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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBigoted Bill Maher supports 14 year old being arrested for building a clock
The man can't see beyond his own hatred for muslims. Disgusting.
cpwm17
(3,829 posts)applegrove
(118,456 posts)about his clock. Only then did they report it to authorities. Of course it was a mistake. Maher's point was that it was a mistake. I'm glad the kid is getting a lot of attention for his talents in the end.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)something like since he was a muslim he understood WHY people would feel it was a bomb. Said he had gone to several classes and other teachers weren't upset, but then one was.
But what bothered me about the whole thing is that he seemed to not understand he was a kid and didn't seem to factor in that he "might" cause the concern. Given where he lives and the town where that lady staged her meeting was only a few miles away. Still, I DON'T agree with him even if he felt he had a valid point. I was offended that he just kept going on about it and that he made such a big deal about it. HE seemed to be the one who felt a need to raise just another Muslim issue in a negative way.
Over all the show sucked in total! And Tweety is such jerk! Not sure but I thought he even said something about talking about HIS book! I may be completely wrong, he could have said something else.
I stopped watching MSNBC except every once in a while Chris & Rachel. Rachel had a great i interview with Bernie and the with Reichart about Vets. Only time I watch them any more.
Wonder how many ppl were as turned off about his show last night as I was.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)justify bigotry against muslims.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)of my previous statement, but that he even "went there" was tasteless and VERY offensive. And I can't disagree that it seemed very bigoted too!
So basically, we BOTH disliked it! A lot!
Baitball Blogger
(46,672 posts)He does have an arrogant side (read racist). When they started profiling dark-skin people at the airports, he supported that too. He thinks its logical that they only target the people that fit the description of terrorist, which means that he was fine with the Civil Rights encroachments as long as they were not imposed on him, because he's white.
I think he's more Libertarian than Liberal.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)terrorist in the USA. But they don't call them that because they're white. And Christian.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)quite what he said. He said he shouldn't have been arrested and should receive an apology. He then questioned if it was a completely ridiculous concern.
Baitball Blogger
(46,672 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)yet. Google it later.
Baitball Blogger
(46,672 posts)One of the 99
(2,280 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)thinking of Timothy McVeigh an all the shootings done by white kids, in this particular case that does not make me so sure.
It's the school environment here, rather than being Muslim. These stories cut across all races.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)to that of a 14 year old science geek? Are there any examples of a white kid being arrested for bringing a clock to school?
treestar
(82,383 posts)I'm talking about the general environment in schools today. Where they get upset if a kid brings in a knife, etc. Because of the number of school shootings. The point is that schools are on high alert due to these things. Sure not every case turns out to be a disaster, but when it does they are blamed for not seeing it coming and preventing it. Thus they are on high alert and get a lot of concerns that turn out to be for nothing.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Please show an example of a white kid being interrogated for 3 hours without his parents or a lawyer being present, arrested and then suspended for 3 days for bring a clock to school.
treestar
(82,383 posts)One of the 99
(2,280 posts)white kids are not arrested for bringing a clock to school.
treestar
(82,383 posts)What universe of kids are you comparing? Name all the other kids who brought clocks to school and their races, please. And while at it, to make it accurate, don't count white kids who brought ordinary looking clocks to school. That would not be the same, and you insist on only the exact same scenario to be compared.
Given that, you can't claim it's because of being Muslim and there is no other case to compare it to. Name one other kid of any race who did the exact same thing. You're the one claiming it has to be exact.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)The kid brought a clock to schools and was arrested & suspended for it. Unless you can cite an example of the same thing happening to a white kid you have no argument.
B2G
(9,766 posts)onecaliberal
(32,763 posts)Or fashioned ones anyway... We have robotics teams here, 40% white. No one has been arrested.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Thats treestars point.
Here's a kid suspended for a year because of a leaf!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027180308
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Marijuana is an illegal substance, a clock it not.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)The teachers didn't quite know what it was so they jumped to the worst ASSumption, just like Ahmed's teachers where they couldn't quite make out what his device was
But feel free to continue along the lines of ignorance and willful blindness. You're not doing yourself any favors and are, instead, proving Maher's and others' point.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)True they made a bad assumption but marijuana is an illegal substance, a clock is not. If Ahmed's teachers or the police really thought it was a bomb, why didn't they evacuate the school and call in the bomb squad?
And you're the one that is continuing along the line of ignorance and willful blindness of bigotry and prejudice, not me.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)16 yr old white boy arrested and suspended for writing he was going to kill his neighbors pet dinosaur...
