Last Thursday, April 14, I spoke at a private event in Montreal about the Islamic war on the freedom of speech that began with the Iranian fatwa against Salman Rushdie and is now approaching final victory.
Thanks to Vlad Tepes for the video and for his indefatigable work making these videos that were filmed in less than ideal conditions watchable and listenable.
Aspy says
No matter what, freedom of speech must NEVER be done away with. It must remain alive & vibrant forever. Moronic suppressors be damned.
Don Kleim says
Agreed. But it is slipping away a little bit more each day my friend. The leftist Liberal party has done more to stifle freedom of expression in Canada since their election last October than any previous government. The media is complicit in that they have openly praised and supported these ridiculously politically correct assholes who have shut down any meaningful debate or discussion of some very important issues. Any opposition to the very seriously flawed government plan to flood Canada with Syrian “refugees” with little or no screening is met with vehement blow back. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a poorly crafted document in that it gives citizens the right to free speech but in practice that is not the case. Political correctness is Fascism with manners.
Andonis says
I agree everything you say about the first amendment and freedom of speech, which I believe is the core and the foundation of western civilization. However I cannot see that Donald Trump would have been a contestant for the presidential nominee, let alone being the current front runner, if he proclaimed that every one is free to say what they like about Islam (which goes without saying should be the case), and that both Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer should be commended for defending the first amendment. The corrupt faceless oligarchs, including the enemedia, would use all there power, (and unfortunately they have plenty of that) to bring him down. What Trump has exposed is that the Republican establishment is just as corrupt as the Obama regime. Both appease Islam.
The point is you can only do something about this sad situation once you are in power. How do we know that perhaps Donald Trump has this in mind. Once and if he becomes President he’ll be in a position to defend western values, including the first amendment. May be that’s what his got in mind.
Angemon says
“The point is you can only do something about this sad situation once you are in power. How do we know that perhaps Donald Trump has this in mind.”
We don’t. So we look at his past record. Has Trump consistently stood for anything, no matter what, out of principle, despite it being unpopular and harmful to his image?
Andonis says
How many american politicians said that he/she will stop Muslim immigration, until as Trump put it ‘we figure out what’s going on’. His the only one who brought this in the open and certainly didn’t help him with his popularity ratings! Certainly not among the establishment politicians and others.
freewoman says
uh huh, see how he slammed Pamela Gellar over the mohammed drawing contest in Garland, Texas. And he’s said lots of things about shutting down certain journalists who disagreed with him. And egging on his supporters to shut up protesters… and on. Not so much a champion of free speech. Ted Cruz has handled hecklers at his rallies with a much better respectful response.
heidi says
Trump commented on her drawing contest as being crazy, and he is no islamic expert, but perfectly understands why, and is why he is the only candidate calling for a temp ban on un-vetted muslims to protect her from the incoming jihadists who would love to nothing more than to execute people like Gellar and Spencer. frustratingly, many of the protesters at his rallies are paid by wealthy Soros types to silence him, and they should be taken out. Of course Cruz has called for doubling muslim immigration, and this establishment view draws far less hecklers:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/03/24/washington-examiner-ted-cruz-pushed-dramatically-expand-muslim-migration-2013/
Carolyne says
The danger is not Donald Trump. It is the Supreme Court. If Hillary Clinton is elected, she will appoint a Supreme Court Justice who will side with the four leftists already seated and they will have the majority. We can say goodbye to the First and Second Amendments.
Jerry says
“..the one and only Robert Spencer.”
You can say that again. 🙂
I feel sick about all this. I don’t think we could exaggerate the threat to free expression in America and the west in general. If we lose free speech we lose all hope for a free society. It’s already taboo to speak against islam’s evil in our dhimmi-whipped nation, it’s not hard to see how that could blossom into laws impugning our 1st amendment even further. Free speech is already under attack in the west because muslims might react like violent babies and kill someone–Terry Jones and the quran burning, the “Innocence of Muslims,” and Westergaard’s cartoon, as some examples of. We can’t enjoy our cultural tradition and legal right to express ourselves because some muslims 5000 miles away (or next door) might not be able to control their murderous impulses over a cartoon. Of course if we went to their nation we’d have to conform or be dead and imprisoned. This one-sided approach to human relations doesn’t suit me at all. I know they say there’s good muslims out there, but honestly, they’re all beginning to seem like Nazi party members to me. Some kill for islam and others are only passive participants, but they’re all working to advance the same thing: ISLAMIC SUPREMACY.
