Video: The excruciating “Hitchens confronts Mos Def about Al Qaeda” clip
posted at 4:18 pm on March 30, 2009 by Allahpundit
Spellbinding and agonizing for many reasons, foremost among them the fact that Maher’s tepid disapproval seems to be the only thing keeping the moronic audience from siding with this willful imbecile against two of the world’s leading public intellectuals. Ace calls this an “education,” but it isn’t; surely nothing was learned here. I don’t think Def’s exactly a Truther, either. He uses the same feeble “just asking questions” defense that Truthers do, but they at least come armed with talking points about thermite and the melting temperature of steel. His shtick is really more of a “question authority” pose taken to its limits of paranoia and nihilism: He doesn’t trust the government or the media, and he doesn’t trust Hitchens or Rushdie, and he doesn’t trust the subtitles on Bin Laden’s videos, because “villains” aren’t always so villainous when you look closer. Which, evidently, he’s unwilling to do himself.
Consider this yet another reason to like Hitchens, though. Is there anyone else on the chat-show circuit who would have kept after Def as persistently as he does? You keep waiting for him to relent in the name of “cultural differences,” but he never does. No sacred cows for Hitch.
Blowback
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Support your view claiming a thing is unknowable.
When others try to explain it to you, refuse to listen to what they say, and take refuge in your ignorance.
It’s frightening that there are so many people in this country who operate the same way.
snickelfritz on March 30, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Looks like Allah knocked it off for him.
29Victor on March 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM
That was pretty pathetic.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Must scan entire thread before posting…must….
Hey Allah, how about you get rid of capitulus too? The white trash stuff is at least as bad as Mercy4Me.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 5:31 PM
That was awesome to watch because it shows how Maher handles real controversy.
He didn’t know how to handle it and tried to shut it down like a meek and mild little girl.
Fake, made up, manufactured, mamby-pamby, moron manipulating media whore.
29Victor on March 30, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I don’t think you should ban anybody unless they’re threatening violence. Words are there to be used, and it was no more dumb a remark than many I’ve seen (and made :p) on this site. My 2c.
Fortunata on March 30, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Yeah. But I don’t think he knows where his towel is.
29Victor on March 30, 2009 at 5:34 PM
How much more racially insensitive can you be than using a term that describes exactly your thought to a persons worth, based on the color of their skin. Whitetrash is the N word to me and the folks who CPed Capitulus comments from yesterday are right. Ban Hammer the ignorant bigot.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Whoever the moron arguing with Hitchens was …………. he is just stuck on stupid. And, proud of it.
SC.Charlie on March 30, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Gee, who could have seen this coming?
But yeah, the democrats are the real racists or something.
crr6 on March 30, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Even though they can ban people for whatever reason they like, having a pathetic policy for doing so (as is evident) really undermines your credibility.
“Negro” is not a racist term. It is as legitimate as “Caucasian”. Putting it together with the equally evident fact that “Mos Def” is a moron, and marveling at how such a dumbass can be so rich in America, makes a legitimate point.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Al-mos Deaf.
And definitely very dumb.
dont taze me bro on March 30, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Definitely not froody.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Absolutely right. Just as bad if not worse…
RepubChica on March 30, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Nice phoney outrage at the Moby. How bout a little outrage for the Whitetrash comments?
Tool!
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 5:39 PM
A day late and more than a dollar short.
Cindy Munford on March 30, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Please highlight the racist content you find objectionable.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:39 PM
capitulus the racist isn’t posting–has he been banned? because if he hasn’t I’m gone from this site, plenty other “conservative” sights won’t take this shit and I won’t either.
RepubChica on March 30, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Yawn… Troll check people. Quit quoting and bringing these poor, tired, knuckle dragging losers back to the head of the thread. Jeez you would think that posters knew the basic rules on feeding trolls.
Board posting 101 syllabus:
Topic A – Trolls
Rule 1 – Don’t feed trolls
Rule 2 – Please don’t feed trolls
Rule 3 – When in doubt see rules 1 and 2
bigskinny on March 30, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Typical Obama supporter. The guy is a moron what else can anyone say.
roux on March 30, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Why does Mos Def always talk like he is eating a soup sandwich?
