Corrupt Politicians and Tools of the Gulen Movement

Corrupt Politicians and Tools of the Gulen Movement
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Tactics of Gulen, bribe, trips, honors and so much more razzle dazzle

Tactics of Islam, Conquering America from Within
Fethullah Gulen's Missionaries Exposed
A great book by Dr. Aland D. Mizell
Soon to be part II

http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/elected-officials-who-went-on-gulenist-turkey-trips.html
Last updated May 4, 2013

This list is not comprehensive and names are continually being added. While another page already lists Congressional trips; this page is for state legislators, governors, mayors and other state and local officials.


"To date, more than 6000 Americans have traveled to Turkey at the invitation of Hizmet institutes and have returned to support the activities of the Turkish immigrant circles." - Sophia Pandya & Nancy Gallagher in their 2012 book The Gulen Hizmet Movement and Its Transnational Activities

The standard Gulenist Turkey trip is 9-10 days long.

Alabama

Date: 2011; Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (also involved:
Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast U.S., Peace Valley Foundation, Istanbul Center); Source: June 3, 2012
  • Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster
  • Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville
  • Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab
  • Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills
  • Secretary of the Senate Pat Harris

Arizona
  • Jannah Scott, advisor to Governor Janet Napolitano (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
  • State Representative David Lujan (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
  • State Representative Theresa Ulmer (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
  • State Senator Linda Grey (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)

Arkansas
  • State Representative Karen Hopper R-District 81 (Date: July 2010; Sponsor: Raindrop Turkish House; Source: click here)

California
  • State Senator Bob Huff R-District 29 (Date: 2011; Source: Nov 24, 2011)
  • Congressman Bob Filner (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute; Dates: Dec 2010, Apr 2011; Source: May 11, 2012)
  • Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute; Date: 2009; Source: Apr 3, 2010)
  • Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute)

Colorado
  • State Legislator Cherylin Peniston (Sponsor: Multicultural Mosaic Foundation; Source: Apr 19, 2009)

Delaware
  • 4 State Representatives, 1 State Senator; names unknown. Date: Aug 2012? Sponsors: ATFA DE (American Turkish Friendship Association Delaware); MAFTAA (Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations). Source: MAFTAA website, post dated Aug 28, 2012.

Florida
  • Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford (Sponsor: Amity Turkish Cultural Center; Source: May 11, 2010)
  • State Representative Jennifer Carroll (Sponsor: Amity Turkish Cultural Center; Source: May 11, 2010)
  • State Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed (Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians; May 2012, source)

Georgia
  • State Senator Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga (Source: Jan 3, 2012)
Date: May 13-21, 2012
Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Dr. Mustafa Sahin, guide)
Source: Istanbul Center website

  • Senators Donzella James
  • Senator Gloria Butler
  • Senator Valencia Seay
  • Senator Horacena Tate
  • Senator Miriam Paris
  • Senator Nan Orrock
  • Representative Michele Henson

Idaho

Date: September 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill R-District 27
  • Sen. John McGee R-District 10
  • Sen. Diane Bilyeu D-District 29
  • Sen. Lee Heider R-District 24
  • Rep. Janice McGeachin
  • Sen. Curt McKenzie
  • Rep. Donna Pence
  • Sen. Joe Stegner
  • Sen. Michelle Stennett
  • Sen. John Tippetts

Date: Spring 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
  • Rep. Dennis Lake
  • Sen. Edgar Malepeai
  • Rep. John Rusche

Illinois
  • Several lawmakers including State Senator Bill Brady (Date: 2008; Source Jun 16, 2009)
  • State Senator James Meeks (Source: Mar 21, 2012 blog entry)
  • State House Rep. Jack Franks (Source: Mar 21, 2012 blog entry)
  • State Senator Pamela Althoff (R) (source)
  • State Rep. Michael Madigan (D) (source)

Kentucky
  • 1 State Senator; name unknown. Date: Aug 2012? Sponsors: ATFA DE (American Turkish Friendship Association Delaware); MAFTAA (Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations). Source: MAFTAA website, post dated Aug 28, 2012.

