• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Robert Spencer in PJ Media: Donald Trump’s Sharia Compliance

Oct 23, 2015 9:52 am By Robert Spencer

Over at PJ Media I explain how promising to uphold the Constitution over Sharia is not an argument that Donald Trump wants to get into:

Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s boast that if he had been president, the September 11 jihad terror attacks would not have happened because “if I were running things, I doubt those people would have been in the country,” has been gaining him even more notoriety and cheers from foes of Obama’s immigration policies. What Trump would do to prevent jihad terror attacks by domestic jihadis, or Sharia encroachment on American freedoms, however, is far less clear than his stance on immigration, and some of the things he has said about these matters should give even the most full-throated of his enthusiasts considerably less to cheer about.

Several weeks ago, in the midst of Ben Carson’s remarks on sharia, Eric Bolling of Fox News asked Trump: “Would you want the president or a candidate to say, ‘I will promise to uphold the Constitution over the Sharia law’?” Trump replied: “Well, I think it’s an argument I don’t want to get into, it’s not my argument, so it’s an argument that I won’t get into.”

Promising to uphold the Constitution over sharia is not an argument that Trump wants to get into? He may not be aware that if he becomes president, he will solemnly swear to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” and this solemn responsibility extends far beyond his competition with Ben Carson.

What’s more, after he denounced our free-speech event in Garland, Texas, last May, which was attacked by Islamic jihadists, it is not at all clear that Donald Trump understands the jihad imperative or the war against free speech, or is at all equipped to counter them.

Many people, particularly his supporters, misunderstand this point, saying that Trump is all for free speech but that he just objects to how Pamela Geller and I were exercising it by drawing Muhammad. The fact that I was co-organizer of and a speaker at the Garland event only obscures the issue because it makes people think that my criticism of Trump on this score is personal. In reality, I would take issue with him just as strongly if he had said that people should not draw Muhammad in any context, referring to any event – not because there is some intrinsic necessity to draw Muhammad, but because when violent jihadis commit murder to prevent people from drawing Muhammad, to desist voluntarily from drawing Muhammad is to reward violent intimidation, and encourage more.

When Trump said, “They can’t do something else? They have to be in the middle of Texas doing something on Muhammad and insulting everybody?”, he was revealing that he did not grasp that essential point, and was willing to acquiesce to sharia restrictions on the freedom of speech.

The real question is this: Is the freedom of speech only to be defended when we like what is being said? Speaking strictly for myself, I always hated the Charlie Hebdo Muhammad cartoons: they were crude, puerile, silly and often genuinely offensive (not because they depicted Muhammad). But I understood that they were necessary, as the cartoonists were standing up to the jihadist bullies and showing that violent intimidation would not rule the day, so I never voiced any objections: to have done so would have needlessly detracted from the genuine meaning and importance of what they were doing.

That battle was lost: Islamic jihadis murdered the cartoonists, and Charlie Hebdo surrendered, vowing never to draw Muhammad again. But the principle remains, and people like Trump, Bill O’Reilly and Laura Ingraham, who took issue with what we were doing in the wake of the jihad attack on our event in Garland, don’t seem to grasp what the freedom of speech is all about. What they’re missing is neatly encapsulated in what used to be an adage: “I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In other words, I will stand with you against tyranny because even if I disagree with your opinions, I understand that once opinions begin to be criminalized, we are all the poorer, and all at risk….

Read the rest here.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: dhimmitude, Featured, Sharia Tagged With: Donald Trump


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Comments

  1. mortimer says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:31 am

    Robert Spencer wrote: “Promising to uphold the Constitution over sharia is not an argument that Trump wants to get into?”

    Trump is a philosophical ignoramus who can’t understand that FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION is the foundation of the American system of governance, rather than an option. In that respect, he is no improvement over Obummer or Hillarious who throws free speech out the window whenever she gets into a political corner.

    Sharia law is built to SUPPRESS, rather than protect FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. In an Islamic state, there is no freedom of expression except for the ruler who is the voice of Allah, the only voice that anyone can hear. Islam is theocratic fascism.

    GOOD presidents did not suppress freedom when they felt uncomfortable, even when they were thrashed by the free press.

    Trump is a philosophical moron and can understand why Americans should have the freedom to say whatever they want.

    -“…if any opinion is compelled to silence, that opinion may, for aught we can certainly know, be true. To deny this is to assume our own infallibility.”
    -John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859)

    Trump assumes his own infallibility.

    • mortimer says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 10:33 am

      Correction: Trump is a philosophical moron and CANNOT understand why Americans should have the freedom to say whatever they want.

      • spot on says

        Oct 23, 2015 at 4:18 pm

        I believe that Trump will be less tolerant of CAIR and other Muslim crap than Carson. Trump is a strong Judeo- Christian. I like Carson, don’t get me wrong. The Washington thugs and media (including Fox Rino) will eat Carson alive, when they want too. He has never been really hit by them because they have been so busy fighting with Trump. They even gave Carson a honeymoon to try to drop Trump’s ratings. Even Trump can only fight just so many fights at one time. They want Trump put for one reason…they know he will break up their Dem-Repub-Wall Street-K Street racket-Foreign Money. The Muslims are in the middle of this racket. I have never seen anyone so successful at beating the media as Trump.

