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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 17, 2008 - 12:56pm PT
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This occured in April of this year.
Hello, people.
I think all of us have a vital interest --
maybe stake is more accurate -- in uncovering the
truth about the investigation into the activities and
possible assassination of Riad ElSolh Hamad, head of
Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund.
Riad was an activist in Austin, Texas, who ran a
charity that collected second hand books and sent them
to the occupied territories, gave out scholarships,
distributed medicines in the occupied territories, and
sold Palestinian embroidery made overseas. I contacted
him about a Palestinian student from Janin who was
studying law in Morocco and needed financial
assistance to continue his program. Riad made it
happen.
Riad was under surveillance by the FBI because he
organized the shipment of books to Palestinian
children. In this Free Speech clip, he spoke about the
impact FBI attacks have had on his family, his
freedoms, and his perception of America.
http://www.freespeech.org/fscm2/contentviewer.php?content_id=344
Two days ago, Riad was found with his arms and legs
bound and with duct tape over his mouth; the accounts
claim, incredibly and without a trace of shame, that
he commit suicide. Here's an example of one of the
less offensive accounts you find if you Google him:
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/04/18/0418body.html
The pro-Israel blogs seem very keen to promote this as
a suicide (or at best, an act intended to be a phony
suicide attempt that went too far).
Why am I telling you this? Because a good man is dead,
and I don't think his passing should go unnoticed. And
because there is something smelly about his death, and
the more air and light shed on it, the better. Perhaps
you know activists in Austin who can keep the pressure
on until some measure of posthumous justice can be
done. Or maybe just to enrage us to action and
vigilance in these awful times.
http://iqranewspaper.com/Articles/CD34020A-A816-4ACD-BAA5-FD69C181FF39.html
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Aug 18, 2008 - 12:37pm PT
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Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I wasn't aware of this horrorable crime and assassination. This is just incredibly scary and very, very sad.
This is our Amerika???
He was doing very good peaceful things for his people back home it seems to me. He was also a good teacher and well known in his community. Then he is harassed by the FBI. He was denied shipment of innocent books and clothing to his people; and then this horrorable crime. So what, he opposed the illegal Bush Neocon war? So do I as well as the majority of true Americans who know the truth now. Is this what we have to look forward to?
He was killed to send a message. It is the Bush Neocon message of endless illegal war, unconstitutional surveillance, and the shredding of our constitutional bill of rights --- and if you oppose us, we will kill you. Where is the MSM? Where is the outrage? Oh, that's right, the Neocons own the media.
Suicide. Rrrriiiiggggggghhhhhttttt.
Now I know the rift between the Palestinians and Israel will probably never ever heal. It has been going on for thousands of years, serious differences between faith, religion, and who has right to "the promised land." But both sides claim to be right by God, yet God doesn't condone hate, murder, war, or suicide. To do so denies your faith. God is light-years away when we behave this way, and would say, "I never knew you." Same goes for the radical rightwing religious zealots in the US that back-up the GOP, the Bush Neocons, and the military-industrial complex no matter what. Sorry, then you don't know God. Yes, we do have a right to defend ourselves, but as far as I know, Iraq, Afghanistan, and not even Iran have attacked us. Oh, and creating false-flag black ops to try to justify attacking another sovereign nation falls under lying and being deceitful. It's wrong and not allowed, nor would Christ do that. (Uh, oh did I just open that 9/11 can of worms?)
Who would Jesus bomb? Who would Jesus kill? Jesus said "Love thy neighbor as you love yourself." "Do good to those who persecute you." If you call yourself a Christian, then that means you are Christ like. If you don't act like Christ, then you are not a Christian. (Personally, I would call myself a prodigal son. I know my life is far from perfect, but I do know where to return to, and I'm working on getting back there . . . one step at a time, day by day. I sense like many do, that our days on planet Earth are going to radically change soon. We don't have a lot of time.)
Israel, Jews, and Christians have more in common than we have differences --- and time will certainly bear out the truth of this. God does not condone this kind of behavior, toward anyone. We share the same commandments of God. I think that means we are supposed to abide by them. And we will certainly be judged by them.
Agree to disagree and let it go. Treat one another with respect. If you have no respect for who they are or what they believe in, then at least have respect for their life. Have respect for life. Live and let live. Let God and God alone judge and let it go. Love your neighbor. Do good to those who persecute you.
The following story is just soooo very sad . . .
