United States Government, as determined by the Attorney General, may not be recruited, enlisted, or retained in the armed forces.
        (2) DEFINITION OF HATE GROUP.—In this subsection, the terms ‘group associated with hate-related violence’ or ‘hate group’ mean the following:
        (A) Groups or organizations that espouse or engage in acts of violence against other groups or minorities based on ideals of hate, ethnic supremacies, white supremacies, racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or other bigotry ideologies.
        Groups or organizations engaged in criminal gang activity including drug and weapons trafficking and smuggling.
        (C) Groups or organizations that espouse an intention or expectation of armed revolutionary activity against the United States Government, or the violent overthrow of the United States Government.
        (D) Groups or organizations that espouse an intention or expectation of armed activity in a ‘race war’.
        (E) Groups or organizations that encourage members to join the armed forces in order to obtain military training to be used for acts of violence against minorities, other groups, or the United States Government.
        (F) Groups or organizations that espouse violence based on race, creed, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
        (G) Other groups or organizations that are determined by the Attorney General to be of a violent, extremist nature.

        (3) EVIDENCE OF ASSOCIATION OR AFFILIATION WITH HATE GROUP.—The following shall constitute evidence that a person is associated or affiliated with a group associated with hate-related violence:
        (A) Individuals possessing tattoos or other body markings indicating association or affiliation with a hate group.
        (B) Individuals known to have attended meetings, rallies, conferences, or other activities sponsored by a hate group.
        (C) Individuals known to be involved in online activities with a hate group, including being engaged in online discussion groups or blog or other postings that support, encourage, or affirm the group’s extremist or violent views and goals.

        (D) Individuals who are known to have in their possession photographs, written testimonials (including diaries or journals), propaganda, or other materials indicating involvement or affiliation with a hate group. Such materials can include photographs, written materials relating to or referring to extreme hatred that are clearly not of an academic nature, possession of objects that venerate or glorify hate inspired violence, and related materials, as determined by the Attorney General.

        (E) Individuals espousing the intent to acquire military training for the purpose of using such training towards committing acts of violence of a purpose not affiliated with the armed forces.
        (4) REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITERS AND ENLISTMENT PROCESSING STATIONS.—A military recruiters may not enlist, or assist in enlisting, a person who is associated or affiliated with a group associated with hate-related violence, as evidenced pursuant to paragraph (3). A person at any military enlistment processing station who, during the screening process, is found to be affiliated or associated with a hate group (including through admitting to any such affiliation or association on any form or document) is automatically prohibited from enlisting.
        (5) SEPARATION.—
        (A) SEPARATION REQUIRED.—A person discovered or determined to be associated or affiliated with a group associated with hate-related violence, as evidenced pursuant to paragraph (3), shall be immediately discharged from the armed forces, in the manner prescribed in regulations regarding discharge from service.
        (B) EXCEPTION.—Sub-paragraph (A) shall not apply to a member of the armed forces who has renounced the member’s previous affiliation or association with a group associated with hate-related violence, as determined by the commanding officer of the member.
        (6) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than April 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Secretary concerned shall submit to the Committees on Armed Service of the Senate and House of Representatives a report—
        (A) on the presence in the armed forces of members who are associated or affiliated with a group associated with hate-related violence and describing the actions of the Secretary to discharge such members; and
        (B) describing the actions of the Secretary to prevent persons who are associated or affiliated with a hate group from enlisting.”

      • Citizen says:
        October 19, 2009 at 7:05 am

        Nolan, I meant it in jest. Just what we need is the ADL training our hate crime enforcers–NOT!

      • Citizen says:
        October 19, 2009 at 7:10 am

        Atta boy, Goosey, er I mean Mooser. Keep playing with your coy self.

