Whew! It’s been four ‘very fast’ months since we went from a twinkle in the blogosphere’s eye to today. I want to share with you a glimpse of our newsletter, our latest way to keep in touch with 910 Group members.

If you would like to join us ‘to get active’! — come to www.910group.com/forum and register. (To avoid delay, since we manually approve everyone; similar to a strip search at the airports, include a few notes in the registration pages about your background, interests, and what you can offer in practical terms to this MOVEMENT. If you include a blog or website url, and your country/location, we can more efficiently get you into one of our intrepid pioneer outfits — and you can keep your shoes on.)

CONTACT US WITH ACTION ALERTS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION:

In the forum, post your suggestions for the newsletter here: http://forum.910group.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=61

Progress Report

ACTION ALERT #1: Sign the Pledge Urging Support for the war in Iraq

ACTION ALERT #2: Write to Protest the Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia Conference

ACTION ALERT #3: Looking for Videos on “Clash of Civilizations” Debate

ACTION ALERT #4: Oppose Legislation that will Stop Profiling of Criminals and Terrorists

UPDATE #1: Meeting with Rep. Virgil Goode (R. VA) on Islamist terror compounds

UPDATE #2: Three Ex-Terrorists Speaking Tour

UPDATE #3: SIAD and Free Speech: updated email address to support them.

910 Weekly Roundup

The 910 Group began in late September 2006 as a response to a simple but powerful question posted on a blog: ‘What can we do?’. We all recognized the threat, were in agreement about core issues, and wanted to DO something. An initial group who frequented The Gates of Vienna blog recognized that some others, especially from the Infidel Bloggers Alliance, were in agreement – we were ready for action. We quickly made a decision that we could – we must – do something!

Since then, here is what we have done in four very short, very active months:

1. You responded with emails, letters and published letters to the editor (Roanoke Times) to defend Rep. Virgil Goode’s protest against Rep. Keith Ellison’s swearing in on a Koran.
2. Our blogger members put additional pressure on Rep. Ellison to intercede on behalf of women treated unjustly under Islamic laws of sharia.
3. Your support for Nazanin, the Iranian girl unjustly accused of murder, helped prevent her execution. Your continual pressure will result in her release from jail.
4. You have made your views known on Section 20 of U.S. Bill S 1, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007. The bill may penalize grassroots lobbying efforts, especially of small citizen’s groups like the 910 Group.
5. Many of you wrote to support Denmark’s SIAD organization’s right to assemble against radical Islamists, after their own government did not protect them from attacks.
6. Several members are starting to track U.S. state legislature initiatives, starting with bills limiting the right to do terrorist or criminal profiling.
7. Many members wrote to support the right of free speech for Canadian Pastor Donald McKay and ex-terrorist Zachariah Anani, to present their lectures on Islam.
8. Several members plan to attend the Washington, D.C. rally on Saturday, January 27, 2007, in support of victory in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror, and a counter-gathering along the route of an ‘antiwar’ march later that day.

1. THE 910 YAHOO GROUP & 910 GROUP FORUM:
   The 910 Forum is our private discussion board where ideas are discussed and refined into focused, effective projects. This forum superseded our initial six weeks of vibrant discussion which occurred on the yahoogroups elist (which is being deactivated). We have nearly 1,000 members now, roughly 700 are registered at the 910 Group Forum, over 200 have contributed to identifying priorities, and several dozens are regularly engaged in productive discussion.
2. THE 910 GROUP PROJECTS PORTAL:
   Starting in late December, members began turning ideas into focused projects on the 910 Portal. This secure, private collaborative workspace has several teams developing research projects and reports. (To work on a project, first join in and participate on the 910 Group forum, and then contact staff or directors to express your interest in a specific project.)
3. THE 910 GROUP’s PUBLIC PRESENCE:
   The 910 blog has been revamped and is becoming more active each day. Please visit and contribute to the growing wealth of commentary tailored for the blogosphere. Our major interface with the mainstream public will be the Vigilant Freedom website. (The Center for Vigilant Freedom is the name of our newly formed non-profit organization.) This content-rich website will provide the public and our coalition partners with information and support. We plan to have our initial presence unveiled in early February.
4. INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE, GROUP PARTNERS, and ADVISORS:
   We recognize that our strength is in our members and our relationships with group partners. Neither the 910 Group, nor the Center for Vigilant Freedom, is designed to duplicate or reinvent any wheels! We want to identify, prioritize, and leverage the entrepreneurial spirit in our individuals and the productivity already demonstrated in the many groups with projects underway. We are increasing relationships with other group leaders to form a cadre of experts so we may serve as a network of the networks. We will be establishing a formal Board of Advisors soon, to ensure the experience and maturity already developed by so many is capitalized upon.

