As Received McCain group sending anti-Islam DVDs to homes
This week, 28 million copies of a right-wing, terror propaganda DVD are being mailed and bundled in newspaper deliveries to voters in swing states. The 60-minute DVDs, titled "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," are landing on doorsteps in a campaign coinciding with the 7th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Funding is coming from a New York-based group called the Clarion Fund, a shadowy outfit whose financial backers are unclear.
The program was originally shown on Fox News in the days leading up to the 2006 mid-term elections, and right-wing activist David Horowitz toured the country screening the film on college campuses during 2007. Mainstream religious groups have called Obsession biased and divisive. It cuts between scenes of Nazi rallies and footage of Muslim children being encouraged to become suicide bombers. Talking heads in the film include infamous anti-Muslim, self-proclaimed "islamophobes" like Daniel Pipes and Walid Shoebat. In 2001, Pipes claimed the "presence" and "enfranchisement" of Muslims in the U.S. presented "true dangers to American Jews." Shoebat is an evangelical Christian who falsely claims to be a former Muslim terrorist. Last year, Shoebat told the Missouri Springfield News-Leader, "Islam is not the religion of God - Islam is the devil." As detailed in an OffTheBus report on HuffPo two days ago, the DVDs were distributed last weekend in national editions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal within selected swing states. These included Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin, Nevada, New Hampshire and Virginia.
Sally Lopez of Lemoyne, PA displays a copy of the DVD that came in the mail. Here in North Carolina, another battleground state that John McCain must win to reach 270 electoral votes, 160,000 copies of the DVD are to be distributed tomorrow by the state's leading newspaper. The Raleigh News & Observer reported yesterday on its Under The Dome politics blog that the paper is preparing to bundle copies of the DVD with this Saturday's newspapers. Jim McClure, vice president of display advertising for the N&O, said the "ultimate decision" to distribute the DVDs had been made by publisher Orage Quarles, and compared the propaganda to harmless household samples.
The News & Observer recently announced deep buyouts and layoffs for its employees. It is owned by the struggling McClatchy news chain, which is slashing newsroom jobs and pages at the papers it owns around the country. Advertising revenues have plummeted during the ongoing economic downturn, and it appears the N&O is now auctioning off its journalistic integrity to the highest bidder. The paper's announcement touched off immediate criticism from angry subscribers:
Although supposedly a 501 c(3) non-profit, this week the Clarion Fund's website featured an article supporting John McCain. Yesterday, the Patriot-News in PA reported on the DVDs showing up in Pennsylvania, and noted:
According to Clarion Fund director of communications Gregory Ross, the article "crossed the line" and would be removed. Where else exactly are these DVDs landing, and who's funding the Clarion Fund? If you'd like to let News & Observer executives know how you feel about their participation in this shameless propaganda campaign, executive editor John Drescher can be reached at (919) 829-4515, or drescher@newsobserv er.com. Or ask for publisher Orage Quarles at the paper's main phone number, (919) 829-4500.
U.S. Newspaper Distribution of Bigoted Film Causes Nationwide Concern
http://www.mpac. org/article. php?id=701
September 18, 2008 This week, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) expressed serious concerns over the actions of 70 U.S. newspapers and magazines who distributed DVD copies of a controversial film called "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" as a paid advertisement. SEE: "'Obsession' DVD Raises Concerns Over Propaganda" (9/16/08 - CBS4) An estimated 28 million copies of the DVD, which was distributed in key electoral swing states, was paid for by The Clarion Fund. A non profit organization, The Clarion Fund does not list its directors, or staff, or sources of funding on its website. Last week the film's website featured and endorsement for Senator John McCain (R-AZ), leading many to believe the DVD is an attempt to inspire anti-Muslim fear mongering as a means to sway the American electorate. "The documentary does not differentiate between radical Islam and mainstream Islam," says Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC Executive Director. "The Clarion Fund is inciting hate and bigotry against Muslim Americans for political gain - this is underhanded, divisive and un-American." Following the release of Obsession in 2006, MPAC launched a campaign to counter the bigotry inspired by the film. Since its debut, the "Truth Over Fear: Countering Islamophobia" campaign has provided more than 50 educational workshops across the country featuring a critique and analysis of the film as a propaganda tool, an educational video about Islamophobia, and has trained community members to educate others about the destructive value of bigotry and prejudice. SEE: Exposing Obsession -- MPAC's report on the roots and players behind the film SEE: "Truth Over Fear" Educational Video -- MPAC's short video on the phenomenon of Islamophobia Still more must be done. There are three ways that you can help: 1. Join the 'Truth Over Fear' team. Get involved, connect with MPAC and individuals across the nation by standing up to hatred and intolerance in your local community. Get the tools that you need to educate your community and stop bigotry in its tracks. Contact MPAC at truthoverfear@ mpac.org to schedule a workshop in your area. 2. Contact your local newspaper or magazine. If you have received an Obsession DVD with your newspaper or magazine, write a letter to the publisher expressing your concern over their decision to distribute hate-filled propaganda. Visit your newspaper's website and click on 'Contact Us' to find out whom to address your letter to. Please cc: truthoverfear@ mpac.org. 3. Contribute to the "Truth Over Fear: Countering Islamophobia" campaign. We need your financial support now more than ever to expand our campaign to end these bigoted attacks against American values. Donate today and help us put an end to intolerance, once and for all. Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans. MPAC offices are located in Washington, DC, New York City and Los Angeles, CA. |
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