Muslims Are No Different, or Why Bill Maher’s Blood Libel Is Bigotry

[Oregonian]

12. That is not what Maher said

He said half of Muslims "think it is okay" to kill someone who insults the prophet. He didn't say half of muslims are murderers. He's talking about their philosophy. As in "do you think the penalty should be death for those who insult the holy prophet?" If they answer "yes", they pass the test. It's not about claiming that half of them would seek us out with a knife and slit our throats. You are impugning words that were not there. That's not stereotyping Maher, that's blatant intellectual dishonesty.

Of course the 3rd world is the domain -- relative to the industrialized nations -- of the illiterate, impoverished and uneducated. There are exceptions within the 3rd world, but this is simply fact. I understand that "3rd world" was a Cold War-era term, but its usage today is still applicable, as anyone knows what you're talking about when you mention it. Do you somehow feel that if we come up with a different designation for Pakistan, China, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Burm and Sudan they will all of a sudden have potable water, compulsory education and democracy?

Yes, "interpretation" of the Koran is nice. Similarly, you could "interpret" that God did not repeatedly and indiscriminately wipe out hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in the Old Testament -- and then declare himself almighty, merciful and infallible -- but that wouldn't make it true.