Wednesday, June 30, 2010

MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF's deportation has been DROPPED

HURRAH! HERE is some history...the terrific update is HERE. This is such good news......The government's saying something about how 'sudden overwhelming information' has caused them to drop their ridiculous suit. I'm thinking that 'sudden overwhelming information' was less 'information' and more 'emails and calls'? RAH!

And, totally off topic, but please keep footballer Randall Cunningham and his family in your prayers.

40 comments:

Linda said...

Good news, and sad, tragic news.

Anonymous said...

A small light of sanity in all the darkness of the current times in which we live.

Silvrlady

Z said...

Linda, very good and very tragic..

Silvrlady...we Conservatives get a small bone of good news thrown at us about every sixty days or so. The rest of it, seemingly every five minutes, is SO ROTTEN!
Ya, this is very good news....I hope we help him get his message out and I hope he gives us his ideas about fighting terror here, which he discussed on FOX the other day.

Anonymous said...

Ironic, isn't it? President Obama is comtemplating a way to get around Congress to give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens, and this man, facing certain death if deported, found his life hanging in the balance.

Fortunately, he has been granted asylum by the judge. I guess a muslim who has become a Christian, didn't qualify, and the government decided, after all, that's one person too many!

But, as we know, 20,000 Palestinians, who are coming here to the US with guarantees of welfare and generous government assistance, are above reproach, and our government decided in this case, 20,000 are not a problem. Not to mention millions of illegal aliens who simply walked into America.

Why should all of this make sense, at a time when nothing the goverment does, makes sense?

Pris

Faith said...

Tears of joy, tears of sadness. SO glad to read that first story. The second is terribly sad.

Let's pray for the Palestinians who are coming here that they also become Christians.

beakerkin said...

Z

Did you see me worried. Don't believe bs immigration stories. Rely
on your friendly neighborhood officer for an informed opinion.

Now if only we could deport the Duck.

Z said...

beak, could you tell me what you mean? You are an immigration officer and I SO respect you and I know you better than my commenters (which is an honor)...tell us what you mean by your remark (you don't have to explain the remark to your very favorite ducky, of course :-)

Faith, isn't it SO tragic for Cunningham? that little boy is absolutely gorgeous and people said how adorable and active he was...and Cunningham's a minister who's baptized in that same hot tub (which is not something I think a lot of , but..to each his own!)
I'm hoping Yousef's example of embracing Christianity will help other muslims. But, of course, if he speaks out, he'd be killed. You'd think that would be enough for any muslim to realize which faith is the faith of a loving God.

Pris...when IS anything going to make sense again? We have a president who, today, actually said that he's going to "call the Republicans' BLUFF"...this man is in dirty campaign mode; Like Steve Hayes from the Weekly Std just said on television "this is the kind of thing the head of the DNC does, not the Pres of the U.S."
Obama just has SO LITTLE dignity and decorum..he's a thug acting like a thug and it's so sad for our presidency. (OUR presidency)

Chuck said...

Pris summed it up well - not much to add

Unknown said...

YES! I was quite pleased to hear about this today! We needed some good news didn't we?

Anonymous said...

Z, I've decided that you keep the Quacker around for comic relief! Just don't tell him, since he takes himself so seriously.

Silvrlady

beakerkin said...

The United States is a signator of the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
No, person who is likely to be tortured may be deported. In the case of a terrorist that presents a public safety risk they may be detained but not deported. At a minimum there are no public safety concerns with this applicant.

Using this approach the case was a slam dunk and he was never going anywhere. Even the most incompetent attorney could easily
get this one as a fall back option.

Asylum is handled under a different section than most immigration cases. It is in Immigration and Nationality Act 209
as opposed to the more common INA 245 ( Family & Vocational basis).

This section provides a 3 prong system. In many cases an officer may approve an asylum case. However, it is not surprising that
a common officer balked and kicked this to a judge.

These cases are all subject to laws governing admissibility in section 212 of the INA. Officers by
nature tend to be very cautious around the section of law that deals with terrorism. This section
not only bars terrorist but relatives of terrorists. An immigration judge has much wider latitude to act than an officer.

