Note the title of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article. If I am “anti-Muslim,” then foes of the Nazis were “anti-German.” People find it hard, if not impossible, to believe, but it is nonetheless true: character assassination is a primary weapon of the enablers of jihad terror nowadays. For years they have defamed opponents of jihad terror as “hatemongers” who are “anti-Muslim,” such that by now a “journalist” such as Ashley Jost of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch repeats it as if it were axiomatically true. It seems impossible that the object of so much hatred and contempt could be a perfectly innocuous individual with innocuous opinions that are inconvenient for a powerful and well-heeled machine, such that this innocuous person has to be the recipient of a fire hose of defamatory propaganda, with the goal that people of good will turn away without giving him a hearing, right? That kind of thing never happens, right? At least not in America…right?
Note also that only evidence that anything I say is actually “controversial” is the the SPLC has put me on its list. No quotes from me. Of course, Ashley Jost of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, as well as these Truman State University students and parents who are supposedly “concerned” because I am set to speak on campus, would be hard-pressed to come up with any quotation from me that is actually hateful. And of course Ashley Jost of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did not bother to reach out to me for comment.
Much more below.
“Truman State grapples with controversial anti-Muslim speaker,” by Ashley Jost, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 11, 2017:
Truman State University students and parents have expressed concerns on social media this week ahead of the arrival of controversial speaker Robert Spencer, who comes to campus Thursday.
Spencer is an author who runs the website “Jihad Watch.” The Southern Poverty Law Center identifies Spencer as an extremist and anti-Muslim “propagandist.”
What evidence does Ashley Jost of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adduce to show that the SPLC is a neutral, trustworthy arbiter of such matters, rather than the hard-Left propaganda mill that it has shown itself to be? Why, none. None at all.
The Truman State College Republicans received just more than $3,000 from the university’s student-led Funds Allotment Council to bring Spencer to campus. The Council is an organization funded by student fees that accepts applications from all other student-led groups on campus for funding for activities such as speakers….
Campuses nationwide have struggled recently with how to handle controversial speakers. Some schools have decided to revoke invitations after campus uproars. In other cases, protesters have interrupted events, making it difficult or impossible for speakers to make their remarks….
“Controversial,” i.e., not reflecting the far-Left line that prevails on campuses everywhere. Note how it doesn’t occur to Ashley Jost, or to the student protesters, to engage the “controversial speakers” in discussion and/or debate of the relevant issues. University students today generally aren’t interested in thinking or engaging difficult or unfamiliar ideas. They’re only interested in reflections of the same propaganda they’re fed in their classes. Critical thinking? Pah! “Islamophobia”!
Spencer said in a guest column on a conservative college blog that an invitation for him to speak at a private school in New Hampshire was revoked because “officials caved to pressure from Muslims who played the victimhood card to shut down those who air inconvenient truths about the nature and magnitude of the jihad threat.”
Truman State doesn’t plan on shutting down Spencer’s talk. Instead, spokesman Travis Miles said the public university is hoping to create an essay contest and create “an educational experience” around Thursday night.
Spencer speaks in a campus auditorium at 8 p.m. That same evening, at 6:30 p.m., the Muslim Student Association is bringing in Faizan Syed, executive director of the Council on American-Islam [sic] Relations in Missouri. Syed is based out of St. Louis.
I plan on attending Faizan Syed’s talk. I doubt he will attend mine, although he is most welcome to do so, and indeed, I invite him to do so. I fully expect that I will either be prevented from attending his speech, or will be subjected to insults and abuse while I am there. If he attends my lecture, he will be welcomed and no one will treat him with anything but courtesy. I also expect that his lecture will be filled with deceptions, distortions, half-truths, and ad hominem attacks against me. My address, by contrast, will be carefully buttressed with specific citations from the Qur’an and Hadith, and contain no ad hominems at all.
I also hereby invite Syed to a public discussion or debate of the relevant issues, either at Truman State University or at any other venue. He will either contemptuously refuse or ignore the invitation altogether. This is because Leftists today, and their Islamic supremacist allies such as the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations, wish only to smear, demonize and marginalize those whom they hate. They have no interest in honest, equitable discussion and dialogue. That should tell the students at Truman State University something. However, students today are so used now to that kind of treatment being meted out to those who are dissenters from the establishment line that they will probably welcome it, and cheer Syed on.
