Unveiling anonymous comments

Kessler is one of those elitists who pines for the day when intellectuals were given the privileged position, and were paid for it, of expressing their views and having to only answer to other intellectuals, who rarely took the gloves off enough to ask seriously tough questions. These blogs allow the whole public to have a say, something the public is not accustomed to and may not ever do as skilfully as the professionals, but their opinion still matters. The Jeffersonian democracy is now functioning as it was meant to, and every man or woman or educated youth is going to get their say. Sorry it distresses you to lose the genteel atmosphere of the old media days, but as the blog writer you still have the ability to delete comments as "offensive" if you choose to. I for one think it entirely appropriate and long overdue that writers on religion and theology be called out by readers on the essentially superstitious and unscientific nature of their underlying beliefs, regardless of how respectable they may once have seemed to the establishment within their own sphere...

As I have previously stated: God looks at the person, not the "label" whether that "label" is self-imposed or imposed by others.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Michael Kessler

You wrote, "Farnaz1Mansouri1: Kudos to you for putting your name on your views, as you always have done. Since you do sign your thoughts, my post wasn't really addressing you at all.

Maybe I missed it and it is right in front of me but I have no idea who "Farnaz1Mansouril1" is, could you tell me where she is "putting her name on her views" and where it is that she "signs" her thoughts

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

"Whistling"s anti-Semitic comments though have to be treated cautiously because there if some evidence in past commentaries that said individual is actually a strawman used by one or more individuals to provoke indignation about anti-Semiticism or other offensive comments about race and/or religion.

The evidence: timing, responses, history of said responding individuals (February 17, 2009 10:29 AM, Feb 10, 3:18 a.m, Feb. 16, 9:52 a.m, January 13, 2009 7:22 AM) - probably not enough to take to court but enough to raise red flags of caution.

Again, this as per the topic is one of the problems with anonymous blog comments but the importance of having an anonymous blog outweighs this situation as long as one is aware that strawmen and imposters are some what common on blog commentaries

"Whistling"s anti-Semitic comments though have to be treated cautiously because there if some evidence in past commentaries that said individual is actually a strawman used by one or more individuals to provoke indignation about anti-Semiticism or other offensive comments about race and/or religion.
-----------------------------------------
What evidence? What kind of straw man? What are you talking about, if anything?

Whistling's antisemitic posts have appeared and do appear not only on this blog, but on threads throughout WaPo.

Spell it out. Say what you mean.
------
Btw., don't start helping now. You're being too selective, and it's too late in the day for you. Until other Jews or anti-racist Christians appear, until more antiracist gentiles appear, as the only self-identified Jew blogging here, I'll handle the antisemitic rhetoric, including yours, should it re-appear.

In the meantime, there are Zebra4 and H etc., both self-identified Muslims, who, apparently, don't like bigotry and racism, of any kind.

Think about that. It's worthy of thought.

Hmmm, I just reviewed the comments to Saperstien's column regarding the Hate Crimes' bill. Granted "Itzajob"
is obviously very prejudiced with an anti-Semitic tone and also offensive (and reported as such).

"Whistling"s anti-Semitic comments though have to be treated cautiously because there if some evidence in past commentaries that said individual is actually a strawman used by one or more individuals to provoke indignation about anti-Semiticism or other offensive comments about race and/or religion.

This as per the topic in one of the problems with anonymous blog comments but the importance of having an anonymous blog outweighs this situation as long as one is aware that strawmen and imposters are some what common on blog commentaries.

Dr. Kessler,

For a taste of OnFaith antisemitism, see Saperstein's column on this blog. Also see Hirschfield's. Compare the degree of antisemitism you find there with bigotry against any other religious group evidenced on this current blog. (This is much less than what we usually see, as I mentioned.)

I'm going to stay off their threads for the next couple of days, the better to let the anti-Jewish racists come out from beneath the cracks.

You will note that no Christians or Catholics ever take the racists on. Two Muslims, however, do.

I can't believe people are arguing with this article in quite the ways that they are. No, I can believe it, but it's embarassing to see. I don't think it's just a not signing one's own name issue though, that really DOES help but if people (especially those who believe God sees our actions!) would just take responsibility to conduct their discourse with some respect, reasonableness and charity, it might actually be enjoyable to read what people have to say. It's wearying to have to wade through mean and uncivil, vulgar nonsense.

