ext_39051 ([identity profile] telemann.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] talkpolitics2010-05-04 10:20 am

Bill Maher: Western culture isn't just different, it's better.

On "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart relatively soft-pedaled his defense of fellow Comedy Central employees, "South Park's" Matt Stone and Trey Parker, against a group of Muslim critics. Over at HBO this weekend, though, Bill Maher wasn't holding anything back. On his show "Real Time With Bill Maher," the show's every-incendiary host opined during his segment "New Rules:"

"When South Park got threatened last week by Islamists incensed at their depiction of Muhammad, it served -- or should serve -- as a reminder that our culture isn't just different than one that makes death threats to cartoonists. It's better." In his defense of the First Amendment and other Americal civil liberties, Maher -- who made the film "Religulous" -- continued: "The Western world needs to make it clear: Some things about our culture are not negotiable. And can't change. And one of them is freedom of speech, Separation of church and state is another."

Completely spot-on observation about real differences in cultures, one that will not play well with PC police. Bill Maher is certainly no friend of religious people; and gives grief equally to Christianity, Judaism, Scientology, and Mormons as you will see. But he specifically singles out Isalm with the recent actions in Afganistan and the Taliban's attack on an all girls school.


Re: If you are free to do something does that mean you SHOULD do it?

[identity profile] futurebird.livejournal.com 2010-05-04 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
That would depend on if it is funny.

Re: If you are free to do something does that mean you SHOULD do it?

[identity profile] medea34.livejournal.com 2010-05-04 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
that would be my primary concern if i was a comedian. perhaps there are other concerns (the network might be worried about profit and free publicity and such...who knows what they think about before putting this stuff on the air).

Re: If you are free to do something does that mean you SHOULD do it?

[identity profile] mrsilence.livejournal.com 2010-05-05 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
Are you saying it's just in poor taste?