In separate statements on Facebook, the College Republicans and Muslim Student Association both called for peaceful dialogue around both speakers Thursday, despite some controversy about comments made on Twitter about Spencer’s visit.
“We appreciate the solidarity for people who would like to speak against Robert Spencer but we’d also appreciate it if there won’t be any disruptive protests,” the Muslim Student Association wrote on Facebook. “We do love the support and believe there’s a lot of genuine concern. We’d like to be part of the conversation. So please use your energy wisely. Because we will.”
In a Facebook statement, College Republican leaders said “unsafe practices will not be tolerated” at Spencer’s speech.
“[The Muslim Student Association has] called for civility and discussion in this issue, and we couldn’t agree more,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We would like to parrot them as we have done before, and stress to everyone on and off this campus that our ultimate goal is the safety of those who attend our speaker. We urge all people to attend these events in a civil manner that is productive to dialogue and does not put anyone else in harm’s way.”
But not all dialogue has been conciliatory. On Twitter, one student posted about Spencer’s visit. Another student responded, saying “PUNCH! HIS! FACE!” which Spencer wrote about on his blog. Spencer’s writing then generated hostile comments from readers, some of which have been deleted.
In individual messages to some students and parents on social media, Truman State leaders made a point of saying Spencer’s speech isn’t sponsored by the university, and doesn’t “reflect the values of Truman State University.”
Indeed. And that’s quite an indictment of Truman State University, that it can’t get behind opposition to jihad terror and Sharia oppression of women, non-Muslims, gays, etc. But that’s par for the course in American academia today.
Jay says
Good luck to you . Appreciate all that you do !!
Barry says
Best wishes and Godspeed, Robert.
Shmooviyet says
“Some of (the comments) which have been deleted…” Well, the web is crawling with crazies.
Sometimes regulars respond to the nastier bigots, who then run off like chickens.
Would Ashley Jost be interested in reading samples of RS’s hate mail? There may be a whole new trove of it on its way.
PRCS says
No doubt.
Julia says
How very sad our universities have become. Instead of the rich experience that can be gained to be part of such a meeting of minds between Spencer with his rich knowledge on the subject of Islam, and the young people who are afraid to open their minds to this opportunity to learn about what is occurring in the world..They don’t have to agree, but we still live in a democracy which embraces freedom of speech. I feel so sad to realize that these young scholars are not being urged to open their minds to as much as they can. .Thankyou.
TL says
Those aren’t “scholars” but petulant semisavages and reactionary robots who are eager to be programmed with more details consistent with their degeneracy.
Mo says
@ TL
“Those aren’t “scholars” but petulant semisavages and reactionary robots who are eager to be programmed with more details consistent with their degeneracy.”
Thank you! I’ve been outright calling them savages for a while now. It’s fitting. That’s how they behave!
roger eric woodhouse says
No. It seems the American students like their counterparts in the UK are being brainwashed by leftwing dogma . Our universities seem to be following a similar path..Our politics is equally as bad because of the leftwing indoctrination by the media particularly the BBC . The media in fact is driving the political agenda at the moment.
Jayell says
I’ll second that. Some people would put forward that proposition that the UK educational establishment was effectively hijacked by Marxists and the loony-left feminazi brigade + sympathisers some 20-30 years ago at least, and the daughters (and some of the sons) and protégés of the original proto-snowflakes are now in the system. The trouble is that, whereas the original young crystalline sociopaths had an older, saner generation to keep them in check, the young ones now are in asylums where their lunatic forbears have reached the positions of responsibility – or do I mean irresponsibility? We now have situations where well-established institutions (even Oxbridge colleges) are having their traditions and identities gratuitously attacked with destructive intent, and the assailants getting away with it a lot of the time.
By the way, I notice the nasty way in which Dr. Spencer is described as ‘anti-muslim’ and the vaguely paranoid arrogance with which the Islamic element at Truman seem to presume that they have some sort of rights over the academic environment there. I’m not sure how Dr. Spencer wishes to be recognised, but if it were to be in any way ‘anti-islamic’ he would be well within his rights to do so and would not need Truman’s – or anyone’s – prior approval. And no one faction or group should have the sheer effrontery to presume any right to act as arbiter of acceptability.
