They pointed the finger first at Abedin, who is deputy chief of staff to Secretary Clinton and has been one of her closest aides for nearly two decades. Abedin, who was born in the U.S. and is of Pakistani descent, has been described by both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton as a daughter.Bachmann's antagonists have long been portrayed her as crazy, but this seems crazy.
But Bachmann and the others wrote, "Huma Abedin has three family members -- her late father, her mother and her brother -- connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and/or organizations."...
In a statement, Bachmann did not back down, saying she would "not be silent as this administration appeases our enemies" and saying she wants a full investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood.
July 19, 2012
Michele Bachmann vs. Huma Abedin.
This is a weird story, which I first noticed in the context of Ed Rollins and John McCain denouncing the accusations as ugly and unsubstantiated. It wasn't anything to me until I heard them saying it's nothing. Now, I need to search to figure out what it was that drove Michele Bachmann (and 4 other Congresscreatures) to say Abedin is part of some Muslim Brotherhood infiltration of the federal government.
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96 comments:
Bat shit crazy. What next Obama is a Muslm, oh... never mind.
This should not be hard to check. Either her claims are correct or at least plausible or they are not. I am always suspicious when there is so much outrage with so little substance.
The author of the linked article, Nancy Cordes (nee Weiner) is also a long time Palin antagonist: link. (Althouse is throwing a few select facts into fray so lets add a few more).
The downside of a full investigation of The Muslim Brotherhood is what?
Has Michele Bachmann heard of Joseph McCarthy?
You mean the guy who was right?
Here is the letter Bachmann wrote to Ellison.
LINK
this seems crazy
We should review what various commenters here said about Bachmann during the Republican primary. I'm pretty sure I called her crazy and laughed and laughed at everyone that took her seriously.
Also, the Republican party is going to have an increasingly hard time walking the line between adhering to the level of anti-Muslim bigotry that is demanded by some segments of their base versus what is acceptable in polite society. (See also: attitudes toward gay people and latinos.)
Has Michelle Bachman heard of Joseph McCarthy?
Have you heard of Alger Hiss?
In a country where Janet Napolitano can assert with a straight face that gun owners, active service members, Tea Party sympathizers and small-government activists are terrorists in embryo, a true terrorist-supporting organization like the Muslim Brotherhood ought to an industrial-strength colonoscopy.
But since Muslims are a protected class and Islam the [i]de jure[/i] state religion of America, expect Bachmann to be shouted down by the usual apologists.
I'm not a Bachmann fan at all, but is her (and the others') only red flag is that Ms. Abedin has these family connections (and what is her relationship with these family members?), or is there more? Given the sort of "reporting" I've seen about female GOP members in the past, I'm awfully suspicious that, if you asked Rep. Bachmann about this, she'd have a lot more reason for concern than just a few family members.
But, hey, who knows.
When Huma's husband, former congressman Weiner was sending pictures on his penis on the Internet... her non-reaction was... how should I put this?... she reacted the way you would expect a Muslim Brotherhood Operative to react.
Just saying... reading tea leaves, connecting the dots.. the only dots we are allowed to see... Huma's behavior.
Associates matter for security clearances.
But I don't approve of guilt by association. If Huma has shown no sign of being a follower of the Muslim Brotherhood, I'm not that worried about it. Everyone should be given the chance to live/work based on their demonstrated integrity.
That being said, the whole Arab Spring thing is inextricably suffused with Muslim Brotherhood. The Arab Spring was a significant diplomatic issue for the US. Did SecState Clinton do or say anything to the benefit of Muslim Brotherhood that doesn't make sense when considered in the context of her duties as SecState?
Looking purely at how badly the Arab Spring was handled by the Obama Administration, I'd have to say "yes". But when considered in light of SecState Clinton's ideology and general incompetence (see: Burma stumbles, Russia stumbles, China stumbles, etc), I have to admit: no, the bumbling of the US makes more sense as general idiocy than any possible malicious influence of Huma.
@Andy R.
We should review what various commenters here said about Bachmann during the Republican primary. I'm pretty sure I called her crazy and laughed and laughed at everyone that took her seriously.
Yeah, but you take Andrew Sullivan seriously, so your credibility on the issue is less than zero.
