Hannity & Colmes previewed debate by suggesting Arabic-language school would be "madrassa"
On the July 25 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity previewed a discussion of plans to operate an Arabic language and culture school in Brooklyn, New York, by saying that "if you live in New York City, guess what? Your tax dollars could be going to fund a madrassa," and that "the city that fell victim to the biggest terrorist attack in world history challenges the separation of church and state and using tax dollars to fund an all-Muslim school." During a later preview an on-air graphic read: "funding fatwa." In fact, the school's "advisory council" is made up of several Christian ministers, Jewish rabbis, and Muslim imams, according to a comment posted by Daniel Meeter, a member of the advisory council, on The New York Sun's website in response to an April 24 Sun article attacking the school. Co-host Alan Colmes also noted that the person after whom the school is named, author and artist Khalil Gibran, was a Maronite Christian, an eastern rite Lebanese sect in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
According to the New York City schools website: "The Khalil Gibran International Academy's mission is to prepare students of diverse backgrounds for success in an increasingly global and interdependent society. Our focus is on holistic student development and rigorous academics."
Further, as Colmes noted during the debate, "New York City school chancellor Joel Klein has said that if [it] becomes a religious school or anything other than a public school, he will shut it down. They are supposed to teach standard college preparatory curriculum." Klein's quote was aired by New York City cable channel NY1 News. The New York Times also reported (subscription required) on May 18, "the Khalil Gibran International Academy [is] a new dual-language school that will teach Arabic language and culture."
From the July 25 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, which also featured Sara Springer from Stop the Madrassa Coalition and Hussein Ibish, executive director of the Foundation for Arab-American Leadership:
HANNITY: And if you live in New York City, guess what? Your tax dollars could be going to fund a madrassa. That's right. It's a story that will shock every American. We'll break it wide open right here on Hannity & Colmes.
[...]
HANNITY: And later, the city that fell victim to the biggest terrorist attack in world history challenges the separation of church and state and using tax dollars to fund an all-Muslim school. That story coming up straight ahead.
[...]
HANNITY: Coming up, controversy over an Arabic school set to open in Brooklyn, New York, paid for with taxpayer dollars. So will this be a breeding ground for radicals? We'll debate. We'll let you decide straight ahead.
[...]
COLMES: Coming soon to a classroom near you, Al Qaeda. Well, that's not my view, but that's what critics of New York's first Arabic public school would have you think. The Department of Education originally scheduled the Khalil Gibran School to open its doors September of this year, sharing space with a public school in Brooklyn. But they've been forced to rethink the proposition after receiving protests from parents in the neighborhood. Parents are concerned that the school will be a breeding ground for future terrorists. However, proponents of the school believe it's the best way to combat ignorance about Arabic culture.
Here to discuss all this, executive director of the Foundation for Arab-American Leadership, Hussein Ibish, and from Stop the Madrassa Coalition, Sara Springer. We welcome you both. Sara, welcome to Hannity & Colmes.
IBISH: Thank you.
SPRINGER: Thank you.
COLMES: Let me be clear. This is an Arab school, as I understand it, not a Muslim school, as some have said that it is. It's not about the Muslim faith; it's about Arabic culture.
SPRINGER: Right. The issue is we really don't know what the school is about because the Department of Education has refused to be clear about what the curriculum is, what the textbooks are, who the publishers of the textbooks are. The lesson plans --
COLMES: Right.
SPRINGER: -- the -- whether these teachers are certified. Who will be teaching it. The point of view --
COLMES: Well, actually, in defense of the side other than you in this, New York City school chancellor Joel Klein has said that if it becomes a religious school or anything other than a public school he will shut it down. They are supposed to teach standard college preparatory curriculum. The principal, Debbie Almontaser, says she plans to teach the history of the Arab people. It will encompass international perspectives, and to develop global citizens. They have said all those things in preparation for this coming to the neighborhood.
SPIRINGER: Right. That's absolutely true.
[...]
COLMES: Sara, let me get the other guest in. By the way, interesting, Hussein: Khalil Gibran was a Maronite Christian.
IBISH: Right.
COLMES: He wasn't even of the Islamic faith.
