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The Idiots At HuffingtonPost


By Ali Eteraz
Posted on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 03:12:00 AM EST
Tags: harris, huffington, secularism (all tags)

I save trite insults for trite minds. One such organ belongs to Ariana Huffington. She is emblematic of everything that kept me away from the left; and keeps me still critical of the celebritycentric hollywood leftists. To this day, I religiously avoid her blog. It is a waste of time. I present just one proof.

In October of 2005 she brought Sam Harris, now atheist religion hater extraordinaire, to her blog and let him rant and rave about religious people.

I complained about this before. In the now predictively accurate post Rise of Radical Atheism and Theocon Calumny I wrote passingly, but angrily, about Huffington's decision to publish Harris:

Before I go on, let me just say that Huffington's support of this guy is total hypocrisy in light of the fact that she, and her leftist associates, claim to protect and fight for the minorities and such of this country. If you protect the Muslims, Ariana, why do you give such space to people who feed the anti-Muslim fire?

Now, surprise surprise, we learn via Alternet the Harris' fascist turn is complete:

While keeping the Christian Nation on notice that Harris remains disdainful of "wasting time" on Jesus, he now calls for something of an alliance with the Right against Muslim Arabs and the "head-in-the-sand liberals" he denounced in a recent editorial. "Nonbelievers like myself stand beside you, dumbstruck by the Muslim hordes who chant death to whole nations of the living," he writes.

He goes to say other fascist remarks:

Instead the logic he lays out -- that Islam itself is our enemy -- invites the reader to feel comfort at the deaths of its believers. He writes: "Some propositions are so dangerous that it may even be ethical to kill people for believing them."

Not only that, but he has revealed himself to be a hypocrite on the issue of torture:

Chapter 3 finds him complaining that the medieval Church tortured Jews over phony "blood libel" conspiracies. Then in chapter 6, "A Science of Good & Evil," he devotes several pages to upholding the "judicial torture" of Muslims, a practice for which "reasonable men and women" have come out.

*

"We should say we don't do it," Harris says of torture. "We should say it's reprehensible." And then do it anyway, he says.

And this is the person that Ariana Huffington gave frontpage status to? And she's a leftist? Was it a mistake? Are we going to see an apology? I don't care about Sam Harris. I do care about his Left enablers. I have never given a rat's ass about becoming popular, but its people like Huffington who make me wish I was, so I could wordslap her around.

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Tags: harris, huffington, secularism (all tags) :: Add Tags to this Story
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The Idiots At HuffingtonPost | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 hidden)
some credit(none / 0) (#1)
by Jordan on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 09:46:02 AM EST

While not a fan of Huffington's personal politics, I will credit her of allowing authors that she does not support to express their opinion.

For example, evil-racist-apartheid-colonist-zionazi-hurts-puppies Alan Dershowitz is given space for his column... followed by 400 comments accusing him of being an evil-racist-apartheid-colonist-zionazi who enjoys eating puppies.

Also, its a nice layed out site... makes it easy to read.



That's unfair...(none / 0) (#2)
by thabet on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 10:43:50 AM EST
to evil-lying-racist-apartheid-seeking-colonist-Zionazis-who -hurts-puppies.
--------------------------------
warning: highly corrosive
[ Parent ]




Nobody cares about either of them(none / 0) (#3)
by Irving on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 11:27:03 AM EST
Nobody gives a damn about Huffington or Harris. All you are doing is giving them free publicity.



I am confused(none / 0) (#4)
by steveng on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 02:11:19 PM EST

Since when did Ariana Huffington come to represent the entire American left? Sam Harris is an intolerant fool, but your case for rejecting the American left is painfully weak.

America is a TWO PARTY (Rep, Dem) TWO IDEOLOGY (Cons, liberal) system. It's no surprise to me that in a world where you have only two ways of thinking, that there are going to be hypocrasies and errors made by some of the people in each worldview. But it seems to me that you've in part conceded that it is the American Left which you prefer to the American right, my good friend.

You critisized Harris for suggesting that people make an "alliance" with the right. I don't see him critisizing the right for being "too anti-Muslim." In fact it's clear from this statement that his objection to the American left is that its too tolerant towards Muslims.

So here's the question Eteraz: Are you a "head in the sand" liberal as Harris fears, or are you going to stand against the "Muslim hordes" with Harris on the right?

I think your answer must be obvious...





the religious right's favourite atheist?(none / 0) (#5)
by rusty57 on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 12:50:11 AM EST

Sam Harris often makes the startling accusation that liberal Christians are enablers for the Christian fundamentalists. And here he is doing his part to assist the religious right with their crusade against Islam??   

Harris ought to be paying a little closer attention to the religious extremists in his own backyard who want to declare the United States a "Christian Nation," dismantle public education and attack scientific research that doesn't fit in to their religious worldview like evolution and stem cell research.

He should also be aware that he's siding with religious broadcasters like John Hagee, Pat Robertson, D. James Kennedy etc.etc., who are framing the War In Iraq and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as a endtime war between Christianity and Islam. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  


 





Atheism(none / 0) (#6)
by eagle bomber on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 03:12:33 AM EST

As a liberal atheist, I always thought that monotheism pretty well fits the definition of fascism.

