It was great to see Hirsi Ali on the Bill Maher show on HBO. Especially after the hatchet job Newsweek did on her last week (called her a "Bombthrower.").

Posted by: Bingo at February 27, 2007 6:38 AM

It was impressive how Maher summed it up:"allah says if you are not one of us you are an infidel and you will burn forever". That's all there is to it.

Posted by: Witch-king of Angmar at February 27, 2007 6:43 AM

That is truly a stunning video (with a very funny ending). Aryaan is totally disarming as always.

But the deadpan delivery of the truth by a (presumably) trusted commentator of the left will have heads spinning.

I have recently watched the scales fall from the eyes of a friend who is a hard core leftist - formerly full of the PC line about Islam - and it was done largely through the youtube clips of Aryaan Ali. What a gal!

Posted by: Brett_McS at February 27, 2007 6:45 AM

Darrell Issa's mother is of Bohemian German descent and his father is Christian Lebanese. Issa was born in Cleveland, Ohio
-from Wikipedia-

Why do these stupid Middle East Christians spout the Islamic party line? Zogby (Arab Christian) is a huge profiter from the rich Arabs who fund his Islamic propaganda mill

Posted by: dennisw at February 27, 2007 6:50 AM

Bill Maher is an atheist libertarian schmuck and wise guy. How come it took so long for him to criticize that false prophet Muhammad? He's been after fundamentalist Christians here for years

Posted by: dennisw at February 27, 2007 6:54 AM

Now, square Ayaan Hirsi Ali against the lying 'president/commander-in-chief/'leader-of-the-free-world' (in wahhabi pockets): http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010917-11.html
.. and you know who is for terror/ who is against. Even Wafa Sultan agrees:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52962
.. and for the record, am not a democrat.

Posted by: Alert at February 27, 2007 7:00 AM

Still trying get the coffee out of my nose.
I always thought Goobers looked like something a Coon did on a log. Now I know they're Goat Turds!

I wish I had the Cool style of that Lady, I got the feeling that Issa was going to have to go look up the word Dhimmi real quick.

Posted by: auntbea at February 27, 2007 7:09 AM

I don't see any reason to pat Maher on the back for simply stating the obvious. This is the same guy who said that the 9/11 terrorists weren't cowards. islam's violence is as obvious as the earth's spherocity; it's a no-brainer. And forgive me, but as a Christian, I cannot get excited about anyone who spews the anti-Christian rancor that Maher does. It goes the same for Ayaan Hirsi Ali and her anti-Christian bigotry. These are not the people I can never consider allies.

The more and more I read about the daily violence committed by muslims all over the world and the more I hear the media, academics, and politicians engage in excuse mongering and false analogies with Chrisrianity, the more I am convinced that the only viable solution to this global scale problem is Christ.

Posted by: senatortombstone at February 27, 2007 7:09 AM

These are not the people I can never consider allies.

Meant to write: These not people whom I can ever consider allies.

Posted by: senatortombstone at February 27, 2007 7:11 AM

My favorite part was when Hirsi Ali smacked down Mr. Issa's bogus statement that Christians and Muslims (churches and mosques) have lived next to each other for 1000 years in "peace" in palestine. She defined the term dhimmi for Issa. I got the impression he had never heard the term. He certainly could not respond to the points she made.

Posted by: omvi at February 27, 2007 7:24 AM

I don't see any reason to pat Maher on the back for simply stating the obvious.

Posted by: senatortombstone at February 27, 2007 07:09 AM

... besides, Maher blamed the Old Testament as well, defeating the purpose of inviting Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

Posted by: Alert at February 27, 2007 7:26 AM

"My favorite part was when Hirsi Ali smacked down Mr. Issa's bogus statement that Christians and Muslims (churches and mosques) have lived next to each other for 1000 years in "peace" in palestine. She defined the term dhimmi for Issa. I got the impression he had never heard the term. He certainly could not respond to the points she made.

Posted by: omvi at February 27, 2007 07:24 AM "

,,,I agree....that was great!....it is a shame Mr Issa has spread such disinformation...it is so sad that some people believe him.....