Trump, if you get in ban CAIR, close the mosques, and outlaw sharia. Preserve America from the enemy within. Thanks in advance.
Jerry says
Just a tidbit: Flemming Rose, the editor of Jyllands Posten who published Westergaard’s cartoons wrote an interesting book that I’m now reading, “The tyranny of Silence.” And he pointed how very nicely that a depiction of muhammad with a bomb in his “hat” (my word) need not only be interpreted as an attack on islam. He gives the view of an art historian, Mikkel Bogh, “who also feels that–
the juxtaposition of Muhammad and the bomb can be interpreted on several levels. Are we meant to infer that the prophet represents islam and that islam is a warrior religion? Or is the idea rather that the image of the prophet is being destroyed by terrorists who commit acts of violence in his name? Is the cartoon saying that Muhammad is oblivious to the fighting going on in his name, since his expression is neutral, even vacant, and he appears unable to see the bomb that is about to blow him to pieces? Or are we to understand from the drawing that Islam as a religion is self destructive?
That’s all a true and a fair assessment of the possible interpretations. But of course we have millions of muslims in the world that are intellectually and morally incapable of dissecting these possibilities. Like brutes they experience their own inflamed passions at even a tangential suggestion that they could possibly be wrong in their retarded and violent faith. But if we listen to the left and the apologists, it is we more intelligent and sane people of the world who must bow like grovelling slaves before this religious idiocy. We shouldn’t stay true to the loftier goals within our human rights and western democracy. No, we must despise our good morals, advanced spiritual development, and humane laws, for them. I got a problem with that. And that’s why the work that Spencer and Geller, and Wilders, and other heroes for freedom is so, SO, important. I encourage everyone out there to promote their good work everywhere and every time they can. Our survival depends on it.
Jerry says
I found this talk by Spencer to be extra inspiring, passionate on an earthy level and well composed. Every decent person will embrace it as morally true and a fair assessment of the threat islam poses to free speech and freedom in general. And good job Vlad Tepes, I’m a subscriber. Please keep doing your good work.
Carolyne says
That’s really ridiculous. Of course the cartoon meant that Muslims intend to carry bombs to detonate against innocent people. One could see several dangers in a ham sandwich, one supposes, but there is only one reasonable answer. It is not a fair assessment at all. It is stretching the meaning of the cartoon to absolute incredulity
“Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”
Jerry says
I suggest that the people most likely to see that cartoon as meaning terrorism by muslims are people that have something to feel guilty about. Based on its own merits, one could argue that a bomb on muhammad’s head is an act against him, right? Or it could represent his own oblivious mindset regarding terrorism done in his name. It need not be interpreted as meaning islam condones terror, though some are sure to see that possibility. Regardless of its intent and perceived meaning, it’s no justification for rioting and threats of murder against the cartoonist and the paper that printed it. Free speech cannot be regulated by the hurt feelings of others, or it isn’t free speech. Hurt feelings are subjective and make a poor measure of equality and free expression.
I’m offended that you don’t see my POV. 😉 Wouldn’t it be something if I wanted you dead for that? That’s islam.
underbed cat says
If he, Trump that is, gets in the “;house”, the enemy within the government will be gone….out from positions to restrict speech and gone from inducing the public to allow sharia law to become law of the land. While Obama is out of town in the land of Saud, discussing how to handle an informed public and settling the dust with uproar about truth.
I will always remember the haunting words of a witness about Benghazi in working with the State Dept. he said it was if “the taliban was already in the house”, he acknowledged the problem…..to the Republicans I hope they will remember.
underbed cat says
Restricting free speech about facts that are true is…the mission of the enemy..doctrine…but restricting access to spread terror thru using free speech and connections for planning attacks should be restricted or shut down and definitely be messed with to subvert these plans.
