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It’s official. Steven Spielberg’s “” is a box office bust.
It may have gotten critical acclaim from some (but not all) left-wing movie critics. But the critics who matter–moviegoers–have said “Thumbs Down” for several weeks, now, to “Munich.”
In theaters for over a month, “Munich” has made just under $33 million, yet cost over $70 million to make. In the last week, it dropped from #6 to #11 at the box office.

Mazel Tov, Shlemielberg: Sympathizing w/ Terrorists a Huge Failure
One of the most popular blogs, Captain’s Quarters, criticized my post , saying my calling it a failure was premature. But I was right, and now entering week five, my statement continues to be borne out.
“Munich” is a failure. The free market and the American viewing public have spoken. They don’t like movies that sympathize with terrorists and tell us not to fight the War on Terror.
Let’s hope Hollywood will finally listen.

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You’ve heard a lot about the ACLU lawsuit since its filing yesterday.
But you haven’t heard much about its less famous plaintiffs, plaintiffs with whom I’m all too familiar and about whom I’ve written a great deal. The details on these individuals makes the National Security Agency’s monitoring of phone calls not just warranted, but a necessity.
I’m not referring to the famous Plaintiffs about whom you’ve heard: For example, Christopher Hitchens, the well-known Vanity Fair writer who is tight with convicted felon lobbyist . (Norquist’s receipt of thousands from Saudi charities raided by Customs for billions in Al-Qaeda money laundering is well-known, and Hitchens wrote glowingly of Norquist’s efforts on behalf of radical Islam).

ACLU Lawsuit’s Noel Saleh & Mohammed Abdrabboh:
They SHOULD Be Monitored.
I’m referring to ACLU lawyers Noel Saleh, Mohammed Abdrabboh, and Nabih Ayad, the ACLU Plaintiffs named in the yesterday’s Complaint, attorney William Swor, a member National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Nazih Hassan–all named in the lawsuit. They are exactly the kind of people whom the federal government SHOULD be watching, but probably isn’t. One of these men admitted to funding Hezbollah, one was accused of tampering with a witness, and a third signed a document contradicting statements he made in the lawsuit. Not to mention, one of these men engaged in exactly the same “spying” (on me) that he now opposes when done by the NSA.
Their clients are no different from that of convicted Attorney Lynn Stewart’s (convicted of helping the Blind cleric spread terrorist messages in Egypt), and in some cases, their behavior is far worse. Yet, instead of monitoring them, the federal government’s representatives in Detroit–including U.S. Attorney , FBI Special Agent in Charge , and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge –have been courting them, their clients, and friends in a series of exclusive meetings.
Take Noel Saleh. The thrice-disciplined attorney (who was suspended from the practice of law) openly stated at a town hall meeting with federal officials that he has financially contributed to Hezbollah. He heads an Arab welfare agency that gets millions in our tax dollars, yet was raided by the FBI for engaging in Medicaid fraud. The organization also spent thousands in our tax dollars on “job training” (commercial driving lessons and attempts at HazMat hauling certificates) for two men indicted as members of the Detroit Al-Qaeda terror cell. He has represented a number of Islamic terrorists, including and “former” PFLP terrorist Imad Hamad.
Then, there is Mohammed Abdrabboh, a Palestinian attorney and ACLU of Michigan Board Member.
Not only does he represent a number of accused terrorists, he lied in signed documents about it. In the ACLU lawsuit, Abdrabboh’s ACLU claims:

86. As part of his criminal defense practice, Mr. Abdrabboh has represented and continues to represent people the government has suspected of allegedly having some link to terrorism or terrorist organizations.

But in a grievance Abdrabboh filed against ME to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission (designed to deny my right to free speech and get me to change about him–I didn’t and won’t), a year ago, Abdrabboh wrote (and signed his name to) the following:

Without hesitation, I affirmatively state that I have never represented anyone accused of terrorism or money laundering. I can also affirmatively state that I have never represented or consulted with anyone accused/suspected/indicted of money laundering, let alone money laundering to finance Al-Qaeda. . . . Debbie Schlussel will not be able to provide the ADB [Attorney Discipline Board] with a single court appearance, document or public record that would indicate that I have ever represented a suspected terrorist or money launderer.