        There is no establishment Repub or Democrat that will tolerate Carson running things. They will throw every roadblock against him. He is a soft spoken man and gentleman….a good person. This does not mean he a capable of fighting all the pols, K Street, Muslims, or Wall Street of both parties that survive on bribery from large multinational or Muslim entities and their lobbyists.

        Trump is a natural born very smart strong man. He is clearly on our side. I believe what he says. I also believe he is more likely to be able to sway things in Washington away from their present corrupt suicide course to a course far better for Americans, his children, and our children (and not for illegals aliens or Muslims).

        • spot on says

          Oct 23, 2015 at 4:27 pm

          Typo correction: “They want Trump put for one reason…”

          Should be “They want Trump OUT for one reason…”

          Sorry for the typo.

        • abad says

          Oct 23, 2015 at 7:18 pm

          Neither can he easily swayed.

          And right now we need a President who cannot be easily swayed by the enemy.

        • Radegunda says

          Oct 23, 2015 at 11:59 pm

          If he’s so smart, why has he not yet figured out how threatening Islamic sharia is to our liberties? It doesn’t require deep study of Islam or an expert’s grasp of global events to have noticed what’s happening; it only requires being reasonably alert.

          If he’s so strong, why did he speak against an event designed to claim our right to freedom of expression without being killed for it by raging Muslims? Trump’s stance was that it was wrong to offend Muslims by drawing Muhammad.

          This is an elementary issues. Trump has come down on the wrong side.

        • spot on says

          Oct 24, 2015 at 8:18 am

          With this kind of person, it is all a matter of focus, not how smart he or she is. Both Carson and
          Trump are incredibly smart. It is much more about their personality and speaking ability.

          Every time Trump has been confronted with the likes of CAIR, he has confronted them and set them packing. Trump identifies with old stock Americans.

          What Trump said about Pamela was one sour note said some time ago while the orchestra was tuning up. We will see more in detail how he feels on that subject as we go forward. My fear with Carson is that he will get eaten alive by the MSM and made into a bumbling somebody by big money interests including FOX (and all the rest) when they decide to do so. So far, he has gotten a free pass from them. They are currently using Carson as a wedge against Trump’s success in the polls.

        • harbidoll says

          Oct 25, 2015 at 3:52 am

          so bluster is better than brains? I hope not. Just watch & we’l see.

        • spot on says

          Oct 25, 2015 at 7:45 am

          The Washington Cabal has people figured very well. They know people like “nice” people who will take in all the criticism and not give it back… like Bush. The fact is that these “nice” people are aspiring to the wrong job for them. They don’t fight. They keep quiet and let things go. Every one of these “nice” people that have gotten to the top office have been eaten alive and failed to make a dent in the Washington machine. As I recall, Bush didn’t even fire the Dems that ran top offices and look what happened…we got Obama. Hillary is such a joke that it is unbelievable …but the media and the Washington cabal keep her there. Trump is able to beat both the media and the cabal at their own game.

      • Shapleigh says

        Oct 24, 2015 at 11:01 am

        It’s too early to make all of these conclusions. He needs to get up to speed on Jihad. We need a leader who doesn’t seem to have contempt for average Americans. I’m all for a woman president but Hillary is very arrogant and angry. Carson is great but too laid back, it seems. Trump is an obnoxious jerk sometimes, but he isn’t arrogant, and seems to relate to people. He is far from perfect, and maybe just a little ignorant on the Jihad threat, but that’s why there are advisors. For starters, put Carson in his cabinet somewhere..

        • Shapleigh says

          Oct 24, 2015 at 11:08 am

          Plus with Hillary you will have Huma, who is not only the most arrogant woman, it seems, but has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. God help us. We will be destroyed from within, even more than we already have been

        • spot on says

          Oct 24, 2015 at 3:17 pm

          I believe the Washington establishment Repubs and Dems, all their K street buddies, and all of their many media networks have thrown everything they have at Trump and he still stands. They have used Carson (a good man) as a tool to lower Trumps numbers. They have also tried to promote Fiorina (also a good person) as well for the same purpose.

          If they could, they would use the NSA, FBI, IRS, and other government agencies as well. Why do they see Trump as such a threat? My best guess is that he has partially exposed their K-Street-Wall Street-Muslim and foreign government-media- money racket that is used to elect and control all establishment candidates. Anyone not controlled by them is considered a “crazy” by them and their media allies. Our laws are actually being made by foreign governments, multinational companies, and other groups. This is why there is much fear that we are losing our country, why illegal immigration is out of control, and why their are so many unemployed US citizens. Illegal immigration makes US citizens weaker and Washington politicians stronger.

