I was watching as the shooting unfolded last night on social media. Horrific and no words. This was a massacre that was targeting the LGBT community but its tentacles reach even farther. This is not the first time an attack of this nature has occurred in this country, or in the world, even if the LGBT community has not been so specifically targeted before. The shooter pledged allegiance to ISIS in a 911 call before the shooting and mentioned the Boston Marathon bombing in the call. He was already under investigation by the FBI previous to the shooting for possible ties to Islamic radicalism. Islamic radicalism is a scourge that must be eliminated in every and all ways possible, with strategic diligence. (and yes, all Muslims are not involved in this but it is still a huge issue WORLDWIDE) We have been under notice for some time, that ISIS cells are in this country as they have claimed to be in 17 states, this is their claim. I have no doubt that what they claim may in fact be true. I take ISIS and other Islamic radical groups at their word and have no doubt that they will try to carry out their intentions. Anything else is a denial of reality and frankly a condescension. While the LGBT world has other groups that cast aspersion on us and other individuals that dislike or hate us, this particular attacker has claimed responsibility. Trying to foist responsibility on “all religions” or on white Christians, Republicans or even just guns — is completely wrong. It is a product of Islamic radicalism and a certain horrific and anti-western ideology that committed the Paris attacks, Boston Marathon, 9/11, attacks in Kenya, Nigeria and — many others. The target is not only the LGBT world but freedom.
I mourn for all those killed and injured in this terror.
Portions of Dutch politician and anti-Sharia freedom fighter Geert Wilders speech here, with a hat tip to Urban Infidel …
He states: “A tolerant society is not a suicidal society.”
Part one: (without the intro)
part two:
part three:
And, a portion of a transcript of his speech here:
Most Americans do not want this so-called Cordoba Mosque to be built here. They understand that it is both a provocation and a humiliation. They understand the triumphant narrative of a mosque named after the Great Mosque of Cordoba which was constructed where a Christian cathedral stood before the land was conquered by Islam.
An overwhelming majority of Americans is opposed to building an Islamic cultural center close to Ground Zero. There is no lack of mosques in New York. There are dozens of buildings in which Muslims can pray. It isn’t about a lack of space for prayers.
It’s about the symbolic meaning. We who have come to speak today, object to this mosque project because its promoter and his wealthy sponsors have never suggested building a center to promote tolerance and interfaith understanding where it is really needed: In Mecca – a town where non-Muslims are not even allowed to enter, let alone build churches, synagogues, temples or community centers.
Ordinary Americans object to the mosque project because currently no fewer than ten major multi-million dollar mosque projects are being planned in the United States as well as dozens in Europe, while not a single church is allowed in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while Jews are not even allowed to move their lips in prayer on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, while the oldest Christians in the world, the Copts, are not free to renovate their churches, let alone to build one in Egypt.
My friends, that is why we are here today. What happens in New York must be seen in the perspective of the world.
The events nine years ago made an enormous impact everywhere. Most people shared your pain, but, unfortunately, some did not.
Nine years ago, when the news of the terrible atrocity in New York reached Europe, Muslim youths danced in the streets. In a poll, two thirds of the Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands expressed partial or full understanding for the 9/11 terrorists.
If a mosque were built here on Ground Zero such people would feel triumphant. But we, we will not betray those who died on 9/11.
The full transcript is available here: NYC speech 9/11 Geert Wilders
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Is it any wonder that a well-known Australian Imam, Feiz Muhammad, has called for his beheading? What is more remarkable is that Wilders was put on trial in the Netherlands for “hate speech” and at one time, not allowed into the UK because of this same so-called “hate speech”. I keep saying this, but it cannot be emphasized enough — Americans would do well to heed the warnings of the European response to the ongoing cultural and terrorist Jihad on its soil. Never allow “hate speech” laws to come into existence. This is unlikely here because of our First Amendment, but it is nonetheless the trend on college campuses and elsewhere to restrain or censor politically charged speech, or even ordinary everyday speech, in order to keep groups that are perceived as “victim” groups from offense. This can only lead to a normalizing of speech censorship on political grounds. After that, truth becomes harder to ascertain as debate is squelched. I know I keep bringing this up people, but let’s face it — it is more important to have a society that allows debate and an open exchange of ideas than it is to have a society where no one is ever offended. And, of course, the Feiz Muhammads of the world are made only more powerful when free speech is squelched. Here, about his threat to Gilders:
The Freedom Party led by Mr Wilders scored the biggest gains in June 9 polls and is currently negotiating to form a new minority government with the Liberals and Christian Democrats. Polls show Wilders would win a new election if one were called now.