Coloradodog,

This posting and the two below are addressed to you.

"As for Farnaz1, I realize now my comments posted below the Obama-bashing Hirschfield were anti-semetic and I apologize."
---------------------------
And where, btw., is Hirschfield "Obama-bashing"? His essay concerns the award.

And why was Kessler's essay not "Obama-bashing," given that he took the matter further, arguing that Obama knew his name was up for consideration and should have had it removed from list of Nobel candidates?
---------------------------
Let me tell you something. I am a brown Jewish woman. In the US, there are many of us, just as there are many of what the Christians call "black." However, Americans have it in their Christian heads that all Jews are European and light-skinned, although they think of us as dark. (Don't ask me; I'm baffled by Christian racializing, always have been.)

We don't know about these things. Jews learned racism from Christians. There is a heartbreaking documentary of German Jewish academics coming to teach in Southern black schools, finding the same racism they had left in their escape from the German Lutherans and Catholics. Incredulous, they wept at what they saw the "white" Americans doing to the "black." So did their "black" students.

Hirschfield has met me up close and personal. I went to hear a talk of his and walked up to him afterward to ask him a question. When you are brown and live in America, you look people in the eye, right in the eye. That way, you know instantly whether your complexion is making them uncomfortable.

I walked up to Hirschfield, five-feet-eight-inches of brownness, holding my "white" daughter's hand. He looked at me with one of the warmest smiles I've seen since I've been in the US. Looked at me and my girl and smiled.

Had you been he, and I had walked up to you, I wonder what you would have done. I would not have wondered prior to your recent posts, but I surely would wonder now.

Coloradodog,

Thank you for your post. I would very much like to believe you regarding your racist comment on R. Hirschfield's previous thread. In fact, I found it shocking since, although I'd seen some iffy postings from you before, I'd never seen anything so vile.
Had to read twice to make sure it really was your moniker accompanying the comment.

I was not surprised to find the other to antisemitic comments, only surprised that there weren't more of same. As I mention below in my post to Kessler, the ravaging of OnFaith with antisemitic filth has been on the wane of late.

I want very much to believe you, Coloradodog. For the sake of my soon-to-be-ten-year-old daughter, for all the Jewish children in the world, for all the Christian children in the world, I would like to see less hatred directed toward Jews, the single group without course of remedy against racists of the left and right. Less stereoptyping, less racism, less sexism, less homophobia, less xenophobia stands between us and the void.

Unfortunately, my desire to accept you at your word is stymied by your current postings on Hirschfield's thread. I think he raised an interesting point, there, btw., but more on that, later.

Could you please explain these posts? I am asking in good faith since I believe you posted to me honestly. (Btw, Niko, FYI, is a devout Christian, who believes that unless Jews accept Christ, they will not go to heaven, and yet look what you write to him....)
-------------------------------
NIKODOS99,

"...curse him that curseth thee.." ???

Does that also mean that God will "curse them who curseth me"?

If thou curseth me, will your God curseth thee?

Or is this scripture just resevered for Jews?"

Posted by: coloradodog | October 24, 2009 8:51 AM

Continued

"Tune in to "For God's Sake" next week when Hirschfield will be defending the hateful, red-faced, alcoholic, Irish Catholic Bill Donahue for spewing homophobia in the name of poor old Jesus, calling Catholic clergy child abuse victims "Gold Diggers" and defending pedophile priests."

Posted by: coloradodog | October 24, 2009 8:44 AM
-----------------------------------------
"Hirschfield is revealing his true colors by bashing Obama last week over the Nobel prize and now by being a lame apologist for hateful, racist (and stupid) anti-Semitic Huckabees from their homeland of South Carolina that also brought us Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond, Gov. Sanford and RNC Fox New's latest darling of Joe Wilson.

Maybe Hiatt can move you to the Opinion page among his other neocon shills Gerson, Lane and Krauthammer or you can send your resume to Roger Ailes."

Posted by: coloradodog | October 24, 2009 8:38 AM
-------------------------------------
"And your criticism of Kessler, who wrote that Obama should have done the "noble" thing and had his name removed from consideration for the prize? Your explanation that that is why so many have problems with "his people"? Your calling him a racist?

