CNN exposes ‘terror expert’ as a fraud

[meegbear]

CNN reported Wednesday that a so-called terrorism expert that is paid with tax dollars and has even appeared on their own network may be a fraud.

Walid Shoebat claims he converted to Christianity after years as a Palestinian Liberation Organization terrorist who once helped firebomb an Israeli bank in Bethlehem. But CNN’s Jerusalem bureau could find no proof that that his story was true. The Israeli police and the bank had no evidence that a firebombing ever took place.

Even members of his family doubt his story.

“I have never heard anything about Walid being a mujahedeen or a terrorist,” Walid Shoebat’s fourth cousin Daood Shoebat said. “He claims this for his own personal reasons.”

Other relatives told CNN that Shoebat had been “regular kid” who eventually became a computer programmer in the United States.

CNN’s Drew Griffin caught up with Shoebat at a conference in South Dakota where he spoke to about 300 law enforcement officials about the dangers of radicalized Muslims.

Shoebat’s message to the law enforcement, churches and universities that pay him to speak is to trust no Muslims, especially the ones that organize.

“All Islamic organizations in America should be the No. 1 enemy. All of them,” he said at the South Dakota conference.

<snip>

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/07/cnn-exposes-terror-expert-as-a-fraud/

This guy's been shilling for years, making the right-wing circles. I guess with his cover blown, all he can do now is whore himself to Faux News.

[moondust]

1. "Islam is Islam"

The fear business can be very lucrative! :crazy:

[LiberalAndProud]

2. I find this troubling: "is paid with tax dollars."

Is he a paid consultant, informant, what? Are we still paying him? The article says he's making a ton of money from writing and speaking, but not a word about how much tax money he's raked in (still?).

It provocative, but not informative. What I wouldn't give for some real reporting!


On another note, I wonder if I fabricate an intriguing background if I could command the big bucks. I'm not adverse to selling snake oil.

[gratuitous]

3. But what he says is so comforting, so affirming

I'm really surprised CNN would burn a source like this. I have no doubt, however, that in the hothouse environment for knowledgeable-sounding spokesmen who feed people's prejudices, that Mr. Shoebat will continue a lucrative career as a former terrorist who has seen the light and who denounces his own people for fun and profit. Especially for profit.

[Blue Owl]

4. Inside the actor's studio

Wonder how much the fucking GOP paid this dickbag to projectile vomit their propaganda?