Obstructed View

by Clifford D. May
October 23, 2010

https://www.legal-project.org/847/obstructed-view

Excerpt:

An African-American woman who affects a Jewish-sounding surname as a running joke storms off the stage in response to what she regards as the slander of Muslims. Only in America.

But let me back up, in case you missed it: Last week, Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly appeared on ABC's The View and argued against allowing an Islamic center to be built a stone's throw away from the consecrated ground where the World Trade Center once stood. When asked why he objected, he blurted out: "Because Muslims killed us on 9/11!"

At that point Whoopi (the nickname derives from "whoopee cushion") Goldberg (see above) and co-host Joy Behar exited stage left in righteous outrage. Put aside for a moment whether O'Reilly is right or wrong about the Islamic center. Put aside, too, whether, by failing to put an adjective — e.g., "radical" or "extremist" — in front of "Muslims," he implied that all Muslims bear responsibility for the atrocities of 9/11. Consider simply this: how difficult it has become to discuss such questions.

By walking off the set, talk-show hosts Goldberg and Behar were saying they will not tolerate talk about possible links between Islamic belief and terrorism. Co-panelist and producer Barbara Walters, to her credit, immediately said they were wrong.

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