Now I Get It: What Islam and “Liberal” Leftism Have in Common

Man gives speech with support standing behind him

For years, I have wondered why Obama/Hillary Clinton/Bernie Sanders-supporting “liberal” leftists have been apologists for Islam.

Islam, after all, is the religion that — among other things — subjugates gays, women and anyone who voices an opinion in opposition to the conservative religious authorities.

Yet these same progressive leftists will call you “racist” and intolerant for suggesting that Islam is incompatible with the Constitution of a free country. For evidence of this, look at how presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson is treated by a leftist media, political and academic establishment for recently saying as much.

What does Islam have in common with progressive leftism?

I finally had my “aha” moment when I read the following, about how a representative from the Council on American-Islamic Relations [CAIR] yesterday threw out a reporter from the conservative news website, Breitbart.com:

“He is just one of the hate-mongers,” Hooper said about the Breitbart reporter. The CAIR speaker said he wanted to continue the conversation, but Hooper insisted that the reporter be forced out from the event. “Could you take it outside? We have you to leave. We have to ask him to leave. We have asked him to leave in previous news conferences, so we just ask you to leave, please,” Hooper said.

To clarify: “Yes, I’m throwing you out,” Hooper added.

Breitbart asked Hooper if he would block this reporter from entering a future press event. “If I identify you before you come in, I won’t let you come in,” Hooper replied. “It is as simple as that… it is a private event and we don’t allow in hate-mongers like you,” he added, underlining his legal right to do something widely regarded as unethical, defensive and self-damaging. [breitbart.com 9/22/15]

Nothing reportedly provoked this eviction. It was abruptly announced that Breitbart’s reporter would not be allowed to ask questions during the short question and answer period. The press conference was set up to denounce Carson’s recent statements that he would not support a Muslim candidate for high office, since Islam has openly declared war on America as well as the concept of church-state separation. Incredibly, CAIR claims that Islam does stand for church-state separation.

The advocates of Islam are just like leftist progressives, in the following way: They call you racist and hateful whenever you disagree with them. Mind you, leftists call you these names not only for opposing gay marriage or abortion rights (personally, I do not oppose either of these things); they call you these names for opposing Obama’s agreement with Iran, cuts in defense, tax hikes or socialization of medicine.

When it comes to intolerance for dissension, leftists and advocates of Islam understand each other because — psychologically at least — they are one and the same.

It would be interesting to see what would happen to those socially liberal leftists should Islam ever gain any real ground. What would happen to gay marriage, abortion rights and equal rights for women if we did encourage the election of Muslims to Congress, the presidency and what have you?

The CAIR official who threw out the conservative reporter did so on the grounds of having a “conversation.” Yet it appears that CAIR seeks to have a conversation only on its own terms. A “conversation” — provided you don’t challenge them on any of the fundamentals.

This is also like a leftist progressive. Leftist progressives are always talking about the desirability of having a “conversation” about immigration, socialized medicine, taxes, and the like — provided you don’t challenge their basic terms and policies. The conversation abruptly ends once you ask things like, “Why do we have a welfare state?” or, “By what right does the government nationalize the enterprise of medicine?” and the like.

Notice how the CAIR representative asserts his legal and moral right to throw out whomever he pleases. And he’s absolutely correct; he does have this moral and legal right. But if a Muslim were elected president next year, there would almost certainly be some form of movement towards Sharia (Islamic) law. Would people who disagree with Islam be allowed to eject Muslim government officials from their private meetings or press conferences? Is that the case in Iran today, or other dictatorships established by ISIS? Obviously not.

The loving, warm, friendly and tolerant kind of conversation that advocates of CAIR claim to treasure does not extend past a certain point. The same is true of hard core leftists, particularly the kind who run for president and dominate the Democratic Party, the federal government and much of the media and academic establishment as we know it.

To his credit, Ben Carson has not backed down from his comments giving rise to the outrage of CAIR and others among the politically correct class. Appearing on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” Carson reportedly said he stands by his comments, but added that he also wouldn’t support a Christian who wanted to impose a theocracy.

“We do not put people at the leadership of our country whose faith might interfere with them carrying out the duties of the Constitution,” Carson said. “So if, for instance, you believe in a theocracy, I don’t care if you’re a Christian … and you’re running for president and you want to make this into a theocracy, I’m not going to support you.”

That’s to his credit too. Whatever his flaws or errors in thinking in other respects, at least Ben Carson is willing to acknowledge that theocracy is wrong and bad, and opposed to the Constitution, no matter who’s endorsing it.

Offending Muslims is the least of America’s problems. In fact, militant and violent Muslims would not even be a major issue if America had its fiscal, economic and defense affairs in order.

We’re vulnerable to attacks from advocates of insane ideologies because we’re weak. Strength comes from self-confidence, love of life, and a certainty that one is entitled to live one’s life as a free, independent and sovereign individual. This is the mindset that totalitarians cannot stand. The totalitarian mentality is found everywhere, although Islam and progressive leftism are two of the most influential forces responsible for it at present.

 

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