"The Life and Death of Riad Elsolh Hamad
Karema Akifah Saleh
http://iqranewspaper.com/Articles/CD34020A-A816-4ACD-BAA5-FD69C181FF39.html
Riad Hamad, a well known teacher, activist and humanitarian was found floating in the Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. The Austin Police Department said in a press release, "The bindings of his hands and legs, and placement of the tape were consistent with Hamad having done this to himself." They called his death a suicide. The Medical Examiner's Office reported that "there were no signs of trauma to the body or signs of a struggle."
Alex Jones, a film maker and journalist from Austin interviewed Dr. Ibrahim Dremali (the director of the Islamic Center of Greater Austin) on his radio show about the death of Riad Hamad. It is especially important to note that Dr. Ibrahim was one of the men who washed the body of Hamad in preparation for an Islamic burial. He gave first hand information of the actual condition of the body on Mr. Jone's "PrisonPlanet.com" radio show-despite the media black out. Many of the details were left out of this article because of its gruesome nature.
Dr. Dremali said "I never have seen anything like this... The people with me panicked and were not able to wash his body because of what they saw. His head, from the back of his skull, was completely cut and empty completely...it was very hard to wash someone like that...it is completely against Islam for the body to be open in a barbaric way. His arm and wrist were also open and cut without not even one stitch to cover the cut." Apparently, the family did not give permission to the authorities to perform an autopsy. Dr. Ibrahim said he also panicked and could barely function at the sight of Riad Hamad's body. He was unable to contain his emotions and wept as he tried to continue the interview.
Mr. Jones who interviewed Dr. Dremali, said that people were afraid to come public about this case, said even he had been “death threatened last night. I don't like to talk about it (the death threat) because it scares my wife... at the same time they went on my Wikipedia site (see Alex Jones) and said I committed suicide."
Both Alex Jones and Dr. Dremali agreed that people need to speak out. Dr. Dremali repeated this statement during the following Friday Jumah, also adding that we can not be silent "or we will be next... this is a message for all Muslims and anyone who is against the war.” He went on to mention, “the Muslim community has had a hard time since 9/11."
. . .
"Many have already questioned the official "suicide" conclusion in this case. They ask "how could a person mutilate his own body and tie himself up, and then jump into a lake and drown himself?" Not Riad Hamad, and certainly not a Muslim who centered his life around helping others. He was well liked by his students and a highly educated man with three bachelor’s degrees, four master’s degrees, and a PhD degree in the process. He had raised several bright children, one who already graduated from Harvard University, and the other who is still attending the University of Texas in Austin. Was there a conspiracy to silence Riad Hamad, or did he really commit suicide? The community will not rest nor heal until all of the evidence comes out and is seriously examined. Audiatur et altera pars (let the other side be heard, too). "
On-edit:
In my life, suicide is never an option. I try to live my life with adventure, but as safely as possible. I take care. I love my wife, my children, my extended family, and friends. If anything ever happens please investigate.
GHS
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Aug 18, 2008 - 03:10pm PT
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Assuming th U.S. gov't did this is jumping to premature conclusions. It doesn't sound like a suicide though.
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Tomcat
Trad climber
Chatham N.H.
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Aug 18, 2008 - 05:51pm PT
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Pretty sure when they are trying to fake a suicide they don't duct tape you up.
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philo
Trad climber
boulder, co.
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 19, 2008 - 09:13am PT
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They (whoever 'THEY' are) were not trying to fake a suicide. They were sending a message. A dark and evil message. Calling it suicide is just dis-information and propaganda.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Aug 19, 2008 - 11:42am PT
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Philo, have you considered that if this guy is a great as you say he is, and is a peaceful Muslim towards 'infidels', that he was sent a message by nefarious Muslims?
I know you probably like to blame our government first, but try to have an open mind and look at the whole picture.
I'm just sayin'
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Aug 19, 2008 - 11:46am PT
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Who did he cross up?
Hezbhula?
Hammas?
Al Queda?
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klinefelter
Boulder climber
Bishop, CA
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Aug 19, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
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TGT, why do you assume it's a Muslim organization? What about the Jewish Defense Organization? Or the Israeli Mossad? Or perhaps Eric Rudolph's Army of God, or any number of other Christian terrorist organizations?
It's hard to imagine Muslim operatives in this country right now with any degree of mobility, and it's hard to find strong motive. Please explain.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Aug 19, 2008 - 01:52pm PT
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Those are possibilities too Klinefelter.
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couchmaster
climber
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Aug 19, 2008 - 03:58pm PT
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This isn't for neo-cons - this is for all Americans. We are a nation of LAWS, and anytime that has been shortcutted we all lose. I'm not sure I understand all the postions or what happened...I know that a autopsy will make a body look horrible afterwards, wonder how much of the shock that the body washers saw was from that? If a possible murder is true, this should be investigated, the facts brought into the light, and prosecuted if at all possible.
