Outspoken Muslim physicist leaves U.S. after losing security clearance

[Mari333]

The Egyptian-born physicist, a U.S. citizen since 1988, lost his security clearance late last year, along with his job at the Bettis nuclear propulsion lab in West Mifflin, where he'd worked since 1990.

The clearance was revoked by order of Jeffrey Kupfer, acting deputy energy secretary. He said he had "reliable information" that Dr. El-Ganayni was a security risk but refused to let him see any evidence or defend himself.

The scientist filed a federal lawsuit seeking an independent review, charging retaliation for statements he made opposing the war in Iraq and the Bush administration's post-9/11 treatment of Muslims. He said the government invoked national security as a smokescreen to hide its lack of evidence.

"Everyone who knows me knows I am a very outspoken person, but I always watched what I said because I didn't want to lose my security clearance. I criticized the government for a war based on deception ... but many Americans were saying the same thing or worse. Yet they retaliated against me.

"So even though I have gained my freedom, I feel very sad that the American people have lost a good bit of their Constitution. John Adams said that once you lose your rights and liberties, it's very hard to get them back."









http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08333/931314-82.stm

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mari333]

2. way to stereotype every muslim with a broad brush and knee jerk reaction n/t

[ConsAreLiars]

5. Bigots always fail to have even the slightest grasp of reality.

They seize on some label, ethnic, racial, religious, caste or class. Every event that fits into their hateful close-minded ignorance becomes an excuse to lash out at "those people" who cause them to fear so intensely that cannot see straight and swagger around blindly. They seem to believe that by posturing and screaming and denouncing the very stench of the fear and cowardice they exude will protect them.

[madrchsod]

7. i can`t decide ..racist,intolerant,or asshole....

but i know you are one or all of the above. it`s to bad you disgrace this board with your presence...at least i don`t have to read your shit anymore.

[backscatter712]

9. Yes.

If you're racist or intolerant, that means you're an asshole.

[Ghost Dog]

8. I guess you could be suffering from wall-to-wall brainwashing TV

exposure. But I'm guessing, since I don't have one.

Take some deep breaths and meditate, knee-jerk.

Note: when events occur, like Mumbai these last hours, in India or elsewhere but 'foreigners' (now, there's a euphemism) are not involved as victims, your TV generally has nothing to say about it, so you don't care.

[Hanse]

11. "Everything's different now," eh?

Got the Lee Greenwood on repeat?

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. you're not tombstoned for this?

wow, the mods must be out shopping. ;)

[Hatalles]

19. I just hit 'alert.'

[gaspee]

13. Wow

Aren't you a putz.

[TahitiNut]

16. Spoken like a true J. D. Hayworth constituent.

:puke:

[magellan]

3. Add this to the long list of unjust treatment

...that radicalizes people. And then we have the audacity to be shocked when their children come looking for us with guns and bombs.

[Mari333]

4. thank you n/t

[magellan]

6. I should add

...that by saying the above I in no way condone or excuse wanton acts of violence for any reason. I'm just acknowledging that human beings are no different than other animals when it comes to how much abuse we'll take before striking back, and until we figure that out and defuse it wherever we can, anger will simmer and acts of terror will continue.

There really is no excuse to treat people the way this physicist is being treated. If there's evidence against him he should at least be made aware of it and have an opportunity to make his case in open court.

[Ghost Dog]

10. Apparantly Dr. El-Ganayni strongly condemned wanton acts of violence

by protesting against the illegal Iraq invasion from the beginning.

To a certain (dominant in the US?) mindset, pacifists are indeed considered to be a 'security risk'.

[ananda]

14. Shame.

Just a shame.

Everyone should be speaking out like this man.

[Festivito]

15. Well, is Mr. Jeffrey Kupfer betting his pension, home and 401K?

Soon, a new sheriff might review those assertions and the resulting suit should make note of the need he stated for secrecy.

Independent review cometh.

[struggle4progress]

18. Kupfer is a political hack, who served in the White House and pushed Bush's tax policies

... From May until December 2003, Kupfer was detailed to the White House, where he served as a Special Assistant in the office of Chief of Staff Andrew Card ... http://www.ustreas.gov/organization/bios/kupfer-e.html

February 23, 2005 JS-2272 Tax Panel Staff Announced
WASHINGTON, DC – Jeffrey Kupfer, executive director of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, today announced three new members of the Tax Panel staff ... http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/js2272.htm

On April, 2, 2008, President George W. Bush nominated Jeffrey F. Kupfer as Deputy Secretary of Energy ... In 2003, Mr. Kupfer handled a temporary assignment as a Special Assistant to President Bush’s Chief of Staff ... http://www.energy.gov/organization/Jeff_Kupfer.htm

[Festivito]

20. Who still thinks Republicans will enjoy a permanent majority.

Thus, you're right, a hack.

[w4rma]

17. His case needs to be reviewed by the incoming administration.

There are probably many many cases that need to be reviewed by the incoming administration.