Louisiana
  • Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden (Sponsor: Atlas Foundation; Source: Apr 4, 2010)

Maine
Date: summer 2012 Sponsor: Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA) Estimated trip value: $3300/person Source: Kennebec Journal, Feb 17, 2013
  • State Senator Joseph Brannigan, D-Portland and spouse
  • State Representative Dennis Keschl, R-Belgrade and spouse
  • State Representative Jane Knapp, R-Gorham

Maryland

Date: Spring 2011
Sponsors: Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants (MARTI), Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA)
Source: Baltimore Sun
  • Delegate Gail Bates
  • Maryland Secretary of State John P. McDonough
  • Five Maryland legislators (names unknown)
  • Senator James M. Robey
Minnesota
  • State Senator Sandy Pappas (Summer 2010; Sponsor: Niagara Foundation; Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet)
  • State Representative Jerry Newton (Sponsor: Niagara Foundation)
Missouri
June 5 -16, 2008. Sponsors: Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Raindrop Turkish House, Source: Raindrop Turkish House website. Some attendees:
  • Senator Jolie Justus
  • Prosecutor Beth Murano, Kansas City
  • Kansas City Council Women Melba Curls
  • Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz
Nebraska
  • State Senator Amanda McGill (read her testimonial in the Gulenist propaganda newspaper Today's Zaman, July 31, 2011)
New Hampshire
  • State Representative Lenette Peterson (R) (source)
  • State Representative Wyman E Shuler III (source1, source2) and spouse. May 22-June 1, 2012; Trip value: $9020.00; Sponsor: Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA)
New Jersey
  • State Senator Loretta Weinberg (source: Aug 1, 2011)
  • Mayor of Borough of Closter Sophie Heymann (source)
New Mexico

Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans And Eurasians
Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican, June 1, 2011

Date: Fall 2010
  • State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino
  • Senate President pro-tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell,
  • State Senator George Muñoz, D-Gallup
  • others (names unknown)

Date: 2011 (first half of year)
  • State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque
  • Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Española
  • other state legislators (names unknown)

Date: June 2011
  • State Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque
  • State Senator Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque

Date: unknown
  • State Senator Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque
New York
  • Honorable Assemblyman Kevin Cahill D-District 101("observations from his trips to Turkey;" Source: CTAA website)
  • Other state legislators; names unknown. ("NY State Legislators made final presentations on their experiences from their recent trips to Turkey;" Source: CTAA website)
  • Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (source: June 19, 2012) Date: prior to 2012. Sponsor: Turkish Cultural Center Albany
North Carolina

Date: Oct 2011 Sponsor: Divan Center (source1, source2)
  • House Speaker Thom Tillis (R) Oct 2011
  • Rules Committee Chairman, Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland)
  • Rep. Chuck McGrady (R)
  • Rep. Mitch Gillespie (R-Marion)
  • 4 other NC House representatives, Republicans (names as yet unknown)
Oklahoma
  • Chad Smith, Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation (Sponsor: Institute of Interfaith Dialog; Source: here)
  • State Senator Sean Burrage D-District 2 (Sponsor: Institute of Interfaith Dialog; Source: here)
  • Senator Gary Stanislawski R-District 35 (source)
Sponsor: Institute of Interfaith Dialog. Date: Dec 2008/Jan 2009. (source)
  • Secretary of State Susan Savage
  • Attorney General Drew Edmondson
  • Director, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Darrell Weaver
  • Deputy Director, Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation Tom Jordan
Pennsylvania
  • State Senator Mike Brubaker (Sponsors: Turkish Cultural Center of Pennsylvania and Red Rose Intercultural and Educational Foundation; Guide Sait Onal; Source here)
South Carolina

Date: October 2011
Sponsor: South Carolina Dialogue Foundation and "unidentified sponsors in Turkey
Trip value: $7,047 per person
Source: Rick Brundrett, TheNerve.org, viewed here.