Anne Smith says
Judging from the press reaction to Mr Spencer’s proposed visit it seems as if the pro Muslim faction has got the press well and truly stitched up. It seems there is a long way to go before the average person in the street realises what is going on, unfortunately.
RAB says
Robert, I don’t expect a personal reply from you but I have watched many debates between truly knowledgeable researchers and scholars like yourself and Muslims and Islamic apologists and I have to ask myself time and time again: what is the point? I have yet to hear a Muslim give a straight answer to a direct question about Islam. However, once David Wood did make a case for such debates and lectures regarding Islam in that it at least it gives the listeners different points of view.in order for them to make up their own minds. However, as far as I can ascertain, Muslims or Islamic apologists cannot give cogent counterarguments to criticisms of Islam because Islam has no moral or intellectual foundation on which to base a rational response.
Having said that, let me say I follow you almost daily because you do not indulge in hyperbole or any form of anti-Muslim rhetoric but stick consistently to the facts, in particular the often direct relation between what Muslims do and the Koran and the Hadith upon which they base their actions. You are a true objective scholar, and I congratulate you for your scholarly research and your admirable restraint. Best of luck and best wishes. Keep up the good work!
billybob says
“Muslims or Islamic apologists cannot give cogent counterarguments to criticisms of Islam”
Well of course not!
pat says
Well written and I concur. Thanks for the comment.
Demsci says
Hello RAB, your post resonates highly with my own experience of watching debates and trying some debates myself.
So I agree with you and with what David Wood posited all the way.
I find it interesting in this context that in any debate it is or should be customary that there are 2 debating sides and that they get equal speaking time, “sending time”. And we know it is not the purpose that one of them convinces the other, but it is the purpose for both debaters to sway the “3rd party, audience, public”.
When I myself debated haphazardly with intelligent Muslims, face to face with 3rd parties present, or online, it struck me that it felt as if I never could convince the other side, and often not even the audience. So skilled the other side often was (or so powerless I). But guess what; I also felt that the other side never could defeat me wholly, although I often conceded points the other side made!!! I was trying to be open and reasonable (much like I see Tucker Carlson often admitting points of opponents before he argues his points).
It seems to me that in debates where I got my space I often at least reached a “draw” and although I could not demolish the other side’s arguments, they in turn could not demolish mine.
This is because “everything can made to be seen as relative” approach by my opponents and their eternal tu quoque arguments. AND commonplace Western self-awareness and self-criticism.
But what helped was saying; OK, we have concluded a draw in debate, but that is no good for Islam, because if Allah really only intervened through Islam to reach more than a draw, to make no real improvement, than HIS intervention through Mohammed and Islam was meaningless. In order for Islam to make sense, “ALLAH must win”, Islam must have improved conditions and Muslims should be able to WIN debates, but they never seem to be able to do it, so, what was the use, the unigue worth of Islam? Didn’t Allah and Mohammed fail???
Demsci says
I meant, what if Allah only intervened with Islam to reach NO more than a draw, what good is Islam?
IQ al Rassooli says
Dear Mr Spencer
I have absolutely no doubt that no Muslim or any of their apologists can ever debate you these subjects and wins
That is WHY Muslims NEVER debate: they shout their opponents down, threaten them or hurt them
I wish you well and hope you keep yourself SAFE
Best of LUCK
IQ al Rassooli
Kafir & Proud!
freedom says
Kudos to you Robert
I fret for the state of your forehead, with all that brick wall butting you do.
I wish I had half your patience determination —– bravo
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Headbangers everywhere — Muslim and kafir alike — can agree that forehead calluses needs cushioning. To serve this need, our Flex-Seal dermatologists have developed the new spray-on product Ze-Bee-Bah Doo-Dah. For all your headbanging needs. Prevents acne too!
Benedict says
It *is* a university Robert Spencer is invited to speak at, so it will be reasonable to expect that only the Dr. Jekyll personifications of Islam will show up with his entourage of snowflakes – in case. —
Good luck, RS!
Abu Nudnik says
It’s a mistake to delete the hostile posts. It’s important to show the purported enemies of hate are full of hatred themselves.
