I spoke Thursday evening to an overflow crowd in Calgary, Alberta (and last night to another in Grand Prairie). The talks were videoed and should be on YouTube soon, but in the meantime, here is a typical mainstream media report on my talk in Calgary. Typical, that is, in being viciously biased and unfair — but because it is so typical, it is worth examining a bit. This is supposed to be an article about my speaking in Calgary, but it contains not a word about what I actually said in Calgary. Instead, it is mostly about what a terrible fellow I am. Comments interspersed below.
First, note the headline: “U.S. anti-Muslim blogger Robert Spencer draws hundreds in Calgary as critics condemn ‘dangerous speaker.'” The mainstream media typically defames all foes of jihad terror as “anti-Muslim,” and the charge is as false as it is revealing. The usage indicates that the mainstream media considers opposition to jihad terror and Sharia oppression of women, gays, non-Muslims, etc. to be “anti-Muslim.” That in turn implies that the mainstream media is well aware that these things are Islamic. Yet in the same breath, the mainstream media claims that none of these things are genuinely Islamic, and that the overwhelming majority of Muslims oppose them. If that is so, then why is opposition to them “anti-Muslim”?
“U.S. anti-Muslim blogger Robert Spencer draws hundreds in Calgary as critics condemn ‘dangerous speaker,'” by David Bell, CBC News, April 28, 2016:
A controversial American author and blogger who slams Islam drew more than 200 people to a Calgary speech Thursday evening along with a cross-section of critics who say he incites hate towards Muslims.
Actually, it was well over 300. Note also that although I spoke for nearly an hour and took questions for another, not a single example is quoted of my supposedly inciting “hate towards Muslims.”
Robert Spencer is the author of several books on Islam including some best sellers, but his words prompted a ban from the United Kingdom in 2013 and some in local faith communities condemn Spencer’s sweeping statements on Islam.
The CBC report doesn’t include the actual words of mine that got me banned from the UK. This, along with the likewise unquoted “sweeping statements on Islam” from me, leaves the impression that I say actually hateful and outrageous things. All right. Here are the actual words that got me banned from the UK: the UK Home Office letter to me said that I was banned for saying this: “[Islam] is a religion and is a belief system that mandates warfare against unbelievers for the purpose for establishing a societal model that is absolutely incompatible with Western society because media and general government unwillingness to face the sources of Islamic terrorism these things remain largely unknown.” This is a garbled version of what I actually said, which is that Islam in its traditional formulations and core texts mandates warfare against and the subjugation of unbelievers. This is not actually a controversial point to anyone who has studied Islam. It was tantamount to banning me for saying that the sky is blue and the grass is green.
“We’re not trying to prohibit him from speaking,” said Rabbi Shaul Osadchey of the Beth Tzedec Congregation in Calgary.
Bridge for sale!
“Our concern is that this kind of speech then puts in people’s minds different perceptions about the community and I don’t … I know that the Jewish community does not support his point of view in the main. There are obviously some people that find him to be credible, but by and large he’s been discredited by human rights and civil rights organizations throughout North American, prominently the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Centre in the States.”
Note that Osadchey also doesn’t actually quote anything I’ve said that he finds objectionable. And the ADL and SPLC are hardly “human rights and civil rights organizations.” They’re essentially propaganda organs for the Left, tarring anyone who dissents from their political agendas as “hatemongers.”
Significantly, although the SPLC lists hundreds of groups as “hate groups,” it includes not a single Islamic jihad group on this list. Its “hate group” designation against the Family Research Council led one of its followers to storm the FRC offices with a gun, determined to murder the chief of the FRC. This shows that these kinds of charges shouldn’t be thrown around frivolously, as tools to demonize and marginalize those whose politics the SPLC dislikes. But that is exactly what they do. Its hard-Left leanings are well known and well documented. This Weekly Standard article sums up much of what is wrong with the SPLC.
The ADL traffics in the same reckless defamation. They have libeled the preeminent lawyer and orthodox Jew David Yerushalmi as an “extremist,” an “anti-Muslim bigot” and a “white supremacist.” The ADL has even condemned Israel for fighting anti-Semitism. According to Charles Jacobs of Americans for Peace and Tolerance: “The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – biggest Jewish ‘defense’ organization — admits in private that the biggest danger to Jews since WWII comes from Muslim Jew-hatred, but because it fears offending its liberal donors and being charged with ‘Islamophobia,’ the organization remains essentially silent on the issue. In a study of ADL press releases from 1995 to 2011– a good if not perfect indicator of ADL priorities – we found that only 3 percent of ADL’s press releases focus on Islamic extremism and Arab anti-Semitism.” (For the full study, see www.charlesjacobs.org.)
The group sponsoring Thursday’s event is the Jewish Defence League of Calgary. Members of the Jewish Defence League were branded extremists engaged in planning “terrorist plots” in 2001 by the FBI.
This is some reckless defamation from the CBC, as it implies that ” extremists engaged in planning ‘terrorist plots'” brought me to Calgary. In reality the JDL is dedicated to the defense of Israel and Jews. That is all.
Imam Syed Soharwardy — president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and a prominent critic of terrorist acts — says Spencer is a dangerous speaker.
“Robert Spencer incites hate. So, that’s the problem,” Soharwardy said.
“When he comes to this country and incites hatred in the minds and the hearts of people and he creates misunderstandings, that definitely is a very dangerous person.”
Like Osadchey, Soharwardy cites no quotations from me that establish his claim that I am a “dangerous speaker.” Nor can he. Soharwardy himself, meanwhile, is a foe of the freedom of speech: he brought the notorious human rights complaint against Ezra Levant for publishing the Muhammad cartoons. So it’s no surprise that he would slander me and not bother to substantiate his lies.
A multi-faith coalition representing Christians, Jews and Muslims issued a joint statement in advance of Spencer’s event calling on Calgarians to reject his message and instead “pursue the path of religious literacy and to support efforts to build bridges of respect and understanding.”
I hope that many heed their call to “pursue the path of religious literacy” and learn all about Islam. Then they will see that what I am saying is true.
For his part, Spencer deflects criticism by saying others want to silence him.