Jerry says
If he, Trump that is, gets in the “;house”, the enemy within the government will be gone….
I do believe he would try his best. I would hound him about CAIR, immigration, and anti-sharia legislation. I’d have to buy reams of paper, cuz I’m going to be sending lots of letters. But the road to the White House is paved with delegates. And he still has a long way to go.
Michael Copeland says
Concerning “murderous impulses over a cartoon”, these are INSTRUCTED in the mosques. It is rather too flattering to attribute these responses to personal decision or reaction. The obedient and submissive slave of Allah “has no power except to acknowledge and obey” (fatwa from Dr. Salah al Sawy). No leeway is available. The Muslim does “not have the right to choose a way of life for himself ….. no one can regard any field of his affairs as personal and private” (Maududi).
After being instructed to put on a show of violence, a “Day of Rage”, a muslim who fails to do so will be beaten (or even killed) by his fellows.
Jerry says
Oh, no doubt. This impulse to riot and kill is not without its religious foundation. It comes from their indoctrination in the faith and their dutiful hatred of our freedoms and culture. This hatred and aggression against us is not a personal choice so much as an entire cultural and religious obligation within the muslim world. It seems that practically everything muslims do is an expression of their contempt and hatred for us: the epidemic rape of our women and children, their dangerous and stand-offish enclaves, the terrorism, their subversion of our politics and education for sharia, the threatening protests and riots, the attacks on free speech and other freedoms, their cheering when we suffer an attack…I have no doubt that this hatred runs to the very core of islamic culture and religion. It seems like the only way we can rid ourselves of the danger is to rid ourselves of muslims. We couldn’t have beat Nazism by merely burning Mein Kampf, and we won’t stop islam with a ritual burning of the koran. We need affirmative action equal to the threat. I see only one candidate on the horizon that might even have a chance at fulfilling this epic task, Donald Trump.
freewoman says
I still wouldn’t mind a ritual koran burning 😀
Jerry says
freewoman says
April 19, 2016 at 11:07 pm
I still wouldn’t mind a ritual koran burning ?
————–
Are you trying to sweet talk me? 😉
Carolyne says
It might be necessary to have a Koran burning when the terrorists attack our electric grids and we have no light. They might burn brightly and illuminate he minds of those who protect such drivel as Islam.
linnte says
Please come to Eugene and speak Robert! Speak on “political correctness” and islamophobia. These Leftists here need desperately to be challenged to THINK!
Sam says
“These Leftists here need desperately to be challenged to THINK”
That is so correct but there is so much hate of America, Liberty and Israel in the left that they do not listen or hear THE TRUTH. That is my daily experience with the left at work, on the street and at a restaurant. Yes, they also outnumber us conservatives by far nowadays.
The Vilest of Creatures says
“Molly Norris should have been used as a lynch pin”….Sorry Robert, bad choice of words.
Robert Spencer says
Vilest:
linch·pin
ˈlin(t)SHpin/
noun
a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.
Tonny Bøgebjerg says
A comment:
The person who traveled to Muslim countries with the cartoons of Mohammed
has been unpopular with his own, he has tried to get into the party Dansk folkeparti that he hated most. He was rejected by the Dansk folkeparti being vilified as a racist party due critical attitude to immigrants. He says that imaner in Denmark mentions Dane as pigs and Jews, and have sought refuge with another political person. Around 2012/13 as I recall, It tells a lot about the state regarding my country.
Regards
Thanks for good website and information.
John Galt III says
Islam did not act alone.
The left all over the world detests free speech as it detests any opposition. Whether it is National Socialism (Nazis and Fascists) or International Socialism (Communism and Progressivism) free speech is squelched.
In 95% of US universities and colleges as well as government schools (K-12) there is no freedom of speech. There is only one point of view allowed. Say something teacher does not like and watch your grade drop like a rock.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
The all-important sound quality of this presentation is high; gratitude to whoever positioned the microphone(s).
At 25:00, the question “Where is Molly Norris?” is reminiscent of the question “Who is John Galt?” See
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Galt
Maybe some latter-day Ayn Rand will write a novel about the undercover life of Molly Norris.
