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Slutshaming

2017-08-31T18:46:20Z

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In [[human sexuality]], '''slut-shaming''' is a form of [[social stigma]] applied to people, especially women and girls, who are perceived to violate traditional expectations for sexual behaviors. Some examples of circumstances wherein women are slut-shamed include violating [[dress code]] policies by dressing in perceived sexually provocative ways, requesting access to [[birth control]],<ref name="Lamb B14–B15">{{cite journal | last=Lamb | first=Sharon| author-link = Sharon Lamb | title=The 'Right' Sexuality for Girls |date=27 June 2008 | journal=[[Chronicle of Higher Education]] | volume=54 | issue=42 | pages=B14–B15 | url=https://chronicle.com/article/The-Right-Sexuality-for/13770 | issn=0009-5982 | subscription = yes | quote=In Dilemmas of Desire: Teenage Girls Talk About Sexuality (Harvard University Press, 2002), Deborah L. Tolman complained that we've 'desexualized girls' sexuality, substituting the desire for relationship and emotional connection for sexual feelings in their bodies.' Recognizing that fact, theorists have used the concept of desire as a way to undo the double standard that applauds a guy for his lust, calling him a player, and shames a girl for hers, calling her a slut.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Albury |first1=Kath |last2=Crawford |first2=Kate |title=Sexting, consent and young people's ethics: Beyond ''Megan's Story'' |journal=[[Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies]] |date=18 May 2012 |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=463–473 |doi=10.1080/10304312.2012.665840 |quote=Certainly the individualizing admonishment to 'think again' offers no sense of the broader legal and political environment in which sexting might occur, or any critique of a culture that requires young women to preserve their 'reputations' by avoiding overt demonstrations of sexual knowingness and desire. Further, by trading on the propensity of teenagers to feel embarrassment about their bodies and commingling it with the anxiety of mobiles being ever present, the ad becomes a potent mix of technology fear and body shame.}}</ref><ref name="limbaugh"/> having [[Premarital sex|premarital]], [[casual sex|casual]], or [[promiscuous]] sex, engaging in [[prostitution]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Tesla|first=Carrasquillo,|date=2014-01-01|title=Understanding Prostitution and the Need for Reform|url=http://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/vol30/iss3/11/|journal=Touro Law Review|volume=30|issue=3|issn=8756-7326}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?redir_esc=y&id=BbETAAAAQBAJ&q=slut+shaming#v=snippet&q=slut%20shaming&f=false|title=Sex Workers Unite: A History of the Movement from Stonewall to Slutwalk|last=Chateauvert|first=Melinda|date=2014-02-07|publisher=Beacon Press|year=|isbn=9780807061398|location=|pages=49|language=English|quote=It encouraged women to be angry about whore stigma and slut shaming for pursuing sexual pleasure or trading sex for money|via=}}</ref> or when being [[victim blaming|victim blamed]] for being [[rape]]d or otherwise [[sexually assaulted]].<ref name="asking" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://bhttps://books.google.co.uk/books?redir_esc=y&q=slut+shaming#v=snippet&q=slut%20shaming&f=false|title=Sex Workers Unite: A History of the Movement from Stonewall to SlutWalk|last=Chateauvert|first=Melinda|date=2014-01-07|publisher=Beacon Press|year=|isbn=9780807061404|location=|pages=|language=en|quote=Slut-shaming implies that victims of sex violence "asked for it" because they were sexually promiscuous or dressed provocatively.|via=}}</ref>

==Definitions and characteristics==
Slut-shaming is defined by many as a process in which women are attacked for their transgression of accepted codes of sexual conduct,<ref name="Ringrose2012">{{cite book|author=Jessica Ringrose|title=Postfeminist Education?: Girls and the Sexual Politics of Schooling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1jbsSXc9rUQC&pg=PA93|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=21 August 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-25971-5|page=93}}</ref> i.e., of admonishing them for behavior or desires that are more sexual than society finds acceptable.<ref name="FoyDale2013">{{cite book|author=Denise Du Vernay|title=Feminism, Sexism, and the Small Screen|pages=163–182}} in {{cite book|author1=Joseph J. Foy|author2=Timothy M. Dale|title=Homer Simpson Ponders Politics: Popular Culture as Political Theory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dvnAmHgqTX4C&|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=24 April 2013|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4151-0|page=164}}</ref><ref name="Bazelon2013">{{cite book|author=Emily Bazelon|title=Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z9QxYZ4J1kC&pg=PA95|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=19 February 2013|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-679-64400-2|page=95}} Emphasis in original.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Schalet|first=Amy T.|title=Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C|year=2011|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-73620-4|pages=[https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C&pg=PA12 12], [https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C&pg=PA156 156]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Tolman|first1=Deborah L.|title=Dilemmas of desire teenage girls talk about sexuality.|date=2005|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674018563|edition=1. Harvard Univ. Press paperback ed.}}</ref>