Western Canadian says
Yes, the muslums are indeed very full of hate.
Peter Buckley says
Dear Robert Spencer, youcan use this as a test case in your defence:
Not long ago, an Irish priest was brought before a court, having described Islam as “satanic”, “heathen” and “a doctrine spawned in hell”. He said:” “I was attacking the theology of Islam. I was not attacking any individual Muslim.”
http://www.foxnews.com/…/irish-pastor-cleared-over…
HE WAS CLEARED.
“Pastor McConnell received support from two unlikely sources: one from an Imam and one from one of Northern Ireland’s best known atheists.
Dr Al-Hussaini, a Muslim cleric from London, said he did not agree with what the pastor said but defended his right to say it.
Boyd Sleator, chairman of Atheist NI, said that although the pastor’s words lacked “sense or reasoning”, society at large should not criminalise things simply because some people find them offensive.”
What is it about supposedly intelligent people that they cannot distinguish between beliefs and they’re nominal followers. A huge percentage of muslims are non-practicing, don’t follow the faith, and aren’t religious. It’s like saying because I don’t like Communism, therefore I must “hate” all communists. Religious dogma is fixed; people change.It’s intellectually stupid, but people have fallen for the “Islamophobia” meme.
Peter Buckley says
For some reason, the link failed, so try again…..
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/01/05/irish-pastor-cleared-over-satanic-islam-sermon.html
maghan says
So what then are the necessary and sufficient criteria to make one a Muslim? Atheists and agnostics define themselves fairly well. They define themselves according to their beliefs.
A Muslim must necessarily believe that the Quar’an represents the unalterable claims and prescriptions from Allah. He/she must necessarily believe that ” God made females inferior to males”.
What if he/she does not? Are such persons Muslims?
Peter Buckley says
Strictly speaking-no. But those people will self-identify as “muslims”, because their parents and most of their friends are “muslim”. When the media talks about “muslims”, it refers to people of a “muslim background” or who live in the “muslim community”. These are vague terms. You will actually find within these communities that many are in fact agnostic.
JIMJFOX says
Atheists and agnostics define themselves fairly well.
They define themselves according to their beliefs.
Strictly speaking- no. It may sound like hair-splitting but these groups
are defined by non- belief; we [I am one] have like everyone, beliefs
about all kinds of things but religion and God- none. That said, I’m not
au fait with agnosticism which seems like abstaining from the vote!
Dennis says
I agree with you, I asked a nominal Muslim American about the world wide caliphate. He said”are you out of you mind; that is why my grandparents came to this country, to get away from that s–t. When was the last time, I asked him,he went to Mosque:
He said he couldn’t remember as that he is an agnostic anyway, as are his parents.
Michael Ray says
Has this fellow spoken out vociferously against all forms of jihad? Is he an ardent protector of American freedoms?
Demsci says
Great post! Well done by the judge. The same really happened in the first trial against Geert Wilders a few years back. It was even the contention of the reluctant prosecutors that they could not get a conviction of Wilders because religions are not protected by law, only humans are; Islam is not protected, Muslims are.
Demsci says
/”What is it about supposedly intelligent people that they cannot distinguish between beliefs and they’re nominal followers. “/
This question puzzles me to no end. Yet this lack of comprehension or acceptance of logic seems to be pervasive in media and among people around me everywhere.
What is relevant here is perhaps “Islamophobia’s” biggest lie; that by criticising Islam, or even a small part of it, that then constitutes “painting all Muslims with the same brush”. You see, the one thing all. Muslims DO have in common, for the full 100 % is that they DO adhere to Islam!
And so the “unthinking majority” concludes that criticizing Islam is criticizing ALL Muslims. This is one of our biggest problems, because then these well meaning people misguidedly not only seek to protect the ubiguitous nice modest humble Muslims they know, but ALSO Islamic doctrine! As if this is of no consequence for the behavior of Muslims, as if this is morally equivalent with Christianity and what religion or ideology not etc.
And I think the real problem is that people seem to need it to Think that Islam as a whole is CLEAR. Muslims do it because Islam in the Quran SAYS it is clear.