IBISH: No, actually he was quite a devout Christian, and the majority of Arab Americans actually are Christians, no doubt. Many of the professors, if you're drawing on the pool of Arabic speakers in New York, will be Christians as well as Muslims. The board of the school is Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
HANNITY: All right, we don't have a lot of time, Hussein --
Why have empathy and tolerance when radical hysteria is so much more appealing?
Good on Colmes for pointing out the x-tianty angle and taking it away from the ultra paranoid and fear mongering Hannity to use religion as a divisive instrument.
Indeed.
Racial hysteria is all it was, pure and simple.
There was ABSOLUTELY NO REASON OR EVIDENCE to claim or even suggest that this place has any connection to Islamic fundamentalism.
One would be hard pressed to find a clearer case of bigotry from Sean Hannity.
The man is scum and that's all there is to it.
Wow. Based on this level of outrage, I guess expecting any "Faith Based Initiative" funds to find their way to any organization with a Moslem foundation (or any OTHER faith than Christianity) is pretty slim.
Of course, this would mean that the GOP's assurance that the Faith Based Initiatives would NOT discriminate amongst religions must have been so much BS. They should have employed TRUTH IN ADVERTISING and labelled Bush's outreach-with-tax-dollars "The Christian-Based / Violate the Constitution (Yet Again) Initiative".
Anything vaguely Arab or Moslem meets not just intolerance, but open hostility from this Rightwing Hannity-led Hate Crowd. Shouldn't they be wearing uniforms, like say, brown shirts?
This is one of those cases where the Nazi comparison is valid. Sean Hannity is a brain-dead little nazi who uses lies, innuendo, and fanatical paranoia to advance his narrow-minded, homophobic, Christian-only view of what America should be.
I wish radio station program managers would realize this and start dumping this moron's show, like they did a few years ago with Laura Schlessinger.
Yeah, it was nice to see Colmes actually doing his um...wait what do you call it, um....JOB!
That's not Colmes' job you know. His job is to be the foil; the straight man who gives Hannity 'legitimacy.' Personally, I consider Colmes to be one of the sleaziest people on Fox. He furthers their agenda by helping them pretend they are 'Fair and Balanced.' If he had an ounce of integrity he wouldn't be getting rich playing a role in their farce. For an actually liberal person to believe that he is somehow representing you is just a matter of getting suckered or outfoxed by Murdoch.
The sad thing about Colmes is that he used to have a really good radio show, back in the early and mid-1990s, I used to listen to it when I lived in Buffalo. He made it his personal mission to defeat Ollie North in the VA Senate race in 1994. But that Colmes is dead, replaced by the guy currently on Fox, who clearly sold out for the big bucks only available to a Murdoch toady.
One wonders if he thinks he is actually doing some Good. But if that's the case he's just a really sad character. A rich sad character. I guess he's either a not-too-bright dupe or a complete sell out sleaze. Either way, Fox sure didn't hire him because they thought he would do a good job of getting a liberal viewpoint across.
"the city that fell victim to the biggest terrorist attack in world history challenges the separation of church and state and using tax dollars to fund an all-Muslim school."
Which is the real reason Hannity is bringing it up. It's not an all-christian school. Can't have our tax dollars going to anything but his choice of schools, can we?
How long before some troglodyte with a Confederate flag on his pickup truck throws a brick through one of the school's windows? If it happens, will Sean feel bad?
No, because the trogledyte will phone into Hannity's radio pukefest the next day to brag about his deed, and Sean will tell him "You're a great American."
I have no problem with this school, it is up to NYC and it's residents and administrators to ensure this particular school adheres to all the guidelines and rules set forth for all other public schools in New York City.
This is a local issue and should remain there. To nationalize this as Hannity is doing for his own ratings and political motivation seems to be an anathema to local control and oversight of education, which I would think he would be a strong supporter of.
I am totally with you on this one! It's like having New Hampshire telling Texas what to do. (couldn't think of a better metaphore!)
Well, Texas DID give us Delay and Bush, so...
I'm just sayin' that a little helpful guidance might not be such a bad thing.
Agreed completely. He is basically bringing this out to blame everything on the "liberal boogey man" his fan have grown to fear.
