Congressman King’s Radicalization Hearings Unfairly Target Entire Muslim-American Community –By Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif)|The Hill

Rep. Mike Honda III (D-Calif) criticizes Rep. Peter King (R-NY) for attempting to hold anti-Muslim radicalization hearings and isolating the entire Muslim-American community (Photo courtesy of AACI.org)

Who would have thought that my early childhood experience in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II would offer such useful insight 65 years later in determining the direction America is headed? In reflecting on Thursday’s hearings on Muslim Americans – planned by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) – I feel like a mirror is being held up to my life, giving value to lessons learned as a child.

Make no mistake. Growing up in internment camp Amache in Colorado was no joy ride – just look at the pictures. We were treated like cattle in those camps. Never mind the fact that we were born in America. Never mind the fact that we were patriotic Americans and law-abiding citizens. Never mind the fact that we were constructively contributing to the American economy. Despite all this, hundreds of thousands of Americans suddenly became the enemy at the height of the war, with no cause, no crime and no constitutional protection.

We look back now, as a nation, and we know this was the wrong reaction. We look back now and know that this was a result of “race prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership.” We look back now and know that an entire ethnicity was said to be, and ultimately considered, the enemy. We know that internment occurred because few in Washington were brave enough to say “no.”

We know all this, and yet our country is now, within my lifetime, repeating the same mistakes from our past. The interned 4-year-old in me is crying out for a course correction so that we do not do to others what we did unjustly to countless Japanese-Americans.

This time, instead of creating an ethnic enemy, Congressman King is creating a religious enemy. Because of prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of Republican leadership, King is targeting the entire Muslim-American community. Similar to my experience, they are become increasingly marginalized and isolated by our policies.

Never mind the fact that many were born in America and have no allegiance to their ancestors’ native homeland. Never mind the fact that they are patriotic Americans and law-abiding citizens. Never mind the fact that they are constructively contributing to the American economy. Irrespective of all this, millions of Americans have become the new enemy, with no cause and no crime.

There is no question that a congressional hearing, which targets an entire religion, is morally and strategically wrong-headed. First, it is un-American. This is not the America that I know and have helped build as a life-long public servant. The America that I know has always provided refuge for those fleeing persecution, from early settlers to recent refugees. The America that I know, furthermore, does not hate and discriminate base on race, religion or creed.

Second, it is counterproductive. Congressman King is undermining his own objective. In hosting these hearings, King, as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has declared, erroneously, that the Muslim-American community does not partner actively enough with law-enforcement officials to prevent potential acts of violence. Despite the offensive and fallacious nature of King’s concern, given extensive evidence that contradicts his claim, the Homeland Security chairman’s strategy makes future partnerships unpalatable.

In one fell swoop of his discriminatory brush, King, in his apparent attempt to root out radicalization, marginalizes an entire American minority group, making enemies of them all. To add insult to injury, King has quipped (again, speciously) that America has too many mosques and that extremists run 80 percent of them. We can only hope that Rep. King does not completely undermine all the goodwill established across this country between Muslim Americans and law enforcement officials. You can be certain that few will want to work with King going forward.

Don’t get me wrong. I support the Homeland Security Committee examining “radicalization” in this country, provided it is a comprehensive review, not a discriminatory one that targets only one subgroup of America. I support the committee examining “violent extremism” in this country, including an examination of militias and the 30,000-plus gun-related deaths occurring each year. I support a committee chair that is keen to keep our homeland secure.

This is not the case with King. These hearings do little to keep our country secure and do plenty to increase prejudice, discrimination and hate. I thought we learned a lesson or two from my internment camp experience in Colorado. I hope I am not proven wrong.

 

Reprint: Congressman King’s Radicalization Hearings Unfairly Target Entire Muslim-American Community –By Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif) | The Hill

Related:Imam Rauf Speaks About Muslim Radicals Hearing –Hosted by Robert Siegel | NPR

 

Congress Moves to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: – By Kerry Eleveld | The Advocate

The U.S. House of Representatives and a Senate panel have both approved measures that would begin the process of dismantling the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits gays and lesbians for serving openly in the military.

After a heated Thursday night floor debate, House members voted 234-to-194 to approve a repeal amendment to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act sponsored by Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy.

“Tonight, Congress took a historic step toward repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and toward ensuring that every American has the same opportunity I did to defend our nation,” said Murphy, who served as an Army paratrooper. “Patriotic Americans willing to take a bullet for their country should never be forced to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love.”

Earlier Thursday evening, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved a companion amendment by a 16-12 vote in a closed-door session.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the lone Republican on the committee joining 15 of her Democratic colleagues to approve the measure as an attachment to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia was the only Democrat to vote against it.

