Spencer on France 24 today

Mr. Spencer,

Will you be debating in French or in English? Also, if you are able to later post a video of the debate, that would be wonderful.

Bonne chance!

Watch here?

http://live.france24.com/france24_fr.wsx

Terrific! Regardless of how the interview is conducted, most (indigenous) French viewers will be sympathetic to your views.

Good luck.

Robert your knowledge on Islam and on these issues is beyond outstanding. Show those French what you are made of!!!

I don't believe Robert was on.

I didn't see Robert during the debate (as shown on the link above).

Unless Robert is fluent in French, it would have been hard to see it working out anyway...

I saw a story on CNN yesterday about a Mosque that was burned to the ground by arsonist' in a small town in Tennessee.
It was mentioned in the story that local, State and Federal (FBI) law inforcement agencies were involved in investigating the incident.
I'll bet there won't be any legal or funding issues to prevent the U.S. government from providing protection for the Imam, his family or his Mosque. If anyhing, the man will be rolling in money and protection.
All the while, Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be hung out to dry for "legal" reasons.

I have just finished watching Islam and its Taboos on france24, the debate in which you, Irshad Manji, Abed Ayoub and Amel Baubekeur participated with Andrea Sanke as moderator . What struck me was how vehemently anti Ayaan Hirsi Ali Andrea Sanke came out. It was just absurd how extreme her views stood out even compared to Abed Ayoub "the tax man" and Amel Bauibekeur, although I probably did not understand half of what she said because of her thick French accent. The reductio ad absurdum was when they tried to bring up a hypothetical threat from Buddhists and decide whether the government should pay protection in that case.

Awake and Kamala,

Yes, I was indeed on the show, in English, with Irshad Manji, Abed Ayoub of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and a French Muslim spokeswoman, Amel Baubekeur, along with Andrea Sanke as moderator.

Manji was exceptionally good, and yes, Sanke was exceptionally anti-Ayaan.

Cordially
Robert Spencer

"I know not whom..."
--- from Robert's slight archaism in his comment above

But we all know who did the rousing, when those people long ago were "roused up by I know not whom."

Hugh,

That is the kind of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.

Yrs
Robert

Robert,

Just saw you on TV.
It was pukkah !

I had to laugh as you did as well when the baffoon mentioned death threats by "Buddhists" I giggled and giggled.

His attempt to raise the issue of tax payers footing the bill was so simply pathetic, he is probably aware that Europeans resent paying high taxes. Maybe you should have mentioned to him that quite alot of the revenue actually goes to funding welfare for lazy moslems who take it as their right.
Irshaad Manji is well meaning but I find her a hypocrite, a lesbian moslem woman ! does she not realise the contradiction.

Anyway it was a top notch performance by you Mr Spencer.
I rated the score as:
Humanity 500
islam 0

I am glad they didn't show it on a Friday night, I might have spilt my Israeli Kosher wine and caughed up my mothers Indian curry while laughing.

Regards

AI

Dear Hubert Fitzspencer:

Never mind FRANCE 24 -- Let's hear more of the exchange between The Inner Man and The Outer Man. I enjoy listening to each of you arguing with himself--or is it the one of you arguing with each other (you {sing & pl}) figure it out)?

Andrea Sanke obviously puts her politics before her professionalism.

The important matter is that the plight of dissidents and defectors from Dar al-Islam--like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, like Taslima Nasreen--be free, protected, heard, and championed.

As Voltaire said:

Ils vivent seulement qui defi.

"They only live who dare."

I hope that there will be thread on this evenings, or perhaps tomorrows, forum outlining this debate. Yes? Bet it was red hot!

Watch it here:
http://www.france24.com/en/20080211-islam-its-taboos-debate-0&navi=DEBATS

'Seems the debate is no longer available at France24.com - wonder why...

Through out this program Abed Ayoub repeatedly returns to the issue of taxpayers funding the protection of those faced with credible threats as if it were a legitimate point for debate. He misdirects our attention.

Paying to protect outspoken individuals is not the issue here. When those individuals' lives (and worse) are threatened by extremists, their cases serve as society's methylene blue that shows up the real danger. Mr. Ayoub knows this and endeavors to divert our concern.

It is clear that the threats those individuals face are illegal but the discourse that precipitates them is not. Point and Match! Of course we taxpayers should pay because it is truly the taxpayers that are being protected from tyranny and suppression! There is no ambiguity.

Discussing whether, or how much, to fund is based on the flawed assumption that it is someone else's problem other than the taxpayer. The truth is that if inalienable rights and basic freedom are threatened it is NEVER somebody else's problem - it is 100% ours. We'd all do well to pay gladly.

Abed Ayoub would have us spending our cycles arguing what price is too much to pay for our children's future.
Shame on him - and him a lawyer too!