Well, here’s a surprising development, brought to our attention by the indefatigable JK: in this video clip, we see liberal stalwart Bill Maher breaking ranks with party orthodoxy, and expressing public concern about the usurpation of Western culture by Islam.
This is not actually an inconsistent position for Mr. Maher, whose scorn for religion he has made the theme of an entire feature film (which I haven’t seen). He also makes clear that his position has nothing to do with racism. He is going to have a hard time of it, though, I think, because even if his newly awakened concern (it seems only now to have dawned on him that Islam might in fact present an existential threat to the West that has nothing to do with terrorism) is not in any way racist, it is nevertheless discriminatory, and is therefore in violation of a central tenet of liberalism (despite the capacity to make such discriminations being essential to the immune system of any viable organism or society).
Mr. Maher’s on-air persona is smug, and frequently obnoxious, but he is a spirited and intelligent man. Having called attention to the problem, he will now be forced, by what will surely be a withering blast of criticism from his left, either to recant or defend his remarks — and should he choose to defend them, it will be interesting to see where the process takes him. (He may, of course, go no farther than where most conservative public intellectuals have gone, which is simply to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem and then to fall completely silent as to what to do about it.)
It’s premature to hope that the destructive ideology of radical multiculturalism will be in full retreat anytime soon, but if Bill Maher is deserting, it’s a clear sign that morale is faltering at the front. When such a a prominent liberal defects, he might lead others to doubts as well; this is something that conservative voices simply cannot do.
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Well, so long as the process doesn’t require Mr. Maher to sit in the dock on The View, he should be alright.
Admittedly, I’d be tempted to tune in on the offchance Whoopie, Joy, and Mr. Maher would engage in some contortionist threesome. (So long as I could be assured they’d all leave their clothes on).
I’ll see your “smug and frequently obnoxious”, Malcolm, and raise you “snide, sneering and snarky”.
Though I am also alarmed “about the usurpation of Western culture”, I continue to be nauseated by this heap of human detritus.
Do you require a second opinion? OK, he’s an ugly S.O.B. too.
Agreed, Henry. But the Left won’t listen when the Right brings up the threat of Islam (or anything else, for that matter); it’s just more racism, xenophobia, etc.
When one of their own speaks up, though, that’s useful, and I’ll forgive Mr. Maher his irritating smirk if he is going to help snap his constituents out of their suicidal multiculti trance.
JK, I shudder at the tableau you describe. I’ll read a transcript.
Of course, you are right, Malcolm. I just can’t stand the guy; never could.
A transcript would be okay with me too.
Uhmm, just so long as there’d be no advertisement I’d be required to watch for Wesson Oil.
Lard,as, (as even an Arkie understands it), Oh Dear Lord – not even the three of them could constitute a proper pork rind.
Well. Perhaps Whoopie – still I’d prefer to read too.
JK,
I don’t know what all that imagery is about, and I’m not sure I want to know; the possibilities are making me queasy.
That said, you had me at bacon …