Berkeley Students Shouldn’t Censor Bill Maher

[Rhinodawg]

So if you want smart and funny, with bit of smug and sexist for an added edge, Bill Maher is a perfect college speaker. His offense to a few sensitive Golden Bear souls is to note — in the sharp, exaggerated and blunt style that is the comedian’s stock in trade — that Islam is not all that tolerant.

Maher’s comments early this month drew on an exhaustive Pew Research Center survey last year of Muslim attitudes, based on 38,000 face-to-face interviews in 39 countries. The findings were fairly grim for fans of enlightenment. Most Muslims in at least six countries favored “executing those who leave Islam.” A majority also said homosexuality was morally wrong and that a wife should always obey her husband. Most troubling, the poll found high support in countries like Egypt and Iraq for “honor killings” — executing someone, usually a woman, for having sex out of wedlock.

Islam, said Maher on his HBO show, “is the only religion that acts like the Mafia” — killing heretics who say the wrong things or leave the faith. The forward-thinking social values that liberals favor are the very things that a majority of Muslims in some countries will not tolerate, he said.

One person’s punch line should not be another’s fatwa.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/opinion/berkeley-students-shouldnt-censor-bill-maher.html

[Rhinodawg]

1. Maher was 100% correct.

[BuelahWitch]

2. It's their graduation

Hopefully they can get another speaker.

[riderinthestorm]

3. One group of students nominated Maher to be the speaker

A smaller minority is objecting.

Who takes precedence?

[HuckleB]

6. So, you're saying we should question the education the students have received?

I mean, if Maher is their choice, they clearly have missed out on the basics of science.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

15. I think you've got it backwards.

He was nominated by 'the Californians', (and probably not even all of them, but likely a subcommittee that deals with signing up speakers) who seem to be a student government sort of deal. There was a petition from 1700 students asking to uninvite him, which is probably a far larger number of students than those who originally chose him. So the Californians actually did reverse their decision, but then administration stepped in and seem to be saying 'Sorry, you're stuck with him'.

So if you want to play the 'Well, the bigger number should decide' card, or even the 'It should be up to the people that originally invited him' card, either way, you wind up with no Maher. What seems to be most likely is the 'We've already got a signed contract and probably have to pay him anyway' card is being played by administration.

[freshwest]

53. I was unaware that the students requested him. My thoughts on this have changed.

It seemed like the issue to some was that the was being forced on the students as a celebrity speaker. But my contention was that the students should have the last word, as the graduation is part of their students fees, and it really is about THEM and NOT a speaker.

In thinking it over, I doubt Islam was going to be the focus of his speech, as he is a strong supporter of many liberal causes that students may want encouragement about as they get ready to leave college for the world ahead of them. Such as science and equality.

It seems that someone, on either side of the debate, wants to make the speech all about Islam. Which it shouldn't be and I truly doubt that was what he intended to talk about.

Maher has been a big supporter of all things public, like schools. So I say if the students can vote on this, and they want him, fine. It's just too bad that what could have been a positive, non-religion based commencement address has been derailed.

In all, I wonder who is seeking what benefit with all of this ruckus.

[former9thward]

4. Why another speaker?

The students chose him. Do you think there is a speaker out there that 100% like?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

16. And then they unchose him.

After the petition by a large number of students who weren't in on the original choice, the very group that chose him reversed their decision, but admin stepped in to say 'Ah ah ah, Not so fast!'

[former9thward]

17. So have a vote of the student body.

Then they will know who is favored. I don't believe in intimidation by the mob.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

18. Petitions are now 'intimidation by the mob'?

I'm fine with a vote by the students, but, of course, whichever side ends up on top is going to be 'the mob' by that sort of logic.

[former9thward]

19. So what is the solution?

Give in to the group of students who present a petition the day before commencement and chose their speaker? I thought the U of C was the home of the Free Speech movement. I guess that is so 60s.

[Dr. Strange]

32. Maybe have administration do it.

The students apparently can't handle the responsibility.

[HuckleB]

5. Why does anyone care?

Maher is an anti-science goofball, who tries to get out of his gaffes the same way Rush Limbaugh used to do.

It's pitiful.

[Rhinodawg]

7. "anti-science goofball"??....why do you say that ?

