| FrontPageMag.com | By Robert Spencer | By Hugh Fitzgerald | Books | Dhimmi Watch | Robert Spencer | Islam 101 | Qur'an Blog |  |
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I am very pleased to bring you this announcement from FrontPage. Operations here will continue as before: I retain full editorial control over the direction of Jihad Watch, and now I think you may be seeing some significant improvements here -- and we should be able to begin some of the projects we have long contemplated but have not had the resources to begin. (Many useful links in the original.)
If only all his recent news all his recent attention had been so positive.FrontPage Magazine columnist and JihadWatch.org Director Robert Spencer has reached an agreement to become affiliated with the David Horowitz Freedom Center (DHFC). JihadWatch will continue operating as it has, but it will now function under the DHFC umbrella.
Robert Spencer will be well known both to our faithful readers and students of Islam generally. A world-renowned authority on Islam with a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, he is the author of five books, including the New York Times bestseller, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (published by Regnery).
Spencer began operating the website JihadWatch.org in October 2003. It now receives half-a-million “hits” from 20,000 unique visitors each day. Spencer says he hopes under DHFC patronage, the site “will expand and become a little bit more activist” and that the affiliation will “put it on a firmer basis.” With this outreach, DHFC adds to its stable a religious scholar and outstanding writer, while Spencer believes this will cause the website to become “a more widely known resource” that “in time will begin to shape public policy.”He is particularly eager to see the new affiliation “bring law enforcement and government officials to a greater awareness of what we’re up against and the nature of the enemy – which has largely been ignored and obscured and denied – and thereby be able to more effectively fight against that enemy.”
That enemy is radical Islam – and it isn’t confined to the Middle East.
He cites the example of Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, the Muslim who ran over students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill – Spencer’s alma mater – as part of a jihad. When arrested, Taheri-azar said he was “thankful for the opportunity to spread the will of Allah.” Unfortunately, his actions have manifested by many other American Muslims – of all racial backgrounds – who fragged their fellow soldiers, engaged in “paintball jihad,” fought for the Taliban, shot up a Jewish community center, sniped motorists around the nation’s capital, and plotted to blow up the Sears Tower.
Despite the thin blue line’s commitment to Homeland Security, he says police and FBI members are more likely to hear about Islam from extremism’s apologists. “They’ve been getting advice from the wrong people; they’ve been getting sensitivity training led by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and groups like it, which is scandalous.” As a result of his new relationship with DHFC, he hopes he will have the resources to reach policemen and others wondering how to respond when radical clerics turn up in their area. JihadWatch “will offer an alternative to police departments that are courageous enough to break out of the politically correct lockstep.”
He offers as an example the FBI’s keen surveillance of the Communist Party USA during the height of the Cold War. Both groups have advocated the violent overthrow of the U.S. government. Like modern Islam, he says, the CPUSA had a public and private face: “one ran Gus Hall for president” and the other cooperated with the KGB. Both were closely watched. This was, in broad strokes, an effective model for dealing with” modern extremists.
He began studying Islam 26 years ago, when he encountered Muslims in college. Although often called an “Islamophobe,” he had only positive impressions of Muslims as a result of stories about his relatives, who regaled him with charming stories of growing up in a Muslim-dominated area. Thus, when his college friends suggested he read the Koran, he says, “I didn’t come into it with any negative preconceptions; quite the contrary.” He acknowledges, “I was beguiled with the poetry of some of the later suras…[Even in English translation] some of the beauty came out.” However, “the level of violence” caused him to further investigate Islam, which in turn led him to many of his present conclusions. To shake its image as a fountainhead of terrorism, Spencer says Islam must prove “with deeds as well as words [that it] repudiates this jihad ideology and fights against it.” One day it may be perceived as the Religion of Peace.
Spencer keeps busy aside from his work on JihadWatch.
Next month, Regnery Publishing will release his forthcoming book, The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World’s Most Intolerant Religion. The author says the new book is not a biography but “an examination of the elements of Mohammad’s career – his words and deeds – which give rise to the violence and terror we see in the world today, and based entirely on Muslim sources.” This is the follow-up to his bestselling Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam.
DHFC is the parent organization of FrontPage Magazine, Students for Academic Freedom, Discover The Networks, the Individual Rights Foundation, and other pro-American undertakings. This June, the Liberty Film Festival also merged with our parent organization, which was then named the Center for the Study of Popular Culture.
The Center is pleased to be associated with such an outstanding author and scholar and believes its expansion will aid all parties involved – especially members of the public looking for authentic, up-to-date news and analysis of radical Islam.
Posted by Robert at September 6, 2006 6:41 AM
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Robert,
Congrauations on being honored with this new position. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: bigcatgirl13106![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 6, 2006 6:57 AM
Robert,
Please add my congrats to those you've already heard. Our collective goal of education of the masses is that much closer. Thanks for what you do and keep up the good work!
at September 6, 2006 7:03 AM
Is this the same David Horowitz that had that '80s program on TV called FIGHT BACK with the slogan, "Don't get ripped off!"
I liked him.
