The NYT has the first chapter of the book Unfriendly Fire. The chapter is about how gay Arabic specialists were dismissed from the military for violating the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. National Security or Religious Right? We know who won that fight.
Related Posts
New Critique of Those Who Love to Criticize Academics
For those unfamiliar, the “Academic Bill of Rights” is designed to curtail free speech in American universities, particularly by professors involved in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. A new report by Free Exchange on Campus, a coalition of groups opposed to David Horowitz’s “Academic Bill of Rights” and similar measures, argues that the entire movement is built on false premises and is designed to attack higher education. The report, “Manufactured Controversy,” notes that legislative successes for this movement have been minimal, but that the effort still needs scrutiny. [From New Critique of Those Who Love to Criticize Academics]
Music, #Iran, and the #IranElection
With my passion for music, I’d be remiss in not pointing out some resources on Iranian music, especially with the conflict surrounding the Iranian election. This piece from Religion Dispatches is good, but I think it takes the “all politics is personal” a little too far. It’s not always about the music. Hawg Blawg is always excellent, and Talk Islam has some work as well. Andrew Sullivan is running an intermittent series called “Outing Iran” that includes a lot of music.
American Muslims and the NYPD Trust Deficit
I’m quoted over on Patheos’ piece on the topic. American Muslims and the NYPD Trust Deficit. Do you feel comfortable living your life as a Muslim in America? I do. I am firm enough in my faith and happy enough to be an American that I know what the NYPD is doing is wrong. They will not take my faith in either God or country. The NYPD may not believe in the constitution, the bill of rights, or civil liberties, but that doesn’t mean they are right.