      • Citizen says:
        October 19, 2009 at 7:28 am

        Thanks, v for the bill language; it speaks for itself. Clearly included as targets are individuals associated in any way with the espousal of “anti-semitism,” including by
        “being engaged in online discussion groups or blog or other postings that support”
        anti-semitism; as well anyone found to possess documents of such nature unless the documents are found to be “academic” in nature. As you note, if the Bill passes into law
        these are prohibited as criminal hate conduct. I’d say that’s a very big blunderbuss.
        Under Homeland Security legistlation passed in the wake of 9/11 the FBI now is
        free to monitor everyone’s email; a John Doe letter does not need a warrant.

      • America First says:
        October 19, 2009 at 7:31 am

        Isn’t it already a crime to criticize Jews in Canada and much of Europe? Dark days ahead, I’m afraid.

  7. Cliff says:
    October 18, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    Palestinians existing is antisemitic! Hitler! Nazi! Bagels!

    Where is Witty to extol the virtues of Zionism? Notice how the guy always has to be abstract. “Zionism is a good in this world.” Maybe he realizes his own nonsense.

  8. America First says:
    October 18, 2009 at 6:16 pm

    Where have we seen this before?

    Anti-Semitism is dangerous for the toilers, for it is a false track which diverts them from the proper road and leads them into the jungle. Hence, Communists, as consistent internationalists, cannot but be irreconcilable and bitter enemies of anti-Semitism. In the U.S.S.R., anti-Semitism is strictly prosecuted as a phenomenon hostile to the Soviet system. According to the laws of the U.S.S.R. active anti-Semites are punished with death.

    link to en.wikiquote.org

    • Mooser says:
      October 18, 2009 at 6:42 pm

      Fust Cless, America Fust! Sure, makes sense to me, if Stalin promolgated an edict against anti-Semitism, why it only makes sense that the only reason to be against anti-Semitism is because you’re a Communist.
      Sure, that makes perfect sense!
      And narurally, America can only purify itself and retrieve it’s true nature with a big spate of anti-Semitism.

      You know something, America Fust-Cless, when I read your comments, it makes me pretty sure the Zionists will have a strnglehold on us forever, if you typify the caliber of the opposition.
      When Zionists pray for opponents they can easil beat, or even turn to their advantage, you are exactly what they have in mind. Were you born yesterday?
      Could you possibly position yourself better to be beaten to a pulp by the Zionists?
      Or maybe it just shows why “libertarians” win as many elections as they do.

      • Citizen says:
        October 19, 2009 at 7:50 am

        The USA is officially against anti-semitism and there has been a federal agency devoted to monitoring it and passing the information along to various enforcement agencies. The hate crimes bill will add more clout, much more clout–scienter
        will be reduced to the flimsiest guilt by association evidence. A defendant will be assumed guilty and prosecuted–a few high profile cases of very selective nit-picking of words will serve to squelch
        free discussion of our lobby system and our foreign policy. America First was merely pointing out the communist regime had its own version of this–actually the first law passed by the first politburo was a law banning anti-semitism. Goosey,
        your response does, however, indicate you are aware of how to tar and feather
        a political opponent by abuse of what he/she said; your pretzel logic is most manipulative. A more objective reader would take America First’s comment
        as registering fear of the slippery slope of criminalizing hate speech and rights of association, whether it comes from left or right
        ideology.

  9. carnas says:
    October 18, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    chaos, i get annoyed when people here trump out baseless claims time and again, and almost never had the integrity to admit it when they’re wrong. so i’m willing to give credit to mrw for acknowledging his mistake, and wish others would be humbler, especially given that it’s obvious most posters have never studied anything about the ME, don’t speak any of its languages, and get all their information through filtered news sources of whatever type.

  10. VR says:
    October 18, 2009 at 10:44 pm

    Or how he exercises (carnas) his intellectual process, the uncanny ability to reason. He does so with the latest and greatest methodology (and religious fervor) -

    CARNAS AND HIS ABILITY TO REASON

    If not anything else you have to prize carnas and his determination against all odds to act as if he is on top and has not been bested –

    CARNAS TENACIOUS ATTITUDE

    lol

  11. Pingback: Mohammad Othman’s administrative detention is a sign BDS is working

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