Sunday
Aug222010
UPDATED New York's Proposed Islamic Cultural Center: The Daily Show's Investigation
Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 7:55 
UPDATE 22 August: And the comedy and incisive comment keeps on coming. Jon Stewart and his crew have returned to the controversy over the Islamic Cultural Center to take on "guilt by association" claims in "Extremist Makeover --- Homeland Edition". Their conclusion? Using the critics' "logic" and the example of a piece of cardboard and a yellow highlight, you can turn Fox News into Terrorist Command Central.And, if you stay tuned, you get The Daily Show's take on the contest between "Team Mohammad" and "Team Jesus".
Watch programme.... (US Readers: "Extremist Makeover" and "Team Mohammed v. Team Jesus")
US Politics & Religion: A Way Forward on and beyond the Islamic Cultural Centre (Ezell)
New York's Proposed Islamic Cultural Center: Information & Comment (Olbermann)
Prompted by readers, we're hoping to feature analyses later this week on the controversy over the proposed Islamic Cultural Center on Park Avenue, 2 1/2 blocks from the site of the World Trade Center. I am working through many thoughts and some emotion on this issue, so --- while I reflect --- I turn this issue over to The Daily Show, which has not just one but two commentaries by Jon Stewart and not just one but two reports by Wyatt Cenac.
Watch Programme 1.... (US readers watch via Daily Show for Stewart and Cenac)
Watch Programme 2.... (US Readers watch via Daily Show site)
Reader Comments (16)
The link isn't working for me. I'll try it again later.
In his speech supporting the construction of a large mosque at Ground Zero, President Obama stated that "Al Qaeda’s cause is not Islam – it is a gross distortion of Islam." I think President Obama is delusional. This is the argument the left in the West had used about Soviet socialism. The left tried to rationalize all of the killings and other atrocities, saying that "this is not the true socialist ideology. The true ideology is peaceful, tolerant and progressive." "Stalinism is a distortion." "Maoism is a distortion." Today, the left is making the same argument about Islam, ignoring the fact that everywhere Islam thrives, brutal repression and murder abound. They insist that this is not the true Islam. They argue that the true Islam is a tolerant and peace-loving religion/ideology. Like Marxism, "if we can get rid of the mistakes with Islam, all will be well in the garden." Well, I stopped believing that.
To our non-UK readers,
Can you access the video via our link?
S.
Scott -
Not sure if this is the video you linked to but I went straight to the show site.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thedailyshow.com/
This is not the most appropriate place to post this BUT--
Washington Time Editorial - CALLS for strike on Iran
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/17/bombs-away-in-three-days/" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/17...
Barry
No problem about finding an appropriate place, we've all been there. ;-)
Kurt
I normally don't just post links to articles in the press. But I thought this was an important one. In fact I am a bit amazed by it. I know that many newspapers no longer simply report the news or even no longer just analyse and comment on the news - but are now partisans who try to make the news. Surely this call by the Washington Times is "beyond the pale?". It is not a call by one of it's correspondents - but by the newspaper itself.
Naive Barry
Hopefully, the links now at least allow UK readers (to the end of this week when Channel 4's 7-day viewing period expires) and US readers to access all the clips from both 10 and 16 August (shown a day later and in the "Global Edition" in the UK).
S.
Well, Barry, no, this is not unusual (in the political sense), though it is a bit over-the-top even for the Washington Times.
Editorially, the Washington Times is conservative, so this hardly surprises me. In the editorial section of the newspaper, whether it be the Washington Times or the liberal-leaning Washington Post, this is generally a free-for-all to advocate policy.
Actually, more nefarious, is when it is less clear than this: à la Judith Miller and David Sanger, whom attempt to mold policy through leaks and unnamed sources. At least a paper's editorial is relatively transparent and up front.
I would agree with you that the level of this is more provocative than usual, though, to put it euphemistically.
FYI, it bears little bearing on this story, but for a fun fact, the Times was founded by Sun Myung Moon (of the "Moonies").
Thanks. I'd forgotten that Comedy Central also blocked UK access.
Also, Colbert's Wørd: Weapon of Mass Construction
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/343735/august-12-2010/the-word---weapon-of-mass-construction" rel="nofollow">http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report...
Barry,
Over the top as it may seem, this is typical of the Washington Times. Here's why the Busheher Reactor does not pose any kind of nuclear threat to the world: http://www.juancole.com/2010/08/8169.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.juancole.com/2010/08/8169.html
"the [Washington] Times was founded by Sun Myung Moon (of the "Moonies")."
Wow - and I thought those Moonies were all so laid back and luvy-dubby with their mass wedding ceremonies and massgae parlour franchises..... :-)
Scott,
About the links you posted - here in the NL the ones for US readers (Dailyshow) work and the others (Channel 4) are blocked.
The Bushehr reactor might be identical to the Chernobyl reactor. If it is, then it is a danger.
RE: The Bushehr reactor might be identical to the Chernobyl reactor. If it is, then it is a danger.
Although that's a different issue than what we were discussing, I totally agree with the point I think you're making. My greatest fear about Iran's nuclear activities in general is not that they'll make a nuclear bomb, but that they'll have an accident that they won't be able to deal with even half as "effectively" (for lack of a better word word) than even the Russians did the Chernobyl reactor.
Scott,
I just now finally was able to watch all the Jon Stewart shows you've posted here. Many thanks - they're brilliant.
The Conservative Witch Hunt of Imam Rauf...
I found your entry interesting so I've added a Trackback to it on my blog...