It's up to the state to make sure the guidelines are followed. Nuff said.
I think it safe to say that Hannity's propaganda duties trump any and all libertarian principles which may still be clinging to feeble life in his reptilian medulla oblongata
Very well said, Tommy.
Good point Tommy.
My mother is a devout Irish Catholic who adores Gibran. There is always a copy of The Prophet on her coffee table.
Based on what I've read from the book, I think the NYC schools will survive this crisis.
"Cast aside those who liken godliness to whimsy and who try to combine their greed for wealth with their desire for a happy afterlife." —Kahlil Gibran
No wonder the troglodytes are on the warpath!
Brilliant! More poetry, less war...
"An eye for an eye, and the whole world would be blind." —Kahlil Gibran
Hell, we can't be teaching crap like this to Amurkin kids! It'll make them gay!
Next, he'll be telling us that the madrassa (school) will be attended by persons planning to become practicing thespians in their future life. And that many of the teachers are known heterosexuals.
Wait a minute, did we just get video evidence that Hannity does, in fact, believe that the seperation of church and state does exist in the Constitution? I could have sworn I heard him say on repeated occasions that it was a liberal myth. What a jackass.
Doh! Good catch. I've always predicted that if you start allowing Muslim prayer in public schools, the Troglodytes would suddenly rediscover Separation of Church and State.
This is FOX trying to get into Savage's leaugue of hate and bigotry. They must be getting email from viewers wanting to know if the Muslims really are going to slit all our throats over their prayer rugs, cuz they heard Savage saying it is so. FoX managers are afraid someone will give Savage a cable show and take away some of thier profits.
They already tried giving savage a cable show. MSNBC fires his sorry a$$ after he told a caller with AIDS to go somewhere and die.
Actually, WZ, he told a caller that he "sounded like a sodomite", & that he "hoped he'd get AIDS & die."
It as stupid as saying " Why do Irish Catholics (Hannity & O'Reilly) hate Muslims?" I really don't think Hanno or BillO hate Muslims. Do they?
Its time to put Hannity and the rest of the shills at FOX out of business.Contact business's that place ads on Fox and let them know you will no longer buy the products of companies that deal with racist right wing propagandists.
The high school I attended had Spanish language classes. So if I run for public office, Fixed Noise will report that I attended an escuela that's known for teaching Americans how to communicate with illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Wow, I didn't know connecting the dots Hannity style could be this fun.
Now I may be waaaaay off base here, but in this day and age of violent Islamic extremism aimed at Western nations, wouldn't a school with an "Arabic Languages" program be a good idea? As long as we are already listening to their conversations, we might as well understand them. I've always heard that we are lacking in Arabic interpreters. Hell, we fired that one interpreter for being gay.
Why doesn't anyone call Fox News on this one? By condemning a school that could teach valuable skills in the War on Terror, isn't Fox undermining our efforts?
More than one linguist, my friend. [link to www.msnbc.msn.com]
plans to operate an Arabic language and culture school in Brooklyn, New York
In fact, the school's "advisory council" is made up of several Christian ministers, Jewish rabbis, and Muslim imams
This is an Arab school, as I understand it, not a Muslim school, as some have said that it is. It's not about the Muslim faith; it's about Arabic culture.
The principal, Debbie Almontaser, says she plans to teach the history of the Arab people.
Shouldn't this be a Private school rather than a Public one?
While Hannity is just flame throwing here with the breeding ground for terrorists bull crap, this school does not seem to fit any Public school curriculum I've ever heard of.
What's next? Public schools for each race/ethnic group? Sorry but not with my tax dollars.
Sorry, but this Arab school should fall under PRIVATE schools.
Hmm...in the metro area where I live, there is a French immersion school as well as a Japanese Immersion school, both public schools. I thought it was pretty nifty to be catching the little kids while they have the best ability to learn a foreign language. These schools also teach the culture and have many activities such as Japanese tea ceremonies.
Bet these kids wind up very well educated as well as broad minded. Not a bad thing.
That died with No Child Left Behind and the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives.
Didn't you get the memo?
