I documented in July 2004, at "The FBI Loses Its Way," the scandal of the FBI's Philadelphia office honoring Marwan Kreidie, a Philadelphia activist, with its "Community Leadership Award" for his allegedly being "very helpful to the FBI office ... in identifying, preventing and disrupting acts of terrorism." In the article, I showed how he critiqued every law enforcement innovation and systematically obstructed the FBI from doing its job.
Well, Kreidie is still at it. In response to an effort by law enforcement to prevent an attack before the national elections on November 2, it has been interviewing Muslim and Arab Americans. Despite FBI efforts to assure Arab and Muslim groups that it was not discriminating, Marwan Kreidie had this to say:
Unfortunately some of these actions coming from Washington paint us all with a big brush. I think [Attorney General John] Ashcroft's actions have been racist. I think they've been very wrong and ineffective. More than that, I think they've been shredding the Constitution.
Time for him to receive another FBI award, no? (October 6, 2004)
May 2, 2005 update: For wrecking damage on counterterrorism, Kreidie has received not another FBI award, but a prestigious Pennsylvania state position. On June 28, 2004, or just a week before my original article on Kreidie appeared, he was confirmed as Governor Ed Rendell's nominee to fill one of three positions of the Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission. And today, word comes from the governor's office, that he appointed Kreidie to serve as chairman of that same commission. To make matters worse, the press release lavishes praise on the unworthy Kreidie:
The Governor said Kreidie's unique perspective to the Commission based upon his experiences, training and education will serve him well as Chair. "Marwan's credentials and his proven experience in the community will lend themselves well to his becoming a member of the State Civil Service Commission," Governor Rendell said.
Aug. 21, 2006 update: In the wake of the thwarted London airline plot and the many calls for profiling of passengers, Kreidie weighs in with his predictable rejection of this valuable counterterrorism tool in an article titled "Profiling just doesn't work." He even manages to quote Benjamin Franklin in the process.
Dec. 17, 2006 update: Guess on whose behalf "Mr. Marwan Kreidie, Chairman, State Civil Services Commission, PA," will be speaking today on "Issues facing American Muslims in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" in King of Prussia? Why, for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
May 24, 2015 update: According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kreidie is close to the presumptive next mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney. This does not auger well.
Feb. 19, 2019 update: Kreidie has announced he is a candidate for City Commissioner of Philadelphia.
