Deeply moved by the amazing comments. Grateful for each person here and for your thoughtfulness and compassion. My commitment remains to uphold justice above all else. That will never break. Thank you all for your incredible trust and support. It truly means the world to me. The hate won't dissipate any time soon, unfortunately, but the love and support of all of you more than makes up for it. Thank you. ❤️✊🏽
Thank you for showing such integrity! I'm so worried for Muslims and the hate that is going to be directed at them because of this corrupt regime attacking Iran illegitimately and illegally. My older son reverted to Islam, which I deeply respect his decision. So, thank you for standing up and pushing back against the hate.
I enjoy most of your writing, although I rarely respond because it takes time, and as an 84-year-old, I know I don't have much left. Your comment on religions was right on. I have lived long enough to recognise how foolish humans are. We find it easier to follow than to lead, but we become resistant to leaders who ask us to think for ourselves. So we're easily led. And then, because men are generally physically stronger than women, men don't want to acknowledge that women are generally actually smarter than men, which often leads men to follow strong men who are in it for the feeling of power, which in turn allows them to be manipulated, and intelligence is ignored. I know very well why humans think there is an afterlife; we simply don't want to die! And because we cannot think of how being dead would feel, thinking requires one to be alive after all, then there must be an afterlife! The truth is that life is so very precious, we should want everybody to have the best experience that they can. But that's where the "no, I want power over you!" comes in and messes things up. We don't need to be nice to get a great afterlife; we need to be nice because life is precious and should be cherished.
Qasim models setting boundaries for the discourse on his platform, which I greatly appreciate. It seems to me that folks who don't support Qasim in his boundaries, are the same type that don't understand how solo females on the path of a hike would rather deal with a bear than a man. These folks seem to be unaware of the culture that worships money over dignity; they should consider deconstructing their influences and personal history to challenge assumptions and the basis of their beliefs. I subscribe to Qasim for the WAY he argues, and sets boundaries, with respect and calls our hypocrisy. I also enjoy his knowledge of the law, the constitution and the human rights messaging that is consistent and steadfastly rooted in the foundation of universal morality.
Qasim models setting boundaries for the discourse on his platform, which I greatly appreciate. It seems to me that folks who don't support Qasim in his boundaries, are the same type that don't understand how solo females on the path of a hike would rather deal with a bear than a man. These folks seem to be unaware of the culture that worships money over dignity; they should consider deconstructing their influences and personal history to challenge assumptions and the basis of their beliefs. I subscribe to Qasim for the WAY he argues, and sets boundaries, with respect and calls our hypocrisy. I also enjoy his knowledge of the law, the constitution and the human rights messaging that is consistent and steadfastly rooted in the foundation of universal morality.
You analogy of a woman walking in the woods is disingenuous, I appreciate its easy to conflate things, but based on what has been shared thus far, there is, was no threat of physical danger to anyone.
And I do not understand these boundaries you speak of, perhaps its because I don't agree that sites such as Substack should become segregated silos of discourse.
On line discourse is not always civil, Qasim the author of the post could have chosen to engage with the rude commentator, he could have pushed back on the slander or simply ignored the comment.
And I don't understand why an American Lawyer needs paid subscribers in the first place, if your going prostitute your posts for profit, choosing your customers does not make you a Torch Bearer of morality.
I am troubled by the immediate offense many believers take to any perceived insult of their prophet. To me, this is an unintended acknowledgement of weak faith. I maintain that a person of true, abiding faith remains serenely unperturbed in the face of insults to their God or their prophet because they believe that their God, all powerful, cannot be affected, and accordingly that their prophet would also have been unperturbed. If you get upset by someone questioning your faith and its tenets, maybe your belief isn't sufficiently strong.
I subscribe to for exactly the reasons you gave. I want to learn about all different religions, opinions, cultures that are different from what I grew up and thought were true.
The older I get, the more I understand that I don’t know what I thought I did.
It is a humbling journey that I am on. I am grateful to have lived long enough to learn and to unlearn.
Keep speaking truth and I will continue on this journey with you and others I have subscribed to.
As an agnostic I have no issue with anyone being religious or non-religious for various reasons, whatever they believe in is none of my business. What IS my business is when they use their beliefs as an excuse to hurt people, which is so not cool.
Well done Qasim. This paid subscriber is very impressed with how you handled it. I am, nonetheless, saddened that any such comments were thought or felt let alone posted by anyone.
Good for you. I have nothing but respect for you. And, any extremist philosophy that denies women their humanity and equal dignity needs self-reflection big time as that is obviously off-base.
Qasim, you now have 122 comments, and you won't get to this one. I won't get to the 122 others. But I want you to know that the "Christian nationalist" premise is wrong. It is an oxymoron.
