My latest in PJ Media:
Will the Trump Administration move against the radioactive wastelands of far-Left indoctrination and Islamic proselytizing that our nation’s colleges and universities have become?
On Friday, it made a small, long overdue step in that direction: Associated Press reported that “the Trump administration is threatening to cut funding for a Middle East studies program run by the University of North Carolina and Duke University, claiming that it’s misusing a federal grant to advance ‘ideological priorities’ and unfairly promote ‘the positive aspects of Islam’ but not Christianity or Judaism.”
The U.S. Department of Education wrote to the UNC-Duke Consortium for Middle East Studies, no doubt interrupting these cosseted pseudo-academics as they swapped stories about how oppressed they are, and told them they had three weeks to revise their course offerings or else they could lose federal funds that were intended for instruction in foreign languages.
The Education Department letter came after Rep. George Holding (R-N.C.) noted that the UNC-Duke Consortium for Middle East Studies had held a taxpayer-funded conference featuring “severe anti-Israeli bias and anti-Semitic rhetoric,” which made it like virtually every other conference on Israel and the Middle East held in every college and university over the last few years, but never mind. The Education Department found that instruction in foreign languages (which, remember, the money was for) and national security had “taken a back seat to other priorities,” and that the Consortium was spending taxpayer money on courses that were “plainly unqualified for taxpayer support.”
The letter also observed that the Consortium was failing to offer – shocker! — a “balance of perspectives” on religion. Instead, the Consortium was placing “considerable emphasis” on “understanding the positive aspects of Islam, while there is an absolute absence of any similar focus on the positive aspects of Christianity, Judaism or any other religion or belief system in the Middle East.” There were few, if any, courses discussing the persecution of non-Muslims in the Middle East, “including Christians, Jews, Baha’is, Yadizis, Kurds, Druze and others,” and pointed out that the grant’s rules require that students be given a “full understanding” of the region. Not, that is, one that could have been taught by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed.
AP, unsurprisingly, thought this was horrifying – not the course on Jew-hatred or the ones proselytizing for Islam, but the Education Department’s letter. It reported that “academic freedom advocates say the government could be setting a dangerous precedent if it injects politics into funding decisions.” These “academic freedom advocates” were not reported as saying anything at all about the dangerous precedent that academic institutions all over the country have already set by injecting politics – far-Left politics, of course, required, taken for granted, pervading everything – into academic discourse.
Henry Reichman, chairman of a committee on academic freedom for the American Association of University Professors, fumed: “Is the government now going to judge funding programs based on the opinions of instructors or the approach of each course?” Without any sense of irony, this man who has won honors and advancement because of his adherence to left-wing political correctness railed against the Trump administration’s letter, saying: “The odor of right-wing political correctness that comes through this definitely could have a chilling effect.” He said nothing about the chilling effect of indoctrinating a generation of young Americans into thinking that their nation and its history are evil, that murderous jihadi thugs are noble freedom fighters, and that “climate change” and “Islamophobia” are real things that they need to worry about.
There is much more. Read the rest here.
Wellington says
In the final analysis, the ultimate obstacle to truth, justice and the American way is NOT Islam. It is “merely” the secondary obstacle. The ultimate obstacle is Leftism, which, like Islam, has nothing but contempt for truth, justice and the American way (the latter of which is capable of apologizing for past wrongdoings, contra Leftism and Islam which never apologize for anything even though they have so much to apologize for).
Besides, apologizing for wrongdoings aside, the West blows away nutty, fruity, modern Western Leftism and Islam in the “achievement” department, starting with freedom, which both the modern Western Left and Islam utterly despise.
gravenimage says
All true, Wellington. Islam would not be much of a threat here were it not for willful denial and appeasement in the West.
James Lincoln says
+1
mortimer says
What passes today as ‘Leftism’ is not ‘communism’, but a combination of globalism, socialism and crony capitalism with politicians, Big Tech and corporations in bed together to keep all information under their strict control and all the money flowing into their coffers through internet monitoring and censorship.
Mussolini invented a similar form of government except for the globalism.