Slut-shaming is used against women by both men and women.<ref name="Psy.D.Eagleson2010">{{cite book|author1=[[Belisa Vranich]], Psy.D.|author2=Holly Eagleson|title=Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4cToqrySVDAC&pg=PA52|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=1 July 2010|publisher=HCI|isbn=978-0-7573-1364-6|page=52}}</ref><ref>[http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/9/political-sex-scandalsmonicalewinskysexismslutshaming.html Monica Lewinsky’s return and the sexism 2.0 of political scandals]</ref> Jessica Ringrose has argued that slut-shaming functions among women as a way of [[Sublimation (psychology)|sublimating]] sexual jealousy "into a socially acceptable form of social critique of girls' sexual expression".<ref name="Ringrose2012"/> The term ''slut-shaming'' is also used to describe [[victim blaming]] for [[rape]] and other [[sexual assault]]; e.g. by stating that the crime was caused (either in part or in full) by the woman wearing revealing clothing or acting in a sexually provocative manner, before refusing consent to sex,<ref name="asking" /> and thereby absolving the perpetrator of guilt. The study "Birds of a feather? Not when it comes to sexual permissiveness," published in the ''Journal of Social and Personal Relationships'', notes that sexually lenient individuals are judged more negatively than non-permissive peers, which places those who are more permissive at risk of social isolation.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com">{{cite journal |last1=Vrangalova |first1=Z. |author2=Bukberg, R. E.; Rieger, G.|title=Birds of a feather? Not when it comes to sexual permissiveness|journal=Journal of Social and Personal Relationships |date=19 May 2013 |doi=10.1177/0265407513487638 |url=http://spr.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/05/16/0265407513487638.full.pdf+html |volume=31 |pages=93–113}}</ref> The researchers from Cornell University found that similar sentiments appeared in nonsexual, same-sex friendship context as well.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/> The researchers had college women read a vignette describing an imaginary female peer, "Joan", then rate their feelings about her personality.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/> To one group of women, Joan was described as having two lifetime sexual partners; to another group, she had had twenty partners.<ref name="slate.com">{{cite web|last=Hess |first=Amanda |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/06/07/slut_shaming_study_women_discriminate_against_promiscuous_women_but_so_do.html |title=Slut-shaming study: Women discriminate against promiscuous women, but so do men |publisher=Slate.com |date=7 June 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The study found that women—even women who were more promiscuous themselves—rated the Joan with 20 partners as "less competent, emotionally stable, warm, and dominant than the Joan who'd only boasted two".<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/><ref name="slate.com"/>

== In the media ==
[[File:SlutWalk NYC October 2011 Shankbone 4.JPG|thumb|right|Two women protesting about victim-blaming and slut-shaming at New York City's [[SlutWalk]] in October 2011.]]

The [[SlutWalk]] protest march started in [[Toronto]] in response to an incident where a Toronto Police officer told a group of students that they could avoid sexual assault by not dressing like "sluts".<ref name="asking">{{cite journal |last1=McCormack |first1=Clare |last2=Prostran |first2=Nevena |title=Asking for it: a first-hand account from slutwalk |journal=[[International Feminist Journal of Politics]] |year=2012 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=410–414 |doi=10.1080/14616742.2012.699777 | publisher = [[Taylor and Francis]] | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2012.699777 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Ringrose | first1 = Jessica | last2 = Renold | first2 = Emma | title = Slut-shaming, girl power and ‘sexualisation’: thinking through the politics of the international SlutWalks with teen girls | journal = [[Gender and Education]], special issue: Making Sense of the Sexualisation Debates: Schools and Beyond | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 333–343 | publisher = [[Taylor and Francis]] | doi = 10.1080/09540253.2011.645023 | date = May 2012 | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2011.645023 | ref = harv | postscript = .}} [http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/11877/1/Ringrose_and_renold_Slutwalk_2012.pdf Pdf.]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slutwalktoronto.com/|title=SlutWalk Toronto - BECAUSE WE'VE HAD ENOUGH - SlutWalk Toronto|work=slutwalktoronto.com}}</ref> Progress to end slut-shaming has gained momentum in the U.S. when bigger SlutWalks are organized by celebrities like Amber Rose. Rose's second annual walk in Los Angeles of 2016 was reported to have "several hundred" women in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/arts/amber-roses-slutwalk-was-reality-tv-ready-7456324|title=Amber Rose's SlutWalk Was Reality TV Ready|last=Lecaro|first=Lina|date=2016-10-03|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref>