Christianity is not a nation, except for the Vatican. "Nationalism" in this country is based on the Constitution, the First Amendment of which prohibits imposing any religion on Americans. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, or anyone can believe anything they like. Their nationalist responsibility is to keep it to themselves. If they enjoy or appreciate their devotion to their personal religious beliefs, and their celebrations of them, good for them. That has nothing to do with anyone else.
Robert Ladner says that "all religions...are frauds." He is right in the sense that there is no proof of any religion. Religions are called "beliefs" and "faiths" for a reason: you just have to believe and have faith in them if you want to. And those beliefs and faiths are personal to the believers and the faithful. They have nothing to do with anyone else.
Mr Ladner was also right about the clown, whose "godhead" is himself.
"Big tent," Qasim. If Mr Ladner gets something out of reading your posts -- whatever value he derives from it -- he should be welcomed. If he's willing to pay you for your labor, good for both of you. You should gladly, and with reciprocal appreciation, have accepted/retained his money. Frankly, if you can contact him, in my opinion you should apologize, and tell him that his interest, his participation, and his support are welcome and appreciated. He's not required to agree with you or anyone else, and no one is required to agree with him. I always say that I learn nothing from people who think the same things I think. I only learn from people who see things differently. I'm not obligated to change my mind, because someone else has a different view, but I do feel obligated to listen to other people's views of things. Sometimes, I all but plead with people to tell me what they must surely think I fail to understand. A common enough example is when I ask Republicans what is the Republican agenda. I genuinely don't know, and I genuinely want to know what they think it is. I have never gotten an acceptable, and certainly not persuasive, answer, but I always ask.
And if the interaction becomes scatological, or certainly if it becomes ad hominem, I will address that, and ask for something more acceptably rhetorical, and not insulting.
So please consider reaching back out to Mr Ladner, and resolving what is unnecessary hostility. "DJT is just a modern day Mohamed" is an insult to DJT. It is not an insult to Mohamed. Accept Mr Ladner's donation with grace and appreciation. He reads your posts, and he pays an unnecessary price for the privilege.
Deeply moved by the amazing comments. Grateful for each person here and for your thoughtfulness and compassion. My commitment remains to uphold justice above all else. That will never break. Thank you all for your incredible trust and support. It truly means the world to me. The hate won't dissipate any time soon, unfortunately, but the love and support of all of you more than makes up for it. Thank you. ❤️✊🏽
That must have felt so icky. I'm grateful for your work. It's a kindness to me and many others that lack education on some subjects.
Thank you for showing such integrity! I'm so worried for Muslims and the hate that is going to be directed at them because of this corrupt regime attacking Iran illegitimately and illegally. My older son reverted to Islam, which I deeply respect his decision. So, thank you for standing up and pushing back against the hate.
I enjoy most of your writing, although I rarely respond because it takes time, and as an 84-year-old, I know I don't have much left. Your comment on religions was right on. I have lived long enough to recognise how foolish humans are. We find it easier to follow than to lead, but we become resistant to leaders who ask us to think for ourselves. So we're easily led. And then, because men are generally physically stronger than women, men don't want to acknowledge that women are generally actually smarter than men, which often leads men to follow strong men who are in it for the feeling of power, which in turn allows them to be manipulated, and intelligence is ignored. I know very well why humans think there is an afterlife; we simply don't want to die! And because we cannot think of how being dead would feel, thinking requires one to be alive after all, then there must be an afterlife! The truth is that life is so very precious, we should want everybody to have the best experience that they can. But that's where the "no, I want power over you!" comes in and messes things up. We don't need to be nice to get a great afterlife; we need to be nice because life is precious and should be cherished.
Qasim models setting boundaries for the discourse on his platform, which I greatly appreciate. It seems to me that folks who don't support Qasim in his boundaries, are the same type that don't understand how solo females on the path of a hike would rather deal with a bear than a man. These folks seem to be unaware of the culture that worships money over dignity; they should consider deconstructing their influences and personal history to challenge assumptions and the basis of their beliefs. I subscribe to Qasim for the WAY he argues, and sets boundaries, with respect and calls our hypocrisy. I also enjoy his knowledge of the law, the constitution and the human rights messaging that is consistent and steadfastly rooted in the foundation of universal morality.
It might have inspired you to write this post,
It might impress many of your faithful subscribers
But your refunding a rude. ignorant subscriber does not make you Torch Bearer of morality
But please do tell, what is this platform about?
Because almost every independent journalist, commentator I used to follow on X,
is now putting up pay-walls.
I say take whatever donations/subscriptions you receive, from whoever,and be happy,
If fact , you should respect and appreciate a man who is willing to pay you for the right to spew insults.
Qasim models setting boundaries for the discourse on his platform, which I greatly appreciate. It seems to me that folks who don't support Qasim in his boundaries, are the same type that don't understand how solo females on the path of a hike would rather deal with a bear than a man. These folks seem to be unaware of the culture that worships money over dignity; they should consider deconstructing their influences and personal history to challenge assumptions and the basis of their beliefs. I subscribe to Qasim for the WAY he argues, and sets boundaries, with respect and calls our hypocrisy. I also enjoy his knowledge of the law, the constitution and the human rights messaging that is consistent and steadfastly rooted in the foundation of universal morality.
