Interview with Sharia Judge's Victim

Pamela Gellar interviews him.

PG: What is your reaction to the judge's telling you that what you did was offensive to Muslims?

Perce: When I first heard Attorney Thomas, the defendant's attorney, telling me to read the Koran and the judge stayed silent, I was stunned. Then when the judge said, " I have a Koran; I challenge you to show me where it says Mohammed [rose] from the dead," I was stunned. I remember thinking "In America, what does it matter what interpretation a person has about a ruthless book?" I thought, "I'm not going to challenge you to a debate, and who in the hell are you to require me to read a Koran?"

The question seeks to change the paradigm from "free speech is the rule" to "some persons must prove their speech is true in order to have free speech rights."

This is a concept found in libel law. It applies specifically to living persons.

The judge introduced the concept of "libeling Islam" into an area of the law in which it was wholly alien.

The very question is disgusting. The judge is saying that the man's free speech rights only exist to the extent they are congruent with the teachings of the Koran. Otherwise, his statement is false, libelous against Mohammad and Allah, and he forfeits the protections of the law.

The judge kept bragging about how many years he'd spent in Islamic countries.

He should take residence in such a country if he wishes to enforce the blasphemy laws existing in such countries.

They should not exist here.

I would say "They do not exist here," but they do exist in at least one jurisdiction in Pennsylvania.

Impeach him.

CNN Interview with the Judge: Friendly audience.

From Volokh, who disputes the judge's claim that anti-Islamic statements are a clear and present danger to free speech.

No. Islamist judges are.

Interviewer to Judge Martin: … There are some who believe you were failing to protect that right.

Judge Martin: No, I don’t think so. Here’s the thing: It’s a right, it’s not a privilege, it’s a right. With rights come responsibilities. The more that people abuse our rights, the more likely that we’re going to lose them.

What "responsibility"? The responsibility to honor Islam?

posted by Ace at 12:46 PM

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