Former Oklahoman National CAIR Board Member Deported

Hat Tip to Brandi @ztruth

UPDATE

What the head of CAIR-OK Razi Hashmi
is AWOL on this...

CAIR officials won't talk about recent but former board member Nabil Sadoun tied to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherood.

Oklahomans own a debt of thanks to Cindy Crenshaw and former Iraq JAG officer and OK-5 candidate Kevin Calvey.

Jon Jordan with KWTV in Oklahoma City did a great job of reporting, folks!



A Muslim organization with a chapter in Oklahoma again has to refute claims of ties to terrorism. It comes after the organization, Council on American Islamic Relations, better known as CAIR, had a former board member deported back to his native country.

The judge in the case made it very clear he had evidence from the government that Suh-doon had ties to Hamas that he failed to make public.

For CAIR it's been one negative story after another. In 2007 the Islamic organization was named an un-indicted coconspirator in a case that found the then largest Islamic charity in the U.S. had been funding terrorist groups.

In 2009 Ghassan Elashi, of the charities leaders and the founder of CAIR's Texas chapter, was sentenced to 65 years in jail after being convicted for funneling money to the terrorist group Hamas. Now, in 2010, Nuh-bill Suh-doon, a former board member for CAIR, has been deported and accused by the government of being also having ties to Hamas.

"This group has a bunch of leaders with proven ties to terrorism and particularly terrorist fundraising," Kevin Calvey, 5th district congressional candidate, said.

Calvey has teamed up with the newly formed group Oklahoman's Against Care Hate in an effort to condemn CAIR.

"The proof is some of their members are in jail and now this latest former leader is sent to Jordan, that says they are involved in terrorism," Cindy Crenshaw with Oklahoman's Against Care Hate said.

Neither local nor national CAIR leaders wanted to respond to the latest allegations of terrorist ties but the organizations national communications director did.

"They [Oklahoman's Against Care Hate] are free to be bigots if they want but I have better things to do then to engage them and enable their bigotry."

Which is something Calvey says is just another attempt by CAIR to dodge the terrorist ties.

"The record is out there, it's just a matter of people becoming aware of this group," Calvey said.

Because of the case where CAIR was named an un-indicted co-conspirator as well as the organizations failure to answer questions about a connection between their board members and Hamas, the FBI has suspended a formal partnership with CAIR.

Kevin Calvey on air in OK-5

Kevin Calvey, in a multi-candidate race for the Republican nomination for OK-5.

Has aired a commercial today, during KTOK's "Mullins In The Morning" show today. A spokesman said the commercial will air on other stations as well.

“We’ve been working very hard for many months now bringing our message of limited government, personal freedom, and national security directly to the voters of Oklahoma’s Fifth District,” said Calvey. “Now I’m pleased that we have the ability to deliver my conservative message to all the voters who I might not be able to personally contact.”

In the TV ad, titled “Trouble,” Calvey explains that he is running for Congress “because our country is in trouble.”

Calvey sums up for voters the kind of Congressman he will be: “I’ll fight against massive spending, bailouts, and government run health care, and I’ll stand strong for America’s freedoms.”

Kevin Calvey, a former state representative, faces James Lankford, State Rep. Mike Thompson, Dr. Johnny Roy and Rick Flanigan in the Republican Primary.

Clark Duffe, an independent from Edmond, also is running.

No Democrat has entered the race yet.

Jeff Cloud begins fundraising for OK-5

Republican Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud says he plans to raise contributions for a campaign for OK-5.

Cloud said Thursday he has formed a committee to begin soliciting campaign contributions. The seat is currently held by Rep. Mary Fallin.

Cloud, of Oklahoma City, says his campaign is only a few days old. But he says he's excited by the support and encouragement he's received.

Twice elected statewide, Cloud has a record of public service. He served as a staff member to the late former Gov. Henry Bellmon, former U.S. Reps. J.C. Watts and Mickey Edwards and former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys.

Club for Growth Endorses Kevin Calvey in OK-05

In its first endorsement of the 2010 cycle, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed former state representative Kevin Calvey for the open seat in Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District.

The current representative, Republican Mary Fallin, is vacating the seat to run for governor, and Kevin Calvey is expected to announce his candidacy for Congress very soon.

As a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006, Calvey proved himself to be a genuine fiscal conservative. He sponsored a bill to cut Oklahoma’s income tax, and he was one of only five legislators to vote against a pork spending bill in 2004.

