Nicholas Kristof: Sanctimonious NYT dhimmi liberal Islamo-enabler

Nicholas Kristof’s column, “Heroic, Female and Muslim” appeared in today’s National Post. His piece is full of the usual sanctimonious NYT dhimmi liberal Islamo-enabler pap (“Islamophobia in the United States” and sentiments of the “not all Muslims are bad people” variety). Along with this nonsense (which seems to be his main point) he gives an account of Somali MD Hawa Abdi’s excellent work and enormous courage in the face of intimidation by local Islamothugs. There’s little doubt she deserves great praise. However, Kristof presents her as “another side of Islam”, the side that proves, naturally, not all Muslims are horrible.

But Hawa Abdi is not “another side of Islam”. In fact, nearly everything of merit she does flies in the face of Islam and Sharia law in large parts of the Muslim world not to mention the local interpretation of Islam (ie. “... generally not favourable to women's rights, and include the almost universal practice of female genital mutilation”). Kristof might want to consult Ayan Hirsi Ali for his next column. Like Hirsi Ali’s her accomplishments are in spite of Islam. But while Hirsi Ali had to run from Somalia to escape a life of Hell, Hawa Abdi apparently gets away with it because she’s connected. She’s “a member of Somalia’s elite”.

So, Hawa Abdi is not “another side of Islam”, she’s an exception and pretty much the opposite. In many, if not most, Islamic nations she’s be stoned to death for what she does and says. While she may claim to be Muslim there's little evidence that Islam motivates her - in fact she works in direct opposition to the local interpretation of Islam. And good for her. But Kristof’s partisan blinkered Islamo-apologetics only encourage more obfuscation and whining from the so-called Muslim “moderates”.

Ayan Hirsi Ali has another go with the CBC

Kathy Shaidle posted a recent interview of Ayan Hirsi Ali by the CBC's Jian Ghomesh. Ghomesh isn't as blatantly obnoxious as Avi Lewis was. But Ghomesh's distaste for her association with the right-wing (eewww!) American (eeewwww!) Enterprise Institute was obvious. Ali, as usual, is brilliant:

More on the Avi Lewis interview with Hirsi Ali

Canadian Blue Lemons has posted a couple of great YouTube videos (here and here) with Michael Coren and guests discussing the Avi Lewis interview with Hirsi Ali.

Also see 'Breath of the Beast's interesting analysis of Avi Lewis' style of argument (and of the progressive left's in general) [via 'Blazing Cat Fur'].

Hirsi versus Avi

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: "..you .. spit on freedom"

Kathy Shaidle says "Avi Lewis is too stupid to really be Jewish".

I think that may be an understatement. Based on his recent interview with Hirsi Ali, Avi Lewis is a certified moron and CBC leftoid arseh*le! Sorry about the redundancies.

And if you need reconfirmation of why you are perpetually irked at being forced to pay to subsidize the CBC - this interview will do the trick.

Nevertheless, Ali more than holds her own. Her responses to Lewis’ incessant barrage of idiotic clichés, assertions and questions are priceless:

Lewis [sarcastically]: "Your faith in American democracy is just, uhh, delightful!"

Ali [calmly]: "It’s the best democracy in the world."

Following a string of anti-American slurs from Lewis, Ali again calmly responds with a steadfast defence of America.

Lewis [laughing smugly]: "Is there a school where they teach you these American clichés? Is it part of your application process? I can’t believe you just said that!"

Ali: ".....I’ve lived in places that have no democracy, no founding fathers...no freedom. You grew up in freedom and so you can spit on freedom because you don’t know what it is not to have freedom. I don’t. ... America has its problems; there are things wrong with America... But it is still the best democracy on earth."

No doubt, Lewis, smug moron that he is, came away thinking he had put Ali in her place. He couldn’t be more wrong. As Kathy put it, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, tore him "a new one".

Update: Dennis Prager plays back and comments on the interview. Prager: "I don't recall a host looking as intellectually shallow in comparison to a guest, in my life." [h/t]

Upperdate: Blazing Cat Fur has compiled a list of blogs commenting on this.