....however, the truth about Islam is getting out....and Muslims hate the truth.....

...Ban Muslim Immigration now...

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 27, 2007 8:00 AM

those of you who can't embrace liberalism will never be able to fight Islam.

Posted by: sectionOne at February 27, 2007 8:49 AM

Straight up, Bill has always been my imaginary boyfriend - he's doing a flick with Larry David, the "Borat" director, exposing all religions, He thinks they're all crazy, but only Islam is inherently violent. He has always been on our side - he's a half Jew/half-Catholic-but-really atheistic mess comme moi; Islam burns his panties. Mine too, but you all know that. I'm nobody's dhimmi. Bill would probably have you on his show, Mr. Spencer! You should call him up...honestly, Irshad's been on it a couple of times already. He is a true libertarian - a real patriot. He is NOT a democrat.

Posted by: aliyah44 at February 27, 2007 9:19 AM

Hurray for Hirsi Ali's being on a mainstream show that reaches millions of numb skulls...maybe Bill Maher, is beginning to wake-up.

It's also proof of how much work needs to be done informing folks based on the facts of the matter, if we look at Steven Weber's comments.

Amazing that Hirsi Ali was able to carefully correct Darrel Issa, and set the facts out.
A very good piece of video.
KnightHawk

Posted by: KnightHawk at February 27, 2007 9:30 AM

I don't see any reason to pat Maher on the back for simply stating the obvious.,/i>
Posted by: senatortombstone on Feb. 27, 2007 07:09 AM

... besides, Maher blamed the Old Testament as well, defeating the purpose of inviting Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Posted by: Alert on Feb. 27, 2007 07:26 AM

It is important to note that Maher didn't quite 'blame' the Old Testament. All he said was that there are many passages in the OT of a God that seems quite vengeful. Whether or not one agrees with this, Maher was quite emphatic that even considering this (i.e. a vengeful God) there is a MAJOR difference between the Christian or Jewish viewpoints as compared to that of muslims. And he did point to the important fact that while all other religions can tolerate criticisms.. Islam can't.

It is quite gratifying, IMHO, to see that Bill Maher has finally got it! Hopefully, he will get many more liberals to get out of the mindset that all religions are equal... and that all have extremist elements etc etc.

Posted by: Razdan at February 27, 2007 9:38 AM

Bill Mahar for all of his communist, leftist stances he did something which many conservatives have not: Blamed Islam itself.

Bill O'Reily has not
Sean hannity has not
Rush has not
George W. Bush has not
Cheney has not

In fact outside of Goode and Tancredo can you name somebody who has from the conservatives. Of course I can't name anybody from the left at all either and that is the problem. Bill Mahar appears to have gotten it. He appears to have awaken.

Also give Mahar credit even though he still took shots at the Christian and Jewish faiths he said Islam is "not like other religions" and "Christianity has calmed down". He made the point that it is not Christians and Jews "wacking people" but muslims. I mean he has said some very strong things that most have not said who host TV shows.

Posted by: greatcometof1577 at February 27, 2007 10:16 AM

Robert says....

"Of course, it is part of the silliness of our culture that a black female ex-Muslim can say things that a white male non-Muslim would never be brought on to say -- is not the truth the same no matter who says it? But it is good that they are finally being said."

I agree but you left out one important point...

You should say "a very attractive black female ex-muslim". Never rule out the power of attractive females to deflect attacks and make males willing to listen....then she wins it with her intelligence and power of her arguments. A powerful combination at the right time in history.

Lets be honest we men folk are harder on the eyes. Someone needs to explain this to D'Souza! She is the perfect messanger....then people will look to be educated and that is when people like you Mr. Spencer and this site come into play. Who knows maybe Mahar is doing a google search on "Jihad" and what does he find....and when Issa does a google search for Dhimmi what does he find....its a new word for him!

Lets see CAIR try to compete with her. I mean who would you rather look at Dougie Hooper or Hirsi Ali. Who is the better messanger?

