Candian Arab Federation: Whoopsie Poo!

CAF Disassociates Itself From Recent Comments

The Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) is proud of its Canadian identity and heritage and would like to disassociate itself from recent comments attributed to one of its members. The comments made are in no way reflective of CAF nor its feelings towards Canada. CAF sent out a Canada Day Greeting to its members and general public on June 30th 2009 and continues to wish all Canadians a Happy Canada Day.

They're referring to this, of course.

Note to CAF: hard times build character, but it is possible to have too much character.

Which Side Of The Wedge?

I am torn over the whole Jason Kenney/CAF showdown. Undoubtedly, Kenney is playing a crude form of wedge politics and his unilateral withholding of funds sets an unhealthy precedent.

On the other hand, CAFs leadership as currently constituted are a bunch of dicks and have used their public funds (and the public profile that dispensing these funds has given them) for unsavory extracurricular politicking.

This story from The Embassy is about as sympathetic account as CAF and Co. are likely to get.

Farber On CAF

I have concerns that Jason Kenny's threat to cut funding for the Canadian Arab Federation constitutes an ill-advised ministerial end-run around whatever legal requirements a group like CAF must meet in order to secure funding in the first place. Nevertheless, Bernie seems correct in arguing that current president Khaled Mouammar is using his position to pursue an occasionally unsavory "personal agenda".

Never mind the "Professional Whore" crack, Mouammar

...was linked by a Canadian Press story to the circulation by e-mail of a flyer during the 2006 Liberal leadership convention targeting candidate Bob Rae's wife for her involvement with CJC.

I would hope CAF would use its moment in the unfriendly glare of the media spot-light to look within its ranks for a new president, preferably someone more attentive to the organization's core mission and less bent on personal crusades.