Is Michele Bachmann an agent of the Muslim Brotherhood?
Andy R. suggested:
We should review what various commenters here said about Bachmann during the Republican primary.
You should do so--with links please. As I recall, your bigotry was on flagrant display. Was all about the gay thing then, as it is now?
At last Tail Gunner Joe from the State of Wisconsin has been channeled by a Minnesota Tax lawyer.
Bachman believes in her enemy identification skills, just like Joseph McCarthy did. And watch out for vaccines too.
Let's hope she is not as right as McCarthy turned out to be in seeing real enemies hiding in plain sight.
They are specific allegations that, if true, should raise the bar for Abedin's security clearance very high.
They are also the sort of allegations that, if true, should be easy to prove. So let's see the proof.
Yeah, but you take Andrew Sullivan seriously
Is this an ironic attempt to demonstrate how dumb Bachmann's crazy guilt by association thing is by taking the exact same approach? If so, well played.
as it is now?
No, I think she's crazy for lots of reasons. Today it's about how she is channeling her anti-muslim bigotry into kooky made-up conspiracy theories.
The author of the linked article, Nancy Cordes (nee Weiner) is also a long time Palin antagonist
Gopher!
@Andy R,
You're right. Your own nonsense, constantly on display, is enough to destroy your credibility on "crazy". No need to get into association guilt.
I'm not too worried about Huma Abedin, but there's some sobering information about the Ikhwan in Frank Gaffney's ten part youtube series, as well as this shorter lecture by Coughlin focusing on the OIC:
http://youtu.be/Ey-TRpkUiPI
Pointing out that Andy R. is a non-serious gadfly aside, I do think Michelle Bachmann is wrong about Huma.
SecState Clinton is one of the worst SecStates we have had in a long time. Her fumbling of the Arab Spring was due to her own incompetence, not any undue influence via Huma.
Was all about the gay thing, as it is now?
It's always about the gay thing with Hat. Anything less than full-throated celebration of his sexuality is rampant bigotry.
As the old saying goes, the love that once dared not speak its name is the love that now will not shut up.
What Christopher in MA said!
Hillary and Huma, while on long distance trips to other countries, huddle together at night discussing how they have been harmed and slighted by their cheating husbands. They are soul mates at least. They sure can pick 'em.
garage mahal exclaimed:
Gopher!
Not really, garage. I've noticed a strong correlation between PDS and BDS. Witness the Sullivanist-in-chief, our own little Andy R.
Lets say.. for the purposes of this discussion.. that Huma would have reacted to Weiner's indiscretion the way you would expect an American woman to react to her political husband's indiscretion..
I can only think of one woman that reacted the way Huma reacted... Hilary Clinton..
Why did Hillary Clinton react to Monica the way she reacted?
easy..
The deal the Clintons made - Hilarys own run for the presidency.
A Muslim Brotherhood agent in the Oval Office.
An infiltration dream.
Doesn't get any better than that...
Weiner was just another Monica to overcome.
Bringing Weiner into this discussion is apropos, since when the Weinergate story broke, the left accused us rights of making crazy allegations, all the way up until Weiner confessed.
The power of media suggestion. (Crazy.)
Repeated concerted suggestion.
(Crazy crazy crazy.)
In different contexts.
(Hm, "crazy," I just heard that.)
Layered over related suggestion. (She's crazy. Everyone knows.)
With helpful photographic support
(She's got crazy eyes.)
and quotes from pet Republicans
(Maverick sez crazy).
Result?: That seems crazy.
Who knows if this is true or not. Bachman and the others should back up their accusations. Oh, wait, it seems she did set out some reasoning that mysteriously went unreported. Actually, this story has circulated for years, even before the 2008 campaign. Abedin apparently has a lot of family who are tied-in to various ME bigwigs, and the marriage to Weiner could easily be one of mutual political convenience given the family's strict religious background.
Given all this, plus the automatic defcon five screech activated in the media whenever a conservative woman or minority speaks, I have to pause and consider whether it really "seems crazy" or if that's just the power of media suggestion.
Example of other things strenuously billed as "crazy":
Congressman tweeting photo of junk.
Me and Lem!