Hmmm . . . I think a grievance against Abdrabboh for lying either in Court or to the Grievance Commission is appropriate.
In fact, Mohammed Abdrabboh represented Gamil Manea Ahmed Al-Najar, arrested in December 2002 in raids by then U.S. Customs (now Immigration and Customs Enforcement–ICE) for operating a money-laundering business, Najjar Money Transfer, through Dix Dollar Mart–one of six businesses believed to have transmitted as much as $50 million per year to Yemen, in violation of the Patriot Act and other reporting requirements. Customs Agents told me they believed the money was going to finance terrorist activities, likely Al-Qaeda. Abdrabboh is listed as Al-Najar’s attorney on the federal court docket.
So we know only one thing for sure about Mohammed Abdrabboh: He is a liar.
What we also know is that many of his clients are involved with terrorist and other nefarious activities. He appeared at the arraignment for two Palestinian and Lebanese clients accused (and later convicted) of chopping a Jordanian Palestinian to death. All three were under investigation by the FBI for mortgage and real estate fraud and were suspected of sending the proceeds “back home” to the Mid-East for assorted nefarious activities.
Abdrabboh is heavily involved with the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which openly praises Hezbollah–the terrorist group that murdered over 300 U.S. Marines and civilians in Lebanon. In the West Bank, Abdrabboh made a career of legitimizing Palestinian terrorists in his work for Al-Haq, the Palestinian version of the ACLU (only worse, if that’s possible). In work for the United Nations, he co-authored a report on the “Syrian Golan.” (The Golan is in ISRAEL.) Clearly, this man has a political agenda, not friendly to the United States or our key Mid-East ally.
Spying? Taping phone calls? Abdrabboh doesn’t have a problem with that either, when he’s the one doing it. On September 7, 2004, the same day he filed his phony grievance against me, Abdrabboh had one of his friends, a man identifying himself as “Casey Khalil” call me and try to entrap me in a taped phone call. But it didn’t work. The man, whose number came up as “Khalil Companies” on my caller ID, claimed he was a client of Abdrabboh for his mortgage company’s problems with the State of Michigan and wanted information on him.
The ACLU lawsuit claims:

88. The Program has inhibited communications between Mr. Abdrabboh
and his family and friends because he is less candid about his political views and avoids saying things that are critical of the U.S. government over the telephone or through email.

Puh-leeze. Abdrabboh is a vocal member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, appointed by Michigan’s liberal Democrat governor, Jennifer Granholm. There was a meeting of his commission since the NSA program was disclosed in The New York Times, and he is as vocal as ever. All of these attorneys had a press conference in Detroit, yesterday, upon the filing of the suit. Contrary to being silenced, they couldn’t seem to shut up.

ACLU Lawsuit’s Nabih Ayad, Nazih Hassan Deserve Heightened Scrutiny
Next, there’s Abdrabboh’s law partner, Nabih Ayad. Both Abdrabboh and Ayad go on annual trips to the Middle East with Hamad. The trips involve meetings with Lebanese and Syrian officials tied to Hezbollah, and their travel-mates include officials of a Detroit charity that openly donated millions to HAMAS and privately raised money for Iraqi insurgents at a Los Angeles area fundraiser. Federal officials suspect that money laundering–and who knows what else–may be going on during these trips.
Ayad represented Omar Abdel-Fatah Al-Shishani, stopped at Detroit Metro Airport with millions in phony bank checks used to fund Al-Qaeda operations. Shishani–a friend of John Kerry’s–didn’t get much for his money, though. I had dinner with Abu Shishani in fall 2003, prior to his sentencing. It was a secret meeting with law enforcement members, and he did not know my real identity. Shishani told me that Mr. Ayad ripped him off of $25,000, did not help him, and he had to hire a new attorney. Based on that, it’s hard to see how NSA spying would affect his “representation” of his client.
Then, there are his 130 clients paid off an INS inspector and committed visa fraud. Ayad got these clients from his buddy, former “terrorist” Hamad. Paying off INS inspectors, visa fraud–these are things we SHOULD be spying on.
William Swor, another Plaintiff in the suit, represented an accused member of the Detroit terror cell. During the trial, the judge reportedly lashed at him for trying to tamper with and intimidate the government’s Arabic translator in the case. He sat on the Board of Saleh’s Arab welfare agency, and reportedly threatened to take work away from the translator, who also did work for the agency. Like Saleh, Swor was also disciplined by the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, for snorting up his clients’ money. (He had a cocaine problem.)
Finally, there is Nazih Hassan, a member of the , Michigan Chapter–a group founded with funds from HAMAS political director Moussa Abu Marzook. Of all the Plaintiffs detailed within the case, he is the most worthy of government monitoring. He is not an attorney, but is admittedly a friend of deportee Rabih Haddad–founder of Global Relief Foundation (GRF).
President Bush designated GRF as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Entity and shut it down, because it was laundering money back and forth to Al-Qaeda and had strong ties to its Hamburg cell. Haddad was caught lying to the government about his income for the purpose of getting subsidized housing, carried a briefcase full of bricks of cash (which he showed federal agents), and lied on an application to buy a rifle less than six months after moving to the U.S. His charity, GRF, sent out letters in the name of Osama Bin Laden’s spiritual leader, Abdel Azzam, and attempted to raise funds for a “Pakistani Taliban” and jihad.
Hassan was president of Rabih Haddad’s mosque and helped him. The federal government SHOULD be investigating his mosque. They should be investigating Hassan. If our government is not investigating the mosque, friends, and helpers of a man raising money for worldwide jihad and laundering money for Al-Qaeda, then whom ARE they investigating?
Hassan also admits being friendly with individuals connected to IANA (Islamic Assembly of North America), a charity raided for financing Saddam Hussein (while pretending the money was going to fund needy Iraqis who needed food). IANA, which was raided by the FBI, operated websites BEFORE 9/11 that featured fatwas urging the use of planes directed at buildings as a way to murder Americans. IANA’s executive director, Islam Almurabit, and a key operative, Mohammed Al-Ahmari, fled to the Mid-East when the Detroit FBI tipped IANA off that it was investigating the group–both going to Saudi Arabia. Sami Omar Al-Hussayen, a Saudi national who was indicted but unfortunately acquitted, designed and operated the websites.
Again, Mr. Hassan’s own admission of being close to IANA operatives makes it quite clear that he certainly SHOULD be monitored by the government.
Some of the Plaintiffs and attorneys in the ACLU’s lawsuit against the NSA are the same as in a 2003 lawsuit the ACLU filed against Section 215 of the Patriot Act. That lawsuit languishes before another Detroit Federal Judge, without ever being decided.
And so should this one. (If you are interested in signing up , please contact me.)