          I believe that Trump has struck fear in the heart of this goliath establishment beast with his statements of how politicians are bought, how he intends to really stop illegal immigration by all means including a wall, and how he intends to renegotiate stupidly one-sided trade agreements that give our citizens jobs to other countries. It is obvious to me why politicians would double cross US citizens for money this way but apparently not obvious to all. Trump has laid it out for all to see.

    • pennant8 says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 1:17 pm

      Exactly right. How I wish someone on the Benghazi panel asked Hillary about this. Imagine a question like this. Mrs. Clinton, let’s say that the video did in fact cause the attack. We Americans view people who mock and ridicule other peoples religion as being crass, boors, ignorant, and just plain jerks, but what they do is not illegal. So why did you aggressively go after Mr. Basseley and have him arrested on a trumped up charge of parole violation? Don’t you understand that you were effectively enforcing Islamic sharia laws against blasphemy? Don’t you understand that you played right into the hands of our Islamic enemies who want nothing more than to make us all sharia compliant?

  2. BlueRaven says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

    “”Eric Bolling of Fox News asked Trump: “Would you want the president or a candidate to say, ‘I will promise to uphold the Constitution over the Sharia law’?””” – so we have come thus far that we are questioning this!!!! That kind of question would be unthinkable or out right stupid before 9/11. If we went the right way after 9/11, this question or similar Islam related questions should have never enter anyone’s head in any western civilized country. CAIR would been dismanteled in a heart beat because they were caught with their pants down numerous times supporting Anti-American and very serious pro-Jihad agenda.

    The only people who feel the success about comparing the Constitution, which is America by the way, with Sharia are Muslims and Jihadies. What a sell out to the Islamists.

  3. mortimer says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Gérard Biard (Charlie Hebdo’s editor-in-chief) declared, as he received the PEN award,

    “They don’t want us to write and draw. We must write and draw. They don’t want us to think and laugh. We must think and laugh. They don’t want us to debate. We must debate.”

  4. Jeremiah says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Carson is very clear and persuasive on tax, health care, foreign policy. He is calm and presidential. People will listen to him.

  5. duh_swami says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:38 am

    He lost me when he said Pam Geller is a ‘terrible person’…How can he know that? Most likely he ducks sharia questions because he doesn’t know enough about it to sound intelligent.

    • spot on says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 10:53 am

      Yes, he hit a very sour note with Pamela. I think you have it about right…he doesn’t know enough about it, yet. Also he owns two golf courses in the UAE, which I believe are his only two assets in that part of the world and they are minor compared with the rest. He obviously has some Muslim associates but he is his own man and he is an old stock Christian-American financed by his own money, not Muslim or Washington cabal money.

      Trump is the only one in decades to be successful against the Washington, Wall Street, K-Street, and Muslim-Washington Jackals. He even beat back the Washington-NE coast media cabal. Sharia law is most likely to be our future as long as the Muslims have enough money to buy our politicians and judges. It is all about the money in Washington and Trump threatens this giant international money cabal. Why is Trump doing this? I suspect ego and protecting his family and fortune. He sees the end of things as we know it coming, like we all do if something is not done about our ruthless money grabbing Washington politicians and their easy access to foreign big money.

  6. Linda Santucci says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:53 am

    I am looking at bith sides. I think Trump may not have been following you or Pam Geller, Robert.
    In that resoect he would be considered “late to the game”.

    I believe he is wise enough that when informed in areas he knows less about, as any President has going into office, he will take in all helpful information and make goid decisions from what others who know, can recommend. Yes, he would maje his own decisions what to do all said and done.

    No one else is equipped today for the office at this time. He has what it takes, but we all need to come together.

    Keywiord: prudence in all danger…
    Do not show your colors boldly in these times. We all are at risk and we know it, especially exoecting armies of jihadists embedded with refugees…. A striaght up note to him privately will let him know where you are with him, for the purposes.of coming together with expert information, skills, what have you, to assist in any way now that we are being given a whole new playing field. Timing not good to come out publicly against the enemy, Robert. Build an association with our next President now. If we do not get him for President, we all are facing violent chaos….

    • RonaldB says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 12:47 pm

      “I believe he is wise enough that when informed in areas he knows less about, as any President has going into office, he will take in all helpful information and make goid decisions…”

      The problem is, Linda, you can’t make assumptions based on what candidates don’t say. You have to argue based on what they do say.

      How do you know that Trump will come to the same conclusions you do once he has access to more information? It’s a very chancy assumption.

      • cjk says

        Oct 23, 2015 at 1:35 pm

        We don’t know, but he seems to act with common sense. He also treats the lying media the way it should be treated, isn’t PC and appears to be a true patriot.
        Those are HUGE favorable points in my mind.

    • Radegunda says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 12:08 am

      It isn’t a question of whether he’s been “following” Spencer or Geller. It’s a question of whether he has noticed the worldwide pattern of Islamic assaults on freedom of speech, and what he thinks should be done about it.