Posted by: August22 at September 6, 2006 7:36 AM
Congrats Robert!...(Hugh must be appalled).
Posted by: Cornelius at September 6, 2006 7:39 AM
Robert -
Congratulations and Best Wishes for Future Growth. Sincerely,
Jeffrey Imm
UnitedStatesAction.com
at September 6, 2006 8:19 AM
Robert, congratulations and Godspeed!
Now ... where do we send contributions to the tip jar? Still to JihadWatch?
Posted by: Columba at September 6, 2006 8:33 AM
Robert, Congratulations and Best Wishes..
at September 6, 2006 8:55 AM
This will be a great move (as you know). I'm looking forward to the positive changes that are sure to result from your new affiliation.
Senator
Posted by: SENATOR at September 6, 2006 8:59 AM
All this sounds truly exciting !
Posted by: POITIERS-LEPANTO at September 6, 2006 10:22 AM
I join the others in congratulating Mr. Spencer.
The article itself (here and at frontpagemag.com) though suffers slightly from two typos, one prominently marring the first sentence. I'm a proofreader in need of some extra work, and I only charge $14.00/hr. My corrections noted in brackets.
"If only all his recent news [and] all his recent attention had been so positive."
"Unfortunately, his actions have [been] manifested by many other American Muslims..."
Posted by: remote_control at September 6, 2006 11:08 AM
Congrats Robert!
This is a good sign: the Intellectual front is beginning to firm up.
I can imagine the screams now: 'Zionists and Christians and Bears! Oh my!'
at September 6, 2006 11:31 AM
FIST IN THE AIR ROBERT! Congradulations and the very best to you - this is exactly what we needed. As always keep up this awesome work of truth.
Posted by: Quantum Infidel at September 6, 2006 12:01 PM
Congratulations RS.
at September 6, 2006 12:17 PM
Robert
Congratulations. I've always had nothing but the highest respect for David Horowitz, and I'm glad to see JihadWatch getting more closely affiliated with his organization.
Cornellius
Why would Hugh be appalled?
Posted by: Infidel Pride at September 6, 2006 12:21 PM
"Five High" Mr. Spencer!
You must be doing something right to warrent this amount of attention!
I raise my glass in a toast to your continued success!
Posted by: witness at September 6, 2006 12:22 PM
Please post a link to the David Horowitz Freedom Center on Jihad Watch.
Posted by: Christian at September 6, 2006 12:22 PM
Congratulations! May the terrorists tremble in their dens...
*~@:o(
at September 6, 2006 12:44 PM
Maybe the David Horowitz Freedom Center cannot compete with the trillions of petrodollars that the jihadists have at their disposal, but at least it's not thin gruel and re-soled shoes in Undisclosedville from now on. Congratulations to all.
Posted by: special_guest at September 6, 2006 1:35 PM
Congrats Mr. Spencer!!
Posted by: freewoman at September 6, 2006 2:17 PM
Congrats Mr. Spencer!!
FPM was the second place that I came across your name and found your website, a long time ago. Being a “chronic New Yorker,” I like David’s “direct” style. But realizing the rest of the country needs time to mull these matters over, I appreciate your patience and ability to express matters in terms accessible to a broad audience.
at September 6, 2006 3:18 PM
I'm not sure that Jihad Watch being taken over by a large organization is such a great development.
Posted by: george_rem at September 6, 2006 3:34 PM
David Horowitz should be grateful for Robert's involvement with his group. Robert will bring more sanity, reason and logic of the real islam to the non muslim population. Robert your dedication and hard work will make a difference for this world. you are the "Frodo" that will help destroy the cult of islam.
Posted by: ZenaWarriorPrincess at September 6, 2006 4:22 PM
ps if Robert is the "Frodo" will Hugh be the "Gandalf" for saving the world from Islam? just food for thought.
Posted by: ZenaWarriorPrincess at September 6, 2006 4:24 PM
Congratulations Mr.Spencer!
Thank you for providing a non pc forum to vent out my pressure cooked steam.
Posted by: Crows&Cows at September 6, 2006 4:30 PM
This is good news. While Jihad Watch is the website I turn to nearly every day, being the most authoritative with respect to how Islam is a menace to the West, Frontpagemag.com is a website for which I also have high regard; ditto the indefatigable David Horowitz. I am hopeful that more people in local and national government who have significant roles in protecting us from our enemies (especially the enemy fifth column within our borders) will read what is posted on these websites and become more informed about the nature of this implacable and insidious enemy and its tactics, which will lead to tactical shifts in our attempts at defending ourselves.
Posted by: commonsense at September 6, 2006 4:39 PM
INFIDEL PRIDE: "Cornellius, Why would Hugh be appalled?"
RESPONSE: Hugh has expressed nothing but disdain for David Horowitz on these pages. I suppose now he'll prbably exhibit a little more circumspection.
Posted by: Cornelius at September 6, 2006 8:09 PM
I love David Horowitz and Front Page, so this sounds great to me. Congratulations Mr. Spencer! This affiliation should serve to enhance your efforts to educate the world about islam. We certainly need experts on islam who are not affiliated with muslim advocacy groups to educate law enforcement and government.