SO – to sum up this first 1/3 of a year – we wish to recognize the intrepid pioneers who have all asked, “What can I do?” and said, “I want to do more”. The goal of the existing staff is to help you do just that. This is where we have real success. We ARE a movement of the willing, and we are cooperating – by using our variety of experience and perspectives, we are strengthening our resolve and moving forward. Four months ago none of us was focused as one vital group to prioritize and leverage the needed action. But now we are.

It’s up to you, to each of us, working together to make the difference we want to see in the world. We cannot afford to wait for mainstream media to inform public opinion, we cannot waste time complaining about the government, and we shouldn’t expect someone else to tell us what to do or how to make our lives and our world better. We are creating this as we go, and each of us must take responsibility for stopping jihad. That’s the real progress of 910: individuals willing to step up and take responsibility to protect the way of life we love, to fight for our freedoms, and make the differences needed for the future.

For those who may have become frustrated with us due to our ‘unformed newness’ and necessary questioning or apparent confusion, please consider returning to active participation. We are an all-volunteer organization, and it is only our combined, cooperative energy that will ensure success. And, as ever, deepest appreciation to all who are so selflessly providing time and talent and funding to further this vision of success.

Our results are only just beginning to show. Just imagine — where will we be a year from now? Even in another two months? We must envision the future, and work diligently, boldly, to ensure that freedom prevails.

The currently proposed resolutions in the US Senate, by Senators Biden and Warner, are barely-masked attempts to ensure failure in Iraq. Is that acceptable? Hugh Hewitt doesn’t think so. In a powerful piece he lays out the case against anti-war proposals. Please follow his lead by signing a pledge that states the issue clearly. Over 12,000 have already signed. See Hugh Hewitt’s full posting here:

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/f2010221-89c7-4c6b-a351-5c48d2ba61fc

Here for the pledge to sign: http://truthlaidbear.com/thenrscpledge/

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, a Sunni group with terrorist ties — that openly advocates overthrowing the Democratic Australian Government and replacing it with an Islamic caliphate — is hosting a ‘Khilafah Conference Program’ on the 28th of January. Details here:

http://www.risala.org/khilafah-conference//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=29

Australian members and supporters from around the world can protest the conference by contacting IMMEDIATELY The Hon. Morris Iemma, BEc, LLB MP, member of the Legislative Assembly for Lakemba, and Minister for Citizenship.

Contact Mr. Iemma, Member for Lakemba

Address 48 Thurlow Street,

RIVERWOOD NSW 2210

Phone (02) 9584 1788 Fax (02) 9584 1945

Email lakemba@parliament.nsw.gov.au

http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/0/E55B7298155D99934A25674500016574

Also — post to the 910 Group Forum what you have written, and then add a follow up with any reply you receive. Our goal is to not only encourage action, but to follow up with what responses the governmental representatives provide.

Saturday January 20. Renowned historian, author, and Islamic expert Daniel Pipes debated the current Mayor of London Ken Livingstone about the “Clash of Civilizations”. Although around 150 representatives of the media attended, there has been little to no media coverage. Fortunately, a 910 member was in attendance and we have some video that we will make available. If you see any media coverage, videos or transcripts available, contact our PR Coordinator, dkshideler in the 910 Forum.