“It’s a well-worn tactic of groups that for some reason are arrayed against opponents of jihad terror, that they charge them with racism, with bigotry, with hatred and so on for telling truths that they don’t want known.”
But to Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Spencer’s words are designed to divide, not unite.
“We’re expending a lot of energy and effort to create harmony and build good interfaith relationships between Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities and somebody comes in with a speech that is offensive, that misconstrues and stereotypes any one of us,” Osadchey said.
“It just undermines our efforts here in the community.”
Here again, nary a word about what exactly in my speech was so offensive. I don’t even think Osadchey was there to hear what I actually said. But Joel Shapiro was, and he sent this email to the CBC:
I completely disagree with this article — ironically, the very focus of Spencer’s discussion. I was there and I can tell you that there was a lengthy discussion on how the Muslim community is diverse: from peaceful to Jihadi, from fundamentalist to moderate, from reactionary to progressive, and so on. He never once said — or even implied — that all Muslims are bad or violent or racist. Not once. That critique of Spencer is both dishonest and fear mongering. He is criticizing oppressive, discriminatory, racist, and violent elements within Islam and within Islamic communities. And he worked hard to provide evidence for his critique, i.e., he was not saying these things to be insulting but to the contrary, to analyze the issues on the basis of facts and evidence. Criticizing racism is not racist — nor does it imply that all Muslims are racist. That is ridiculous. Have we stopped criticizing white supremacists because not all whites are supremacist? No, that’s stupid. Have we stopped criticizing rape because not all men are rapists? No, that is stupid. Sorry.
Finally, the claim that we are looking to bring communities together and Spencer’s critique drives us apart — this claim is wildly irresponsible and misguided. Spencer is criticizing the Muslims who have declared war on the West and the Jews. Those Muslims do not want community building. The whole point of community building is to bring together Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others, to protect ourselves against the Muslims who have declared war on the West and the Jews. That’s the whole point. To say that we should not criticize Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and the like because it might hurt the feelings of Canadian Muslims, or because it might ruin Christians-Muslims relations in Canada is absurd — it is false and dangerous. Are we not hoping that the vast majority of Canadian Muslims (Muslims in the West, and frankly, around the world) are peaceful, want peace, reject racism, etc.? Are we not hoping that the vast majority of Muslims stand with us against the terrorists, against the Muslims who have declared war on the West and the Jews? And are we not at all curious about where those views come from, i.e., why the Muslims who have declared war on the West and the Jews are at war with us, and where their ideology comes from; how they justify their views, the reasons & motivations behind their declaration of war–what they say about what they want?
If we understand it, we have a better chance of fighting against it, defending ourselves from it, and perhaps even winning them over to our preferred dream of peaceful community building and community relations. If you oppose war, and want peace, then you are on Spencer’s side. However, if you feel that any and all criticism of Islamic racism and terrorism is bad, and/or if you support Muslim racism and terrorism, then Spencer won’t be so interesting for you. If you want to know where terrorism comes from, and prefer peace to war, then Spencer will be very helpful for understanding what is happening — and doing so in a non-racist way.

Jay Boo says
Leftists and Islamic supremacists believe that the rigged election of Trudeau means that they now OWN all of Canada. They dial PC-666 to call in a report to their thought-police
Shalom says
Sorry I’m off topic but why did I see like/dislike buttons on one story last week?
Also, the buttons didn’t function. Was it a test? Anyone know?
linnte says
Some of us requested like/dislike buttons so we didn’t have to always write something to respond. But it didn’t work for some reason, which is OK. Prevents us from being lazy, I guess! ?
Shalom says
Oh, thanks for the explanation.
gravenimage says
Yeah–I saw the “Like” buttons, too–although they did not work, and were up for just a day. Either a glitch, or else there were second thoughts about them.
We did have a system–IntenseDebate–at one time where you could vote a comment up or down.
Shalom says
Thanks for that
Jaem says
To put an end to this media attack on Robert Spencer, the CBC should be taken to task on backing up what they slanderously claim about Robert and his speeches. Be aware that the Liberal Trudeau government sank in a LOT of money to save CBC from going out of business. NOW any news has a definite Liberal point of view on it. It is a bought and paid for point of view.
“Journalist’s” like that one should be made to prove their facts or write a retraction. I would put money in to help pursue justice for Robert and a bet everyone else would kick in money too. The Rebel media should be told about this if they didn’t catch it already.
Bobs Sled says
Robert, anytime you’re speaking, whether on forums or on TV, PLEASE say that the Quran, the holiest book for Muslims, incites the hatred of anyone that isn’t a Muslim. Keep repeating it over and over again.
Lanya LaPunta says
Hi, Bobs Sled (by the way … I really like your moniker).
No, the koran does not incite the hatred of anyone that isn’t a mohammedan. Rather, it incites mohammedans to hate anyone that isn’t a mohammedan.
Bobs Sled says
unreal
Carl says
I urge readers to send a polite email to Rabbi Osadchey in Calgary. You can do it through his congregation’s website here: http://www.bethtzedec.ca/contact-us/rabbi-shaul-osadchey
jihad3tracker says
Hello Carl — Yes, emailing the rabbi is a fine idea, but he plays a rather small part in the larger bucket of extremely slanted left-leaning “media journalism” which we see exemplified in this CBC item. Here is the GENERIC CONTACT PATH FOR REACHING EXECUTIVES THERE: firstname.lastname@cbc.ca.
Go to the main CBC home page and you should be able to find a list of personnel there, including TWO EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS. If a few spare minutes are available, consider contacting one or both.
Providing just a lead to Robert’s shredding of David Bell’s article, quoted above, would certainly be enough, but adding your personal assessment of how utterly compromised is such meager reportage of actual remarks at the event, will drive home the point even better.
jihad3tracker says
One more suggestion — A statement (mentioned above in Robert’s coverage) includes a recommendation to “pursue the path of religious literacy”. If you DO contact CBC staffers, think about passing along these superb videos by brilliant counter-jihadist David Wood:
The Jihad Triangle / Taqiyya / Three Stages of Jihad —- and please give You Tube hotlinks so they cannot use the excuse of “couldn’t find them”. Of course, cynics reading this will give me a dismissive reply that asking a multi-culti privilege guilt Westerner to educate himself is doomed for failure.