Besides, local school corporations have all kinds of "magnet" programs these days. Given the hate we've just seen here from Insanity, I think this is a truly needed tonic.
I'm with you, Jeter. I attended an Irish cultural heritage school as a kid, and it was a private institution.
Had it been a public school, I think some of the most important elements would have been eliminated, including the pint of Porter with our graham crackers and the mandatory phys. ed. Donnybrooks.
Jeter,
I think if the school can arguably fit a secular purpose, there isn't really a problem with it. Racial and religious equality are constitutionally protected things. I don't believe culture or language is constitutionally protected and should be up to the local community to decide. You are comparing things that are treated dissimlarly by the law.
Jeter,
Assuming what Hannity said was actually true and this school was indeed a "madrassa", would you object to a madrassa being funded by your tax dollars under a "school choice" plan as some have proposed?
would you object to a madrassa being funded by your tax dollars under a "school choice" plan as some have proposed?
Yes I would Open_Mind.
Just as I would object to any Christian school being funded by our tax dollars under any "school choice" plan.
BTW I'm against school vouches.
Seanny-boy don't know it yet, but him and his precious tax dollars could be goin' to fund:
[link to img407.imageshack.us]
Kind a interestin' isn't it...how them tax dollars be spent.
Al Qaeda Fears(Corrections Made)
This smells of Germany of old. Yes, 1930's Germany recreated.
These fears are a product of the recent fear campaign of George W. Bush. He has been fear mongering in overdrive Al Qaeda is at the door ready to strike. Sadly, some will buy these fears lock, stock, and barrel.
The overuse of fear rises the question: How far will we allow this administration go with fear of anything Islamic? Do we run the risk of recreating a climate similar to post holocaust Germany? The seeds have been planted; we need to make sure the wrong fruit does not grow.
Joseph
HANNITY: All right, we don't have a lot of time, Hussein --Odd there how Mr. Hannity disrespectfully uses the first name of his guest instead of his surname, ALMOST AS IF there were another "Hussein" he was trying to tie Mr. Ibish to......naaaaaah. Must be my liberal bias.
HANNITY: All right, we don't have a lot of time, Hussein --
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Priceless. Typical Insanity response when he's getting his ass handed to him by a guest.
I noticed that too- Hannity dismisses the guest by referring him by his first name. Any bets that he would have referred to him by his LAST name if his first name had been, say, Fred or Henry?
A recent quote from a U.S. Muslim kindergarten teacher - for you defenders of tolerance to ponder:
“ Islam is not only a religion, it is a complete way of life. Islam guides Muslims from birth to grave. The Quran and prophet Muhammad’s words and practical application of Quran in life cannot be changed.
‘Islam is a guide for humanity, for all times, until the day of judgment. It is forbidden in Islam to convert to any other religion. The penalty is death. There is no disagreement about it. ‘Islam is being embraced by people of other faiths all the time. They should know they can embrace Islam, but cannot get out. This rule is not made by Muslims; it is the supreme law of God. ‘Please do not ask us Muslims to pick some rules and disregard other rules. Muslims are supposed to embrace Islam in its totality.’- Nazra Quraishi, Kindergarten Teacher, in the Lansing State Journal (Michigan), July 5, 2006”
Okay, now go ahead and call me a racist for bringing this to your attention.You aren't bringing anything to my attention. I think we all know there are Muslims that feel this way. I do not agree with her, and will not defend her words- but as long as she doesn't harm anyone she has every right to feel that way. If she is a public school teacher and tries to proselytize to her students, she should be fired.
This womans opinion has nothing to do with the issue at hand. The school being discussed is not a Muslim school, it is essentially an Arab immersion school. Immersion schools are good for kids. It provides the opportunity for children to become fluent in another language and culture which can be very beneficial throughout their lives. I have a friend who attended Spanish immersion, and she got a job right out of high school as an interpreter. If you knew who Khalil Gibran was, you would know he was a Christian. An Islamic school would most likely not be named after a Christian.
Phony Media Hack Sean makes his living off of lies and hate. This is not new. He did it when he worked at the Huntsville and Atlanta radio stations.
Bill Shine also shares the blame as well. He is the one who decides what stories to run. He's also Sean's boss.