Bush Administration Censors Hughes' Speech To Islamist Group

[kskiska]

On Friday September 2, Karen Hughes, State Department Undersecretary for Public Relations addressed the Islamist group, ISNA at their 42nd convention in Chicago, Illinois.

In the wake of a firestorm of criticism over her appearance before the organization, the State Department is now refusing to release the text of the speech, on the grounds that it was not a public event.

In advance of the address we were advised that the full text would be made available at the appropriate location on State's website, where other Hughes speeches appear.

Not finding it there and making a series of inquiries, we were informed that it had been determined that the event was "private" and the text thereof a non-public document - a classification that we were assured was a long-established option by the department.

However when asked by us to provide a single instance in which such censorship had previously been invoked, the State Department public affairs officer became audibly upset and referred us to another department functionary whom as we go to press, has not returned our calls.

more…
http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=hughesisna%2Ehtm

[hiley]

1. real

nice.
:sarcasm:

[Old and In the Way]

2. Public officials with a private agenda. This is disgusting.

Were they celebrating the birth of Islam's newest state? Was this a fundraiser for the Republican Party?

[bemildred]

3. This appears to be right wing blather Sir.

Not that I wish to defend anyone involved, but there is a good
deal of hyperventilation on the right about Ms Hughes "mistake"
in talking to Muslims, and this appears to be a part of that.

[The Stranger]

4. What the fuck is "Islamist"?

Wouldn't it be a "Muslim" Group?

Does Karen Hughes speak to any "Christianityist" groups?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. No, there is a difference

Islamist means someone who wants an Islamic state, or to go in that direction. The Christian equivalent would be 'Dominionist' or similar.

Why a public servant (yeah, I know, Bush's cronies have never seen themselves as 'servants') gets to address a convention, and the public doesn't get to know what she said, I don't know. While those people are entitled to their view, I think all communication with them shouldbe open.

[The Stranger]

13. That's funny. Never seen the press use the word "Dominionist."

Have you? Didn't think so. No, they only use the word "Christian."

I have to call bullshit on this. "Islamist" is a bigoted expression used to label and objectify Muslims. It carries with it the false implication that all Muslims seek to destroy Western Civilization and secular government.

[ECH1969]

11. Its actually a Wahhabist group

[mzteris]

5. quotes on Yahoo news

American Muslims Open Convention

By TARA BURGHART, Associated Press Writer
Fri Sep 2,10:39 PM ET

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Karen Hughes, one of President Bush's closest advisers, told a gathering of American Muslims on Friday that part of her new State Department job is to help amplify the voices of groups like theirs that are condemning terrorism and religious extremism.

The Islamic Society of North America had invited Bush to attend its annual convention. He sent Hughes, who was recently confirmed as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy. Her tasks include improving the U.S. image in Muslims countries.

"We need to foster a sense of common interest and common values among Americans and people of different faiths and different cultures," Hughes said at a news conference opening the three-day event.

"Frankly, who better to do that than many of our American Muslims themselves, who have friends and families and roots in countries across our world," she said.

-MORE-

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050903/ap_on_go_pr_wh/american_muslims

[Trillo]

8. Failure to provide the complete text online

enhances value-added by AP?

[Supersedeas]

10. sharing the values of repressive regimes everywhere-Responsive Govt

representing the American people at a Private Function...Privately!!!

[mzteris]

6. links to more stories

A) PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

1. ISNA MEETING OPENS, BUSH AIDE SLAMS ANTI-MUSLIM HATRED - ABDULLAH ABDUR RAHMAN (ISLAMONLINE, SEPTEMBER 3): A close aide of US President George Bush told an annual convention of American Muslims that hatred directed at Muslims was no more acceptable than violence done in the name of Islam. "As we want Muslim voices to speak out against terror and violence and extremism, it is equally important that we be mindful of speaking out against all voices of hate and incitement including those raised against Muslims themselves," Karen Hughes told the opening of the annual meeting of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on Friday, September 2. Hughes, one of Bush's closest communications advisers, urged people of all faiths to speak out against the "backlash and widespread demonization of Islam and Muslims" that followed the 9/11 attacks and the London bombings, blamed on Muslim extremists. ISNA's four-day annual convention is the largest gathering of Muslims in North America with up to 40,000 Muslims in attendance this year. A close aide of US President George Bush told an annual convention of American Muslims that hatred directed at Muslims was no more acceptable than violence done in the name of Islam. "As we want Muslim voices to speak out against terror and violence and extremism, it is equally important that we be mindful of speaking out against all voices of hate and incitement including those raised against Muslims themselves," Karen Hughes told the opening of the annual meeting of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on Friday, September 2. Hughes, one of Bush's closest communications advisers, urged people of all faiths to speak out against the "backlash and widespread demonization of Islam and Muslims" that followed the 9/11 attacks and the London bombings, blamed on Muslim extremists. ISNA's four-day annual convention is the largest gathering of Muslims in North America with up to 40,000 Muslims in attendance this year.
LINK: http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2005-09/03/article01.shtml