Probably true, but maybe one sleepless night the process of shedding fantasy will begin.
linnte says
Emailed! ?
linnte says
Email sent! Thanks for the link! I was very nice. Told him that I had hoped he would have gone to listen to Robert, but since he hadn’t, he could view the videos to be posted on YouTube soon, and for him to get back with we bloggers on Jihad Watch about his opinions!
pdxnag says
They are not necessarily even pro-Muslim or pro-Islam because they themselves are morally superior to it all, where they themselves are the ultimate arbiter of what is good and wholesome. But their goodness depends on their identification of evil others, whomever that may be today, and to do so without any self-reflection upon their assumed claim of supremacy on such matters.
They are good because they say they are good. Indeed they are the self-proclaimed champions of what is good. (This all sounds too religious for my Atheist taste.)
Angemon says
pdxnag posted:
“They are good because they say they are good. Indeed they are the self-proclaimed champions of what is good. (This all sounds too religious for my Atheist taste.)”
I know, right?
Lanya LaPunta says
Hi, pdxhagl
I disagree. They are islamophiliacs attempting to please their mohammedan masters.
It would be nice if they were pseudointellectuals (Thanks, Spiro … I love that term), and they were simply attempting to hold forth their own feelings of moral superiority and attempting to hide the fact that they have the intellect of an aphid.
However, sadly that is not the case.
They are true islamophiliacs, serving their mohammedan masters.
Reuben Scratton says
Thank you so much for doing what you do, Robert. The endless insinuation and lies from people and institutions who should really know better must get very wearying.
Sam says
Thanks Robert. Stay safe and healthy we need you more and more everyday. These lying media and liberals do not know that they are sticking out their necks by protecting Islam which is indefensible.
Dan says
I attended Mr. Spencer’s talk in Calgary.
After hearing the way some of his other events had turned out, I was half expecting libs and such disrupt.
I don’t think too many attended though, as it’s always easier on the conscience to remain in ignorance when criticizing
In any case, of about a dozen questions taken, there was only one who was from the left, as he disagreed with Mr. Spencer.
When that became obvious, a couple voices booed or scoffed, but they were barely loud enough to be heard, and the instant they spoke, several I knew connected with organizing the evening said, “Let him speak.”
And they were instantly obeyed.
That’s the difference between us and the Left.
Dan says
Libs and such TO disrupt.
Dang. This site needs an edit button.
Dan Seidel says
You should bring that Constitution Flag I gave you guys at the 9/11 mosque demo. It’s a goodie!! Shame the nay sayers.
Dan says
Oh and one questioner did get a chuckle when after quipping, “Can you imagine how violent Islam would be if it WASN’T a religion of Peace?”
Shmooviyet says
Thanks for sharing!
What a virtuous source the article uses for an example of the groups that condemn Mr. Spencer for “hatred”: the ‘Southern Poverty Law Center’.
That line alone must elicit a good belly-laugh from those who’ve heard the truth about that slimy little organization and its hooded members.
Dan says
It did.
And again, to show how left and right differ, it was just a good natured chuckle over the irony of the situation.
Not a “Ha! Yeah! In your face! IN YOUR FACE!” kind of laugh the left gets gloating over a put down.
linnte says
Hahahahaha! Now THAT is funny!
Victor Redlick says
I just noticed how ” MSM ” may be the newly-accepted social symbol for ” Muslim “. In that case Robert Spenser is the intrepid David among the pathetic media Philistines.
“Not a lot to be excited about right now” Alberta Conservatives may have been given a dose of inspiration from such a distinguished visitor, as Robert, as well.
There seemed to be an unending profusion of bile spit by the missing link leftists and their litter of Islamic Supremacist brethren from different Satanic mothers, so that’s kinda satisfying to hear. I can’t imagine that indiscriminately spewing venom was as cathartic, for them, as what their uncontrollable fomenting did for me, on the same occasion. Luvlee!
Gerry Burnie says
Generally speaking the media are no longer in the business of reporting on the news as they are in editorializing it. Moreover, they make any pretence about it.
The problem is today’s crop of journalists lack both the insight and/or experience for it. I mean, ‘Women’s Studies’ is hardly a universal view of things.
However, because it appears under some sort of banner the public buy into it as though it were gospel.
There are lies, damned lies, and then there is today’s media.
Jaladhi says
Telling the truth about Muslims and Islam makes one anti-Muslim!! Where are the journalistic standards of the present day media? They are just as bad as that in Soviet Union – does one remember Izvestia and Pravda?
Hope says
Robert Spencer, I hope you never get tired of hearing “Thank you” from all of us, because we will continue to say it! I cannot imagine where we would be without you. You are a light shining in a dark and scary world.
Thank you.
JawsV says
Yes, Thank You.
Mark Swan says
Absolutely…Be Strong, remember how many great Men were slandered…President
Abraham Lincoln got horrific press coverage constantly…yet no name is more respected.
Fatetrader says
Keep saying the truth Mr. Spencer!!! I’m with you. Speaking the facts about Islam is not equal to be anti-Muslim as you have pointed out in you video [2016.04.18 The Basics of Islam 2 – Robert Spencer on Is Islam A Religion of Peace]!
Marty says
Both Islam and the left are nothing if they aren’t self righteous. Anyone who disagrees with their agenda of nihilism and slavery can only be deemed morally irresponsible. Western civilization cannot tolerate these twin evils and expect to survive.
Champ says
Leftists and Islamic supremacists outraged? Good! The unvarnished Truth about islam always sets their hair on fire …
Bravo, Robert!
Westman says
Is it such a “dangerous idea” that Islamic violence could have a foundation shared by “peaceful” Muslims who don’t act on it? Or, is it the reality?
This “identity schizophrenia” is fast collapsing in the minds of citizens, under a barrage of daily reporting about Muslim attrocities, in the age of the Internet. What will the CBC claim when Canada has its 9/11 or 7/7? Does any rational person think it won’t happen?
Edison says
I had the privilege of attending the Robert Spencer, speaking engagement in Grand Prairie. I would recommend anyone to hear him if he comes to your area.