JeffinOrlando on March 30, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Yes, we’re on the same page (I think). Would it have been OK if he had said “black person”?
Fortunata on March 30, 2009 at 5:44 PM
And how low the bar for that is set.
Darth Executor on March 30, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Well naturally there’s this
Then this is pretty dumb too (remember how mad you guys got about Obama’s out of context “typical white person” quote…?
Then finally, your earlier post, while not as openly racist, is also pretty dumb. Mostly cause you neglect to mention most of the kids who buy Mos Def’s (and almost every other rapper’s) stuff are….white!
crr6 on March 30, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I suspect he is of very low IQ and poor breeding – hence his awful diction.
I also suspect he is stupid enough to believe that cultivating such a “I’m wasted” mode of speech is cool.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Frankly, when I was brought up, you took off your damn hat when you’re indoors, too.
snickelfritz on March 30, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Make sure you never donate to this racist organization.
Oofaahh.
redrock on March 30, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I didn’t ask for you to simply requote the post….point out the racist content.
I didn’t get mad. It merely confirmed my suspicions about Obama’s lack of intellect.
The ‘white’ demographic was not part of my point, hence not worth mentioning.
You really need to think more critically.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Mr. Definitely stupid. Nothing like that urban arrogance born of racism, paranoia, and a little blow. A more articulate, Cambridge-fed version of this atrocity could be elected president. Oops.
EMD on March 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Indeed. As I said….poor breeding.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:50 PM
You left out the living in trailers stuff…or are we just being selective in our outrage?
RepubChica on March 30, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Hey, we’re all being not cowardly now. Thanks, Mr. Holder.
Fortunata on March 30, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Ignorant urbanite.
csdeven on March 30, 2009 at 5:54 PM
What tremendous wit. You pointed out one of the chief products my state is known for. You’re poster number 862 to do that. Tell your handlers to let you out of the padded room for an extra ten minutes for your astuteness, then go jump in front of an oncoming Mack truck.
MadisonConservative on March 30, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Mos Def is one of the more brilliant artistic minds of our time. Anyone who’s listened to Blackstar/Black on Both Sides or We Are Hip Hop already knows that. And while he’s not an expert on foreign policy his baseline position of not trusting intellectuals or the MSM doesn’t actually put him that far from the basic philosophy of most of the posters around here. And, I might add, he IS just raising questions. It’s no different than what Glenn Beck does when he’s like, what IF Mexico totally fails and our border collapses and there’s total civil war. Or what IF there’s super inflation and taxation reaches 90%. I mean those things are incredibly unlikely, but Beck still runs entire segments of his show everyday under the assumption that they are going to happen. So please, this mock outrage over Mos Def engaging in everyday Glen Beckyness is a little bit much.
And yes Limey, calling someone a Negro is racist, get it together man. God.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Being a State known for its cheese is as hilarious as a State known for its potatoes. I don’t know why. ;)
I think it might have something to do with the limp nature of trying to come up with something to dramatically represent a State to the nation, and all they come up with is “WE MAKE CHEESE!”.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Concratulations. You managed to prove the comment by M4M was unacceptable here and he was banned and probably a Moby and maybe even a sockpuppet of you. (Check his IP Allah) On the other hand you proved nothing about LimeyGeek. If you think his comments are bigoted please join me in calling for Capitulus’s Ban Hammering.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Utter crap.
Also, there’s ‘asking questions’ and ‘asking questions’….”Mos Def” is the latter.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:00 PM
As tedious as ever.
Jim Treacher on March 30, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Hitch went ahead and decided to kick a little ass. ha ha.
That dumbass thought he was going to get a free pass for his dumbass comments and Hitch ripped him a new one.
The Wall on March 30, 2009 at 6:01 PM
But whitetrash is okay?
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:01 PM
We make the majority of the beer.
Scoff at your peril.
