Wednesday evening I spoke at East Tennessee State University in the most virulently hostile atmosphere I've encountered on any campus in the country, courtesy the school's Muslim students and Muslim leaders from the local community. By tomorrow I hope to have completed my own report, but I just noticed this comment by an ETSU student named Ryan, and thought it worth putting up as a separate post both so that you don't have only my word on how these things go, but also as a witness to, and a protest against, the atmosphere of thuggery and propaganda, and hostility to reasoned discourse, that increasingly prevails in American universities.
Succinct questions, intellectual honesty, and good manners somehow eluded the audience at East Tennessee State University on Wednesday night. I was appalled at the crass grandstanding of the attendees, who seemed to have had an immutable opinion and came only to heckle. Though perhaps understandably aggrieved by the information, the mob chose to flog the messenger instead of reevaluating the documents Mr. Spencer was referring to.Any information coming to light that injures one’s understanding of one’s religious faith is going to trigger an emotional reflex in the innermost of one’s sense of existence. The factual accuracy of this new information to the believer is inconsequential in many cases; the only permissible behavior or interpretation is the one a person has been socialized and taught to accept as correct.
Mr. Spencer’s faux pas with this audience occurred precisely at the moment they noticed he was challenging their orthodoxy with their own texts. Instead of asking questions related to the lecture, the degenerates began frothing at the mouth with excitement and elected to respond without even a modicum of tact and assassinate Spencer’s character in the most insidious ways, referring to him as a “liar” while not offering even so much as an iota of textual substantiation. After a few schmucks gave ten to fifteen minute rambles on their personal lives, I began wondering whether those audience members venerated themselves or Allah to a greater degree, or if I should attribute the behavior to some inebriate condition.
The courtesy of letting Mr. Spencer address a certain point was thrown out the window as some inquirers opted for raising their voices, interrupting the speaker, and were apparently trying to goad those who did not agree with them into a shouting match. While the school may be a refuge for the area’s young, immature, and often harmless pinkos, the behavior of this audience was beyond the pale and was some of the worst mob mentality I’ve unfortunately had to experience anywhere.
In all fairness, this isn’t an issue relating to Islam; it is simply amazingly poor manners by an intolerant group of people. I am a student at East Tennessee State University and attended this lecture, and apologize to Mr. Spencer, the readers of JihadWatch, and all present who witnessed the thuggery. There are reasonable people everywhere, but a professional attitude and scholarly detachment are often drowned by de facto censures by the ideological public that is unwilling to delve into an issue beyond a stale talking point.
In summary, the Muslims made Spencer's point for him.
Spencer is not only honest, he's all class when it comes to giving space and credit to those around him, good or bad.
We win this struggle every time Spencer and others like him act with dignity and verity. In short, we win every day.
Ryan, thanks for your copy.
You have our support and respect, Robert. I guess perspective would tell you that the indignity you suffered Wednesday night pales in comparison to the experiences of other victims of Islamic intolerance...but that's easy for me to propound; I wasn't the one up on the podium being shouted down.
If nothing else, East Tennessee State and its surrounding environs have now been alerted to the other face of their seemingly friendly Muslim schoolmates and neighbors.
I have not yet had the fortune of listening to Robert give one of his speeches. Who knows, maybe sometime in the near future I can organise him to come over to the UK to speak, along with others in the same field of the danger of Islam and Islamism to the free west.
Anyway.
I can't fault anything Robert has ever written on JW or FP. He does conduct himself in an eloquent manner, the key behaviour to a person who knows what they are speaking about.
However, what we have seen at East Tennessee State University is just the normal behaviour of those who can see that people are pulling the wool from over their eyes and seeing the truth of what Islam is. These 'shmucks' behave like all who can see their masquerade is coming to an end.
It is commonplace in the UK for many to attack the solitary figure who dares to question something that many are unfortunately pig ignorant about. We see people slander and sully and attack anything that the person has to say, without one iota of respect for freedom of speech and adult conversation and in many cases, the debates end up being shut down.