Do you see? Do you really? You write this and then go on to attack Hirschfield, et al, in the name of what, Coloradodong? In the name of what?

“Most everyone today, it seems, gets to throw around whatever accusation, or defamatory remark, or just plain vile and hate-filled snark they want. And they can do this with no transparency. Sitting in their office cubicle, coffee shop, or, as I often imagine in more uncharitable moments, their parents' basement on an old dial-up connection (depressingly middle-aged, unemployed, pajama-clad, and hating everyone for the unfortunate twists and turns their own life took), they spew out venom.”

It’s a great sadness.

The writers at the Post can’t stand having to respond to people who’s rhetorical modus operandi isn’t politically correct; that is, not of the academy born.

The statement establishes perforce the holier than thou mentality of elitists who rather than duke it out in the political arena indulge in the pretense that they have been elevated above the masses and whine when they find that they can’t control the manner of discourse.

Perhaps one might find protection in a Monastery?

Sam Lowe
Syria VA 22743
[will exchange social security numbers upon request]

Dear Dr. Kessler,

Thank you for your reply. I see your point.

I would love to post with my real name but I stand by my point that the US, thanks to right-wing politics, hate radio, Fox News and religious fundamentalism is now much too dangerous a place. We have lost part of our Freedom of Speech from the bullying of the Huckabee shouters and from the neocon shills like Gerson.

As for Farnaz1, I realize now my comments posted below the Obama-bashing Hirschfield were anti-semetic and I apologize. My father fought and was wounded in WWII to help the Jews against Hitler and I volunteered to fight and die for your religious freedom as well, so that's not really where my heart is.

Dr. Kessler,

Thank you for your reply. I have no particular "beef with Gerson," although I am rarely in agreement with either him or with Krautheimer.

In fact, I cannot recall ever having been in agreement with either of them until I read Krautheimer's latest essay on the attempt to muzzle Fox, not that I'm a fan of Fox. That was a first for me.

It is quite beside all points. Readers have the right to agree with either one of them, indeed, with anyone. However, the particular cleric in question, Gomaa, a new media darling, a hope of the West, is part and parcel of a fatwa that was particularly frightening. This has direct bearing on the matter at hand, and I suggest you read my posts on the matter.

FWI, another of the darling Mufti's fatwas proscribes the display of statues in Egypt, as inconsistent with a hadith. This has caused an uproar among Egyptian artists, as you can well imagine.

On the matter of antisemitism. If you have read this blog, and you give evidence that you have, you have seen anti-Jewish racism big time. One cannot avoid it. But just in case.....

I pasted right here on your thread an antisemitic comment that originally appeared on R. Hirschfield's thread, in response to his expressed views on the Nobel for Obama, that comment authored by Coloradodog. There were two other such antisemitc posts on Rabbi Hirschfield's thread. You may recall that on your thread, I mentioned that there were no equivalent "anti-Christian" slurs hurled at you, although you, too, found the award problematic.

I would suggest that you reference that column and thread. (I will post a link for it if you have difficulty.) You were and are "qualified" to speak on the antisemitism of the racist remark I pasted there. If you'd like, I will post here the other two antisemitic comments that appeared on Hirschfield's thread that week.

There is much more to say on the antisemitism that has soiled this blog, its waxing and waning, the latter a recent development, about which more another time.

As for Gerson, to whose column you are not new: Jew hatred among bloggers is so dense on Gerson's thread as to displace whatever topic he chooses for his column in any given week. The column on Gomaa is the only exception I've ever seen. I suspect it is singular; its like will not recur unless he chooses to write again along the same lines.

It will be interesting to see you attempt to take on antisemitism on this blog, in the media. You will have endless opportunities. You may be surprised by the response you get should you actually attempt it.

And there will be a response, Dr. Kessler, much larger than that to this essay.

Once again, the weekend is here and our "new" "gibberisher" is hard at work knowing that the moderators are off for the weekend. Adding a bit of free space got the moderators early attention last week. Let see how it works this week.

