Grab some popcorn because while most conservatives ignore comedian Bill Maher—he’s invited Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos to be interviewed on his show tonight. Yiannopoulos is no stranger to controversy. His latest trip on the lecture circuit was met with violence at UC Berkley, where a leftist mob shut down the event. The incident quickly became violent with fires being set, while other leftists engaged in the destruction of property. The FBI is now investigating the protests.
Why I will not appear this week on Real Time with Bill Maher. pic.twitter.com/SOoE3udrDr
— jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) February 15, 2017
On tonight’s broadcast of Real Time, Intercept co-founder Jeremy Scahill was slated to be a guest, but decided to cancel over Maher booking Milo. Scahill said that he disagrees with Maher about his views on Islam, noting that the latter's views ventures into vitriol. Nevertheless, he felt that Real Time provides a genuine platform for debate and discussion, “but Milo Yiannopoulos is many bridges too far.”
“There is no value in debating him,” wrote Scahill in a statement. “Yiannopoulos’ appearance could also be used to incite violence against immigrants, transgender people, and others at a time when the Trump administration is already seeking to formalize a war against some of the most vulnerable people in our society.” So, Scahill was triggered and he decided to bow out. That’s his right, but Maher defended his booking decision, saying that his views on Islam aren’t vitriolic and it’s these types of anti-free speech antics that cost liberals lost the election (via Entertainment Weekly):
“My comments on Islam have never veered into vitriol,” Maher replied in a statement obtained by EW. “Liberals will continue to lose elections as long as they follow the example of people like Mr. Scahill whose views veer into fantasy and away from bedrock liberal principles like equality of women, respect for minorities, separation of religion and state, and free speech. If Mr. Yiannopoulos is indeed the monster Scahill claims — and he might be — nothing could serve the liberal cause better than having him exposed on Friday night.”
Real Time with Bill Maher airs on HBO at 10 P.M.
It could be anti-climatic. You never know with Milo, but at least Maher is a liberal who can admit that there’s a problem with radical Islam—and that liberals should embrace free speech and expression, instead of running to the safe space. It’s because of these antics that Maher feels voters look at liberals and think of them as emasculated husbands. He’s not wrong.