  • State Senator Creighton Coleman, D-Fairfield
  • State Senator Mike Fair, R-Greenville
  • State Senator Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg
  • State Senator John Land, D-Clarendon
  • State Senator Phil Leventis, D-Sumter
  • State Senator John Matthews, D-Orangeburg
  • State Senator Mike Rose, R-Dorchester
  • State Senator Vince Sheheen, D-Kershaw
Tennessee
Source: NewsChannel5, Nashville, Apr 29, 2013
Date: 2012
  • Rep. Harry Brooks (R) House Education Committee Chairman
  • Rep. Joe Armstrong D-Knoxville
  • Sen. Reginald Tate, D-Memphis
  • Rep. Josh Evans, R-Greenbrier
  • Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville

Accepted invitation to go on May 2013 trip:
Trip value: $4000 per person
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (providing funds) +
Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast (sending invitations)
Rep. Harry Brooks is "helping to coordinate" this trip
  • Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis
  • Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville
  • Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown
  • Rep. Vance Dennis, R-Savannah
  • Rep. Roger Kane, R-Knoxville
  • Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis
  • Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis
  • Rep. Johnnie Turner, D-Memphis
  • Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, R-Lancaster
  • Tennessee Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons
  • Tennessee Assistant Safety Commissioner David Purkey
Texas
  • State Senator Rodney Ellis D-District 13 (source)
  • State Representative Alma Allen D-District 131 (source)
  • State Senator Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay (Sponsor: Turquoise Council; source)
  • Austin Mayor Will Wynn (source)
  • State Senator Leticia van de Putte
  • State Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, and his wife (source)
  • Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent of the Austin Independent School District, with 10 staff members (note: she is actually appointed by elected officials, not elected herself) (source 1; source 2)
Virginia

Date: May 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: May 5, 2012, Virginia Public Access Project
  • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D)
  • Senator Richard L Saslaw (D-Fairfax) (Value: $3700)
  • Senator Barbara Ann Favola (D-Arlington) (Value: $3700)
  • Delegate Robert H. Brink (D-Arlington) (Value: $1850)

Date: 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Virginia Public Access Project
  • State Senator Henry L Marsh, III (D) $4,875
  • State Senator Frank W Wagner (R) $3,700
  • Delegate Riley E Ingram (R) $1,850
  • Delegate James P Massie, III (R) $1,850
  • Delegate Joseph D Morrissey (D) $1,800

Date: unknown
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Feb 23, 2012
  • City of Fairfax Police Department Chief Rick Rappoport

Date: 2011
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
  • Delegate David L Bulova (D) + spouse Value: $3,000
  • Delegate David Lawrence Englin (D) Value: $2,500
  • State Senator David W Marsden (D) Value: $1,650

Date: 2010
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association ("The organization spent more than $36,000 to take state officials on trips during the year, making it the largest donor of 2010." - Sun Gazette, Feb 7, 2011)
Trip value: $5000 (per person)
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch; Sun Gazette
  • Sen. Janet D. Howell (D) with spouse
  • Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D)
  • Del. James M. Scott (D)
  • Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31st) with spouse Tom
  • State Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-30th)
  • Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49th) (declared value $2,500)
  • Delegate Betsy Brooks Carr (D) (declared value $2,500)
  • Delegate Mark D Sickles (D) (declared value $2,500)
  • State Senator Patricia S Ticer (D) (declared value $2,500)
  • State Senator John C Watkins (R) (declared value $2,500)
  • Delegate Vivian E Watts (D) (declared value $2,500)
  • State Senator J Chapman Petersen (D) (declared value $1,650)
West Virginia
  • Delegate John Ellem, R-Wood (source) June 2012; Sponsor: Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA)





Gulen politicians and the trips keep on rolling.......