I have experienced this on many occasion when discussing with others who immediately start denying what I have to say, before I've said it and furthermore, with nothing to back it up whatsoever.
Robert no doubt knows how many people in the UK feel, especially when we are ignored or attacked for speaking up about Islam. No newspaper will touch what we have to say, if it is against Islam. They will simply not publish what we have to say and that includes the Daily Mail.
People in the UK have been trying to have a conversation on immigration for years but have been unable to do so as they've always been shouted down as 'racists'.
The government carefully brought in the "Incitement to Religious Hatred Bill" in 2005, to do just this - shut down any debate on Islam.
Robert is not alone as anyone who speaks out on Islam in today's society faces the same ridicule.
P.S.
Just to back up what I have to say, I was in a bar on a quiet afternoon, it was empty and decided to have a chat with the barman, a young lad of 22. The conversation ended up talking about Islam and the youth was completely oblivious to what I was talking about. On telling him that Sharia Courts were in operation in the UK he denied it vehemently, stating that Sharia would never be allowed in the UK. Upon telling him that 83% of all jobs created under NuLabour, since their time in office started, went to immigrants he shouted it down as lies and something probably out of the BNP periodical. Upon stating that Polygamy had been allowed for Muslim in the UK as well as benefits to be allowed to their wives outside of the UK, he laughed and stated 'rubbish' and nothing more than 'sensationalism' created in order to sell papers. Now this person was completely oblivious to what was happening in his own country and reacted angrily to being told the truth, taking the side of Islam immediately and that I was 'persecuting' them.
Not only is our fight against Islam, but most of the people in our society who are unable to grasp the complexity and brevity of the situation.
Were these Somalis, Robert? I'm very surprised that the school administration or security guards didn't "proctor" the event.
Ryan, that was very well written and I'm sorry it's left up to you to apologise for the misbehaviour of thugs whom you don't associate with.
Surely everytime Muslims act like this they're losing more and more support from the wider community.
I only wish there was a video we could watch. Did someone tape your speech by any chance Robert?
Treason trumps intellectual analysis at American academia, It's been like this for years. The perspective is the same as one admonishing a rape victim because she wore "seductive" clothing. The pursuit of ignorance is the preferable choice at American universities and so they produce intellectual zombies rather than thinking individuals. This is a good example of it and this is why Muslims on campus are a protected species because they possess an ideology that demands no inquiry into the truth of their thinking.
Richard
you wrote:
"Who knows, maybe sometime in the near future I can organise him to come over to the UK to speak, along with others in the same field of the danger of Islam and Islamism to the free west."
Perhaps you could try contacting Canon Patrick Sookhdeo, or maybe even Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, and floating the idea; they may have contacts. There are a few of the Lords who know what's what - for example, the Baroness who is involved with Christian Solidarity; and judges, priests and politicians here and there.
And - if you are a praying person - pray.
Robert speaks truth, and it really hurts those who want to silence him. The more these thugs disrupt and make obnoxious comments while Robert is trying to speak, the more they uncover their motives and others can see through their lies. l truly believe that students like Ryan will be moved to understand
these islamists methods of trying to silence people like Robert, and will go on to spead the truth about islam to others. The natural curiosty of students can help them question those who want to silence and with the information Robert gave them will arm these students against islamists and appologists.
This is not surprising. The main thing taught on American campuses is agnosticism. Most students graduate from college knowing that one cannot know anything. Of course this does not work on Muslim students who are already "true believers" of a rigid ideology when they show up for their freshman year.
The unfortunate situation is that most students, if they consider themselves Christian, have been taught a "Veggie Tales" type faith which cannot stand up under this type intellectual onslaught. Obviously these Muslim students were never taught their faith along the "Veggie Tale" model.
