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The Hell-Hole Spectator
Democracy Headwinds
Free speech and Tuesday’s thuggish attacks.
It’s another cold front for the Arab Spring.
A lunatic mob has stormed our embassy in Libya, killing four including the ambassador. The assailants reportedly attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. The late diplomat, J. Christopher Stevens, was the first American ambassador murdered by jihadists since 1979. May he rest in peace.
Hours earlier, more than 2,000 Egyptian protesters gathered at our embassy in Cairo where many tried to scale its walls. One of the American flags was seized and burned. A protester tried to climb up the flagpole and fly a black banner that read, “There is no God but God and Muhammed is His Messenger.”
The supposed source of all this froth is a satirical movie called “Innocence of Muslims” that portrays Mohammed as a gay opportunist who furthers his fortunes by calling for extramarital sex and child slavery. The film, directed and produced by a man named Sam Bacile, isn’t packing theaters nationwide; in fact, it hasn’t even been released yet. But a few trailer snippets drifting around YouTube were supposedly enough to incite a mob to murder an ambassador.
Actually “Innocence of Muslims” probably had very little to do with the violence. This was the usual crowd of young, furious, Islamist extremists that have been popping up with regularity throughout Egypt and Libya. The movie was just the latest excuse to scream and throw rocks, this time exactly eleven years after the 9/11 attacks. This wasn’t about cinema; it was about a caliphate.
And that’s what makes the official American response so bizarre. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo released a statement condemning “Innocence of Muslims”: “We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.” After the consulate in Benghazi was attacked, the embassy tweeted that they stood by their comment. Under pressure, the State Department later withdrew the statement and deleted the Tweet.
Then Hillary Clinton denounced the violence, but added that “The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.”
Really? What, then, is the official United States position on Richard Dawkins? Dawkins, the biologist and author of atheist canons, thinks religion is the “root of all evil.” What of Ann Coulter, who wrote, “I believe our motto should be after 9/11: jihad monkey talks tough; jihad monkey takes the consequences”? Will Hillary Clinton denounce Monty Python’s Life of Brian? Friedrich Nietzsche? Bertrand Russell? The Last Temptation of Christ? Bill Maher’s entire existence? Family Guy? South Park?
Where was she when the late Christopher Hitchens said of my Catholic Church, “This is disgraceful, it’s inhuman, it’s obscene, and it comes from a clutch of hysterical, sinister virgins, who’ve already betrayed their charge in the children of their own church!”
Hitchens was wrong about that, but today is one of those days you wish he still had access to a pen. One of the (many) things that made him angry was the equivocal response from so many Westerners when the Iranian regime put a death sentence on Salman Rushdie. He had no tolerance for those who mentioned creative expression and violence in the same condemning breath. Neither should we.
But we do. And so we get this from the MSNBC hive mind, talking about Florida pastor Terry Jones who praised the “Innocence of Muslims” movie:
MIKE BARNICLE: Given this supposed minister’s role in last year’s riots in Afghanistan, where people died, and given his apparent or his alleged role in this film, where, not yet nailed down, but at least one American, perhaps the American ambassador is dead, it might be time for the Department of Justice to start viewing his role as an accessory before or after the fact.
DONNY DEUTSCH: I was thinking the same thing, yeah.
We should prosecute people who laud people who make movies about people who get angry about it. It’s like Barnicle was being channeled by Thomas Jefferson himself.
On Twitter, Libya’s deputy prime minister, Dr. Mustafa Abushagur, condemned the violence, calling it “an attack on America, Libya, and free people everywhere.” No buts, yets, or howevers. Why, at a moment when American soil was invaded by homicidal Islamists, wasn’t our response just as clear?
About the Author
Matt Purple is The American Spectator’s assistant managing editor.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (31) | Leave a comment
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Philo Vaihinger | 9.13.12 @ 6:41AM
Excellent piece.
My only demur concerns your suggestion that the Arab Spring version of democracy doesn't lead to liberty because democracy is a learning experience and eventually the Egyptians, Libyans, and others will get the hang of it.
You are right, on the other hand, in saying the difference is the Muslim world has not shared our history.
There have been no Muslim Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment.
The mind of the Muslim world is medieval, still.
Von Mises Jr| 9.13.12 @ 8:24AM
While I am not condoning the violence and intolerance of Islam, Hayek wrote in "Law Legislation and Liberty" that not only can law and rules not determine "ends" and should only aim at "means," but that there is no ONE set of universal laws or rules.
