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Bill Maher: ‘We Do A Much Better Job Of Destroying America Than Our Enemies’

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by Glynnis MacNicol | 11:21 am, May 10th, 2010

» 23 comments

Well it’s hard to argue that last week was a helluva news week (something Nashville may have discovered the hard way). On Friday’s Real Time Bill Maher hit upon a theme for the week: incompetence. Between the BP Oil spill (“an act of Dick Cheney”), the flash crash on Wall St, and the foiled bombing of Times Sq, “we continue to do a much better job of destroying America than our enemies.”

The panel, which included Salman Rushdie, Alexis Glick, and David Frum — a mixed group if there ever was one — mostly agreed. Said Rushdie: “We’re just lucky that the people coming after us are more incompetent [than the 'fat fingers' on Wall St.]”

Maher is also unwilling to put the blame fully on the immigration system: “Let’s talk about the psychology of this guy…he was in a sh*tty marriage, he had a dead-end job, his house was under water, if that’s not an American I don’t know what is.” He later suggests it’s religion, which prompts Rushdie to point out “before we tar the entire Muslim community in America” that the vendor who notified the cops was also a Muslim.

Hyperbole aside, I think Maher, and everyone else as far as I can tell, is missing a salient point here: If this was real religious fanaticism wouldn’t Shahzad have stayed in the car? Thus far every attack or attempted attack on U.S. soil since and including 9/11 has been a suicide mission. Shahzad fled the scene of the attack presumably in order to save himself. That strikes me as very American. Meanwhile, Glick thinks economic stability leads to political instability, though, she concurs, Tea Party protests are a long ways from attempting to build car bombs.

Later Maher speculates that Rush Limbaugh has gone over the edge because he feels the need to compete with Glenn Beck. Full video of the panel below.

Alexis Glick, Bill Maher, David Frum, Real Time, Salman Rushdie

MichelleF

Shahzad fled the scene of the attack presumably in order to save himself. That strikes me as very American.

Glynnis,
I’m trying to understand your point. Are you suggesting he wasn’t a terrorist and just agreeing with the typical lib thinking that he was just your average joe who was down on his luck and decided to blow up NYC?
The Real Royal King

Michelle, the meaning is abundantly clear. Committed jihadists find fulfillment in dying for their cause. Americans, by contrast, find fulfillment in living and fighting for their causes. I should think that abundantly clear from WW II. The point is Shahzad is obviously deeply conflicted, not deeply committed.
writer

I realize it was a crushing blow to the left that Shahzad wasn’t a tea partier. Funny how they attempt to link every errant act to the tea party, but struggle to keep from linking this guy to Muslims. And just because he didn’t blow himself up, that’s an American trait? Bin Laden wasn’t flying a plane on 9/11.
badr

I am not surprised that Frum would validate Maher’s forum, what a phony.
MichelleF

The fact that the left continues to try to make this guy out to be anything than the radical muslim he is, is getting ridiculous. If taking 17 trips to pakistan to train doesn’t sound like a committed jihadist to you, then what is?
germ

RRK, you are talking out of your ass again.

Most of the “suicide” bombers in Iraq do not know that they are going to be blown up at the time. They think they are going to have enough time to get out and head back to the safe point with the promise of money.
The Real Royal King

Geez, Michelle, I came back from a business trip to Karachi on Friday, and I am planning on going back twice more this year. Can you tell me how may trips I am allowed before I become a Jihadist? I also seem to be spending a great deal of time in southern Africa. When is it that I become a member of the African National Congress.
The Real Royal King

Germ, how is it that you know this:

“Most of the “suicide” bombers in Iraq do not know that they are going to be blown up at the time.”?

And since Iraqis don’t seem to have been involved in recent terrorist attacks in the US, are they different in this regard than Palestinians or Saudis?
writer

Geez, Michelle, come on. You’ve dealt with the King enough by now to know that since Shahzad wasn’t white, his actions must be explained away. As a non-white in ‘Amerika’, he was subjected to the yoke of oppression, and the sting like a bee, and the Christian male of discrimination, and…and…..
Jerrysays

“Thus far every attack or attempted attack on U.S. soil since and including 9/11 has been a suicide mission.”

Totally false- the first WTC attack was not a suicide mission and neither was the Fort Hood attack.
libra blue

Why is it that people like MacNicol always want to label everything negative as “American”? If they don’t like it here there are plenty of other countries to choose from.

I think Maher is basically right, but both sides have contributed to destroying this country.
disgusted

As “Pogo” said: “We found the enemy – and it was us!”
germ

The Real Royal King says:
May 10, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Germ, how is it that you know this:

RRK, let’s just say I have dealt first-hand with terrorists in Iraq.

And since Iraqis don’t seem to have been involved in recent terrorist attacks in the US, are they different in this regard than Palestinians or Saudis?

Just shows how little you know.
The Real Royal King

Goodness, Germ, you know less than I thought you did. And, that wasn’t much!
TheStiffmeister

For once the Obamessiah’s senseless stooge is right, all liberals do is destroy this great country we built!!!!!!!!!!!3 We didn’t build this country on the back of our cursed slaves for you liberals to come along and send it down the pipe!!!!!!3 If only Ann Coulter were president, she’d convert you all, make it so minorities and women can’t vote and convert all those muslims!!!!!!!3
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JamesA1102

If taking 17 trips to pakistan to train doesn’t sound like a committed jihadist to you, then what is?

Someone willing to kill himself in order to kill innocent people.
TylerDurden

JamesA1102 says:
May 10, 2010 at 10:16 pm

If taking 17 trips to pakistan to train doesn’t sound like a committed jihadist to you, then what is?

Someone willing to kill himself in order to kill innocent people.”

So OBL isn’t a jihadist , eh, James.

LMAO!
writer

Sounds like the left has it figured out. Since Bin Laden didn’t blow himself up, he can’t be called a terrorist.
Nachi

Maher is sooooooo correct!
kit9

‘Shahzad fled the scene of the attack presumably in order to save himself. That strikes me as very American. ‘

You really are vile, McNicol. So, suicide bombers are brave warriors, while an American is characterized by his gutlessness. How very Bill Maher of you. Remember how Billy spoke so admiringly of the 9/11 bombers, calling them, ‘courageous’, while criticizing American soldiers for dropping bombs out of planes. Next, like Maher, you’ll be comparing mentally disabled children to dogs.
AmericanCowboy

Top 10 biggest political Idiots:

Barry Obama – For Tripling the National Debt and his Marxist Agenda
Nancy Pelosi – For her part in destroying America’s healthcare
Harry Reid – For his part in destroying America’s healthcare
Eric Holder – For NY City Terror Trial and giving Miranda Rights to Muslim Extremists
Barney Franks – For his part in the banking collapse
Al Gore – For his Global Warming scam job on the stupid folks who believe this crap
Joe Biden – Because his morning bowel movement is smarter than he is
Jimmy Carter – For being the 2nd worst president of all time
Hilary Clinton – For losing to Commie Obammie
Barry Obama – Because he is so bad he makes the list twice
AmericanCowboy

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Obama and the evil Democrats are scamming Americans again
“Cap and Trade” is now called “American Power Act”
Any Republican that supports this awful Bill will be voted out with the foolish Democrats in Nov 2010
This bill will do nothing but raise our energy costs, kill jobs and make Al Gore rich. Carbon Credits are a scam.