One year from now this person may file to become a legal permanent resident. This person barring something like a DWI or something very serious is almost certainly home free.

Even the most incompetent of attorney could win this case blind folded.

I did meet Frogburger in DC, Cube, AOW and Mustang are familiar with my writings.

A real deportation case barring some major criminality routinely takes ten years in NYC and likely LA is around 8 years

Faith said...

I'm hoping Yousef's example of embracing Christianity will help other muslims. But, of course, if he speaks out, he'd be killed. You'd think that would be enough for any muslim to realize which faith is the faith of a loving God.

This reminds me about the message of Josef Tson, the Romanian pastor who was persecuted for his faith under Ceaucescu. I've been soaking myself in his teaching because I find it very strengthening. The message is that it is only when we are willing to die for our faith, which may sometimes mean actually dying but not necessarily, that we impart the life of Christ to others. This is clearly scriptural. Most of us don't live up to this. Not that I think Yousef needs to go back and die. That's between him and God.

beakerkin said...

That comment may be a bit technical.
However in short a conservative officer kicked the case to an Immigration judge to play it safe. The case was considered a slam dunk.

Anonymous said...

I find this sudden reversal perplexing; ordinarily, the Obama administration would go to any length to demoralize our covert operatives and military personnel. With that said, I think Mosab Yusef’s life isn’t worth a plug nickel and if I were he, I’d be looking for a dark hole to live in for the next five or so years. These thoughts come to mind as we consider that the Obama administration is covertly meeting with a man named Musa Abu Marzook, former founder of the precursor of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a man who has been twice designated a terrorist, a man living under an open federal warrant, and the man who currently heads the Hamas organization.

Now of course, we all might be curious about a White House official who is meeting with Hamas. We might be interested about what they have to discuss. We might wonder how the Israelis would react to such a meeting. But our curiosity would be peaked even more if we learned that Eric Holder (rumored to be visiting in Afghanistan) was the man who Obama sent to meet with Marzook in Damascus. And this might explain the Moslem drapes in the White House pressroom, the absence of US flags, the sudden change in our relationship with Israel, and all the bull we heard during Obama’s speech in Cairo [Long Version] [Short Commentary].

Z said...

Faith, I don't know what to say. I understand your thinking on this and I think that Yousef's fate is in God's hands right now....we'll see what happens.

Chuck, she always does!

Pam, I know..a bit of happy news is intoxicating these days!!

Beak, but the news was that this was a slam/dunk and Yousef was leaving very soon. It was stunning that he'd be forced to go and I can't imagine they were that sure he'd be leaving ocnsidering all you say, which makes good sense. And thanks for explaining.

Mustang, I'll look at your links after I get back from dinner..I'm almost afraid to LOOK..I hope it's the speech I remember from Cairo, the one the media must not have heard :-)
Then these people to go AIPAC and smile and promise Israel's security. Makes me want to ..

Anonymous said...

Z, I hadn't heard of Yousef, but he sounds like an amazing person with a great story. I couldn't not notice this line from the story though:

I believe that there is good in every heart, and that hate judgment and racism are taught. No evil is innate, and no child is born bad.

Very telling about the author's world view (or Weltanschauung, if you prefer).

-tio

beakerkin said...

Z

There isn't an attorney in the country who could mess this one up.
Immigration judges routinely grant very dubious cases of female genital mutilation and Chinese family planning cases.

The so called media experts are not
trained in law and form their opinions on sensationalist stories that are very rare.

The truth be known our whole asylum system needs to be blown up
so it can perform its intended task.

Z said...

Well, I guess, Beak. but this Justice Department said he was GOING and NOW before this sudden turn today.

Tio...look, he can't have EVERYTHING :-)

Z said...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100630/ap_on_go_su_co/us_kagan_supreme_court

Well, DARN if I didn't just find out the Kagan hearings were held again today...I checked PBS and CSPANS and the cable channels until about 1:00 today MY TIME (LA) and ZILCH.

