Weigel

J’Accuse CAIR!

Ryan J. Reilly and TPM’s magical video elves captured one of the odder mismatches of the House Homeland Security hearing today, the exchange between freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack and Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca. (Baca was a Democratic witness, called to discuss his work with Muslim communities.)

The 1993 meeting referred to here was a Philadelphia meeting that, reportedly, was called by Hamas supporters to discuss strategies for opposing the Oslo accords; it was attended by Omar Ahmad and Niahd Awad, the latter of whom became executive director of CAIR. But it wasn’t something Baca took seriously.

“Basically,” said Cravaack, “you’re dealing with a terrorist organization, and I’m trying to get you to understand that they might be using you, sir, to implement their goals.”

“Thank you,” said Baca, “for asking that question but it seems more like a possible accusation.”