So liberal/progressives/socialist makes two major mistakes. First, they try to design laws and rules to affect a specific outcome. But Hayek speaks to the spontaneous order where means are constrained, but each individual working within those means seeks his own ends. Censorship and dictating behavior aim at ends. Second, that no matter how much they dream of Utopia, Third World men such as the Islamist will not join their "Rodney King" vision of "why can't we all just get along."
This is why civilizations clash. People are tribal, nationalistic and ethnocentric and don't give crap what Barry, Nancy and Hillary demand.
Stephie| 9.13.12 @ 12:27PM
Do you really think Barry, Hillary and Nancy mean all this blowhard BS? They love the muslims and will continue to bend and kiss butt while our people die.
If this doesn't sink obama, nothing will.
Von Mises Jr| 9.13.12 @ 7:15PM
I think they believe in POWER. And being dolts, the only path to power is abusing the power of the state.
Darin| 9.13.12 @ 6:46AM
Why is it that Islam, and only Islam, always gets a pass for violent behavior? A Muslim girl is raped by Muslim men, and then the girl is killed because she "defiled" herself. A Muslim converts to another religion and is killed. A Sunni Muslim doesn't pray the "right" way and is killed by a Shia Muslim (yes, this is one of the key items of contention). Such actions are not ones of religous people - they are acts of cult members.
The truth is that Islam is infested with hateful, violent people. They hate because it's all they know and all they want to know. There are some voices within Islam calling for moderation, but the voices are few (and usually killed once found). Until and unless Islam comes into the 20th century (and we can be sure such perceived acts are not the exercise of taqqiya (Islam-condoned acceptable lying)), Islam cannot and should not be trusted.
Gary B| 9.13.12 @ 7:20AM
"The truth is that Islam is infested with hateful, violent people. They hate because it's all they know and all they want to know. "
These are the people who are supported and coddled by the Saudis, our wonderful friends in the Middle East. How long will it be before we can finally classify them as an actual enemy? And, "it's complicated" is not an answer.
Appleby| 9.13.12 @ 7:22AM
Darin, I think the explanation lies in the post immediately above yours -- that the Muslims have mired down in the Dark Ages, sans Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment. In my own opinion they should be isolated until they sort it out, and restricted to only killing one another until some of them learn to stand up to the rest of them, or until they are all gone but one. And that one should be stuffed and put in a museum as a warning to the future.
Mike W| 9.13.12 @ 7:39AM
Neocons in both parties pushed the Arab Spring. They are still pushing it with Syria. Then they weep when the inevitable happens.
The ambassador took sides in the revolution for the rebels. Oh the irony.
nathan| 9.13.12 @ 8:08AM
Actually it is a good piece because at least the writer acknowledges, perhaps grudgingly but still that certain rights we enjoy are products of our culture as much as anything.
I firmly believe that the "unalienable rights" doctrine and the First, Second, Fourth, Firth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments are universal. But as he correctly points out, most of the world does not agree. While we have can exercise free expression it's worth reminding everyone that the Founders expected people to do so responsibly. (Yes they did, go back and look at the quotes.) While undoubtably the attacks used the video as an excuse still should the video have been published in the first place? As a matter of taste, judgement, and responsibility . . . I leave it to the class. But would Madison have applauded him? Don't bet on it.
At Philo and others: civilizations go through phases. During the dark ages whenever when europe was backward and barely if at all civilized, the middle east under islam was THE center of learning. We forget but should not that the library at Alexandria a famed center learning was under them. When Europe was sytematically persecuting their Jews during the Inquisition, they were safer in the middle east. Again, these things can and often are cyclical. We need to find ways, IF WE CAN, to encourage a return to those days. And no, we don't commit genocide folks. NO
Truth to Power| 9.13.12 @ 10:00AM
Some things go through cycles but not Nathan. He can always be counted on to defend rabid dog muslims. This is what an ideologue does. By the way, while conquering India, muslims killed 65 million people. Now that is genocide. It is right up there with the commies even though they had to kill with low tech. The muslim good old days weren't that good. Most of the so-called Inquisition abuses happened in Spain. The occupiers and their collaborators weren't treated well. What a surprise! We should all be thankful that the Spanish sent mo and his boys back into Africa.
nathan| 9.13.12 @ 11:41AM
Do you read what I said? I said I don't defend any of this. But I also don't defend bad behavior by anyone ourselves included. Holder should not have let those misbehaving interrogators walk. If they are guilty of torture and murder they should be read their rights and tried. Bad behavior is bad behavior and there is NEVER ANY EXCUSE FOR IT BY ANYONE. For the record ONE MORE TIME I DO NOT SUPPORT EVIL WHOEVER DOES IT ANY WHERE ANY TIME INCLUDING US WHICH IS MORE THAN I CAN SAY FOR A LOT OF YOU. As for John below thank you for the correction. I appreciate it.
