Rep. Joe Sestak Scheduled Speech to Muslim Group Causes Uproar

[Purveyor]

Freshman Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) has ignited a controversy after agreeing to be the keynote speaker at an April 7 banquet and fundraiser hosted by the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights group in the country, with 30 chapters nationwide. Jewish organizations and conservative groups have criticized CAIR for not labeling Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations and for not specifically denouncing suicide bombings against Israelis.

Sestak's acceptance of the invitation has particularly enraged members of the Philadelphia Jewish community, who bombarded him with critical questions at a two-hour forum last week.

According to Rabbi Lisa Malik, whose synagogue co-sponsored the forum, the event was nearly canceled after word of Sestak's scheduled appearance at CAIR's function leaked out. When the congressman did speak at the Jewish Community Center in Havertown, protesters gathered outside.

---end of excerpt---

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3178.html

[Tom Joad]

1. speaking to Americans is controversial?

Rather strange.

[Purveyor]

2. This from much the same crowd that worships at the altar of AIPAC.

Hannity and Colmes did a 'hit piece' on this event just minutes ago...

Yes, I do toggle back and forth between scarboy and H&C to find the topic that most infuriates me.

[PaDem]

3. I almost went to that event...........

how disheartening.

[cali]

4. Good for Rep. Sestak

I hope he doesn't back down.