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Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)

37. Reza Aslan is a nice man

Sat Nov 1, 2014, 03:13 AM

Nov 2014

A nice man who happens to gt raked over the coals every time he shows up because people liek maher or Fox news commentators simply can't conceive of a Muslim who isn't killing everyone. So of course he's going to say he doesn't think Maher is a bigot; Aslan wants to avoid a slapfight first because Aslan is a nice guy, and second becuase if he did otherwise, the media would tear him apart for daring to be a Muslim who says "nasty" things about maher. He'd be cast as a frothing Jihadist who wants to "silence criticism of islam."

I'm not Reza aslan. I have no pretensions of being a nice person. And I think Bill Maher should choke on his own self-importance. Beign able to squeeze a giggle out of an audience isn't proof that he has something worth saying - Jeff Dunham manages it too.

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Bill Maher slams Berkeley protesters: Who said you only had to hear what didn�t upset you? [View all] babylonsister Nov 2014 OP

They should let him speak. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #1

He is also not a liberal, but one of those libretarians hollysmom Nov 2014 #3

His two top religious targets are Muslims and Christians. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #4

and frequently an ignorant one. hollysmom Nov 2014 #8

I am glad to see people push back with him. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #11

That is very understanding of you, justin. Like a true Liberal Christian of Cha Nov 2014 #14

Thanks Cha! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #17

A' ole pilikia, Justin~ Cha Nov 2014 #18

I don't like him because of his meanness but also because hollysmom Nov 2014 #21

He's also spewed some ugly misogynist garbage.. whathehell Nov 2014 #55

"I don't like him because of his meanness" Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2014 #128

I have issues with DU - disagree politely. hollysmom Nov 2014 #143

He is myopic in selecting his Skidmore Nov 2014 #79

Agreed! hrmjustin Nov 2014 #81

He has actually read those holy books, which both have hurtful and cruel shit from coved to cover snooper2 Nov 2014 #133

And they also have loving things in them. hrmjustin Nov 2014 #136

No such thing as a libertarian who wants to ban guns Reter Nov 2014 #134

He holds a particular disdain for Islam. MontyPow Nov 2014 #26

OMG. He thinks that Islam is more violent than Christianity? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #85

No sarcasm thingy? Rhinodawg Nov 2014 #116

He's like Christopher Hitchens Scootaloo Nov 2014 #35

This is totally not true oberliner Nov 2014 #48

And he supported killing christians becuase they were christians? Scootaloo Nov 2014 #67

Let him speak after the ceremony. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #51

I would let him speak. bravenak Nov 2014 #2

It is a commencement speech. The graduates just have to sit there and take it. djean111 Nov 2014 #49

I thought the show tonight was great. I think he's wrong if he's blaming all,, or the majority, Hoyt Nov 2014 #5

I thought the lady on his show tonight went way overboard aint_no_life_nowhere Nov 2014 #6

It was something like 60 some percent applegrove Nov 2014 #16

You know if you watch the original exchange between Affleck and Maher he didn't say one thing scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #24

He was critisizing Islam. Just like he applegrove Nov 2014 #29

I always marvel at his selectivity when Skidmore Nov 2014 #82

He was saying no liberal criticizes Islam. Liberal certainly do criticize Israel. applegrove Nov 2014 #95

But 60% of Egyptians do not kill people who leave Islam. Bill was all but equating poll responses merrily Nov 2014 #38

I share yr thoughts and concerns. I also wonder how much Maher is getting truedelphi Nov 2014 #73

Bill is worth well over 20 million bucks.... Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #109

Diane Feinstein is also worth well over 20 million bucks. truedelphi Nov 2014 #124

Starts at 5:10 scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #7

Thank you so much for posting this. LittleGirl Nov 2014 #30

if his speaking fee came out of student fees, they certainly haave a right to have someone hollysmom Nov 2014 #9