Appreciate the engagement,
You analogy of a woman walking in the woods is disingenuous, I appreciate its easy to conflate things, but based on what has been shared thus far, there is, was no threat of physical danger to anyone.
And I do not understand these boundaries you speak of, perhaps its because I don't agree that sites such as Substack should become segregated silos of discourse.
On line discourse is not always civil, Qasim the author of the post could have chosen to engage with the rude commentator, he could have pushed back on the slander or simply ignored the comment.
And I don't understand why an American Lawyer needs paid subscribers in the first place, if your going prostitute your posts for profit, choosing your customers does not make you a Torch Bearer of morality.
I am troubled by the immediate offense many believers take to any perceived insult of their prophet. To me, this is an unintended acknowledgement of weak faith. I maintain that a person of true, abiding faith remains serenely unperturbed in the face of insults to their God or their prophet because they believe that their God, all powerful, cannot be affected, and accordingly that their prophet would also have been unperturbed. If you get upset by someone questioning your faith and its tenets, maybe your belief isn't sufficiently strong.
Great response. This should be an exaimple of a true follower of our beloved Prophet and his pristine message of peace.
Thank you for walking the talk, action consistent with thought. Thank you for your honesty and integrity.
Beautiful. You’re a good man. Thank you. 🙏
I am so sorry about the comment from that bigoted and ignorant idiot.
Good on you for canceling his subscription and for generously refunding his money. You are a treasured role model.
Keep speakjng truth. It is so necessary, especially now.
I subscribe to for exactly the reasons you gave. I want to learn about all different religions, opinions, cultures that are different from what I grew up and thought were true.
The older I get, the more I understand that I don’t know what I thought I did.
It is a humbling journey that I am on. I am grateful to have lived long enough to learn and to unlearn.
Keep speaking truth and I will continue on this journey with you and others I have subscribed to.
I am thankful for message of your work.
As an agnostic I have no issue with anyone being religious or non-religious for various reasons, whatever they believe in is none of my business. What IS my business is when they use their beliefs as an excuse to hurt people, which is so not cool.
Well done Qasim. This paid subscriber is very impressed with how you handled it. I am, nonetheless, saddened that any such comments were thought or felt let alone posted by anyone.
Good for you. I have nothing but respect for you. And, any extremist philosophy that denies women their humanity and equal dignity needs self-reflection big time as that is obviously off-base.
Qasim, you now have 122 comments, and you won't get to this one. I won't get to the 122 others. But I want you to know that the "Christian nationalist" premise is wrong. It is an oxymoron.
Christianity is not a nation, except for the Vatican. "Nationalism" in this country is based on the Constitution, the First Amendment of which prohibits imposing any religion on Americans. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, or anyone can believe anything they like. Their nationalist responsibility is to keep it to themselves. If they enjoy or appreciate their devotion to their personal religious beliefs, and their celebrations of them, good for them. That has nothing to do with anyone else.
Robert Ladner says that "all religions...are frauds." He is right in the sense that there is no proof of any religion. Religions are called "beliefs" and "faiths" for a reason: you just have to believe and have faith in them if you want to. And those beliefs and faiths are personal to the believers and the faithful. They have nothing to do with anyone else.
Mr Ladner was also right about the clown, whose "godhead" is himself.
"Big tent," Qasim. If Mr Ladner gets something out of reading your posts -- whatever value he derives from it -- he should be welcomed. If he's willing to pay you for your labor, good for both of you. You should gladly, and with reciprocal appreciation, have accepted/retained his money. Frankly, if you can contact him, in my opinion you should apologize, and tell him that his interest, his participation, and his support are welcome and appreciated. He's not required to agree with you or anyone else, and no one is required to agree with him. I always say that I learn nothing from people who think the same things I think. I only learn from people who see things differently. I'm not obligated to change my mind, because someone else has a different view, but I do feel obligated to listen to other people's views of things. Sometimes, I all but plead with people to tell me what they must surely think I fail to understand. A common enough example is when I ask Republicans what is the Republican agenda. I genuinely don't know, and I genuinely want to know what they think it is. I have never gotten an acceptable, and certainly not persuasive, answer, but I always ask.
And if the interaction becomes scatological, or certainly if it becomes ad hominem, I will address that, and ask for something more acceptably rhetorical, and not insulting.
So please consider reaching back out to Mr Ladner, and resolving what is unnecessary hostility. "DJT is just a modern day Mohamed" is an insult to DJT. It is not an insult to Mohamed. Accept Mr Ladner's donation with grace and appreciation. He reads your posts, and he pays an unnecessary price for the privilege.