Go and listen, make up your own mind. His presentation is far different than that which is portrayed by the media.
linnte says
That’s what I said to the Iman who was protesting his speaking in Calgary. And I said, how can Roberts words be hate speech if all he does is quote the Qur’an and Hadith? I also told this Imam that nothing prevented him from going to one of Mr. Spencers forums to find out for himself!
blitz2b says
I’d rather this imam or any of his minions abstained from attending this or any other free speech event on Islam. I don’t trust Muslims when it comes to exposing their religion. They simply lose control of their facilities.
They absolutely cannot bear the thought of being told the truth about Mohammed violent and sexually immoral lifestyle so they lash out either verbally (which we can deal with easily) and violently at the expense of the lives of us worthless infidels…
The minions of this demonic cult along with their lapdog leftist politicians and the enemedia may sit at home and wring wring their hands in frustration all they want, it is our duty to expose the lie of Islam without sustaining any loss of precious lives on our side of the fence, and especially the lives of truth tellers like Spence, Geller, Wood, Shamoun, and a hand full of others. These are the heroes we ought to protect at all costs…
Thank you Robert… Someday when the West has lost all it’s battles with Islam, and freedoms are the thing of the past, then only will the likes of you be hailed as heroes of freedom.
Until then expect contemptuous hurls of insult and derision… But keep up the great work… We all appreciate what you do.
CeltictotheBone says
I, a long-time supporter of Robert Spencer and JW and the anti-jihad in general, agree with everything Joel Shapiro says. I was in Calgary on Thursday on business and dropped by the venue for Robert’s speech. My flight departure time prohibited me staying for the duration but I was there for about an hour – 6:15 until 7:15 pm and observed proceedings.
I did not speak with Robert; but I spoke to many of the JDL members who sponsored the event, including Don Sharpe and a finer collection of decent citizens would be hard to find. They were polite, organized, observant and efficient. I asked all I spoke to why they were involved and the universal response was concern for the future of Canada in general and Calgary in particular. I’ve seen video of the vicious attacks on a small group of Jewish and Christian protesters against a pro-Hamas event in Calgary, in July of 2014 and I understand their concern.
I salute Robert for his unswerving bravery and thank him for his relentless presentation of the facts. Canada and Canadians must be informed of the truth and with men and women like Robert, Pamela Geller, Ezra Levant, Mark Steyn and sites like JW and GatesOfVienna (GoV), leading the way the truth will out, despite the lies and propaganda from the likes of the ignoble Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Imam Syed Soharwardy and David Bell of CBC News.
jihad3tracker says
Hello Celtic —- Your listing of Mark Steyn as among our top counter-jihad truth tellers gets a huge nod of agreement. HE IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC ! ! ! He has gone through the wringer for taking a stand in defiance of those who intend to demolish free speech.
For those of us here who do not yet know of his blog, go here: http://www.steynonline.com He gives the added gift of a devastating sense of humor — very welcome in discussing the pathology exhibited constantly by Allah’s fan clubs around the world.
Western Canadian says
Mark Steyn is also a cat lover, which is a little off topic, but means a lot to some of us!! Steyn is brilliant, and has no fear when it comes to taking on fascists of any variety. Consider going to his site, and possibly donating for his ongoing battle against climate fraud… And while you are here…. Donate something to Robert and his fight…
Lanya LaPunta says
Greetings, Western Canadian.
You had to point out one negative about Mr. Steyn. You mentioned that he was fond of cats.
I finally came across one negative, pointed out about Mr. Steyn. It’s the first that I have encountered.
Well, I guess he’s only human and no one is perfect.
Western Canadian says
NOT in the least a negative, in fact, it is proof of his brilliance and his humanity.
gravenimage says
Yes–I love Mark Steyn!
Like Robert Spencer and David Wood, Steyn is able to maintain a sharp sense of humor while defending against the threat of Jihad. Great guy!
Rob says
Well, they still have Auschwitz guards on trial in Germany, so I expect that Canada will have a long reach when it comes to bringing justice to the Jihad enablers and Quislings in its media and political elite in years to come.
I hope though that the Canadians wake up soon to the damage being done and kick back hard. A start has been made with Robert’s speeches, although I expect Justin has been on the phone to Cameron to find out how to close the door.
If there is a ‘Reverse Pulitzer’ then the Canadian press deserve it.
Be good to see what Michael Coren makes of this – Ezra as well.
CeltictotheBone says
Anybody know what Michael Coren is doing now? Another stalwart.
Western Canadian says
He had been walking away from his former stances and allies on many issues a couple of years ago…. Have not heard him or a word of him, for years now.
CeltictotheBone says
A shame. Thanks.
Guest says
Robert Spencer please know you are appreciated and that your lectures tell nothing but the truth.
Western Canadian says
Good and decent people traveled up to six hours, to attend Robert’s talk. No skin heads wearing nazi garb, no book burning fundies, just good and decent people. Already better informed than most, not a bigot or a racist among them, merely those after the truth about islam, and those wanting to support an incredibly brace, and extremely well informed man, Robert Spencer.
And he did not disappoint. Staggeringly well informed, passionate, and with not a single condemnation of muslims as a whole. Quite the contrary, he went to great lengths to acknowledge the range of believe and behaviour found in the muslim community, and the rest of us as well. Concern for those who have left islam, and the threats and abuse they must endure, as well as the threats and abuse that those who do not lie about islam experience.
And the need for bodyguards and security for him, in the middle of a civilized city…. Disgraceful. Criminal even.
There is an old saying about trying to get a quart into a pint bottle. In the case of Robert Spencer, this saying is far to small. His integrity, his decency, his encyclopedic knowledge, and above all, his incredible courage, are all beyond outstanding. And like others, I was rather surprised by how short a man he is…. There is more than a quart of all I have said about him, in that pint that is him…. Grand Canyons worth of all of these admirable traits reside in him.
Thank God for Robert Spencer. Even if you are an atheist!!!
Champ says
Thank God for Robert Spencer. Even if you are an atheist!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Western Canadian, why do you think that Robert Spencer is an atheist?