      Trump’s stated position was that we should censor ourselves rather than offend Muslims.

      As for the question about sharia vs. the Constitution, that doesn’t take much expertise either — simply knowing that sharia is Islamic law. (Does Trump not know that?)

      It’s pretty straightforward to say that a president would of course defend our constitutional liberties against infringement by a particular set of religious laws. Trump would not commit to doing that.

  7. mortimer says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Donald, If you do not resist SHARIA LAW FASCISM, you are a DHIMMI.

    You have submitted to Islam.

  8. William says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 11:44 am

    If someone kills another because of what he says, is it a matter of freedom of speech? If someone murders another because of his religion, is it a matter of freedom of religion? If someone murders a woman because she dresses a certain way, is it a matter of freedom to dress as a woman wants to? If someone murders another because of doing something that is not illegal, is it a matter of freedom? Instead aren’t they all about murder or incitement to murder?

    However, if the government makes it illegal to do the above because people are being murdered for doing them, doesn’t it then become a matter of freedom or the lack of it? If the government makes it illegal to draw a Mohammed cartoons because people are being murdered by those who are offended by it and who are incited by their religion to do so, isn’t it about failure of government to uphold the laws?

  9. dsinc says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Trump talks like a third grader.

    http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/donald-trump-talks-like-a-third-grader-121340

  10. underbed cat says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    Remeber the last election…if the truth were told, today would be different….Trump said, once I don’t have the direct quote, I am paraphasing, I beleive he said, there is something wrong, it was not the Swedes who flew the planes into the building. That and the wall building, said to me he knows but is astute enough to know if he speaks too early or clearly….there will be trouble directed at him and his assets. Since the ideology is spreading rapid fire in Sweden I think he is aware. Now, it will be much harder to detect, because this ideology can morph into anyone….especially the young men and woman, could be any race any country. Sometimes, deception can go both ways…he might just know but is biddeing his time. Dr. Ben Carson is speaking out, I like him also very much, but his words are stirring up controversy that the public is still not aware of completely. Ben Carson is very much someone I could see in the office of the WH. Complete sanity. I wish both to continue. Just an opinion.

  11. RonaldB says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I’ll bring up another argument against Trump…then express my hesitant support for his candidacy.

    Trump says ““if I were running things, I doubt those people would have been in the country,”

    Why?

    Trump’s campaign successes have been bolstered by his statements against ILLEGAL immigration. Trump stated that for students here on a student visa, he would attach an application for a green card to the papers of those students who got high marks.

    The 9/11 hijackers were here illegally. They were here on business and tourist visas. Only 3 of them had overstayed their expiration date, and if Immigration had been diligent about following up on expiration dates, it would have been easy to renew them. They simply didn’t need to bother under the very lax approach of the Bush administration.

    So, Trump has not shown, and cannot show, under his stated platform, how the 9/11 hijackers would not have been in the country.

    http://www.factcheck.org/2013/05/911-hijackers-and-student-visas/

    Having said that, I remember the saying in politics: “You never vote for somebody; you always vote against somebody.”

    So, the question is, is there a candidate better than Trump? Have any of the Republican candidates taken a stand on immigration even as strong as the tepid Trump positions? The answer is “no”. The other candidates, including Carson, have supported forms of amnesty, which means a continuation of illegal immigration. Also, Trump is the only candidate unequivocally supporting a strong fence on our borders. I don’t really care if Mexico pays for it or not, as long as it is built.

    I think Ted Cruz is an excellent candidate. If you look at his YouTube videos, he makes insightful comments on Islam and Muslim jihad fighters.

    However, I’m not looking for a candidate that expresses my views the closest. I’m looking for a candidate that has the best chance of protecting the safety and liberties of the country. Trump may not sufficiently appreciate the true expression of freedom of speech, but I think keeping out hoards of immigrants who will only vote for the largest welfare programs and who have no appreciation at all of American political philosophy, will do the most for our safety and freedom.

    • RonaldB says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 1:06 pm

      Correction: “The 9/11 hijackers were here” LEGALLY.

    • spot on says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 11:15 am

      Ronald, I agree.

      What stands out loud and clear with Trump is his willingness to take a very strong stand on illegal immigration which if not stopped, will smother us like it is now smothering Europe. Our future is most likely Sharia Law if illegal immigration is not immediately halted. Other than Cruz, Trump is the only voice against illegal immigration.

      Also, I believe that Trump has a mind that has fine tuned order like the works inside a Swiss watch. I’ll bet that everything in his properties runs precisely. Wouldn’t it be nice if our immigration system ran like a Swiss watch not to mention having a President that really wants the US to be strong again.

  12. underbed cat says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:24 pm

    Trump speaks …sometimes I cringe..sometimes…but his knowledge of immigration and a glimpse of knowledge who the jihadist really are…he is opening the flood gates to talk about that which is political incorrect and the not all republicans have faced yet.. He is exposing the danger of the diversity mantra and weak borders. Maybe he will bloom with more learning about the muslim brotherhood, sharia law, abborgation etc…or a intelligence writers book based on facts.

