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UPDATE: Kevin Mooney has made some revisions and corrections to his piece, for which I thank him. The revised piece is here.
Here is a rather disappointing story about my talk at the Heritage Foundation yesterday -- but since there is unlikely to be any other coverage of the event, I thought I'd comment on it a bit. "Author Examines 'War' Against Non-Muslims," by Kevin Mooney of CNSNews:
Washington (CNSNews.com) - Western policymakers need to "undertake a systematic study" of Islamic theology and law before they can understand the goals and motives of terrorists who are working to subjugate or convert non-Muslim populations, a scholar on Islam told a gathering in Washington on Tuesday.It would be a mistake to assume that Islam has been "hijacked," argued Robert Spencer, the author of a recent book on the prophet of Islam, Mohammed.
Terrorists and extremists targeting American interests today are making use of the actual text in the Koran and the teachings of their prophet, he said.
Spencer is the director of the Jihad Watch website and the author of six books, his most recent dealing with Mohammed.
"It is untrue that jihadists are a tiny minority of extremists," Spencer said in a lecture hosted by the Heritage Foundation.
"The texts of Islamic jurisprudence say it is incumbent upon the Islamic community to wage war against non-Muslims until they submit or convert. This concept is shared by all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence and is not rejected by anything considered orthodox."
At the conclusion of Spencer's presentation, police were called to the event after several individuals began to chant slogans, expressing their displeasure at the substance of Spencer's talk.
"One hundred thousand Muslims died -- that's like Nazi genocide. Spencer and Cheney want World War III," chanted the protestors, who identified themselves to Cybercast News Service as representatives of former presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche.
These LaRouche kids weren't listening. I had explained my opposition to the Wilsonian Iraq democracy project just a few minutes before they started singing about me and Cheney.
Police arrived on the scene following an altercation in the hallway outside of the lecture hall.Spencer was particularly critical of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). He accused the organization of accepting funds from sources with ties to Hamas. He also said individuals in CAIR were working to replace the U.S. Constitution with Islamic law (shari'a).
I didn't say anything about their accepting funds from Hamas. I said their co-founders came out of the Islamic Association for Palestine, which was a Hamas group. Nor did I say that individuals in CAIR were working to replace the U.S. Constitution with Islamic law. I said that Omar Ahmad and Ibrahim Hooper had said they would like to see Islamic law in the U.S., and that several CAIR officials were now in prison for various terrorism-related activities.
These might seem like small distinctions, but on such matters it is very important to be careful. You can hear what I actually said here.
In response, CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said Spencer was a "leading Islamophobe" who has written "bone chilling" comments on his "Jihad Watch" website that incite unfounded and unjustified hatred of Muslims.
I wonder if Hooper really said I had written "bone chilling" comments here. If so, he has never published anything I've written that chilled his bones. He has put out press releases noting some unmoderated comments that were written by other people here -- many of which I deleted as soon as I saw them.
It is also worth noting -- although Kevin Mooney didn't come back to ask me anything about this -- that some of these "bone chilling" comments are planted. Recently a man with the name "Jevad" in his email address came here and wrote several genocidal and inciteful posts under the name "Feingold." I deleted them and banned him, of course, but it was clear that he was writing posts that he hoped would become ammunition for Hooper and Co.
Anyway, notice: Hooper doesn't address anything I said about CAIR, or even anything Kevin Mooney said I said. All he does is attack me personally. And Kevin Mooney, apparently, doesn't call him on it and press him to talk about CAIR.
It is disturbing that a respected institution like the Heritage Foundation would have someone like Spencer," Hooper told Cybercast News Service.
Ironically enough, I think it is disturbing that respected institutions like CNN, MSNBC, etc., would have someone like Hooper.
CAIR has launched an educational effort of its own called "Explore the Life of Muhammad," which includes a free book or DVD about the prophet's life and legacy. The campaign followed the worldwide controversy over caricatures of Muhammad, first published in a Danish newspaper.Two years ago, CAIR launched an online petition drive called "Not in the Name of Islam," which is intended to "disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims."
And that's it. No look into that petition drive to see its obvious inadequacies as a tool to dissuade Muslims from the jihad ideology. No questions about what CAIR is doing to fight that jihad ideology. Nothing about the arrested CAIR officials. Nothing -- just a last paragraph that gives readers the impression that here is a good moderate Muslim group that I am wickedly picking on.
I expect this sort of thing from the mainstream media. It is a bit disappointing to see it from CNS.
Posted by Robert at November 15, 2006 8:05 AM
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In response, CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said Spencer was a "leading Islamophobe" who has written "bone chilling" comments on his "Jihad Watch" website that incite unfounded and unjustified hatred of Muslims.