At the top of the website, under the “About Robert Spencer” category, Robert states this:
“Q: I’ve read that you are secretly a Catholic and have a religious agenda.
RS: My being Catholic is no secret; I co-wrote a book called Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics. But I have no religious agenda. In fact, Jihad Watch covers jihad in all its manifestations, and emphasizes the need for all the actual and potential victims of jihad violence and oppression — Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, secular Muslims, atheists, whatever — to join together to defend universal human rights. There are many things about which we all disagree, but at this point we need to unite simply in order to survive. We can sort out our disagreements later.”
Take care!
Champ says
LOL! ..my bad, WC! I see that you are being sarcastic 🙂
Western Canadian says
No, I am suggesting that even atheists should thank god for a man of his courage and integrity. I would have thought that to be obvious, though the last sentence would have been clearer as ‘Something even atheists should do’.
Champ says
Ok, thank you for clarifying, Western Canadian!
Fessitude says
Western Canadian wrote of Robert Spencer’s presentation which he saw:
“Staggeringly well informed, passionate, and with not a single condemnation of muslims as a whole. ”
Why is that a laudable thing? Why is it laudable to withhold condemnation of “Muslims as a whole”? Will anyone from the Counter-Jihad Mainstream articulate an answer to that question? Would the answer be able to be free of politically correct multiculturalism?
“Quite the contrary, he went to great lengths to acknowledge the range of believe [sic] and behaviour found in the muslim community, and the rest of us as well. ”
1) Firstly, there can be a “range” of beliefs & behavior, and yet everything in that range could be deleterious. I.e., there’s nothing intrinsic about a range of diversity that makes it necessarily, ipso facto indicative of harmlessness or goodness (unless you have PC MC reflexes that make you feel obliged to “respect” diversity just because it’s “diverse”). Merely having the feature of diversity doesn’t automatically confer upon a group or ideology or religion our blessing. It depends on what that range of diversity entails. Pray tell: Who on Allah’s Green Earth — after digesting the nearly indigestible mountains of horrific shit about Muslims that Jihad Watch has been amassing & documenting for some 13 years now — could possibly come away thinking that the diversity of Muslim beliefs and behaviors is anything but evil and dangerous for Mankind? The only way to excuse Canadian West would be to learn he hasn’t been reading Jihad Watch (or other Counter-Jihad sites) for very long; or if he has, not very carefully (this would excuse him from drawing the wrong conclusion after sufficiently familiarizing himself with the data; but, of course, would not excuse him from drawing that wrong conclusion – just as we don’t let PC MCs out in the Mainstream off the hook, by the solemn principle that paraphrases the famous legal phrase: “Ignorance of the jihad is no excuse”).
2) Secondly, the “and the rest of us as well” coda in Western Canadian’s description of why Spencer’s position is so great —
“Quite the contrary, he went to great lengths to acknowledge the range of believe [sic] and behaviour found in the muslim community, and the rest of us as well. ”
— strongly implies an equivalence between Muslim societies and our own: just as we are diverse and when considering our societies, or any groups among them, one must not “tar everyone with one brush” or “judge a book by its cover” or “only a few rotten apples”. Indeed, an interesting article about that last old saw indicates that in the old days (before the PC MC rot began to infect our hearts & minds so prevalently one can find signs of it even in the Counter-Jihad), the “few rotten apples” saying actually meant the opposite of what it means today:
“Back then,” wrote Geoff Nunberg, “ nobody ever talked about “just a few bad apples” or “only a few rotten apples” — the whole point was that even one was enough to taint the [whole] group. These days, those are the phrases people use to imply that some misdeeds were an isolated incident — a couple of rogue cops, a handful of unprincipled loan officers, two or three sociopathic soldiers.” — or a (Tiny) Minority of Extremists.
Nunberg goes on:
“Then there’s the version that goes, “There are always going to be a few bad apples.” That’s a counsel of moral realism: as in, there’s evil in the world; get over it.”
Or, in the case of Western Canadian’s equivalence between Muslims and us:
“There are always going to be a few bad Muslims.” That’s a counsel of moral realism: as in, there are also a few bad Westerners, too; get over it.”
Seeing an altercation from 2014 indicates a strong amount of the PC MC virus in him:
When another commenter observed about Muslims:
“Their religion is designed that way — to keep them perpetually childish in the most vile and cruel way”
Western Canadian had a rather emphatic seizure of PC MC:
• •
Western Canadian says
December 21, 2014 at 1:12 am
Really?? Your ignorant and spiteful comments sound like you are actually describing yourself. And in light of the low-church atheism you are fool enough to embrace and offer up, they actual do describe you. Shut your pie-hole, you pathetic ignorant lout.l
And a little later he added (after the person he was attacking dared to utter a peep of protest:
• Western Canadian says
December 21, 2014 at 1:10 am
Yes, the world if full of beliefs that should not survive an elementary school education. And your bigoted and ignorant comments are among the most stupid and worthless of such beliefs.
Jay Boo says
If I might comment on just one thing, Fessitude.
Why are we to assume that that is a bad thing if Robert Spencer’s presentation possibly did not have (— not a single condemnation of Muslims as a whole —-)?
It is very easy for you or even I, to post on a blog that Muslims in general are wackos because we have the luxury of being no-name peons in the fight against Islam.
If Robert Spencer were to do the same thing, his scholarly research would be discredited as a — mountain of un-objective opinionated data.
linnte says
Exactly Jay! Which is why I really detest battles between us, here on this blog. It ruins our credibility. If mainstream Muslims in America read our words, God Forbid, they will think we are wackos ourselves! But, being human, I suppose that’s the price we pay. Maybe they will simply be amazed that we dare CONFRONT each other with differing opinions, which MUST be rare in a Mosque. Free speech and thinking are precious and wondrous. ?
Fessitude says
Yeah linnte; more like the latter. That’s what makes the West we are defending great — our ability to disagree rationally, without vituperation and violence, far more often than Muslims are able, due to their mass sociopathy.
But more importantly, we are in a war of ideas battling for the very existence of our societies; if we can’t take a little disagreement in a discussion forum, how much mettle do we have for the fiercer battles ahead…?