    Dr. Ben Carson is brilliant…time will tell if some of the Republicans don’t slam down on free speech or get too threatened by the truth they have to face.

  13. underbed cat says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Trump speaks …sometimes I cringe..sometimes…but his knowledge of immigration and a glimpse of knowledge who the jihadist really are…he is opening the flood gates to talk about that which is political incorrect and the not all republicans have faced yet.. He is exposing the danger of the diversity mantra and weak borders. Maybe he will bloom with more learning about the muslim brotherhood, sharia law, abborgation etc…or a intelligence writers book based on facts.

    Dr. Ben Carson is brilliant…time will tell if some of the Republicans don’t slam down on free speech or get too threatened by the truth about the islamic insurgency, they have to face.

    • cjk says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Ben Carson said he wouldn’t have shot Michael Brown !!
      Trump would possibly have shot that evil thug more times than Officer Wilson.

  14. gfmucci says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    I like Trump – his willingness to say what most of us are thinking, even when he knows it is politically off-limits. I agree with Linda. Trump will be politically incorrect and speak out on topics he knows well. On topics he does not know well, he needs to keep his mouth shut, as he should have done re: the Muhammad art contest.

    But if he doesn’t know much about Islam and the Islamic threat by now to say something that makes sense, I am very concerned that he will never take a pro-constitution and free speech position against Islam. The last thing we need is another president who declares “Islam is a religion of peace.”

    Carson is much better informed on this topic than Trump.

  15. cjk says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Mohammedanism is a great and deadly enemy, but it will never be defeated if the enemy within isn’t defeated first.
    Finally a guy comes along who dares to tell the media where to go and everybody starts to criticize him.
    Trump ain’t perfect, but he’s the only one to say what he says and how he says it.
    You anti-Trump people really make me wonder.

    • cronk says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 4:14 pm

      I do wonder as well. I’ve yet to see similar attacks on Cruz, Carson or Jeb. Quite interesting how the one man who made immigration a major topic is the one vilified repeatedly here.

    • Shapleigh says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 11:53 am

      I know, keep bashing Trump because he is honest to the point of being obnoxious. It’s refreshing. If people keep trying to divide here we will have the arrogant, Muslim Brotherhood affiliated Huma as first lady; the worst possible outcome.

  16. Angemon says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    What’s more, after he denounced our free-speech event in Garland, Texas, last May, which was attacked by Islamic jihadists

    Both of the attackers, if my memory doesn’t fail me, were born and raised in the US – no immigration policy could have prevented that attack. While I’m a proponent of well-defined and enforced immigration policies, Trump’s statement regarding his policies and 9/11 is simply publicity at the expenses of the ~3000 victims, and he should be ashamed.

  17. Rich says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    I’ll say it again: Robert, et. al. Lay off Trump. He is a friend, not an enemy. Does he understand all the nuances of Sharia Law and how it is inimical to the freedom of speech? Probably not. But he is a good man and he loves this country and he definitely does understand enough about Islam to know that he doesn’t like it, that it is not good for this country, and that mosques are breeding grounds for jihadists. And he has explicitly said that would close mosques and deport the Muslim “refugees” brought in by Obama.

    That’s A LOT, guys, considering the field.

    And if not Trump, then who? The ONLY other one who stands a chance against Hillary is Carson. And Carson is decent on Islam, it is true. But Carson would not do as well against Hillary as Trump would. AND, after he actually got in office, Trump would be FAR better as a president than Carson. Trump’s strong personality, his love for this country, and his business acumen would make a great president, in my opinion. Meanwhile Carson: meh, not so much.

    So, recognize your friends. Trump may not be perfect on Islam, but he actually is very very good, on the whole. If you continue being provincial (being one issue voters), you will succeed in harming Trump’s name among voters. Then two really bad things can happen: we either get Hillary as President or we get an [otherwise less than competent] Ben Carson.

    And, please, anyone who replies to my comment: since I have come out clearly for one man, Trump, I insist, out of fairness, that you also clearly identify who you yourself would vote for as the Republican Presidential nominee. Otherwise it’s not fair because you can just snipe away at Trump without having to defend anyone yourself.

    Finally, here are two articles [among many] over at Shoebat dot com that show Trump’s ‘bona fides’ vis-a-vis Islam:

    http://shoebat.com/2015/10/23/donald-trump-not-only-would-revoke-u-s-passports-from-muslims-who-join-terrorist-groups-he-would-shut-down-the-terror-mosques-in-america/

    http://shoebat.com/2015/10/21/19-months-before-911-donald-trump-predicted-an-unprecedented-terrorist-attack-on-a-u-s-city-naming-osama-bin-laden-as-the-likely-terrorist/

    • Radegunda says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 12:16 am

      The comment about “it wasn’t Swedes” was an elementary statement that has been repeated many times; there was nothing astute about it.

