Feds engage in Islamophobia (Wizbang)

Hmm... does the Prez know about this?

Federal prosecutors took steps Thursday to seize four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government.

In what could prove to be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in U.S. history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court against the Alavi Foundation, seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million in assets.

The assets include bank accounts; Islamic centers consisting of schools and mosques in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston; more than 100 acres in Virginia; and a 36-story glass office tower in New York.

Confiscating the properties would be a sharp blow against Iran, which has been accused by the U.S. government of bankrolling terrorism and trying to build a nuclear bomb.

A telephone call and e-mail to Iran's U.N. Mission seeking comment were not immediately answered. Nor was a call to the Alavi Foundation.

Now that's hope and change to believe in but it's also baffling.

Of course, it's also fodder for the apology tour... after all, Obama is slated to be out of the country again soon is he not?

The AP was sure to seize on the civil liberties threat thread:

It is extremely rare for U.S. law enforcement authorities to seize a house of worship, a step fraught with questions about the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The action against the Shiite Muslim mosques is sure to inflame relations between the U.S. government and American Muslims, many of whom are fearful of a backlash after last week's Fort Hood shooting rampage, blamed on a Muslim American major.

"Whatever the details of the government's case against the owners of the mosques, as a civil rights organization we are concerned that the seizure of American houses of worship could have a chilling effect on the religious freedom of citizens of all faiths and may send a negative message to Muslims worldwide," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The mosques and the skyscraper will remain open while the forfeiture case works its way through court in what could be a long process. What will happen to them if the government ultimately prevails is unclear. But the government typically sells properties it has seized through forfeiture, and the proceeds are sometimes distributed to crime victims.

Let's use the funds to pay the families of the fallen in the War on Terrorr restitution... after all, restitution has been bandied about by more than a few of those in power has it not?

It's a superb idea... and no better use for the money could be found.

Crossposted(*).

Comments (18)

I'm sure Eric Holder will p... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by GarandFan | November 12, 2009 9:15 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)

GarandFan:

I'm sure Eric Holder will put a stop to this as soon as he gets marching orders from Barry. He's probably already working on an apology speech.

Posted on November 12, 2009 21:15

Do you mean a government th... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Mehdi | November 12, 2009 10:05 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Mehdi:

Do you mean a government that tortures its own subjects systematically and kidnaps dissidents and discriminates against Bahais, jews, and Christians should own skyscrapers in the free world?

Are you nuts? What happened to a liberal upbringing?

Posted on November 12, 2009 22:05

« Determination in Afghanis... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by 914 | November 12, 2009 10:12 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

914:

« Determination in Afghanistan | Main

Feds engage in Islamophobia
Posted by Rick

Published: November 12, 2009 - 8:24 PM Hmm... does the Prez know about this?

Yeah,

He's in the inner circle.

Posted on November 12, 2009 22:12

Why not give him his due? ... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Samuel Morrison | November 12, 2009 10:18 PM | Score: -7 (7 votes cast)

Samuel Morrison:

Why not give him his due? You look petty... Lets see what happens. Good Job Obama!

Posted on November 12, 2009 22:18

Samuel:The O gets ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by James Cloninger | November 12, 2009 10:53 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)

James Cloninger:

Samuel:

The O gets no credit here...he cannot just order the FBI to go willy-nilly and seize buildings.

Likely, there has been an investigation for years regarding the mosques and the skyscraper, and

a) they moved based upon information that something was going to happen

b) they now have enough evidence to convict.

Posted on November 12, 2009 22:53

I fortunately do not suffer... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by 914 | November 12, 2009 10:57 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

I fortunately do not suffer from post partum islamabadinfatalhindushioismsm ism.. That being contrived up'.. Wheres My neighborhood foot cleansing boutique? Or My 77th version?

...?

Posted on November 12, 2009 22:57

OH SHIT!! I negged Myself?/... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by 914 | November 12, 2009 11:42 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

OH SHIT!! I negged Myself?/

What to do?

Libs?/ Help Me out?

Posted on November 12, 2009 23:42

BASTURDS!... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by 914 | November 13, 2009 4:32 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

BASTURDS!

Posted on November 13, 2009 04:32

I voted for Sarah before I ... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by 914 | November 13, 2009 4:43 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

I voted for Sarah before I was against McPAIN.

Posted on November 13, 2009 04:43

With the real estate market... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by hermie | November 13, 2009 7:32 AM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)

hermie:

With the real estate market the way it is right now, these properties are going to cost the government a lot to maintain. I doubt if they'd collect enough from the sale or rental to offset the maintenance and administrative costs.

Posted on November 13, 2009 07:32

"Why not give him his du... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Oyster | November 13, 2009 7:54 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)

Oyster:

"Why not give him his due? You look petty... Lets see what happens. Good Job Obama!"

And you look ignorant. Did Obama issue the seizure orders? Did Obama even order the investigation? Please explain how Obama should get credit for this. Unless of course you want to give him credit for not interfering....

Your response was that of a mindless 'bot.

Posted on November 13, 2009 07:54

Finally some closure!! Tha... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Frosty | November 13, 2009 7:57 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)

Frosty:

Finally some closure!! Thank you President Obama.

Posted on November 13, 2009 07:57

Uh, oh! The feds have acted... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by MikeNC | November 13, 2009 8:29 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

MikeNC:

Uh, oh! The feds have acted "stupidly". Break out the beer - I mean sweet tea.

Posted on November 13, 2009 08:29

The mosques are "bargining ... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by Rance | November 13, 2009 9:24 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Rance:

The mosques are "bargining chips". We are going to swap them even up for the three hikers who couldn't read their map.

Posted on November 13, 2009 09:24

Oyster,Think about... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Samuel Morrison | November 13, 2009 10:34 AM | Score: -3 (5 votes cast)

Oyster,

Think about it you are ranting to a person you don't know about facts that have not come out. I clearly stated "lets see what happens".

But that is irrelevant. He was the commander-in-chief, it happened on his watch, that's the way it goes in the real world of politics. It happened on Barack Obama's watch. He gets the credit. That is with all Presidents.

"Your response was that of a mindless 'bot." Oyster

Your statement makes you appear even more petty.

Posted on November 13, 2009 10:34

The O gets no cre... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Tim | November 13, 2009 10:53 AM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)

Tim:

Likely, there has been an investigation for years regarding the mosques and the skyscraper

I blame Bush.

Posted on November 13, 2009 10:53

"The O gets no credit here.... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by 914 | November 13, 2009 1:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"The O gets no credit here...he cannot just order the FBI to go willy-nilly and seize buildings."

Why not?? He orders Holder to uninvestigate His own unethical behavior. And He also orders the takeover and seizure of Automotive company's and banks. So, why not?

Posted on November 13, 2009 13:40

Aloha!spmt! <a href="http:/... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Gundosfwp | November 13, 2009 6:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Gundosfwp:

Aloha!spmt! http://uabesmpu.com anuvc gqxeh