Apparently, this "gibberisher" is the same person who simply gets another email address for registration purposes (there are ~1500 email providers on the net). You would think said person would get tired of all this subterfuge and being banned every week. Apparently re-registering does not bother said odd and strange individual
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Coloradodog,

I take serious issue with your last sentence: "Maybe your agenda is to silence anyone who opposes your Church, love of the neocon Goebbels Gerson and you apologists for pedophile priests like Donahue."

My agenda is more, transparent engagement, not silencing. Throwing stones from behind the comfort of an internet connection is cowardice. My point is that people should grow some courage and speak forth with their name attached.

Second, the irony of your charges is that my original intention this week was to write a reply to the grumpy screed of Donohue. Read my columns with a simple ounce of hermeneutical generosity and you'd see that I can't stand many of his positions.

And if you have a problem with Gerson, like I said in the prior reply, take it up with him. My column wasn't defending Gerson's position (although in this particular instance I thought he was reasonable and mostly correct).

But you're simply wrong to ascribe their views to me. My record stands clearly on that. Thanks for your reflections.

Thomas Baum: I'm not advocating for any type of censorship. Certainly hosts, like WaPo or bloggers could require, as rules of engagement, that there be no anonymity. But that isn't censorship, it's pre-agreed rules of entry. Cutting the comments after they're made is not my role, and I haven't seen the Post do it on any of my entries.

Coloradodog: I'm not feeling uncomfortable by the "heat." My point is *not* that I'm distraught and woozy because of comments that don't address my arguments. My point is about the larger and dangerous cultural and political ramifications about this mode of engagement.

Farnaz1Mansouri1: Kudos to you for putting your name on your views, as you always have done. Since you do sign your thoughts, my post wasn't really addressing you at all. You do, however, make a few assertions that don't quite fit: how do you have a clue about my religious background or outlook? Where have I been all these years? Well, I just started this blog, and I can assure you that I'll vehemently condemn any anti-semitism I see that I think I'm competent to call out. I stand for the religious freedom and protection of the human rights of everyone: Muslim, Christian, Jew, atheist, pagan, etc. Just because the germane and timely example I used about blog comments happened to be Michael Gerson's current column, which happened to be about a particular Muslim cleric, (the point of which happened to be ignored by nearly everyone commenting), only proved my point about blog comments; that choice of columnists to use as an example displayed nothing about some supposed preference you think I have for Jews or Muslims or Christians. Finally, I am often not in agreement with many of Gerson's positions. Yet that was not a sufficient reason to not use this particular column. So if you have a beef with Gerson, take it up with him. The point of my post was not that Gerson was right. It was that Gerson said something (which I secondarily happened to think was plausible and reasonable), but the comments mostly ignored what he said and bellered forth ideological positions that did not engage Gerson's position at all. Thanks for your comments.

Michael Kessler

You wrote, "I hope we can check this tendency before most of us lose a grip on the differences between fact and fiction."

Considering that this "site" is called "On Faith" and that they are quite a few that consider anything to do with a belief/knowledge of God as fiction, delusion or something to that effect, there are some that do not recognize fact as fact and consider it fiction.

Do you consider that God Is as a fact?

I do, for the simple reason that I have met God.

Who would you consider to "set up" as the one that should be the "censor" of people's opinions whether they be anonymous or not?

I sign my name but many don't but it is not yours, mine or anyone else's "right" to censor somebody's right to legitimate free speech at least not yet here in America.

I think that it is rather sad that some seem to think that the highest virtue that one should attain to is "political correctness", don't you?

See you and the rest of humanity in The Kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth, with the dawning of the seventh day.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

If you can't stand the heat, Kessler, get out of the kitchen.

With all the gun totin's Huckabees and Donahue Catholics out there, people would be less willing to state their minds knowing some nut who can't accept the reality that America elected a young, intelligent, black President might hunt them down and "exercise their Second Amendment rights."

Maybe your agenda is to silence anyone who opposes your Church, love of the neocon Goebbels Gerson and you apologists for pedophile priests like Donahue.

For CCNL's Eyes only and whom never Seen:

..........................................
…........,..... _ ………………
…............./'_/)……………..
…...........,/_ /)……………..
….........../../)………………
…....../'_'/' '/'__'7,………….
…...../'/ / / /" /_\……………
….....('( ' /' ') ………………
…..\........./………………..
…...'\'........ _.7'……………
….....\.........( …………….
…......\.........\……………..
….......\.........\…………….