The term has since been used when describing the comments of [[Rush Limbaugh]] during the [[Rush Limbaugh–Sandra Fluke controversy]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Ball |first=Krystal |title=Boycott Rush |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/krystal-ball/rush-limbaugh-sandra-fluke_b_1315805.html |work=The Blog |work=HuffPost |accessdate=13 December 2012 |date=3 February 2012 |quote=This type of despicable behavior is part and parcel of a time-worn tradition of Slut-Shaming. When women step out line, they are demeaned and degraded into silence. If you say Herman Cain sexually harassed you, you are a slut. If you say Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sexually harassed you, you are a slut.}}</ref> Condemnation of Limbaugh following the incident is argued to have increased public attention to societal shame around women being demeaned in the media for use of birth control.<ref name="limbaugh">{{cite journal |last1=Legge |first1=Nancy J. |last2=DiSanza |first2=James R. |last3=Gribas |first3=John |last4=Shiffler |first4=Aubrey |title="He sounded like a vile, disgusting pervert..." An Analysis of Persuasive Attacks on Rush Limbaugh During the Sandra Fluke Controversy |journal=Journal of Radio & Audio Media |year=2012 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=173–205 |doi= 10.1080/19376529.2012.722468 | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2012.722468 |quote=It is also possible that the Limbaugh incident has turned "slut-shaming", or other similar attacks on women, into a "Devil-term". It may be possible that Limbaugh's insults were so thoroughly condemned that he and others (such as Bill Maher) will have a more difficult time insulting women who are not virgins, or attacking them in other sexist ways.}}</ref>

Kaitlin Menza argues that slut-shaming is a common form of bullying on social media, with some people using [[revenge porn]]ography tactics to spread intimate photos without consent. In 2012, a California teenager, [[Suicide of Audrie Pott|Audrie Pott]], was sexually assaulted by three boys at a party. She committed suicide eight days after photos of her being assaulted were distributed among her peer group.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/slut-shaming-teen-girls_n_4178812.html|title = Teen Girls Take A Stand Against Slut Shaming: What It Is, And Why You Should Care|date = |accessdate = |website = Huff Post Teen|website = The Huffington Post|last = Menza|first = Kaitlin|date=October 30, 2013}}</ref>

James Miller, editor-in-chief, for the [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] of Canada wrote a controversial article defending slut shaming.<ref name="Why Slut-Shame">{{cite web|url=http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kateandrews/2013/09/03/editorinchief-of-mises-institute-in-canada-advocates-slut-shaming-n1690262 |title=Editor-In-Chief of Mises Institute in Canada Advocates "Slut-Shaming" – Kate Andrews |publisher=Townhall.com |date=3 September 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The article was later taken down, but still received criticism from some libertarians, such as Gina Luttrell of ''Thoughts on Liberty'', an all-female [[libertarian]] blog.<ref name="Misogynists Gonna Misogynate">{{cite web|last=Robinson |first=Elizabeth |url=http://thoughtsonliberty.com/misogynists-gonna-misogynate-or-more-issues-with-that-mises-ca-post |title=Misogynists Gonna…Misogynate? (or, More Issues with That Mises.ca Post) |publisher=Thoughts on Liberty |date=5 September 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref>

