Herman Cain doubled down on his Islamo-phobia on Chris Wallace's FNS show this morning. I honestly think Chris Wallace was taken aback. The clip is worth the watch. The islamo-phobia segment begins at 5:30.
But here's something interesting I stumbled across on 'Conservatives for Palin,' a blog loosely/unofficially connected to her PAC. It's an exchange in this evening's open thread that lays bare the mindset of the animating force behind the strident right. I changed the handles of the posters.
The exchange begins with a reasonable take down of Cain, but what follows is a very interesting exchange between two elements of Palin's supporters. Pay particular attention to the dialogue between DDD and QQQ
Mr. xxx posted four 4 hours ago
I think Herman Cain just shot himself in the foot...
The town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee is having their own version of the Ground Zero Mosque scandal, as an Islamic center proposed in the town is facing significant opposition. Among those opposed to building it is Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who appeared on Fox News Sunday today and asserted that communities “have a right” to ban mosques from their community.
“Our Constitution guarantees separation of church and state. Islam combines church and state,” Cain argued, as host Chris Wallace maintained that separation of church and state permits mosques to exist in any community. To Cain, however, the problem was not Islam as a religion, but Islam as a set of laws. “American laws in American courts,” he repeated, a mantra he used in the latest Republican primary debate. “It is not just a mosque for religious purposes.”
Wallace argued that he did not quite understand what was wrong with Murfreesboro that would prevent a mosque from existing there without controversy– “this isn’t Ground Zero in New York City, it’s not hallowed ground. Don’t Americans have a right, of any religion, under a Constitution which you speak so much about…”
Cain retorted that “to the people of Murfreesboro, it is hallowed ground” and that he agreed with them in their objection to “the intentions of trying to get Sharia Law.” “They’re objecting to the fact that Islam is both a religion and a set of laws,” Cain continued. So Wallace asked the inevitable question: does any community have the right to ban mosques? “Yes, they have a right to do that,” Cain replied, without skipping a beat. He later added that, while he is not willing to discriminate based on religion, “I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
Ms. yyy in reply to Mr.xxx
This is an example of why candidates like Mr. Cain are so valuable. He's speaking truth to an America starved for just such truth and clarity. What he's saying here about islam matters a great deal, and we all know he's just risked his life to say it.
It's easy for me to refrain from dissing this man. I know (as does he) that he's not a viable candidate and no threat to Sarah, since I doubt he'll make it to the preliminary. He's addressing some critical issues in very blunt terms, and that's something we need badly.
Ms. qqq in reply to Mr. xxx
I agree with you, xxx.
Does anyone ACTUALLY believe that Murfeesboro Muslims are intending to upend local statues? I mean ACTUALLY believe that is a real risk, as opposed to some sort of ideological posture?
If Sarah is going to win, she is going to have to maintain her appeal to the Libertarian wing of the Tea Party. And it would serve her well to distance herself from Herman's nonsense.
Ms. AAA in reply to xxx
...what bbb said!!!!!
islamic savages reject America and our Constitition.
islamic savages have declared war on America and Western civilization.
islamic savages are, on regular basis, taking control of NYC's Madison Ave intersection at high noon to hold islamic "prayer fest". In the middle of the freaking intersection during rush hour!
Mr. Ccc in reply to aaa
Is there no effort to stop this?
Ms. ddd in reply to ccc
Sweeping the area with some k-9 units followed by few barrels of well-distributed pigs' blood oughta 'bout do it.
Ms. qqq in reply to Ms. ddd
Wow, just wow.
Ms. ddd in reply to Ms. qqq
You're talking some very dangerously deluded nonsense.
Where have you been for the last decade and a half?
Ms. qqq in reply to Ms. ddd
Do you think Governor Palin shares your thoughts? If so, how do you recommend she articulate these ideas to the American people?
Ms. MMM in reply to Ms. qqq
You and people like you best get it in your thick skulls.....Islam is and has ALWAYS been one of western civilization's worst enemies. Cain is a patriot...I am sorry I ever diparaged him. Sharia and moslem aggression are no joke.
YOU CANNOT LIVE WITH OR COMPRIMISE WITH ISLAM. Fight or submit, in the end, are the only options. Read some history.
Ms. Qqq in reply to Ms. MMM
Look... there are alot of people who are drawn to SP because she is the only politician with Libertarian ideas who actually has a chance to get elected to public office. Like it or not, people like me are part of her coalition. We better find a way to make peace.