But even opponents of Islam still insist that Islam is clear! They only say it is clear, with the wrong intentions! And then the reaction to this contention that Islam is both CLEAR and irretrievably BAD you get very adamant responses against that position that you thereby “paint all Muslims with the same brush”.
so my solution to this conundrum is that as many people as possible give up the belief of clarity of Islam. And instead believe in
A. The VAGUENESS and Multi-interpretability of Islam, at least in parts. And
B. That hundreds of Millions of Muslims do interpret it very badly while hundreds of millions of other do NOT interpret it badly. While 99 % of Christians do NOT interpret any violent parts of Christian texts badly.
But belief in or assumption of Islam being clear remains very entrenched everywhere it seems to me. People often do not even realize they implicitly see Islam as clear, either in conjunction with approval or disapproval. Sigh.
ECAW says
I agree Demsci. I think Robert Spencer would agree with you too since he accepts that there are different interpretations of Islam. On the other hand, although I admire IQ al-Rasooli for his determination and errudition I think the absolutist “All Muslims….” positions which he propounds here are counterproductive.
Demsci says
Thanks ECAW, that means a lot to me.
Peter Buckley says
A very simple question to put to ANYONE who uses the word “islamophobia” (without the inverted commas-meaning they have accepted it as a real word) is the following:
IF ISLAMOPHOBIA IS A FEAR OF ISLAM, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST FREQUENTLY LABELLED THE WORLD’S BIGGEST “ISLAMOPHOBES”, SUCH AS GEERT WILDERS, SPENCER, GELLER ETC, ARE CLEARLY “NOT” AFRAID OF ISLAM, SINCE THEY SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT ON A REGULAR BASIS?
In my experience,this has two effects:
It shuts the idiots up.by demonstrating how illogical the word is……..and hopefully makes them think again about using the word.in future.
Try it. Thanks.
Demsci says
Answer to Peter Buckley;
Beware of the opponents of us counterjihadists Peter, because to your “very simple question” they will have a strong reaction ready for you, namely that:
“the world’s biggest Islamophobes may well be unafraid to speak out, but they ARE AFRAID of Islam, AND VERY MUCH SO, but for the sake of the people, the nation, the future, future generations etc.
and that FEAR of Islam and them spreading that fear among the people is what makes the Political Corrects call them Islamophobes.
unjustly, because that fear of Islam is not a phobia, but based on real huge riskfactors. And the so-called “Islamophobes” can make a very strong case. And they know what we risk to lose; our democratic system, freedom of individual, freedom of speech etc.
Demsci says
Mind you, declaring Islam UNCLEAR while hundreds of millions of Muslims interpret it very badly on key Democratic tenets and loyalty/ hostility towards democracy and democratic nations, does NOT take Muslims off the hook!
Mild discrimination of Muslims is called for and to be endorsed by a majority of citizens and parliaments when this gets the fence sitters on board.
it now still is “holy cow law” that Muslims cannot be discriminated against in any way, shape or form, and now they have complete freedom of religion in Democratic countries.
But a majority of people and parliaments may finally decide that Muslims coming to or residing in Democratic countries, should be held accountable for their choice for a religion that is:
so irresponsibly vague and known to be badly interpreted by hundreds of millions of its adherents. And neutrality therefore still means that they, the Muslims inside Democratic Nations, support these enemies.
But their way out is that they can uneguivocally choose for democratic tenets and nations above Islamic ones, when the 2 contradict. And that can be asked only of them and not of Christians, Atheists, Buddhists, because in these religions, ideologies we do not have hundreds of millions de facto allies of enemies. Hence the term “mild discrimination”.
And Muslims hopefully may be monitored that much extra for their loyalty in response to their own choice of adhering to a religion so vague and so massively anti-democratically interpreted.
I hope I do not sound to radical democratic to people.
Lorn Ferguson says
I wish I could be there to support him and hear him speak! Robert keep the faith and continue to spread the good words of TRUTH! Thank you for all you do!!!!
Paul Schnee says
Islam is the world’s first real evil to have benefitted from political correctness. After all, if one were an anti-Nazi one would never be accused of suffering from Naziphobia.
The theo/political/trans-national/ supremacist movement known as Islam demonstrates to us every day with increasingly horrific acts of violence how it intends to empty the future for us all.
