Bill Maher: Democrats Could Lose to Trump on "Islamic Terrorism" Issue Alone

[ericson00]

While this article is largely about the primary, I chose to highlight another aspect of it:

Let's get clear on something: I absolutely don't believe that we should ban all Muslims coming into this country. One, we need Muslims in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Two, it's not American. It's just un-American to do that, and it sacrifices who we are, and we can't do that. But let's not kid ourselves: A certain percentage of them will be radicalized. The more Muslims in your country, the more that is a possibility.

So no, Donald Trump is not right — but he will win the election if the American people have to choose between his demagoguery and a party that won't even say the words "Islamic terrorism." I think the Democrats could lose on that issue alone, especially if there's another attack.

Well said; I hope Democrats and progressives take heart. Especially Hillary and Bernie. For the reasons laid out here

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Maher is very anti-Muslim and he regularly exaggerates the threat

of ISIS and other terrorism, and he also exaggerates what he thinks other people think of the threat.

[ericson00]

2. why don't you read what he said?

He's not anti-Muslim. He may not say the nicest things about Islam as a religion, but isn't criticizing religions allowed?

fact is that of all the religious extremism that exist out there, the one more governments spend billions to foil and thousands of man hours to help foil is Islamic terrorism.

[a kennedy]

3. So he actually is a secret card carrying member of the faux noise conglomerate..... eom

[Wilms]

4. Let's not discuss the white radicalization the xenophobia sponsers.

No. No.

[Shandris]

9. Yes, the desire to defend oneself is SO 'radical'.

Yeah, nah. Take the demagoguery elsewhere, people are tired of hearing BUT DEM EBIL HWHITES!

[Wilms]

10. I hope you aren't as trigger happy with a gun.

Where in my post did you see me call it radical to defend oneself? You didn't. Because I wouldn't.
You need to properly identify your target before you shoot!


Meanwhile, about "DEM EBIL HWHITES!":

Majority of fatal attacks on U.S. soil carried out by white supremacists, not terrorists
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/24/majority-of-fatal-attacks-on-us-soil-carried-out-b/

Just doing my best to keep myself real. Had no intention to set any one off.

[Shandris]

11. Nah, I don't need or want guns. Too small to use one effectively anyway.

Tasers, OTOH, or pepper spray...those are about my speed.

Okay, I'll give the benefit of the doubt that you're not one of the countless number of anti-white demagogues. I apologize for making the small rush to judgement.

Meanwhile, your article says twice as many. Very true! In whole numbers. If I have to explain why that's disingenuous, you might try a different hobby. Please don't try to waste my time with misleading statistics.

I'm not set off. I have been before from time to time, but not this. My 'demagogue' line is sort of my new response to all the 'HWHITE PEEPLEZ!' posts, but it's not out of any emotion other than annoyance that people let the elites and billionaires split them along such obvious, avoidable lines.

[Wilms]

13. The divisioning is EXACTLY my concern.

There's a lot of agreement between a large majority of both pro-gun and anti-gun people that gets obscured in the name calling.

I see "gun humpers" and "responsible gun owners" (used sarcastically) and it depresses me.

[Dawson Leery]

5. Bill has endorsed the candidate that lacks knowledge on foreign policy matters.

[ericson00]

6. this article isn't about the primary:

tho on HRC/BS, he has gone with BS, but its to please his more of his fanbase than otherwise, and if you look around here and other progressive blogs, most of the people who instinctively defend Islam and bash Israel are for Bernie (especially "academics" like Cornel West and Noam Trotsky), so yea its ironic. But unlike them, he doesn't personally trash Hillary.

[Dawson Leery]

7. I do agree about the reflexive defense of islam from the pro-left.

It is absurd. How much freedom exists in Islamic nations? Though I despise Bibi, Israel is still the best deal by far in the
middle east.

As for Cornel West, he used the n-word to describe Obama. Enough said.

[bullwinkle428]

25. Who is Noam Trotsky?

[eridani]

22. In favor of the one who has good judgment n/t

[ladjf]

8. So, what is he implying? Should we match his lunatic comments about how to

deal with Islamic terrorism?

[ericson00]

15. yes, because fact is Islamic terrorism is a problem

and by not talking about it at all, we let Republicans own an issue many people feel threatens their security.

[leftynyc]

16. For whatever reason

Pres Obama has refused to use the words Islamic extremists, I can tell you that many good loyal Democrats in NY think it makes him look weak...like he's afraid to use the words. You don't have to match donald's vitriol - just simply acknowledge the problem which in itself seems to be a problem for many Democrats. Once again, Bill Maher is right.

[X_Digger]

12. Bill Maher: "Please consider me relevant! Please" Nope. n/t

[Gothmog]

14. Maher has been an ass on this issue

I have stopped watching his show due to his Islamaphobia

[mgmaggiemg]

18. agree ;) good choice

[mgmaggiemg]

17. I appreciate your post

however I disagree...there are 7 to 8 mil american muslims...that are not going to be voting for trump...he just tossed away the jewish vote today btw....and the female vote, and the hispanic vote and the black vote....I am sure you get the picture.

[ericson00]

19. how did Trump "[toss] away

the Jewish vote today?" The controversial comments at the RJC happened 2 months ago; and while no one thinks the GOP will win the Jewish vote outright, they could continue to pick more of it up as occurred in 2012-Obama lost 10% of his Jewish vote that he had gotten in 2008. More could occur if Dems appear soft on a kind of extremism (Islamic extremism) which sees Jews as public enemy #1.

And of course, the broader electorate is also closer to Trump on Islamic Terrorism than Dem pols are being at this point.

[mgmaggiemg]

20. there WAS

an organization called rabbis for Trump...but trump just told them he didn't need their votes today...basically told them to eff off...I am as you can imagine laughing my azz off...

[pampango]

21. So a Democrat will lose if he or she does not say "radical Islamic terrorism" but will win if they

do utter those words? That makes our campaign strategy pretty simple.

The republican-created litmus test of saying the words "radical Islamic terrorism" (which they repeat constantly - I wonder why) is an easy one to meet. Democrats know it exists and have done a good job of protecting a large, diverse country from it (unlike some actual republicans who talk tough but see thousands die while tall buildings collapse from 'radical Islamic terrorism'). I only hope that Democrats do not repeat it constantly in the hopes of creating fear of all Muslims then use that fear to win an election. That is a little too 'republican' for my taste.

I absolutely don't believe that we should ban all Muslims coming into this country. One, we need Muslims in the fight against Islamic terrorism. Two, it's not American. It's just un-American to do that, and it sacrifices who we are, and we can't do that. But let's not kid ourselves: A certain percentage of them will be radicalized. The more Muslims in your country, the more that is a possibility.

Most liberals would agree with all of that. Trump and his supporters, not being liberals, would disagree with most of it.

Republicans would rather use the tiny minority of Muslim immigrants/refugees who become terrorists to scare American voters - the same thing they do with "Mexicans are rapists and drug dealers" and a host of other foreigner and minority group stereotypes. Their tried-and-true tactic - find a group of 'others' (foreigners usually but also a minority group in the US) - emphasize the worst of them, use them to whip up fear, promise to 'protect' the majority group from these 'others' by banning, bombing or building walls - voila!. You've won the election and can cut taxes for the rich. Fear sells!

[Odin2005]

23. Maher is a notorious Islamophobe.

[leftynyc]

24. Maher trashes all religions

Liberals only give a shit when he trashes Islam.