From above: Treason trumps intellectual analysis at American academia,
Perfect....
These people were clearly creating a disturbance, and should have been removed...Allowing riot is not a support of free speech...
"The natural curiosty of students can help them question those who want to silence and with the information Robert gave them will arm these students against islamists and appologists."
ZenaWarriorPrincess
We have people in high places, such as William Ayers (and friends), who receive grants to institute education programs to "radicalize" students in primary and secondary schools. These "radicalized" students grow up to spend the bulk of their lives doing exactly what was done to Robert at East Tennessee State University. Our own government has been turned against us in this enterprise by those in league with types like Mr. Ayers.
These "radicalized" students have the capacity to do whatever is necessary to achieve their ultimate goal. Their goal is to eliminate or subdue people like us and Robert. It is just that simple. This process has been tried with success in other countries such as Germany in the '30's.
Ryan, Well said. Thanks for posting this.
dumbledoresarmy,
You are very correct. I think it would be an excellent idea to contact Canon Patrick Sookhdeo, and Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali. I also have quite a few others I'd like to send emails to as well.
I think the more people involved then the greater the chance of making this become public, especially with known names.
I would also like to contact, ex Muslims as well who are in the public spotlight and those who have fled Islamic states. Then there are of course apostates.
In fact why stop at a small debate when it could be a day of speeches from some of the best known advocates on the danger of Islam?
It looks like I've got a lot of work to do as well as writing.
I may as well contact the big names like the Geert Wilders, the Hirsi Alis, the Ibn Warraqs etc etc. After all they can only say no can't they? It is after all about educating the people about the dangers of Islam. It is in the UK and we still do have Freedom of Speech. Better hurry before it's gone.
The unfortunate, yet totally necessary cost of doing business in the counter-jihadist movement.
Thank you Robert and thank you Ryan for your comment.
The end justifies the means - another unspoken "pillar" of Islam.
The students present for David Horowitz's October 15th speech at UVA behaved better, though there was some baiting. See this and this -- my two part review.
Nice review on your blog, Always On Watch. That's certainly not the rabid David Horowitz we've been lead to believe stalks the campuses of our country.
(sarc off)
"...by an ETSU student named Ryan, and thought it worth putting up as a separate post both so that you don't have only my word on how these things go, but also as a witness to, and a protest against, the atmosphere of thuggery and propaganda, and hostility to reasoned discourse, that increasingly prevails in American universities." --RS
Ryan's comment is valuable and insightful, no doubt about it, but just letting RS know that in situations where there are no "Ryan's" his "word" is certainly enough!
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,..”
Apparently, the Muslims and their supporters at ETSU conveniently neglected to respect the third phrase of the First Amendment. After all, one who disagrees with their program is practicing “hate speech”. Of course, one might also say that shouting down a speaker with whom you disagree is also “hate speech”. Unfortunately, I am forced to conclude that intellectual honesty and integrity, reasoned discourse and dispassionate analysis are panacea in our current university environment. I perceive this to be wholly or partially attributable to: young people that have learned that reports can be easily purchased online or cut and pasted; teachers that accept such efforts without applying critical faculties; and educators whose main goal is to comply with the ludicrous parameters of “No child left behind”. When this is combined with a loud, aggressive and extremely well-financed subversive cult, situations such as the one at ETSU are inevitable.
"Unfortunately, I am forced to conclude that intellectual honesty and integrity, reasoned discourse and dispassionate analysis are panacea in our current university environment."
Excuse me, but I think you meant "anathema" not "panacea."
First, again Mr. Spencer proves his worth to his country, to the West and to the truth. Second, again Muslims demonstrate that one of the best resources that exists in fighting the designs of Islam are Muslims themselves due to all their boorish, revolting ways.
"If you` have no rebuttle, than shout down the messenger"
This is the way I have always interpretated such behavior towards a speaker. Such a response to what should be a rational discourse is thrown out the window in favor of trying to crush the speakers points.