There are plenty of these types of stories from kids suspended for wearing American flag shirts to Native Americans suspended for speaking their native language in school.
If you don't think schools aren't hyper sensitive and knee jerk about the stupidest stuff, then you haven't been paying attention. There's a lot of spilt ink documenting how schools have gone so far overboard the other way in arresting and suspending students over the stupidest of infractions including temper tantrums by toddlers!
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Threatening violence is different from bringing a clock to school.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)where the only thing "threatened" was the neighbors fictitious pet dinosaur...
Now you're just trolling.
Lol, good luck with that.
I actually feel sorry for you, all dug in there.... Feel free to continue on without me. It's amusing to watch from the stands from here on out...
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Or didn't you read what he wrote.
Not trolling but disputing BS. Which must be why you're leaving, since you can't make a real case that arresting a 14 year old for a clock is somehow reasonable.
WillowTree
(5,325 posts).......who got suspended for chewing his pop tart into the shape of a gun. No wires or circuitry or anything that could even remotely be used to actually do anyone harm.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)A gun is a weapon, a clock it not.
WillowTree
(5,325 posts)And the shape that it was chewed into didn't look that much like a gun. No one would ever have mistaken it for anything but a pop tart. OTOH, I'd be surprised if you could find a picture of another clock that looks anything like the one in question.
But hey, the fact that a little white kid got punished for something so totally innocuous doesn't fit into your story line makes it TOTALLY different.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)It still amazes me that some here, on what is supposed to be a progressive site, are defending bigotry and prejudice.
dogman
(6,073 posts)Maher proposed that it was reasonable to suspect a bomb because the boy was a Muslim. If anyone suspected it was a bomb they would have called a bomb squad and evacuated the school. Cuban seemed to imply there were other motives behind the story. The odd thing there is that the officials acted the way they did with no direction by his sister.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)loved to ask him (Maher) why they didn't evacuate the school or call the bomb squad if they truly thought it was a bomb. I can't agree with him on this one.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Why because the kid was muslim?
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)was part of it, too.
mainer
(12,017 posts)Oh wait, they don't count. They were Christian.
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)I guess he was trying to a point somewhere??
I didn't buy it.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)He's not an elected official, he's not a party leader, he's not even a bureaucrat.
He's an entertainer, ok? He makes money when you watch his show, ok? He can say inflammatory things in order to help drive viewers into watching what he actually said.
He's not entertaining, IMO, but he is a joke.
840high
(17,196 posts)One of the 99
(2,280 posts)on this issue.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)He gets to be on TV like that for some reason though.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)Chitown Kev
(2,197 posts)Cuban, at least, was reasonable in saying the Ahmed could have been more forthcoming but Maher attempted to tie in in with 9/11, etc. and...
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)davidn3600
(6,342 posts)He's not running for any political office. He's not even technically a media personality. He's an entertainer.
And in any case, we all have the freedom of speech in this country.
You can disagree with him. But he has a right to his opinions.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Orrex
(63,166 posts)DU embraces him like a bold champion of truth when it suits DU's purpose, and when he reveals his ugliness and bigotry DU says "he's just an entertainer."
You can disagree with him. But he has a right to his opinions.
Did I deny him that right? Of course not. Spare me the sermon.
fredamae
(4,458 posts)Darb
(2,807 posts)then can you somehow explain why so many of us are pissed off at radical Islam and the havoc they are causing worldwide? Am I just a bigot because I despise ISIS and the shit they are doing? Boko Haram? Just looking for some type of explanation as to why it is sooooo upsetting to say that Muslim radicals blow shit up and do not abide by any sense of order, or democracy, or standard, civil society to express their grievances?
How many fundamentalist, Islamic groups are brutally killing thousands of people under the guise that they are entitled to do it by their belief system?
Quit pretending it is not happening. And don't fall back on "well, so and so does it too". I am against all that violent shit, by any group, or any government, or any individual.
There is no other religion, or cause, or movement that is wreaking so much havoc and well intentioned folks seem to want to pretend it is not happening and pile on Bill Maher because he is pissed off about it?
We all need to own reality in all its shades of grey and all of its intricacies, including those that are pretending that radical Islam is not a problem.
Orrex
(63,166 posts)One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Only of you overlook the crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the bombing of abortion clinics, etc.