The students are the ones who originally chose him. Dr. Strange Nov 2014 #59

to me he has always been a seriously flawed person. hollysmom Nov 2014 #63

we are all seriously flawwed.. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #77

exactly hollysmom Nov 2014 #90

The problem is, which students? kiva Nov 2014 #106

I think the contract is of first importance. hollysmom Nov 2014 #125

Berkeley has already said they won't cancel him. tammywammy Nov 2014 #126

Free speech doesn't mean he's owed a speaking gig. Union Scribe Nov 2014 #10

He's not 'owed' one, but who will be good enough for Berkeley now? nt babylonsister Nov 2014 #15

Maybe someone who has some kind of academic achievement rather than a talkshow host. JVS Nov 2014 #46

That is not the rule for commencement speakers. former9thward Nov 2014 #61

No - the first rule of commencement speaking is... Blue Idaho Nov 2014 #121

+1 Exactly. merrily Nov 2014 #28

Uh, no SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #76

you understand freedom of speech only pertains to the govt right? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #94

And you know that UCBerkeley is a state university and thus part of the gov't, right? n/t Sivafae Nov 2014 #138

not the way meant by freedom of speech... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2014 #142

That's right, Bill ATTACK! I imagine they'll be protesting at his gig, too.. good. Cha Nov 2014 #12

If you only listen to people you agree with, Stonepounder Nov 2014 #13

Don't go? They are supposed to not attend their own graduation? merrily Nov 2014 #32

Nitpick Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #52

Who said Maher had the right not to be protested? Orsino Nov 2014 #83

Seems to me there is a difference between protesting and 'uninviting'. Stonepounder Nov 2014 #89

The protesters are asking those who hired him to cancel the appearance, yes. Orsino Nov 2014 #137

The pro lifers do far more than mere disagreement. They interfere with women's life choices. alp227 Nov 2014 #99

That's the thing about free speech... MoonchildCA Nov 2014 #19

One thing i've learned from DU... Scootaloo Nov 2014 #36

Or Zionists oberliner Nov 2014 #80

Political affiliation is not identity Scootaloo Nov 2014 #96

It's a generation composed of special snowflakes... Oktober Nov 2014 #20

Bill Maher's generation? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #53

Uh huh... Oktober Nov 2014 #57

Haha. Great evasive, broad brush ad hom. alp227 Nov 2014 #100

So make the case... Oktober Nov 2014 #104

Sometimes, differing ideas are far beyond mere disagreement. alp227 Nov 2014 #105

Of course Bill is speaking in favor of equal rights for LGBT people and freedom of religion Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #110

He does while at the same time othering American Muslims. alp227 Nov 2014 #114

They aren't trying to "shut him up" BuelahWitch Nov 2014 #118

"why, I have to look at Muslims every day on the street--even at Nobel awards!" nt MisterP Nov 2014 #22

Berkeley's still got a chance to keep its reputation for "free speech," but not without a fight, ancianita Nov 2014 #23

This has nothing to do with free speech, nothing. Please see Replies 28 and 32. merrily Nov 2014 #33

I appreciate your points about students' views. Thanks. Does the protest represent ancianita Nov 2014 #40

On another thread, I did specify it would, for me, turn on how a merrily Nov 2014 #44

My last commencement was high school; didn't attend my college ones. I read #41. ancianita Nov 2014 #45

As to representing the views of the majority of students... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #54

I'd prefer a majority representation of the graduating class, although a case can be made for ancianita Nov 2014 #58

Berkley has a not so great reputation among Union loving performers, the last non CEO or political Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #113

spot on Bill. Puzzledtraveller Nov 2014 #25

Guess what, Bill. They don't have to listen to you. MontyPow Nov 2014 #27

Maher's abrasive, know-it-all attitude is why people dislike him. Ykcutnek Nov 2014 #31

It's like inviting Gordon Gecko to speak at graduation - it's an insult to the graduates. nt bananas Nov 2014 #43

Bill Maher needs to get over himself and stop acting like a petulant toddler. merrily Nov 2014 #34