“Given Kevin Calvey’s record in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, we have every reason to believe he will be a strong fiscal conservative in Congress,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “As Congress seems more and more determined to spend the country into oblivion, Washington could use a fighter like Kevin Calvey to stand up for taxpayer’s hard-earned money. The Club for Growth PAC is proud to issue its first endorsement of the 2010 cycle in support of such a principled candidate.”

Why I choose life By U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin

Americans have been debating abortion "often at fever pitch" for 36 years now without a clear resolution. It has become the litmus test of our times whenever a new Supreme Court justice is nominated.

In ten presidential campaigns since 1972, candidates have been required to take an abortion position, and a significant number of voters on both ends of the life-choice spectrum cast ballots based largely on this one issue.

Most of this four-decade debate has been carried on in abstract terms. But for a few of us, it is highly personal. At the very beginning of my political career, I chose a pro-life position for a most immediate reason.

In 1990, while running in my first campaign for elected office, I was instinctively pro-life, but abortion was not one of my centerpiece issues.

Having worked in both the private and public sector, I was running for a seat on the Oklahoma State Legislature to focus on matters like small business development, taxation and economic growth.

Legislative campaigns are retail in nature. You walk the blocks, knock doors, talk to voters, often in a cold drizzle or scorching heat. I was seeking an open seat representing Oklahoma City, with opponents in both the primary and general elections, and began campaigning in the beginning of the year.

Early in my campaign, I encountered a smug lobbyist at a reception for legislative candidates. He asked me what my position on abortion was. I had never been asked this before as a candidate, but I responded without much thought that I was prolife. The lobbyist asked, "What would happen if you got pregnant during your campaign? No one would vote for you, you'd be ineffective and you would lose."

His conclusion: "You would have to have an abortion."

I disagreed. I told him if I got pregnant, I'd continue to run for office and I'd have my baby, just like other working mothers do.

A few weeks passed, and I began to wake up in the morning feeling sick. I went to the doctor and explained to him that I had the flu and I needed to get better in a hurry so I could campaign. I was wrong. As I learned that day, I was pregnant with my second child. I was now living the dilemma posed to me by the lobbyist.

What he had suggested to me crystallized my previous thinking on this keystone issue. Abortion in modern America is rarely a matter of medical necessity. For a great many women, it is one of convenience. That's what the lobbyist was suggesting to me: do what is most convenient.

When I became pregnant, I saw the abortion issue more clearly. What Roe v. Wade did, no matter what the intentions of the Supreme Court, was to make some innocent lives disposable. Since 1973 we have experienced some 50 million abortions. This has coarsened our society in ways we will regret for centuries.

I took this outlook with me on the campaign trail, which wound through spring rains and Oklahomaís fierce summer heat. As my pregnancy progressed to the obvious, voters sometimes stood in their doorways and offered me water or a place to sit. I kept at it, ever aware of the growing life I was carrying, and ever more convinced it is morally wrong to sacrifice life on a whim.

I won the primary election in late August, delivered my son in September and won the general election when he was six weeks old. Some said I had proved the doubters wrong, but this was not an exercise in politics or even endurance.

It was about a basic human principle:
the dignity of all life.

In two terms as a state legislator, three terms as Oklahoma's first woman Lieutenant Governor and into two terms in Congress, I have remained steadfastly pro-life. I understand and respect the positions of those on both sides of this debate, but I also see a clear moral right and an equally clear moral wrong.

Does that make the pro-choice side evil? No. But they are mistaken when they view abortion as a matter of convenience, when they regard one life as somehow secondary to another. Had I lost that first election, I might never have enjoyed a rewarding and productive career in public service. But I would have been content with the outcome.

His name is Price. He's over six feet tall, handsome and smart. He graduates from high school in May, ready for a full and rewarding life that will undoubtedly span many more years of debate over an issue which continues to define our political landscape.

Fallin files bill to keep Gitmo detainees out of Oklahoma

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (R OK-5) introduced a bill Tuesday designed to bar the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Oklahoma.

Fallin filed her bill in response to President Obama’s order to shut down the detention center within a year.

A list put together two years ago of potential transfer sites for those now being held at Guantanamo included Fort Sill. Critics of Obama’s decision fear that 2007 list could be revived.

“Guantanamo Bay holds some of world’s most dangerous criminals, including Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks,’’ said Fallin, adding that holding such terrorists in a secure offshore location makes good sense.

