Free Michael Graham?
Well okay, he's not in jail, so I guess that's not really necessary. He did, however, lose his job as a talk show host for comments he made regarding Islam.
I've followed Michael's career for years, ever since he was doing The Usual Suspects in South Carolina where I used to live. He's no stranger to this kind of controversy, having been fired from a gig at Charlotte's WBT following an unfortunate comment made in the wake of the Columbine massacre. Having been down this road before, surely Michael saw this step as a distinct possibility.
Now look, ABC Disney has a perfect right to fire him if that's what they want to do. What disturbs me more than the loss of one man's radio job is a political environment in which a particular religion is immune to criticism, no matter how many atrocities are committed at the hands of its adherents.
Read Michael's column that started the whole thing. It's provocative, sure. Controversial, sure. But its substance is disturbingly difficult to refute. Tired, meaningless PC platitudes about Islam being a "religion of peace" simply don't cut it anymore.
Look, we all know there are many peaceful practicing Muslims who are appalled by what's being done in the name of their religion. But the undeniable fact is that a significant portion of Muslims at least tacitly condone this barbarism, as recent polls have indicated.
I disagree with Graham's assertion that Islam is a "terror organization," but it is a religion that's defiled by a cancer of hatred, a cancer that is growing and metastasizing. The existence of extremist fanatics may not invalidate an entire faith, but we also can't pretend that the religion itself doesn't have a serious problem. And we can't even begin to correct that problem unless and until we can engage in a frank and honest dialogue on the matter. Unfortunately, in today's climate, that doesn't seem possible.
Comments
I think a number of people are starting to come to this conclusion.
I am certainly no authority on Islam but I do have one, admittedly simple-minded, proposal to make: have the clerics debunk the myth about the 70 or 72 vestal virgins awaiting these murderers upon their departure from this Earth.
I mention this as it reared itself again several weeks ago in a news story about a young man who was being inculcated by the masterminds in believeing this. He fortunately got out.
Of course, any kid with half a brain should ask these guys: 'If this is such a great deal, what do you need me for? Why not get yourself killed and enjoy the VVs all by yourself?'
Posted by: mal | July 29, 2005 10:59 AM
I have no idea what the heck is up with the 70 virgins and whatnot, but the head cleric person (I forget the title) for North America announced a fatwa yesterday against terrorism and pronounced that suicide bombings are har'am (sp?), or strictly forbidden by the Koran. I don't think I'd heard before, but apparently other clerics (one in Germany and others elsewhere) have previously made such declarations.
Posted by: K | July 29, 2005 12:04 PM
"... I take no pleasure in saying it. It pains me to think it. I could very well lose my job in talk radio over admitting it. But it is the plain truth:
Islam is a terror organization. .."
WHAT an a-hole.
Glad he's lost whatever semblance of a job he had, but now I can only cringe, since I just know he hasn't lost a JOB, he's been promoted!
He will now be a featured guest on Hannity, Scarborough, O'Reilly, Savage, Levin, Boortz, Gallagher, Limbaugh, and FOX.
Look for his ghost-written book due out this fall from Forum or Regnery, and a lucrative tour throughout the Bible belt for YEARS after.
Honest to God.
Posted by: RockyRacoon | July 30, 2005 07:56 PM
Yeah some people ARE salivating over talks of nuking Mecca if this shit doesn't stop. It makes sense for about 5 minutes. The mind says "look, the facts are plainly there..." It seems like the pragmatic thing to do about a very serious global problem.
It won't work though. I know it. Responses like head-scarf bans and Mecca nukes will only cause more division between the worlds. Remember, Islam is only an idea. We need to work on ridding the world of evil PEOPLE, who have no VALUES, exploiting those who are poor and HOPELESS for their own power and wealth. Attacking their sacred texts just will not be effective in the long term AND will only save our asses temporarily.
Wasn't it here I saw the poll that said most Muslims want democracy? They are seeing now (slowly i guess) that terrorism defeats that goal, and the little people want to work with us in the west. I'm still not sure things are really improving for Israel lately, unfortunately. But we all HAVE to learn to get along with other FUNKY looking people. OK? Don't stare down Muslims cuz you don't trust them, unless they're ACTING really shady, and try not to say "turn it to glass" either. That shit really isn't helping things.
Sorry to go off, and sorry to use the CAPS so much, but thanks Barry, I love Cynical Nation.
Posted by: ortho | August 1, 2005 08:25 PM
Sorry but I was wrong. Islam was founded by a 54 year old camel driver who was a pedopohile, terrorist and a common thief.
Posted by: RockyRacoon | January 2, 2007 07:46 AM