MadisonConservative on March 30, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Okay, so two fools and two intellectuals were on TV…
d1carter on March 30, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I can’t watch the video; there’s a blank white screen with a few tiny colored shapes in the upper left hand corner. Was Hitchens so overpowering he knocked the link out?
radjah shelduck on March 30, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Um just saying utter crap isn’t actually a response, do try again. Calling someone a negro is racist you say “poo?”
I think what you mean is when MY side engages in inflammatory hypothetical questions on a daily “news” TV show broadcast into millions of homes it’s totally OK. When Mos Def does it one appearance on Bill Maher it’s evidence of what’s wrong with America?
No, that’s racist too.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:03 PM
No respect for anyone who would share a stage with the slimebag weasel moral imbecile Maher.
profitsbeard on March 30, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Rushdie has learned a very important lesson that every Southern child has beaten into them – Never argue with an idiot because people have trouble figuring out which if you is the idiot.
Hitchens seems to think people talking should know what they are talking about. Perhaps because he spent some time on the conservative side he got used to the luxury of debating people who could bring actual facts and thought through arguments to the table. Ever since the Palin smack down where he crawled firmly back to the left, he is in a hell of his own making.
Enjoy yourself Hitchens. The Mos Def’s of the world are your people.
BrideOfRove on March 30, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Great, join us in calling for Capitulus’s Banning!
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Racism is banned on this site? Since when? LimeyGeek still posts, RealDemocrat posts….
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:06 PM
I already explained why “negro” is not a racist term. Read and inwardly digest.
You are yet another example of this pathetic whining class of so-called “Americans” that revel in the participation of a pantomime of ‘sensitivity’ – seeking offense wherever it can be misconstrued to pander to your narcissistic desire to be seen as virtuous by those you preen yourself for.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:07 PM
I am not racist.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Sorry, no. Speculation as to future developments is not the same as ignorance of facts.
‘Just asking questions’ is something any five-year-old can do. A sign of wisdom is seeking answers to your own questions, but ‘just asking questions’ and then trying to shout down the answer is being willfully ignorant.
snickelfritz on March 30, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Mos has shown some real acting talent but these rants make me dislike him to the point that I can no longer enjoy watching his films.
As with most nutroot celebs, he constantly questions our government while giving the gluttons of the music and film industry a free pass.
The Ugly American on March 30, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Would you call a black person a Negro to their face?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Yes.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Depends on the context dopey.
csdeven on March 30, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Mos Def is nothing like “most of the posters around here.” We ask questions and look for answers. He repeats the common Truther habit of asking questions but not looking for any answers.
He doesn’t ask questions to discover truth, he asks them simply to ask them. To give the appearance of looking for truth.
29Victor on March 30, 2009 at 6:10 PM
I never could stand those racists at
!!!
29Victor on March 30, 2009 at 6:11 PM
That’s a difference without a distinction. You are correct, they are not the same thing, but they have the same potentially dangerous effect. Indeed, what Beck does is potentially MORE dangerous because it can easily make it seem like these things are not “speculative” but instead “highly likely” and when you look at the posting of people on this site who are clearly Beck fans a LARGE chunk of his audience sees the “hypotheticals” on his show as “inevitabilites” and are apparently arming themselves accordingly. I don’t really know anyone who’s arming themselves to take down the government because they believe 9/11 was an inside job, but I bet you know someone who’s bought an automatic weapon because something Glenn Beck said scared the poop out of them.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Do tell me what happened the last time you did so.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Whomever that person may be, they’re rich. Most of us can only afford semi-automatic weapons.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Guess you missed Mercey4Me. Guess you miss everything that contradicts Conservative-view.
Tool as always. Selective outrage.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I worry about a time when we won’t be able to think derogatory thoughts about anyone or anything, because the words for those things will be banned.
The I remember that human beings are ingenious, we’ll simply make up new ones.
Fortunata on March 30, 2009 at 6:14 PM
“STEEL DONT MELT BABY
BUT I CAN MAKE YA SWEAT
STEEL DONT MELT BABY
I can just see Defs new song right now…”\
Ya, jet fuel doesn’t burn hot enough to melt steel!