[HuckleB]

10. Surely, you're joking.

Germ Theory Denial
http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/germ-theory-denial/

Bill Maher: Anti-Science Knuckle Dragger?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/02/1191045/-Bill-Maher-Anti-Science-Knuckle-Dragger#

Bill Maher and “anti-science”
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/07/27/bill-maher-and-anti-science/

Bill Maher’s Medical Meltdown Turns Off Guests, Confuses Audience
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-mahers-medical-meltdown-turns-off-guests-confuses-audience/

“Oh, come on, Superman!”: Bill Maher versus “Western medicine”
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/oh-come-on-superman-bill-maher-and-western-medicine/

I could go on and on, but so could you...

[Rhinodawg]

12. Thank you for the links.

[HuckleB]

21. No problem. -eom-

[Jamaal510]

47. Interesting...

so he ridicules religion AND made these remarks. Now there's a twist.

[LittleBlue]

8. The student committee that invited him rescinded his invitation.

Now the university is disregarding their choice and forcing Maher on them.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/30/living/bill-maher-commencement-speaker/

[HuckleB]

11. Thanks for clarifying the story!

[LittleBlue]

13. The best revenge now

Is to show up and not laugh at his unfunny jokes. Imagine every punchline being greeted with awkward silence. He'd never show up at a university again.

[Blue Idaho]

9. The first job of every commencement speaker

Is not to piss on the campfire. Period. Nothing of any lasting import is ever delivered at a commencement speech. I have sat through more than thirty five of them and not one of them was in danger of bending the trajectory of a graduate's life.

[Warren DeMontague]

14. I think Berkeley should let him do the address.

But, then, Maher doesn't bug me as much as he does some people.

[Rhinodawg]

20. Does it bother anyone that...

Most Muslims in at least six countries favored “executing those who leave Islam.” ??

A majority also said homosexuality was morally wrong ??

That a wife should always obey her husband ??

High support in countries like Egypt and Iraq for “honor killings” ?? — executing someone, usually a woman, for having sex out of wedlock. ?


that's really scary.

[HuckleB]

23. How is the first claim supported?

As for the rest of the claims, we're dealing with uneducated populaces. It's not about Islam, as much as it is about using a religion to foment power. Christianity has been used for the same ends for centuries. It's not about the specific religion. It's about the misuse of any belief to foment power into the hands of a few.

[Rhinodawg]

26. Pew Reasearch

http://www.pewforum.org/2013/04/30/the-worlds-muslims-religion-politics-society-overview/

[noiretextatique]

27. it bothers me that some "christians" in america think murdering abortion doctors is fine

how many christians in six countries believe homosexuality is morally wrong? i suspect more than six million. i wonder how large a number a poll could construct about american evangelicals and their beliefs. or any of the wacky beliefs of fundamentalists of all stripes.

[seabeyond]

29. look what you lecture about, demanding a known sexist be able to speak out where a large number,

graduating and participating in celebration, are women. will they, wont they be insulted, and MUST they laugh with the boys?

all kinda ironic, ya think.

[Sheldon Cooper]

34. Yeah, but hey, what's a little sexism if the guys can all have a laugh?

Can't ya take a joke?

[seabeyond]

35. bit of smug and sexist to add an edge. i mean, wtf women.... merely need an "edge"

at your expense. surely you can take it on the chin for the guys. they are celebrating after all.

i wasnt gonna say anything. but man.... they had no trouble putting it front and center in the article. no prob... a little sexism mixed in for edgy.

then the post demand maher, while using women as a reason to demand a large percentage of women have a little sexism, for the edge, in the celebratory day.


i couldnt be quiet. lol

hi sheldon.

[Sheldon Cooper]

38. I never want to see you quiet, seabeyond.

I had a poster say the other day that if they removed the misogyny from a certain game, it would no longer be a masterpiece. There's only so much facepalming I can do, cause after a while it starts to hurt! LOL

[Shankapotomus]

50. Just curious

How do you think the public should respond to comedian Lisa Lampanelli? Should her speaking engagements and other appearances be protested? Should she be identified as an enemy of liberalism and civil rights and gay rights, etc?