Below is just a small example of the money spent by Gulen Lobbying front groups: Council of Turkic American Associations, Istanbul Center, Maryland institute for Dialogue, Rumi Forum, Pacifica Institute and maniy many more.  This is all public record that must be reported by members of Congress.  The amount of trips, awards to these politicians is staggering, we could feed many poor families in Turkey with this.  However, as many would say it is American money they are using via taxes intended for public education siphoned off and money laundered through their various front groups.  Some politicians are very naive about the Gulen Movement and just believe they are a bunch of nice guys promoting dialogue and others are finding out every day about the dangers of the Turkish Lobbying aka the Gulen Movement.
You can find updated information on Legistorm.com

http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/congressional-turkey-trips.html





March 19, 2011 last updated June 21, 2011
by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools

Summary

- based on information from Legistorm website, accessed June 20, 2011
- search covered period 01/01/2000 - 06/20/2011

Sponsor of Congressional Travel Total value # Trips # Dem # Rep
Council of Turkic American Associations $26,660 9 7 2
Institute of Interfaith Dialog for World Peace $26,160 10 2 8
Istanbul Center $5,171 1 1 0
Maryland Institute for Dialogue $20,995 8 4 4
Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA) $35,513 13 13 0
Pacifica Institute $16,840 7 4 3
Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue $76,390 24 10 14
Turkish American Federation of Midwest $46,718 17 15 2
Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) $30,682 9 5 3
Turkish Cultural Center New York $29,990 11 6 5
Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians $67,378 19 4 15
Total $382,497 128 71 56


Here are details for each sponsor:


Institute of Interfaith Dialog for World Peace

Congressman/Approver Party State Traveler/Staffer Dates Cost
Carter, Rep. John Rep TX Alsup, Christopher William (Chris) 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00
Carter, Rep. John Rep TX Stalnaker, Ryan D. 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00
Conaway, Rep. Mike Rep TX Balzano, Paul N. 08/07/09-08/20/09 $2,680.00
Conaway, Rep. Mike Rep TX Graves, Scott C. 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00
Hall, Rep. Ralph Rep TX Schell, Christopher R. (Chris) 08/07/09-08/21/09 $2,250.00
Heinrich, Rep. Martin Dem NM Samp, Anthony Pasquale (Tony) 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00
Johnson, Rep. Sam Rep TX Williams, Mark Ramon 08/08/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00
Johnson, Rep. Sam Rep TX Ray, Lindsey 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,670.00
Oberstar, Rep. Jim Dem MN Cronin, Mary C. 08/22/09-08/30/09 $2,480.00
Roskam, Rep. Peter Rep IL Johnson, Brigitta A. 08/07/09-08/15/09 $2,680.00


Maryland Institute for Dialog

Congressman/Approver Party State Traveler/Staffer Dates Cost
Brady, Rep. Bob Dem PA Barcliff, Nicole E. 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,550.00
Baird, Rep. Brian Dem WA Austin, Lisa Ann td> 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,550.00
Cohen, Rep. Steve Dem TN Cooks, Shirley W. 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,745.00
Campbell, Rep. John Bayard Taylor Rep CA Kaplan, Caitlin Horton 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,550.00
Baldwin, Rep. Tammy Green Dem TWi Murat, William M. (Bill) 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,725.00
Foxx, Rep. Virginia Rep NC Poole, William Todd (Todd) 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,550.00
Whitfield, Rep. Ed Rep KY Robertson, James E. 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,775.00
Bachus, Rep. Spencer Rep AL Staley, Michael Christopher 08/04/07-08/11/07 $2,550.00


Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations - MAFTAA

Congressman/Approver Party State Traveler/Staffer Dates Cost
Butterfield, Rep. G.K. Dem NC Lilley, Laurence E. (Lee) 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,930.00
Chandler, Rep. Ben Dem KY Krimm, Jennifer 04/22/11-04/28/11 $2,930.00
Connolly, Rep. Gerry Dem VA Walkinshaw, James R. 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,930.00
Critz, Rep. Mark Dem PA Mazonkey, Matthew Stephen (Matt) 11/05/10-11/12/10 $2,679.00
Hagan, Sen. Kay Dem NC Peña, Roger J. 11/05/10-11/13/10 $2,159.00
Kissell, Rep. Larry Dem NC Pfister, Zachary S. (Zach) 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,930.00
McIntyre, Rep. Mike Dem NC Helms, Kaitlin 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,930.00
Moran, Rep. Jim Dem VA Durrer, Austin John 11/05/10-11/12/10 $2,679.00
Moran, Rep. Jim Dem VA Garofalo, Thomas M. (Tom) 11/05/10-11/12/10 $2,679.00
Nye, Rep. Glenn Dem VA Ross, Daniel E. (Dan) 11/05/10-11/13/10 $2,509.00
Price, Rep. David Dem NC Hildebrand, Asher Deva 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,930.00
Shuler, Rep. Heath Dem NC Fishman, Julie M. 11/05/10-11/13/10 $2,679.00
Webb, Sen. Jim Dem VA Reagan, Paul J. 11/05/10-11/13/10 $2,549.00


Pacifica Institute / West America Turkic Council

Congressman/Approver Party State Traveler/Staffer Dates Cost
Coffman, Rep. Mike Rep CO Mandelson, Paul Winslow 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,452.00
Young, Rep. Don Rep AK Raabe, Aprille C. 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,452.00
Young, Rep. Don Rep AK Suslavich, Jason R. 04/22/11-05/01/11$2,452.00
Bass, Rep. Karen Dem CA Wood, Jennifer Punsalan (Jenny) 04/22/11-05/01/11 $2,452.00
Filner, Rep. Bob Dem CA Filner, Rep. Bob 04/15/11-04/24/11 $3,700.00
Grijalva, Rep. Raúl Dem AZ Guerrero, Bertha Alisia 04/15/11-04/24/11$2,452.00
Filner, Rep. Bob Dem CA Filner, Rep. Bob 12/22/10-12/31/10 $880.00


Rumi Forum

Congressman/Approver Party State Traveler/Staffer Dates Cost
Berry, Rep. Marion Dem AR Causey, Christopher Chad (Chad) 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Boehner, Rep. John Rep OH Herrle, Cynthia Anne (Cindy) 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Coleman, Sen. Norm Rep MN Navarro, Ana M. 08/16/05-08/23/05 $2,410.00
Davis, Rep. Susan A. Dem CA Hazard, William Daniel (Daniel) 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Davis, Rep. Tom Rep VA Bennett, Aimee Brooke (Brooke) 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Fallin, Rep. Mary Rep OK Weatherford, Austin Blake 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Fallin, Rep. Mary Rep OK Weintz, Alexander H. (Alex) 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Grijalva, Rep. Raúl Dem AZ Montano, Gloria I. 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Hensarling, Rep. Jeb Rep TX Buchanan, Michael Dee (Dee) 08/16/08-08/23/08 $3,430.00
Jones, Rep. Walter B. Rep NC Downs, Glen Alan 08/16/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Kind, Rep. Ron Dem WI Spaziani, Kathryn J. (Kate) 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
King, Rep. Pete Rep Rep NY Gundersen, Kevin 08/16/08-08/23/08 $3,350.00
Lucas, Rep. Frank D. Rep OK Scott, Margaret Nicole (Nicole) 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
McCollum, Rep. Betty Dem MN McCollum, Rep. Betty 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
McCollum, Rep. Betty Dem MN Rashid, Lina Choudhry 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Meeks, Rep. Gregory Dem NY Williams, Jihad Saleh (Saleh) 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Rogers, Rep. Mike Rep MI Keiser, Andrew Justin (Andy) 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Royce, Rep. Ed Rep CA Strupp, Hunter McLane 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Schmidt, Rep. Jean Rep OH Bennett, Barry Patrick 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00
Tancredo, Rep. Tom Rep CO Houlton, Tyler Q. 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Thompson, Rep. Bennie Dem MS Pluviose-Fenton, Veronique 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,390.00
Thompson, Rep. Bennie Dem MS Salayandia-Darmanin, Marisela (Marisela) 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,390.00
Udall, Rep. Mark Emery Dem CO Salazar, Alan 05/24/08-06/01/08 $3,020.00
Whitfield, Rep. Ed Rep KY Sparkman, John Stephen 08/15/08-08/23/08 $3,400.00