It does when ya add hundreds of gallons of LOX to the mix.
What do people riding in airplanes think their breathing at 40K feet?
LOX, AKA Liquid Oxygen
DSchoen on March 30, 2009 at 6:15 PM
There’s actually nothing uniquely “dangerous” about that. It’s douchy at best. And like I said, I enjoy Mos Def’s musical work, not his foreign policy musings. But that’s all they are really And anyone inclined to believe him, well they probably have already heard of the conspiracy theory before and already have an opinion about it. Other than just bothering you what is the “danger” of Mos Def’s specualtive questions.
And what I meant about the similiarity between Mos and posters around here is his skepticism of anything the MSM tells him. His skpeticism comes from a different place, but the result is the same as a lot of posters around here.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:15 PM
It was part of an interesting conversation.
That said, I don’t literally go around saying “negro” to blacks as it makes no sense – if somebody eyeballed me and said “white” for no good reason, I’d think they had had too much sun.
I use the word “negro” whenever I wish to have some clinical detachment from discussions related to ‘race’. It is a perfectly legitimate racial sub-category.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:17 PM
And over intense as always. Those are just the two screen names that popped into my head at the moment. I forgot you catalog every post in a spreadsheet keeping tallies of everyone’s posts and ideas in order to make silly posts just like that one. And Mercy4Me isn’t a conservative?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:17 PM
A liberal on display.
I have a right to say what I think (even as I demonstrate that I can’t).
Basilsbest on March 30, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Don’t know much about guns do you? Our semis are “semi.” If you want to make it auto you have to install an external trigger activator or modify the sear by filing down the….Oh, nevermind. You can’t make an auto out of a semi. Nope.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I look forward to the day when people like you lose significant chunks of cash in lawsuits brought for slander, libel and defamation – throwing around accusations of ‘racism’ is despicable.
LimeyGeek on March 30, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Either Mos Def is retarded and stoned or just really fukking retarded.
TheSitRep on March 30, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Garbage.
Mos Doof claiming al Qaeda has never revealed their intentions is simply factually wrong, and he showed no interest in finding out for himself or hearing from more learned individuals the actual truth indicates that there is no intellectual process going on with anything he says.
Your attempt to change the subject over to the actions of someone on the Right is simply the practice of all trolls/astroturfers, seeking to change the subject. And it is a blatantly apparent and intellectually dishonest one.
snickelfritz on March 30, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Ummm… Only SOME people are ingenious and will make up the new terms. The rest will simply parrot the old tired crap and consider themselves “edgy”
bigskinny on March 30, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Er, you think I need a spreadsheet to remember something that happened on this thread?
And talk about intense! You’re the one trying to make LimeyGeek out to be a racist over nothing. Project much there professor? If you really are one.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Oh you mean you said the word Negro around a black person you didn’t call someone a “negro.” Thought so.
Why didn’t you type “I don’t literally go around saying “negro” to negroes as it makes no sense” Why even say “black” that was the first move by black folks to say “um yeah, we’d like to decide what we’re called, not have a word chosen by white folks for us that we have to accept.” Isn’t using “blacks” evidence that your stuck in total PC garbage too? Or, is it, that you recognize that it’s not socially acceptable to call black people “negroes” because it’s something that racists do.
And maybe here is what you’re being kind of sneaky about. It’s not that every time you utter the word “negro” it’s racist. It’s that referring to black folks by a term that we almost universally don’t want to be called demonstrates a total lack of respect for a whole segment of society and an arrogant assumption that you have a right to name another race/ethnic group rather than that group having the right themselves. I’m sure you DID have an interesting conversation about race with someone, but you don’t suggest your capable of such nuance when you foolishly declare that “negro” is as racially charged a word as “caucasion” it’s not and you know it. And I suspect you know why.
There are others that don’t piss people off wholesale. Why would you choose the one you know to be inflammatory? What’s the REAL point you’re trying to make?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:23 PM
And your inability to recognize hypocrisy makes you typical of most people everywhere, congratulations we’re in a circular argument!
