http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323250,00.html

1/16/2008 6:30:57 PM

Out of curiosity, how do we know that these charity groups are actually funding terrorism? I'm assuming that the government keeps a lot of details classified. Not to suggest that this guy is innocent. I'm just wondering how possible it could be that non-terrorist organizations are being accused of wrong-doing, and how would they go about vindicating themselves?

1/16/2008 7:00:30 PM

they about vindicating themselves by donating to the RNC or DNC, of course

1/16/2008 7:09:03 PM

I recall seeing a court case on CSPAN. Some individuals had been indicted for supporting a terrorist group. Apparently, the state attorney accidentally provided them classified evidence that they felt exonerated them. However, due to the classified nature of the document, they were unable to use said evidence in their defense.

I don't know why I decided to redirect the thread this way. Carry on.

1/16/2008 8:19:17 PM

^^^

Quote :

"...alleged terrorist fundraising ring that sent more than $130,000 to an Al Qaeda supporter who has threatened U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan."

1) The group sent $130,000 to a Al Qaeda supporter.
2) That supporter has threatened our troops.

That's the kind of stuff that probably gets you tagged as an "alleged terrorist"

Quote :

"I'm just wondering how possible it could be that non-terrorist organizations are being accused of wrong-doing, and how would they go about vindicating themselves? "

I'm guessing if you can show that you are not sending money to Al Qaeda supporters, you'd get off the "alleged terrorist" list.

We are probably going to be very sensitive about groups showing any real or suspected support for Al Qaeda. Can you blame us?

1/16/2008 8:38:58 PM

^ BUT, it's PERFECTLY OK for the government to give money or weapons to Al Qaeda in the 80's. it's also PERFECTLY OK for the government to give money to people in Iraq who just 2 hours ago were shooting at US troops. However, heaven forbid that Joe-Q-Citizen donate money to a charity that directly or indirectly does the same thing, whether he knows it or not.

1/16/2008 8:58:00 PM

^
I agree that we shouldn't be giving money and weapons to other countries.

But isn't it true that Al Qaeda wasn't our sworn enemy when we gave them the stuff? Weren't they using it against the Russkies?

The problem is that this Joe-Q-Citizen is making threatening remarks towards our troops and now has some money to do something about it.

1/16/2008 10:20:14 PM

So, would it be OK for me to donate to the IRA? Or what if I donated to a Chechnyan rebel group?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think we should be able to donate to terrorist organizations, period. I was just pointing out the hypocrisy of the gov't telling its citizens not to engage in an activity that it, the gov't, does every fucking day.

and, btw, I'd say that this Joe-Q-Citizen has the right to make threatening remarks towards our troops. He just damned well better not act on them. Then again, I'm also of the opinion that you have the right to yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theatre; you also have the right to be held responsible for the damages that result from that action, however.

[Edited on January 16, 2008 at 10:34 PM. Reason : ]

1/16/2008 10:32:43 PM

Quote :

"But isn't it true that Al Qaeda wasn't our sworn enemy when we gave them the stuff? Weren't they using it against the Russkies? "

the US constantly does this.....we need to stop operating on the "enemy of our enemy is our friend" philosophy, b/c it always comes back to bite us in the ass.....but as with everything else, they'll never learn.

1/17/2008 9:01:56 AM

For the Record, the Person/Organization that the former Congressman is alleged to have been donating to appear numerous times on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations which have sanctions levied against them. This makes it very clear that you cannot donate to them.

Quote :

"Out of curiosity, how do we know that these charity groups are actually funding terrorism? I'm assuming that the government keeps a lot of details classified"

Yes, much of this information is classified but when these organizations are raided, it is typically reported in the media. Additionally, you can find a TON of these 'charitable' organizations listed on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Some years ago when I worked in an embassy, an organzation with offices in the US and elsewhere around the world was brought down in a pretty public matter. Needless to say, this organization was monitored by the governments of a number of countries for some time.

Quote :

"So, would it be OK for me to donate to the IRA? Or what if I donated to a Chechnyan rebel group?"

If by IRA, you mean RIRA or CIRA in their present incarnations, no if would not be OK to donate to them as there are sanctions placed on these orgs since they are designated on the FTO list. Same goes for the numerous organizations on the FTO list that operate in Chechnya or financially/logistically support them.[quote]

1/18/2008 11:12:36 AM

i fucking hate traitors

1/18/2008 11:21:16 AM