A commenter at Sean Hannity’s forum, Francissea, asks this question:
Yesterday, Sean said we are not at war with islam; we are at war with “radical islam”. He also said that we have gone to great lengths to “delineate the difference between the two”. Really? Then what is the difference? I know that there are plenty of muslims that do not kill people. But the bad guys (bin Laden, the Taliban, al-qaeda, etc.) all quote from the quran and the hadith and I have never heard anyone refute their interpretation of their own scripture. If they are really perverting the religion of islam, when is someone going to explain to the rest of us just how they are getting it wrong?
Francissea has just kindly written to me to alert me to this discussion, which is lengthy and wide-ranging. Some of you may wish to join in there, and offer an informed perspective. And if anyone spots any real distinction, in terms of actual Islamic teachings, between Islam and “Radical Islam,” please let me know!
UPDATE April 9 11:33AM: After much back-and-forth and no evidence presented by anyone of any orthodox form of Islam that does not not teach warfare against unbelievers and their subjugation under Islamic law, Hannity’s forum moderators have locked the thread.
Sean, you’re a great American! How about a little free speech? Oh, and I’d be glad to discuss this issue, or debate it on the air against an opponent of your own choosing, any time you wish! But let’s just say I won’t be waiting by the phone.
SECOND UPDATE, April 9, 12:40PM: Francissea just informed me that the Hannity forum has taken down this discussion thread. And sure enough, if you try the link above now, it goes to “Invalid Thread.” Sheesh, Sean! What are you guys afraid of? What happened to open discussion and debate? Why can’t we talk about these issues? Why must “Moderate Islam” (which is a different thing from “peaceful Muslims,” mind you) always remain the great unicorn that everyone is certain exists but no one has actually seen? And apparently if you even question its existence, you’re out of bounds.
Meanwhile, Francissea has been banned from the Hannity Forums for…”contempt of host.” I can only hope that Sean Hannity is unaware of the ludicrous way his online forum is being run.