Why [Penn Jillette] Won't Call Out Islam or Scientology ("... because we have families.")

Reason.com ^ | 06/26/10 | Matt Welch

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Are there any groups you won't go after?

We haven't tackled Scientology because Showtime doesn't want us to. Maybe they have deals with individual Scientologists—I'm not sure. And we haven't tackled Islam because we have families.

Meaning, you won’t attack Islam because you’re afraid it’ll attack back ...

Right, and I think the worst thing you can say about a group in a free society is that you’re afraid to talk about it—I can’t think of anything more horrific. [...]

[STD]

Kent, you obviously don’t ever watch P & T on Showtime. They are ritual apologists for all things libertine and boorish. Apparently, excess has not grown tedious enough for them yet? If you think P & T’s cowardice here’s troublesome, you should watch them surrender to such obviously frivilous triffle’s as pre-marital sex, or illicit drug abuse. Basically, P & T stand for nothing and are worth much less. I feel sorry for them Kent. Wait til they get to answer for the millions of young people that buy into their nilist philosophy.

[USAFJeeper]

Translation: I am a coward, I pick on christians because they live the life they are supposed to and dont attack me.

And I like them, but he is a coward.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Libertarian or not, they are cowards.

No, they just know the US government doesn't have their back. Our troops in Afghanistan know it, too.

[traderrob6]

“Both of you are correct. I don’t agree with everything they say; heck, I don’t agree with everything anyone says.

However, I cannot disparage someone for simply being honest. He is scared of Muslims attacking his family, and that I can completely understand.”

BS. If you aren’t willing to lambast everyone equally, then lambast no one. It comes with the territory.

Perhaps he better sell typewriters for a living, it’s safer.

[jrg]

Looks like somebody made their balls disappear.
Great Line.

[oh8eleven]

I certainly don't blame them for being honest. I have children, and I won't put their lives in danger to take on Muslims either.
Damned lucky for America that none of our Founding Fathers had children.
Our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor.

"Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war.
Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families.
One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes."

[bereanway]

This is a sad commentary not only on P&T but others as well, such as Comedy Central. They’re like a schoolyard bully who only picks on and mocks those whom they know cannot or will not retaliate. However, the moment they encounter someone who so much as threatens to get physical they shut down and cower.

I wouldn’t have any problem whatsoever with these people were they not such jerks. Comedy need not be so mean-spirited and callous. But what compounds the problem is a cruel nature coupled with cowardice. Not a very becoming combination.

[Skywalk]

From the interview, makes them sound a bit better than what you would say (they also have debunked Walmart bashers, enemas, new age, chiropractic medicine, etc) It’s just because they gore your particular ox that you get upset with them.

But as I said:

Teller and I have been brutal to Christians, and their response shows that they’re good fucking Americans who believe in freedom of speech. We attack them all the time, and we still get letters that say, “We appreciate your passion. Sincerely yours, in Christ.” Christians come to our show at the Rio and give us Bibles all the time. They’re incredibly kind to us. Sure, there are a couple of them who live in garages, give themselves titles and send out death threats to me and Bill Maher and Trey Parker. But the vast majority are polite, open-minded people, and I respect them for that.

[teenyelliott]

I think you mean "Damned lucky for America that none of our Founding Fathers wes teenyelliott." And there you would be right.

I never claimed to be a hero. What I am is a mom who puts her kids above ALL other Earthly things.

I think the obvious reason so many are still in awe of the Founders is that they were so willing to give everything for their country. Many like to say that they would, but I doubt that would be true.

[Spok]

Succumbing to fear has practically become a virtue.

[bigheadfred]

Many like to say that they would, but I doubt that would be true.

Just when you think you are safe. When you think this can't happen (to me) it will.

I have no problem speaking out against the evils of Islam. An example.

My nephew is this young man.

When it comes to our kids, what else can we do, but to give them EVERYTHING. We are fighting for Evan's freedom. Against the US Government. Penn Jillette is a POS coward.

[Slings and Arrows]

Apparently Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the only people the entertainment business with any [guts].

[RichInOC]

I’ve always wondered how you’d threaten Penn with hellfire. The man lives in Vegas year-round already.

[RichInOC]

That said, if Penn started to go after Islam, would you want to be the jihadi detailed to take his head?

[InvisibleChurch]

An Israeli spokesman once said of the constant need to be on defense against the Arabs, “They only have to win one time”. Penn Jillette most likely doesn’t want to live like Israel.

[GOP_Raider]

I’ve always wondered how you’d threaten Penn with hellfire. The man lives in Vegas year-round already.

Try the opposite of fire. For example, threaten him with having to perform outside at the Red Lion in Elko for all of eternity.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Did you see their BullSh*t show on martial arts? They said it was a waste of time, costly, dangerous and you’re better off just carrying a gun if you fear for your life or need protection since the risk is the same if you kill someone.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Can’t stand ‘em. They’re as unfunny as unfunny gets. Nasty, snide, needling sense of humor, delivered with a superior air. I’m fine with their politics, regretfully understand their hands-off approach to Islam (guess they’ll leave that to that Dead Terrorist puppet guy), etc. Still can’t stand ‘em. Penn makes my skin crawl.

[TheOldLady]

Hubby and I saw Penn and Teller in person a very long time ago; I don’t even remember exactly when. Penn was still thin, that’s how long. Their show was spectacular, more magic than jokes, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Not everyone is as brave as our people in the military.

[fortunecookie]

Penn seems smart, it's said he's intelligent, yet he fails to see the cowardice and bullying of attacking those who can't or won't fight back and giving wide berth to the dangerous.

And we're supposed to laugh, haha, he's soooooo funny. /sarc