Saturday, February 02, 2008

Small Victory’s

American Congress for Truth Joseph Shahda posted an article that was very disturbing. However, it resulted in a small victory for free speech.

By de Andrea

A terrorist web site Ekllaas, hosted by the Tampa-based Internet Service Provider HiVelocity, had circulated a rumored petition campaign to its members, to be spread across other terrorist forums, to try to knock off a Christian anti-Islamic Arabic language chat room from Paltalk.

The leadership at ACT for America and American Congress for Truth, deeply concerned about this matter, decided to contact PalTalk to encourage them to dismiss this Islamist effort to stifle free speech.

In response, Paltalk confirmed that they are not ever going to submit to any petition directed against constitutionally protected freedom of speech. Further, they asserted they would never bow to the pressure of a petition submitted by Muslim activists to shut down a Christian chat room that criticizes Islam. In fact, Paltalk emphatically said that the Muslim activists spread the false rumor about Paltalk agreeing to close the Coptic Christian room if 1 million signatures were obtained for their petition. This amounted to classic Islamic ‘Taqiya’ – deceptive lies used to advance the cause of Islam.

We are of course delighted to hear that Paltalk, the most prominent voice chat room service in the world, will not bow to Muslim activist pressure to shut down Christian rooms that these activists find “offensive.” Thank you Paltalk for your strong stand to protect Constitutional Free Speech Rights.
One side benefit of this exchange: Palktalk said they would love to have Brigitte Gabriel from ACT to host a weekly program on its large network.

Islamist assaults on free speech have become a staple in their arsenal. As we reported last week, legislation has been introduced in the New York legislature to protect journalists, authors and publishers from intimidation lawsuits filed in foreign courts. Such efforts at intimidation have been dubbed “libel terrorism.”

Also New York Legislation to Protect Authors, Status Update:
As reported to me in recent emails, legislation to protect authors from what has been called “libel terrorism” has been introduced in the New York state legislature.

The catalyst for this legislation was the recent New York appeals court ruling that it could not protect Rachel Ehrenfeld from a lawsuit that had been filed against her by a wealthy Saudi Muslim in British court. Ms. Ehrenfeld is a member of the Advisory Board of our sister organization, American Congress for Truth.

The Saudi, Khalid Salim bin Mahfouz, has filed dozens of such lawsuits against American authors alleging libel and defamation of character. In numerous cases, these lawsuits, clearly intended to intimidate and silence free speech and press rights, have led to publishers making public apologies, issuing retractions, or pulling books from stores.Why does bin Mahfouz file these lawsuits in Great Britain? Because, unlike in America, where the plaintiff who alleges he has been libeled must prove that the author libeled him, in Great Britain the author has to prove he did not. In other words, the burden of proof in Great Britain falls on the author, whereas in the United States, it falls on the person who alleges the libel.

The distinction is very important. By placing the burden of proof on the plaintiff, American law maintains a very high legal bar, thus providing strong protection of free speech and press rights of authors and journalists. In contrast, the British system, by placing the burden of proof on the author, maintains a much lower legal bar, making it much easier for plaintiffs to win libel suits. This means significantly less protection for authors and journalists from lawsuits intended to intimidate them or force them into silence.

This is an especially important issue in the ongoing effort by Muslims to stifle and silence criticism of militant Islam and the terrorism that results. If American authors and journalists who are exposing Islamic terrorism and the root causes for it are forced to play by British legal rules rather than ours, the ramifications for free speech and press rights in America are ominous. Moreover, it will play right into the plan of Islam to infiltrate and control the west.

Authors will be afraid to research and write. Publishers will be afraid to publish. Newspapers will be afraid to report. This cannot be allowed to happen in America!It is for this reason that the actions of people like bin Mahfouz have been rightly dubbed “libel terrorism” all part of Cultural Jihad-- and why the proposed New York legislation is so essential as a first, significant step in putting a stop to it.

The legislation has been introduced and a bill number has been attached to it. Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Assembly sponsor of the bill, is now seeking co-sponsors. Once that has been completed, the bill will be referred to the appropriate committees in both the Assembly and the Senate.

When the time is right, I will ask every one of you who live in New York state to take action, and I will let you know exactly what you can do.

Even if you do not live in New York, because this legislation has national implications, you will be encouraged to take specific action that will help ensure the bill’s passage. I am also currently in communication with a few of my allies in Congress regarding the New York legislation and the ultimate need for a federal law as well.

This is a prime example of why ACT! for America citizen action network is so important. The average American and the average New Yorker will have no idea that such a critical battle for free speech and press rights is taking place. But you will. Moreover, as we mobilize on behalf of the bill, we increase its chances to pass. The same will be true when we begin our fight to get legislation passed in the Congress.

This illustrates why I ask you to sign petitions, contact elected officials, forward emails, lead a chapter or help start a chapter, and help with your financial support. This is just one example of why, over the last few months, Brigitte Gabriel and I have frequently communicated with you about the necessity of action. The battles that need to be fought will not be won if we are spectators on the sidelines – even if we are well-informed spectators. Knowing about the threat of Islamo-fascism is not going to defeat the threat of Islamo-fascism. Knowing and acting will.

I have worked in politics and grassroots organizations for nearly 25 years, and I have witnessed this truth over and over again – people with a vision, financial resources, organization and a commitment to action win the political battles. They do not have to represent the opinion of the majority. In fact, oftentimes they don’t. They don’t have to be “right” – and oftentimes they’re not.

American Congress for Truth and ACT for America is committed to action for you, your families, and for America. It is an organization committed to winning the war against Islam for you, your families and for America.

It’s a team effort. You can’t count on someone else to do your work; we need your help along the way to be successful. The process of getting this bill passed in New York is going to take time, and we’re going to follow it every step of the way. You can count on there being opposition to this bill – especially from activists in the Muslim community. This will show just how powerful the Nation of Islam has become in America. But with your help we will see the bill passed and the free speech and press rights of New York authors and publishers protected from the “libel terrorism” that is determined to steal those rights away.

Once in a great while someone comes along that is capable of saving an entire civilization, if there ever was such a person, Brigitte Gabriel is that person, but she cannot do it alone. Please visit her site at Act for America and get involved.

With your help, we will win a legislative victory that will set an important precedent for other states and the federal government to follow. With your help, we will prevail. Thank you for your support and for your love of America.
Watch some videos of Brigitte

de Andréa

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