| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front |
| Muslim Group (CAIR) Sues N.C. Congressman |
| 2003-12-03 |
| The Council on American-Islamic Relations has filed a defamation lawsuit against North Carolina Rep. Cass Ballenger, who accused the group of funding terrorists and breaking up his 50-year marriage over the stress of living nearby. Ballenger said in an October interview with The Charlotte Observer that the council, located across the street from his Capitol Hill home, was a "fund-raising arm" for terrorist groups. He said he had reported the group to the CIA and FBI. The council denies any ties to Middle Eastern groups linked to terrorism. The lawsuit claims Ballenger’s statements harmed the council’s reputation and were not protected speech because he made them in an interview rather than in his role as a member of Congress. Um, I’m not a lawyer, but I believe that truth is the ultimate defense. CAIR will have to prove that they don’t fundraise for terrorist organizations. The discovery process for this type of suit might be, well, illuminating. |
| Posted by:seafarious |
| #8 This should be interesting (and I might add that Ballinger's ex-wife is a wimp). I'm not sure he's correct that they raise money for terrorists; though. Near as I can tell, the terrorists fund (and run) CAIR. |
| Posted by: Kathy K 2003-12-3 8:51:34 PM |
| #7 CAIR will have to show: 1. they did not raise money for terrorists (which they problably haven't in the past few months). 2. that accusing them of this was 'reckless disregard of the truth' and 3. that being accused of fundraising for terrorism hurts their reputation. the last of these is the most amusing It will cost CAIR a lot to hire lawyers to take this on and the Congressman can, like Mojo says, have a great time in the discovery phase. |
| Posted by: mhw 2003-12-3 8:15:26 PM |
| #6 Truth is an absolute defense. Hope he countersues and puts the f*ckers out of bidness. |
| Posted by: terroristshitbags 2003-12-3 7:23:46 PM |
| #5 Just because most of the leaders of CAIR are in jail for terrorists activity doesn't make them a terrorists organization. Wait! Here comes Santa, The tooth fairy, that Easter bunny! All true, true I tell you. IT WAS THE JOOOOSSSS. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-12-3 7:22:39 PM |
| #4 Ballenger has recently announced that he will not run for reelection partly due to this mess. He is a highly liked congressman and would almost certainly have been reelected. |
| Posted by: AF Lady 2003-12-3 6:44:43 PM |
| #3 We are going to need some serious air time on the Discovery Channel, heh heh heh. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-12-3 6:33:08 PM |
| #2 All together now: DISCOVERY! Let's see every financial record youse monkeys have... |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-12-3 5:09:18 PM |
| #1 Oh, this is gonna be FUN! |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2003-12-3 4:45:35 PM |