Truth to Power| 9.13.12 @ 1:22PM
You excuse by wanting to talk about the Inquisition and the Library at Alexandria. You talk of cycles and such. Now you want to talk about harsh interrogations of rabid dogs. Thanks for making my point.
John Navratil| 9.13.12 @ 10:11AM
nathan,
Read a little history. The library at Alexandria was instituted Ptolemaic dynasty in 300 BC. It was accidentally destroyed by Ceasar, but its ultimate destruction came with the Muslim conquest in 642 AD - just about ten years after Mohammeds death.
Dave Williams| 9.13.12 @ 12:36PM
Actually, it was destroyed by christians, who also murdered Hypatia, perhaps the smartest female philosopher who had lived to that date. There is NO religion, with the possible exception of the Ba'hai faith, that is not stained with blood up to the elbows.
Truth to Power| 9.13.12 @ 1:23PM
Atheism is the worst as far as religions go.
John Navratil| 9.13.12 @ 1:46PM
Dave Williams,
I believe you refer the Serapeum, not the great library. There are two accounts of its destruction. Even so, it was before the Muslim era to which nathan referred.
Darin| 9.13.12 @ 11:31AM
Sorry, but Muslims don't get a pass because their "culture" says it's OK. This is the same culture that kills any who do not yield to their will. The same culture which destroyed the ancient Buddhist statues in Afghanistan. The same culture that attempted to invade Europe hundreds of years ago. When Columbus discovered the new world, he was seeking trade routes to India because overland routes were infested with Muslim raiding parties and not safe.
Until and unless Islam breaks out of it's 7th century mindset, it can and should be considered a barbaric religion in the same vein as Mayans performing human sacrifices (which Islam also champions and calls the killers "martyrs").
Hardcard| 9.13.12 @ 8:59AM
It's jihad , stupid !!!!! They want to kill the infidels !!!!!! What part of this don't you understand?
John Navratil| 9.13.12 @ 10:12AM
Mr. Purple,
Excellent article! Any chance you could get a copy to Obama?
Von Mises Jr| 9.13.12 @ 10:25AM
Obama is still trying to finish the book Hugo Chavez gave him.
Who Knows?| 9.13.12 @ 10:57AM
The fools who use their free speech rights to condemn others, who are using their own free speech rights, are in essence saying—come and kill me.
“One man, one vote, one time” is expressed, here, as “one man, one speech, one time”. One and done.
Where’s Voltaire when you need him???
We are living through the dark ages of America, reaping the many years of deprogramming of children---NOT being taught basic American history and principles. Instead, there’s been a devolution, from higher mind, to lower mind, and nowadays, to mundane feelings, merely.
I feel your pain!
The idiots who don’t realize what they are saying, FREELY, in wanting offensive-to-them speech by others to be squelched, are too full of sensitive FEELING. They have literally lost their minds---what IS thought, anyway?
They are like animals, bereft of the capability of thinking, ever feasting on a tasty meal, not able to use their imagination to envision a future such mindless indulgence will bring.
Come to THINK about it, this idea pretty much fits the entire American scene, lately, for most people. Lot of unconscious eating going on, mindless embodiment, constantly expanding outwards, into myriad bulging tubbies, oh so sore for viewing thinkers!
The bell is rung---come and get it!
John Navratil| 9.13.12 @ 11:08AM
Who Knows?
In a similar vein....
I was at my barber's shop when he and the man in the chair were concluding that as the AK-47 was not particularly useful as a hunting or target shooting weapon, it could be banned without much concern to them. Both men claimed to be hunters.
What they did not seem to understand was that the AK-47 might just be the weapon of choice for the activity contemplated by the Second Amendment.
Who Knows?| 9.13.12 @ 11:19AM
How many ways?
Let me count them.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Forrest Gump has jumped off the screen!
MelvinNC| 9.13.12 @ 11:42AM
Why is it that the Islamic masses are so easy to manipulate? It is because they are illiterate. A illiterate man doesn't question authority, he obeys it and fears it.
This is why terrorist organizations find so many willing candidates to strap on a suicide vest or allow themselves to be whipped up into a savage frenzy.
An illiterate man's only grasp to the real world is, his religion, other than that he would be an lump of living matter.