Dude says
Great speech, as always. Would have liked to see the Q&A as well.
linnte says
Me too Dude. But, ah well. I enjoy watching and hearing Mr. Spencers videos so much! I wish there was a list, with a link to each and every one of them. From David Wood and Pamela Geller, Jamie Glazov and Daniel Greenfield(?) too! It replaces watching Netflix on my tiny tablet.
freewoman says
have to keep the identities of the viewers secret. Canada has strict speech laws.
خَليفة says
Just as the children of slaves were born into the world believing that being an owned slave was normal and right, so do the children of dhimmis believe being a dhimmi is normal. And in the same way, people today that were raised without the proper understanding of free speech feel that is normal and right.
Peter says
The end of freedom of speach is very true in Germany. Accounts of Islam critics are deleted in social media. Critics are being dragged to court and fined heavily. Like in Nazi Germany and the GDR people are afraid to openly discuss issues regarding Islam and immigration. They fear retribution at the job or in the private life. Left extremists attackt Islam critics on various ways. This groups are directly or indirectly supported by municipal officials. At the same time the internet is full of hatred against jews and Israel. People express in different ways their hatred against Israel. Nothing is done against it. My impression is that the western elites and their media sided with the muslim world, and every oppostion to it is criminalized and surpressed.
Jerry says
That’s right. All this quashing of free speech and truth, that’s the handwriting on the wall we can’t ignore. This is either the beginning of the end or our new beginning. Either we act now to reverse this trend or civil war is the only option. The more peaceful and humane solution is to stay true to our own good character and convictions. Once these invaders realize we aren’t going to compromise human rights and freedom for their chicken-and-feathers religion they’ll have to change or leave. We stand for for freedom and respect for the individual, and human rights for ALL. This means islam is going to have to give a little too. They gotta grow a thick skin and respect the right of others to disagree with their retarded fake religion born of muhammad’s evil heart and mind. The day I can’t say that is the day my civil war starts.
freewoman says
Canada too, which is why Robert’s there secretly; him and Pam are also banned from the UK for ‘hate speech’
Jerry says
And that’s a disgrace. Had they been infidel hating islamists they’d probably been honored guests. Britain pretends to be multicultural, but in truth they are surrendering to islam’s fascist agenda. Breaks my heart. So long Britannia, so long Union Jack. We’ll miss you.
Bob says
The EU sees deportation of Islamic ‘hate preachers’ as violating their ‘human rights’!
D-spot says
Suspension of critical thinking, suppression of free speech at institutions of higher learning – what a pity Trudeau wasn’t there -(I’m assuming) to hear Robert Spencer. Political denial will be the subjugation of us all. – Canada is not immune to the horrors being perpetrated in Europe, which ultimately comes down to the numbers who believe in this wicked ideology.
Western Canadian says
I regret that nothing, but absolutely NOTHING can penetrate the skull of the shiny pony, (who sadly was aided by the same media that lies about islam, climate etc.) on islam or any other subject…. raised in wealth, never challenged by the real world, never required to actually WORK for a living, he is incapable of self criticism, and so absolutely certain that everything he believes is the absolute last word and truth, that he will never change…. He is an extreme threat to Canada and the rest of the west……
As an aside, there was a bit of disgust over the hiring of TWO nannies by his family…… I am convinced that one was for the kids, and the other for him shiny self.
Peter says
Great and informative talk. Thanks.
salim says
I am sorry to say the West is losing more than just free speech, the entire civilisation is collapsing. This free fall was bound to happen with or without Islam but Islam speeded up the process and made advantage of it. The West is losing because it lost its will to stay in the lead, even to live.
This confrontation between Islam and the West started with Islam in its weakest position and the West in its most powerful position.
The West fought the war not against Islam but on the side of Islam. The west is looking for submission and defeat and muslims are the only people who are happy to take advantage.
I do not believe the West are forced to voluntarily appoint Muslims in leading positions. PC culture and self censorship was the West’s choice.
Some Muslim countries offered more resistance to Islam than the West with all its might. Examples: Tunisia and Syria before the islamic spring, and both countries were destabilised by the West to pave the way for islamisation.