Posted by: greatcometof1577 at February 27, 2007 10:36 AM

Also let me put it this way....

Joan of Arc was not a great military stratgist and she did not say or do anything that others had not said but she really did rally the French. The Hundred Years War was all Englands until "the witch" appeared. She accomplished what few have....made the French winners!

Posted by: greatcometof1577 at February 27, 2007 10:59 AM

Bill Maher is the coolest lefty out there. He sometimes says things that come out of his backside but I think he understands that, as annoying as people like Pat Robertson are, they don't want to kill him. Over the years, I think he has moved to the center on a lot of issues.

Posted by: wrathofasma at February 27, 2007 11:20 AM

Actually, Maher - Lefty/liberal that he is - is long on record for his antipathy for Islam.

I have a video of him doing stand-up in a large theatre about 5 years ago...in which he lambastes Islam, calls the Burkha a "bee-keeper suit," and going on to say that "we belive in freedom, they believe in submission, WE ARE BETTER!"

Posted by: Cornelius at February 27, 2007 11:58 AM

Doesn't the old rule apply: "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

The mission of Jihadwatch is to raise awareness of the threat we face. The toughest nuts to crack in this regard are liberals. What could be better to convince them than a brilliant, articulate, and truly courageous woman, who is black, third-world born, anti-Christian, and a formerly oppressed Muslim under a death fatwa. The only thing I can think of is adding liberal, godless Maher to emphatically back her up. It's hard to imagine a more convincing combination to those who are in PC denial.

Welcome to our side, Bill. Keep up the good work. I might even watch your show.

Those of you who are turned off by Hirsi Ali's anti-Christian attitude should cut her some slack. (Christian love and forgiveness, remember?) Considering what she has been through, and what she has become in a relatively short time in her third(?) language, her bravery and accomplishments should be an inspiration to all of us gutless Westerners who won't even use their real names when commenting on websites like this.

I for one am humbled by her example and pray that she is kept safe.

Posted by: bobnoxious at February 27, 2007 11:59 AM

I watched this, and I think that unlike in the past, Maher isn't critical of Judeo-Christianity the way say, Rosie is. Also, while describing what went on in the Old Testament, he was describing the vengeful acts of God, such as wiping out all Jews except Noah, etc. I don't think being anti-God is equivalent to being anti-Christian/anti-Jewish/anti-Hindu/anti-anything, although it does fit in anti-religion. However, his willingness to see Islam as quantitatively and qualitatively different was vastly refreshing.

On GreatComets comments above, I think that the Right is somewhat divided on this question. Granted that Hannity and O'Reilly don't, but Rush, with his attacks on Jihad, is wittingly or unwittingly attacking Islam, and sooner or later might come to terms with it. However, on one hand, you have those who are pro-Islam like Hannity, those neutral about it like Medved, while on the other end, you have various commentators, like Lee Rodgers, Roger Hedgecock (who sometimes subs for Rush), Laura Ingraham, Michael Smirkanish (who subs for O'Reilly), Michael Reagan and Michele Malkin; then again, you have some like Bob Dornan, Dennis Prager, Ann Coulter who are anti-Islam more because Islam isn't Christianity. At this point, as far as I am concerned, the motivation is relatively trivial.

Darrel Issa's comments here show that Debbie Schlussel was right to sink his leadership position in the House GOP. Incidentally, in what context was he a guest here?

Posted by: Infidel Pride at February 27, 2007 12:04 PM

I'm still not quite sure about this; I have a feeling the sole reason Maher was willing to have hirsi ali on the show and tak about the truth of islam in front of her is because she is a black african woman whse views, save those on islam, are basically in line with American hardline leftists. She is, obviously by now, knwon to be vewry much against Christianity and religionds besides Islam and very liberal in fiscal and social issues. It goes without saying that Maher, had he been in the presence of some Jerry Flawell-esqe conservative christian born in the west, he would have never been as willing and able to listen an agree with what he had to say, even if he had actual experience living in the islamic world.