I remember standing at an airport listening to a speech by Ronald Reagan as he ran for his 2nd term as Governor of California, when off to my left several hippey types began to shout him down. Reagan handled them masterfully with some comments that left the audience laughing at these clowns to such a point that they all turned and walked away giving thrusting peace signs as they retreated. Ronald Reagan of course was a no nonsense Governor when it came to the major anti war protests on University campuses during Vietnam. Some comedians even invite, or actually say provoking things to get the audience to respond to them so that they can lay out one of their masterful put downs towards who ever speaks out in the audience. Of course the best way is to do it with a modicum of unchallengible class
I must agree,
"...assassinate Spencer’s character in the most insidious ways, referring to him as a “liar” while not offering even so much as an iota of textual substantiation."
...one must substantiate the misinformation and let the messenger explain. Hopefully he can back up his claim...but when he fails to substantiveely prove his claims and reasons, what does he do then?
He calls the other messenger, the questioner who holds the truth, a liar, and yet provides no proof whatsoever to back up his own claim.
Too bad he didn't speak in Texas, we would provide the same cordial crowd that greeted David Horowitz...and I note the only thugs and screamers on that night sat in David's reserved front row...the so called "Conservatives".
It seems when the lies are pointed out the "fans" can't handle it.
What do you say to that?
Truth
Abdullah Mikail
Resist the temptation.
Pardon me we have a liar amongst us...
I was present at the UTA event and this did not happen:
"...(although an older fellow, obviously not a student, did interrupt Mr. Horowitz during the question-and-answer period and uttered anti-Semitic remarks, resulting in the summoning of two campus polices officers, who calmed down the aged leftist so that he was allowed to remain)."
This id also a lie:
"spoke primarily about the fascist orientation of Islamic radicals."
David Spent approximately 1 hour 30 minutes supporting the establishment, history, and existence of Israel.
Semper vigilans? Seems you need to check your vigilence...stop lying.
"What He Said" defines cold hard truths about what he said.
Two capus police were on each side of the stage the whole night and didn't even lift a finger.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/GoPostal/commentdetail.aspx?GUID=eb2c3ad7-58f0-4c37-a4c3-d223906da0bb&commentID=3d24a7f5-1f0a-4b2e-b233-ca1ee10b1f09
Always on Watch it is pretty sad that in order to support someone you admire you have to lie in an article about something that never happened during a speech at UTA by a person who was proven to have lied four times at least during the speech.
Truthfully David was treated with respect due any intellectual, and the only apish behaviour was from the front row reserved section of "Conservatives".
Truth
Abdullah Mikail
hugh,
"Resist the temptation."
Think of a bug zapper...it is inevitable you know someone is going to get zapped.
: )
Truth
Abdullah Mikail
Mike Mackay:
I gather you are trying to imply that Robert Spencer's speeches are reflecting lies about Islamic teachings?
I gather you would like to invite him to a forum so that you may challenge his scholarship on Islam?
Are you prepared to handle that?
University of Virginia...beeeps..not UTA.
My apologies Always on Watch, sorry for having misrepresented your article.
Boy is my face red.
Oh well, no such thing as bad publicity...huh?
Maybe someone can read about what happened at UTA.
Again Always on Watch, sorry for that.
Peace
Abdullah Mikail
Mackie,
Robert is a very accomplished writer publishing seven books and a plethora of articles. I have followed some of his articles on FPM for two years as well as here recently.
I agree with his desire to see an end to political violence that is committed under the guise of religion.
I disagree with the way he tries to blame the religion for what these people do.
But as for Robert, he is not an "Islamic Scholar" in any respect, and he knows this. He has no certification to teach anything about Islam from any university acreddited to issue such degree. Robert is not an "Islamic Scholar".
There are simple basic fiqh issues to which he is totally ignorant, and some of his recent published work on FPM shows this.