I was attending a small Thanksgiving dinner in the Philippines and one General asked me, "
How can we cut down terrorism?" I replied, "Educate the people, an illiterate man fears and obeys absolute authority, an educated man questions authority." His eyes narrowed at the latter part of my opinion.
There are two competing sets of authority, the terrorists, and the state. They both vie for control of the illiterates.
The State wants to control the masses and give them education but the State also doesn't want too many educated people because then the educated question the State's actions.
We the US is the third party in this conundrum. We become a tool used by both the terrorists and the State. In the end it is always our vault and the terrorists and the State come out smelling like roses.
nathan| 9.13.12 @ 12:04PM
Read the book "Ordinary Men". A Hamburg police unit was pressed into Holocaust duties on the east front. Were they fanatics? No. Were they ignorant savages? No. Reasonably educated for their day? Yes. But most, not all pulled the trigger. Why? Because they became convinced that Germany's very existence was threatened by the existence of the Jews who were animals anyway. Ordinary men . . .
Look at the studies done here where unseen man in a booth test subject with man in a white coat saying every time unseen man answers question wrong, turn up the voltage. Most of the test subjects raised the voltage which had it been real would have been enough to kill test unseen man. Response to authority. Ignorant? No. Educated? Reasonably. Illiterate? Not in the least.
The interrogators who tortured and in some cases murdered those detainees. Ignorant? No. Knew Nuremburg? Yes. New that "following orders" probably wasn't a defense? Sure. Did it anyway? Of course.
Again education will not defend you from responding to authority figures. When the president, this one or MR orders people under NDAA to detain people indefinitely he won't have trouble finding people to carry out the orders.
MelvinNC| 9.13.12 @ 1:00PM
Another fascinating book is, Savage Continent by Keith Lowe, you won't be able to put it down, until your finished.
If our masses only knew what really happened.
7-08| 9.13.12 @ 12:30PM
The Village Cuckold
Under a tortured pantsuit seam,
The village cuckold stands;
The cuckold, a fax paux man is she,
Her thighs they span ten hands;
And the ornamentation on her arms
Reveals fake wedding bands.
Her hair is grease, and grey, and cropped,
Her face is drawn and pale;
Her brow it beads with sweat of flop,
The rapist might need bail;
The whole world looks her in the face,
And all they read is “fail.”
State of the Union -she must attend,
To sit among the boys;
She heard Bill, she hears the Marxist,
Hers will never be the voice;
The irony, feminists need not apply;
And Rush he does rejoice.
Toil, -- no joy, --just Huma,
Diplomatically on she goes;
Each morning she dons suits,
As Bill removes a bimbo’s clothes;
Something borrowed, something blue (ew),
Only the brotherhood knows.
Thanks, thanks to thee, our clueless foil,
For the lessons you have taught;
It is why our voices raise,
We like and respect you “NOT;”
Albert Constantine Jr.| 9.13.12 @ 11:40PM
I think that I shall never see
a better poem of Hillary
Like Heflin in "3:10 to Yuma"
In the end her hero's Huma
but even she must have a bag
to hide the visage of this hag
ElGordo| 9.13.12 @ 1:08PM
Inept Jimmy Carter is responsible for the loss of Iran. He did not come to the aid of the Shah.
.
Now Pres. Barack Obama has lost both Egypt and Libya !!
.
Obama did not understand the danger or strength of the Muslim Brotherhood, or come to the aid of Mubarek
.
In the 2011 Superbowl Interveiw with O'Reilly, Obama's mistaken attitude with reference to the Muslim Brotherhood is revealed.
.
In addition when there people of Iran was revolting in 2009, Obama did not come to their aid and their revolt was crushed.
.
Also, Obama treats Israel as an enemy not an ally
.
Obama's foreign policy is a failure !!
JmsA| 9.13.12 @ 10:52PM
What a sad sight: the frumpy harridan and hyper-feminist twisting herself into a pretzel in a vain attempt to pacify the misogynist savages.
OregonBuzz| 9.15.12 @ 12:05PM
They are not "Islamists" they are Muslims and a Muslim by any other name is just as vile and dangerous to freedom and liberty. Face it America we are now, as all the world can see, under open attack from Muslims and their doctrine is Islam which does not tolerate anyone who is not a Muslim.
Thus we find the following exhortations in the Qur’an:
Kill the Jews and the Christians if they do not convert to Islam or refuse to pay Jizya tax (9:29)
Any religion other than Islam is not acceptable (3:85)
Terrorize and behead those who believe in scriptures other than the Qur’an (8:12)
Any questions?