Bill Maher = Joy Behar - yes! Though I like Joy. closeupready Nov 2014 #120

Reza Aslan is a nice man Scootaloo Nov 2014 #37

Exactly why Bill Maher welcomes him on the show. That, and Bill Maher makes money from his show merrily Nov 2014 #41

"I have no pretensions of being a nice person" oberliner Nov 2014 #127

offending folks is what he does dembotoz Nov 2014 #39

On his own dime. That doesn't mean anyone has to have him as commencement speaker. merrily Nov 2014 #42

Exactly. This is a commencement speech, it is not about Maher. djean111 Nov 2014 #47

Face it Bill. Boom Sound 416 Nov 2014 #50

IIRC, a student led group extended the initial invitation several months ago... CincyDem Nov 2014 #56

The students did pick him. A small number protested after his episode with Affleck riderinthestorm Nov 2014 #78

From your link, student led group called The Californians picked him BuelahWitch Nov 2014 #123

people that are purposely offensive, get offended when they offend. he needs to suck it up. nt seabeyond Nov 2014 #60

With Bill 100%. True Blue Door Nov 2014 #62

+1 superpatriotman Nov 2014 #65

+2 Throd Nov 2014 #66

+1 PasadenaTrudy Nov 2014 #69

Your post whatchamacallit Nov 2014 #71

Monosyllabic sniping - is that how you make an argument? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #72

Protesting is a big part of civil rights, and people have the right to protest... Violet_Crumble Nov 2014 #75

You have no clue whatsoever how ironic and hypocritical that statement is, do you? True Blue Door Nov 2014 #88

+1000 Rhinodawg Nov 2014 #117

I largely agree with you. Anyone who is actually for human rights would be Marr Nov 2014 #139

Of course, nobody "has to hear" him speak. LWolf Nov 2014 #64

So does Maher realize he is doing the exact same thing he so protests? Rex Nov 2014 #68

Once more, Maher doesn't know squat... joeybee12 Nov 2014 #70

I like Bill, but he needs to learn to be more tactful ecstatic Nov 2014 #74

I agree with Bill! Way too much political correctness with liberals. If you need to know whats the B Calm Nov 2014 #84

"Way too much political correctness with liberals"? Like what? alp227 Nov 2014 #101

Please, please won't someone protect the young impressionable Berkeley students Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #86

Campus statement on commencement speaker antiquie Nov 2014 #87

Sounds like they're doubling down on dumb. ucrdem Nov 2014 #91

Exactly. antiquie Nov 2014 #92

They shouldn't hire political figures to give these speeches LittleBlue Nov 2014 #93

Students make the selection, it is usually a CEO or a political figure Bluenorthwest Nov 2014 #107

The student group that invited Maher disinvited him LittleBlue Nov 2014 #119

Did the students not originally pick him? If they did - oh well. Drunken Irishman Nov 2014 #97

Some ideas are too worthless - not offensive - to be spoken. nt alp227 Nov 2014 #98

I don't think I have ever seen a better example of "Poutrage" Sen. Walter Sobchak Nov 2014 #102

Maher can be brilliant at times, however Voice for Peace Nov 2014 #103

If, say, a right winger had said what Maher said - hedgehog Nov 2014 #108

nope noiretextatique Nov 2014 #112

It amazes me there is one key fact that eludes Maher and the debate in general JonLP24 Nov 2014 #131

they said fuck you, maher: get over it noiretextatique Nov 2014 #111

if an opposing/upsetting opinion can't be heard Nevada Blue Nov 2014 #115

Maher has the right to speak, and the students have the equal right to protest his speech. n/t. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #122

If your answer is to fire someone or to shut them up BubbaFett Nov 2014 #129

The article opens up with the one of the worst and common defenses of a bigot JonLP24 Nov 2014 #130

Here's some more wisdom from good ol' Bill Maher Orrex Nov 2014 #132

Some comments Maher made reminded me of an odd story JonLP24 Nov 2014 #135

I think he's right. leftyladyfrommo Nov 2014 #140

This is what I don't get. tammywammy Nov 2014 #141