I have exposed this issue here much to the chagrin of our generous host, Mr. Spencer, as well as his loyal fans.
Truth
Abdullah Mikail
Another attempt at thread theft...The thief is known, the location of the ban button is known,
relief is only a finger away...
Don't resist the temptation...
JW Fans,
I have no desire to drag down this thread.
I will bow out on this, the best day of the week, so that you amy all enjoy one another's company.
Have a great weekend.
Peace
Abdullah Mikail
P.S. Duh Swami, sorry, this is a free speech zone, and RS and I both champion free speech.
Think of a bug zapper...it is inevitable you know someone is going to get zapped.
: )
Crap
Abdullah Mikail
Posted by: Abdullah Mikail at October 31, 2008 1:31 PM
And just think - Abdullard is the bug!
I am going to start counting the number of times per thread that AM uses some form of the term "liar" in conjunction with, or connected to in some manner, the name of our host, or the site name.
Is he trying some subliminal brainwashing or what?
We who are here regularly know what AM is all about - but new visitors only know what their minds first register; without the background knowledge they are being bombarded with a repeated, false message.
I refer AM to Pop-eye, 'enough is enough and enough is too much...He was talking to you AM...
Even rain knows when to quit...
This is not a free speech zone unless RS and staff say it is.
They have control of the button...Abusers and liars forfeit any right to spew crap...
It's not your right to come to another's house and assault and insult them. If you came to my house with that stuff, you would be thrown out door pronto...I prefer evictions by the scruff of the neck, seat of the pants method...Sometimes I even open the door first...
Robert,
I am very disappointed that someone did not get video of the event. A couple confederates in the audience could document how Muslims and their sympathizers deal with your truthful challenges to their religion.
With the video from a number of campus speeches, you could have someone create a video on the phenomenon. My personal conclusion, is that Islam is a cult and uses the classic cult practices, combined with violent intimidation to spread itself. Cults do not broach a challenge to "the truth".
My cult thesis aside, video is also fodder for the position that leftist universities are unusually supportive of radical Islam. This is evidences by the number of socialist students who find solidarity with radical Islam.
Lastly, its good security and policing, since those amongst the radical Muslims who are motivated to do harm likely will first attend these kinds of events.
Keep telling the truth about Islam. I am sure that amongst the howling Muslims and their socialist friends, there are dozens of young people who "get it" and realize that Islam is about power and not about truth. This will open them to explore more about Islam's dark side and in time the wider culture will come to understand that Islam is a toxic religion.
The best way to defeat an enemies argument is to just let him open his mouth. Lastly, I would also recommend that students who support the anti-jihadist cause do the following: dress like a leftist (don't forget the Noam Chomsky and Che buttons)and interview Muslims who come out of Robert's discussions. They will be much more candid and may, with their guard down, expose their Islamic supremacist views. These comments can then be posted on Youtube.com so the real goals of Islamic totalitarianism can be exposed.
Peace.
James Martel...The suggestion in the last paragraph is a great idea...I hope someone in position picks up on it...
James
Someone did videotape the event. And as they say in East Tennessee, I am tryin' to git a-holt of the video now.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
From above: Someone did videotape the event.
That's great...I'm sure we will be seeing it here and maybe youtube.
I was wondering what the effect on a hostile audience would be, if a couple of camera's were rolling fixed on the audience. People on camera tend to be better behaved, but with these crowds there's no guarantee...
Someone did videotape the event. And as they say in East Tennessee, I am tryin' to git a-holt of the video now.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
Posted by: jihadwatch at October 31, 2008 2:35 PM
LOL
Very perceptive.
At the heart of much of this stuff is an ego-strength, ego-integrity problem.
We are faced, in the mohammedans, with a culture that dedicates an enormous amount of energy to stamping out individual judgement, individual initiative and indeed even any sense of independent self-respect. This is not the world of rugged individualists.
