Cal Thomas, a purveyor of hate in religious disguise
Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, writing in the Washington Times, today offers an ugly, despicable attack on all Muslim Americans, whom he accuses of “the undermining of this nation from within … through deception, putting on a peaceful face while subtly plotting ways to bring America down.”
As his sole piece of evidence, Thomas cites statements at a public prayer rally of Muslim Americans in Washington, at which a Brooklyn imam lauded American freedom, telling the crowd that “What we’ve done today, you couldn’t do in any Muslim country. If you prayed on the palace lawn there, they’d lock you up.”
But on Facebook, Thomas points out, that same imam has written that “Democracy is not revelation, and democracy does not equal freedom, for in democracy you have apartheid, you have slavery, you have homosexuality, you have lesbianism, you have gambling, you have all of the vices that are against the spirit of truth; so no we don’t want to democratize Islam, we want to Islamize democracy.”
To Thomas, an evangelical Christian, this statement constitutes proof that the imam in particular and Muslim Americans in general are trying to destroy America from the inside, using terrorism as a weapon. Yet the truth is that on an almost daily basis, socially conservative Christian leaders employ almost identical rhetoric as the socially conservative imam.
They too decry the excesses of American freedom that lead to tolerance of gays and other perceived vices — the difference is that in their case, they seek to “Christianize” rather than “Islamize” democracy.
Thomas of course sees nothing dangerous or wrong with that at all. (For the record, neither do I. I disagree with them, but they have every right to say those things and in no way endanger our country by doing so. The same is true of the imam.)
“Are we being infiltrated and surrounded by people who want us dead and our country destroyed?” Thomas asks in his column, raising a question that he lacks the guts to answer. “Try a little experiment: Google “Islam near” and then type in the name of any city or town. When I tried the small town of Bryn Mawr, Pa., outside Philadelphia, 10 Islamic-related sites came up. In larger cities, there are as many, or more. Deception is part of the terrorists’ battle strategy.”
So the presence of Islamic related sites is evidence of a terror conspiracy? What Thomas seeks is the marginalization and rejection of Muslim Americans, the very process that in European countries has made their Muslim communities more prone to radicalization. He seeks to create the very thing he claims to despise.
It’s useful to recall that after the fall of communism, this very same Thomas called for a “cultural war crimes tribunal” in which many of his fellow Americans would be forced to answer for their opinions. At those trials, he wrote, “people from academia, the media, government and the clergy who were wrong in their assessment of communism would be forced to confront their mistakes.”
Sounds just like democracy, doesn’t it?
In 2003, this stalwart defender of democracy again called for a domestic war crimes tribunal, this time to bring to account “scores of false media prophets who predicted disaster should the U.S. military confront and seek to oust the murderous regime of Saddam Hussein.” This was in those short heady “Mission Accomplished” days right after the invasion of Iraq, before most Americans truly understood that we were not being greeted with roses and chocolate.
“The purpose of a cultural war crimes tribunal would be to remind the public of journalism’s many mistakes, as well as the errors of certain politicians and retired generals, and allow it to properly judge their words the next time they feel the urge to prophesy…,” Thomas wrote. “All of the printed and voiced prophecies should be saved in an archive. When these false prophets again appear, they can be reminded of the error of their previous ways and at least be offered an opportunity to recant and repent.”
The mindset of people such as Cal Thomas is far more undemocratic and dangerous than that of most of the Muslim Americans whom he seeks to smear.
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390 comments Add your comment
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
September 29th, 2009
11:50 am
we want to Islamize democracy.”
Which translated into the reality in Iran means killing homosexuals and stoning women to death.
Deny that, bookman.
Why are you taking the side of the murderous thugs?
stands for decibels
September 29th, 2009
11:52 am
Given that Cal is the same guy who wrote glowingly of the racist Frog Jean-Marie lePen, none of this surprises me.
Matilda
September 29th, 2009
11:52 am
Wow. Good piece, Mr. Bookman! What a terrific reminder that our first ammendment rights come with a price: tolerance of those with whom we disagree. I also agree that the religio-fundies of different religions are more alike than they are different. Let them say what they will, and let us all think critically and objectively about what we hear.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
September 29th, 2009
11:56 am
Drawing on his family’s violent past, the Democratic congressman (Patrick Kennedy) told roughly 75 people gathered at a private health-care forum Saturday morning that opponents of Democrat-backed health-care legislation had gone too far. He cited, as an example, 10,000 signs distributed at a recent Washington protest that read, “Bury ObamaCare with Kennedy.”