And yes I agree that Mos Def is factually wrong. But, and maybe I missed it, but is the point of this thread just to say “Mos Def is wrong?” It seems like people (as they always do on these issues) were implying there was some larger consequences to what Mos is doing here. If I’m wrong then carry on with the hating on Mos Def for his opinion.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I’m making out checks to the United Negro College Fund and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Do you think they’ll get mad?
Jim Treacher on March 30, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Mercy is not a conservative?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Like the freaking cavalry this man is with his timing. Well played Mr. Treacher. Well played!
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:27 PM
DeathToCapitalistPigs: The voice of black America.
Jim Treacher on March 30, 2009 at 6:27 PM
ROTFLMAO!
The Geiko caveman sounds more lucid.
Disturb the Universe on March 30, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Mos Def can’t even shine Hitch’s…er…shoes….but than again, I don’t think Hitch could rap…
Braindroppings on March 30, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Beats me. Are you keeping a database? He sounded like a Moby to me. Is Capitulus a liberals?
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Oh you’ve listened to his music?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:29 PM
drop the s.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM
I don’t even know who you’re referring to
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:32 PM
You equated being willfully, ignorantly wrong and uninformed with speculation as to future events, which is a completely dishonest argument.
Another dishonest argument. His opinion is demonstrably false, and he has no wish to hear the inarguable truth. It is his primary ignorance, followed by his unwillingness to learn, that earns him disdain.
Another in
snickelfritz on March 30, 2009 at 6:33 PM
DeathtoMediaCrack, how bout you give Jim Treachers question a shot. Would love to hear your answer.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:33 PM
A bit like Mr. Definitely, then? Fine artistic thoughts he blows out of a perfectly-shaped black bottom.
Fortunata on March 30, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Why did the poster even have to bring Mos Def’s race into it? What’s the difference between saying, “Only in America could a dumbass be rich?” and “Only in America could a dumbass negro be rich?” For one thing, the latter phrasing is racist. It suggests that there’s some skinhead utopia out there where black people can’t get rich. It would have been just as racist without the word “negro,” so we can skip the argument over whether negro is a racist word (probably).
RightOFLeft on March 30, 2009 at 6:34 PM
I wouldn’t waste my time after that pathetic attempt at debate. (Why don’t you post some of his brilliant lyrics for me to explicate?)
Disturb the Universe on March 30, 2009 at 6:35 PM
About the United Negro College Fund. You’re the oldest charity organisation in the country devoted to collecting private funds to support black people’s dreams of a college education SHOULD change its historic name. We all know that if any contemporary white person can’t use a word than ALL instances of the word must be banned at all times. I suppose that pointing out that the NAACP.UNCF and other groups don’t change their name because they don’t want to forget the intrinsic history of their organisations. Maybe the YMCA should change its name to “relatively cheap public gym for everyone now.” Or, maybe that’d be stupid.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:36 PM
hmmm there should be a “right” between “You’re” and “the” in the second sentence.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:38 PM
What could have been an interesting debate is ruined by the Mos Def, who’s an idiot.
He asks the same fu**ing question over and over. It is answered over and over. Then asks it again. What a moron. Maher does a horrible job of reigning him in.
Hitchens wants to punch his face in, and rightfully so. But he shows delightful restraint in the presence of a know nothing clown.
Dave Rywall on March 30, 2009 at 6:38 PM
So you’re saying they won’t get mad. Whew!
Jim Treacher on March 30, 2009 at 6:39 PM
The fact that this unintelligible Mos Def can be land on a TV show talking about things he does not know about is a commentary on our nation. Is there any wonder why we are where we are?
PrincipledPilgrim on March 30, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Again professor, you miss the point. I think they shouldn’t change their names at all. I just think you should take some tonic and settle down.
hawkdriver on March 30, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I notice you haven’t yet had one critical comment for the person who said “only in America could a dumb Negro get rich.” Instead you seem intent on hating on people who think that’s racist. Why?
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Yes you are free to continue to be a total douche in this thread, congrats!
DeathToMediaHacks on March 30, 2009 at 6:41 PM
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