“Granting mass murderers the kind of rights they would be afforded on American soil is as wrongheaded as it is dangerous, and I will continue to oppose any plans to move these men into the United States.”

She said her legislation would bar use of federal funds to transfer detainees to Oklahoma.

Her legislation is co-sponsored by the other four Oklahomans in the House: Republican Reps. John Sullivan, Frank Lucas and Tom Cole and Democratic Rep. Dan Boren.

Mary Fallin: A new year with old tensions in the Middle East

By U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin

The new year arrived with more bloodshed in the Middle East.

It's often hard for Americans to sort out the warring factions there, but in the case of Israel's defense against continuous mortar and rocket attacks from Gaza, the situation is clear. Israel is defending itself against terrorism.

A little history might help clarify the issues.

Israel occupied the Gaza Strip at the end of the 1967 Six Day War, which began when Arab countries attacked Israel. After many years, Israel agreed, in the 1994 Oslo Accords, to turn over most governing authority in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. Israel also withdrew most of the settlers who had made homes in Gaza after 1967.

Unfortunately, the militant terrorist organization Hamas later overthrew the PA and effectively took over Gaza. They almost immediately began launching mortar and rocket attacks into Israel.

Imagine if 20 or 30 explosive rockets and mortar bombs were falling in Bethany every day, launched from a hostile Warr Acres. Gaza is that close to Israeli communities. Of course Israel has a right to defend its citizens from terrorism.

The Israelis did just that in late December, launching selective air strikes and later ground attacks designed to remove Hamas leaders and terror cells. It is clear that Israeli forces are being as careful as they can in efforts to minimize destruction and civilian casualties.

Sadly, this situation merely brings more misery to the people of Gaza. They have been used and abused for years by bad leadership. Israel has routinely subsidized food and medical care for Gaza's citizens, regardless of their allegiances, because the corrupt and inefficient governing bodies that have ruled that region were unable to provide for their own people.











There have been demonstrations against Israel in some cities, including here in Oklahoma. In one case a demonstrator waved a sign bearing a Nazi swastika joined with the Star of David. That's both unfortunate and misguided.

The question is, where were these demonstrators while Hamas was bombarding Israeli neighborhoods and families with rockets and mortar shells for years?

I have had the opportunity to travel to Israel and meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. I know there are Palestinians who desperately want peace and it pains me to see them endure hardships.

But the reality is that Israel has been under almost constant assault for 60 years. Hamas has publicly stated its intent to murder everyone in Israel and exterminate the Israeli nation. Israel has every right to defend itself, and like the vast majority of Americans, I support the Israeli people in their fight against terrorism.

Mary Fallin to announce political plans in spring

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin & Lt. Gov. Jari Askins

Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin says she will spend the next several weeks focusing on the national economy and will announce her future political plans in the spring.

Fallin is considered a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2010 or could run for a third term in Congress.

Incumbent Gov. Brad 'I'm Late' Henry (D) is not eligible to run for re-election because of term limits.

Fallin says a run for governor is tempting with Republicans now controlling both state House and Senate.

Fellow Republican U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4), State Senator Randy Brogdon (Dist. 34) and State Rep. Randy Terrill (Dist. 53) has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for governor.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson also have said they're considering running for governor.

Fallin named communications chairwoman of GOP committee

Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (R, OK-5) on Monday was named communications chairwoman of the Republican Study Committee, an organization of more than 100 GOP House conservatives.

The Oklahoma lawmaker said her first job will be to help present a "conservative, fiscally responsible plan" to stimulate the economy.

"Conservatives and the American people understand that we cannot borrow and spend our way to prosperity," Rep. Fallin said.

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., is the current RSC chairman.

Mary Fallin named to Armed Services panel

Rep. Mary Fallin (OK-5) has announced her appointment to the House Armed Services Committee, a post she sought out after winning re-election in November.

The committee is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Defense and the military.

Fallin, R-Okla., says the presence of an Army post and Air Force bases makes the military an important part of life in Oklahoma and she will work to protect the installations.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Fallin will now be directly involved in lawmaking affecting the military installations throughout the state, including Tinker Air Force base, the state's largest single site employer.

She said her 5th District alone has 60,000 military veterans.

Fallin Named Co-Chair of Bipartisan Women’s Caucus

Congresswoman Mary Fallin (OK-05) was today named Co-Chairwoman of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09).

