Will Media Attack Maher for Calling Koran 'A Hate-filled Book' and Saying Muslim Extremists are America's Greatest Threat?
As NewsBusters has been reporting for over a week, America's media have been widely attacking House Homeland Security chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) for conducting hearings about the threat of homegrown Muslim terrorists.
On Friday's "Real Time," host Bill Maher, in an interview with Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), called the Koran a "hate-filled book" while claiming "the threat potentially from radicalized Muslims is a unique and greater threat" than from "right-wing militias and Timothy McVeigh types" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
BILL MAHER, HOST: So let me get to the part where I think you may not agree with me which is I do agree that there are other groups that pose a terrorist threat to this country. There are right-wing militias who are nutty and the Ku Klux Klan and abortion bombers and Timothy McVeigh types. I would say that the threat potentially from radicalized Muslims is a unique and greater threat. It is the greatest threat.
Let me give you the reasons why I jotted down why. One, it's been going on a thousand years this problem between Islam and the west. We are dealing with a culture that is in its medieval era. It comes from a hate-filled holy book, the Koran, which is taken very literally by its people. They are trying to get nuclear weapons. I don't think Tim McVeigh would ever have tried to get a nuclear weapon because I think right-wing nuts they think they love this country and they are not trying to destroy this country. They want to get it away from the people they see as hijacking it. That’s different than Muslim extremists who want to destroy it. And also, it's a culture of suicide bombing, which is hard to deter from people who want to kill themselves.
REPRESENTATIVE KEITH ELLISON (D-MINNESOTA): Well, I’ll tell you, Bill, I think you should investigate this issue a little more because I think that you're lumping together things that shouldn't be lumped together and you're casting a very wide net and therefore coming to the wrong conclusions. First of all, when you talk about they're trying to get nuclear weapons, are you referring to Iran? Who are you talking about? Al Qaeda?
MAHER: I think anyone who is influenced by al Qaeda and the statements of Osama bin Laden, and that’s…
ELLISON: Yeah, but Muslims aren't. I mean, there is 1.4 billion Muslims in the world.
MAHER: Of course. No one is disputing that the vast, vast, giant majority of Muslims are not the problem. We're talking about a very small percentage, but it just takes one. That's what we're talking about when we're talking about terrorism, and obviously there is something that is going on that they're getting from the Koran.
Maher here was almost sounding like a conservative. Shouldn't he be attacked for it?
MAHER: Have you read Sam Harris’s book “The End of Faith?” He says…
ELLISON: They’re not getting it from the Koran. You know Bill, I’m glad, let’s use this point for a moment, because as you know, as a student of religion, you know, you could there, books are complex, they’re compiled, and taking them out of context is a very easy thing to do.
MAHER: I've heard this many times and I don't buy it. I’m sorry. Sam Harris says, “On almost every page the Koran instructs observant Muslims to despise non-believers.”
ELLISON: That’s absurd. Ridiculous.
MAHER: And he quotes it. Am I getting the wrong translation? Because that’s what every Muslim always tells me.
ELLISON: No, you must be.
MAHER: A lot of bad translations then.
ELLISON: Well, why don't you read the part where it says that anyone who takes a life it’s as if he killed the whole world, and anyone who saves a life it's as if he saves the whole world? What about the one where it says let there be no compulsion in religion, and that it’s literally wrong to impose…
MAHER: So then where are terrorists getting their instructions from? They’re getting it from something else.
ELLISON: Like any ideologue, they will take things out of context to do what they want to do. If you listen to terrorist rhetoric, Bill, what they do is they cite politics, they cite political grievances. They don’t really use too much religion. As a matter of fact, when you find Muslims who reject terrorism as I do and almost everyone does, it often is for spiritual and religious reason and moral reasons, but when people want to justify it they justify it on political reasons. This is well-documented. Check out the Gallup poll, check out people who have studied this stuff. One of the things I think we can do to undermine terrorist ideology is actually to use people who know the Koran and to go after people like Anwar al-Awlaki who misquote it, misuse it, and don't really understand it.
MAHER: Okay, I hope that happens. Alright, thank you for joining us, Congressman. I appreciate your time. Okay, let's join our panel. Oh, there I am getting in trouble with the liberals again.
Notice at the end Maher said, "Oh, there I am getting in trouble with the liberals again."
But will he?