An example of her comedy for purposes of discussion only:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

22. maher is an islamaphobe, that being said I dont think these rescinding of invites is a good thing

Academia should be the place people can handle listening to opinions they do not agree with. Additionally, removing him just reinforces the stereotype that Islam is the only religion we can't criticize etc.

[orpupilofnature57]

30. He's a Religionphobe,, non- denominational

[La Lioness Priyanka]

36. no, his diatribes against islam are way different than his views on christianity and judaism

[Nye Bevan]

41. Could that be because in Islam people get executed for being gay, for committing adultery,

and for leaving the faith, while in Judaism and Christianity they do not? And that if you draw a cartoon of Muhammed, riots and murders tend to ensue, while someone can immerse a crucifix in urine, call it "Piss Christ", and walk the streets unmolested?

You can argue that all religions are ridiculous, but some religions are undeniably more backward, barbaric, and bloody, than others.

[Rhinodawg]

52. A few MINOR technicalities.

[hifiguy]

57. Not to mention "practicing sorcery"

I gotta stand with Maher (and Sam Harris). Facts are inconvenient truths. And all religions are ridiculous. Some far more than others, however.

[nomorenomore08]

42. He does dislike religion in general, but I get the impression he's not fond of Muslims as people.

Whereas I don't really get that impression when he talks about Christians or Jews.

[noiretextatique]

24. he has the right to speak, and the students have the right to respond

he should stop whining and get over it. he has no "right" to speak at their commencement, especially if they do not want him. and...he's full of shit anyway.

[orpupilofnature57]

33. He's a Comedian that tells the truth .

[noiretextatique]

43. oh really?! is he your god?

apparently UCB students don't agree with his deity status.

[orpupilofnature57]

54. Is he your God ? Really

[hifiguy]

58. That might be the most nonsensical thing

I have seen posted on DU.

[Rhinodawg]

56. ^^^^^ THIS

[LanternWaste]

59. Adorable allegation.

Adorable allegation.

[Dr. Strange]

37. That really should be decided BEFORE the invitation, though.

[noiretextatique]

45. i am not sure when he made the statements

or when he was announced as speaker.

[still_one]

25. As Maher said his speech would be about the graduating class, not

About the middle east

[noiretextatique]

28. this is ridiculous: how do you "censor" a media personality...with his own platform?!

they don't want him to speak at their commencement how is that "censoring" him? absurd.

[seabeyond]

31. he works and gets paid for being offenisve, then is offended, when he offends. nt

[noiretextatique]

44. yep

like a total entitled asshole. i like what he has to say sometimes, but i noticed his assholish qualities many years ago. he's an angry white guy who is not as big of an asshole as most angry white guys...but still an asshole.

[Jake Stern]

39. Let's cut the shit about censorship, shall we?

If Bill Maher used the same language against Jews that he does against Muslims, UC admin would have put the kibosh on his nomination the instant his name was announced.

[Nye Bevan]

40. Well... he says that in Islam people get executed for homosexuality and for leaving the faith.

Now, he can't very well say the same things about Judaism, can he?

[Union Scribe]

46. You sound like the Duck Dynasty people.

This is not about "censorship"-- You can say what you want, but you're not owed a TV show, newspaper column, or graduation speech that other people pay money for.

[Orrex]

48. He's not being censored, because he still says whatever he wants.

You know, like that time he said that women and children aren't people.

Good stuff, Bill.

[Jamaal510]

49. I like Maher's show, but

it's not censorship to deny someone the privilege of speaking at a university. He'll still have his show even if he ends up getting turned down. He'll still be free to speak his mind elsewhere. Nowhere in the Constitution does it give people a right to speak at a commencement. All it (the 1st Amendment) mainly does is shield us from arrests when voicing our opinions and demonstrating.

[Starry Messenger]

51. Is his TV show going away?

You know, that gig he has where he is paid to say anything he wants?

[Inkfreak]

55. I never went to college. So I find this....meh. (nt)

[NCTraveler]

60. The guy has a mic larger than just about every member of the human race.

He is not being censored. He will get more mileage out of the controversy than if there wasn't one. He is operating in his wheel house.

[Orsino]

61. It's not censorship. The motherfucker's on their TVs.

The attempt to boot him as graduation speaker is exactly the sort of heat he should face, whether or not we agree with certain of his commentary.