THE WISDOM FUND: News & Views
Released August 9, 2000
The Wisdom Fund, P. O. Box 2723, Arlington, VA 22202
Website: http://www.twf.org -- Press Contact: Enver Masud

WRMEA Scores Congress on Muslim Issues

Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI), and Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) received special mention for the highest positive scores on Muslim and/or Arab issues according to the August/September issue of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.

WRMEA scored U.S. senators positively if they opposed the release of convicted Israeli spy Jonathon Pollard, did not sign the letter to President Clinton on moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, condemned anti-Muslim intolerance, supported free trade with Jordan, opposed profiling of air travellers. Senators scored negatively if they protested the use of anti-Semitic language by Palestinians, opposed the use of UN Resolution 181 (the orginal Palestine partition plan) in the peace process, supported keeping the ban on travel to Libya.

At least three positive scores, and no negatives, identified the "good guys" as follows: Spencer Abraham (R-MI), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Linclon Chafee (R-RI), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Charles Robb (D-VA), Strom Thurmond (R-SC), and Paul Wellstone (D-MN).

The "bad guys" were identified as: Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Connie Mack (R-FL), and Arlen Specter (R-PA).

WRMEA scored U.S. representatives on their support for Palestinian statehood, opposition to the use of secret evidence in immigration cases, recognition of the contributions of Muslims, opposition to profiling. They scored negatively for condemning Palestinian use of anti-Semitic language, supporting Isreli claims to Jerusalem, supporting the linking of Arab aid to the issue of missing Israeli soldiers.

At least two positive scores, and no negatives, identified the "good guys" as follows: David Bonior (D-MI), Julia Carson (D-IN), John Conyers (D-MI), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Tom Davis (R-VA), John Dingell (D-MI), Amo Houghton (R-NY), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), George Miller (D-CA), Patsy Mink (D-HI), Jim Moran (D-VA, Bob Ney (R-OH), Ron Paul (R-TX), Nick Rahall (D-VW), Robert Scott (D-VA), John Sununu (R-NH), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Mel Watt (D-NC).

The "bad guys" were identified as: Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Peter Deutsch (D-FL), Michael Forbes (D-NY), Bob Franks (R-NJ), Gene Green (D-TX), Stephen Horn (R-CA), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Rick Lazio (R-NY), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Bob Schaffer (R-CO), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY).

These scores were prepared for the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs by Shirl McArthur--a retired foreign service officer and consultant. Presumably, Muslim organizations are preparing their own scores. Both should be helpful to Muslims as they decide who to support or oppose in the upcoming November elections.

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