Sam says
Robert,
Thank you again. You are the hero of this century. Keep safe we need you more and more each day.
Cecilia Ellis says
“Insofar as he [Muhammad] has any historical validity at all . . . ”
Robert, loved your insertion of the lack of historical evidence to validate Muhammad’s existence! Your fascinating analysis of the Western road to silence, in lieu of free speech, should be a wake-up call for all who loathe tyranny.
What a privilege it is to hear you speak! Thank you!
Hope says
Thank you, Robert Spencer, for speaking the truth.
Rita says
I am a fan of Robert Spencer – who, no matter how often he speaks about the subject is still fascinating to listen to, each time, and it never sounds repetitous – could listen to him for hours.
I am also a fan of Vlad Tepes, one of the most consistently rich information sources on the global colateral damage this insidious ideology, Islam, that spreads like a cancer causes:
http://vladtepesblog.com
Thank you Robert Spencer, Vlad Tepes, Pamela Geller, and all the courageous fighters for our Western Civilisation and our survival. Many of us are contributing, timidly, hidden, from behind the keyboard. Mark Steyn, when recently in Sydney said: come out of the closet…share the danger !
Angemon says
I second those feelings, Rita.
Rita says
PS: who is that charming and witty Blonde lady who introduces Robert Spencer ? Anybody know?
Lucy says
Her identity must be kept confidential surely.
Porky The Crusader says
Hey,Het Robert you were in Montreal if I had known, I would have met you 😉
UNCLE VLADDI says
Me too! I live in Ottawa, and had no idea he’d be here.
Where does he announce or schedule his events?!
Joe Brooce says
As goes the First Amendment, so goes the nation. Evisceration of the First Amendment by our rulers and the media elite should be viewed as an act of civil war, just as much as the southern states’ secession was in 1860.
UNCLE VLADDI says
Islam can be easily studied and known in its entirety, by anyone. It will never change!
So, when Western people won’t educate them *selves* about islam because our culture defers all thinking to those “authorities” we PAY to do our thinking and research for us, while they secretly know full-well that the salesmen in charge will always sell us all out, they ARE CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT INFANTILE DELINQUENT TRAITORS TO RATIONALITY AND CIVILIZATION!
It should never be allowed by backwards people to be considered “illegal” to accuse these criminals (muslims) of their crimes, allegedly because the painful truth might offend them or hurt their feelings, and so “make” them commit even more crimes!
No problem was ever solved by ignoring it, and nobody is doing even these muslims any favours, by indulging their historic lies that islam is a “religion” (at all, much less one “of peace”) or a “race” (much less one of poor oppressed “People Of Colour”)!
Pretending there is NOT a Muslim problem but only a white racist problem accepting diversity, is criminally negligent TREASON.
Keeping the muzzie masses ignorant of their own hate-crime death-threat canon seems to be the self-imposed mission of most of the enemedia, government and of course their corporazi owners these days – it’s most likely why they keep lying about islam being a “great religion of peace” all the time! That, and their inherent racism, of course!
We wouldn’t want any of these poor oppressed mentally-inferior swarthy holy-mobster criminals to suffer any “blowback” retaliation (i.e: JUSTICE) for their crimes, now, would we?
😉
Aussie Infidel says
At 32m40s into the video, Robert mentions Ikmeliden Ihsonoglu, who was then the Secretary General of the OIC. In 2012 Ihsonoglu came to Australia to thank our then PM Kevin Rudd for donating $1 million to the Islamic Museum in Melbourne, and while here, he spoke at a number of our universities. On one such occasion, in answer to a question about ‘9/11’, Ihsonoglu replied, “That was a great mistake for us, because now we have had to confront the West before we were ready.” I was dumbfounded that the man could have been so forthright – as was the plain clothes policeman sitting nearby. We both shook our heads in disbelief. There were a few other questions about jihad etc, which he summarily dismissed; and after I asked him why the Quran contained so many violent verses against Jews and Christians, the apologist MC spoke up and said that “all religions contain violence”- and then he closed the meeting a half hour early. Perhaps Ihsonoglu thought that his audience were all Muslims or a group of dhimmi students doing Middle East studies.