-- On M. Kesslers post @ 11:59P; CCNL Freudiantly slippeth and says, "Many of us [OnWAPO here] who bravely criticize Islam on a daily basis on this blog [includes the Pastes & repaste/posts] are aware of this danger and would immediately fear for our lives if our names were made known."

Ummmm. Upon Analysis it does Sound like CCNL1 is A "PARANOID SCHIZOFRENIC" and one who has an acute bout of "RELIGIOUS JEALOUSY PSYCHOSIS" with a dab/pinch of "PRE-APOCALYPTIC SiNDROME" and more mental/Dilusions/Illusions.

PS: CCNL1 , on another post, knowingly stealing someone elses brilliance; and uses it as if his original-work said, "Drones should be equiped with NAPALM and every 6 months dropped from America to destroy the POPY Fields" [Similar said].

Hint: In order to Kill the TAliban/Al-Queda Crews; NAPALM droppings should be persistant on All OPIUM/HASH fields and should be done BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Harvest Seasons. Hence how to kill the Taliban/Al-Qaeda Mulim International Mafia's in less that 3 years REMOTELY [No need for U.S/Allie Soldiers].

Well, the weekend is here and our "new" "gibberisher" is hard at work knowing that the moderators are off for the weekend. Adding a bit of free space got the moderators' early attention last week. Let see how it works this week.
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Sunday, 26 July 2009
ترجمة نداء د. قمني - للنشر
An appeal to the world's conscience
From the Egyptian writer and academic researcher
of Islamic Affairs
Dr. Sayed Mahmoud El Qemany
who is being exposed to incite to assassinate him

In the context of my academic research and practical work I have been able to provide an important set of motion in the stagnant Egyptian situation. I have attempted to make reforms from the inside and worked on the disarmament of those who exploit Islam politically and make it a source of livelihood at the expense of simple good people of Egypt. I have therefore created a secular movement that has imposed its presence, although still at a formative stage.

In a free ballot of Egyptian thinkers, I was granted the State Award for Social Sciences, on June 25th 2009. The hard-line radical militant groups considered that the state has adopted this intellectual secular trend officially, infuriating the mentioned group which called on the State to withdraw the prize with the declaration of my defection from Islam and excommunication which means in our country, I could be slain; any citizen is allowed to kill me and be awarded by God in Paradise.

The following parties have participated in the statements of atonement, noting that none of them have read a single word of what I wrote, and have not been able to hold a dialogue to discuss my ideas.

Continued

1 - Al-Azhar Scholars Front headed by Yahya Ismail Habloush, which issued the first statement of atonement on July 10, 2009
2 – The Islamic Group (condemned terrorist group) issued a statement of atonement on July 10, 2009
3 - The Muslim Brotherhood hailed the atonement, and were presented at the parliament by Hamdi Hassan requesting the withdrawal of the award and the declaration of religious-defection and excommunication on July 7, 2009. The Muslim Brotherhood also declared my excommunication on Mohwar Channel on July 11, 2009 and on Al Faraeen Channel on July 13, 2009
4 - The Salafi (Fundamentalist) Group (condemned terrorist group) dedicated its Internet site named "The Egyptians" for excommunicating me and incitements to kill me, since the date of obtaining the prize until today
5 – Al Nas channel, which represents the theoretical side of bloody terrorism which declared excommunication and demanded “all citizens who can” to kill me immediately, on July 24 and 25, 2009.
6 - The Hisbah Sheikh Youssef Al Badri in Egypt declared on the channel "ON TV" on July 3, 2009 that I have cursed God and the Prophet Mohammad in my books even though I have challenged him and others to refer to a single text written by me where such claims were made. Due to this proclamation, he has issued an incitement to kill me
7 - A member of the Al-Azhar scholars, Sheikh Mohammed El Berry, on Mihwar TV Channel on July 11, 2009 announced my atonement as he also said that he did not read any of my writings since he does not read "garbage”. He repeated the same words on the channel "ON TV" on July 22, 2009
8 - Sheikh Ali Gomaa, the former Chairman of the “State Religious Affairs Advisory Board”, issued a statement declaring my infidelity and calling for slaying me for "insulting the Prophet of Islam, the God of Islam” on July 24, 2009
9 - The Sheiks of more than 5000 mosques on Friday prayers on July 24, 2009 declared the incitement to kill me, especially in my hometown, which led to the rampage against my family and relatives, and that could possibly evolve to some serious consequences in the coming weeks.

