Do We Really Need a State Department — and Does Anyone in It Own a Copy of the Constitution?

I thought I had seen it all a while back when we caught the federal Transportation Security Administration (a DHS agency) using your tax dollars to publish a CAIR press release on the agency's public website.  But you'll want to be sitting down for this one. 

From World Net Daily (h/t Steve Emerson's Investigative Project on Terrorism and Robert Spencer's Jihad Watch):

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
State Dept. promotes 'Mosques in America'
Publishes '09 calendar featuring worship sites for only 1 religion

This now available from the U.S. State Department: “2009 Mosques of America Wall Calendar: Limited Edition for Ramadan.”

“Yep, you read that correctly. It's 'perfect for Muslim outreach efforts,” according to a commentary at the Gates of Vienna blog. “Where's the ACLU on this one?”

The product was being advertised by “Global Publishing Solutions,” a division of the U.S. State Department, until bloggers started talking about it.

Officials then apparently hid the page behind the security of a password-protected wall. However, the page is still viewable in a Google cache of the website.

According to the Gates of Vienna, the government advertised:

In celebration of Ramadan, Global Publishing Solutions (GPS) is offering a limited edition of the 2009 Mosques in America Wall Calendar. This 12-month calendar is perfect for Muslim outreach efforts, as well as office and event giveaways.

The wall calendar features a vibrant photograph or photomontage for each month, displaying the beauty of mosques in America.

The upper half of the hanging calendar depicts mosque facades or interiors, and the lower half displays a monthly calendar grid. The 28-page calendar is saddle-stitched and measures 23 x 30 1/2 cm (9 x 12 inches)

This item is on sale until August 1st, 2008 in shrink-wrapped packs of 20 pieces.

I guess you can't negotiation with Iranian mullahs everyday, so it's good to see they've found something to do in their spare time.