Now … WHAT WAS THE *NAME* of Mussolini’s governmental system ??? Hmmm …
J D S says
With today’s students and teachers in schools if higher learning its no wonder that things are not going good in these schools.
With some students trying to shut down free speech of other students and professors, some are Muslim, teaching so much socialism “Islamism” and other. “isms” maybe actually “leftism” all is ripe for the right to get squashed
I really can’t believe what’s happening in our schools of higher learning but somewhere back down the line the people, us, didn’t stand up and find out what their children were being taught and who were being hired as teachers and administrators
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
Excellent post, my compliments.
I never thought about Leftism and Islam in quite this way…
I know that there is synergism but I never thought about Leftism as predating Islam in the West – although it is obvious.
Without Leftism, and its domination of the mass media, Islam could never withstand the scrutiny of factual evidence-based logic.
mortimer says
Response to JL: the Leftards and Muslims share the same hatred of the freedom of expression.
Their goal is FREE SPEECH FOR ME, BUT NOT FOR THEE.
Which side will betray the other first?
Westman says
Why do academics never learn from history, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc, that when they promote liberalism with emotion, instead of recognizing reality with wisdom, they ultimately end up in “re-education” camps, or worse?
Islam is a variation on Communism, having the same goal of both physical and government domination; simply disguising it as religion.
As the bible declares, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” These academics smack of arrogance and no wisdom; too lazy to study the core scriptures of Islam while leading the youth of great potential into a dead end.
mortimer says
Yes, Wellington. The Left and Islam both despise truth, facts and sound reasoning. They are obstacles to implementing their AGENDAS against the will of the people and so must be swept aside to gain political power.
Leftism and Islam are both forms of TYRANNY.
Angemon says
Well, it certainly would burst a bubble of unaccountability or two…
mortimer says
The Leftist establishment believes itself to be superior in intelligence and morality, because they have eliminated most conservatives from their midst. They use selective perception and groupthink to reinforce their echo chamber.
They are not infallible … even if they assume they are …but sadly only severe attacks upon several campuses by Islamic terrorists could possibly change their air-tight, closed minds. But that is not likely when their campuses are funded by Islamists in Arabia.
Many US campuses are so indebted to Arabian money, that they have become their lapdogs in the matter of Islam.
STOP ARABIAN FUNDING TO US UNIVERSITIES.
James Lincoln says
mortimer says,
“STOP ARABIAN FUNDING TO US UNIVERSITIES.”
Yes, and stop all Saudi funding for mosques in the United States.
Try to build a cathedral in Saudi Arabia with US money…
gravenimage says
Sadly, I doubt even more Jihad terror attacks on college campuses would change their minds, Mortimer–they would just assume that the terrorists are “extremists”, and have nothing to do with the nice Muslims funding their Islamic Studies program…
mortimer says
I think many college professors would have a wake-up call if they were in the vicinity of a jihad attack. Dr Bill Warner’s life changed when the two planes hit the Twin Towers.
Terry Gain says
Wasn’t Dr. Bill in Tennessee at the time. Unfortunately the 9/11 attacks have been successfully portrayed by Muslims and leftists as a one-off attack by extremists who hijacked a Great Abrahamic Religion. The case against Islam has been weakened in the last 18 years. The 9/11 attacks worked.
gravenimage says
Yes–many people seem to have completely forgotten other Jihad horrors like Ft Hood, San Bernardino, and Orlando. Just crazy. But I have actually had people tell me, apparently in all honesty, that there haven’t been any terrorist attacks here since 9/11. How deep is *this* denial?
gravenimage says
Trump Administration to UNC and Duke: Quit Promoting Islam on Our Dime
……………………
Yes–good to hear this from the Trump administration–although I’m sure they will be roundly criticized for it.
But we should *not* have to pay for our own destruction, nor should this promotion of Islam take place on our campuses.
Terry Gain says
Trump attacking a “religion”. Good luck with that approach.
gravenimage says
Actually, Terry, Trump has criticized the actions of Islam many times. The implication that his base loves Islam because it is a religion is simply not the case.
In fact, most of those who attack Trump are leftists, many of whom are not religious at all.