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Swimmer dead already at the time?
Would have been kinda hard to kill him, don’t you think.
Maybe if Patrick wasn’t wasted….
Doggone/GA
September 29th, 2009
11:57 am
Whiner…plagiarizing the writings of someone else again, I see.
N.J.
September 29th, 2009
11:59 am
There is a station in Israel, called “Israel National News” where Cal Thomas is virtually worshiped as the partner of Hashem. This is a station that virtually calls for the genocide of Palestinians.
Thomas is a nut. Its a shame they do not lock him up under the various state laws that allow the insane to be held against their own will.
stands for decibels
September 29th, 2009
12:01 pm
This is a station that virtually calls for the genocide of Palestinians.
Interesting, but how is that any different from most of the AM talk radio stations here in the States?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
September 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
duhgone- Do you have a need to be heard, regardless of how ridiculous you appear?
joe matarotz
September 29th, 2009
12:12 pm
So you disagree with Cal (yawn). Now what?
Jefferson
September 29th, 2009
12:26 pm
Who reads Thomas? I quit after a couple of columns.
Hef
September 29th, 2009
12:29 pm
NJ & SFD – Maybe a point/counter point show ala SNL with Ackroyd & Curtain would better help explain main points between Palestinians & Israeli’s.
Mrs. Godzilla
September 29th, 2009
12:30 pm
Cal Thomas……one great big sign!
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
WTF do you expect?
Yet another gutless, little never-served, never-will, Republican fraud conservative and chickenhawk.
A repulsive xenophobe who advocates ethnic cleansing.
A never-done-anything-of-honor coward and the repugnant public face for the reason why the conned keep getting annihilated at the polls.
And for that reason I love his work…
@@
September 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
they seek to “Christianize” rather than “Islamize” democracy.
Thomas of course sees nothing dangerous or wrong with that at all. (For the record, neither do I. I disagree with them, but they have every right to say those things and in no way endanger our country by doing so. The same is true of the imam.)
The mindset of people such as Cal Thomas is far more undemocratic and dangerous than that of most of the Muslim Americans whom he seeks to smear.
So which is it, jay? You don’t or you do?
Something leftists have in common with muslim extremists. Capitalism is at the root of all evil. I’m fairly certain Thomas disagrees with them on that one.
stands for decibels
September 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
NJ & SFD – Maybe a point/counter point show ala SNL with Ackroyd & Curtain would better help explain main points between Palestinians & Israeli’s.
“Mahmoud, you ignorant slut.”
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
“Whiner…plagiarizing the writings of someone else again, I see.”
Yeah and where’s the blog Nazi, @@, to bust him for doing the Joe Biden?
Oh yeah, that’s right she excuses faults like that as well as being an inveterate liar, if they’re one of the Bushconned…
Hef
September 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
SFD-EXACTLY!!!!!
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
Peace in our time Jay!
Normal
September 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
Never heard of him…
stands for decibels
September 29th, 2009
12:38 pm
Why are you taking the side of the murderous thugs?
[...]
So which is it, jay? You don’t or you do?
if y’all are having a hard time thinking up a good xmas present for our @@ and Andy this year, a gift certificate to False Dichotomies R Us is always welcome, I hear.
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
Now that Barry is pulling out of Afghanistan, maybe we can save enough money to buy prayer rugs for the homeless!
Nothing is Free
September 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
That’s right. Christianity and Islam are completely related. Both just as bad.
What an imbecile. And then the local dims jump in saying how tolerant we need to be of islam while Christians are openly slammed on this blog almost daily.
How do they do it? How does the media convince people that Islam is good and just misunderstood but with all the good that Christians do, they are actually just a front for a hate group.
A year ago, this same media convinced the left that War in Iraq was very, very bad. but war in Afghanistan was very very good. How’s that working out now?
And the most stunning thing about all of this is that the media can change it’s mind overnight and everyone just goes along like a bunch of bobble headed dogs . . . Yep . . . Keith Oberman said it, must be true, Yep, Yep.
The fact that Bookman is the biggest bobble head is no big surprise.
Someday, a liberal with write down a thought that wasn’t taught to them by the media. It won’t be today . . . but some day.
Normal
September 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
The WZ is Back!!!
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Too bad I wasn’t around earlier this morning to embarrass that Grade A chickenhawk Not Reality Based (NRB).
Where do these yellow lamebrains come up with the stupidity that they do?
I know, I know, it’s rhetorical…
jt
September 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
You will never read about this in any textbook-
The “old-skool” slaves of Georgia (18th and early 19th century) were mostly moslems.