All value judgments, especially those that apply to self-esteem are subject to religious doctrine and more specifically to the word of religious authorities. And this under circumstances where reality is not held to have immutable characteristics which can be discovered independently by man. Reality is held to be momentarily and whimsically freshly created by allah -- on a moment to moment basis -- subject to NO limitations or predictable factors.
The only thing the believer can do is submit to the word of authority.
This leave a huge, frightening and painful hole in the soul.
And as it happens that hole can only be temporarily and superficially filled and the pain and fear momentarily eased by unquestioning obedience, strict conformity and identification with the group.
(Much the way candy will quiet the appetite when what the body needs is a proper meal).
So yes, the question the student raises goes straight to the heart of the problem.
There is a very thin line indeed between the mohammedan "veneration" of allah and the ravenous needs of the self-deficient psyche. (And it is worth remembering in this context that their doctrine dedicates a lot more ink to mohammed than allah)
The mob behavior that we have seen around the mo-toons and similar situations are a fairly good illustration of the societal result of this mind-set. Really, why would anybody care about what distant outsiders have to say about ones cultural mythology -- and more dramatically, why does that caring express itself in mass riots?
It only matters if self-regard is extremely fragile. And it will only express itself on a mass scale if that condition is highly general.
Those riots are (among other things) the members of the collective expressing their dedication to, and deriving a sense of safety from the collective identity.
Reminds me of the Borg on Star Trek, only worse.
See Eric Hoffer and Elias Canetti
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Hey Abdullard - dressing up like a female Mohammedan in a black tent with eyeholes? Yep - that sure is scary. You oughta try it, Abdullard - see how the female Mohammedans feel every day of their lives.
Brainwashed-convert jerk. Freedom of Speech!
The camera is fixed on Mr.Spencer throughout both his lecture and Q&A, but I'm pretty sure the remarks of the public can be heard. I have not seen the tape, so I cannot claim anything with certainty; all I am relaying is what I was told by both the student president and faculty sponsor of the student organization that invited Mr. Spencer.
The video will likely be placed on YouTube, but I have no ETA on this as of yet. I would wager that someone from the student organization will be in touch with Mr. Spencer when it's ready. For those who have yet to see an intellectual lynching, the video will be duly sobering and edifying.
The most egregious breaches of common decency occurred by older professionals. If I recall correctly, two of the most vulgar inquirers were a biochemist and a physician. These are adult men who should know to behave better than this. For what it's worth, if anything, the younger Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent were far more respectful, on the whole, than their elders. One can only hope that the younger generations attempt to reform their faith in opposition to the hypocrisy and discourteous behavior their elders exhibit.
Next time, next event, two cameras. One always on speaker, the other always on the audience...
Don't use a traditional "camera" -- just use your cell phone camera. Have somebody with their attention turned facing toward the audience with a cellphone. Anytime somebody is worth getting on film, aim your phone at him or her.
RE: “And as they say in East Tennessee, I am tryin' to git a-holt of the video now.”
A correction: SOME people in East Tennessee, probably less than 10%, continue to use this colloquial expression, which is a remnant of the English dialect spoken by the original Scotch/Irish settlers of the area—the fighting Scotch/Irish, that is.
Is analogous to remnants from the English dialect spoken by the settlers in other parts of the country: “pock the cah” (park the car) and “Hey fellah, let’s go to the dinah and get a cup of ku-off-ee,” of New York and the NE.
The only difference of course, is that the colloquialisms (and frequently the very patriotic American citizens) of East TN and the entire South for that matter, are routinely laughed at, mocked, derided, put down, or at the minimum, poked fun at by many other American citizens. In all their God-hating, America-hating, amoral arrogance, Hollywood is the worst offender in doing this, of course (along with mocking religion, unless it’s islam).
