Pamela Geller is all over the news because of the attack at the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest in Texas. Taking an overview of the media coverage of the incident, we're led to believe the "bad guy" in the story was a woman.
Not the two heavily armed Muslims who planned a major attack on the event and the people in attendance.
No, the media "bad guy" was, and is, Pamela Geller.
Having followed her career and having interviewed her on my radio program over the years, that she was the center of controversy and that she would be labeled the "bad guy" even when she did nothing wrong, isn't surprising.
But she's only considered a "bad guy" if you're a person afraid to speak out against the hell that militant Islam has foisted on non-Muslims across the world, including this country.
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How many people would plan and carry out a major meeting and contest to "draw Muhammad"?
Keep in mind that Muslims say it is not permissible to create a likeness of Muhammad, and anyone who does faces death.
Pamela Geller did plan that event. It was held in Garland, Texas. She did it because we have freedom of speech in this country, and there was nothing illegal about the event or the purpose.
There were many entries in the competition. There were also discussions and speakers and some 300 in attendance. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, there was an attempted attack on the event by militant Islamsts.
Fortunately, it wasn't successful.
Two men, Muslim converts from Phoenix, armed with AK-47s and wearing full body armor, made an attempt to kill – only to be stopped in their tracks by a local policeman, who used his handgun to kill them both.
Geller was savvy enough to have hired security for the event, and the Garland Police Department was also present for security, so it's clear such an attack was a real possibility.
Just think back to the Charlie Hebdo massacre in France – 11 killed by two Muslims – again, a bloody attack because of a Muhammad cartoon.
Geller is being chastised in the media for holding the event, accused of insulting a religion.
Media voices claim, "We have freedom of speech, but …" That's a big but. They draw the line at anything that can be interpreted as criticism or ridicule of Islam.
Islam is off limits, although given the history of religion bashing in the media, any other religion is fair game probably because those religions don't kill their critics.
The media voices bashing Geller are both liberals and so-called conservatives – which shows that cowardice exists on both sides of the political fence
It's interesting to note that, for all the media attacks on Geller and interviews in which she was insulted and demeaned – she held her own as she always does – not one media outlet had the courage to print or broadcast the cartoon of Muhammad that won the contest.
It shows an angry Muhammad holding up a sword and snarling, "You can't draw me." In front of that figure are the hands of the cartoonist and the words, "That's why I draw you."
It was created by Bosch Fawstin, a former Muslim.
It's important you understand that according to Islam, Fawstin not only faces death for the drawing but also for leaving the Muslim faith.
He has gone into hiding and no doubt has 24-hour security.
Speaking of security for people who disagree with Islam, the main guest speaker at the event was Dutch politician Geert Wilders. He wants the immigration of Muslims into his country to stop, and he is against Shariah law being imposed on Europe and across the world.
I've interviewed Wilders on my radio program and found him thoughtful, logical and determined. I admire his courage in standing up for his beliefs and his ability to express them. He also keeps getting elected, so it's clear he's not a voice in the wilderness although mainstream European politicians are so cowed by Islam that they don't support him.
Neither do the militant Islamists who have issued a fatwa against him. Wilders survival depends on 24-hour security and keeping his residence and family protected and hidden, something he has endured for more than 10 years.
Pamela Geller blogs at the site Atlas Shrugs and is the executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative. She's also an author and commentator.
In those capacities, she's been an outspoken defender of Israel and its right to exist as a free country. She believes the same about our country and our freedoms and is vociferous that she does not want Shariah law to be accepted here.
Geller is clear that she is not opposed to Islam but is against Shariah law. The battle between freedom and militant Islam is at the forefront of her efforts.
Geller said she had no intent to be incendiary or provocative by having the cartoon contest but was clearly standing up for freedom of speech, which we're guaranteed in the First Amendment.
Scarcely had the terrorists been killed than ISIS announced it's going after Geller with plans to slaughter her.
Pamela Geller is one of the most focused and most courageous people in this country. It's clear to me that if I wanted someone on my side in a battle for our freedom, Geller is the person I'd choose.
Like it or not, we need people like Pamela Geller.
Note also that ISIS declared it planned the attack and it was the first, but not the last, attack on the United States in the United States.
I disagree. It wasn't the first – remember Sept. 11 and Fort Hood, among others.
But I do believe them that it won't be the last.
We'd better be prepared: armed, locked and loaded.
Now if we can only get the FBI to assist in protecting Pamela Geller. So far, they're ignoring her.
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