No. But when you use their actions to justify the arrest of a 14 year old who made a clock just because he happens to be the same religion, then you are.
treestar
(82,383 posts)they don't get a pass because of past history of others.
It doesn't justify the kid's arrest. IMO a white or other kid would have met the same fate in that school in today's environment. There have been plenty of white school shooters.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Show an example of a white kid getting arrested for bringing a clock to school.
treestar
(82,383 posts)haven't there been various news reports of various races of kids being called in or even arrested, or being expelled for bringing knives, etc? There have been several school shootings. Thus the general environment is to look askance at anything unusual. It will cause many false alarms. Here was one. There are going to be far more false alarms then real ones. But when a real one happens, what does everybody say first? How come no one saw this coming and intervened to prevent it.
This was just a false alarm, and yes it could have happened to a white or black kid who did the same thing. They were not deliberately trying to bother him for being a Muslim. Or at least there is no proof of that and the way DUers are assuming it without basis.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)There's a big difference. Again either you're painfully naïve or in denial.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Not everything involving a Muslim involves bigotry. I'd say you are thinking in black and white terms and claiming nothing adverse that ever happens to a minority is something that just happened. And denying that teachers today are going to be very vigilant, given the violence that has happened din schools in recent history. It's like you are pretending that does not happen and is no worry whatsoever so you can enjoy feeling superior to these teachers as they must have done it only because the kid is Muslim.
White kids have gotten in trouble for incredibly petty things that happened in schools.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)But not for bringing a clock to school: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/16/1421901/-Gawker-tells-us-about-seven-other-kids-not-named-Mohammed-who-brought-homemade-clocks-to-school#
The2ndWheel
(7,947 posts)since Mohamed's clock was not a science project. Then even one of those projects did become of interest to authorities. It's not a good list for comparing and contrasting.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Only 3, so it is a fair list to compare.
The2ndWheel
(7,947 posts)If 6 of the 7 are projects, and you've gone out of your way to compare official projects to what some kid did for 20 minutes at home in order to make a larger point about how him being a Muslim is what caused all this, even the remaining example is probably a science project of some kind.
It's just not a good list. Even if 4 of the 7 weren't projects, then don't include the other 3 that are, because that's a different set of circumstances. 7 sounds better, or worse, than 4 though, so, I guess throw them in there.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)that the 14 year old being a Muslim was a cause for all this, how sad for you.
WiffenPoof
(2,404 posts)In no way does it look like a clock in any traditional way. If it was round and had hands, then I'm sure that no one would have said anything.
friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)melman
(7,681 posts)The Spanish Inquisition! How do you even type it with a straight face?
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)It's all the US's fault!
I think no matter what the US has done, there are other ways for those upset about it to complain, discuss it, call for the US to remove troops, etc. There is no excuse for these groups doing what they are doing.
OBL wanted our troops out of S.A. S.A. didn't. Too bad for him - there were other ways to deal with it.
uponit7771
(90,301 posts)craigmatic
(4,510 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)oppose that. In fact you should be joining us in opposing that crap. To pretend that entire countries executing entire groups of people should not be mentioned by the groups being murdered is offensive.
How many dead gay people do you feel entitled to prior to any complains being lodged by the LGBT community?
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)it. You are demanding that persons who are denigrated and executed by a religious group must never, ever object to that denigration or public lashings of members of our community.
Why do you believe religion has the right to misuse others while being protected from any form of criticism at anytime? Why is it that religion can oppress minority groups but you claim the bigots are those who tell them to stop oppressing minority groups?
You don't control or own LGBT or anyone else. Learn to live with it. Being a bully won't help you.
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)Sorry your people are oppressed that is wrong but so is this now let's see you say the same.
Ashdric
(29 posts)Could it be that you made this up?
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)And why would I made this up?
pnwmom
(108,951 posts)One of the 99
(2,280 posts)pnwmom
(108,951 posts)ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)Welcome to DU.
Ashdric
(29 posts)Thanks.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)Just a friendly word of advice to someone who, presumably, would like to be a long-term member.
Ashdric
(29 posts)Your "advice" was useless.
You know your view that my comment was an "insult" would be rejected by a jury.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)Ashdric
(29 posts)Trust me.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)Enjoy your stay, however long that may be.
Baitball Blogger
(46,672 posts)Which is to say, that he will capitulate on Civil Rights issues if it doesn't infringe on him.
Orrex
(63,166 posts)He's very much of the "I've got mine, Jack" mindset.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)But he's only a comedian. And if nothing else, he's consistent in his dislike of religion and children.
