Tag Archives: american muslim democratic caucus

Broward Democrat Leader Cynthia Busch Does Not Apologize For Palestine-Gate

“I was invited to attend an event by the Muslim Democratic Caucus I was asked to sit at a table in the front. The sign facing me said Kuwait. I understand why some are offended but I was not aware until someone shared this picture with me after the event. There were country signs at all the tables-one said Israel.”–Cynthia Busch, via Facebook

Broward Democrat Party Chairperson Cynthia Busch took to Facebook to offer a tepid explanation for sitting at the “Palestine” table at a recent Muslim American Democratic Caucus dinner. Several prominent members of the Broward Democrat Party were upset after reading about the Muslim Heritage Celebration Dinner in Lauderhill. The dinner, which honored State Senator Dwight Bullard, was the latest example of Broward Democrat leaders pandering to local Muslim groups.

Sharon Baron, editor of Tamarac Talk, took Busch to task. While stating she did not believe Busch knew where she was sitting, Baron wrote, “but this ‘country’ does not exist amidst the other recognized countries at the event. We have too many Jewish Dems that too probably find this offensive.”

Hal Tannenbaum wrote, “I would have walked out if I saw a table labeled Palestine and I would have audibly stated WHY!”

Beth Lerner wrote, ” I have to think about Muslim countries like Dubai or Quatar-put me at one of those tables and I’d bolt. They are corrupt, hold Indians hostage and as slaves after bringing them over for work. Take their passports. What is a good Muslim country that treats women and LGBT people as equals?”

Influential Weston Democrat Ann Zucker responded with “The issue here has nothing to do with head scarves. It is a Democratic organization with a table named Palestine and the FDP not reprimanding them for it. Focus.”

Despite these comments from her rank-and-file, Busch failed to apologize. She said she “understand[s] why some are offended.” She claims the reverse side of the “Palestine” card was labeled as “Kuwait.”

However, REDBROWARD obtained photographs of other table cards from the dinner. These cards appear to be blank on one side. The photographs show Busch was not simply “invited” to attend the dinner. Busch can been seen on stage handing a microphone to Ghazala Salam, a local Muslim activist. Former Democrat Party Chair Mitch Ceasar also spoke at the event. It’s unclear what country he was occupying. We were unable to find any photographs of the “Israel” table.

Will Palestine-gate come up at tonight’s Party meeting in Plantation? Will Busch apologize? Stay tuned.


 

Broward Democrat Chair “Occupies” Palestine Table At Muslim Event

Cynthia Busch, second from left, confers with Ghazala Salam of the American Muslim Democratic Caucus

Even though they risk alienating their traditional base voters, the Broward Democrat Party continues to pander to local Muslim groups. The latest stop in the party’s pandering tour took place last week at the Muslim Heritage Celebration Dinner in Lauderhill. The dinner at the Mehfil restaurant was hosted by the American Muslim Democratic Caucus. Many Democrat party leaders and politicians, including former party boss Mitch Ceasar, attended the Ramadan dinner.

Ceasar told the Sun-Sentinel, “We have to spend these days now banding together. We have to realize we are all in this together. If we want this country to be as we believe it to be…we have to unite and stand together, whether it’s fighting bigotry or intolerance or just plain lies and ignorance.”

While Ceasar runs for Broward County Clerk of Courts, Cynthia Busch has taken the reins of the Broward Democrat Party. In pictures posted on social media, Busch can been seen sitting at a table at the event. A sign placed in the center of the table has the word “Palestine” written on it.

While it’s doubtful Busch was making a political statement on Israel by sitting at the table, one wonders how traditional Democrat voters in King’s Point, Wynmoor and Century Village would feel about the table’s centerpiece?

This is not the first example of Broward Democrat’s failure to make Muslim outreach a “teaching moment.” Last June, REDBROWARD exposed how local female judicial candidates covered their heads at Ramadan dinners. The event was hosted by the Democrat-friendly Emerge USA group. In 2014, REDBROWARD documented EMERGE USA’s strong support for Democrats Charlie Crist and Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief.

Pictures from the event featured Broward County Commissioner Marty Kiar, Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan. While these gentleman appeared as they do at any community or political event, the Broward women running for office looked very different.

Pictures show State Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed and several women seeking to be Broward judges wearing scarves over their heads.

Before you say they’re showing respect inside of a mosque, many of the pictures were taken under a tent in the parking lot.

Broward Chief Judge Peter Weinstein attended the event in his normal attire. Would a sitting female judge cover her head? Would she politely decline and use the opportunity as a “teaching moment” on women’s issues in the Muslim faith?

Did anybody tell Rhoda Sokoloff, Betsy Benson and Andrea Gundersen to cover their heads?