Don’t lose your Head

Don’t lose your Head

A cranky opinion for

 

CRANKY OPINION SATURDAY

The following is the opinion of a cranky old man with little knowledge on the subject opined.  Opposing opinions are welcome, they are wrong, but welcome, and please, no name calling, and that means you, you big stupid head.

 

Once again I read in the news where an institution backs off a decision because they want to be inclusive and respectful of all religious ideas and cultures.  Once again the religion they were loath to insult was Islam.

There never seems to be a problem when Christian beliefs are mocked.  Jews always seem to be fair game, what is it about Islam that everyone seems to walk on egg shells. 

First let me be politically correct and acknowledge what is clear to anyone with a brain.   There are many Muslims that are peace loving people of faith.  The vast majority of Muslims are peace loving people of faith. 

There I said it, now what everyone is afraid to say and the real reason why Muslims are given special treatment that is not given to Jews and Christians; some Muslims cut off the heads of people that draw cartoons or say anything that could be perceived as negative to their religion.  THEY CUT OFF HEADS!!  Make a joke about Islam…we cut off your head!  Object to head chopping…we cut off your head! 

A College with ties to Israel, Brandeis, was going to give an honorary degree to an ex-Muslim who has said bad things about Islam.  She has said bad things about Islam simply because she suffered genital mutilation, beatings, and a forced marriage under the guise of that religion.  The administration backed down on the honorary degree due to protests.  They never backed down because of protests before, what is the difference?

Several years ago Brandeis University awarded an honorary degree to Tony Kushner, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama.   Tony Kushner was also known to be hostile toward Israel with comments such as, “The biggest supporters of Israel are the most repulsive members of the Jewish community.” Jewish groups protested the awarded degree, the College stood firm.

Now Brandeis University had agreed to bestow an honorary degree to Ayaan Hirsa Ali, a well-known defender of women’s rights in the Islamic world.  They reversed this decision under pressure from Islamic groups.

These Islamic groups abhor some of the negative things Ms. Ali has said regarding Islam but they don’t seem to mind genital mutilation, beatings and forced marriages for woman; or, of course, CUTTING OFF HEADS!

Why did Brandeis not back down under Jewish protests against Tony Kushner yet backed down under pressure from Islamic groups?  Their official statement is,

“She is a compelling public figure and advocate for women’s rights, and we respect and appreciate her work to protect and defend the rights of women and girls throughout the world. That said, we cannot overlook certain of her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis University’s core values.”

This all sounds wonderfully academic, and perhaps their core values have changed since Tony Kushner’s honorary award.  I only wish they had the guts state the real reason,

“She is a compelling public figure and advocate for women’s rights, and we respect and appreciate her work to protect and defend the rights of women and girls throughout the world. That said, we are scared shitless of radical Islamists who might CUT OFF OUR HEADS!”

I would not blame them, head chopping is scary stuff.  I might even respect their honesty.

The preceding was the opinion of a cranky old man and not necessarily that of management…Mrs. Cranky.