When you consider the universal excoriation Rep. King has gotten in the past couple of weeks for holding hearings about basically this same issue, or what happens whenever any conservative makes similar points as to those Maher did Friday evening, shouldn't media members go after Maher's obvious "Islamophobia?"
Or will this be another instance of liberals not caring when one of their own exhibits what certainly would be considered "hate-speech" if it came from a conservative?
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Comments
Oh boy, Maher could finally
Submitted by Miss_Me_Yet on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:22pm.
Oh boy, Maher could finally be losing his mind over this one.....literally.
Liberals ... we can't live with them, they couldn't survive without us ...
Wow, Maher had a moment of clarity
Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:38pm.
As for his peers chastising him for it, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.
And as far as the Koran being interpreted incorrectly by some, Ellison is full of it, and I question how much of it he has actually bothered to really read.
It appears Maher knows more of what is in it that book than Ellison does, which doesn't surprise me given the profound ignorance of the Koran I have seen displayed by many so-called Muslims.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
After reading this article by
Submitted by ricklail on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 5:23pm.
After reading this article by Brian Kennedy in the Hillsdale College Imprimis you are so right about Ellison's view of the koran. Seems a lot of the camel washers want us to know that the parts about jihad and all that crap were overwritten after Mohammed went to Mecca. Trouble is it is still there for all the radicals to read. This pre Mecca/post Mecca looks to be BS.
This is just like the liberal theologians today telling us that Jesus overrode the prophets of the OT.
Maybe it wasn't a moment of
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 10:24pm.
Maybe it wasn't a moment of clarity, Dave..............maybe he didn't have time to get stoned before the cameras started to roll. Donkeyface can get away with badmouthing other religions, but let's see what happens when or if he gets some threats from the followers of the 'religion of peace', like that cartoonist who wanted everybody to draw a cartoon of Mohammed............. And Donkeyface is NOW a 'student of religion'????Nope
Submitted by vaboxrboy on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:35pm.
He's not relevant and was already fired by ABC for being bombastic. What would be the point of wasting time on him?NO ATTACK COMING...
Submitted by JPTSO3 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:39pm.
Why bother? The left issued Maher a universal hall-pass when it comes to attacking religion – any religion. Maher is the mouthpiece for the left when it comes to religion – he expresses in public what they all giggle about at their cocktail parties. A belief that all people of faith are dopes.
I got a FACEBOOK “recommendation” for Bill Maher’s FB page. I grew up in the era of 8 track tapes and leaded gas, so I don’t get the crap that appears on my “page”. I guess every Facebook page gets ads suggesting the reader what they should be interested in. I would rather put a hot poker in my eyeball than be a “friend” of Maher. I logged on to my page, and there was the smug face of Bill Maher under “recommended”. Really…? Bill Maher? Ahhh, I recommend I put my fist in his pie-hole. Can I recommend that? Anyway, I looked at his page and he has photos of himself standing in front of Christian statues – mocking them. Nice… Maher you are one classy guy, and clearly ballsy too. Mocking a bronze Christian statue takes some big-brass rocks.
Maher hates religion but has a particular hard-on for Christians. He gets his nards off mocking religion, so I have a “recommend” for Bill if he really wants to be a tough guy about Islam. How about Maher takes a trip to Mecca, works his way to the middle of the sea of the circling dudes and while someone snaps a photo, he pisses on that big black rock…thing. First class mocking, and ooooh yeah, that’ll be hilarious. I’ll pay for the airplane ticket…really. Fly first class on me… When you get back, Bill just send me the bill. I’ll gladly pay it – if your head is still attached to the rest of you. In the alternative, you can come over to my house and piss on the Bible in my family room. I won’t decapitate you, but you will be breathing out of a tube for about 6 months. That’ll be hilarious too!. You can do your show and mock religion with a voice synthesizer. You’ll be the Steven Hawking of HBO.
A tide turning?
Submitted by Ashrak on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:48pm.
Now, this man obviously hates religion itself, so it makes sense that he would target Islam eventually. I am left to wonder if he has the courage to make a movie about Islam like one he made about Christianity. There can be no doubt that he should worry more about the fatwas coming his way for insulting Islam, the Koran itself, than from attacks made by "mainstream" media. It was interesting to see Ellison talk, in the same breath, about Maher "taking things out of context" and then instantly telling him to "look at the part" that says.... blah blah blah. Ellison was engaging in Taqiyya, lying to advance Islam, and this is exactly why so many fear even questioning Islam. It is why the hearings were opposed and it is why Islam itself declares itself unquestionable (as an aside, isn't it interesting that our own Supreme Court has done the same thing). The Koran is not so much a book of hate, though much is contained within it, it is a book of contradictions. Amazing isn't it, we have a Pres__ent who operates a playbook of contradictions. Gee, why is he accused of the things he is? It seems to me that the progressive left is finally feeling the pinch of defending the indefensible. Might Maher's action here be a sea change? I think it just might be.Did AQ mistranslate the Koran, or did Ellison?
