September 16, 2008, - 11:34 am
Enough, Walid Shoebat: Why is Sean Hannity’s Fake Terrorist Harassing Me?
By Debbie Schlussel
[TO MY READERS: I originally wrote the column below in February. But I sat on it and didn’t publish it because I feel bad about exposing even this fraud and creep, Walid Shoebat, despite the fact that he’s plagiarized from me and harassed me under a fake name using his own e-mail address, and despite the fact that his equally shady manager, Keith Davies, fits a similar bill and has–along with Shoebat–taken to trashing me.
But now that The Jerusalem Post has also exposed the fraudulence and fakery of Mr. Shoebat, I’ve decided I cannot remain silent on who he really is and his behavior, any longer. After harassing me, he tried to appear with me at a 9/11 event in Dearborn, and I realized I can no longer hold back. I’ve thought long and hard about it, but it must be done. The record must be set straight.]
Years ago, when I first heard of Walid Shoebat–the man who claims to have been a Palestinian Islamic terrorist–I liked his story. Since then, I praised him in more than one entry on this site. That was a mistake.
In the back of my mind, I always doubted his story. It’s not that I don’t believe Muslim terrorists can convert to Christianity and see the error of their ways. I personally know of a scant few who have, indeed, done that. And there are several former Muslims–Ayan Hirsi Ali (never a terrorist) comes to mind–and enlightened Arabs who are great orators with an important message so many more need to hear.
It’s that I simply didn’t find Shoebat credible. And his behavior toward me is that of an unstable, insecure man who is upset that his shaky claims are being doubted. It’s a case of trusting my instincts, and my instincts told me this man oozing arrogance, bravado, swagger, and not much else was a fraud–that this was a business for him, showmanship. And he never provided a shred of proof that he did what he said he did in his former life.
Still, I kept my doubts to myself, lest I be accused of enabling the Islamists, and because I had no beef with his message, a good one. My inclination was to ignore him and not waste my time or effort on this man. Sadly, though, that’s not the way he sees things. For some reason, Walid Shoebat won’t stop harassing me, despite my requests. He’s annoying me and wasting my time. And he won’t go away. So I can no longer look the other way.
Mr. Shoebat took it upon himself–despite my praise of him on this site–to engage in a pattern of behavior that spanned plagiarism and obscene verbal abuse to the non-stop barrage of harassing messages he sent me over the last two days under a fake name, “Sandra Medina.” That’s what I get for being nice and charitable to a snake. I got bitten.
All along, I figured the e-mails I got yesterday were coming from Shoebat or one of his blind believers. And, sadly, I was right. It’s those instincts–when you trust them, you are right; When you don’t, you regret it.
Shoebat made the mistake of e-mailing me using an e-mail he and his son had used to e-mail me before with their real names. While some real terrorists are stupid and inept (like Richard Reid, “The Shoe Bomber), most aren’t–not that stupid.
And after I asked Shoebat not to e-mail me again, he did anyway–three times, so far–including a fake letter to himself, his equally unhinged chief of staff, and his friend–who else but another phony?–Sean Hannity. Shoebat and Hannity have a lot in common, including that, in addition to not selfishly plagiarizing others’ words for personal gain, neither were ever Islamic terrorists.
In all of his e-mail exchanges with me as “Sandra Medina,” Mr. Shoebat never once provided any proof of his “terrorist” story, which I now believe with certainty is carefully crafted fiction. His position as “Sandra” is that since there is no proof that he isn’t a terrorist, he can get away with it.
And he might have, had he not stolen a column of mine, told me, “F-ck You, Bitch” (isn’t he supposed to be a born-again Christian?), and–now–sent me this series of whacked-out e-mails, because he’s upset over a comment I made on my site to one of my readers about Shoebat’s behavior toward me. He’s like a jilted lover who can’t take no for an answer and move on.
It all started a couple of years ago, when Shoebat was scheduled to speak at my alma mater, The University of Michigan. He was attacked by “former” Islamic terrorist and current ADC-Midwest chief Imad Hamad in a newspaper article, in which Hamad doubted Walid’s claim to having been a terrorist. Interesting couple: Hamad–a “former” Islamic terrorist who claims he never was one. Shoebat–who claims to be a “former” Islamic terrorist, but apparently never was. Each is using these charades for their own self-aggrandizement (though Hamad is also an extremist ideologue, too), and each has many dupes.
In response to Hamad’s claims, Shoebat put out a press release, which plagiarized–word for word–my column on Hamad. I contacted Shoebat’s PR person, Maria Sliwa (interestingly, she’s also plagiarist Aaron Klein‘s publicist and helped him rip me off), asking why my work was ripped off. Sliwa told me that Walid Shoebat insisted my name be removed because he didn’t want to be associated with “the Zionists.” She agreed to change the press release and give me credit, but did not, after several phone calls. The next day, after complaining to her again, I got a call from Shoebat, after I told Sliwa I was going to write about this and Shoebat on this site.