As usual, Iblis Hooper doesn't have his facts right. On this site Robert Spencer is a "dove" compared to many of the people who post here. I've yet to see him say anything remotely hostile about Islam. And as for him inciting hatred of Islam that too is laughable. The facts about Islam speak for themselves-nobody here needs any urging from anyone to be disgusted with Islam.
Personally, I enjoy those "bone chilling" comments from the more hawkish posters here that are attributed to Robert because by and large they are truthful. Hell, I've seen comments edited or removed that were deemed too hawkish so Iblis should count his blessings.
Robert Spencer:keep on telling it like it is and thanks for keeping this site going!
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 15, 2006 9:00 AM
It's clear this is going to be a uphill battle; and it is 'bone chiling' more people, particularly those of the Right are not as yet concerned of the consequences of Islamic progress in the West.
Since 9/11 Islam has made much more progress in this war than the West -- if one views it in a global context of one system's overall strength and health measured against another.
Were not many millions of Muslims not permanent citizens of all Western countries I'd say no real threat exists but, as it is, the enemy has already breached the gates and are currently free to rampage for their ends -- to establish a solid base in political and cultural institutions -- like a wasp parasite in the belly of a spider.
at November 15, 2006 9:02 AM
One thing I believe to be a truism, is that we are born with a personality, and that is the persona we spend our entire lives fulfilling. As man is the measure of all things, I also believe that as Islam was born of the theft of monotheism from the Jewish people, they are now fulfilling their collective persona in leaching our American identity, and using our thoughts and ideals against us.
Is it any wonder why in their home, the truth is the enemy (i.e. Salah Uddin Shaoib Choudhury, Bangladesh), but abroad they claim to be its champion? Is it any wonder why in their home violence and murder are commonplace (i.e. Just read and newspaper in the world), but abroad they are the champions of peace?
Posted by: enough is enough
at November 15, 2006 9:09 AM
A petition?
Good lord.
Maybe they could wave it in the face of that "minority of extremists" to try and dissuade them from an attack.
Islam seems to me to be founded on a juvenile fantasy of the world.
Prophet Geoff
Posted by: Geoff at November 15, 2006 9:55 AM
Robert,
I watched the entire Heritage Foundation speech last night; bravo! Excellent presentation & handling of the Q&A portion.
Among the many points you made, I was particularly gratified to see you frequently reiterating that those responsible for our safety are NOT focusing on the fundamentals regarding Islamic terrorism. I am hoping DVDs make their way to those at the highest levels (if Condaleeza Rice is so scholarly, she should be interested).
Someone did mention getting a DVD of this; is there one available?
THANK YOU for the work you are doing!
Vee
at November 15, 2006 9:58 AM
P.S. If someone wants "bone chilling", they need only look at this site, which someone posted previously here:
Posted by: Vee at November 15, 2006 10:00 AM
BUT....THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS....
The truth is the truth--and YOU AND THE TRUTH equals a majority!
Robert, anyone who takes the least effort to see what you do here knows THE VERY FIRST day on your site that you and Hugh and Marisol document everything that requires it.
If CAIR thinks having Hooper on TV is helping them--GO 4 it!! The guy looks dumb, sounds dumb---is dumb. As you hear his angry little personal attacks against you and any who will stand up and TAKE THE HEAT (by calling the jihadis out) you think to yourself -- this guy is a nut.
Hooper's distortions (provable to any person who lifts their little finger to check out the facts)--make you think--this MORON is LIAR. There is something about this guy that makes me sick--and did even before I had checked out JW.
Posted by: BB at November 15, 2006 10:09 AM
Reporters don't want to believe Islam's holy books are a call to war against nonbelievers and the submission of the world to Islam's domination and imperialism. They don't want to believe the truth because it questions why we should allow Islam in our society.
Posted by: John Sobieski at November 15, 2006 10:32 AM
CAIR has launched an educational effort of its own called "Explore the Life of Muhammad," which includes a free book or DVD about the prophet's life and legacy.
I can't wait to get this. I'm just dying to know what Mo did in between the beheadings and raping virgins. Other than mending his own clothes, of course.
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at November 15, 2006 10:36 AM
Robert:
I took the time (1:03:49) to watch and listen carefully to your speech and the question period that followed. It amazes me how someone can so easily distort what you said that I clearly heard.
The young lady who asked a question clearly had an arrogance to here question in the way she addressed you when she asked a question about Representative Foley (probably a La Rouch follower). She clearly wasn't listening or simply has a narrow focus and agenda that the la Rouch routinely demonstrate whenever I run into them at Post offices (their favorite haunts for getting the attention of the public for some reason).