Angemon says
Fessitude posted:
“That’s what makes the West we are defending great — our ability to disagree rationally, without vituperation and violence, far more often than Muslims are able, due to their mass sociopathy.
But more importantly, we are in a war of ideas battling for the very existence of our societies; if we can’t take a little disagreement in a discussion forum, how much mettle do we have for the fiercer battles ahead…?”
This is coming from the person who emailed people and tried to shame them to come after me for disagreeing with him, and later went on PalTalk to get people to come after me, as one of them eventually did:
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/10/france-radical-prisoner-on-the-run-after-getting-temporary-leave-from-prison-shoots-policeman-in-the-head#comment-1308385
And later on those two (voegelinian/Fessitude and Godless) did a series of YT videos where they talked s*** about JW regulars who had the audacity of disagreeing with them, especially with his siccing of Godless on me.
Angemon says
Jay Boo posted:
“If I might comment on just one thing, Fessitude.
Why are we to assume that that is a bad thing if Robert Spencer’s presentation possibly did not have (— not a single condemnation of Muslims as a whole —-)?”
My take on that is that good old Fess likes to play the “good cop”. As in “some people say genocide, I say ‘total deportation'”. Or “Robert Spencer says all muslims are terrorists, I say that not all are,but since we can’t distinguish those who are from those that aren’t we must assume that they all are”. That Mr. Spencer doesn’t do what Fess has, on several occasions, said he should screws up his narrative.
It’s a really stupid logic anyway. “Oh, Robert Spencer refuses to say ALL muslims even though the media says he does, so why doesn’t he just say ALL muslims since he’s painted that way anyway?”. Let’s apply that “logic” to another situation: “Oh, that Aussie guy there never f***ed a sheep in all his life but people around him call him a sheep-f***er, so he might as well go and f*** sheep”. Makes no sense, does it?
Angemon says
Fessitude posted:
“Western Canadian wrote of Robert Spencer’s presentation which he saw:
“Staggeringly well informed, passionate, and with not a single condemnation of muslims as a whole. ”
Why is that a laudable thing?”
Are you not following current events? Do you not know the kind of charges people like Mr. Spencer face? “Oh, those bigoted islamophobes are just saying that all muslims are terrorists”. Do you really not understand why WC stressed that out? My bet is that you’re aware of all this, but you insist in undermining Mr. Spencer’s work. But I’ll play your little games. Do you, Fessitude, agree that ALL muslims are terrorists? Yes or No.
“Why is it laudable to withhold condemnation of “Muslims as a whole”?”
See above.
“Will anyone from the Counter-Jihad Mainstream articulate an answer to that question? Would the answer be able to be free of politically correct multiculturalism?”
Do you, Fessitude, agree that ALL muslims are terrorists? Yes or No.
“1) Firstly, there can be a “range” of beliefs & behavior, and yet everything in that range could be deleterious.”
“Could be”. But is it? That’s what you need to prove.
“The only way to excuse Canadian West”
Excuse him from what? What terrible crime has he committed? Right, he had the audacity to praise Mr. Spencer’s presentation. Were you there in the audience with WC? If not, why should we take your criticism as anything other than what it is – baseless speculation?
“2) Secondly, the “and the rest of us as well” coda in Western Canadian’s description of why Spencer’s position is so great —
“Quite the contrary, he went to great lengths to acknowledge the range of believe [sic] and behaviour found in the muslim community, and the rest of us as well. ”
— strongly implies an equivalence between Muslim societies and our own:”
To which all WC has to say is “No, it doesn’t”.
“Or, in the case of Western Canadian’s equivalence between Muslims and us:”
Ah, so you went from “strongly implied equivalence” to “equivalence” skipping the part where you go from “strongly implied” to “confirmed”. It’s “confirmed” because you said so – well, quoted someone else, as usual.
““There are always going to be a few bad Muslims.” That’s a counsel of moral realism: as in, there are also a few bad Westerners, too; get over it.””
Where did WC say such a thing? He didn’t, did he? Just more of your usual ascribing of falsehoods. You went from “strongly implies equivalence ” to “equivalence” to “There are always going to be a few bad Muslims.” That’s a counsel of moral realism: as in, there are also a few bad Westerners, too; get over it.”.
And you accuse others of sophistry and bad faith. Pathetic.
“Seeing an altercation from 2014 indicates a strong amount of the PC MC virus in him:”
Where did this alleged altercation took place? Link, please. I’m asking this because you have a history of quote-mining and distorting what others say. Or is there a particular reason for not linking to WC’s actual posts, even though you went took the time to copy and paste them?
Richard Paulsen says
It´s so obvious some media saying negative things about someone not being liked by media and just good things about someone being liked.
Avoiding some information. Not bothering spreading misinformation and hate. Deceiving. Not taking responsibility for what is being said. Intending to stop someone. Never mind how. Still avoiding the responsibility.
Always acting as being innocent, as being on the good side, as just being objective and as knowing better. Never admitting being wrong. You wonder why.
Strange that you can´t criticise totalitarian states and ideologies living in free and democratic countries.
Once read critics of nazism before WW2 being called warmongers. Seems being the same stigma today, criticising islam.
In order solving problems you have to analyse them first, learn about them and inform about them. Otherwise you avoid solving and instead intend to cause problems. Like some media companies are.
More Ham Ed says
The leftist keyphrase “incites hate” is an attempt to say he’s breaking some kind of law.
Quote “A multi-faith coalition…” you mean one-way coalition, tolerate islam, but islam tolerates nothing else.
“He is criticizing oppressive, discriminatory, racist, and violent elements within Islam and within Islamic communities.”
Yeah, that’s something that muslims ought to be doing.
Fessitude says
What’s wrong with being anti-Muslim? Will the Counter-Jihad Mainstream ever adequately articulate exactly why they support Spencer on this? (At least some time before Muslims destroy our civilization, would be nice…)
linnte says
Fess, I also said this to the Imam on Facebook. I said why do I have to agree with the Ideology of Islam? It is a free country.
Fessitude says
linnte, that’s a different question from mine.
Jay Boo says
I answered that above.
