Posted on 11/25/2010 2:54:28 AM PST by Scanian
Since I'm well aware of how leftists' claims of erudition are as empty as their ideology, not many of their failures surprise me. But an exception came last night when Whoopi Goldberg was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly. The two were discussing their differing views on the nature of the Islamic threat, with O'Reilly maintaining that we have a "Muslim problem" and Goldberg insisting that, no, we have a "terrorist problem." In typical leftist style, she even went so far as to rationalize away the threat, implying at one point that terrorists were as likely to be white guys as anyone else. But as ridiculous as this denial of reality is, it was followed by an admission of ignorance that was truly staggering. It occurred during the following exchange:
"O'Reilly: 'Do you know what a madrassah is?'
Goldberg: 'No, I don't. ' O'Reilly: 'Okay, a madrassah is a school that teaches Islamic jihad, and there are madrassahs all over the Muslim world. They teach four and five-year-old kids to hate people.'
Goldberg: 'Bill, Bill, that may be true.'
O'Reilly: 'It is true!'
Goldberg: 'It may be true; I can't prove it. You've...you've clearly been to them, and I'll take your word for it.'"
Goldberg had no idea what a madrassah was. Wow. Just wow. Could you imagine if Sarah Palin exhibited such a striking lack of knowledge?
Now, if some readers didn't know what a madrassah was, while I would recommend boning up on the subject, it's a different matter: They're not professional commentators (plainly, Goldberg isn't, either). But this is a woman who obviously feels qualified to render opinion publicly on the Muslim threat, and she knows nothing about entities that serve as perhaps the main transmitters of jihadist propaganda to Muslim youth (there are 10,000 madrassahs across Pakistan alone).
And, of course, this has to reflect her knowledge base in general. If she didn't even know about madrassahs' existence, how much has she actually read about the Muslim threat? It's fair to assume that she knows nothing of the history of Islam. Could she possibly be acquainted with the Islamic conquests, from 632 A.D. onwards, of the old Middle Eastern Christian lands? Could she know about how the Muslim hordes then swept across North Africa (also Christian at the time), invaded Spain and Portugal (then Iberia), crossed the Pyrenees Mountains into France (then Gaul), and got within 130 miles of Paris before being stopped by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732? And could she have any idea that these continued conquests were what inspired the launch of the Crusades in 1095? No, she probably believes that those defensive campaigns were animated by rapacious, imperialistic Europeans who suddenly got in into their heads that they wanted to convert those practitioners of the religion of peace. (Note: Earlier this year, I addressed this in a magazine essay titled "The Crusades: When Christendom Pushed Back.")
It's also hard to imagine that Goldberg could know anything about the Islamic canon's eternal prescriptions for jihad, how Muslim thought involves Sharia law, or how dhimmitude is the inevitable lot of "infidels" in Dar al-Islam. In fact, after the O'Reilly interview, I very much doubt she knows what dhimmitude is.
Now, Goldberg was very pleasant in the interview; she's not a person of ill will. But while she did seem willing to listen to what O'Reilly had to say - she obviously wanted to make amends for an earlier blow-up during O'Reilly's last appearance on The View - there is a difference between listening and trying to comprehend. It's clear that, like all leftists, Goldberg subordinates Truth to her ideology; thus, when the two conflict, instead of amending her ideology, she rationalizes away the Truth. Put more simply, this is when something goes in one ear and out the other.
The ancient Chinese sage Confucius once said, "Wisdom is, when you know something, knowing that you know it; and when you do not know something, knowing that you do not know it." Sadly, Goldberg is ignorant of her ignorance. What's even sadder, though, is that such people can find a place in today's media.
What’a her real name ?
Caryn Elaine Johnson
Whoopi started out as a foul mouthed commedianne and like most people in Hollywood, the more attention she got the more self absorbed and self righteous she became.
The mutual admiration society she lives in allows her the freedom to remain ignorant amongst her equally ignorant peers.......
She is quite intelligent, but a fool. She is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood. But she does not think, does not know how to think. She wants the applause of the leftist idealogues in Hollywood. She thinks she will be applauded by her leftwing audience by saying shocking things about conservative people and white people.
Karen Johnson aka Whoopi Goldberg, grew up in New York City and learned to act as a child in local improvisational theatre. Her father abandoned the family when she was young. She did not have much schooling, but through great resourcefulness and great acting talent and hard work she became a very successful actress in Hollywood, winning an Academy Award for her part in Ghost with Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze. She starred in many great films. But older actresses are not in demand, so she is making a living by being a darn fool on "The View"
Whay a shame that such a talented and intelligent woman is wasting herself. She could have been a great woman if she had wised up.
MORE
You MAY be right, but most intelligent women don’t become grandmothers at age 34.
...but she loves America's money...just like everyone else on the left.
whoopski shoulda said to billy..”do you know what a usurper is?”
That make three of US! I also left HS for the Corps. Spent my Summer of ‘65 near Beautiful Beaufort by the Sea.
Goldberg rose from some cesspool about 30-35 years ago. Even after having been around the block, I was put off by her language. A textbook example of lack of talent trumped by gross vulgarity.
S/F
0341
Karen Goldberg
go figure
Very true. Very true.
If Whoopi seemed like a happy person, I’d say she is a case of “ignorance is bliss.”
But, like the rest of the biddies on “The View,” she seems like a miserable liberal living in a know-nothing world.
That interview was embarassing to watch, such is her ignorance.
O’Reilly had to know what she is like...he probably brought her on so she would make an ass of herself.
Nobody that dumb should be allowed out in public by herself.
She is too miserable (like the rest of “The View” libs) to merit that tag.
Just ignorant. And just pitiful.
Well, as much as I dislike Whoopi.... I have to agree with her on this point. My agreement only exposes more of her ignorance. She probably thinks all muslims are “people of color”. She apparently feels that because they are not “White”, they should be protected. Imagine her surprise if she knew about this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0TQ1gj8GQo
Oops! And yes that b!tch is still on my boycott list. I hope she runs herself to death chasing the Red Queen who holds the key to the “browning of America”. And she can take Oprah and the Wookie with her.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.