When Robert Spencer hears hoof beats he looks for horses not unicorns. He is a realist whose deep knowledge and thorough understanding of Islam threatens those who seek to portray Islam as a great and peaceful religion that has been high-jacked by wicked extremists. Sadly, all the exhortations to violence are a direct precept of a retrograde ideology which, as Mr. Spencer will tell the students at Truman State University, offers no escape to optimism.
Richard says
Robert. Actions speak louder than words. In the short time I’ve been blessed by finding your wonderful site, I’ve read daily one horrifying thing after another Muslims have DONE. Can they deny any of that? If your exposing that and the real meaning of the Qur’an makes you evil, it reminds me about the Bible saying men walk in the darkness because they do not want the light. Thank you! It’s astonishing what I’m learning on your web site. You do more good than you know.
Keys says
To the choir, and Truman faculty and students objecting to Spencer speaking tonight:
“If you can’t stand the the heat, get out of the University.”
You are in the “Show me” state. Be courageous enough to hear Spencer; let him show you the truth about Islam. Ask questions, be enlightened, think about and investigate what he says. You will hear no hate speech.
How ironic that many at your school, named after the man behind the Truman Doctrine to contain Soviet aggression, reject even hearing a world class expert on the subject just when we need leaders to explain and contain world-wide Islamic jihad.
Kris T says
““If you can’t stand the the heat, get out of the University.” – now that is brilliant!
Monty says
“Truth is the first casualty of war”. And we are at war, no doubt about it. Goebbels could have learned a thing or two from Islam. The same stupidity that allowed Hitler’s Germany to rise up and threaten the world prevails still. It is just more widespread. I don’t believe in Evolution and the current crop of “intellectuals”, “Liberals”, and assorted truth-haters prove me right. We are going backwards!
K Smith says
Where do you think the Islamists learned their tactics? The Arab world was closely allied with Hitler during the war, and he is still considered a great hero there to this very day. After the war many Nazi intelligence people went to work for countries in the middle east.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relations_between_Nazi_Germany_and_the_Arab_world
Benedict says
“Birds of a feather flock together” –
What is difficult to understand is the appeal the Leftists find in Islam. What is their common denominator?
Keys says
Islam and leftists: “What is their common denominator?”
I suggest they have many things in common to various degrees in individual adherants: ignorance, arrogance, fear, false gods, and the confusion of good and evil as some of the common denominators.
But, in my opinion, reduced to their least common denominator, as others have suggested here at JW, is the need for complete control by any means they can get away with – they are supremacists.
But, Benedict, I do not know how one group of supremacists could possibly appeal to another. I am sure leftists do not appeal to Muslims except to use them to achieve their ends, so perhaps the reverse is true as well. They see each other as useful idiots.
Demsci says
I am constantly BAFFLED by that as well
JIMJFOX says
Evolution is NOT the day-to-day progression of human philosophy or opinion. It is as you would know IF you bothered to study it, the gradual changes in a species wrought by natural selection. ‘Social Darwinism’ is closer to what you describe & that too is a thoroughly discredited lie.
God's Warrior says
Robert speaks directly dispassionately like a scholar/logician, providing references, statistics, historical evidence, then using pure uncontestable logic he humbly takes the listener from their grade school indoctrination of whitewashed misconceptions and wishful thinking towards the truth about what is actually happening today – the logical extrapolation of 1400 years of God Gone Wild.
Yes, I see I lost your trust with those last few colourful words. But Robert doesn’t do that; he knows his audience. Me, I’m a bit of a hell-raiser, a spade-is-a-spade anything-for-a-laff kinda guy. But now back to our hero who is about to enter the lion’s den…….
In the past before global consciousness, global news and the internet, the average American had just a minimal understanding of exotic religions. It was quite acceptable to stamp Jesus on our forehead and then party on, knowing that we’re covered. He preached something about seeking the Kingdom of God, but there will be plenty of time for that later. Now we will enjoy.
But lately we see violence all over the world; and it’s getting closer, frankly a little too close for comfort. Something’s messed up. And that is why I came to this lecture – this guy tells it like it is with no one propping him up. And he gives me the straight facts, and I get to decide what is true, what is right. OMG, look at the numbers, look at the words! How did we not know this shit?