They will be replacing outgoing Chairwomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Lois Capps (CA-23). Fallin was formerly a vice chairwoman of the caucus and co-chaired the Women in the Military Taskforce.

“I am extremely pleased with my recent election to the position of Co-Chairwoman in the Women’s Caucus and I look forward to working with my Democratic counterpart, Representative Schakowsky,” said Fallin. “Under the leadership of Representatives McMorris Rodgers and Capps, the Woman’s Caucus was a great example of a constructive, bipartisan working group. We are going to continue in that tradition and build on their accomplishments as we head into the New Year.”

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers congratulated both Fallin and Schakowsky, and added that “their leadership will be instrumental in continuing the Caucus’ work to improve the lives of women and families in the United States and around the world.”

Fallin said the problems she plans to tackle as co-chairwoman are not just problems for women, but for the entire country.

“We are now fighting two wars and dealing with a recession,” said Fallin. “These are the issues women want us to deal with. We have more women than ever returning from military service abroad and they face their own unique problems while deployed and as they transition back into the workforce. This caucus will be behind them 100%.”

“Similarly, we have more women than ever running businesses and entering the workforce. They have a stake in the economy, in healthcare, and in wages. Continuing the upward trajectory of women in the workforce isn’t just something that helps women – it helps everyone, by growing our economy and increasing economic opportunity.”

Shawnee receives $325,000 for new airport terminal

Congresswoman Mary Fallin (OK-5) presented an economic development grant for $325,000 today to Shawnee Mayor Linda Peterson.

The grant will be used to build a new terminal at the Shawnee Regional Airport. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Board and the City of Shawnee will match the grant with to total $325,000.

“Over the years I’ve watched Shawnee grow into a prosperous city, a good place to work and a good place to raise a family. We owe much of that improvement to our ability to attract businesses that strengthen our community by providing good jobs,” Fallin said in a statement. “This new terminal is part of that effort.

The Shawnee Regional Airport is the ‘front door’ to the city and the surrounding area. A more modern, safer and attractive facility will help to strengthen our regional economy and ultimately provide greater economic security for our citizens. My thanks go out to Mayor Peterson, former Mayor Chuck Mills, and all the local and state officials who helped to make this project a reality.”

Automakers must adapt

By U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (OK-5)

Congress convened briefly in the week before Thanksgiving, the key issue being what to do about the financial problems facing the American auto industry.

No decisions were made, but it is possible we will return in mid-December to take up this issue again.

While opinions vary on what, if any, congressional action should be taken to help shore up the Big Three automobile manufacturers, there is a growing consensus among lawmakers that these companies are working under an outdated and unsustainable business model.

A multi-billion dollar handout will only delay the inevitable restructuring that must take place for these corporations to be financially viable. Until auto manufacturers develop a long term plan for sustainability and can guarantee a greater measure of accountability to taxpayers, they should not expect a handout from American families, all of whom are living under the same recession and dealing with the same hardships.

In some cases, problems faced by these companies go back many years.

There's a reason the domestic market share of the Big Three American auto makers has been declining. They haven't been making the cars and trucks that American consumers want to buy. Part of that may simply be bad luck, but some must surely be attributable to poor decisions.

The Big Three are also hampered by union contracts that require them to pay much higher wages than their competitors, even those who build cars here in the United States. When GM or Ford pays an average of $71 an hour to assembly line workers while Toyota or Nissan average $48, it's no surprise that it costs a lot more to build an American car that is comparable to one with a Japanese name.

At a recent congressional hearing, I was disappointed that the auto executives flew in on their private jets and essentially said "Give us some money" without offering any ideas about how they could change the way they have done business in the past. If we simply hand them a basket full of cash without real changes, they are likely to be back in a year asking for more.

There's a simple way to succeed in any industry: make products people want to buy at prices they can afford. The car companies have not done well at that, which is why their domestic market share is at or below 50 percent for the first time in history. They are not listening to American consumers who are demanding more quality, fuel-efficient options.

In the end we took no action. If nothing further is done in December, the car companies may have to enter bankruptcy, like other American firms that are badly managed or make foolish decisions. Make no mistake, exercising this option would also send shock waves through the economy, including here in Oklahoma where car dealers and related industries would also feel the impact.

For now, they should not come back to Congress without first showing the American taxpayers that they understand the need for a new business model that includes sustainability and more efficiency.