It is baffling that while the Rumi Forum spent at least $73,980 (and the actual value of these trips may be greater than the declared value) to pay for trips of Congressional staffers and one Congresswoman in the year 2008, nevertheless it declared on its 2008 IRS Form 990 $0 in expenses for "Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state or local public officials." Even supposing that perhaps Congressional staffers are not legally classified by the IRS as "public officials," Congresswoman Betty McCollum certainly was. The Rumi Forum also declared $0 in "lobbying" expenses.
Picture

Does the IRS truly accept that all these Congressional trips are not lobbying, but rather just "educational"? Not to mention all the other activities that politicians are invited to - seminars, conferences, dinners,...

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Mitch Ceasar, Florida Democratic Chairman is new Lobbyist for Gulen Schools in Florida

 


 
Mitch Ceasar is taking a chance with the wealthy retired Jews in Florida that are in his district and that did admire him.  Israel and Jews don't exactly have a great relationship with Turkey.  Here is hoping that politician Mitch Caesar is really sticking to the Gulen Movement with fees $$$.


A proposed Broward charter school with ties to Fethullah Gulen, the mysterious Islamic cleric, hired Broward
 
Democrat Chairman Mitchell Ceasar as its lobbyist before the Broward County School Board. Known as “Gulen
 
Schools”, followers of Gulen have built thousands of charter schools all over the world. Last May, CBS News 60
 
 Minutes television program documented the growing Gulen school movement in the United States. 60 Minutes
 
said Gulen, living in seclusion in the Poconos mountains,appears only via video webcasts. Gulen, a Turkish
 
citizen, was accused of treason by calling for an Islamic coup of the Turkish government. The report
 
 
mentioned classified emails released by Wikileaks which disclosed some in the Turkish government see Gulen
 
as“political leader such as Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini.”
The 60 Minutes report covered accusations that Gulen schools abuse U.S. immigration laws by bringing in t
 
housands of Turkish citizens to teach math and science at the charter schools. An official with a Texas charter
 
school group called the claim not sure” saying Turkish citizens are brought over because of a lack of
 
“qualified” American teachers. But 60 Minutes found that visa applications for Gulen teachers listed them as
 
 
“English teachers.
” Oops! Some American teachers claim Gulen teachers are forced to give a portion of their salaries back to the
 
Gulen movement.
Paging the Broward Teachers Union!
Dating back to 2007, Gulen followers, under the name of Riverside Science Inc., have been trying to open a
 
charter school in Broward County.
Their first try, Riverside Science Academy, failed after school officials were unable to secure a lease. Just
 
before the start of the 2012-13 school year, the group’s second try, “Broward Math And Science School”, was
 
denied the right to open a Margate campus. CBS 4 News reported, “The district said each school failed to
 
submit documentation of certain provisions they had to meet before the July 20th  deadline. The schools in
 
question were given several reminders of the deadline and notified that ‘Failure to provide the required
 
documents within the specific timeframe terminated the charter agreement.’”
So like any other business seeking government influence, Riverside Science Inc. decided they needed a
 
lobbyist. According to Broward Schools lobbyist records, the group hired Mitch Ceasar in December 2012.
Caesar, a Plantation attorney, is also the chairman of the Broward Democrat Executive Committee.
Sure, local Republicans and Tea Party groups will be quick to blast Caesar for helping the controversial Gulen
 
followers. However, even liberals may find fault with the Gulen schools.
The New York Times reported on State of Georgia audits which found Gulen charter schools funneled money
 
and contracts to other Gulen followers. “The audit, released Tuesday by the Fulton County Schools near
 