      Meanwhile, Trump wouldn’t answer a simple question about whether he would defend the Constitution over Islamic law. And he spoke quite clearly when he said he thought it wrong to draw Muhammad and offend “everyone.” There was nothing courageous about his statement.

      But Trump fans will keep insisting he is something he is not.

      • Radegunda says

        Oct 24, 2015 at 12:18 am

        This was supposed to be a reply to underbed cat, who thinks Trump is just being too “astute” for mere mortals to grasp.

    • Radegunda says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 12:21 am

      Why do Trump fans think they’re authorized to lecture others on what’s acceptable to say about Trump? Why do Trump fans believe it’s unacceptable to point out serious gaps in his understanding or flaws in his principles?

      I don’t see supporters of any other candidate telling people to stop criticizing their favorite candidate. It’s only Trump fans who do this.

      • Rich says

        Oct 24, 2015 at 1:39 am

        Errr…Rad…the answer to your second “why” question is right in my post:

        Your Question: “Why do Trump fans believe it’s unacceptable to point out serious gaps in his understanding or flaws in his principles?”

        My Post: “[because then]…you will succeed in harming Trump’s name among voters. Then two really bad things can happen: we either get Hillary as President or we get an [otherwise less than competent] Ben Carson.”

        How was that hard to understand? Read much?

        Here, I’ll say it in smaller words for you: “If we trash Trump, Hillary wins”.

        That a little easier for ya?

        And that nightmare scenario (Hillary as President) is probably precisely what pushes Trump fans to defend him so vigorously.

        Again, how is that hard to understand?

        We have only two candidates who could possibly beat Hillary and you want to trash one of them, cutting our field in half? That’s the kind of stupid the Republican party can do without.

        If Trump has some flaws, let the democrats find them and criticize them. If we trash him ourselves, she wins. Is that what you want?

        Of course, I’m assuming you actually want the Republican candidate to win the WH next year. Maybe that’s assuming too much, huh? You’re probably just a Hillary troll out here drumming up support for your girl.

        Which is another thing: read much? I specifically insisted that if you were going to reply to my post, then at least say who YOU would support. Did you do that? No. So, we can conclude: you’re either not that bright (can’t read). Or you’re a little pussy who can’t take a stand and defend a particular candidate. Or, again, you’re a Hillary troll and you actually WANT the Republicans to lose the next election. Either way, not an impressive showing, Rad.

  18. Wellington says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Trump is not nearly good enough but the fact that he may still be the best in the Presidential field on Islam, minus perhaps Ben Carson, itself says a lot. Oh yeah, long way to go. I’m still looking forward to a new Evil Empire speech given by a Presidential candidate (or, even better, a President). No one in sight who is politically viable for the Presidency who comes nears this. We need this “nearness” sooner rather than later. Besides, anyone giving such a speech would have just about the most powerful ally on their side——the truth.

    • Rich says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 5:29 pm

      You heard it here first, JihadWatchers! Our beloved Wellington just agreed…

      “Trump…may still be the best in the Presidential field on Islam, minus perhaps Ben Carson…”.

      [I understand completely that if you insert the text replaced by the two ellipses above, the quotation does make a different (not contradictory, but different) point. I get it].

      But still, even for [the astute] Wellington, it is down to “TRUMP…minus PERHAPS Ben Carson” [emphasis mine]. And I am not using the word ‘astute’ sarcastically here. Wellington’s comments are always very astute, whether I agree with them or not.

      And THIS is PRECISELY why I urge all of us [namely the Big Gun himself, Robert] to be hesitant [please] about criticizing Trump so harshly. NO, he is not perfect on Islam. Carson may indeed be better on that one issue. And it IS a crucial issue; I get that. But, overall, if it is down to these two men who have a chance of actually defeating Hillary, we should be very cautious about trashing “half the field” of [who we perceive as] viable Republican candidates. That is my only point. Do you see what I am saying? Leave the heavy lifting to the democrats; don’t supply them with your own brilliant analysis, thereby helping them bring down the one who may actually be our ‘de facto’ nominee. Prudence, man!

      • Wellington says

        Oct 23, 2015 at 6:16 pm

        First of all, Rich, this doesn’t in any real way vary from what I have asserted about Trump before on other threads here at JW. Second, my main point in my post on this thread was not first and foremost to praise Trump but to indicate how he’s about the best we have, which is rather sad I would contend. Third, and as an olive branch here, I think we think mostly alike and thus we should forget our differences and concentrate on where we agree.

        • Rich says

          Oct 23, 2015 at 9:50 pm

          Agreed, brother.

  19. More Ham Ed says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Trump said, “They can’t do something else? They have to be in the middle of Texas doing something on Muhammad and insulting everybody?”

    Muslims never commit insults, they’re only on the receiving end doncha’ know (sarcasm).

    I think he has too many Saudi financiers.

  20. abad says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Trump said he’ll close down the terrorist training centers. That is the kind of leader we need.