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Thanks to Right Wing News for naming this site one of “The 11 Most Underrated Blogs“.

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Three cheers for federal Judge Federico Moreno!
Last week, the U.S. government immediately deported 15 Cubans who risked their lives (on a raft) to reach an abandoned bridge in the Florida Keys. Why? The government insisted that the bridge did not satisfy the dry land rule, requiring Cubans to touch dry land to avoid forced return to Castro’s Communist Cuba. And, no, the bridge was not under water. Clearly, the Cubans should have been allowed to seek asylum here.
Also last week, lawyers filed an emergency lawsuit on behalf of the Cuba 15. Judge Moreno seemed to agree with the lawyers that these 15 people should have been allowed in, saying that it is a “ridiculous distinction” to say that the bridge isn’t U-S land and that the bridge is “as American as apple pie.”

U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno Knows His Stuff.
Unfortunately, these comments–and even a victory in the case–are strictly academic. Our government sent these brave people back to Cuba, and it is unlikely Castro will allow them to leave again. Remember, Castro only releases to us prisoners (Mariel Boatlift, anyone?) and undesirables. Those truly seeking freedom and democracy must escape and endure harrowing experiences at sea. If they are caught, they face government-imposed persecution.
One wonders why these people were immediately deported. Yet, Islamic criminals, like Jamil Zayed, who are here illegally get to stay ad absurdum.

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You’ve no doubt heard that, today, the ACLU–and assorted other enemies of America–filed a lawsuit against the government for NSA “spying” (interesting that there was no such lawsuit when Bill Clinton was doing the same thing–Remember “Echelon” and “Carnivore”?).
Since the lawsuit was filed in U.S. Federal Court in the Eastern District of Michigan, where I practice, I’ve already been contacted by concerned U.S. citizens who wish to intervene in the case as interested parties (whose interests and welfare are affected by this case) in support of the government’s activities. And we may do so. You may feel free to contact me regarding this if you are interested in adding your name.
I note that among the Plaintiffs (besides ) is Christopher Hitchens. Trotskyite Hitchens was scheduled to appear at a Republican Jewish Coalition event, tomorrow–until I and others protested this far-left wacko’s appearance.
The text of the Complaint is very similar to–and includes a lot of the same language–as the ACLU’s lawsuit against Section 215 of the Patriot Act, also filed in Detroit, in 2003. That case has NEVER been decided and languishes in the courtroom of Judge Denise Page Hood. The judge drawn by the ACLU, Anna Diggs Taylor, is a liberal judge, but not as liberal as several of the others they could have drawn (like Judges Arthur Tarnow and ; or Republican Appointee , who overturned the Detroit Terror Cell conviction–all while behaving unethically behind the scenes while the case was before him).
See more links on this compiled by Michelle Malkin.