Scott, records have shown that McCarthy was accurate in most of his claims. He was a putz, but an accurate putz.
I think it would be fine if Bush had hired a person who had a father, brother, and mother active in the KKK.
No wait, I think it would be stupid and insulting.
So it is with the Brotherhood who makes the KKK look like slackers. Recall, it was the Brotherhood that Hitler turned to for pointers.
Trey
You want crazy? A president, a cigar, and an intern.
There is a connection that bears looking into. The whole idea that we shouldn't do to Muslims the things that were done by McCarthy to Communists is a smoke screen. Why shouldn't we look into the background of people with high positions in government? It seems like a smart thing to do. When it's not done we get people like Van Jones holding responsible policy jobs.
You all may want to consider this:
http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/07/dont-let-the-facts-on-huma-abedins-family-get-in-the-way-of-attacking-michele-bachmann/
McCarthyism is the straw that stirs the winger drink.
Let's hope she is not as right as McCarthy turned out to be in seeing real enemies hiding in plain sight.
================
Unfortunately, the open and money dependent on outsiders form of US government has proved quite easy to infiltrate with foreign agents of influence, those paid off by the Israeli, Saudi, and China Lobbies, or internal sympathizers that foreign agents recruit.
Thinking this is only a "problem" when it is just damage to the interests of the US from release of classified info is a blind view. The deals that get billions in foreign aid from taxpayers, destroy US industries by China free trade backroom arrangements. Or induce the US to get in wars not in our vital interests are just as damaging to America as grabbing a CIA document.
As for Muslims - just as there were 100s of millions of peace-loving communists that only wanted a better life for the working masses - stipulate the same about Dubya's Religion of Peace.
The problem is not them, but the Soviets that infiltrated our government and media, the radical Muslims that got in the ACLU, the US Army, or US pilot training schools.
Sorry, PC People - while the deadly menace of Huma seems to fall on the lines of the ovvereaction that hurt McCarthy....we do need to be warier of Muslims in the military and US government than Baptists.
We also have issues with the Chinese and Israel infiltrations.
Palin is the vessel that shakes the Sullivanists' cocktales.
Someone needs to slap Bachmann and the other Representatives.
This is stupid politics.
I see no problem if her family is involved in groups we don't like. As long as she isn't, so what. People have families that are not perfect. You can probably even get clearances with family like that if you can show your relationship with them is strained or non-existent. Maybe. I don't know; I just live in a rosy, happy world.
What's crazy is to ignore that muslims are out to destroy western civilization and that part one of their "religious" tenets is that it is necessary and proper to lie to infidels to further their goals.
It is crazy to ignore the fact that our military has been infiltrated by muslims.
It is crazy to ignore the fact that muslims nevertheless get special treatment as a protected class.
I'm sure Bachmann's intel was grounded in some well sourced chain email forwards.
People have the right to be in the Muslim Brotherhood or associate themselves with this group. They're a group that's not fully connected with Muslim terrorists. It depends on which country, etc...
It's like investigating Catholics over ties to the IRA.
This is really stupid of Bachmann to do.
"Michele Bachmann vs. Huma Abedin."
Jeez, I was kinda hoping this post involved nudity, copious amounts of Wesson Oil and a large, inflatable kiddy pool.
Keep in mind, the Hildabeast got all kissy face with Arafat's wife.
Also, Huma isn't so much a daughter for Willie and Hilla as a live-in girlfriend.
But I can understand why the Administration, not to mention the Arkinsaw Mafia and the media, don't want to look too closely at the Moslem Brotherhood these days.
Might make people realize how Choom and the Hildabeast have endangered this country.
Andy R. said...
this seems crazy
We should review what various commenters here said about Bachmann during the Republican primary. I'm pretty sure I called her crazy and laughed and laughed at everyone that took her seriously.
Hatman laughs at the serious candidates and supports President Choom.
QED
Nathan Alexander said...
Pointing out that Andy R. is a non-serious gadfly aside
Pointing out that Andy R. is a non-serious joke gadfly aside
FIFY
Disappointing the article makes no effort to describe any evidence or link to the original accusation source. It's obviously a charge not to be taken seriously unless supported, but the sheep claiming it's crazy without even reading the evidence is only slightly less disappointing.
Lyle said...
