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2006-05-02 Fifth Column

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Posted by ryuge 2006-05-02 07:17|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "More recently, he has had some batty thoughts about an Islamic takeover of Europe by the end of the century..."

"Batty"? What the hell's so "batty" about it? Seems rather self-evident to me that all one has to do is open his eyes and look at the present situation, and where things are headed, and an eventual Islamisation of Europe becomes a real possibility.

Posted by Dave D.">Dave D. 2006-05-02 08:56|| 2006-05-02 08:56|| Front Page Top

#2 The batty part is the end of the century. More like 2050.

Posted by ed 2006-05-02 09:47|| 2006-05-02 09:47|| Front Page Top

#3 it's sad, their obscessive compulsive addiction to Bush Bashing with silly little pieces of trash like this one. Such a waste of good writing talent. This current political climate will one day pass and all that these types will have to show for their work will be childish natterings at their favorite whipping boy.

Ironically, Bernard Lewis' work will last a bit longer. Maybe they are just jealous cause they know that's true.

Posted by 2b 2006-05-02 10:57|| 2006-05-02 10:57|| Front Page Top

#4 In this case, it seems more professional jealousy. Bernard Lewis is a well respected professor and popular author, whereas Brian Whitaker is just the dweeb Middle East editor for al Guardian. A short look at Lewis's life (ht: Wikipedia) explains the antipathy. The most prominent reasons are bolded:

Born to middle-class Jewish parents in London, Lewis graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, performed post-graduate studies at the University of Paris, returned in 1938 to the University of London as an assistant lecturer in Islamic History, once again at SOAS.

During the Second World War Lewis served in the British Army in the Royal Armoured Corps and Intelligence Corps, before being seconded to the Foreign Office. After the war he returned to SOAS and taught there until 1974, when he accepted a position at Princeton University, becoming an emeritus professor there upon his retirement in 1986. He has been a naturalized citizen of the United States since 1982.

Posted by RWV 2006-05-02 12:11|| 2006-05-02 12:11|| Front Page Top

#5 I don't know if it's been posted here, but here's a decidedly different (and much better written) prespective on Lewis.

Posted by Xbalanke 2006-05-02 12:42|| 2006-05-02 12:42|| Front Page Top

#6 Of the references:

Alain Gresh: Malevolent fantasy of Islam
Says nothing.

Oliver Miles: Lewis gun
"Poor fellow, doesn't know as much as we reporters do. US policy is the great culprit."

Shahid Alam: Scholarship or Sophistry? Bernard Lewis and the New Orientalism
His hatred for Lewis is venomous, and his attack is ugly. On the other hand, his is the only article actually worth reading, since he tries to refute Lewis by bringing up aspects of history other than the Palestinians. About half the time he makes Lewis' point without realizing it. If you can stomach it. . .

Posted by James">James 2006-05-02 13:17|| http://idontknowbut.blogspot.com]">[http://idontknowbut.blogspot.com] 2006-05-02 13:17|| Front Page Top

#7 The self-proclaimed intellectual elite at its typical.

Posted by gromgoru 2006-05-02 13:24|| 2006-05-02 13:24|| Front Page Top

#8 "...the man who coined the term 'clash of civilisations"

Lewis also coined the term "political-cum-ideological Judeophobia".
You can have him.

Posted by DepotGuy 2006-05-02 20:16|| 2006-05-02 20:16|| Front Page Top

00:33 ed
00:23 ed
23:50 phil_b
23:49 CrazyFool
23:45 phil_b
23:40 Frank G
23:39 Frank G
23:39 ed
23:38 Frank G
23:32 Rafael
23:30 CrazyFool
23:25 RD
23:17 JosephMendiola
23:14 macofromoc
23:13 3dc
23:12 DMFD
23:11 lurking in Germany
23:03 Rafael
23:02 RD
22:58 Frank G
22:57 Seafarious
22:54 Frank G
22:53 Rafael
22:53 sludge