    • Wellington says

      Oct 23, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Trump, abad, still does not possess nearly enough accurate information to figure out the BIG PROBLEM, which is that all of Islam is rotten to the core. My strong guess is that he’s only too ready to pursue the line that Islam is OK but it has been hijacked by extremists (and yes, he might deal with such “extremists” more effectively than Obama or even Bush 43 did, but he’ll still be missing the BIG PICTURE).

      in short, I have no reason to think that Trump really “gets” Islam. I wish he did but I fear that Trump, who Is indeed a mover and a shaker in so many ways, still remains remarkably ignorant about the totalitarian belief system established back in the seventh century A.D., and which remains a curse on mankind into the 21st century. Someone better and more able than Trump is still needed and, really, none are in sight.

  21. RCCA says

    Oct 23, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    This issue about Trump has been discussed here before but I didn’t comment because I thought everyone is entitled to their opinion, especially when they are personally affected, and I support what Mr. Spencer and Ms. Geller are doing. (Sort of like the excuse Spencer gave for not commenting on Charlie Hebdo.) Plus I don’t expect someone who has a personal involvement to appreciate a contrary or neutral point of view, no matter how reasoned that argument.

    I see both sides of this debate on Trump regarding the Garland event. I appreciate why the event was held and the principled reason behind it but I also see that the event was not necessary and didn’t accomplish anything.

    People (including Robert Spencer) who argue that Trump is not committed to upholding the US Constitution really aught to exercise some self awareness and critical thinking when they insist that a candidate for President make public statements about Islam. Doing so would be a total violation of the spirit of the 1st Amendment. While I appreciate the comments and petitions Dr. Carson is circulating about Islam and CAIR what he is doing is completely inappropriate. I suspect that he is acting out of conscience and patriotism and he doesn’t seriously believe he has any chance of becoming President.

    To go into this further, despite Spencer’s protests I see his argument against Trump arising out of a loyalty to Pamela Geller, rather than logic or reason. To use the argument about Charlie Hebdo as an example Spencer said, “I always hated the Charlie Hebdo Muhammad cartoons: they were crude, puerile, silly and often genuinely offensive (not because they depicted Muhammad). But I understood that they were necessary, as the cartoonists were standing up to the jihadist bullies and showing that violent intimidation would not rule the day, so I never voiced any objections: to have done so would have needlessly detracted from the genuine meaning and importance of what they were doing.” So Spencer says he willingly stifled his right and responsibility to exercise his freedom of speech and express his truth. He withheld his feedback to avoid offending or detracting “… from the genuine meaning and importance of what they were doing.”

    That’s the most circuitous logic against Trump because it pretty much argues that you support freedom of speech as long as they are saying what you agree with. IOW, you have your own version of sharia, in your case which forbids criticism of anyone who criticizes Islam, especially your partner, Pamela Geller. You won’t defend Donald Trump’s freedom of speech.

    In contrast, while I agree with your work as a counter jihadist I will exercise my right to free speech despite the impression that I am detracting from your cause. I will ask: What did Charlie Hebdo and their deaths or the event in Garland, TX actually accomplish? They proved that jihadis will kill you for insulting their prophet, even in the West. Does repeating that experiment actually promote freedom of speech? No, staying alive and expressing yourself promotes freedom of speech. I think we are accomplishing more on this blog and elsewhere to defend our freedom of speech and the Constitution.

    • Edward says

      Oct 24, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      RCCA has said about Dr. Carson,

      “I suspect that he is acting out of conscience and patriotism and he doesn’t seriously believe he has any chance of becoming President.”

      Dr. Carson’s ‘fire in the belly’ inspiration has been triggered by his faith…….that fire has been ignited because of his want to help America continue being the “Shining City upon a Hill”! His impetus thought did not come overnight……his urge to fix something that is not right was conceived when his senses sensed the errors of humanity all round his midst.

  22. KnowThyEnemy says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 5:25 am

    After reading through the comments here describing the weaknesses of Trump and those of Carson, I have to say that folks are failing to take into account the current mentality prevalent in the US, especially the urban US. The current situation is that there are too many Americans who do not value/respect the liberties and principles enshrined in the Constitution. This is in addition to the lack of respect for personal values.

    We can do some simple ‘what if’ analysis to find out who, between Trump and Carson, would be better as President for the country (emphasis on “for the country”!)

    If Trump becomes President he will probably make sure there are a lot fewer immigrants in the US, but guess what? The forces already inside the country will keep on subverting the US Constitution (the US born Islam-followers), and/or will dilute and corrupt the interpretations (the Left)! ‘America’ as a country and nation and idea, will be a net loser.

    If otoh Dr. Carson becomes President, many more immigrants may get in, but guess what? He knows the Constitution, knows the principles, knows the values, and knows that the press needs to get their act back together (see his short talk at this link). He is going work to change people’s mentality and make them see the importance of these values and principles! Whatever number of immigrants get into the country, whether legally or illegally, will not remain uninfluenced if he manages to do this one thing right.