Here is an update from Pipes’ blog: http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/724

“… One organizer on the mayor’s staff told me that the audience numbered about five thousand and that over 150 media had registered for the conference. Despite the many journalists and video cameras, and despite the GLA having recorded and simultaneously transcribed the event, and despite two and a half days having passed since it took place, there has been – quite to my surprise – not a single media account of the debate, nor a video made available, nor a transcript.”

A few bloggers who attended the debate offered their perspectives:

http://adloyada.typepad.com/adloyada/2007/01/daniel_pipes_su.html

http://oliverkamm.typepad.com/blog/2007/01/livingstones_fo.html

http://sharonchadha.blogspot.com/2007/01/clash-of-civilizations.html

Also: WRITE to the media outlets, especially the TV channels and newspapers in the UK – and ask them why this event was considered so ‘un-newsworthy’, when it had 150 media representatives, 5,000 attendees, and was hosted by the Mayor of London! What do they base their decision upon? With any contacts, please post it to the 910 Group Forum so we can document their responses and force them into more accountability.

New York State Anti-Profiling Bill

In our January 19 Newsletter, we asked US members to check if their State legislatures are considering bills to limit criminal and terrorist profiling. We need to track these bills, so check your state legislatures at Project Vote Smart: http://votesmart.org/mystate_government_resources.php

Mitchell Langbert, one of our 910 Group advisors ( http://www.democracy-project.com ), found that the New York State Assembly will be considering a new anti-profiling bill soon. New York residents are encouraged to contact their representatives regarding this issue as soon as possible.

Bill A00627 Summary: Prohibits police officers from using racial and ethnic profiling; requires that a procedure be established for the taking and review of complaints against police officers for racial and ethnic profiling; allows an action for injunctive relief and/or damages to be brought against a law enforcement agency, any agent of a law enforcement agency and the supervisor of an agent.

Come to the forum, and let us know what you have written and what reply you receive.

The 910 Group members sent many emails and letters supporting Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA) when he opposed the use of a Koran for Rep. Keith Ellison’s swearing in. On January 23, members of the 910 Group, along with one of our coalition partners, Christian Action Network, met with Representative Goode to discuss new findings of Jamaat ul Fuqra compounds in Virginia and elsewhere in the U.S. Jamaat ul Fuqra is a terrorist organization founded by a notorious Pakistani cleric, Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani, although the Clinton administration removed its designation as a terrorist organization in 2000. More on the meeting and JUF at Gates of Vienna:

http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2007/01/visit-with-virgil-goode.html

In the January 20 newsletter, we asked you to lend your support to ex-terrorist Zachariah Anani, who was silenced by CAIR-CAN from speaking at a small church in Windsor, Ontario. On January 30, members near Dearborn, Michigan can go to hear him speak, along with two other former terrorists:

Three Ex-Terrorists Speaking Tour

Walid Shoebat, Zachariah Anani and Kamal Saleem are 3 former terrorists who now promote freedom and tolerance using their personal experiences to lend credibility to the message. Next week, they will be in the heart of radical Islam in America, Dearborn Michigan.

Date: January 30th Time: 7pm

Location: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Rackham Auditorium

Full details here: http://www.3xterrorists.com/

Anani received death threats warning him against speaking at the university.

If you can attend, or want to create a 910 car pool(!) – post in the forum and let’s see if we can organize a 910 crew!

Our Danish counterpart organization is still fighting for their right to free speech. SIAD appreciates our support, noting that international cooperation is crucial. The address to contact them directly is here: post@siad.dk

Check The 910 Group blog for details and to let us know of your support: http://910group.com/blog/2007/01/20/update-on-siad/

There’s a bit more in the newsletter — but you have to get in the door to read it.

Welcome to the future; and making it happen!