On Friday as the nation’s attention was focused on the budget showdown in Washington, the New York State Senate convened a special hearing in Manhattan to assess potential of a terrorist attack on the city.  With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, the chaos in North Africa and the Middle East combined stunning incompetence of the current administration, a serious assessment of the city’s vulnerability and security precautions would seem to be a worthy undertaking.

The Senators engaged in discussions with law enforcement officials, emergency responders and experts on counterterrorism regarding a variety of preparedness and response measures however the hearing turned nasty when the discussion focused on the more specific threat of radical Islam.  The New York Times reports that testimony offered by Nonie Darwish sparked an angry response from Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) which overshadowed the proceedings.

Gregory Ball (R-Putnam County) the chairman of the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, invited Nonie Darwish an American citizen who was born and educated in Egypt to share her unique insights with the lawmakers.  Ms. Darwish who serves as the director of Former Muslims United told the hearing that “The education of Arab children is to make killing of certain groups of people not only good, it’s holy.”

Mr. Ball asked Ms. Darwish to discuss what it was like being educated in the Arab world.  “It is horrendous,” she said.  “They don’t leave your mind to think for itself.  You’re supposed to hate Jews.  You’re supposed to hate America.  You’re supposed to hate Western culture.”

Ms. Darwish challenged the hearing participants to “Check what’s going on, it’s not a secret.”  Suddenly the voice of reason was drown out.  The UK Daily Mail reports:

Senator Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat, interrupted, holding up a copy of the Koran.

 

‘This is offending this hearing by having her here.  This is not our enemy.  You’re bringing hate and poison into a diverse country.”

 

Committee chairman Greg Ball, a Putnam Republican, told Mr. Adams to be quiet and suggested he was playing to the TV cameras.

 

‘I’m glad no one is between those TV cameras and you because that’s the most dangerous place in New York City right now,’ he said.

Senator Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn) called for order saying “I want to get back to what this is all about.  Homeland security is about the future of this city and this state, to make sure we’re safe.”  Bringing moderation to the debate, Mr. Golden added Ms. Darwish’s testimony reflects her personal experience growing up in Egypt and should not apply to “the good Muslim Americans who live in this country.”

Additional testimony was provided by Frank J. Gaffney Jr., a well-respected former Defense Department official who candidly spoke about the threat posed to the United States by Sharia law and our nation’s refusal to accept the truth about terrorist threats due to the “politically correct blinders” worn by so many of our leaders. 

U.S. Congressman Peter King addressed the hearing by reiterating his belief that “99 percent” of America’s Muslim community are law-biding citizens, “But the fact is:  The enemy or those being recruited by Al Qaeda, live within the Muslim community, and that’s the reality we have to face.”  Taking care not to condemn the entire Muslim community for the actions of a tiny faction, Mr. King expressed the need to logically face the reality of the situation and prepare accordingly.

Until those who are responsible for the security of our nation can dispassionately address the very real threat of terrorism with open minds, homeland security will be nothing more than an expensive and impotent bureaucracy. 

April 10, 2011

paboehmke@yahoo.com