In summary:
It is very easy for you or even I, to post on a blog that Muslims in general are wackos because we both have the luxury of being no-name peons in the fight against Islam.
If Robert Spencer were to do the same thing, all of his scholarly research would be discredited as nothing but a mountain of un-objective opinionated data.
Angemon says
Fessitude posted:
“Will the Counter-Jihad Mainstream ever adequately articulate exactly”
Have you ever seen an opinion, point of view or fact you didn’t like being “adequately articulate”? My money’s on “No”.
Western Canadian says
By lying about Robert, the idiot imam (who has stated that muslims in Canada are treated like Jews in Nazi Germany!!) is increasing the likelihood of violence against him. Don’t bother calling the human rights for some but not others commission, they are so corrupt they should be shut down and investigated for fraud and hate crimes.
mortimer says
Imam Syed Soharwardy would be unable to defeat Robert Spencer in a debate. No mullah has.
The imam would be exposed as a liar if his taqiyya were challenged.
The CBC has no one with enough knowledge of the Islamic source texts (Sira, hadiths, commentaries and Sharia law) to adequately cover the subject of Islam.
Sending untrained reporters to cover Islam is like sending a reporter to cover baseball who has never played the game or even seen one, let alone studied the entire history of the game.
Lanya LaPunta says
Hi, Mortimer.
I vehemently disagree with your statement that “CBC has no one with enough knowledge of ……”
My stance is that they do. They are islamophiliacs serving their mohammedan masters.
Evidence points, strongly, in that direction.
Fessitude says
The conclusion would then be that they are all evil (for to support and promote Islam knowingly would ipso facto be evil, since Islam is evil). Given how many people throughout the West are doing this, one must at least try to think of another explanation before leaping to that startling conclusion. We don’t owe Muslims any benefit of the doubt, but we do owe our mainstream Westerners at least that much. Given that there are many non-Leftists in varous places and in various social stations throughout the West who more or less do the same thing, it seems strange and implausible that they would all be evil.
I think it’s more a matter of what I have called “Quantum Ignorance” and “Quantum Stupidity” predicated upon an anxious concern not to be “bigoted” again so many people perceived to be “ethnic”. How this shift in worldview into Politically Correct Multi-Culturalism came about, and why it has become so fashionable throughout the West, is another story of a complicated historical process (I’ve seen signs of it as far back as the famous French thinker Michel de Montaige in the 16th century).
kilfincelt says
Thank you, Robert for all you do! As for Islam being a religion of peace then why since 9/11 have there been over 5 terrorist attacks by Muslims per day around the world? That is a staggering number and well worth repeating.
The following is suggested reading. I am not paid to endorse these books but do so to provide more ammo against those who maintain Islam is a religion of peace.
We are told by many historians and Muslims that medieval Islamic Spain was a paradise where people of all religions were treated with great tolerance, well, that was a myth. Please read “The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise: Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Islamic Rule in Medieval Spain” by Dario Fernandez-Morera, an associate professor in the Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese at the Northwestern University. What happened in Spain after the Muslim invasion was no different then what had happened in North Africa and parts of Asia, including India. When the Spanish finally finished the reconquest by taking Grenada, they found not a single Christian in that region of Spain. Also, please read “The Myth of Islamic Tolerance: How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims” which was edited by Mr. Spencer. The truth would make stealth jihad difficult, if not impossible, in Canada and the U.S. which is the reason that Muslims are so desperate to make people believe that Robert and others like him are haters of all Muslims. The left that supports this nonsense is just plain inane and borderline insane.
mortimer says
The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada is declaring they are not supremacists.
EYESOPEN says
“When he comes to this country and incites hatred in the minds and the hearts of people…”
He should look at himself in the mirror. The vast majority of muzlim (sic – on purpose) imams DO exactly what this lying scum has accused Robert Spencer of doing. I guess that not only is the “golden rule” omitted from their UN-holy book, the admonition against bearing false witness is as well.
linnte says
Islamic people blame the Jews for the same thing they do. They claim Jews want world domination. But it is Islam that wants world domination. They claim blah blah about the Jews, when in actuality their own fears and beliefs are what they fear. Projecting their beliefs onto another group who really, Muhammad was JEALOUS of! He wanted that power and the prestige of being God Chosen People, so he made it up.
I also see no alternative to freeing the world of Muslim Ideology aside from eliminating the Qur’an, Hadith and the followers of Muhammad period. And I am not a murderous person! I wish someone could figure out another way to eliminate Islam.
Pong says
Couldn’t help myself. Sent email to rabbi S. Osadchey.
Must admit, it was difficult to keep it polite.
Pointed to him that his children (he has 6 so far) will pay for his actions.
But what a piece of garbage that man is.
Ren says
As Trump said : “The media is the most dishonest…”
Felix Quigley says
A reader above has commented and I have to say that I agree with every Word:
QUOTE “I am far more radical than he.
I believe that anyone who is guided by the Koran, and that includes ALL Muslims, is my enemy and would willingly kill me and all my fellow Jews.
I believe that followers of the Koran want to see an Islamic ruled world with all non Muslims virtual slaves or dead.
I believe that peace on our planet can never be obtained as long as the “holy” Koran exists to call for perpetual war and injustice of all kinds.
But the thing I disagree withis the term “leftist” used often by Robert Spoencer but not only he…this is so wiodespread.
I am a Marxist, Trotskyist, totally opposed to capitalism as a system, I mean I want to end it and replace it by socialism. I have not once ounce of confidence in capitalism.
I oppose Islam as perhaps the most evil ideology on the earth.
The term leftist is just therefore too meaningless. Who are these leftists? Come out of the clouds and describe them…all about them. Identify them or you have a situation of commie baiting as happened before in American history. I am confident that is not what Robert wants. But he may. It is ambiguous.
linnte says
The Professor Imam ANSWERED ME on his Facebook page! He said he would have loved to go to Roberts forum, but he was “out of town”. Hummmm, anyway he said he is going to debate! YAAAAHOOOOO!
Shalom says
Wow, fantastic. What a result! Good work linnte.
linnte says
Grinning now! Hahahahaha! I just wish this debate would take place in my area. Sadly it won’t but I will get to watch any way some day.
gravenimage says
Good for you, linnte!