Atlanta, found the schools made purchases like T-shirts, teacher training and video production services from
 
organizations with connections to school officials or Gulen followers. Those included more than $500,000 in
 
contracts since January 2010 with the Grace Institute, a foundation whose board has included school
leaders. In some cases the awards skirted bidding requirements, the audit said.”
Why is Mitch Caesar so eager to help followers of a shadowy Muslim cleric funnel taxpayer dollars to Turkey
 
and who knows where? Broward school dollars should be spent in
Broward, not in the Poconos mountains or Turkey.



 

Friday, May 10, 2013

New Gulenist operated charter charter school in Chicago is pushed by Alderman Cardenas of the 12 Ward, naughty politiicans!!!!

Alderman Cardenas of the 12 ward of Chicago is pushing the new Gulen operated Charter School which happens to be on a Toxic Waste Site.  Cardenas joins the list of Gulen Politicians while the good community of McKinley Park fights the sneaking in of another Horizon Science Academy

In an ongoing investigation by Substance News of Chicago Alderman George Cardenas (12thWard) rushing to push through a zoning change of an industrial site to charter school, it is has been found that 2245 W. Pershing Rd is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program site (EPA ID Number 1000900874) . The EPA designation of TRI identifies facilities that release toxic chemicals to the air, water, and land in reportable quantities under SARA Title III, Section 313. The source of this database is the U.S. EPA.

TRI -- The physical location where toxic chemicals are manufactured, processed, or otherwise used. (Certain data in TRI_FACILITY were submitted on EPA Form R or Form A, Part I, Section 4, 'Facility Identification'. See specific 'Data Source' for each column.)
http://oaspub.epa.gov/...

“Ald. George Cardenas (12th), whose ward includes the proposed McKinley Park charter, was hesitant to talk about the controversy for fear of alienating Emanuel. “I don’t want to have conflict. It doesn’t help anybody,” he said. “I support the school and I’m going to find out what’s going on. I will work with the administration to assuage any concerns they would have.”


"Concept Schools NFP", is a charter school operator that is trying to have zoning at 2245 W. Pershing changed so a former industrial building, now a a abandoned vacant warehouse, can become the "Horizon Science Charter School Academy" for the start of the new 2013 -2014 school year. The zoning change will allow a charter school with an enrollment of 750 children: 18 classrooms, 4 science/computer laboratory rooms, a library, a cafeteria (with kitchen).

What is even more disturbing to the fact the site of a future school is labeled as toxic. Is the fact that there are at least 3 dozen sites within a one mile radius of the future charter school that are also label toxic by this environmental assessment. In a zoning hearing held just a few days earlier the public was reassured by Alderman Cardenas that this site was safe for children. Both Alderman Cardenas and Salim Ucan, vice president of Concept Charter Schools that all the proper procedures and studies were followed to secure this location as a school for over 400 K-8 students by September 2013.

Not only is there now a clear danger to the children and staff that will be forced to be work and learn in toxic site but Alderman Cardenas through his attorney is now refusing to provide the 1000 signatures that he testified to eth Zoning Committee on April 30, 2013 that were collected in support of the proposed McKinley Park charter school. The Mr. Ucan stated during the public proceedings that he had more than 1,000 signatures supporting the opening of the school. Yet when Alderman Cardenas’ office was contacted to provide proof of the signatures Jessica L. Cummings, Esq. Director of Communications & Policy on May 3, 2013 refused to provide the documents using a legal argument that the documents were not required to be provided to the public.

Read entire story here, and toxiology reports of the purposed Gulen operated charter school that Alderman George Cardenas is trying to push through. 


Now about the Mckinley community that doesn’t want the Gulen Charter school in their neighborhood, showed up at school meeting