He is doing it wrong.
In the wake of the Hyatt of Sugarland, TX not wanting to have a bunch of “Radical” (they toss that word around so much, so why not me) anti-Islamic speakers talk at a Tea Party convention, presumably to not negatively impact the corporation’s international image, Pamela Geller and now Joseph Farah have cried foul. Their Free Speech™ haz been violated! Oh NOES!
First and foremost, free speech does not have to be granted on private property. The owner has every right to tell anyone they want to get the hell out of their establishment whenever they so choose (We reserve the right to refuse service). The only caveats are American anti-discrimination laws. While Mr. Farah might feel like he is being discriminated against, it is still perfectly legal to discriminate on the basis of one’s speech being blatantly offensive to persons not inside Farah’s delusional minority. I would recommend going to OWS, but there are Muslims there, so that won’t work. A Park maybe, nope Muslims there do, but now I’m starting to digress.
Now, CAIR did call the Hyatt and complain. This is America, people always complain. Religious groups complain when we hold Atheist conventions in “their” area and we complain when speaking venues cancel on atheist speakers. However, we are not so stupid as to cry that our first amendment rights are being violated. Private property is private.
The Article then devolves to the normal WND motto of selling books and pleading for donations and of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory charges of creeping Sharia.
My question is, what has been the extent of Geller’s and Farah’s interaction with actual Muslims? I live, sleep, and eat with them. Some try to kill me with anti-tank hand grenades but, most don’t (every group has their assholes). Most in fact, point out which way the douchebag went for us and tell us to get the bastard (most people don’t want asshole tossing explosives right next to where their children play). I doubt most of them are only acting that way to somehow get in my good graces just to maybe get a green card so they can move to America, slowly crawl up or brutal social latter, and THEN reveal that they are terrorists. We should really buy Farah and Geller tickets to Tunisia. These two assholes need some cultural perspective.
Some of my recent hate mail has been asking, “Why do you support dirty Terrorists (read Muslims) when you “claim” to be an American Soldier?”
My reply to the hater,
I guess that deserves and explanation. I was first attracted to this issue by a brave American Soldier who was born in Baghdad and joined up as a translator after reading stories on the generally shitty quality of contract (thanks TITAN!) translators (i.e. no background checks, unable to speak the language, getting paid by VEN groups to report on our movements). He really was pissed about the creeping Sharia thing. He said it was bullshit. So I looked it up. It was bullshit. Every case where some jackhole has tried to get Sharia implemented in American society, it has been soundly rejected.
So, when I see Christian extremists (read Dominionist) trying to subject secular society to their belief system, whilst members of the same region of political thought (with some overlap) cry bloody murder when Muslims don’t try that had at doing the same, my bullshit meter gets triggered.
American Muslims, don’t either have the desire or the political pull to even think about maybe attempting such a thrust. They are, by and large, decent people. Really, go pray with one sometimes, I have and I am an atheist.
Being an atheist, I have somewhat of an objective viewpoint of this whole exchange. I thankfully don’t have the burden of having the predisposition that “my” version of Yah-whatever is right and therefore good (with the logic running “so the other guy must be bad”). Everything you accuse Muslims of doing is being done far more effectively by Christians. You will bring up the claim, “But they use terrorism”, I say that terrorism or any form of wanton violence is a societal effect that can only be exacerbated by extremist philosophies. The cure for that is stable society, and the vector for such a cure is good governance.
Furthermore, I think you have a lower opinion of our secular America world than I do. America has a great moderating influence on the majority of religious fundies of any faith. You assert that Muslims are bad because in their world they kill people for stupid reasons. I assert that such actions are morally reprehensible, but a strong government can dissuade persons from committing those actions (ie you will get cought by people who will hold you accountable). America is strong enough to resist the Islamic right. Because this conflict of societies brought down upon us by an ever globalizing world will NOT be won on battlefield, it will be won by culture. America is strong enough to moderate damn near anyone, including the Christian and Islamic right.
Respectfully,
Assassin “America…Fuck Yea” Actual
(Source: WN to the D)
4 comments
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E. Passamaneck
October 27, 2011 at 09:35 (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I agree with your comments about the moderating influence of our country. There are a few wild-eyed Muslims in the US. The extremist Muslims & their very presence seems to be a serious threat to the very extreme religious here–the Creeping Sharia you mentioned.
The moderate Muslims seem to become ‘just Americans’ like everyone else here. It’s clear that they want to blend in and have normal and peaceful lives. The times they are treated as someone to be feared must be frightening for them.
And also there are many who migrate to the U S from mid-east countries and who are Christians who escaped religious persecution in those countries
Clearly many of the majority CChristians, many otherwise inclusive christians fear them, view all Muslims as potential terrorists. GDTWC
VVVF
I did sttudy Islam many years ago, justF to understand as best I could. Taught by a rabid, pro-Sharia professor. Learned a lot & try to keep adding to my knowledge.
Thank for a thoughtful and passionate review of reality. You add to my knowledge.
Also, glad you left the wilds & returned to base safely. Sounds like a scary place.
I do look forward to reading your posts and admit to concern when you go walkabout. And when your online access is Dow or limited. Appreciate your alerts as to when you’re out in the country.
Thanks for your insights. Creeping typos. Hard to correct on the iPad. Stay well.
Stacy
October 28, 2011 at 07:38 (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So glad people like you are in my country’s military.
Stay safe.
Zahnarzt
October 28, 2011 at 15:33 (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Huzzah! I’ve always wondered how deep the cognitive dissonance goes in people who claim Sharia law is being sought, while at the same time promoting Biblical homophobic, misogynistic and xenophobic principles. The mind boggles.
Just started reading the blog, AA. Love it. Thank you for your service and for the great input here.
Angela61699
February 20, 2013 at 01:10 (UTC -4) Link to this comment
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