No one can even imagine the lies one must tell oneself or overlook to maintain the precious delusions of grandeur of the believers. Stepping between them and their innocence or psychosis requires a warrior statesman salesman shrink like Robert who will ace this event as always. And walk away with applauds not a punch. So let it be written, so let it be done.
no_one says
The situation on campuses reminds me of communism. I am old enough to remember it. I was about half way through University (STEM) when it was over. I was set on a path by teachers (thinking they would please someone in my family) to become a commie activist when I was about 11. I did something bad that got me out of that path forever. I was observing other people. Few believed in the commie ideas, but they wanted good careers and power and were a** kissing when it came to prominent commies and activism. No one would dare to talk against commies in public. He/she would be screamed at and probably expelled from Uni or fired from a job. High grades in STEM wouldn’t matter. Many people were loud to support the commies. These people were later the first to make it to the western world. IMHO they are still hypocrites. Situation on US campuses are worse, because people actually believe the lefties and the muzzies and don’t have experience to see the old commie ghost. They don’t know how totalitarian regime feels. They follow a special straight line, a line that is parallel to the party (hard left) line. Commies and muzzies could be a deadly mix.
Darryl Kerney says
“… would be hard-pressed to come up with any quotation from me that is actually hateful….”
“hard pressed”, is a beautiful understatement Mr Robert Spencer !
i hope many others caught that too !
awake says
Robert Spencer had the audacity to research the texts and tenets of Islam after 9/11. For shame.
He continues to tie the acts of Muslim jihadists directly to the texts and tenets of Islam, corroborated by the words and deeds of said Muslims today. Outrageous.
Islam is, was, and always will be, the true scourge of the world as we know it.
Robert knew that. Now much of the world knows that, thanks to him and this site. Godspeed Robert and company.
tim gallagher says
Good luck Robert. You do a fantastic job of trying to get people to see the truth about evil Islam. And there’s no doubt you have extraordinary courage to keep facing the hostility and threats you and other truth tellers continue to experience. Stay strong and keep up your good work.
Robert says
Robert Spenser, you are my hero !
mortimer says
Ad hominems are NOT an argument.
No one can best Robert Spencer in an argument, certainly not an UNREAD cub journalist.
Newspaper EDITORS PREPOSTEROUSLY think they can send out reporters to cover ISLAM STORIES WITHOUT ANY PREPARATION.
It takes many years of study to learn the DUALISTIC Islamic doctrines of JIHAD, MISOGYNY, the KAFIR, EXTORTION, BRUTAL PUNISHMENTS, RETRIBUTION, PREVARICATION, etc.
NO ISLAMIC APOLOGIST CAN BEAT ROBERT SPENCER and most mullahs and even university scholars REFUSE to debate Robert Spencer because he will BEAT THESE COWARDS LIKE A DRUM.
Guest says
So descriptive —— I can smell the liniment and hear the ring of the first round bell
C’mon Robby
Christine D. says
My son is a sophomore Political Science major at Truman. Tonight I encouraged him to go listen to both speakers. He is quite interested in hearing both POVS. Although, he told me, it’s also open mic night at the Aquadome, so…
College kids will be college kids.
I am hoping, however, that there will be no riots and campus burning like we’ve seen at some universities. I have faith that these are decent, intelligent kids from the heartland won’t make any headlines.
Linnte says
Jesus bless you Mr. Spencer and I will be praying for your safety and success that your message is heard not only by the conservative students, but the Muslim Students also. May your words point the way to Christ!
C. Ponce de Leon says
KUDOS ROBERT!
Thought Criminal is sort of like the Oscar for Bloggers…
carpediadem says
Robert, get a whole bunch of tinfoil hats made up and distribute then on campus. Don’t forget to wear one, it will confuse them! 😉
TheBuffster says
LOL, Carpediadem!
They don’t need to be confused any more than they are.
jewdog says
In order to understand academia, one must understand the economic incentives of the faculty. Wealth and financial security are obtained through getting tenure, which is won via a selection process of senior faculty members. That means that the candidate has to please the voting faculty members – they are his “market”. Traditionally, university faculty members have been liberal, much more so since the 1960s, so liberal-left candidates will be more likely to get tenure, providing an incentive to think in a certain way. As they are tenured, they in turn take their place as judges, thereby forming a sort of closed-loop system, ensuring generations of intellectual conformity.
