Anti-Islam Rhetoric

Distasteful Comments about Muslim Influence from Operator of Fusion Center

A fusion center in Collin’s County Texas is drawing negative attention upon itself and its operator. Fusion centers were established after 9/11 to help local law enforcement communicate more effectively. This one has come under fire not only for its questionable statements, but also for its spending habits.

The man who runs the fusion center from his home, Dr. Bob Johnson, is a computer scientist from Santé Fe, New Mexico. He is the son of local Congressman Sam Johnson. Kelly Stone, Collin County Emergency Management Director, says that he handpicked Johnson for the position for his credentials and not because of who his father is.

Last February Johnson issued statements about the growing Muslim influence in America. He made references to airport footbaths and prayer breaks for public school children of the Muslim faith. He began issuing “Public Awareness Bulletins” outlining his perception of threats. When the Department of Homeland Security found out about the bulletins, he was ordered to stop. The American Civil Liberties Union stressed that these bulletins set off alarms.

Another problem with Johnson and his fusion center is the budget that he is billing the county for. His start-up budget in 2004 was $67,000. This ballooned to a quarter of a million dollars in 2005, but went back down to $77,000 in 2006. This is the year the center actually opened. Unfortunately the bill grew to $368,000 in 2007. Collins County was billed half a million dollars last year by Johnson to add to the system and maintain it.

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© 2009 American Muslim Observer.