Due to the above, I call upon the conscience of all humanity in the free world to come to me and my children’s’ rescue by providing moral support and the condemnation and denunciation of the radical thinking with quick solutions to save us from the danger that is luring around us

This is a distress call to all bodies and individuals. A call to the consciences of every free individual in the world.

Signed
Sayed Mahmoud El Qemany- Researcher

BREAKING -- NEWS: Good Riddence:

"OSAMA BIN LADINS GRAVE WAS FOUND 10 minutes AGO"

More Details coming soon.

Note: OSAMA BID LADEN really really Died of Kidney Failure around June 2007. The Hash and the Opium stopped helping him. So he also died a Drug Attick!

Roomer also has it that He Matyred himself to meetup with 72 Cloudy looking wingy thingy Virgins and with two other friends, as he cowardly Blew-up his own dieing Body, to many peaces, as his family watched, from a distance, and then, the Poshtune roomer goes, that his

wives/Kids/worshipers/congregants/followers saved his Hide/skin and Bones for Souveniers and or place his remains in Entrances of Caves.

Eeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Amazing, NO GRACE! n NO-Class!

Los Angeles Times

EGYPT: Fatwa issued against secular author
July 26, 2009 | 1:30 pm

The Egyptian Islamic Legislation Authority has declared writer and researcher Sayed Kemny a criminal and an infidel, saying he doubts and has repudiated Islam.

The fatwa, which comes nearly a month after the author was granted Egypt's 2009 State Incentive Prize in sociology, was issued last week in a response to a letter sent to the Islamic Legislation Authority inquiring about the religious consequences for someone who denounces Islam in his books.

The authority found that Kemny's writings violated Egyptian law and made him an infidel. The authority added that the writer never should have been awarded the Incentive Prize.

"Our muftis are fully aware of the ongoing saga around Al Kemny and the prize. We already know the writer's documented opinions and the fatwa was issued in consistence with our knowledge of the current conflict and Al Kemny himself," Sheikh Gamal Kotb, head of the authority's Fatwa Committee told Al Dustour newspaper.

Kemny has long been known for his secular views, as well as his strong calls for abandoning Islamic law (Sharia) as a basis for the country's legislation. While religious pundits hailed the authority's fatwa, moderate observers opposed the unprecedented attack. The Islamic Legislation Authority has never before issued a fatwa stating that a particular writer is a criminal and infidel.

Many Islamists, including the Muslim Brotherhood, criticized Farouk Hosny, the Egyptian cultural minister, for awarding Kemny the prize, as they believed that someone who disrespected Islam and doubted its teachings in his writings should never have received such an honor. Hosny is head of the Higher Council for Culture, whose members annually select Incentive Prize winners.

-- Amro Hassan in Cairo

Mr. Kessler: Dr.?

Please re-read the Word "REALITY".

Note: In Fact; Your Students or those of many Schools 'Surf' here (most are silent and take Notes) and "Plagerize" lots of OUR 'Hard Work' without a refrence to Us Bloggers (so called Kernels/nuggets) when writing a Disertation or some Campus News. Not to Mention WAPO and CO., also stealig 'Annonymous's? Posts.

As a Matter of Fact; HOLISTIC god player, DEEpak Chopra and Ex-Bishop John Sponge hath "Plagerized' or Stolen many Ideas from US and make lots money and not share??.

Note: Many Times I've noticed that some Really 'Novel but Genuine or New Idea , by Us Bloggers, Dissapears or gets Purged all so that the SINdicate can Steal the Works for Press or Talk or lecture/Sermon time. (W/out giving Credit). And

Mr. Gomma, Dr?: Should stand-Up and tell the World (Contrary to AL TAQIYAHizm Denials) that the "AL AQSA" Dome, at Temple Mount in JERUS is in "REALITY" Realy Built on top of KING SOLOMONS Temple , on Stolen Land, since 632-639 AD. And

The Dali Mufti should wear a business suit instead when venturing in Public.