If signed into law as part of the Defense funding bill, the measure would not immediately repeal the law. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” would continue as the official policy of the military until two events occur: the Pentagon completes an implementation study due in December; and the secretary of Defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and President Barack Obama certify that repeal will not weaken military readiness. Once those two requirements are met, a 60-day waiting period will begin before the policy is finally lifted.

Repeal advocates celebrated the historic vote even as they acknowledged that it was one step in what promises to be a multitiered process.

Excerpt, read the entire article here: Congress Moves to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:  – By Kerry Eleveld | The Advocate

 

Health Care Reform 2010

 

Bipartisan Support for the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA.), Chairwoman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy, and Global Women’s Issues, along with sponsors Senators Collins (R-ME) and Snowe (R-ME) and Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) in the House and Senate.

Violence against women is a worldwide epidemic. Amnesty International reports that one in three women globally has been sexually, physically, emotionally or otherwise abused. In some countries the rate of domestic violence is as high as 70 percent. Violence against women includes, but is certainly not limited to: domestic violence/beatings, verbal abuse, mass rape, torture, acid attacks, false imprisonment, forced and arranged/dowry marriages, forced pregnancies, underage marriages, public lashings, female genital mutilation (FGM), human trafficking, stoning, and honor killings.

I-VAWA creates new institutional authorities, responsibilities, and funding to fight the scourge of violence against women and girls around the globe.

The bill addresses for the first time, violence against women and girls through all relevant US foreign policy efforts, including its international assistance programs. It would allocate $175 million a year over five years, for a total of $1 billion. The bill would support local efforts in up to 20 low-income countries, assisting in public awareness and health campaigns; shelters; education, training, and economic empowerment programs for women, as well as legal reforms. It would create a specialized office in the U.S. Agency for International Development and provide $40 million annually, for five years, to expand and modify emergency and humanitarian relief programs to address violence against women. The I-VAWA would also make the issue a diplomatic priority for the first time, asking the United States to respond within three months to horrific acts of violence against women and girls committed during conflict and war.

Senator Boxer said, “Every day, too many women and girls across the globe endure horrific acts of violence.  They are disfigured by acid, raped and beaten, or they are denied the opportunity to see a doctor.  This important legislation gives the United States government the tools to make international violence against women and girls a top diplomatic priority.”

“As the international community strives to respond to conflicts and humanitarian crises, such as last month’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, it is absolutely vital that we pay careful attention to those populations most vulnerable to violence and abuse,” said Senator Snowe.  “There is no question the federal government’s efforts to combat violence against women across the globe are hampered by a lack of strategic focus and integration with existing programs. With this bill, we will finally provide the State Department with the tools it needs to develop targeted, gender-based violence prevention and response activities in countries with significant levels of violence against women. There is no question women can and will drive social and economic progress in the developing world when they are afforded the same protections and opportunities.”

Senator Collins said, “I have long been concerned about the treatment of women and girls throughout the world, especially in places like Afghanistan.  This legislation is an important step toward ending gender-related violence in the world, which is a disturbing and unacceptable practice.”

“Worldwide, one in three women will be the victim of abuse, physical, sexual, or psychological, because of her gender at some point in her lifetime,” said Representative Poe. “Violence doesn’t recognize borders. It is imperative to the fight to end violence against women that we take the lead, not only by example, but by educating and providing opportunities for other countries to end the violence around the world.”

“This is a crucial year for Afghanistan, and the country’s future success will depend, in large part, on its women.  The women of Afghanistan, like women in all conflict zones, have borne the brunt of years of warfare; they will also form the underpinning of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.  No woman should have to live her life in fear of attack.  U.S. leadership will be critical if we are to effectively fight abuses against our sisters around the world.  I am proud to support this important legislation, which will finally make halting violence against women and girls a U.S. foreign policy priority,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Co-Chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus.

Support from the American public is strong. A 2009 poll found that 61 percent of voters across demographic and political lines thought global violence against women should be one of the top international priorities for the US government, and 82 percent supported the International Violence Against Women Act.

Larry Cox and Kerry Kennedy of Amnesty International USA aided in the drafting and advocacy of the bill. More than 150 U.S.-based experts and 40 women’s groups overseas gave advice on the bill.

Senators Brown, Burris, Cardin, Casey, Dodd, Durbin, Franken, Gillibrand, Johnson, Kaufman, Klobuchar, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Menendez, Mikulski, Murray, Schumer, Shaheen, Stabenow, Udall, and Whitehouse are co-sponsors of the legislation.