As for killing people for believing in objectionable propostions, well that is just not right.  However, surely it must be accepted that if these people seek to act on those propositions, then killing them <u>may</u> be the only response that is going to stop them.

 





the real idiots(none / 0) (#7)
by bernarda on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 03:41:53 AM EST

They are the ones who believe in imaginary invisible beings and think that these beings have prophets who can communicate with the imaginary beings.

Kids usually give up on Santa Claus at the age of 6-8. But some never grow up and continue to believe in something called a god.

I don't agree with Harris on everything, but his criticism of so-called religious moderates is right on the button. In addition, religions and their believers have never shown any tolerance towards atheists.

Religion and belief are emblematic of what is wrong in the world. Superstition bashing is more necessary than ever.

You would do better to complain about Huffington giving a forum to the ignorant irrational Deepak. 



Huh?(none / 0) (#9)
by Samaha on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 08:26:12 AM EST

"his criticism of so-called religious moderates is right on the button. In addition, religions and their believers have never shown any tolerance towards atheists."

Bernarda - you just posted this to a Muslim community website.  Your comment is still here.  Seems like tolerance to me.

I'm Muslim and half of my friends are atheists, some of my closer friends are athiest.  Who am I to give a flying f*ck if they choose hell as their path (joke, joke, joke, joke - ha ha ha ha). 

Now, in regards to your holier than thou attitude, atheism can be just as bad as any religion.  Atheism tends to house attitudes and personalities of the same type that religious extremism can house.  Just look at some of the views - "my way is the right way".  Ummmmm, Harris makes statements in which it is okay to kill some Muslims.

Clean up your own house, then bitch about ours and quite making blanket statements.



[ Parent ]


real, real idiots(none / 0) (#12)
by rusty57 on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 11:19:44 AM EST

No, the real idiots are the people who fan the flames and cause division.

The criticism of religious moderates was the first thing I found objectionable about Harris's argument. Harris calls liberal Christians enablers for the fundamentalists, who protect their belief system from criticism, and yet at the same time he's calling for moderation in the Muslim World!

Harris should not be writing books and working as an advocate for atheists if he can't form a logically consistent argument on this subject. He is just providing free ammo for Christian nationalists who are looking forward to religious war.

 



[ Parent ]




Women in Islam(none / 0) (#8)
by bernarda on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 04:12:38 AM EST

What is a non-muslim, atheist or not, to think of this attitude towards women?

http://www.ahiida.com/index.php?a=results&subcat=65

With things like this, do you expect us to take Islam seriously?



What attitude towards women?(none / 0) (#10)
by Samaha on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 08:29:23 AM EST

The only person in this case that seems to have an attitude towards women is you.

You seem to be the one telling us what is acceptable dress.



[ Parent ]




A community?(none / 0) (#11)
by bernarda on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 09:57:12 AM EST

Samaha, "a Muslim community website"

Oh, so sorry. I didn't know you had to be Muslim to post.

Can I suppose that you sometimes post to atheist websites without being censored? That is the least of things.

As usual, I find that religious people have difficulty responding to the subject and quite often prefer to respond to a question with  a question.

Why do you believe, if indeed you do, in mythical invisible beings? Beings for whom there is no evidence whatsoever. Kids can believe in Santa Claus because they think they tangible proof by his presents. What has any god ever given anyone?



No, I don't believe you have to be a Muslim to(none / 0) (#13)
by Samaha on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 11:32:46 AM EST

contribute to this website in either diary or comment form.  It is a place where we are encouraged as a community to voice our opinions as Muslims.

The founders/moderators of this site are Muslim and my point is that they allowed your bigoted, offensive, bassackward thought to be left on the page.  The website is called eteraz.org STATES OF ISLAM .

And, actually Bernarda, I have been on atheist sites where I HAVE been censored for reasonable argument and I am sure that you have been on Muslim sites/blogs where you have been sensored as well.

As usualy you find that religious people ..... huh, wha?  You make absolutely no sense with that link you put out.  There is no "attitude towards women" it is a site that sells sportswear for the Muslim woman.  Do you believe that ALL Muslim women are "forced" to wear hijab and that this is some condescending site to make them feel better?

For someone who avoids a lot of points directed towards her in debate and finds that religious people have difficulty in responding to the subject and quite often prefer to respond to a question with a question, I am led to believe that you are highly religious.

So, how come so many questions about god from a religious person?



[ Parent ]
"Swim" wear(none / 0) (#18)
by bernarda on Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 02:17:46 AM EST

Yes, those costumes for women are so practical for swimming aren't they?

"your bigoted, offensive, bassackward thought" Have you ever heard of ad hominem attacks?

"Do you believe that ALL Muslim women are "forced" to wear hijab". Obviously "all" muslim women don't wear hijab, but those that do are forced to.

Strictures on appropriate vestimentary codes are entirely arbitrary and nothing do do with a god's will. If a god wanted people to be covered in a certain way, why didn't it make us that way instead of the way we are?

