It was hard to know whether to laugh or cry over Sean Hannity’s decision to host a debate between anti-Muslim extremist Pamela Geller and radical imam Anjem Choudary.
The laughable part is how crazy the whole thing was. Hannity had no intention of elucidating anything or even informing viewers in any way. His sole purpose was clearly to validate Geller’s hate mongering against Islam. As if this would really work.
Geller is in need of some image rehab. A slew of Fox News conservatives have criticized her anti-Muslim “Draw the Prophet” stunt that nearly triggered a tragedy. Donald Trump announced, on Fox News, that Geller is “an obnoxious blowhard.” Host Neil Cavuto did not object.
The sad thing is that Hannity gave credibility to both guests. I’ve previously discussed Geller’s brand of extremism. Here’s how Media Matters explains Choudary’s:
Choudary is a radical Islamic preacher from the United Kingdom, and has links to Britons who have fought in Syria for the Islamic State. The advocacy group Hope Not Hate has described Choudary as “the single biggest gateway to terrorism in recent British history,” saying he has “facilitated or encouraged” many Muslims to join the anti-Assad militants in Syria. Muslim groups in the United Kingdom have also denounced Choudary. The Muslim Council of Britain called him “a self-serving publicity seeker,” and the Islamic Society of Britain said Choudary “has no legitimacy in the Muslim community.”
Yet Choudary has repeatedly been a guest on the Hannity show.
The laughable part is that Hannity apparently thought everyone would take one look at Choudary - who endorsed capital punishment for blasphemy such as Geller's - and think "Aha! Geller is right about Muslims!" But Geller didn’t exactly come off looking rational. She insisted that her stunt – which could easily have resulted in multiple deaths - “saved lives.”
In fact, Geller knew that her stunt would endanger lives. From The Boston Globe:
Many in Garland objected to the event. Some, including Muslims, said it was blasphemous. Others cited ‘‘public safety’’ concerns.
… ‘‘I expected that people would come to realize how severely the freedom of speech is threatened today, and how much it needs to be defended,’’ she told The (Washington) Post. ‘We were prepared for violence.’’ Her group’s website said ‘‘we know the risks’’ and that the ‘‘exhibit has to be staged.’’
For his part, Hannity was left sputtering like a maniac at a seemingly serene Choudary, “You’re pathetic! …You’re just pathetic! …You’re evil and pathetic!” Hannity cried.
The crazy would have been funnier if there weren’t so much at stake.
The Southern Poverty Law Center noted about the segment, “Ms. Geller and Mr. Choudary represent nothing more than an extreme political fringe. Their divisive behavior is made even worse by the fact that Ms. Geller is now positioning herself to be a defender of free speech, while Mr. Choudary is purporting to speak on behalf of all Muslims.”
This was the third night in a row that Geller has appeared on Hannity. Let’s hope that now that Hannity thinks he has vindicated her honor, Geller slinks back into the black hole she came out of.
Watch it below, from the May 6 Hannity.
“Believe us Richard. The suits do research on their audience. They know what their audience likes and dislikes……
Racism is very profitable for this network."
Indeed it is Antoinette. The suits you speak of (i.e. skinheaded Herr Goebbels II and that ELEPHANT-SIZED Jabba the Ailes) are VERY SIMILAR to the Nazis and their “master race” ideology in 1930s Germany because they make TONS AND TONS OF $$$$ daily by telling their bigoted viewers ONLY WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR — NOT THE TRUTH!
’Nuff said.
We know that Hannocchio would never do it. He is too scared of losing his job.
We know how these cafeteria Catholics operate behind-the-scenes, and we are using their secret playbook against them. What they do is instruct their peons to add a little spice to the stories. Find angles that would play to their bigoted, paranoid audience.
Believe us Richard. The suits do research on their audience. They know what their audience likes and dislikes. Behind-the-scenes they dictate everything from female and male mouthpiece wardrobe and hair to set design.
Racism is very profitable for this network.
I agree that “Christians” don’t go around killing others for there sins like they used too, but that doesn’t change the fact that there holy book actually condemns them for NOT following Gods instructions to kill people for virtually the same things the Koran calls for.
Crazy is crazy no matter which of these two religions they choose.
And if so-called Christians wish to disavow the “old” testament then my advice would be to stop printing it and stop quoting it to put non-Christians down. Simple.
;^)
Hannocchio has issues with Islam. Apparently, his boss, Rupy is friends with Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/saudi-prince-prince-al-waleed-bin-talal-slashes-news-corp-stake-but-says-he-still-backs-rupert-murdoch-20150205-1370qr.html
Rupy gets cozy with the prince
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/15/prince-alwaleed-bin-talal-urged-rebekah-brooks-to-quit
Let’s take a look at the Saudis’ record.
The barbaric beheadings. Bonus photo of women completely covered up.
http://www.newsweek.com/beheadings-saudi-arabia-quickens-pace-321587
There are no women’s rights in Saudi Arabia
http://www.theweek.co.uk/middle-east/60339/eleven-things-women-in-saudi-arabia-cant-do
Saudi women risks arrested while driving
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30602155
The Stop Hannity Express says Pamela Geller and Hannocchio are full of s$%#. These two azz clowns are silent when it comes to Ruthless Rupy and the Prince. This foolish bimbette and Hannocchio are afraid to confront Rupy and his relationship with the prince, whose nation continues to behead its residents, and treat women like dogs. Geller and Hannocchio look the other way. Face time on tv is more important to that bimbette. Hannocchio’s massive salary is more important.
The Express urges the masses to call every radio talk show and inform all conservative masses of this hypocrisy. Tell neighbors, co-workers, masses on the streets.
Use this script.
“I found it hypocritical that the hosts on Fox “News” and Pamela Geller talk about Islam and Sharia Law. Yet, they say nothing about the business relationship of CEO of News Corporation and 21st Century Fox Rupert Murdoch and Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, whose nation has less than stellar record on human rights, especially for women in that country."
NOTE TO NEVER RIGHT HANNITY AND PAMELA GELLER
Hypocrites. You are too afraid to call out Rupy’s relationship with the Saudi prince. He made money off of Fox “News” parent company. He lives the life of luxury while women in Saudi Arabia suffer. But you two frauds look the other way. Your positions with Fox “News” is more important than your “claims” of radical Islam. Geller is a coward who will never confront this business relationship. The prince is laughing all the way to Saudi Arabia.