Weren't the Roberts and Alito and Thomas hearings shown every second of the time? What am I MISSING? Where were they shown today, folks? I really wanted to watch as much as I could :-(

Anonymous said...

Z, the quote was from the author of the article, not from Yousef. I think Yousef still enjoys favorable ratings with me, but maybe we should get Frank Luntz to perform a study so we can know for sure.

tio

MathewK said...

Excellent news this Z. It should never have gotten to this stage, it's a sad reflection on the wretched state of affairs in the western world when friends and allies are tossed to the wolves.

Z said...

Tio, thanks...I thought Yousef was the one getting the Scripture so wrong! (enjoyed seeing you for dinner last week! I hope it felt good to be back!)

Mathew, it sure is.

Deborah on the Bayside said...

Aaaaah. That's me breathing a sigh of relief, and answer to prayer. I can't believe the unbelievable cluster***k that brought his situation to this. Or was it something else? Just finished his book (almost impossible to put down) and heard him lecture (recorded, not in person). A man who deserves our prayers and gratitude. May the shield of the Lord blind his enemies.

Z said...

Hi, Deborah, I imagine his book's quite good...and yes, I love your last phrase, may he be protected, indeed.

Faith said...

Faith, I don't know what to say. I understand your thinking on this and I think that Yousef's fate is in God's hands right now....we'll see what happens.

I wasn't really thinking about Yousef. Justice was done in refusing to deport him and I'm very happy about that -- for America's sake as well as his. I'm VERY glad when America does the right thing.

I think it was your saying that a loving God would certainly not send his people out to kill that reminded me that our God DOES tell us that His supernatural life only comes out of death -- the death of His people, not other people. Other people are saved by our dying. So I thought of those billions of unsaved Muslims and what it would take to save them -- many missionaries utterly unafraid of their death threats, quite willing to die if necessary.

It's not taught enough but it's powerfully Biblical and Josef Tson does the best job of it I've found. Here is a talk he gave where he describes his own persecution under Romanian Communism. "I came to see one day that our greatest sin was the desire to survive." He says that a few minutes into the talk.

Faith said...

I know what I've said is open to lots of questions. For starters I certainly don't mean anybody's death but Christ's PAYS FOR the sins of people. But if you listen to Tson he spells it out more clearly that we ARE called to be "lambs to the slaughter" just as our Master was -- not all of us will be martyred of course, but we all are called to have that basic mind set. It can't be denied that it is biblical after he lays it out.

Z said...

Faith, thank you for all that...I don't disagree with you, basically.

Did I say a loving God doesn't send people out to kill? I'm the one who frequently reminds people that God DID send people out to kill in the O.T.

He says we "ARE called to be lamb's to slaughter"? or MIGHT be called..or may die for our faith if called to? All of us aren't, obviously...
I'll try to listen to your link, thanks...I'd like to hear what he has to say.

Craig and Heather said...

Other people are saved by our dying.

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?


Denial of "self" as supreme authority is the death we all must experience regardless of how long we physically live afterward.

If one has truly placed his life in God's hands, he can face torture and martyrdom or rise every morning to daily serve for Christ those he contacts.

I once heard missionary Paul Washer speak of having been in a position where he was pretty certain he would be killed. And he said that he had felt peace about being taken home. But, the Lord spared his life and as he related the incident, he said that dying for Jesus is "easy" compared to continually getting up every day, taking up his cross and following obediently.

I put "easy" in quotes, because obviously, facing physical death is not a light thing. But his point was that we often ignore the reality that it is dying to self that enables anyone to fearlessly face martyrdom or effectively live one day to the next for Him.

Heather

Faith said...

Did I say a loving God doesn't send people out to kill? I'm the one who frequently reminds people that God DID send people out to kill in the O.T.

What I was thinking of was this, that I quoted above:

I'm hoping Yousef's example of embracing Christianity will help other muslims. But, of course, if he speaks out, he'd be killed. You'd think that would be enough for any muslim to realize which faith is the faith of a loving God.

