Slate: Hey, Maybe We Need To Rethink This Whole Free Speech Thingy

By William Teach September 26, 2012 – 7:59 am

Ever since the planned terrorist attack on our Libyan compound and diplomatic personnel “spontaneous uprising” over a stupid video which none had actually seen, per the administration, there has been much hang wringing and navel gazing over the freedoms enshrined in our 1st Amendment. It’s the usual pattern, where something happens, liberals blame someone for saying something mean, and then start wondering about whether free speech is all that it’s cracked up to be, instead of saying “I disagree with what you’re stating, but, I’ll fight to the death to defend your right to say it”. And here comes Eric Posner at Slate wondering if the US overvalues free speech

The universal response in the United States to the uproar over the anti-Muslim video is that the Muslim world will just have to get used to freedom of expression…….Muslims need to grow a thick skin, the thinking goes, as believers in the West have done over the centuries. Perhaps they will even learn what it means to live in a free society, and adopt something like the First Amendment in their own countries.

But there is another possible response. This is that Americans need to learn that the rest of the world—and not just Muslims—see no sense in the First Amendment. Even other Western nations take a more circumspect position on freedom of expression than we do, realizing that often free speech must yield to other values and the need for order. Our own history suggests that they might have a point.

King George and his governors saw no point in freedom of speech, either. And once that free speech starts being chipped away, where does it stop? What freedoms will next be targeted?

More from Q&O

You see one of the acknowledged problems with freedom is it’s messy. That’s right, people get to make choices you don’t agree with and, even more importantly, get to act on them without your permission.

And the Left, much like Salafists, don’t particularly care for any dissent.

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Surprise! Poll Finds Most Think US-Muslim Relations Worse Under Obama

By William Teach September 26, 2012 – 7:24 am

Remember this gem from Cairo?

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition.”

And this one from 2007?

“If I’m reaching out to the Muslim world, they understand that I’ve lived in a Muslim country,” he continued. “And I may be a Christian, but I understand their point of view.”

How’s that working out?

(Daily Caller) A plurality of likely voters — or 45 percent — believe that U.S. relations with the Islamic world are worse under President Barack Obama than they were under President George W. Bush, according to a Rasmussen poll released on Tuesday.

A mere 18 percent believe that U.S.-Muslim relations are better, while 31 percent believe relations have stayed the same since Obama took the White House four years ago.

We certainly can’t blame it all on Obama: we have to consider that the continuous growth of extremist Islam plays a big part in the equation. Of course, when we consider Obama’s foreign policy, which is a muddled, mixed up, often contradictory, and mostly incoherent, we get a good picture. While he yammers on about peace and stuff, he uses drone strikes like some people use nicotine gum.

He said he’d close Guantanamo Bay, yet didn’t do any work to follow through.

The relationship between the Obama admin. and many Islamic nations, most notably Pakistan and Afghanistan, have become much worse. Blowing off the Iranian “green revolution”, leading from behind for the Arab Spring, starting a war of choice in Libya then only having slightly harsh words for Syria, etc and so on, they all contribute to a poor relationship. Kowtowing and apologizing to Islamists for our core freedoms certainly doesn’t help.

Then there’s Iran. That open hand with no pre-conditions sure worked miracles, eh?

On the flip side, it takes two to tango, and countries with ever increasing governments and people pushing for hardcore Islamic values certainly doesn’t help.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

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Creeping Sharia: KC Imams Petition Obama To Restrict 1st Amendment

By William Teach September 25, 2012 – 3:04 pm

It’s not just Muslim leaders in other countries (Via ZIp)

(PJ Media) The leadership of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City have launched an online petition campaign for President Obama to back a bill to limit the free speech of American citizens they deem offensive.

The petition states:

The undersigned Board Of Directors and members of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City (ISGKC) urges you to sponsor a bill that outlaws any action that may insult one’s religion.  We utterly disagree with the violence that has taken place and the death of United States Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and other members of the United States embassy staff in Libya.  We support the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for such acts.

Continued below the fold

We understand the First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights and, as such, prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, etc., but when the allowance of “free” speech incites violence it should be banned. 

The film behind the violence that is occurring in part of the Muslim world, “The Innocence of Muslims”, although it may be amateurish, its contents are very disturbing and insulting to the religion and has ignited an already volatile part of the world.  The film is repulsive to the sensibilities of Muslims and offends the religion of Islam in multiple ways; by denigrating the seriousness of Islam, our Prophet and the Muslims in general.  We believe that it would be in everyone’s interest to ban such actions from reoccurring.

Actions as such should not be tolerated as they are very offensive.  The violence that has taken place as a result of this film is very alarming.  As Muslims, violence of any sort is prohibited in our religion.  Those people who are carrying out these acts cannot possibly call themselves devout Muslims as they are acting out of pure rage and not out of religious duties.  We condemn the violence and feel that, in spite of the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, action may be necessary to pass such a bill or, at least, censure such actions in order to calm the current situation as well as prevent future re-occurrences. 