    If a hundred Islamists manage to enter the country and encounter ten million Americans who would not trade their liberties for safety, there is little they (Islamists) will be able to do to hurt America. Same goes with the leftists and the taqiyya-Islamists. ‘America’ as a country and nation and idea, will be a net winner.

    We want America (the country, nation, idea) to win. Immigration is merely a side issue; It does not define America. The values and principles do!

    This simple ‘what if’ analysis should more than clear up who we should be supporting for the good of America!

  23. Joe Shmo says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    Well written Robert. You’re right to point out this gaping hole in Trump’s policies. Sharia is an argument he will have to have at some point.

  24. Edward says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    In the mid 50’s as a young man I worked for a businessman/impresario whose business ambitions were similar to Trump’s. This guy’s primary business ventures were operating franchises of all kinds. I was employed into his MUZAK background music distribution operation as an electronics tech initially. Eventually, my employment was extended to his other active business‘, which totaled to 18 then, when I worked for him during a 3 year period before joining the USAF. I had to leave his firm because the Selected Service had sent me a draft induction notice in 1957! I will always appreciate his mentoring that I received from a friend.

    The personal business nature of my former boss was that he never ostracized his business contacts, his workers or friends. I learned from him that his #1 in business ethics rule was that “you never antagonize a business opportunity”.

    As far as Trump is concerned, I believe he too uses the same MO, but part of it, to some extent into his political plans nowadays. Trump considers all of his business contacts as business opportunities. Perhaps, this is why his reaction to the Garland event! It seems Trump uses a détente ploy to gain experience and/or time to well establish his ventures without facing external contradicting conflicts from people or entities of interest before the contracts are signed. Perhaps he practices reverse psychology for security reasons also. Here, he is very shrewd in all his business endeavors. Trump may be well into politics triangulation also and he doesn’t want to make Dr. Carson’s untimely mistakes. That’s why he has been a success story for many years!

  25. EYESOPEN says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    “Promising to uphold the Constitution over sharia is not an argument that Trump wants to get into? He may not be aware that if he becomes president, he will solemnly swear to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,’ and this solemn responsibility extends far beyond his competition with Ben Carson.”

    You are absolutely right on this Robert. But I suggest not to dismiss Trump out of hand, but reach out to – and educate – him. I have. He can be reached at “info@donaldtrup.com”. In fact, I think that I will send him the link to an excellent article I found:

    http://www.teapartytribune.com/2011/08/19/why-islam-is-not-protected-under-the-us-constitution/

  26. EYESOPEN says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    This is what I recently e-mailed to him:

    You seem to have been worried (and “waffled”) recently about a question that was put to you by Eric Bolling of Fox News about whether or not you would uphold the U.S. Constitution over sharia law. Your response was: “Well, I think it’s an argument I don’t want to get into, it’s not my argument, so it’s an argument that I won’t get into.”

    You had BETTER get into that argument if you want to hold the office of President of these United States. Your answer should have been:

    “Damned straight I will; and I’ll tell you why. If I become the president of the United States, the first act that I must take is the presidential Oath of Office, which states: ‘I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ Just because some presidents we know have not remained faithful to that oath, does not mean that I intend to follow in their footsteps.”

    That is why the answer to that question should have been a no-brainer. I realize that you are taking hits right, left, and below the belt. The “establishment”, both Democrat AND Republican are scared $hitless of the possibility of you actually being able to weather the storm for the next year. (Personally, I think you will. To the best of my knowledge, you have never been known to be a quitter.) So… the next time that question is asked, you will have a valid and effective way of not only answering the question, but disarming the attacks against your answer.

    The following article might be of some interest to you in this regard:

    http://www.teapartytribune.com/2011/08/19/why-islam-is-not-protected-under-the-us-constitution/

    All the best. Keep up the good fight – for the United States of America, AND its citizens!

  27. hanah says

    Oct 24, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    we don’t need a drawing to remind us what muhammad really is ,when we watch the news and see what real muslims are doing to none muslims first thing that comes to our mind is muhammad wearing a turban as a bomb .

  28. Jack Holan says

    Oct 25, 2015 at 9:02 am

    The one and only way I know how to find out where Trump stands is to ask him in a clear voice, straight-forward will abide by his oath of office as President to preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the US against all enemies foreign and domestic. Any set of laws that run counter to the Constitution and Bill of Rights is by its very nature an enemy of the US if the intent of a group of people is to replace American Law with this foreign Law. Mr. Trump do you agree that the Constitution and Bill of Rights are superior to all other laws? Would you ever support foreign law that runs counter to the Const. and BOR or the Judeo-Christian values and traditions.

  29. Patti York says

    Oct 28, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Carson HAS a good grasp on this issue, Trump does not. For me it really is that simple,,Carson 2016!

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • gravenimage on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • gravenimage on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • OLD GUY on Iranian top dogs approve bill to end UN nuclear inspections, increase enrichment
  • gravenimage on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • OLD GUY on UK: Woman converts to Islam, distributes Islamic State jihad terror videos

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.