LB says
From what I’ve seen these past several years here on JW and elsewhere, most (if not all) universities in USA have become mere leftist indoctrination facilities. Trump administration should just pull ALL funding from universities and let them fend for themselves. That way at least the people will know who’s actually funding them since they will be forced to look for money elsewhere.
James Lincoln says
Another great initiative by Pres. Trump!
The hits just keep on coming…
Ren says
Ban islam in America. Islam is fascism disguised as a religion.
Terry Gain says
You can’t ban any “religion”.
Christopher Watson says
No, but the Roman Catholic church is a lot poorer after the disclosure of it’s child abuse in the last few years.
Kay says
Terry, I too wish Islam were not a religion. I believe that designation lends it protections it does not deserve. But it is. So the question is—not about what I wish— about the imperative of adherence to the laws of the land. There should be no question about that. That our society has too often waffled on adherence to law has put us in a dangerous place.
gravenimage says
You can’t ban ideologies, either. You can ban their criminal practices, though.
Terry Gain says
Of course you can’t ban ideologies. But we can and should have a vigorous debate as to whether Islam is a legitimate religion or a conquest ideology.
gravenimage says
We should *definitely* have a vigorous debate about Islam and its goals. You can debate whether it is a religion as well if you like. That won’t change what it is, though, any more than pretending that Islam is about peace will.
infidel says
Islam is the cancer and the LEFT is the network of blood-vessels that supply nutrients and Oxy to this malignancy. Cut off the blood- vessels and the cancer automatically shrivels and dies.
Terry Gain says
A cancer? Wellington insists that Islam is a legitimate religion. At that point, it’s game over.
gravenimage says
It was Wellington *himself* who said here that Islam is a cancer. Just because Islam is objectively a religion does not mean that he considers it legitimate in the sense that he thinks it is true, as you well know. You can argue with way we use words, but this doesn’t change anything.
Terry Gain says
GI
Wellington and you have both said Islam is a religion protected by the First Amendment. In that sense you have said it is a legitimate religion. Are you now saying Islam is illegitimate?
Wellington says
Terry Gain: Just think how much progress could be made IF the vast majority in the West, including the still willfully ignorant elites, were to describe Islam as an evil religion. Even assuming Islam is not a religion at all, something you and I disagree about, if Islam were still considered a religion but widely referred to and thought of as iniquitous just think how much better off America and all the West would be. Thereafter, we could find legal pretexts one way or another (or even constitutional changes) to marginalize Islam in the West and prevent further Muslim immigration.
gravenimage says
Terry, I have said that Islam is a religion by any definition of that word. Pretending that Wellington and I therefore consider Islam legitimate in the sense that we think it is good or true is quite false–and you *know this*.
I can say that Communism and Fascism are political ideologies, because they are, but this does not mean that I consider them legitimate as I do freedom and democracy.
gravenimage says
And–again–the many illegal aspects of Islam like raping and murdering Infidels are *not* protected in the United States–they are crimes.
shortfattexan says
It is an interesting question as to whether Islam or Leftism is the greater threat. On the one hand, Leftists rarely kill people – it’s been known to happen, but it’s pretty rare. On the other hand, even though Muslims kill people all the time, it’s also true that Muslims wouldn’t be nearly as much of a threat if they weren’t being enabled by the Leftists.
It’s the combination of the two that has become so deadly.
gravenimage says
Good analysis.
roberta says
UNC and Duke have been an embarrassment to the Carolina’s for quite some time.
Receiving a ”title” from either, no longer carries the weight it once did.
Given enough time, the left will ruin any institution.
gravenimage says
Robert Spencer has a degree from UNC.
Capitalist-Dad says
Here we go with typical Liberal projection—blaming your opponents for your own sins. Valid criticism is called “right wing political correctness.” Nose blind, as usual, to the stench of the hourly tidal wave of lies, propaganda, and misinformation that constitutes the left’s “contribution” to our country.
No Muzzies Here says
Robert, please analyze in a future posting WHY the left is promoting Islam and seeking to eliminate Christianity and Judaism. I thought the left hated all religion. Apparently not. They hate harmless religions, and love the only one that seeks to propagate itself through violence.