Before Washington DC flexed its central authority muscle, these same slaves were mostly literate, were free to attend schools and practice their religion of Islam. Ben-Ali the Mohammedan of Sapelo Island even owned slaves and was paid a handsome salary to be overseer of said island.
During the war of 1812, Ben-Ali even defended the sacred coast of Georgia against the bloody British. The Brits offered him freedom. He chose to fight for Georgia.
People of faith know who their commen enemy is, no matter what their television or nattering nabobs of negativity tell them.
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
Hello all! Who missed me?
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
“That’s right. Christianity and Islam are completely related. Both just as bad.”
What do you know?! Just when you think the conned are absolutely incapable of learning, Nothing starts coming around!
He is correct. They are just birds of an Abrahamic feather…
Normal
September 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
NIF, I slam all cults that preach narrowminded intolerance of others that don’t think, act, or look like they do. They have the right to speak that hatred and I have the right to turn my back…just sayin’
Hef
September 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
GtW@12:39-To Funny in a Very Sick Way!
Normal
September 29th, 2009
12:45 pm
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
Hello all! Who missed me?
I did! I thought the Orcs got you…:)
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
12:45 pm
jt? do you mean Muslim? How many is mostly? Done read it. In fact only a very few were in fact followers of the mad man from Mecca.
Loyal Order of Hippy Critters
September 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
I am always amazed by the practitioners of faith among us that are so critical of others efforts to be like them under a different name. I was thinking about opening up a clothing store and starting up a line of Christian clothing to counter all those evil garbs worn by followers of other faiths. I think it would be an instant success.
@@
September 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
Yeah and where’s the blog Nazi, @@, to bust him for doing the Joe Biden?
It’s italicized, AmVet.
It almost sounds as though you’re jealous of my preference for Andy’s lighthearted offerings.
Your load is a heavy laden.
Not my problem, dude. Not feelin’ your pain.
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
The Faux Wizard, a non-prodigal son, returns.
How was Mordor?
For my “Christian” brothers and sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNoAbcA1BKc
Bosch
September 29th, 2009
12:50 pm
Religious fundamentalists are all the same, no matter which religion – intolerant, hateful, and convinced their “god” is better, bigger, and stronger, and righter than any of the other “gods.”
AmVet
September 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
Dude?
Speaking of which, I recently saw the Great Lebowski for the first time.
What a hoot…
Mrs. Godzilla
September 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
Bosch
My god can take yours…..and mine’s a girl!
every mothers son
September 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
Jay… Reading the Washington Times can lead to acid reflux, high blood pressure, dizziness, diarrhea, and in some cases impotence; for your own safety please stop reading that rag!
somewhereinga
September 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
I report:
I assume you are Christian. There are Christian ministers out there who preach and ask God for the death of homosexuals every day.
Why are you taking the side of murderous thugs?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 29th, 2009
12:57 pm
How do they do it? How does the media convince people that Islam is good and just misunderstood but with all the good that Christians do, they are actually just a front for a hate group.
Nothing is Free- When you have angry and disheveled hysteritics like AmWet to work with, any brainwashing is possible.
Normal
September 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
MRS G…My G-d’s not a girl, but he does cross dress
Bosch
September 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
Mrs. G.,
Wanna bet? My god is “The Force” in Star Wars………that can beat up any girl.
Taxpayer
September 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
For anyone in need of a laugh.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
There are Christian ministers out there who preach and ask God for the death of homosexuals every day.
Oh Lord, here we go with the Fred Phelps/ Westboro church lunacy again.
They forgot that he is a lib.
Bosch
September 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
every mother’s son,
That sounds like the side effects part of a drug commercial.
Gandalf, the Wise
September 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
God isn’t girl! How very silly!
I was in the Tower of the Evil Wizard, I wasn’t in Mordor. And in some ways the ORC did get me, if you call Jay an ORC.
Normal
September 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
OH and MRS G, I heard a comedian a few years ago explain why G-d couldn’t be a girl. He said if G-d was a girl, then a certain part of mans anatomy would be on his chin instead of below the belt…I didn’t get it…
somewhereinga
September 29th, 2009
1:05 pm
What part of Fred Phelps is “lib”?
Scooter
September 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
Hey Gandalf, long time no see! Leter rip
every mothers son
September 29th, 2009
1:06 pm
bosch….I would say the Washington Times is a drug…A hallucinogen! And the kicker to the drug is you have to drink responsibly, and take in very small doses.