Bill Maher vs the politically-correct Left

So I was perusing the ole Facebook wall and stumbled upon a post about Bill Maher. 

Normally I suffer bouts of dyspepsia when I see a Bill Maher post because it usually has something to do with something Sarah Palin said, which causes Maher conjure up yet another predictable Palin joke that Jon Stewart will later recycle.  Alas, this Bill Maher post was different.

Maher begins his monologue by saying, “And finally, New Rule: the Pennsylvania teenager who faces up to two years in jail for disrespecting this statue of Jesus must show us he’s really got balls and try it with a statue of Mohammad.”

What was the audience’s natural reaction?  “Oohs!” 

Maher quickly put a cap on faux outrage by saying, “Oh don’t f!cking start with me, ’cause it’s going to get worse right now.” 

Maher’s aim with this monologue was to attack the institution of political correctness and how the Left is susceptible to defending, excusing, or morally equivocating Radical Islam with other religious extremists and past U.S atrocities.  Whether he is aware of this or not, the very people who exhibit this type of political correctness are the people in his audience! 

Even Maher is aware of the political correct bent of his audience by saying, “Now folks, I know, as difficult as it is to face this issue, it is important for us as Americans to remember what we stand for.”  

Why is this such a difficult issue for Maher’s audience?  For moderates, conservatives and some libertarians, this does not seem like an incredibly difficult dilemma; it’s radical Islam versus Liberty.  In the face of annihilation, the arguments between Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life; Capitalism vs. Social Democracy; Private Healthcare vs. Government Provided Healthcare are quite moot.  Radical Islam will behead anyone of any ideology.  Are you gay?  Beheaded.  Are you Christian? Beheaded.  Are you an Atheist?  Beheaded.  Free contraception for women?  Raped and then beheaded.  Pro-Choice?  Beheaded.  Divorced?  Stoned.  Equality?  Beheaded.  NRA member?  Confiscate and behead.  Free speech?  Beheaded.  

Lately Maher has been catching flack from his liberal brethren who are have fetishized the notion of multiculturalism.  In another episode, Maher attacked political correctness by saying how disingenuous it is to equivocate Christianity and Islam by staying that both have their fair share of extremists.

“You know what, yeah, yeah,” Maher said. “You know what — that’s liberal bullsh!t right there … they’re not as dangerous. I mean there’s only one faith, for example, that kills you or wants to kill you if you draw a bad cartoon of the prophet. There’s only one faith that kills you or wants to kill you if you renounce the faith. An ex-Muslim is a very dangerous thing. Talk to Salman Rushdie after the show about Christian versus Islam. So you know, I’m just saying let’s keep it real.”

Levin referenced outspoken Islam critic Pamela Geller as an example to refute Maher’s claim. But, Maher argued there was no comparison and denied he was Islamophobic.

“I am not an Islamophobe,” Maher replied. “I am a truth lover. All religious are not alike. As many people have pointed out — ‘The Book of Mormon,’ did you see the show? … OK, can you imagine if they did ‘The Book of Islam?’ Could they do that? There’s only one religion that threatens violence and carries it out for things like that. Could they do “The Book of Islam” on Broadway?”

Levin said “possibly so,” to which Maher seem dismiss his entire argument going forward.

“You’re wrong about that and you’re wrong about your facts,” Maher said. “Now, obviously, most Muslim people are not terrorists. But ask most Muslim people in the world, if you insult the prophet, do you have what’s coming to you? It’s more than just a fringe element.”

Another example of the Left’s (And Maher’s audience) inclination to equivocate on the issue of Radical Islam is on the very website that postedBill Maher’s transcript- Daily Kos.  For those that aren’t aware of this website, the Daily Kos is a very popular liberal site.  Before posting the transcript of Bill Maher’s, the author of the piece, BruinKid said, “Last night, Bill Maher delivered what is sure to be a very controversial final New Rule that will surely upset quite a few people here.”  Again, why are Bill Maher’s statements going to upset “quite a few people” on the Daily Kos?

Unfortunately, Maher might be a little late in the game at addressing the Left’s tardiness in confronting Radical Islam, for this is a battle that the late Christopher Hitchens fought ever since horrific events of September 11, 2001

Christopher Hitchens, like Bill Maher was a progressive liberal who was a vocal critic of religion and was one of Radical Islam’s most vocal enemies.  He too was confounded at the Left’s failure to confront an ideology that is so diametrically opposed to leftist ideology and he found himself at odds with many of his ideological comrades.  He never backed down to confront the Left’s utter failure to recognize the threat that Radical Islam poses. 

We are now starting to see the type of political correctness Mark Steyn warned us about.  He said that political correctness always starts on the fringes of society but is never content to stay there.  Political correctness will eventually work its way inward.  First it targets and shames speech that everyone doesn’t like, then it starts devouring its masters.  Political correctness has evolved and it’s going after some Liberals with words like Islamophobe and hate-monger.  And soon, even the Left will be pondering the words of pastor Martin Niemöller:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Thomas Paine said that “He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”  This the type of political correctness that Maher is trying to confront and the Left has not stood up for its liberal principles and guarded its enemies from oppression.  Maher is correct when he says that Americans go apoplectic when a Christian baker refuses to make a gay wedding cake but are utterly silent when a homosexual is executed in an Islamic country.  

In order for liberals to live in the world they so desire, they have reject political correctness, de-idolize multiculturalism and start standing up the principles they claim to believe in.  This means that they are going to have to protect their political and ideological opponents.  As someone who stands for Liberty and is also an Evangelical Christian, I will never call for Bill Maher to be fired for slandering the Christian faith.  He has a right to say what he wants.  I have a right to not watch his show.  We both win.  That’s how Liberty works.  A lot is at stake if we allow political correctness to cloud our judgement.  Progressive Liberals like Bill Maher see this but, unfortunately, political correctness has rendered many on the Left impotent to fight against their own destruction.