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Amidst last night’s glowing coverage of the “Golden Globes” awards ceremony, someone forgot their outrage. Or rather all of Hollywood did–and so did the mainstream media covering the event.
The ceremony, whose voters are members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA), gave its award for “Best Foreign Language Movie” to “Paradise Now,” a movie which glorifies and sympathizes with Palestinian homicide bombers. An excellent review of “Paradise Now,” by Germany’s Matthias Kuntzel, appears here and is a must read for anyone considering wasting time and money on this sickening movie.
To add insult to injury, the HPFA lists the movie “Paradise Now, Palestine.” Are they saying, as the movie “Paradise Now” does, that ALL of Israel is Palestine? That is how the map–known as the Map of Hate–obtrusively displayed and discussed in the film, depicts the world.

Apparently, Hollywood Foreign Press Association members have a different map than we do. There is NO Palestine on the map. It is not a country, as much as they’d like it to be. Unless they are choosing the map of The World According to HAMAS and Al-Qaeda.
And apparently they are. Not to mention that they are buying into the old anti-Semitic canards, repeated in this celluloid sickness, that Jews poison Arabs’ water to destroy their sperm. It is a newer version of the same old blood libel, claiming Jews kill others for food, pastries, or some other absurd reason.
Remember this, next time you waste your time watching this vapid “awards” show that honors terrorists and mass murderers.
We, on the other hand, spent our time in a more worthy pursuit–watching “24”.
***UPDATE: Surprise, surprise. The pro-terror ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committtee) is tickled pink that “Paradise Now” won this award.
2nd UPDATE: We’re told that the Producer/Director upon winning, said something to the effect of, “We deserve rights and a home, unconditionally.” But they have a home. They want to take away others’ homes and lives, as they have already been doing for decades. There SHOULD be conditions, like stopping the committing of terrorism–cold-blooded murder–of innocent people. If they cannot live by that condition, they deserve nothing but an escalated response.

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It’s official. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is now an excuse for anti-White racism. Or maybe New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was talking about his taste in candy and confections.
Today, at an MLK Day celebration Nagin said, New Orleans should be “chocolate”. Here’s his complete quote at N’Awlins City Hall, today, as reported by AP:

We ask black people … It’s time for us to come together. It’s time for us to rebuild New Orleans–the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans. This city will be a majority African American city. It’s the way God wants it to be. You can’t have New Orleans no other way. It wouldn’t be New Orleans.

Old New Orleans vs. Ray Nagin’s Preferred New Orleans
Just what does that mean? White chocolate not allowed in Nagin’s soon-to-be-rebuilt city? I doubt any White politician would EVER get away with a similar statement. Gee, and we thought King was all for judging NOT by the color of skin.
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, life is like a box of chocolates [and HE was NOT referring to race]. You never know what kind of racist mayor you’re going to get.
***UPDATE: Reader “Eminem’s Revenge” (who is Black) says that Nagin was referring to a Parliament (or P-Funk) song, “Chocolate City” (lyrics here). It’s still racist, as is the song.

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Last year, at this time, we recognized our friends at the Islamist, terror-supporting ADC (American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) for their Read the whole thing, .