Submitted by Galvanic on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:55pm.
The issue about radicalized Muslims in America isn't about whether they take passages of the Koran out of context. The issue is about why in the world's leading country in terms of religious tolerance and freedom, some American born Muslims are taking to anti-American terrorism. If Ellison and the Democrats were honest, they would participate in the discussion instead of demagoguing it.Correct
Submitted by JPP on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 3:22pm.
This is an example of how even a stopped clock is correct twice a day. Bill got this one right. I know it is rare but as much as it may hurt one must give credit where credit is due. Now will the MSN attack him? Yes but gently.Maher made the mistake conservatives make ...
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 3:23pm.
He made an assertion without having the evidence in front of him and allowed his opponent to attack his premise without challenging him.
For example, let's look at Ellison's claim about individuals who "take a life" killing the whole world.
The complete context goes something like this:
... whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind ...
Here's the next verse:
The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land ...
Big difference, huh? Now, next time, Bill, and conservatives, be ready to respond intelligently instead of off the top of your head.
Remember to Quote it in Context
Submitted by doctorbulldog on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:50pm.
Don't forget that Ellison also truncated that verse as it is a chastisement directed towards the Jews, NOT the Muslims. Here's the verse in full which contextualizes it:"On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel [Jews] that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them [Jews] Our messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them [Jews] continued to commit excesses in the land."
So, you see, Jews are the ones being commanded to uphold this, not Muslims. Therefore, Ellison was purposely taking it out of context in a pathetic attempt to pull the wool over everyone's eyes.
Ya' gotta' love Muzzie-Taqiyya! - Blame infidels for taking things out of context (when they usually aren't), and then actually taking something out of context to deceive the clueless infidels.
Priceless!
Cheers
Exactly @doctorbulldog
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 8:13pm.
I purposely left off the beginning of the verse about the "Children of Israel", hoping someone would actually read it.
Like Maher, few people ever read a source cited and dubious assertions are left to hang and be repeated with undeserved legitimacy.
From now on, people like Maher should be prepared to challenge such interpretations and engage in real dialogue instead of glib and pompous pronouncements.
But I won't be holding my breath waiting.
Here is my response*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 6:15pm.
Waiting for an explanation of the candy being in the Qu'ran
Billy Maher
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 3:30pm.
Check with the oddsmakers in Vegas. I for one, will not be placing bets that the MSM will criticize this stooge. They will just ignore it like I ignore this ignoramus.The important question is
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 3:49pm.
Did he drive Ellison to tears?
If he did, he will be chastised, for being "insensitive."
If the answer is no, fuhgeddaboudit.
NBC Nightly News coverage of King hearings on Thurs
Submitted by krendler on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:06pm.
Anybody watch this? Top story was a severely-slanted piece against against Wis. passage of the law on collective bargaining. The next story described the way that the hearings had "blown up" in the face of King. How so? Because - as the reporter stated melodramatically - "Nobody was prepared for what happened next". Cut to a clip showing Dem Ellison forcing out tears during his testimony. Yeah. What a shocker. Had to see this piece to believe it. Nauseating.If he were a right winger
Submitted by bohratom on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:12pm.
If he was a right winger HBO would have fired him on the spot. But since hes your typical liberal they will just ignore it...He's right
Submitted by lkotur on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:35pm.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day (analog only)Maybe he did the US a favor?
Submitted by octavioj on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:57pm.
Such a blatantly liberal person saying the same things Congressman King said needed to be examined and going even further by attacking the muslim holy book, maybe he did the US a favor? But then again I am not so sure Bill Maher has such a huge audience anymore.Did Maher finally grow a brain?
Submitted by Kuso Jiji on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 5:10pm.
for once the guy's thinking is somewhat clear and logical. Islam has proven to be a menace to not only non believers but to the believers themselves. Muslem violence against the infidels pales in comparison to them killing each other, all in the name of the Almighty Allah. This Ellison fellow is a pitiful agent of a religion based on hatred and intolerance.Now now now, the Qoran is full of love for other islamopods
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 5:58pm.