The statesman link up there doesn't work, any real news organizations have stories of this? Here's an old one.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A621848
Copy of a pretty clever letter he sent to President George Bush in 2003 they replayed at his funeral:
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To: George Bush,
President of the United States of America
Washington, DC
I was very amused last week when I was trying to get into my car in the morning on my way to work, when my neighbor across the street came out and asked me if we could talk. Although I was in a hurry since I was late, I listened to him since he said that the topic was important. My neighbor told me that he was approached by the FBI and was asked many questions about me and was asked to put a camera in his house to watch me. The request was denied, as my neighbor, who happened to be a Libertarian, did not trust the motives of the FBI. Also, my neighbor told him that, “Riad is my friend and I would not spy on him.” Apparently, the agent did not give up and told my neighbor that he would call on him again.
Although I knew and expected such activities by the FBI, I was surprised about their lack of professionalism and the absence of decency. I carry my Iraqi flags to every rally and I am always the loudest and the most obvious. Hundreds of people come and ask me about the flags as they do not know which countries the flags stand for, and I have to say, “These are the flags of the countries that your tax money is paying to occupy, kill and maim,” since not many of them knew the colors of the flags of Palestine or Iraq. For the FBI to have to go and knock on my neighbor’s doors is very unprofessional and illegal. Besides, the FBI has been harassing members of the International Solidarity Movement and monitoring their phone calls, e-mails and movements around the nation. I assume this is an effort to harass them, intimidate them, and scare them from going around the United States to expose your lies, and that of your administration, about the real situation in occupied Palestine.
I have lived, went to college, and worked in the United States for over 30 years. I have no criminal record and not even a suspicion of committing a crime, such as your cocaine addiction, drunk driving, and going AWAL during your National Guard duty in Texas. Also, I have never sold shares of a bankrupt company to the pension fund of Bahrain National Oil Company like you did, which is nothing but fraud and insider trading.
I work with a group of individuals around the globe called the Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund in association with the Holy Land Trust out of Bethlehem, Palestine. We bring olive wood and embroidery from Palestine and raise money in the United States for the women and the children of the refugee camps. We are non-political and non-religious, and our donors and supporters are Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others who know better than to believe your message of hatred and aggression. Every penny we receive is accounted for and every penny we spend is accounted for on our Web site that I am sure that you have monitored and observed. Also, we sponsor only civilians who are either orphans or not affiliated with any political or religious groups and their only crime is that they are Palestinians.
As a patriotic citizen of this country, and to make sure that I give you a hand in combating “terrorism,” I have posted a sign near in our neighborhood letting people know that we are under surveillance. And asking our neighbors and the passers by to inform the FBI of any suspicious activities and the sign and the pictures of the house with the sign is on the Web page link.
Over the past weekend, several of our neighbors came by and apologized for your stupidity and that of the FBI and other officials. One of them told me that, “I am ashamed to say that I am an American since George Bush became president.” Others tried to apologize, and I had to remind that I am also ashamed of you and your actions and that of your administration. I have not been outside the United States since you became president, to avoid showing my passport and avoid associating with you and your administration. Besides helping you monitor me by posting the sign near our home, I will help you find some terrorists that I know and I believe that they are threat to the safety and the security of the United States. You do not have to look far to find them and apprehend them, and if you do not soon, WE THE PEOPLE will some day soon. These terrorists are now in Washington and you see them every time you have a cabinet meeting and I am afraid you are one of them.
George,
Get the hell out of my life and take your FBI thugs from our neighborhood because they are not wanted.
Riad Hamad"
From the police at the time of the death:
"Police say Hamad was seen walking from his car to the shoreline of Lady Bird Lake alone just before he was reported missing. Family members said Hamad was dealing with intense pressure and had been experiencing suicidal thoughts. His vehicle was found on the south shoreline.
In a statement to the media, representatives said his family and friends are devastated by their loss. They said Hamad had been an AISD educator for 10 years and that he was pursuing a graduate level degree in educational technology.
“He was a peace activist who worked tirelessly on behalf of those less fortunate than him and was loved and admired by many members of the local, as well as international community,” the statement said.
Police are asking anyone who saw him to call them with information."
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Russ Walling
Social climber
Nutsonthechin, Wisconsin
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Aug 19, 2008 - 03:59pm PT
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Obvious suicide.....
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