In short, auto makers need to understand support for assistance will be in direct proportion to their willingness to adapt both to the current marketplace and the increased demand for accountability to the people they are asking to pick up the tab the American tax payer.

Mary Fallin and other GOP Heavyweights to Speak at National Gathering of State Legislators in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (OK-5), will be speaking regarding federalism issues at the 2008 American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) annual States & Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.

State legislators from across the United States will gather for three days of intensive discussions on the critical issues facing the states and nation, share their knowledge and experiences with each other, and hear from national leaders and renowned policy experts who share their commitment to common sense, conservative policy.

"ALEC members participate in substantive public policy sessions throughout these meetings and legislators return to their state capitols better prepared to serve their constituents," said Arkansas State Senator Steve Faris, ALEC's 2008 National Chairman.

ALEC conferences are renowned for developing cutting edge legislative policy and garnering top policy speakers. This year's speaking with Rep. Mary Fallin (OK-5) will be: Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who will speak on state budget issues; former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, who will provide election analysis; syndicated columnist Amity Shlaes, author of The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression; and U.S. Rep. Tom Price (GA), the only medical doctor currently in the House of Representatives will speak on health care reform issues.

The American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) annual States & Nation Policy Summit will be held in Washington, D.C. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, from December 4-6, 2008.

Fallin named president of GOP sophomore class

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin announced Thursday that she was named president of her Republican sophomore class for the new Congress.

“This is an outstanding group of conservative lawmakers and I look forward to working with them in the 111th Congress,’’ the Oklahoma Republican said of the 14-member class. Fallin had served as vice president of her Republican freshmen class.

She won her second two-year term in Congress earlier this month.

Mary Fallin: Election over, time to get back to work

Now that the election has ended, it is back to work in Washington. Congress will return briefly to organize for the new year, and also to deal with a number of proposals for confronting our ongoing economic problems.

Republicans have proposed a number of ideas, including tax relief to leave more dollars in the pockets of American families.

To ease investor unease, we are also suggesting suspending capital gains taxes, a move that would inject new capital into our financial markets.

We have also suggested reducing our high corporate income tax rate to help keep American jobs in America.

And of course we will continue to press for expanded domestic oil and gas production. Our economy will have a hard time recovering if we continue to send $700 billion overseas each year to buy oil.

The incoming Obama administration is still developing its economic plans, but there is considerable discussion of a whole series of federal actions that would dramatically increase the national debt while targeting many aspects of the economy.

These are one-time efforts which may or may not have the desired effect of stimulating the economy. If in fact the economic downturn is going to endure for some time, itís doubtful some of the ideas being discussed by the majority would accomplish what I believe is key to stimulating our economy: a long term reduction in tax rates.

I will examine any proposals for short term fixes with an open mind, but the end goal should be a shift towards the kind of pro growth policies that put our long term economic security on surer footing. Ultimately that means less taxes and less spending, not more.

The majority party is also proposing a huge public works program for things like roads and bridges. Certainly our nationís infrastructure needs are serious and must be addressed, but I am not convinced they belong in a package designed to jump start the economy.

As a member of the House committee that deals with such issues, I know that it takes many months sometimes years to move those projects from concept to reality. Deciding to spend a billion dollars on a road project today is unlikely to create new jobs much earlier than late in 2009. It may be that the projects are needed, but it is simply too early to say, since we havenít seen a list.

So we have two distinct views on how to boost our troubled economy: spend a whole lot and run up the deficit, or let people keep more of their own money, without it being processed through Washington. I would choose the latter.

Finally, we have a new administration coming to power in Washington in just over two months. President-elect Obama was not my candidate, but I wish him well, and I will always give the office of the presidency the respect it merits.

I will likely disagree with many of his policy proposals and vote accordingly. In other areas we may find common ground where we can agree on specific measures. Most of all, I will continue to represent the views of the people of the Fifth District who so graciously voted to retain me as their representative.

Mary Fallin 1st 2008 TV ad

U.S. Representative Mary Fallin (OK-5) 1st 2008 TV ad

Rep. Mary Fallin on Radio Row at the 2008 RNC

Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Oklahoma) is interviews by Ellen Ratner on the Talk Radio News Service Radio Row at the 2008 RNC.

Mary Fallin talk about Sarah Palin

Rep. Mary Fallin OK-5 talk about Gov. Sarah Palin, Alaska. John McCain's surprise pick for the Republican Vice President slot.Flash Point Aug. 31, 2008