Computer nerds are stereotyped by the public as a bunch of meek cubicle-dwellers who sit quietly staring at screens, taking orders from MBAs 6 levels up in a bureaucracy, until their jobs get outsourced to some villagers in India. Though we might regret the U.S. government’s decision to grant citizenship to people who hate Americans we can be grateful to Maher Mofeid Hawash, the Intel programmer sentenced today for his efforts on behalf of Al-Qaeda (Mr. Hawash was attempting to enter Afghanistan in 2001 and fight directly against American troops… imagine Rambo with a copy of K&R). Mr. Hawash picks up the struggle to reform the public image of computer nerds taken up by Sami Al-Arian, the University of South Florida computer engineering professor who was, in addition to a naturalized American citizen and member of the American Muslim Council, a leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
A few more guys like this and Hollywood will start making films about action heroes with day jobs coding Java.
Which raises the question … what is the difference between a computer programmer and an Al Qaeda cell member?
Hmmm. One is a religous zealot with an abiding disdain for the average American citizen, thinly-veiled fear of women, deep unresolved emotional issues, an ever-growing desire to halt all trade and contact with people on the other side of the world who threaten their way of life, an inclination toward working — undetected — late at night, extreme objections to many recent actions by the U.S. government, a predilection toward passionate intra-sect divisions over seemingly trivial matters of doctrine, and an operational setup placing him in a cell cut off from communication with other members of his organization.
The other is a terrorist working for Osama bin Laden.
Badda-boom. I’ll be here all week.
“Sami Al-Arian, the University of South Florida computer engineering professor who was, in addition to a naturalized American citizen and member of the American Muslim Council, a leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”
Very old and discredited charges. The FBI has never filed charges for lack of evidence. The University of southern Florida investigated and rejected.
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2002/01/19/bubba/
Clearly another attempt by Mr. Greenspun to vilify Palestinians and Arabs through guilt by association.
John: I’m sure that Professor Al-Arian will be cheered to hear that the FBI is not filing charges. According to one of the support sites for Dr. Al-Arian, you can write to him at the following address:
Federal Correctional Complex – USP
#40939-018
P. O. Box 1033
Coleman, FL 33521
A Januar 27, 2004 update on the story is available at http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/garrett012704.html
I dunno about all that man, but i might be able to convince a few of my slightly pudgy cube-mates to take part in a covert sabotage op into Bangalore…
These guys will storm the gates for a couple dozen krispy kremes…
Thanks for the update Mr. Greenspun.
The current prime minister of Israel is under investigation for bribery charges and may yet be indicted as reported by Ha’aretz. Can we legitimately conclude that he is most likely guilty of said charges based on media reports prior to a trial?
An indictment does not equate guilt. Professor Al-Arian may or may not be guilty of the charges, that’s for a jury to decide. Unlike you, Mr. Greenspun, I don’t favor guilt by association or a trial by media simply because the accused is an Arab.
It seems most responses to this blog are geared towards “tar and feathering” of Mr. Greenspun. If you take it in a simple “non political” vein, I think its quite funny in a dry sort of way. Your all thinking way too hard.
John Boyd: An indictment does not equate guilt. Professor Al-Arian may or may not be guilty of the charges, that’s for a jury to decide. Interesting point but guess what? Phil didn’t find him guilty. Juries decide who is legally found guilty — they don’t decide for the rest of us who we think is guilty of something.
No, Mr. Greenspun doesn’t explicitly state this, but wouldn’t you grant that he implies this?
It’s a war of the nerds!
Think about it – many of the Al Qaeda members mentioned by Phil and also in the press are pretty nerdy people. In another corner we have malicious worm writers. In yet another we have software developers and engineers designing more efficient smart weapons. Even when we get to the sharp end at the battle field, Western armies have hordes of engineers running wireless networks and IT based communication systems.
Most of the damage and/or protection isn’t provided by a trooper pulling the trigger, it’s done by people with computer science degrees.
Makes ya think.
Welcome to the real world, Mr Boyd. While we may be innocent until proven guilty under the eyes of lady Justice, we are most definately guilty until proven innocent to the rest of the world. I’ve been there, and done that.
Phillip, Have you ever thought of becoming a TV pundit? I have connections at Fox and can make some introductions. Your diatribes against muslims, mbas, and university administrators is really hilarious! oh yeah, i forgot the unwashed village programmers from india. Your material is much better than O’Reilly’sjust think, your own tv show followed by a book deal: “The Greenspun Factor”. Folks, you heard it here first. Don’t be surprised if you see Phillip some day soon on Fox. Keep on trucking!!
Looks like Indians are the new villains on the block. Software services jobs are still the highest paids jobs in India. Yeah they are ready to work for peanuts, yeah they steal your jobs … yeah right. So go attack them for trying to earn money the American way. Yeah. 99.99% of the microprocessors in India are manufactured by companies from the US I guess. Yeah. Welcome to the global village.
well u the man !!!
we need to bearn all Qaeda members and bring them to death|!!!
Interesting story, but i cant find the updated play version. Looking forward to it.