HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher blasted liberals on Friday for making excuses for Islamic extremists, saying he was disturbed by the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
Mr. Maher made the comments while discussing the April 3 shooting in Garland Texas. Elton Simpson, 31, and Nadir Soofi, 34 were gunned down by a security guard outside the “Draw The Prophet” contest put on by the American Freedom Defense Initiative.
Mr. Maher called the Garland contest sponsor, Pamella Geller, a “loon” and admitted that the competition was “obviously a provocation,” but added, “This is America. Do we not have the right to draw whatever we want?”
CNN contributor Will Cain added that many news organizations have placed the blame on the victim for provoking Muslims.
“They forward the argument that if you wear a short skirt don’t be surprised when you get raped’” Mr. Cain said. “They have laid this on the victim, they have said ’you are provoking it, don’t be surprised when you get shot,” Mediaite reported Friday.
Mr. Maher pointed out that there is a large Muslim population in Garland but said none chose to protest the drawing contest silently because they “didn’t want to give it oxygen.”
SEE ALSO: Bill O’Reilly: ‘Jesus would not have sponsored’ Pamela Geller’s Muhammad cartoon contest
“Why don’t we get on the side of those Muslims?” Mr. Maher asked, Mediaite reported. “The ones who want to live in the twenty-first century, instead of making excuses for the ones who want to live in seventh.”
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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