Shoebat told me a million different stories. First, he told me he was a fan of my work and that he’s upset that Ms. Sliwa took my name out of the press release and ripped off my work–that it was her decision. Then, he admitted he lied about that and that he, himself, made the decision to steal my work because “I don’t want to be associated with the Right” (Hello . . . ? “The Right” is his entire audience of blind supporters). He agreed to correct the press release, but never did. Then, his chief of staff, a shady character named Keith Davies (who claims to be an Irish Jew), called to tell me that since they have been ripped off by others, it’s okay to rip me off. Later in the day, Shoebat called me back and told me, “You know, I called a lawyer. And you can’t sue me [DS: I never said I would], so I don’t have to give you credit for your work. I can take it and use it however I want. Fuck You, Bitch!” Then, he hung up. (A tiny correction mentioning that it was my work was finally issued and appeared elsewhere, where no-one would see it. They refused to correct the actual press release.)
I thought that was the end of the abuse at the hands of this con man, Shoebat. But I was wrong. He’s not only a fake terrorist and a con artist, he’s nuts. Here is the e-mail exchange this egomaniac engaged me in, yesterday, pretending to be a woman named, “Sandra Medina.” Mr. Shoebat, er . . . “Sandra Medina” asked me to sue him (her?) and to post these. I can’t oblige the first, but since I’m tired of this–I just got another e-mail from him/her/it–I’ll happily oblige the second request. Does this sound like a real “former terrorist” to you?:
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 18, 2008 7:20 PM
Subject: Walid Shoebat
To: writedebbie@gmail.com
Debbie,
Below, are you saying that Walid Shoebat is a “fraud”? Are all his claims false? He was never a terrorist? This whole time we trusted this man as he spoke in our church and he was lying to us? . . .
Can you please clarify this issue?
Sandra Medina
“AS FOR SHOEBAT, HE IS A COMPLETE CREEP AND AN APPARENT FRAUD, WHO IS IN THIS FOR THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF IT FOR HIMSELF. IN MY OWN PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS WITH HIM, HE COMPLETELY REPULSED ME AND ENTIRELY CHANGED MY VIEW ON HIM (I HAD PRAISED HIM, PREVIOUSLY, ON THIS SITE). HE STOLE A COLUMN I WROTE–WORD FOR WORD–ON IMAD HAMAD AND USED IT IN A PRESS RELEASE. WHEN I CAUGHT HIM AND PINNED HIM DOWN, HE ADMITTED TO IT, BUT STATED HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH CONSERVATIVES (WHO MAKE UP HIS WHOLE BASE) AND THAT’S WHY IT WAS OKAY TO STEAL FROM ME UNATTRIBUTED. HE PROMISED TO CORRECT, BUT WHEN HE DID NOT AND I CALLED HIM. HE SAID, “F-CK YOU, BITCH,” AND HUNG UP.”
***
From: Aga Tangola
Date: Feb 19, 2008 1:16 AM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: Debbie Schlussel
WOW,
I so much appreciate you responding so quickly. You are prompt.
I need to talk to my pastor about this. One more clarification if you can help me with. Daniel Pipes seem to have vouched for this “creep”:Daniel Pipes replies:
May 18, 2006 response: Walid Shoebat took the time to visit me in my office today and to show me proofs that his life story is a true one. I accept that it is.Much appreciated for your help. Why would FOX news put this guy on their program? You need to let them know NOT to hire him any longer as an expert. You should be on yourself. Walid has 188 hits on Youtube and 108,000 hits on Google. I can’t believe why he is getting all this attention. We need to stop this guy.
By the way, I was watching you on YOUTUBE and you are GREAT.
Great to hear from you.
Sandra
***
From: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: aga_tangola@yahoo.com
I can’t answer for Daniel Pipes’ statement. He is his own person. Walid Shoebat is a fraud.
DS
***
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Debbie,
I see what you are saying, but there must be evidence that this man is a fraud. He seems to have provided evidence to Daniel Pipes.
What is the evidence? Is there any? Just because you say he is a fraud is not enough to accuse him. I need evidence.
Sandra
***
From: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 2:10 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Um, where is the evidence that he was a former terrorist. Did you tell him, “I need evidence”? Did you ask Pipes what evidence he showed him? It is not my task to prove that he isn’t something he never proved that he was.
***
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Debbie,
That’s fine. So there is no evidence that he WAS a terrorist and there is no evidence that he WAS NOT (although Pipes examined some evidence), so then this does not substantiate that he is a fraud. One can simply state that he “claims” to have been a terrorist.
Here is the summary:
No evidence that he is
No evidence that he is not.
That in itself does not constitute fraud. Does it?
You stated that he is a “fraud” and you know best since yourself are an attorney.
Is that your position?
Sandra Medina
***
From: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: aga_tangola@yahoo.com
He lied to me several times. He is a fraud. It appears to me that you are probably working for him and sending me these e-mails on his behalf. He is a fraud, and Pipes has provided you no evidence of anything, only that the believes the guy. It is Shoebat’s responsibility to provide proof, and in the many media stories and appearances, he has never once provided any because he cannot. The end. I really don’t have time to engage in this with you any more. Bye.
DS
***
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 6:01 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
You must be a few french fries short of a happy meal.