One thing is certain, IF Robert did actually hear one of the East TN people say this expression (rather than merely hearing it from one of Hollywood’s learned, classy offerings), and IF the East TN person was a male, and IF the male was say, 18 to 30 years old, and IF Robert had laughed at or pointed out how quaint/ignorant/humorous/stupid the 18 to 30 year old East TN male sounded to him, there is a VERY good chance that this descendent of the original Scotch/Irish—the fighting Scotch/Irish, would have responded with another famous local colloquial expression, “Take off your glasses, four-eyes, I’M GONNA WHUP YOUR ASS!”
But Robert, like most people, is far too polite and courteous to laugh out loud to their face, at anyone who speaks like “they” do in East TN.
(plus, from experiences growing up in our neighborhoods, all us guys know when to keep our mouths shut unless we want to risk getting into a fight and possibly getting our arses whupped too, don’t’ we?)
For any with an interest, there’s a rich colonial/revolutionary war history in East TN:
“…the Watauga Association represented the first white government in Tennessee.” (the Cherokees had the first govt. in the area)
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=W028
The Overmountain Men and the Battle of King’s Mountain
(wikipedia is accurate for some things)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overmountain_Men
http://www.tngenweb.org/revwar/kingsmountain.html
After capturing Charleston, SC and most of SC, Lord Cornwallis established his headquarters in Charlotte, NC, where due to the large number of rebels in the area, called it, “a hornet’s nest of rebellion.” http://wernerwillisfineart.com/imgdetl.php?item=3
(the former Charlotte Hornets NBA basketball team took their name from this expression)
His Major Patrick Ferguson then issued a warning to the Overmountain Men that “if they did not desist from opposition... he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword.”
Their response was a collective, “Oh yeah? Since YOU dare to threaten us and our Freedom, WE will come find you, fight you, and kill YOU!”
On September 25, 1780, they mustered at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River at present day Elizabethton (approx. 6 miles from where Robert spoke), then marched across the high Appalachian Mountains, hunted for, and found Major Ferguson when he happened to be camped on top of King’s Mountain (actually a low ridge). There on October 7, 1780, they did to him exactly what they had vowed to do—risk life and limb, fight for and keep their Freedom.
The patriots’ victory was one the major turning points in the Revolutionary War—one year later, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, VA on October 19, 1781.
http://www.sycamoreshoals.org/Where%20Liberty%20Began.htm
http://www.ovta.org/
http://www.silverwhistle.co.uk/lobsters/ferguson.html
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/yorktown.htm
I KNOW there are still many patriotic, Freedom-loving American men AND women, who would do the same as the Overmountain Men if (or, when?) we ever have to fight again for our Freedom. But when we see now that many Americans are eaten up with fear and “I-like-being-blind-so-don’t-tell-me-about-any-dangers,” and are longing for “The One” who promises to “completely transform America” and “save” them, it does cause concern, doesn’t it?
Thanks again, Robert and the folks of Jihadwatch, for all that you do.
In Remembrance of Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf:
Thanks. I assure you that I meant no offense. I lived in North Carolina for seven years, during which I picked up the ability to approximate a pretty fair Eastern North Carolina accent. I tried it out the other night in Tennessee with the young man who led the effort to get me there, and noticed that his own accent was a bit different, as he was a native Tennesseean.
In all of this I mean to insult no one. I am fascinated by language, and by language variations, dialects, accents. I'm just as delighted to say that I want to git a-holt of something as I would be to say that I paid ten quid for some bangers and mash. Language variation is a land of mystery and delight.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
Robert (actually, because you’re such a class act, the salutation, “Mr. Spencer,” seems more appropriate),
Mr. Spencer, You’re a class act!
I agree thoroughly that the very concept and experience of language, esp. the English language with all its dialects, accents, and flexibility to new words is very fascinating. Precise words mean precise things, and your command of the language clearly shows in your writings (Hugh’s also—yes, he should compile them into a book).