2. KEY BUSH AIDE HAILS U.S. MUSLIMS' ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS - RUMMANA HUSSAIN (CHICAGO SUN TIMES, SEPTEMBER 4): President Bush's top aide, Karen Hughes, praised the Islamic Society of North America for creating a brochure condemning terrorism and religious extremism and called American Muslims her "new allies" in helping her convey a positive image of the United States to the larger Islamic world. "Words of Muslims are important," Hughes said Friday, opening the four-day ISNA convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. "It's important for people to know that Muslims think that terrorism is the epitome of injustice because it targets innocent people. People need to hear those words, and they're more credible from Muslims themselves." As part of her new job as undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, Hughes has the challenging task of changing foreigners' perception of America. Frank discussions with American Muslims on a wide range of issues from civil liberties to foreign policy have given Hughes a head start before she takes on followers of Islam living outside the United States. Hughes dismissed criticism from some who blasted her unprecedented visit with the Muslims while the U.S. Senate continues investigating some U.S.-based mosques' possible ties to terrorists.
LINK: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-islamic04.html


3. BUSH ADVISOR AT MUSLIM RALLY – (SCOTSMAN, SEPTEMBER 3): Karen Hughes, one of US President George Bush's closest advisors, told a gathering of American Muslims that part of her new job is to "help amplify and magnify" the voices of groups like theirs that are condemning terrorism and religious extremism. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) had invited Bush to attend its annual convention, but he sent Hughes, who was recently confirmed as under-secretary of state for public diplomacy. Her tasks include improving the US image in Muslim countries. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) had invited Bush to attend its annual convention, but he sent Hughes, who was recently confirmed as under-secretary of state for public diplomacy. Her tasks include improving the US image in Muslim countries.
LINK: broken


4. NORTH AMERICAN MUSLIMS HELP FOR HURRICANE FUND – (ARABIC NEWS, SEPTEMBER 4): U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes has expressed the appreciation of the Bush administration for the demonstration of support for victims of Hurricane Katrina by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). "All people join me in saying that our hearts and prayers are with the people of Louisiana," Hughes said at a press conference September 2 to kick off ISNA's 42nd annual convention taking place in Chicago until September 5. Hughes thanked ISNA for starting a special fund to help the victims of hurricane Katrina and making an initial donation of $20,000 from its own resources. After September 2 Friday prayers, ISNA announced that it had collected $2 million, with additional contributions expected.
LINK: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050903/NEWS06/509030395/1012/NEWS06


5. BUSH ADVISER TO 'REACH OUT' AT MUSLIM GATHERING: PLAINFIELD-BASED GROUP'S CONVENTION WILL HAVE A BAZAAR AS WELL AS A FOCUS ON SERIOUS ISSUES - ROBERT KING (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, SEPTEMBER 3): Karen Hughes, one of President Bush's closest advisers, said she has found some new allies at the ISNA convention in her bid to help America reach out to the world's 1.2 billion Muslims. Hughes said that cross-section of American Islam is the reason she said she came to the convention. With plans to try to improve America's image in Muslim nations, Hughes said she wants to listen and learn about Muslims in America. Hughes praised ISNA's support of the recent anti-terrorism fatwa and the organization's new campaign to promote that message. Ingrid Mattson, vice president of ISNA, chaired a closed-door panel discussion Thursday night with Hughes. She said Hughes appeared interested in a "sincere dialogue" with Muslims. And she said the convention was an appropriate place for Hughes to start her work. "We are," Mattson said, "the perfect bridge between America and the Muslim world."
LINK

6. MWU! REPORTER MIKE KNIGHT HARASSED BY GOVERNMENT GOONS AT ISNA – (MUSLIM WAKEUP!, NY, SEPTEMBER 4): Well, may be that makes it sound just a tad worse than it really was, but the Alternative Tentacles website reports that veteran MWU! writer and annual ISNA Conference chronicler Michael Muhammad Knight was asked to leave an ISNA press conference with close Bush Advisor and recently tapped Undersecretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes by police officers concerned about his Alternative Tentacles jacket. He attended a press conference featuring Karen Hughes, close advisor to the President and Undersecretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs to report on it. During the Q&A, a policeman approached Michael and his 2 companions and asked them to come outside. Once outside, a special agent with a State Department id asked them why they were at the press conference and searched them and their bags. After ISNA staffers vouched for them, they were allowed back into the press conference.
LINK: http://www.muslimwakeup.com/blog/archives/2005/09/mwu_reporter_mi.php


http://www.uscpublicdiplomacy.org/index.php/newsroom/johnbrown_main

[cliss]

7. Like everything else they touch,

it turns to shit before our eyes. They are simply UNABLE to do anything right. I swear, it's like watching a train wreck in s-l-o-w m-o-t-i-o-n every day.

I've never seen anything like these people. They've dismantled a country in 5 years, that was 230 years in the making.

God damn them.

[Brother Buzz]

12. "private" text - non-public document is a BS excuse...

and raises some questions in my mind. Did Karen Hughes give a warm and fuzzy speech to the ISNA and Bushco had to hide it from the 'Christian' base, or did she deliver the usual callous speech that needs to be hidden from the Muslim world? Either way, she screwed up, and they were forced to make the decision to bury her words after the speech.

Inquiring minds want to know.