Controversial host of Real Time, Bill Maher might be booted by Berkeley as their fall commencement speaker. The unabashed TV host who is irrepressible when expressing his opinions, got into a kerfuffle with guest Ben Affleck over the issue of terrorism and Islam. A petition, which has 2, 200 signatures, is being passed around to bar Maher from speaking. CNN reports that Change.org issued a statement; “Bill Maher is a blatant bigot and a racist who has no respect for the values of UC Berkeley students…we cannot invite an individual who perpetuates a dangerous learning environment.”
Maher, who grew up in New Jersey was raised Catholic and has a Jewish mother. He is an unapologetic atheist who has been critical of religion in general. His statements about Islam on Real Time caused a stir, “Islam is the only religion that acts like a mafia and will fucking kill you if you say the wrong thing.” There is also a petition being passed around to ban Maher from Real Time, although this is voted less likely to succeed than Berkeley’s petition.
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