Here’s the kicker

American Muslims are hard-working, law abiding, and tax paying citizens.  Everyone respects freedom of speech and the First Amendment in general, however, when freedom of speech results in defaming and insulting others and provokes the killing of innocent people, it should be outlawed.  In light of the recent situation, the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City hopes you may take up this cause and urge other representatives to do the same.  We appreciate your time and efforts.

In other words, free speech is cool, unless it insults Islam, because many Muslims are prone to violence, therefor we should ban anything that could make violent Muslims act out in a violent manner.

At the United Nations, Islamic nations are going to use the yearly Big Meeting to push for anti-(Islamic) blasphemy laws. And the Seattle Times says that free speech is a “volatile issue” at the UN. Perhaps it’s high time that the UN be disbanded if free speech is “volatile.”

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If All You See…

By William Teach September 25, 2012 – 1:00 pm

…is an awesome tree taking dirty weather out of the air, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Sister Toldjah, with a post about veterans abandoning Obama.

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Obama Speaks At UN, Whines About Video And Stuff

By William Teach September 25, 2012 – 11:24 am

I thought about just adding on to the previous post, but, let’s give the Apology Tour a stand alone. From what I heard (I only listened to about 10 minutes, I didn’t hear the Iran talk), it was a rambling, incoherent, and contradictory mess. Much like his foreign policy itself. And, the apologies and denigration of Free Speech continue (page 3 of the Washington Post transcript)

…And that is what we saw play out in the last two weeks, where a crude and disgusting video sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world. Now, I have made it clear that the United States government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity. It is an insult not only to Muslims, but to America as well.

Free speech is now an insult in Obama’s America and must be rejected.

We were also treated to this whine

And, there’s this

Pretty much.

Yet, he’s defending Islamists who treat women like property.

And said zealot? (via Twitchy)

The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. Yet to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see when the image of Jesus Christ is desecrated, churches are destroyed, or the Holocaust is denied. Let us condemn incitement against Sufi Muslims, and Shiite pilgrims. It is time to heed the words of Gandhi: “Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.” Together, we must work towards a world where we are strengthened by our differences, and not defined by them. That is what America embodies, and that is the vision we will support.

So much for your 1st Amendment rights.

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Surprise! Consumers Less Willing To Pay For “Green” Products

By William Teach September 25, 2012 – 8:44 am

The main problem with “green” is that it’s no longer about being environmentally friendly: it’s about globull warming, the climate change hoax, hotcoldwetdry. Every issue has been linked, no matter how commonsense, and consumers are constantly barraged with preachy advertisements and news reports. Oh, and they realize that there are a ton of scams, and that “green” products are expensive

(Daily Caller) Call it the effect of a slow economic recovery or the results of excessive hype, but consumers have become less willing to pay for environmentally friendly products.

According to new research from GfK‘s Green Gauge, while aspects of the “green” movement have gone “mainstream,” those willing to purchase the more expensive green alternative products has decreased over the last several years.

The GfK study found that in the last 12 months, 73 percent of American consumers purchased an organic product, 93 percent had done something to conserve energy, and 77 percent had done something to conserve water. Respondents added that social media and other technologies such as home energy monitors have raised awareness about being environmentally friendly.

I purchase “organic” fruit all the time. They have these really great plums at Harris Teeter near work, which I hit about once a week. And their local! I do what I can to save energy, though I am rather bad about taking long showers. I buy the plums because they taste great, and are usually on sale. I save energy to save money, not to save the planet from getting a fever. And, like most people, including Warmists, there is no way in hell I will install a home energy monitor linked to the power company.

The research revealed, however, that while people are more aware, they are less likely to spend additional money to go green, with the percentages of Americans willing to spend on environmentally friendly alternatives noticeably dropping since 2008.

Part of the issue is surely the world wide recession reducing buying power. Also, that people are tired of being preached at to purchase a product.

According to GfK, the proportion of Americans willing to spend extra for cleaner cars has dropped from 62 percent in 2008 to 49 percent; and for energy efficient light bulbs, the number has decreased from 70 percent to 60 percent.

There’s nothing wrong with protecting the environment, saving energy, reducing water usage: people just aren’t willing to pay much higher prices to do it, especially when they are berated by people who themselves refuse to spend the money to change their own lives, nor do consumers want the Central Planning Office to make the consumer decisions (CFLs) for them.

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Obama Apparently Plans To Turn United Nations Visit Into Campaign Event

By William Teach September 25, 2012 – 8:17 am

What else could we expect?