Yup. Walid Shoebat: “Former terrorist” AND psychiatrist. Multi-talented.
***
From: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Walid:
You really need to look in the mirror. I just figured out that this is you. A real “former terrorist” would be smarter than this. Please do not e-mail me again.
DS
***
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 8:44 PM
Subject: Re: Walid Shoebat
To: Debbie Schlussel writedebbie@gmail.com
>Walid:
>You really need to look in the mirror. I just figured out that this is you.
So anyone who writes you is “Walid”? You really must be having a nightmare.
>Please do not e-mail me again.
>DS
I did, and I can’t wait till you sue. Please sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue me.
Oh, on second thought, please publish this email so people can see just how stupid your reasoning is. Or better then that, send me some legal action.
Would you like my name and address to serve me?
Sandra
***
Next, Walid Shoebat writes an e-mail to himself as “Sandra Medina.” It’s like a bad Adam Sandler movie (sorry, Adam):
From: Aga Tangola aga_tangola@yahoo.com
Date: Feb 19, 2008 9:41 PM
Subject: Debbie does smear
To: Walid@shoebat.com
To the Shoebat Foundation
Searching Walid Shoebat on the web yielded this Debbie Schlussel who posted smear were she has accused you of being a fraud. See below if you care to respond. I wrote her. Probing into her evidence I came out empty handed with nothing but circular reasoning. She not only smeared you but Sean Hannity and an array of others who wanted nothing better then to get rid of her. Maybe you would enjoy posting or circulating this around for a laugh at her logic. I will send this to Sean as well. See below.
Sandra Medina
After that, Shoebat forwarded me his nutty chief of staff’s response (trashing me, of course) to his boss, Shoebat, posing as “Sandra” about me. It doesn’t bear repeating here. But you get the point. The guy is harassing me and needs to get a life.
So how do I know that “Sandra Medina” a/k/a “Aga Tangola” is Walid Shoebat? Well, he and his son sent me e-mails, under their real names when they wanted me to post a well-written letter the son wrote, using the exact obscure screen name and an almost identical e-mail address three years ago. I feel bad about involving his son, who seems genuine and like a good kid (so I am redacting his first name), but enough is enough:
—–Original Message—–
From: Aga Tangola mailto:agatangola@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 12:50 PM
To: Rachel Neuwirth; debbieschlussel@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Re: Fw: Fw: My son’s email
Debbie,
I am 15 years old. I am not Muslim, I am Christian.
Also use [REDACTED] for my first name instead of [REDACTED].
If you also can take out my teacher’s name and instead say “Dear teacher”.
Also change “Yet it wasn’t the students response that hurt” and add “hurt the most”, so the statement will say “Yet it wasn’t the students response that hurt the most”.
Thank you for publishing my letter.
Wow, my first article
[REDACTED] Shoebat
Rachel Neuwirth wrote:
Walid, can you answer the following questions by Debbie. thanks,
Rachel
—– Original Message —–
From: Debbie Schlussel
To: Rachel Neuwirth
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: My son’s email
Also, how old is he and in what grade?
So his name is [REDACTED] Shoebat? Is he Muslim also? I am curious.
—– Original Message —–
From: Rachel Neuwirth
To: Debbie Schlussel
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 2:27 AM
Subject: Fw: Fw: My son’s email
Debbie, See below. Also, go to Walid’s web site http://www.shoebat.com/ you may want to refer to his site as well. thx
Rachel
—– Original Message —–
From: Aga Tangola AgaTangola@yahoo.com
To: Rachel Neuwirth
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 10:53 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: My son’s email
Rachel,
Sure, you can put his name and last name as well.
This will encourrage him greatly.
Thanks Rachel
Walid
Recently, Shoebat spoke at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Supposedly, they did a background check on him. But what they should have done was a psychiatric evaluation. Vouching for him was Steven Emerson, who is another similar story and a phony, sad to say (but that’s a topic for another day). Birds of a feather.
Again, before all of this, my only connection with Walid Shoebat was to write a positive post about him. I didn’t ask him to rip off my work, to then lie to me about it and tell a million different stories, to call me and say, “F-ck You, Bitch!” or to harass me via e-mail for the last two days posing as a woman named “Sandra.”
If he had not done these things, I would likely have remained an ally and not looked further into his claims or voice my concerns.
If only this unhinged alleged “former terrorist” had left me alone.
But unlike a real terrorist, he’s simply not wise enough to do so.
Enough, Walid Shoebat. ENOUGH!
Tags: Aga Tangola, Agatangola, Daniel Pipes, fake, Fake Terrorist, faux former terrorist, Fraud, Imad Hamad, Jerusalem Post, Jpost, JPost.com, Keith Davies, liar, Nutjob, phonies, phony, plagiarism, plagiarist, Sandra Medina, Sean Hannity, Sean Vannity, Stalker, Walid Shoebat
Debbie, just block his e-mail and put it in the spam folder. Its easy enough to do. You don’t have to be harassed by someone who won’t take NO for an answer. Life is short and you have more important things to do than to respond to a provocateur who doesn’t know when to leave you alone!
NormanF on September 16, 2008 at 1:01 pm