Matt says
“There are obviously some people that find him to be credible, but by and large he’s been discredited by human rights and civil rights organizations throughout North American, prominently the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Centre in the States.”
These kinds of statements (bold) are usually a red flag that someone is engaging in sophistry, because saying that a person can be “discredited” or “debunked” is just another form of ad hominem. Generally speaking, people are not discredited, but the things they say can be. For example, people’s testimony in a court of law can be discredited and so can their character as a witness, but these are typically based on the things they’ve said (and to a lesser degree, done; but in this context what has Mr. Spencer done but say things?
“But to Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Spencer’s words are designed to divide, not unite.
“We’re expending a lot of energy and effort to create harmony and build good interfaith relationships between Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities and somebody comes in with a speech that is offensive, that misconstrues and stereotypes any one of us,” Osadchey said.”
Moreover, the whole idea of “uniting instead of dividing” as somehow being the highest good is another fallacious appeal. What is more important, truth or “unity”? Unity is great, but it is not a higher good than truth. Truth reflects reality and gives us the mindset to make intelligent decisions; but superficial “unity” bought with lies can be threaten lives and cause people to live in intellectual darkness.
Jesus said (Matt 10:34), “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” No, this is not the “sword” verse of the Bible, and no, it’s not a call to religious violence. It is a statement that the truth, generally, (and Jesus, specifically) will inevitably cause division among people.
Indeed, this idea is clearly expressed when it comes to Mr. Spencer and the truth that he brings and the division that it happens to cause.
Lynne says
Thank God for people like Robert Spencer. Others who condemn him don’t really listen to what he says. He is trying to educate people about Islam which is more a political ideology masquerading as a religion. I thought journalists were supposed to report the truth.
Thank you also to Joel Shapiro who told the truth about the talk.
Xero_G says
I too was present at Robert’s speech in Calgary (and he was kind enough to sign a book for me afterwards). I found his presentation to be informative, articulate, and at times, humorous. I was a bit disappointed there weren’t any protestors (would have added to the “entertainment” value) and the standing-room audience was friendly and well behaved.
No hate was spewed, no anti-Muslim generalities, only reasoned, researched insights about Islam backed up with Mr. Spencer’s copy of the Koran, which by the way, he appeared to handle with respect – wrapped it in cloth to protect it from the elements.
Pointing out and exposing hate and incitement to violence is not the same as actually inciting hate and violence.
Hari Singh says
A few hundred years ago the ruling classes of North Western India all but capitulated to Islam’s genocidal conquest. In many cases it was the common people who fought back especially in the Panjab led by the Sikhs. Islam was stopped jihadis were stopped and a free kingdom with religious freedom was established under Ranjit Singh. A popular movement stopped jihad.
We cannot expect our atheistic governments and leftist intellectuals to see the present danger from Islam. They love money and power not freedom. They want money and power just like the jihadis and and known there is no difference between themselves and the jihadis. So they do not see the danger.
aaron mrand says
words…words…debates..lectures…..how does anybody expect to make a diff, with only words..many are
making plenty of money on this muslim terrorist thing….and not only talking heads, news papers, tv, etc.,
but the industrialists also are making big money with the arms thing…..scare mongers are doing good
with the race thing and everyone needs a GUN and an alarm system for their home…and we have
resurrected the wild, wild shoot em BANG west right in downtown, your town with the open carry thing..
saw a guy with his OC weapon at the feed store where they sell plants and seed also,,,had his 9mm
on his hip…I guess he was coming in to buy some corn seeds…shoot a hole in the ground and then plant a seed or two…yup, easier than plowing….Obama is a traitor and trump is hitler….wow…..Hillary is a les and billy boy is a rapist….Kerry is a coward and the Israelies are murderers…..Palestine is simply
misunderstood regardless the stabbings, bombings, etc. and islam is a religion of Peace….the GOP and
the Dems are in tune with WTP and the government is here to help you….the Constitution is outdated
and Geo Clooney is an intelligent man….Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck both know of which they speak
and are fair and balanced in their reporting….and WTP keep on buying the bulllllll sheeeeeeeet that
is thrown at us every day as gospel and beg for more……..PT Barnum was right…there IS a sucker
born every second and just begging to be fleeced….good luck to you and goodnight America
gravenimage says
aaron mrand wrote:
words…words…debates..lectures…..how does anybody expect to make a diff, with only words..
…………………………………
Words are important, and can wake people up to the threat of Islam.
More:
many are
making plenty of money on this muslim terrorist thing….
…………………………………
“muslim terrorist thing”? In other words, we should not be allowed to war anyone about the threat of Jihad terrorism.
More:
and not only talking heads, news papers, tv, etc.,
but the industrialists also are making big money with the arms thing…..scare mongers are doing good
with the race thing and everyone needs a GUN and an alarm system for their home…and we have
resurrected the wild, wild shoot em BANG west right in downtown, your town with the open carry thing..
…………………………………
Uh huh. The implication here is that Muslim terrorism does not exist, and is just a paranoid fantasy of the law and order crowd.
Tell that to the victims in NYC, Madrid, London, Boston, Paris, Brussels, and San Bernardino…
More:
saw a guy with his OC weapon at the feed store where they sell plants and seed also,,,had his 9mm
on his hip…I guess he was coming in to buy some corn seeds…shoot a hole in the ground and then plant a seed or two…yup, easier than plowing….Obama is a traitor and trump is hitler….wow…..Hillary is a les and billy boy is a rapist….Kerry is a coward and the Israelies are murderers…..Palestine is simply
misunderstood regardless the stabbings, bombings, etc. and islam is a religion of Peace….the GOP and
the Dems are in tune with WTP and the government is here to help you….the Constitution is outdated
and Geo Clooney is an intelligent man….Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck both know of which they speak
and are fair and balanced in their reporting….and WTP keep on buying the bulllllll sheeeeeeeet that
is thrown at us every day as gospel and beg for more……..PT Barnum was right…there IS a sucker
born every second and just begging to be fleeced….good luck to you and goodnight America
…………………………………
What exactly is this troll ranting about here? He seems to have gotten his agenda confused…