People have the right to be in the Muslim Brotherhood or associate themselves with this group. They're a group that's not fully connected with Muslim terrorists. It depends on which country, etc...
It's like investigating Catholics over ties to the IRA.
A lot of Irish Catholics in this country did have ties to them.
I remember Tip O'Neill trying to make excuses for the people in Baaston who sent them money and, uh, other things.
Leslyn,
Your word choice is off.
Politicians get vetted.
I think the more appropriate verb in this case is "probed."
leslyn said...
It is crazy to ignore the fact that muslims nevertheless get special treatment as a protected class.
Put your brain in gear before you run your mouth.
NO, THEY DON'T.
Of course, leslyn is the last one to tell anybody else to engage the brain before the mouth.
Of course, they do. The Moslems get a free ride from the separation of church and state crowd - including the courts - because they're so scared of them.
PS leslyn doesn't like people telling the truth about the Former Serial Rapist In Chief and his mob.
leslyn:
If you really care you can start with this, then do your own follow-up: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/291925/why-apologize-afghanistan-andrew-c-mccarthy?
"leslyn said...
Don't you mean that it's disappointing that Bachmann doesn't? I'd use the word "disturbing."
I meant what I wrote. That article was on CBSNews, and I expected some effect to provide sufficient information for a judgement. You being a lefty only needed your cue outrage was appropriate to reach your conclusion and thus didn't realize it was missing.
McCarthyism is the straw that stirs the winger drink.
Yeah, those Venona Papers were just a big bunch of nothing, right, garage?
leslyn said...
PS leslyn doesn't like people telling the truth about the Former Serial Rapist In Chief and his mob.
I call bullshit. Getout of your recliner, edutcher, and put your proof where your mouth is.
Let's start with the photo of Hillary kissing Suha Arafat at the White House, shall we?
The whole visit was a case of giving legitimacy to a pack of cutthroats so Willie could have a shot at a legacy that didn't involve a Gap dress.
P.S. I couldn't care less about the former Prez, and I think your calculated insults are...BORIING.
Then why say anything at all, unless leslyn's little heart just goes pitty-pat at the mere thought of Willie?
leslyn reveals: P.S. I couldn't care less about the former Prez, and I think your calculated insults are...BORIING.
So boring he shees them everytime!
leslyn writes: For gawd's sake, edutcher, don't you have anything better to occupy your time with than insinuating loopy conspiracies and scandals?
I swear your manner of speech is morphing into AllieOop.
When it comes to Middle Eastern politics and terrorism, it is impossible to ignore family relations - just look at those fine, upstanding Canadians, the Khadr family.
Was Huma properly investigated before getting her security clearance, or has she just been given executive waivers? That's how the Clintons ran things during Bill's tenure, much the frustration of the FBI and Secret Service.
Chickie, I am not her SockPuppet, nor is she mine, don't get Edutcher all excited now!
I have to agree I don't like guilt by association in general, but that is something that should be looked at during a security clearance for someone at that high of a level in the Secretary of State's office. I mean, hopefully it was already thoroughly looked at and clearance was approved based on the facts, not on her being super close buddies with the clinton's and Weiner. Hopefully.
It should bother leslyn that there are so many passes given to Muslims by every segment of our government. A tempest in a teapot is Crack's Mormon obsession. Muslime are at the forefront of the 911 terrorism, the shoe bomber, the diaper bomber, the Times Square bomber, and on and on. This is not a teapot and if a person with a high government position is connected to Muslim groups it bears looking into.
Somebody tell Oop there are a lot of people onto his/her/its game.
Time to create some new characters.
Not to mention some new boilerplate.
Edutcher, please elaborate, this might be fun. So who am I a sockpuppet of?
Maybe you should post them over on the Cafe thread, so as not to hijack this thread.
Here's the letter, signed by 5 GOP Congressmen:
http://bachmann.house.gov/uploadedfiles/ig_letter_dhs.pdf
First thing I notice?
Never mentions a word about Huma.
Bachmann is calling for an investigation of Muslim Brotherhood connections to individuals in prominent positions in the US govt.
That may include Huma, but it looks like the liberal news media is creating cover for its ideological brethren, again.