I Have a Nightmare: “Former” Islamic Terrorist Imad Hamad (left) and ICE’s Abu Moskowitz (right) Will Celebrate King Day Together
This year, we do so again. We find it odd that the ADC continues to milk the images of a civil rights leader for their own support of terror–Islamist mass murder of innocent people around the world–which they claim is also “civil rights.” But the ultimate civil right is life, not death or the right to murder innocent others.
That’s exactly why we question ADC’s odd support for memorializing King, today, all while the group continues to support and defend these “civil rights” activities:
* Mass torture, rape, and murder of Black Christians and animists, and, now, even Black Muslims, in Sudan by its Arab Muslim government (What was that King said about judging people by the content of their character, NOT the color of their skin?);
* Mass murder in the form of homicide bombings and beheadings against people based on religion (throughout the Muslim world); and
* Attacks on Black customers by Arab Muslim gas station owners, here in America.
And the list goes on. ADC has been involved in defending all of these outrages. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, and ADC supports a nightmare.
So we find it odd that ADC continues to sponsor essay contests in King’s name. And, oh yeah, if you are Black you need not apply. The essay contest, sponsored by ADC’s Michigan chapter (headed by “former” terrorists ) and touted today by its national headquarters, is ONLY open to Arabs and Chaldeans. If you are Black, tough shawarma. Again, what was that about not judging by the color of your skin?
We’re sure Dr. King would be very proud.
We note that the event will be on January 27 (NOT King Day) at the Bint Jbeil Cultural Center (BJCC), so named after the South Lebanese city that was and is a stronghold for Hezbollah terrorists.
Members of the BJCC are strong supporters of the terrorist group, and we hear that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Special Agent in Charge a/k/a “Abu Moskowitz” was hanging out with them, in attending last year’s ADC King essay contest award dinner–along with his terrorist crony Hamad. We expect the two will be hanging together, chowing down on tabouleh and hummus, again, at this year’s even–hosted by boxing daughter Laila Ali.
Because, after all, breaking pita with terrorists–that’s what Martin Luther King Day is all about. Isn’t it?
Remember these words spoken by King. They are strongly at odds with ADC’s mission, and we doubt they will be in any ADC winner’s essay:
“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism.”
AMEN.

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Ford Motor Company is playing musical chairs with its position on gay advertising. But it cannot do so for much longer.
First, it began advertising in gay magazines, including The Advocate. Then, in response, groups for traditional values, like the American Family Association (AFA), boycotted Ford. Ford then pulled its ads from gay magazines. Next, gay groups threatened to boycott Ford. So, Ford announced it will begin advertising in gay publications again. Now, the AFA announced its boycott is back on.
If you’re as dizzy as we are, you should be. Clearly, Ford is trying to play both sides of the fence on a position in which neither side is dumb enough to be played. Ford got it itself into this position, in the first place, by choosing to advertise in gay publications. By doing so, the company played with matches, and it got burned. Now, Ford has to take a firm position and stay with it.

Ford Motor Company: Brokeback Marketing?
We think it’s interesting that some columnists in Detroit, which is part of Michigan’s reeling economy and highly dependent on Ford and other auto companies for jobs, are putting the onus on conservatives and the family values crowd, saying they should not take such a position in such bad economic times. (This is the position of Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh, who consistently demonstrates his lack of principal by promoting Islamist economic interests.)
That’s nonsense.
The AFA is about principles. And principles do not depend on whether or not the economy is good. And if jobs and the economy are the only concern, why is the onus on the AFA–and not the gay community–to end its boycott? A boycott by either group will hurt sales for Ford, but it won’t necessarily hurt the American auto industry, contrary to the claims of some.
A lot of straight people, who far outnumber gays, don’t exactly want to drive a “gay car.” Remember the gay-specific marketing of the Subaru, using Martina Navratilova as its spokesman? No straight human wanted to drive a Lesbaru.
Ford will have to take a stand and decide whether or not it will advertise in gay media–and accept the consequences of its decision. It cannot have it both ways.

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Back in August, I wrote about “”. As you’ll recall, Phillips is the former Nebraska, NFL, and CFL player who just can’t stay away from violent crime, like brutal assault. Yet, despite his behavior, he was repeatedly given more than his fair share of chances while coaches looked the other way. Most blatant and enabling of these was then-Nebraska coach and now Gubernatorial candidate (who has harassed me on occasion after he did not like what I wrote about his record of enabling violent criminal athletes).
Now I hear from Lawrence Phillips’ mother, the woman who raised and failed to civilize this dangerous, multiple-time criminal. From the length of her letter, none of which I buy into, all I can say is what Shakespeare did: Thou Doth Protest Too Much.
Here’s Juanita Phillips’, mother of Lawrence Phillips, e-mail to me:

— Juanita Phillips juanitaphillips1@yahoo.com
wrote:
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 18:31:05 -0800 (PST)
From: Juanita Phillips juanitaphillips1@yahoo.com
Subject: Check the Facts
To: dschlussel@yahoo.com
Dear Ms. Schlussel,
As a commentator your sphere of influence is
probably enormous. Doesn’t such a privilege carry a
duty to seek facts before reporting? You have
reported as fact things about Lawrence Phillips’
past and present that you do not know to be true.
Only when you can honestly state that you have
personally investigated and verified the accuracy of
reported information and spoken with all known
witnesses should you consider publicly passing along
“reports” as truth.
If you are interested in facts please investigate
the following facts that did not make the
newspapers.

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