Note: He should also tell the World that PAKISTAN is on Stolen Landa from Peaceful INDIA via the Great WAHABI "AL TAQIYAH" islamic Religio Mafioso's International conspiracys of Pre-1947 pre-seq..

AEGYPTIANS should Re-Convert to the old OSIRIS/SETH PYRAMID GOD system. This move will makre them smarter again and less dangers and less JEALOUS of anti-West or MODERN-ISRAEL.., including more prospwerous by De-Mystifying African Muslums into the "New Aegytptian Pyramid Religion."

Once again, as Benazir Bhutto(assassinated) and Theo Van Gogh (assassinated) and Salmon Rushdie and Ayaan Hirsi Ali found out, being outspoken about the horrors of Islam is very dangerous. Many of us who bravely criticize Islam on a daily basis on this blog are aware of this danger and would immediately fear for our lives if our names were made known.

hi, i just wanted to tell you that yess.. i did read the words you wrote, there were some i agreed with some i took great and grave exception 2 both as a human being and as a person who actually writes things down both for people and actually does performance art on freedom of speech in places and times when it may actually matter... not posing 4 a camera sum where .. could that be why i live in a trailer park in america with my obviously .. feeble brain.. but please no i in all sincerity do try in life with both my time and efforts even though i myself have very little. please excuse me if eye want 2 to read my words the weigh i wood want them said ....witch is just sometiyes jest as i my self with the full measure of whatever mental faculties and experience i ... myself the one talking could actual bring to the dish-cuss-shun. i do agree at times it may be not much but i would be willing to bet you actual money & i'm methodist knott baptist who woodent even let jesus Christ be a member of thier fine church because in the bible it was plain jesus enjoyed wine.. and yeeeeess he did turn water into wine naught whines witch iz whut.. say whut 1 more time you somthang or other.. oh please due excuse me i stutter sumtymes you are doing inn my opinion and i could very well be wrong tell some one who has actually looked at your wordz .. what they can and can't say about them.. an oh bye the weigh if you check my posts you might find a pattern under several panel members (not eboo he truely is a man i admire on many different levels one of which is fath but humanity and actual deeds might be there also) who for sum reson do not post my well thought out but in my ownopinion possibly ....wrong thoughts ...l and i think there nedes 2 be a place both for anonymous and the kind where like the on faith you have to prove who you are in advance even though they do not automatically approve you to speek. thats why you want the completely anonomous.. maybe something ..i get a mind picture of an emporer prancin and dancin around with no clothes thinking... he has the latest fashion. of coarse being an artist i mite jest see a glimmer of a truth in the birthday suit and the garden of eden butt.. 2 make it clear 4 you.. a person who wants to spend so much time telliing other people about what they should think or say about your words.. or not say ... i as a stupid dyslexic hillbilly will take my time so you don't strain that very fine machine of a mid you obviously have and tale you.. no.. i was thinking stupid leader not garden of eden .. this may just save you many many weeks of unessesary ..... uh reeeeee-search

Dr. Kessler,

You reference Gerson. Gerson's bloggers are virulent antisemites. You evidently read his column, so you know that. The same is often the case with Krautheimer, but let us stay with Gerson.

In all this time, you have not once comment on the despicable racist comments one finds on Gerson's thread.

Why is that?

David Waters can give you my email address. I'd be interested in what you have to say. I'd also be interested in knowing exactly how well informed about Gomaa you are. I know who he is. Gerson does not, and I don't think you do either.

As for the New Republic...Glass House. Ditto, Arendt.

Choose better authorities.

Dr. Kessler,

Exactly, how much do you know about Gomaa? I ask this since your you do not indicate that you know very much.

I'd like to add that the Washington post is far more antisemitic than it is "anti-Islamic"; in fact, except for a very few, it is not anti-Islamic at all.

Now, sir, you see that I am not blogging anonymously. I wonder where you have been all these years while antisemites blog freely here at OnFaith--I'd be happy to direct you to linkis--almost endlessly.