How she somehow came up with thinking that certain sexual activites where found to be exclusive to Muslims from their texts based on your speech was simply amazing. Your smile directed towards here said it all as you corrected her thinking
Also your coolness after the speech while the La Rouches chanted their song was noted in the video.
Posted by: Mackie at November 15, 2006 10:51 AM
Vee,
Bone-chilling indeed.
Every single non-Muslim is like an awful stench and every single practicing believer is like a beautiful perfumed smell. When one stays inside a blacksmith shop for a few hours, they eventually smell terrible; and this is the parable of the Kafir. They can easily influence you into evil by their smiles, laughs, jokes, and talks with you and eventually what happens is that you don’t feel like showing your animosity and hatred towards them for their Shirk; and this is a great sin for not hating what Allah hates.
Shirk = polytheism (eg. believing that Jesus is divine).
Posted by: Jan III Sobieski at November 15, 2006 10:56 AM
They can easily influence you into evil by their smiles, laughs, jokes, and talks with you and eventually what happens is that you don’t feel like showing your animosity and hatred towards them for their Shirk; and this is a great sin for not hating what Allah hates.
In other word being polite, looking them in the face, smiling and being a generally decent person like your mother raised you to be is a huge insult. Silly kafirs, don't show your humanity to the faithful, they might hesitate when the time comes to cut off your head.
And that's what they consider sinful.
Posted by: JadeDragoness at November 15, 2006 11:10 AM
In other word being polite, looking them in the face, smiling and being a generally decent person like your mother raised you to be is a huge insult.
And that's what they consider sinful.
Posted by: JadeDragoness at November 15, 2006 11:10 AM
I look at Islam as the exact opposite of what normal people are taught and believe. That's why its followers are totally unfathomable to us.
They belong in an alternate universe-barring that or an end to Islam itself the strife will never end.
at November 15, 2006 11:18 AM
Actually I find the comments here a lot less "bone chilling" than other anti-jihad sites and the content itself is somewhat less than islamaphobic ... which makes me think more and take the basic message on board.
If this was really a "hate site" - I wouldn't be here.
Posted by: drk at November 15, 2006 11:21 AM
The blogoshere is a funny thing. Take the following...
We promise you, Oh Nation of Muhammed, peace be upon him, that we will massacre the Jews and Christians along with their agents and dogs. Our swords drip with their blood and they will not cool off except in their chests and on their necks. (http://truthline.wordpress.com/)
In a pro-Islam blog, this is somehow an act of resisting harsh oppression. If it were to be reported on Jihad Watch, but in a disapproving fashion, somehow it's bigoted islamophobia. Welcome to political correctness in action.
The true "islamophobes" are the media who refuse to write critically about Islam. The staff of Jihad Watch aren't afraid to speak honestly about Islam. On the contrary, in this day and age that takes a measure of courage.
But reading the report of the pervasiveness of anti-Christian gays at the BBC, which probably extends to other media outlets, I'm less bewildered at how the term "Islamophobia" as analagous to "homophobia" gained any traction right out of the gate.
Posted by: Jan III Sobieski at November 15, 2006 11:41 AM
Discouragement, slander, and ridicule are powerful devices that the Enemy uses to attack us with. But, don't be discouraged by comments and unsolicited opinions from those who aimlessly meander through life with blinders on. There are a few of us who know what is at stake, albeit we may not be as vocal as the jackals of deceit and dellusion. Just know that anytime you decide to do something right, you can count on opposition from the Enemy of our souls and his minions. Consider the scorn, ridicule, and skepticism encouraging. If the Enemy leaves you alone, that would be a sign that whatever you are doing must not be worth pursuing. The Enemy and his minions want to defeat and destroy, but greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
By the way, I am reading "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades," and I am thoroughly impressed with the content--and also alarmed because so many people are completely unaware and/or unwilling to accept many of the issues you boldly discuss. Please know that your work does not go unnoticed.
Posted by: Liz at November 15, 2006 3:01 PM
"Ironically enough, I think it is disturbing that respected institutions like CNN, MSNBC, etc., would have someone like Hooper."
Robert:
I'm not sure why you would consider MSNBC to be a "respected institution." After all, isn't it the network that employs the shameless demagogue Keith Olbermann?
at November 15, 2006 3:17 PM
Mr. Spencer,
Don't worry about those laRouche supporters, they are imbeciles.
By the way, is laRouche still in jail or is he dead?
Keep up the good work in exposing CAIR and others for what they really are.
Your book, "The Truth About Mohammed" is very good. You are a very good writer and a brave man.
Posted by: callmeinfidel at November 15, 2006 5:07 PM
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