Maybe I didn't quite get what you meant there but a God who would kill you for having a different religion is not a loving God.

But this also reminds me that when you resign yourself to dying for Christ you don't necessarily get killed. Josef Tson's stories show that the most hardened killer may be turned by God to set you free when you boldly stand for the truth against all their threats, very willing to give your life. Sometimes it is just that willingness that God is trying to form in you, and when it is formed there is no reason for you to die.

Faith said...

Well said, Heather. Yes, it can be a lot harder to live day by day than to face death.

But really, it's not easy at all to face death either, as you also acknowledge. Or perhaps persecution is the hardest to face. Tson says that after being beaten he was quite scared and had to be spiritually renewed to go on with the "interrogations" by the secret police without giving in to them.

Paul Washer is one of today's most inspiring preachers.

Z said...

Faith, if he spoke out to muslims, he'd be killed by them is all I meant...illustrating their allah's unloving stance in comparison to the forgiving grace of our GOD.
Yes, if he is grounded in Scripture, he knows that we are called to 'die to self' (a whole other subject here and a rich, lengthy one) but martyrdom at the hands of muslims for his belief in the saving grace of Christ isn't necessarily what he's been called to at this point. I suggested he could have a rich, important life on this earth being an example to muslim and Jewish nonbelievers.

Faith said...

Faith, if he spoke out to muslims, he'd be killed by them is all I meant...illustrating their allah's unloving stance in comparison to the forgiving grace of our GOD.

Yes, then I did understand you. That's not a loving God and they should be able to recognize the difference.

Yousef wouldn't necessarily be killed, however, that's what I was trying to say in my last post. Often it's boldness that is specially protected by God and it's those who would save their lives who lose them.

martyrdom at the hands of muslims for his belief in the saving grace of Christ isn't necessarily what he's been called to at this point. I suggested he could have a rich, important life on this earth being an example to muslim and Jewish nonbelievers.

Yes, and apparently that is also God's view of the situation. But I wasn't particularly talking about Yousef, just making a general point taking off from your remark about the different kinds of God of the two religions.

The loving God already showed His love and His power in saving Yousef out of his very unlikely background.

Z said...

VERY beautifully put, Faith, thanks for that. just wonderful.

I'm reading an excellent book , studying with some girlfriends, it's called RESPECTABLE SINS and I highly recommend it.

Faith said...

Oh I've heard of that book and I love Jerry Bridges -- one of our very best teachers today.

Z said...

Oh, I didn't know he's well known, I'd not heard of him before!
Thanks, Faith.so far, so good with the book :-)

Anonymous said...

Z, it certainly did feel good to be back. It really would have been fun had that class had been several hours longer. The authentic (not socially engineered) diversity there makes things interesting.

There was a line in the video where de Toqueville said something about religion in America gave people a sense of liberty while religion in France gave people a sense of compulsion. I wonder why that is. I thought it would be a fun one to discuss.

tio

Z said...

tio, most of that group isn't equipped to deal with that one, to tell you the truth...but it would have been fascinating.
I stopped going to the series after all those week; I'm too fragile still these days to deal with crazy makers and that one situation I had bothered me very, very much.
especially that I was on my own and couldn't quite escape it.

Anonymous said...

Z--We may not have come up with an answer, but I think that would be a good research topic (why Christianity in France seemed to reduce liberty while it seemed to increase it in America). Actually, I could stand to do some research on the whole American independence thing.

If you go back to the Wed night group, you may want to practice some of the techniques we talked about in the video series about how to defend your faith....the "And what do you believe?"..."And how did you come to that conclusion?" I think they referred to it as the Columbo technique.

tio

Faith said...

...why Christianity in France seemed to reduce liberty while it seemed to increase it in America

Catholicism. Priesthood over laity. Inquisitional mindset.

Z said...

tio, I am not going back to the Wed night group, particularly because John (who was red in the face with laughter as were you) said Sunday that he didn't hear what happened.
hmmmm wonder why he was laughing, huh?

Do research, I'd love to post something some day..my 4th post is almost finished, but we could all use lessons ...get busy! thanks