Wish I knew you were speaking at ETSU! The last I read about it was your post about the student committee denying it. Coincidentally, I worked in East TN most of this week, and left Johnson City late Friday evening. Earlier this week, while enjoying an adult beverage, a cigarette or three, and a meal at one of the local pubs near ETSU, I actually heard someone express that famous local colloquialism, “I’m gonna whup your ass!” But fortunately, the guy’s friends calmed the speaker down and all was well again (har!).
Also, had NO idea of the extent of the muslim presence in East TN. From info in a recent post on jihadwatch, I contacted the group who was distributing the “Obsession” DVD, they sent me several, and I handed out 8 copies of it this week to various customers and people in East TN. In view of the info you’ve posted about your experience at ETSU, I’ll be sure to give out more next time I’m there.
I sincerely hope I didn’t cause any offense with my post either—most of what I know about islam I’ve learned from your books, audio/video presentation, and here at jihad/dhimmiwatch. What you’re doing in informing anyone who will listen is extremely valuable. These are dangerous, turbulent times and our need for unity of purpose is great. (sorry to read about LGF’s response)
I think many of us believe things are definitely going to get much, much worse before anything will get better. I also agree with you and commend you in your resolve as the opposition grows.
As for me, I’m not scared, I’m not intimidated by any of these threats looming on the immediate horizon—I’m just MAD! We Westerners and Americans and those still free in India, etc have been given incalculably valuable gifts: Freedom, Liberty, the Rule of Law, Equality of Rights under the Law.
There’s been much precious lives and blood risked and shed by those who have given us these gifts—NEVER let it be said or recorded that it was our generation that couldn’t be bothered away from our busy little lives or who lacked the courage and fortitude to rise up and stand firm against those who would destroy it all—for the sake of their “god” and their “religion!”
Thanks again for all you’re doing…stay safe…May God Bless You. G’night.
Just noticed the repartee on here about Southern regionalisms.
'Tis late in the game, but maybe someone will notice and answer the riddle:
What's the plural of y'all?
(Hat tip to my Southern-raised sister.)
never forget that in Tennessee the level of education is one of the lowest in the country and this is why the Muslims preachers and leaders have such an easy time to fry the students brains. like they do with their barbecue and fried chicken...
Never forget that in Tennessee the level of education is one of the lowest in the country and this is why the Muslims preachers and leaders have such an easy time to fry the students brains. like they do with their famous barbecue and fried chicken...
Richard the Lionheart
just a further thought, in terms of people who may be interested in helping you put something together.
I don't know how long you lurked here before you started posting, but if you only came on board here after Easter 2007 you wouldn't have had the privilege of meeting Dominic 'necessitasnonhabetlegem', archaeologist, academic, general livewire, who only posted here for some six months or less, yet left an indelible mark, before his untimely and much-lamented death in a motor vehicle accident.
You will see his name on the main page, in the left hand side bar, under the portrait of Oriana Fallaci, among the in memoriams.
Now: suppose some people were organising some sort of symposium or conference with a focus not so much 'against Islam' as 'FOR western civilisation'. Make it something positive rather than negative. People like Bostom, Bat Yeor, Spencer, Ibn Warraq, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Patrick Sookhdeo, Magdi Cristiano Allam, as speakers. Suppose the centrepiece was a lecture presented by Mr Robert Spencer, Greek Melkite Catholic scholar in comparative religion...in honour of, in memory of, Dominic, a rising star extinguished before his time.
It would be completely appropriate. Dominic had been to Jerusalem; he had visited archaeological sites there. His family - a perfectly lovely, intelligent, lively upper class English Catholic family - had Jewish connections as well.
In who and what he was, young as he was, he summed up Western civilisation - the best of England, but also Jerusalem, Athens, Rome.
Let him stand for what you wish to honour and defend. If you did that, his family might have interesting ideas and be able and willing to help (and they in turn might have interesting contacts). Mr Spencer would probably know how to put you in touch with them.