Nobody can explain islamic doctrine any better than you, whether in a live television or radio interview, or in a book. How you manage to maintain your cool and collected demeanor still amazes me, but it's your most potent and valuable asset! I would love to see a debate between you and the Iranian thug in chief! Thanks for doing this, you are an American patriot and hero.
Posted by: Susanp at September 7, 2006 12:19 AM
The real reason of course that Hugh would be appalled is that he's been planning for some time to take the site over from Robert in some kind of bloodless coup.
Why? Three words:
More essay space.
Shameful.
Prophet Geoff
PS: I wonder...could Rob challenge Ahmandinejidad to a debate? The man seems to like them. Is he a rootin-tootin islamic gunslinger, or isn't he?
Posted by: Geoff at September 7, 2006 12:39 AM
This news just in:
In the Bibliotheque Nationale, le TGB, Mitterand's regrettable exegi-monumentum, a hitherto-unknown play by Corneille has been discovered. Apparently overlooked for so long because it had been bound together with two other, better-known plays by the same playwright -- "Le Cid" and "Le toison d'or" -- and subsequently miscatalogued under the title of "Le Cid" alone, this rediscovered play may merit a particular poster's careful attention.
The title of the play is "Le semeur de zizanie."
at September 7, 2006 12:40 AM
Robert, Does this mean you'll be getting a nice renovation at secure undisclosed location?
Posted by: Xero G at September 7, 2006 1:56 AM
I suppose now he'll prbably exhibit a little more circumspection.
If Hugh has genuine constructive criticism then, as I am sure that Mr Horowitz is a gentleman, he will welcome such, and open reasoned debate to follow. Debate, argument, the ability to agree to differ are what distinguishes us from the totalitarian regime(s) elsewhere.
I look forward to reading many more of Hugh's informative essays in the months to come.
at September 7, 2006 2:50 AM
Excellent News!
The coalition against radical islam is growing and gaining strength.
at September 7, 2006 3:16 AM
Hugh,
I'm not cultured enough to be able to decipher your cryptic message.
I can only say that I thought of you and chuckled when I learned of Jihadwatch's new association with the DHFC.
Have you ever read 'Radical Son'?
Posted by: Cornelius at September 7, 2006 7:22 AM
Hugh,
Puis, c'est qui que vous appellez un diviseur?
Prophète Geoff
Posted by: Geoff at September 7, 2006 12:25 PM
Not "diviseur." Semeur de zizanie. There is a difference. The playwright's name hints, norfolk-broadly.
Posted by: Hugh at September 7, 2006 8:51 PM
Old Beaudreau died and went to hell. He met the devil, who asked Beaudreau how he liked hell. He said," Just like a june day on the bayou." Satan had his underlings turn up the heat. Satan asked Beaudreau the same question the next day, and Beaudreau replied," Just fine, like a July day on the bayou." The next day, Satan turned the heat full up, and asked Beaudreau what he thought of hell now? The reply :Just like an August day on the bayou.
Satan then had the temperature turned full cold, and when he came in he could hear Beaudreau whistling. Satan asked him how he liked hell now and the reply was," Praise the Lord, the Saints just won the Super Bowl.
That just happens to be the same day that Islam will be recognized as The Religion of Peace.
at September 8, 2006 12:45 AM
La zizanie n`inclus pas de la division?
D'accord, c'est encore difficile a suivre tes indices precisement, mais je persevere, assez long que vous pouvez tolérez ma francais exécrable, mon éducation non-classique.
The crow that seeds discord. Mais c`est qui, la corneille qui cris? C'est ma question.
Prophète Geoff
Posted by: Geoff at September 8, 2006 2:32 AM
Oho! Tu te M`appele une corneille!
Well that was so offhand, it almost knocked me off my perch.
Corvid Geoff
Posted by: Geoff at September 8, 2006 3:40 AM
You've misunderstood the significance of the name "Corneille" and have gone off on an ornithological and scarlet tangent.
Nothing to do with an upstart crow beautified with our feathers, or for that matter nothing to do with most beautified Ophelia. Nothing to do with the crow that takes wing to the rooky wood, a line which appears in one of the select passages selected for inspection in Empson's "Seven Types of Ambiguity." Nothing to do with that French courbeau, maitre corbeau, sur un arbre perche, qui tenait en son bec un fromage. You are barking up the wrong arbre.
The name "Corneille" was chosen in order to play on the name of the particular poster at whom the surface-to-air missile-missive was aimed. If, at this point, and you still wish to woof-woof up the wrong tree (the metaphoric animals becoming as numerous as the real imaginary ones, or imagined real ones, who invite themselves upon Thidwick's big-hearted antlers) I don't know what to do except to express dendrological dismay.
Or, perhaps, as another upstart crow, this one in feathers borrowed from a millinery shop, on Nevskiy Prospekt, circa 1824, where (one can dream) that beautiful flighty Natalia Goncharova used to buy her hats, I should add this tell-tale couplet, by way of explanation:
Skazka lozh'--da v nej namyok
Dobrym molodtsam urok.
at September 8, 2006 1:00 PM
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