SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: DuckTapeSunroof who wrote (26934)3/18/2008 10:29:14 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 71588
 
Or, at least, the discretion is fully within the hands of Uncle Sam to draw the connection to the financing of terrorists.

The discretion being fully withing the hands of Uncle Sam basically means "we can send you to prison if we feel like it". As much as we have had expansion of government and expansion of federal law enforcement, we haven't yet moved over to totalitarianism.

You have to have violated a law. Contributing to a religion doesn't violate any law on the books (and also for US citizens its a constitutionally protected activity).

This isn't to say there there is no vagueness or leeway for federal law enforcement officers, and prosecutors to decide what breaks the law, but contributing to a school that teaches religion (but doesn't directly support terrorist attacks or terrorist groups) doesn't violate any law. Its not even close enough that an expansive interpretation can cover it.

Training of jihadists has certainly been going on at many of these Madrassas in question.

Actual training in terrorist techniques may happen there, but usually that's something thats more likely to be done in trainign camps, or other places. The Maddrassas for the most part are about inspiring the religious extremism. They might train future terrorists (and a lot of non terrorist) in the Koran and the their radical interpretations of it, but my understanding is most of them don't train people how to make bombs or control hostages, or infiltrate target countries etc.

In my car today I was listening to NPR, it seems the US pressured the Saudi Government to tone down their religious teachings after 9/11. They did, but probably not to the extent that would satisfy many Americans. For example one of the new phrases is something like "the hatred you feel for the infidel does not mean you should assault him".

I suppose to the extent that the Maddrasa's curriculum is actually controlled from Saudi (and at least some of them, perhaps many of them are) they might have gone through a similar toning down. But than 1 - Its not toned down enough. 2- They might not have gone through this change 3 - I imagine sometimes the money goes through without any direct control so there would be no change in this case.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News