It's cool to snuff out the life of infidels, that is not murder.
Lying to infidels is not lying..
Cheating and stealing from infidels is not a crime.
Racism! never ever in islamopod land.
Screaming Aloha Snackbar is spreading islamolove, one chunk of lead at a time. In group settings it's nails and ball bearings.
Them or us. (period)
You Didn't Build That.
Seems once a month a liberal
Submitted by Thoreau on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 7:01pm.
Seems once a month a liberal accidentally says something factual. Guess you can chalk this one up for the month.Funny he brings up "Timothy McVeigh types"
Submitted by mrt721 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 7:29pm.
Timothy McVeigh's muslim co-conspirator
"It was a routine call for Quincy police about two homeless men fighting. Hussain Al-Hussaini was arrested. The victim was taken to the hospital."
"Then came the surprise. Readers commenting on a story about Wednesday’s arrest on The Patriot Ledger’s website noted that a man with the same name was mentioned prominently in a book about the deadly bombing of an Oklahoma City federal building in 1995."
http://www.patriotledger.com/homepage/breaking/x1777801225/Author-links-man-arrested-in-Quincy-to-the-subject-of-her-book-on-Oklahoma-City-bomb-ing#axzz1GPhnbVXS
Isn't Bill Maher a comedian?
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 8:24pm.
Isn't Bill Maher a comedian?Comedian?
Submitted by Agnostic on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 8:27pm.
opinions vary. Regardless he is promoted or self-promoted, I really don't which, for his political wit.The answer is no
Submitted by WarEagle01 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 9:31pm.
Maher is a liberal. Therefore he can say absolutely anything he wants to and the the media will not mention it. That's just how it works.Even a broken clock....
Submitted by Kuso Jiji on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 9:37pm.
is correct twice a day.TAQQIYA
Submitted by LaVallette on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 4:15am.
ELLISON "Well, why don't you read the part where it says that anyone who takes a life it’s as if he killed the whole world, and anyone who saves a life it's as if he saves the whole world? What about the one where it says let there be no compulsion in religion, and that it’s literally wrong to impose…"Provided that life is a Muslim Life. It does not apply to a non Muslim. Look up definition of a Dhimmi. As for "non compulsion" look up the definition of a Dhimmi. As for these purported teachings in practice look up: Pakistan, Indonesia , Egypt, Saudi Arabia and every other muslim state and the principles of Muslim Justice called Sharia.
Ellison, is doing nothing else but practicing TAQQIYA: The right given to every Muslim by Allah to lie to infidels in order to advance the cause of Islam.
Maher actually SAID that?
Submitted by falcon on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 11:37am.
Wow. Somebody must have spiked his Kool-Aid with reality juice.
On the other hand, Juan Williams was fired from NPR for saying flying with people in "Muslim garb" made him nervous. Will Bill Maher be fired from HBO? Doubtful. Mainly because not that many people actually watch his show. Since HBO is a premium channel, it's not typically counted in Arbitron or Nielsen ratings so there's no real way to tell how many people might be watching him (and counting overall "subscriber" numbers doesn't work). So it's possible they'll leave this clown show on the air because it'd cost more to cancel it.
And Ellison's comments were shameful, claiming "out of context" and "look at the polls" instead of coming right out and saying, yes, radical Islam is the most dangerous thing today. Sounded like he was defending it, IMNSHO. And that makes him, at best, a sympathizer, and at worst a fellow terrorist himself. How long before Ellison decides to wear a TNT vest to the House chamber?
“I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy itself under mediocre leadership, that drifts from one crisis to the next, eroding our national will and purpose.” – Ronald Reagan, July 17, 1980.
Okay Congress-critter Ellison...
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 8:09am.
Let's see if I "misinterpreted" the following:
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
[4.74] Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
[4.75] ...fight in the way of Allah...
[4.76] Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of the Satan. Fight therefore against the friends of the Satan
[5.033] The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned .
[8.17] So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them, and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy), but it was Allah Who smote...
[8.39] Shakir: ...fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah...
There are just seven (of 164) verses referencing violence or Jihad in the "peaceful" Koran. So yeah, Ellison, I do think they're getting it from the Koran. Either you haven't actually read it, or you're just plain lying.