The Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has settled its Canadian lawsuit against the Web site Anti-Cair-net.org, the Canadian terrorism expert David Harris, writer David Frum, and the National Post. The settlement is secret, but there was no retraction of the claim that CAIR is a “terrorist-supporting front organization . . .founded by Hamas supporters” that aims “to make radical Islam the dominant religion in the United States.” David Frum has details in the April 25 National Post, and expresses optimism that free criticism of terrorism supporters can now take place.
Update: As Bob B points out in the comments, elsewhere in the blogosphere, Israpundit, LGF, and Powerline. Daniel Pipes also writes with extensive detail. It reasonably appears CAIR dropped the suit, to avoid submitting to discovery: an important lesson for every libel plaintiff. Three cheers for Greenberg Traurig LLP, which did pro bono work that was actually pro bono.
2 Comments
This story has been covered at several blog sites. The prevelent conclusion is that CAIR folded because they did not want to have to disclose their sources of funding – and thereby give credence to the claims made against them.
Bob B – Somerville NJ
I applaud efforts to fend off government censorhip (including government-enabled censorship through lawsuits and complaints). Canada is fertile ground for this nonsense. But was Greenberg Traurig acting “for the public good,” or was there a more specific beneficiary in mind? If they’re keen to fight battles like these in foreign venues, maybe next they could consider taking up the criminal charges against Nick Griffin of the British National Party, who was charged by the Crown for calling Islam a wicked faith.