Why didn't CBS (or whichever outlet it was) make that clear? Since they didn't, it must fit an agenda of some sort.
Would you like to try to guess what that agenda might be, Andy, leslyn, or garage?
Is her late father still connected to the Muslim Brotherhood?
Let's see her prove that she isn't a Muslim Brotherhood plant. A hah! Can't do it!
Bachmann, twice the brains of Palin, 10x the crazy. I bet she gets a gig at World Net Daily when she's done with Congress
AllieOop countered: Chickie, I am not her SockPuppet, nor is she mine, don't get Edutcher all excited now!
I believe you Allie but you and Leslyn are beginning to sound alike in manner too. Maybe it's intentional?
AllieOop said...
Edutcher, please elaborate, this might be fun. So who am I a sockpuppet of?
Maybe you should post them over on the Cafe thread, so as not to hijack this thread.
No, Oop doesn't like competition.
And I've posted it all before. Dig it up and copy it. Feel free.
Jay and chickelit think there are sockpuppets here.
Edutcher, that's the coward's way out, put your paranoia where your mouth is.
The specific question centers on her, but it is not just about Huma Abedin. One is free to infer political and personal animus, of course, but if you consider the actual request in Rep. Bachmann's letter, it looks a good deal less unreasonable:
Ms. Abedin is a close confidant to the Secretary of State, giving her has access to classified information and influence over policy. This opinion "is not controversial." (It isn't, is it?)
The U.S. government potentially withholds security clearances from people with immediate family connections to foreign extremist groups as a matter of policy. This is true of "anyone seeking a security clearance."
The Muslim Brotherhood is such a group.
Ms. Abedin possesses connections of this sort, "three family members--her late father, her mother and her brother--connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and/or organizations."
Ms. Abedin presumably also possesses a "high-level security clearance..."
So, the question asked, is: "If these known and documented family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood would not disqualify someone for a security clearance, what specifically is the standard to be disqualified on foreign influence grounds?"
Having thought about it, I have to ask: Don't you want to know? I certainly do. What about you, Ann?
If her brother, father, and mother were all associated with radical Islam, what's crazy is calling people crazy who think that maybe it bears a little further examination. And isn't being married to and "standing by" a total putz like Weiner all by itself telling?
Or, when they go hysterical and try to dismiss you as being "crazy," that's when you know you're over the target.
Or, maybe it's just rank sexism viz Bachmann, which Althouse seems full willing to be, depending upon the woman and the woman's politics.
Just observin'.
Good looks can get you a long way in many areas of life. That and a little cheekiness can conceal utter idiocy. Michelle Bachmann is quite good looking.
Abedin is clearly a Saudi agent. Why must you mock that, Althouse? Bachmann, a genuine patriot, has been on to the muzzie infiltration of our State Department, among many other government departments, for a long time. Is part of being a beautiful person in good standing turning a blind eye on muzzie perfidy?
AllieOop said...
Edutcher, that's the coward's way out, put your paranoia where your mouth is.
No paranoia.
Oop is 100% Goldtoe.
Does anyone have a link to the letter that contains a reference to the Secretary of State’s assistant because she wasn’t mentioned in any of the five letters that Bachmann and the other four members of Congress sent on June 13.
Does anyone else get the feeling the that reason that so much attention is being placed on Huba Abedin (who doesn’t appear to have even been mentioned in any of the letters that the members of Congress sent on June 13) is so that the actual concerns that were raised by the five members of Congress don’t get addressed?
If the assistant to the Secretary of State were a national security risk because of someone in her immediate family, I think it would be because her douche-bag husband compromised himself by emailing pictures of his junk and put himself at risk of being blackmailed. Now that he’s been turned into a national laughingstock, that danger is pretty much nil. I’m more interested in the other issues that were actually raised by the members of Congress which I don’t see being addressed.
Somebody help me find the crazy part here.
Is it thinking there is an organization called "the Muslim Brotherhood", that such an organization could be hostile to the United States, or could find adherents in Pakistan?
Is it saying family members often share political views, whether Bushes, Kennedys, or Abedins?
Is it saying no enemy of the United States could ever get a job in the State Department?
Not your old run of the mill tin foil hat, a special one for Michele B.