Insiders from the Islamic thrid world, like Hirsi Ali, Nonie Darwish, Brigette Gabriel, Wafa Sultan, Tashbih Sayyed, Tawfik Hamid and the ubitquious Ibn Warraq are always going to be the best bet to get ignorant americans properly educated to the realities if islamic jihad. It's always going to be easy to defend islam by trying to compare it with Christian history because Christianity, like most major religions, has indeed had a history of violence, racism and backwardness. When people submit themselves so heavily to religous beliefs, even when they are essentially peaceful, like christianity, hinduism or buddhism, it is too likely that they become depraved and backward.

Hence, I think it is going to be important to have poeple like those aforementioned, essentially neutral when it comes to religion, to give americans they education they need in the dangers of islam.

Posted by: Maxwell46and2 at February 27, 2007 12:47 PM

It's so funny listening to a white guy like Steven Weber try to tell Ayaan "Don't they represent just an extremist view?". As if he might know more than her, when she was raised in the midst of Islam, and knows first hand some of its more horrible practices and beliefs. You can tell even he realizes the absurdity of trying to contradict her, looks very uncomfortable

Posted by: kelisw at February 27, 2007 2:42 PM

Maher is intelligent, and before he developed a severe case of BDS (Bush derangement syndrome), he was even funny most of the time. We'll take allies wherever we can get them.

And may God bless Ayaan Hirsi Ali, one of the true heroines of our age, in the mold of Fallaci, Bat Y'eor, and others. When she speaks, so eloquently, people listen.

Posted by: Infidel33 at February 27, 2007 4:34 PM

this was pretty good, though it needed to be a lot longer. serious debate needs time, so that speakers can explain themselves properly, without having to constantly think of what makes a good sound-bite instead of what is really true and meaningful.
i have always admired Hirsi Ali, and now i am just a bit love-struck.

Posted by: M Al-Content at February 27, 2007 5:03 PM

Larry Charles, not Larry David, duh, is directing the movie about religion. I have great respect for Judeo-Christian faiths and values (most of them, anyway), I just don't believe in God. I've never heard or read of Bill advocating ending religion, just questioning it and laughing at hypocrisy and other fun things. Bill is a comedian! If we can't laugh at ourselves, we bring ourselves down to that primitive, xenophobic level.

The God Delusion is a good place to start. After Oriana, of course.

Posted by: aliyah44 at February 27, 2007 9:16 PM

Run for your life, Bill.

It's all true. Every word of it.

And NOW your head may be next(since al-Qaeda knows where you are and that you have "slandered Islam" publicly)!!!!

ps-please explain all this to 'Madame Speaker' and see if she will STOP representing the CAIR!

Posted by: pythagoras at February 27, 2007 10:01 PM

I hope Bill has a body guard.

Posted by: champ at March 1, 2007 12:36 AM

I was watching the stories fly past on digg and I saw that this one got listed on digg then got buried by lefties in a few seconds flat. I got this link for digg from LGF http://digg.com/spy?spyshow=4 and you can click the ticks to show the articles getting buried.

Seems the lefties dont want the facts to get out.

Sorry for the OT I am sure it was my turn by now though

Posted by: payingattention at March 1, 2007 4:13 AM

I have only one thing to say about Bill Maher. He is a snake and a traitor to the American People. Here is a man who, before the smoke cleared from the cowardly attacks of 9-11, stated on national television, that the Islamic dogs were heroes and brave men for doing what they did, and the incredibly courageous group of American patriots that were able to overcome the Muslim pigs on flight 93 was not. This is a man, who should be behind bars or worse for his statements at a time of war. And, no, I don’t think the 1st amendment covers this one. He sided with the enemy at our hour of need. He emboldened them with his pseudo intellectual filth. He blatantly disparaged the selfless actions of the passengers and crew of flight 93. He put down everything that is great and wonderful about our country and sided with the Islamic cockroaches that declared war upon us with their dastardly attack. Guantanamo would be too good for him.

Posted by: fifthcolumn at March 2, 2007 2:57 PM