I’m spreading the word here on the huge rally in NYC that is getting very little coverage in the media – the FDI – SIOA Ground Zero Rally that drew an extraordinary estimated 40,000 people. They were of all political stripes and represented both parties, and a wide swathe of the races and religions of the USA. There were also family members of 9/11 victims. Organized by the irrepressible author and blogger Pamela Geller of “Atlas Shrugs” and here, her coverage from her blog: America Speaks! Historic 9/11 Rally draws 40,000
Geert Wilders spoke and US Ambassador John Bolton, as well as Joseph Nasralla who spoke passionately of his love for America and about the persecution of Coptic Christians by Muslims in Egypt.
Wilders said: “Did New York deserve this? Did America deserve this? Did the West deserve this? What, my friends, would you say to people who argue that New York, that America, that the West had itself to blame for those horrible sounds?
There are people in this city who argue this. And they are angry because we are gathered here today to commemorate, to make a stand, to draw the line. My friends, I have come from the other side of the Atlantic to share your grief for those who died here nine years ago. I have not forgotten how I felt that day.”
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Most unfortunately, the Imam who is pushing for the GZ Mosque/community center does believe and has stated that the USA is to blame for the attacks. A man who voted for Obama comments to great effect:
“I campaigned for Obama in 2008 in DC and VA, so I am not Pamela Geller’s natural audience, to say the least. And I actually supported this mosque – loudly – when I first heard about it. But the more I learned, the more I have read, the more I realized I was simply wrong.
To have planned its opening for 9/11/2011, even as an initial draft, shocks the conscience. While some have characterized Abdul-Rauf as pro-American, if he blames the U.S. in part as an accessory for 9/11 and has not repudiated the comment, it’s for shame. It would be nice if Islam were like the Bahai faith that it persecutes – non-proselytizing, pro-equality, pro-peace, pro-science. But it’s the opposite of these things. And naming it after an Islamic conquest in Christian Europe – well in poker we call that a tell. Reading selections of ibn Warraq’s Why I Am Not a Muslim was also instructive.
I don’t know if I agree with all of Geert Wilders’ agenda – banning books and taxing burkas seems a bit silly and bizarre. But his basic point – that Islam has a predatory character and seeks conquest or at least jurisdiction over the planet, and is a hazard to Enlightenment values – would get him my vote. Even 8 weeks ago, I’d have dismissed Pamela Geller as a nut. Now I want to buy her book. If this means I don’t get invited to any cocktail parties on the Upper West Side for the rest of my life, fine; beer and a shot in East Baltimore work for me.”
(note from Pamela on Wilders) For the record, Wilders call to ban the qu’ran has to be understood in the context of Dutch law which does ban books. Wilders said if Mein Kamf is banned, the qu’ran should be too. It was a call for a consistent application of existing Dutch law.
While here in the Bay Area there are marches and vigils for interfaith tolerance and “love”, the simple fact is that radical Islam has no such love and tolerance and never will. The Islam that wishes to destroy this country and the west is not tolerant and views “tolerance” as weakness and vulnerability, as a bully would. While there are certainly many moderate Muslims and some of these were even present at the rally in NY, a Radical Islam is still at war with the west and with the United States. I am afraid that many of the people here who marched for peace and tolerance are naive. There can only be victory over tyrannical ideologies and never tolerance.
Liberty Wolf 