PasadenaTrudy
(3,998 posts)I love him
mainer
(12,017 posts)Yet when a few fanatic Muslims do it, it's the entire Muslim world's fault.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)for the English murders of the Irish, English occupation, and centuries of oppression including an attempted genocide, the English most certainly did blame all of the Irish for the IRA actions, bar none.
Every. Single. Last. Irish person was held responsible.
Carry on.
mainer
(12,017 posts)This is what Maher has done. Blamed all Muslims around the world. Not just any particular ethnic group or nationality of Muslims. All Muslims, everywhere.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Methinks someone hasn't been paying attention in history class
Seriously though, I think the OP doesn't do nuance well. I saw the video and it's nothing like the OP has posited.
And Maher hates all religions equally.
I'm not kicking this thread again. Feel free to have the last word
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Just the cowardly murdering fuckers bombing innocent people.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)just the cowardly murdering mother fuckers that tried to genocide the hell out of ALL of us, worked to obliterate us and our culture, raped and shit all over us for a few centuries. There wasn't any "special" treatment for some Irish Catholics by the Brits - every Irish person had a fucking bullseye on their back and was similarly fucked.
Sorry our war for independence took a few British lives during the struggle...can't say you lot were particularly careful with any of us during those oh several centuries of oppression and occupation.
mainer
(12,017 posts)Did they paint most of SouthAmerica as terrorists just because they were Catholics?
Maher seems to see all Muslims worldwide as culpable.
mr blur
(7,753 posts)the 1970s and '80s? Thought not.There was certainly despite for the IRA but not because they were Catholics but because they were vicious lunatics who enjoyed murdering strangers. You didn't have to be English to be murdered by the IRA. Did your "history class" tell you about the Americans who supported terrorism and slaughter by sending money over to "the old country" from the safety of places like Boston, so that these murdering bastards could buy better guns and explosives to kill the English with?
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Exactly how many Brits died in the Irish war for Independence vs how many Irish were slaughtered, starved, raped, beaten, crushed, and terrorized by the British, for centuries .
Perhaps you missed that in your own history class? Or that wee bit of genocide you lot tried ? Or the bit about the cultural genocide you almost succeeded at?
When you've finally caught up feel free to come back and scold me about how awful it was for you in fucking London in the 70s during the Irish war for independence.
Because from where I'm standing its what it took to throw you (almost) off after centuries and rivers of Irish blood.
Rivers of Irish blood
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)of Irish decent on one half of one side. They were incredibly intrusive and to be blunt with you I had a great deal of social standing at the time. The people interviewing me knew who I was, and they also knew most of the people I had contact with who were things like peerage and BAFTA winners. They were very upfront about profiling. 'It's because you are Irish' to which I said 'but I'm American' to which they said Yes of course you are.'
LeftishBrit
(41,202 posts)But it's nasty and bigoted in either case.
Stellar
(5,644 posts)discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,475 posts)...an entertainer and supports whatever keeps the paychecks coming.
One of the 99
(2,280 posts)Warpy
(111,116 posts)The whole thing could have and should have been handled by calling in the shop teacher and asking the kid how it worked. That could have been the end of it.
Bigots turn into total morons and Maher is no exception in this case. Real bombers use stuff right off the shelf in Target and Wal Mart for triggering devices.
Gothmog
(144,876 posts)I read about his outburst and decided not to watch his HBO show
MinM
(2,650 posts)He must be so proud.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)On this one, he's wrong. Fuck, when he gets going about "western medicine" and vaccines, shit, he goes waaaaaaaaaaaay off the rails.
Sometimes his insights are good and his jokes are fresh. Sometimes, not so much.
BigDemVoter
(4,149 posts)I don't always agree with Mr. Maher, but he generally gives me a good laugh. I'm disappointed to hear this.
ProfessorGAC
(64,813 posts)While i disagree with him on this point, he did not say what some here are claiming he said.
He made it ABUNDANTLY clear that the kid was innocent and deserves and apology.
BigDemVoter
(4,149 posts)I should learn my lesson that I need to watch something or read it myself. One person's impressions may not match mine.
I DO know that Mr. Maher can be abrasive and can irritate people, but I appreciate the fact that he generally calls things right and isn't afraid to say so.
ProfessorGAC
(64,813 posts)What i meant was there were a lot of differing opinions here, and i think you need to see for yourself and then decide what you think. Like i said, i heard something differently than others here on this thread.