If a Republican had appointed someone to the Civil Rights Commission whose father, mother, and brother were leading lights in the Aryan Nation or the Klan or some such, would this not be a cause for concern?
The article only hinted at what the actual allegation is. I heard the Congresswoman earlier today explain it as follows: Ms. Abedin needs a security clearance for her position. There are specific requirements for investigation in order to grant the clearance. One of them is to investigate family members or close associates for ties to organizations that may not be friendly to the US. Huma Abedin has the identified family members that should trigger such an investigation. This investigation was not completed before she was granted her security clearance. Why not? Bachmann is not saying that Abedin is a terrorist or that her family members are, but her clearance was not processed as required and there should be an explanation for why that happened, given the sensitivity of her job and the known associations of the MB. No McCarthyism, no witch hunt, no craziness.
So Fen is a Joseph McCarthy apologist. That figures!
Bachmann has a pretty remarkable history of crazy. She's just doing what she does best.
All the comments noting what Bachmann's letter actually said are pretty good. Thank you.
All the comments simply stating that Bachmann is crazy (in including Althouse's post) added nothing, but I thank her for posting it.
Rep Bachmann is a member of these committees:
Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Member, Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence
I think what she is asking would be within the normal duties and scope of any of these assignments.
Leslyn,
I agree. Rep. Bachmann seems to believe that the process wasn't followed. I haven't seen any evidence of this, it may be privileged or classified, but I'm willing to take her at her word for now.
"leslyn said... You have to make this more coherent for me to understand exactly what you're saying."
If your ability to concentrate reached that of an ADD gnat I'm sure you could figure it out. Then again if that were true you wouldn't be constantly leaping to conclusions and proving yourself a fool.
But the best news is the new standard requiring coherence precludes you from ever posting again, so we've got that going for us.
The Borowitz Report weighs in...
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)
Representative Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.) stirred controversy today by claiming that several key members of the Obama Administration had links to a shadowy extremist group called the Democratic Party.
While Representative Bachmann produced no evidence to back up her charges, she said she had proof that “members of this sinister cabal have infested the highest echelons of our government to take away our guns and replace them with gay health care.”
Representative Bachmann said that the member of the Administration with the closest ties to the organization is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “I have it on good authority that she is related to a former leader of the group.”
The Minnesota Congressperson’s shocking accusations drew widespread calls for her to back down, from such disparate quarters as Senator John McCain (R., Ariz.) and the National Institute of Mental Health.
“Congresswoman Bachmann’s comments are baseless, irresponsible, and beneath contempt,” said Senator McCain. “Having said that, I think I would have chosen her as my running mate over Mitt Romney.”
Speaker of the House John Boehner said that he now regretted making Representative Bachmann a member of the Intelligence Committee, calling that decision “an example of a good-natured prank that went too far.”
Despite the controversy swirling around her, however, Representative Bachmann refused to cave: “I don’t know the meaning of the word surrender. Also, science, math, apple, and cat.”
eduthcer,
That's my point. I know there were Catholic Americans with ties to the IRA. Catholic American leaders weren't investigated by a congressional committee on it though and faith criticized over it.
Right?
And Jake Diamond provides the clue that the whole thing was a mendacious attack on Bachmann: link
And Andy B's disclosure of the "face" of Romney's running mate in that link suggests where our own Andy R got his puerile "Scrooge McDuck" caricature. Hint: we hate rich people.
County GOP chapters circulate resolutions condemning Haslam
County chapters of the state Republican Party are circulating resolutions condemning Gov. Bill Haslam for not backing gun legislation, refusing to sign an anti-United Nations resolution and recruitment practices that include retaining an openly gay staffer and hiring a Muslim woman.
The Williamson County Republican Party’s resolution condemns Haslam only for the hiring of the Muslim lawyer. It says Haslam has “elevated and/or afforded preferential political status to Sharia adherents in Tennessee.”
Republicans being anti-Muslim bigots? This is my surprised face.
I've been having problems with Huma Abedin for 5-6 years now. Here's a couple reasons:
In 2006, when she was making about $30-40,000 as Hilary's aide she bought a Georgetown apartment for $641,000.
Where did that money come from?
Care you speculate on how a woman making in the $30s or so can swing $649m for an apartment?