That leaves popular authors who venture into the public marketplace free reign to sell a much wider diversity of ideas. It also means that ironically, the very institutions that are supposed to promote free thought are places of stultification and narrow-mindedness. And rest assured that academics look down on popular authors, belying their alleged disdain of elitism. They may hate white privilege, but do like intellectual privilege, especially their own. They are just ignorant snobs.
Matthieu Baudin says
A good synopsis.
JawsV says
The Islam-loving snowflakes should all be deported to Yemen.
Matthieu Baudin says
No one has done more to encourage thoughtful plain speech during the past decade than Mr Spencer. He should be invited to speak at all the universities of Europe beginning with those in the United Kingdom.
John A. Marre says
They call him controversial, but the ones who started and who maintain the controversy are radical Islam apologists. Spencer is not controversial. He is a lone voice proclaiming the truth of the savagery of Islam.
Anne says
At least in the sixties invitations to controversial speakers on campus were in vogue as inquisitive students thirsted to explore the universe of ideas. In contrast today, college students seem parochial in their unwillingness to tolerate or even hear out opinions differing from their own ironclad notions.
Anne says
About a decade ago Prof. John Lewis was invited to George Mason University to give a talk on the dangers of radical Islam. His speech was continually disrupted by bearded and hijab-wearing students who stood, blocking the audience’s view, and they continually heckled him so he could not be heard. The administration said nothing and did nothing to stop their behavior, nor did the numerous campus police.
In fact, a college official embraced the leader of the disgusting Muslim students.
I wrote numerous letters of complaint, even to the Washington Post, but no one responded or cared.
Dustin Koellhoffer says
This is called backwards liberal thinking. Being a Muslim who follows Muhammad’s Islamic ideology is the same as being a Nazi who follows Hitler’s Master Race ideology. Muslim is not a culture or a race or a nationality. All Egyptians are not Moslem. All Saudis are not Moslem. This idiot is confused.
Muhammad the First Terrorist and his death cult of self-imposed brainwashing:
https://liberalsbackwardsthink.com/2015/01/08/mohammad-the-first-terrorist-and-his-religion-of-self-imposed-brainwashing/
Florida Jim says
For the unvarnished truth about Islam and their plans to rule the world by edict Rob ert Spencer will tell you the truth and Islam is not a pretty or calm religion it is in fact a religion base on hatred of Jews, Westerners, other Islamic Sects and any non-believers/ Islam is terrified the people will hear of Jesus Christ who taught others to love they neighbor as opposed to Islam’s behead they neighbor. Only fools follow Islam violent fools.ask yourself why is Islam never welcomed by anyone because it is based on mid-evil lies and a constantly revised koran as the verses cause problems when they do they find another verse or invent one.Taqiyya is a rule in Islam that says it is right to lie about Islam to promote Islam sounds like Democratic Talking points to me.
dumbledoresarmy says
Good luck. God bless. Will pray on Thursday for LOTS of opened eyes.
John Magne Trane says
Anti-German is exactly the term Swedish government members called the Norwegian Resistance members when they fled to Sweden. And also German-haters, as they, and fleeing Jews, were sent back across the border, into the hands of the Gestapo.
Nothing new under the sun.
UNCLE VLADDI says
Nice try at politically correct evasion again, Robert, but it’s obvious that “Muslim” isn’t a nationality, ethnicity or “race,” like “German” is and was – it’s a global crime-gang membership label, EXACTLY like “NAZI!”
If you were truthful, you’d say “I’m not anti-ARAB, I’m anti-MUSLIM!”
Just like you’re trying to say “I’m not anti-GERMAN, I’m anti-NAZI!”
So because liberals align with the sand-NAZIS, you kow-tow to their collective SHARIA.
I do understand and I do feel for ya, but it’s still kind of sadly pathetic that you have to SUBMIT to the definitions of a barbaric 7th-Century crime-gang’s superstitions.
Dick B. says
Don’t give in to those fellow travelers. Keep fighting.
Dude says
12 April 2017
Did the Truman lecture happen as yet ?
Would love some feedback please
Rick Pete says
How did it go? Lots of articles beforehand, nothing afterwards…. I am guessing because it was very peaceful and respectful.