Of course, Jews aren't considered "politically correct" in your Christian world are they? And, oh, antisemitism doesn't really exist, does it?

And, well, Jews aren't exotic, are they?

And Ali Gomaa, who is he? REALLY? What has he done, sir? Do you know?

I exist, not anonymously. Don't lecture. YOur house is partly made of glass.

The On Faith blog was orginally completely anonymous. One Islamic commenter's ID was "Jihadist". She supposedly was from Indonesia and was a good Muslim with some liberal views, views that would have got her into a lot of trouble with Islamic "truth" squads. As soon as On Faith went to a semi-anonymous format, she no longer commented for fear of the these Indonesian-imam-led bullies.

As Benazir Bhutto(assassinated) and Theo Van Gogh (assassinated) and Salmon Rushdie and Ayaan Hirsi Ali found out, being outspoken about the horrors of Islam is very dangerous. Many of us who bravely criticize Islam on a daily basis on this blog are aware of this danger and would immediately fear for our lives if our names were made known.

Why it is necessary to stay blog-anonymous even in the USA:

Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the massacre in Mumbai, the assassinations of Bhutto and Theo Van Gogh, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, and the Filipino “koranics”.

And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.

Current crises:

The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder.

Note: Analogous criticisms of Christianity and Judaism are made every day on full-disclosure blogs. Not so with criticisms of Islam. Until the koran is changed, no Muslim anywhere can be trusted.

This is more a reply to the first half of the post about the moral authority of accusers.

American education (definitely higher education, but to a large extent primary and secondary) has been taken over by people who assume that differences in accomplishment between demographic groups are due to oppression and that cultures are equal. In their view, there can be no other explanation for it.

Since this assumption has been built into education, it is considered a sign of ignorance to disagree. If all cultures are equal, why are Islamic countries so backward? Americans (or at least whites) KNOW that the answer must be the legacy of colonialism. Any other answer is a mark of the speaker's ignorance.

WmarkW claims: "There are important differences between the cultures of different nations and ethnicities and some of these are extremely harmful to the human condition."

Obviously, I don't remember what I was taught in school.

I'd even go so far as to say, by the way, that the trolls aren't saying anything new, nothing you couldn't have heard before the Internet.

They just haven't had anyone to try and drown out in quite this way before.

I'd say, it's not the anonymity, but rather the lack of civility and reflection. The bad examples are set by very non-anonymous, but nonetheless interchangeable talking heads in the media and the pulpits. People can claim to be whoever they like. Or pick an anonymous name. Or claim to be some upstanding citizen or other. The problem's the same.

Some who are threatened by things like the Net and widely-available media ...Some who find stirring up 'controversy' more profitable than reporting on *fact,* when they happen to own the presses...

Those who've essentially cannibalized journalism and even certain religions into mere political circuses and bludgeons.

Turned an Information Age into an 'Opinion Age.' Famous or anonymous.

They're to blame, if you want to blame someone for all this.

Uncivil people who dismiss reality with insults and even obfuscations... Have always been here. They just didn't have the same kinds of boxes to type into.

Funny thing is, the real wingnuts out there are the ones really in crisis. They just used to walk around *assuming* they were the smartest people in the world. Now they meet a little of what the Internet *can* be. Which is a place to actually have out some of these arguments. The seeds of which have always been there, maybe not so virulent, but waiting to be, nonetheless.

Frankly, without the anonymity, ...well. How many would speak up to begin with?

Nothing here is new. Good, bad, and ugly, all, we just weren't seeing it.

How we continue this massive and chaotic excuse for a 'discussion,' well. That's up to us.

I think it could end up kind of like Usenet. Took a certain amount of effort and intelligence to get on, there, until only the trolls, usually motivated by certain brands of religion and hate politics... were left. Yelling at themselves.

I have a problem with Islam. It is highly legalistic, and, although open to interpretation the verse that prescribes the length of stick used to beat your wife still endorses wife beating. However, I will accept that the Grand Mufti has a more liberal interpretation of Islam but I still maintain that view is in a different universe than a western secular interpretation of any sacred text.

Still the anonymity of internet comments is a problem and the ad hominems and false logic strung out is appalling.

Anyone who disagrees with me is a poopoohead.