Her mother is a professor at a university in Jeddah. This seems like a classic potential for pressure. "Hey Huma, get us this info or we'll trump up some charges against your mom."
Don't have any idea that this IS happening. Certainly the potential is there.
Up until late 2008 Huma was listed as assistant editor of her mom's muslim magazine. I went and looked at a few issues a couple years ago and found nothing worrisome. Did seem like a conflict if interest, though.
http://web.archive.org/web/20080924122842/http://www.imma.org.uk/editorialboard.htm
(IMMA is Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs)
Huma is a US citizen, born in Kalamazoo. Is she also a Pakistani citizen? (Her mother) Indian? (her father) or Saudi (where she lived half her life from age 2 to 19 or so)
I would be interested to hear more about her citizenship.
If she were a private citizen this would not matter at all. As a person next to the Sec State "Her closest confidante" I have read, this is very worrisome.
John Henry
Link on the apartment didn't come out: Here is it from Salon:
http://open.salon.com/blog/bruce_majors/2011/06/08/we_scooped_breitbart_weiners_bedroom_photos_revealed_3
And from teh DC tax board
https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/R ... %20%202128
John Henry
I read the letter Bachmann sent to Congressman Keith Ellison after he objected to the original five letters. There doesn't seem to be anything crazy in the questions Bachmann wants answered.
Huma's family has close ties to the Brotherhood, and yet she has a high level security clearance. If family ties to a known terrorist organization do not disquallify one from such a security clearance, then what does?
Given Bachmann's committee positions, not asking the questions would be a dereliction of her duties.
Link.
Although it's apparently farfetched to some of the commenters, it is standard procedure on higher level security clearances to consider the affiliations and ideologies of even the distant relatives of clearance applicants. For example, I am personally aware of a colleague who was refused a high level clearance because he had cousins who lived behind the iron curtain. Consequently, Rep. Bachmann's concerns are certainly legitimate and deserve answers because the Muslim Brotherhood is certainly not a friend of the U.S.
In 68 I had a classmate who got booted from the Navy's nuclear power school after he lost his security clearance.
He lost it for getting 3 speeding tickets.
And yet Huma Abedin can swing a $649,000 condo on $40,000 a year of income and it is racist to ask questions about where the money comes from?
John Henry
truthprevails2906 reminded...
Although it's apparently farfetched to some of the commenters, it is standard procedure on higher level security clearances to consider the affiliations and ideologies of even the distant relatives of clearance applicants.
Unless of course your mother was named Stanley.
"Huma's family has close ties to the Brotherhood, and yet she has a high level security clearance. If family ties to a known terrorist organization do not disquallify one from such a security clearance, then what does? "
This may be relevant IF the Muslim Brotherhood was regarded as a terrorist organization. It isn't. Hence, your point is moot.
The level of ignorance by so many of the commenters on this blog is appalling.
Illuminati says:
The adhominim attacks, by many of the commentators here, is amazing. Have any of the people who are popping off against Bachmann, ever studied Islam? If you don't understand Islam, how can you be so sure of your position, that you call people who disagree with you names? Is ignorance bliss?
After 911, I decided to study Islam for myself, rather than taking other people's word about it. I found a practicing Muslim, who was willing to study with me, and we held intense discussions for about a year. Based on my experience, I agree with Bachmann, that we need to question; who is Huma?
There is no problem, if a Muslim man wants to marry a Jew or a Christian. That is a standard method of winning converts to Islam. However,it is NOT OK for Muslim women to marry a Jew or a Christian. She is likely to end up dead, as a victim of honor killing. Has Huma's family accepted her marriage to a Jew? If so why?
Those who put their faith in the FBI, to understand and vet Muslims, I say, how naieve can you be? Do you ever read the news? What about Dr. Nidal Hasan? He was given a pass, despite his connections to terrorist organizations, because he was a Muslim. It is not PC to question the motives of Muslims who are acting strangely. According to her own culture, Huma is acting very strangely indeed.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Fort-Hood-shooting-report-FBI-didn-t-heed-3721386.php
Care you speculate on how a woman making in the $30s or so can swing $649m for an apartment?
Family money? A friend of mine's parents bought her a 300k townhouse after school. It happens.
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