Another example of the clothing of muslim women.

http://www.sabbah.biz/mt/

Scroll down a little to "photogenic". Also, if you would like to see a few of my opinions on other subjects, look at the posts under "hurricane carter" and "apartheid in israel".

Actually I wouldn't be posting on religion except that I feel this thread was an unwarranted and biased attack on atheism and a particular atheist. So, do you think that only people who agree with the author should be allowed to post? As an atheist, I am defending an atheist position.

Maybe you can remind me what islam says is to be done to apostates? Isn't it about the same thing that god tells the jews to do in the Old Testament, and tells xians to do in the New Testament? 

 



[ Parent ]
Gotta love the ignorant(none / 0) (#21)
by Samaha on Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 07:46:08 AM EST

I've never worn one of those swim suits, so I wouldn't really know if they are practical or not.  Have you worn one?  Would you possibly be more comfortable in one of those at a waterpark with your toddler when bending over to pick that child up?  I think you are nit picking and not even really concerned about the practicality of it.  It's not something you would do, so it's not normal. 

"Obviously "all" muslim women don't wear hijab, but those that do are forced to."

You're kidding me, right?  My daughter wears hijab and believe me she's not "forced" to.  Never!  I don't wear hijab, my mother doesn't wear hijab, my sister doesn't wear hijab.  My daughters won't be forced either way.  She can do whatever she is comfortable with - which is sometimes not wearing hijab as well. 

As for god's will - what do you care, you're an atheist.  These are personal choices of each Muslim woman, your opinion won't be taken over what they believe that god wants from them.  I'm not saying that women are never forced to dress in this fashion and some of it is due to social pressure in oppresive countries, but I would say that the majority of women in the US are not forced to dress in this manner, whether that reasoning be for identity or for god, it doesn't matter - for most it is a choice.

You thought this post was an attack on atheism, so you felt the need to defend an atheist position?   F*ck that shit!  How would you feel if I started defending OBL, because he is a Muslim and I felt the need to defend Islam?

Maybe you can stay on topic?



[ Parent ]






what is your point?(none / 0) (#14)
by rusty57 on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 11:40:47 AM EST

I also believe that religions were created by people trying to comprehend the world around them. Aside from that, I don't think we have anything in common. I've spent most of my life trying to understand what people believe in and why they believe.

For me, this is a life-long venture, and I've had to revise most of my opinions along the way. That's why I am reluctant to condemn other people for their beliefs, as long as they don't interfere with everyone else's enjoyment of life. 

So, why join the piling on against Muslims when much, if not most of the literature condemning them is coming from Christian fundamentalist websites that are deliberately trying to encourage hatred and suspicion.

Finally, any belief system can morph into a fascist movement, even if it's an atheist movement. Chairman Mao killed scores of Tibetans for refusing to renounce Buddhism and the Dalai Lama. Tibet already was a socialist country, but the Chi-Coms still insisted that they convert to Marxism.    



[ Parent ]
Great points rusty(none / 0) (#15)
by Samaha on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 11:58:12 AM EST

In the end, it's all about human nature and survival of the fittest, we can take the religion out, but it doesn't mean that the world's problems would be solved.

 



[ Parent ]




Solution?(none / 0) (#16)
by thabet on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 12:50:36 PM EST

Now that you've located the source of the world's evil in religion, what do you propose as a solution to this problem? One that can be achieved and not merely wished and hoped for by you.

Given that people have died for their beliefs and suffer immense pesecution for them, a few silly comments on a website will not help your point of view one bit.

At least the winner of The Ben Stiller Lookalike Competition had a "solution" to the "problem" he found by advocating mass slaughter.


--------------------------------
warning: highly corrosive
[ Parent ]
~Raising hand~(none / 0) (#17)
by Samaha on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 02:57:52 PM EST

pick me, pick me!

(blurting out answer anyway)

They can:

1.  Make a rational attempt at reasoning our belief in god with us

and when that fails

2. Express their disgust with "you people"

and when that does nothing

3. Form alliances with others that have similar hatred towards "you people" - I highly suspect that Bernarda is conspiring with zionists at this very moment.

and when that fails because not even the zionists that Bernarda hates so much could stomach getting into bed with her (it would have been a puke-o-rama on all accounts)

4. Nuke Mecca



[ Parent ]
Ad hominem is de rigueur(none / 0) (#19)
by bernarda on Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 03:38:42 AM EST
Samaha, "I highly suspect that Bernarda is conspiring with zionists at this very moment.

and when that fails because not even the zionists that Bernarda hates so much could stomach getting into bed with her"

So which is it Samaha, am I with the zionists or against them?

Did you look up my posts at the blog I mentioned earlier? 



[ Parent ]
Bernarda(none / 0) (#20)
by Samaha on Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 07:23:21 AM EST

you can't recognize sarcasm when you see it?

I've seen all your anti-semitic sentiments (without even going to your blog) I've seen you in the www, I expect no better from you in regards to Muslims.  I figured those two little statements would have you running for the tin foil.

Shall I take it that you didn't get all defensive about the Nuke Mecca part that so that's what you believe?

 



[ Parent ]










The Idiots At HuffingtonPost | 21 comments (21 topical, 0 hidden)

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