Free Speech Vs Prior Restraint
The Muslim special-interest group CAIR has attempted to intimidate the Young America's Foundation into cancelling a speaker at their conference this week. Reacting to frequent CAIR critic Robert Spencer's invitation to address their National Conservative Student Conference, CAIR's attorney demanded that the event get shut down:
You should be aware that Mr Spencer, a well-known purveyor of hatred and bigotry against Muslims, has a history of false and defamatory statements. Several of those statements have falsely accused CAIR of activity that would constitute a federal criminal offense.
Interestingly, the attorney (Joseph E. Sandler) never actually produces the supposedly false statements, nor indicates when or where Spencer supposedly made them. Nevertheless, Sandler demands that Spencer be silenced:
For those reasons, we demand that YAF cancel the subject session, or else take steps to ensure that false and defamatory statements are not disseminated at that session.
This seems to be the main strategy of CAIR -- to sue people into silence. Let's not forget that CAIR also supported the Flying Imams and their efforts to sue the people who complained about their suspicious behavior to airline and security personnel here at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Now they want to threaten legal action against their critics in order to intimidate them.
If Spencer has slandered CAIR or its members, then why hasn't Sandler already sued Spencer? Could it be that CAIR might have more to fear from airing these issues in court and under oath than Spencer? It certainly looks that way. This letter is the typical bluster one would expect from a frightened bully with enough scratch to hire an attorney with a laser printer.
Instead of using these tactics of intimidation, CAIR could have simply asked to have time to rebut Spencer at the YAF event. That way, they could address Spencer's supposed untruths in real time, and would have engaged young conservatives in a positive manner. A group that believes in freedom and liberty would have used their freedom of speech to enlighten the attendees, instead of attempting a prior restraint of speech that silences the normal and healthy voices of criticism in a free society.
YAF has reassured Spencer that his invitation to speak remains open. At least they understand the value of free speech.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on August 1, 2007 3:37 PM | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (1)
Comments (16)
Posted by John425 | August 1, 2007 4:12 PM
It is being reported elsewhere that the YAF leader told CAIR to go to hell and take their 72 virgins with them.
Posted by patrick neid | August 1, 2007 4:29 PM
a tip of the hat to YAF......
Posted by Dallas | August 1, 2007 4:45 PM
Check out Mr. Sandler's bio on the firm's website:
http://www.sandlerreiff.com/bio_sandler.htm
"From February 1993 until May 1998, Mr. Sandler served on the staff of the DNC as general counsel. He continues to serve in that position through his law firm. In this capacity, Mr. Sandler has been responsible for all legal matters affecting the national party,..."
Posted by bill | August 1, 2007 5:10 PM
Getting in bed with these guys is not very smart Mr. Sandler. Hope the money is worth the ass-raping you're going to get from Satan in about 30 years.
Posted by Pierre Legrand | August 1, 2007 6:12 PM
Captain why are you avoiding commenting on the Pace University kerfuffle? Would seem that at least mentioning it would give context to this story since Robert Spencer was attacked last night by the CAIR mouthpiece. Where a student Stanislav Shmulevich admitted to putting two Korans into the toilet and at the behest of CAIR has had his charges elevated to a hate crime. He may face 4 years.
Time to stand up America…not to insult Muslims but to defend our First Amendment Rights!
Posted by Meatsss | August 1, 2007 6:24 PM
YAF ought to give CAIR the same answer Gen. McAuliffe gave the Germans at Bastogne. "Nuts"
Posted by Meatsss | August 1, 2007 6:41 PM
Sorry, I didn't see Spencer's response till after I had written the previous comment. Seems we both like this particular part of history. He beat me to it.
Posted by Ray | August 1, 2007 6:51 PM
Head's up to Ed. The 35w bridge collapsed into the Mississippi about about a half an hour ago. Both north and south lanes are in the river. Cars are in the water. Multiple numerous are reported. The bridge has been under repair by the Minnesota highway department. No reports as to the cause to the collapse.
Posted by Ray | August 1, 2007 6:53 PM
Sorry, that should read numerous injuries.
Posted by docjim505 | August 1, 2007 7:59 PM
Once again, a liberal group shows its totalitarian colors. Surprise, surprise, surprise...
Posted by Big Brother | August 1, 2007 8:21 PM
Joseph E. Sandler along with Neil P. Reiff are Attorney’s for Democratic National Committee. The latest document filed with the FEC can be viewed here:
http://www.fec.gov/pdf/nprm/hybrid/DNC.pdf
Sandler, Reiff, & Young, in addition to being attorneys for The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), they are also attorneys for various sub-organizations of Moveon.
Posted by sestamibi | August 1, 2007 9:50 PM
All the Sandlers I've known (and those I don't. . . Adam for instance) are Jewish. What my grandmother used to call a shonde for the goyim.
Posted by KendraWilder | August 1, 2007 11:15 PM
CAIR membership is less than 5,000. I don't know why anyone gives this group any credence at all. They're just a group of radical activists representing not even a smidgeon of their interest group.
But I guess it makes for sensationalistic headlines for the MSM, and as long as that goes unchallenged the group will be given more attention than it deserves.
Posted by edward cropper | August 1, 2007 11:31 PM
It isn't CAIR that should concern us it is the weasels in government and the courts that should concern us. If they didn't roll over for these radicals there influence would be of no consequence. Islamic fanatics are just that FANATICS. These people debase all females, they hate all religions other than their own , they have no concept what democratic principles are, and they are content to live like paupers while their masters live like kings. They are physically and psychologically void of freedom genes. Until our political leaders stop turning the other cheek to these mindless tyrants they will grow bolder and bolder.
Posted by mojo | August 2, 2007 10:27 AM
"Sue and be damned!"
Posted by hunter | August 2, 2007 11:09 AM
YAF is right ot tell them to shove off.
A DNC aparatchik like this lawyer pos from CAIR should be told in no uncertain terms to practice censosrship and intimidation in countries where it is accepted.
- And to mve there as well.