Does the left hate our civilization with roots in Judeo-Christian ideas? Do they think Islam can destroy our civilization, and then that they can rebuild it as an atheistic totalitarian state? Don’t they realize that Islam, if it ever dominated this country, would eliminate the left as fast as you can spread out your prayer rug?
gravenimage says
Some leftists I know consider Islam untouchable because it is a non-Western faith.
E. Maria says
People in America need to wake up! Islam is going to take over the United States, this is their plan! I went to Granada in 2005 to visit my niece who was studying there. We saw a sign, ‘Arab’ district and because we like to visit/see whatever is in that town, went to the Arab district. It seemed odd and not inviting but nevertheless, stopped at an Arab Cafe. The owner, a Spanish Arab Muslim (didn’t know this at first) seemed very friendly, sat at our table but I can’t recall what we talked about since it was very superficial. There were five of us Latin-Americans and spoke Spanish. He invited us the next day after site seeing and we took him up on it since he seemed very nice. So the next day he again sat at our table and I don’t recall how we got into Politics but these chilling words that he stated I will never forget; He stated; ‘We are going to take back Spain,’ to which I responded (I was not that familiar w/Islam) ‘Spain was never yours, you conquered it for about three hundred year’s!’ Then he stood up and pointed a finger in my face and stated; ‘ah ha!’ and we are going to conquer Your Country!’ He meant the United States of America. To which I replied; Really? Just how do you plan on doing that? He stated to me, we are already coming in through Canada and through Mexico.’ At that point, I told my group in English, let’s get the he’ll out of here…. Folks, I share this true story everywhere I go, on blogging sites, Facebook and Emails to warn Americans the True nature of this Beast yet, so many Americans do not want to believe this !
Terry Gain says
The Koran mandates conquest. It is suicidal to view Islam as a religion rather than a conquest ideology.
gravenimage says
Yes–very ugly stuff, but orthodox Islam.
KWJ says
I’d love to take a course on Middle Eastern studies at hotbeds of Islamic funding and academic agendas such as at George Washington Univ and Harvard. They complain about orientalism and negative views but most students never learned about modern Middle Eastern history to begin with, at least I didn’t. Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Phoenicians, etc. and later the Barbary Wars. In Western Civ class there was some Ottoman information as it applied to Europe and also some Crusades information but none of it is in depth because so much has to squeezed into one book. We didn’t study religions.
Qatar has spent millions in American education. What are these Middle Eastern studies courses teaching them? Are they teaching about all the caliphates and the tremendous swath of Arab and Turkish imperialism? Are they teaching how Islam was a factor on impeding their advancement? Are they teaching how the Muslims subjugated and enforced humiliating rules on non-Muslims? We learned about the religious persecution in Europe and all the battles. Are they teaching about the Arab slave trade and castrations of black Africans? A black Ghanan academic has written a book about that and complains how Western academia sidesteps that which is as shameful as sidestepping American slavery would be.
The professors complaining are pathetically hypocritical because they *are* engaging in political and foreign funded education. I’d like to see what they’re teaching students though I’m aware of some books with outright lies, some of them discussed by Robert. I’d love to turn in papers to see these professors’ reactions while they dumb down students. I hope inside they feel ashamed. I took a Philosophy of Education class and saved my notebooks, and they are doing the opposite of how they should be teaching. There are some exceptions at Yale:
Nicholas Christakis, head of Silliman College and sociology professor, Paul Bloom, professor of psychology, Carlos Eire, professor of history and religious studies, David Gelertner, professor of religious studies and professor Noel Valis, professor of Spanish, and 23 Harvard and Princeton professors. It’s pathetic that professors have to have courage to avoid “the tyranny of public opinion” and prevailing views on moral, political and other questions.
So, the Dept of Education is giving them a smack down on their hypocrisy.
They shouldn’t complain but look at themselves.
gravenimage says
These classes are mostly Da’wa and Islamic apologia.
Vlad Cristian Suceveanu says
Islam is not for US, neither for us, nor for the US of A. Let them boil in their own juice, keep them away from US and Europe too.