(Boston Globe) Campaign politics shadowing every word, President Barack Obama on Tuesday will challenge the world to confront the root causes of rage exploding across the Muslim world, calling it a defining choice ‘‘between the forces that would drive us apart and the hopes we hold in common.’’

Sounds like this will be a hopey changey type speech with lots of soaring rhetoric. Unfortunately for PBO, the people at the UN aren’t wilting violets who’ll get all weepy eyed and faint.

Obama will step before the United Nations General Assembly and declare that the United States will not shrink from its role in troubled, transitioning nations despite the killing of four Americans in Libya, including U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens, and more than 50 people total in violence linked at least in part to an anti-Muslim film.

Um, the Obama administration already shirked it’s role, which started when Team Obama shrank from backing the “green revolution” in Iran, then led from behind during the “Arab Spring”.

In his final international address before the November election, Obama will stand up for democratic values on a stage afforded to presidents, not presidential challengers. He will use it to try to boost his political standing without ever mentioning Republican opponent Mitt Romney. (snip)

Obama’s activities at the United Nations say plenty, too: There are not many of them. Campaigning is his imperative.

Obama has no planned meetings with any world leaders, and spent Monday with the gals of The View. Then, we’ve seen this script before: Obama spends much more time doing things other than presidential duties, especially the hard ones. The question is, how will he discuss the violence in the Muslim world in his campaign speech?

The dominant theme of Obama’s U.N. speech will be his response to the protests raging in places across the Middle East and North Africa. As he has for days, Obama will condemn the violence, defend democratic principles of free speech and promise no U.S. withdrawal of outreach.

Except, he and his administration have condemned the film and filmmaker much more than the “protesters” carrying Salafist flags and wearing Salafist headbands. Obama has beaten up on Free Speech. If he condemns the film before the UN, he should be impeached for violating his oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

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Goracle Takes Unnecessary Fossil Fueled Trip To Complain About “Dirty Weather”

By William Teach September 24, 2012 – 6:14 pm

The hypocrisy is astounding. Completely predictable, yet, still astounding

(NY Times) On Sunday, Al Gore was in New York — well, he appeared in a video screened there — to promote the second iteration of “24 Hours of Reality,” an event streamed online to help people connect the dots between climate change and its diverse impacts around the globe. This year’s version, scheduled for Nov. 14-15, is titled “24 Hours of Reality: The Dirty Weather Report.”

“The weather’s just that – dirty,” Mr. Gore said in the video, which was shown at the three-day Social Good Summit conference. “It’s fueled by dirty fossil fuel and misinformation.”

So……fossil fuels cause “dirty weather.” Damn, if only people wouldn’t take fossil fueled flights from Tennessee to New York. Of course, I’m assuming Al came from his Nashville, Tn home, as opposed to his Montecito, Ca. house.

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The Spot On Quote Of The Day…

By William Teach September 24, 2012 – 2:33 pm

Bob at The Camp Of The Saints often posts his own “spot on quote of the day”. Perhaps it’s time someone gave him that back

This Is Not My Country

The annual Muslim Day Parade was held in New York yesterday.

The celebration of all things Mohammedin was, as you might expect, filled with Taquiyya, which is the practice of lying to Infidels sanctioned by Allah. There were signs displayed and carried that made the now-tired old claim that Islam is ‘a religion of peace’. A number of women in burkas has najabs made of American Flags. One sign read ‘One God, One Humanity’, prompting one to ask just who is this ‘One God’ they speak of? Fortunately, another sign provided the answer: Allah [it also made the claim that Jesus was merely a messenger of Allah]. (snip)

The Dhimmitude on display in New York City yesterday should serve as a warning to those of us in the rest of the country that, whether we want to admit it or not, Islam is on the march through our institutions in America. We had better fight back against this or, just as with happened with the Left and their march, we will wake up finally one day and find our country in the hands of barbarians.

Make sure to read the whole thing, and head to the Pam Geller article linked.

To add a brief bit on, since the post is about Bob’s musings, we constantly hear from the Left that Islam is a “Religion of Peace” and that the 1.4 billion Muslims are not represented by the tiny, itty bitty miniscule amount of Salafists. Yet, every year, this grows. See, one of the issues is that Lefties only look at the violent ones, and poo poo the ones not involved in violence but push for Sharia law, stoning gays, forcing people to adhere to hard core Islam, don’t speak out against arranged marriages of 11 year old girls and whipping women who have been raped, etc and so on. I can certainly speculate why Lefties fail to condemn the Salafists and ignore the “creeping Sharia”, but, really, only they know why.

Read: The Spot On Quote Of The Day… »

Posted in Dhimmitude, Islamification, RoP | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach September 24, 2012 – 1:00 pm

…is a flooded drought world, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Goldfish and Clowns, with a post about not yielding.

Read: If All You See… »

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