The comedy duo Sorry About Last Night (composed of Krystyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fischer) have a podcast that is entitled “Guys We F****d, The Anti-slut shaming podcast”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13/guys-we-fucked-corinne-fisher-krystyna-hutchinson_n_4951770.html|title=This Is The Sexiest Podcast You'll Ever Hear|last=Editor|first=Emma Gray Executive Women's|last2=Post|first2=The Huffington|date=2014-03-13|work=HuffPost|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> The women interview previous men that they have slept with along with an array of people like fellow comedians, celebrities like Andy Dick, or sex-workers.{{CN|date=May 2017}} This podcast has over 200,000 listeners on each episode that is on SoundCloud.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/guyswefucked|title=Guys We F****d|website=SoundCloud|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> This podcast is now available on iTunes as well although it was kept off of iTunes for some time for unknown reasons, according to one interviewer "“iTunes would not comment on whether the show is subject to an official ban”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/18/the-podcast-too-hot-for-itunes.html|title=The Podcast Too Hot for iTunes|last=Goldstein|first=Rich|date=2014-02-18|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> The goal of the podcast is to de-stigmatize the way we talk about sex so that slut-shaming becomes less of an issue, Hutchinson explains in an interview with ''The Huffington Post'': “We want to make people feel more comfortable in their own skin. We just got a message from a girl from New Delhi, India, about how she loves the podcast because it makes her feel like it’s OK to be comfortable with your sexuality and enjoy sex. And that made me so happy.” <ref name=":0" />

== In social media ==
With the proliferation in the use of [[social networking]] tools, the practice of slut-shaming is becoming more prevalent among [[social media]] platforms, including [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]].

In the YouTube community, users such as Jenna Mourey (aka [[Jenna Marbles]]) speak out against “sluts” in their videos. In a video released in December 2012 entitled "Things I don’t understand about girls Part 2: Slut edition", Mourey scorns women who engage in [[casual sex]]:

“A slut is someone that has a lot of casual sex. [...] It’s the girl that you’re like, ‘Pyeah [sic], yeah, she’s a slut.’ Yeah, that girl. Those are the group of people that I’m talking about. [...] Help the sluts of the world make less bad slutty decisions. [...] We need to look out for the sluts of the universe together. Because I think they are just a little lonely and sad.”

Lewis Webb, PhD candidate at [[Umeå University]] (Sweden), emphasizes that Mourey’s opinion is one among several in the YouTube community and that “the medium [of YouTube] is increasingly being used to attack and malign female reputations and criticize female sexual behavior.”<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Shame transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to cyberspace|url = http://ojphi.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5464|journal = First Monday|date = 2015-04-02|issn = 1396-0466|volume = 20|issue = 4|language = en|first = Lewis Mark|last = Webb|doi=10.5210/fm.v20i4.5464}}</ref>

Slut-shaming is also commonplace on Facebook. In the middle of 2015, twenty-three year old Australia resident, Olivia Melville, was the target of slut-shaming by Chris Hall, a man who took a screenshot of her [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]] biography and posted it on Facebook. Melville’s biography was a lyric from the song “Only” by the rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] and read: “Type of girl that will suck you dry and then eat some lunch with you.” The post spawned a plethora of comments, calling Melville a “bitch” and a “cunt.” Zane Alchin even alluded to the threat of a sexual assault in a series of comments on the photo, including: “You know the best thing about a feminist they don’t get any action so when you rape them it feels 100 times tighter.”<ref>{{Cite web|title = This Woman Received Rape Threats for Quoting Drake on Tinder|url = http://mic.com/articles/124646/olivia-melville-was-slut-shamed-and-received-rape-threats-for-quoting-drake-on-her-tinder-profile#.I0vMKyLgT|website = Mic|accessdate = 2015-11-16}}</ref> Alchin was subsequently convicted of using a [[carriage service]] to menace, harass or cause offence.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/30/how-facebook-troll-came-undone|author = Elle Hunt|date = 30 July 2016|accessdate = 30 July 2016|newspaper = [[The Guardian]]|title = 'What law am I breaking?' How a Facebook troll came undone}}</ref>

== In literature ==
There are several instances in literature in which women are degraded or admonished for their sexual behavior. In these novels, men are largely exempt from the public outrage that their female counterparts endure for engaging in relationships deemed socially inappropriate:

* In [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]]'s ''[[The Scarlet Letter]]'', [[Hester Prynne]] is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" to display her adulterous affair to her whole town.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/07/book-characters-sex_n_3960991.html| work= The Huffington Post| last=Triska | first=Zoë| title=9 Female Book Characters Punished For Having Sex | date=7 October 2013| accessdate=24 December 2013}}</ref>
* In ''[[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]]'' by [[Thomas Hardy]], the title character is abandoned by her husband after she tells him how she was coerced into a sexual relationship with her former employer, Alec. He is completely disgusted by the revelation and claims that she is "not the woman he fell in love with."
* In ''[[Anna Karenina]]'' by [[Leo Tolstoy]], the title character has a highly public affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. Anna is rejected by her friends, while the reputation of Count Vronsky remains more or less untarnished.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>

==In school dress codes==
{{weasel|section|date=August 2016}}
Some believe that school [[dress codes]] are a form of slut shaming, and are unfair to girls and women.<ref name="Carroll">{{cite web|last1=Carroll|first1=Rory|title=Students protest 'slut shaming' high school dress codes with mass walkouts|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/24/us-high-schools-dress-codes-protest-sexism-hemline|website=The Guardian|accessdate=8 December 2014}}</ref> In the United States, some believe that these dress codes "violate [[Title IX]], the [[federal law]] that ensures non-[[discrimination]] in educational environments."<ref name="Carroll"/> On Monday, September 22, 2014, "about 100 pupils walked out of Bingham high school in South Jordan, Utah."<ref name="Carroll"/> Students staged a walkout because more than a dozen girls were turned away from a [[homecoming dance]] for wearing dresses which violated the dress code rules.<ref name="Carroll"/> "School staff allegedly lined up girls against a wall as they arrived and banished about two dozen for having dresses which purportedly showed too much skin and violated the rules." It is believed that this act was awkward and humiliating towards the female students, which spawned the walkouts.<ref name="Carroll"/>

Certain dress code restrictions in schools across North America are believed to be perpetuating sexist standards, since they concentrate specifically on females and what they are and are not allowed to wear. There is also an emphasis placed on the effects that girls’ wardrobe choices have on their male classmates, which is seen by some as inappropriate. In March 2014, a group of middle-school girls from Evanston, Illinois protested their school’s dress code, which prohibited them from wearing leggings to school under the pretense that it was “too distracting for boys.” Thirteen-year-old student, Sophie Hasty, was quoted in the Evanston Review saying that “not being able to wear leggings because it’s ‘too distracting for boys’ is giving us the impression we should be guilty for what guys do.” In a Time magazine article covering the incident, Eliana Dockterman argued that teachers and administration in these schools are “walking the fine line between enforcing a dress code and slut shaming.”<ref>{{Cite web|title = When Enforcing School Dress Codes Turns Into Slut Shaming|url = http://time.com/36997/when-enforcing-school-dress-codes-turns-into-slut-shaming/|website = TIME.com|accessdate = 2015-11-16|first = Eliana|last = Dockterman}}</ref>

In September 2014, a similar incident occurred at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, New York. Within the first few days of the semester, two hundred detention slips were handed out to students who violated the school’s dress code. Approximately ninety percent of the slips distributed were given to girls as their clothing was deemed “disruptive to teaching and learning.” Many claim that making girls feel guilty for the actions of boys is similar to telling victims of sexual assault that they were “asking for it” by dressing in a particular manner and has thus been linked to the practice of victim-blaming.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Schools Are Still Slut-Shaming Girls While Enforcing Dress Code|url = http://time.com/3394549/dress-code-long-island-new-york/|website = TIME.com|accessdate = 2015-11-16|first = Eliana|last = Dockterman}}</ref>

A Canadian teenager, Lauren Wiggins, was given detention in May 2015 for wearing a floor-length dress with a halter neckline. The punishment prompted Wiggins to write an open letter to the school’s assistant vice principal at Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, New Brunswick. In the letter, Wiggins concentrated specifically on the fact that females are often blamed for the behaviour of males, saying that if a boy “will get distracted by my upper back and shoulders then he needs to be sent home and practice self-control.” She was then given a one-day suspension after writing and submitting the letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/lauren-wiggins-haltar-top_n_7284528.html|title=High Schooler Lauren Wiggins' Letter Nails Exactly What's Wrong With School Dress Codes|date=14 May 2015|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>

== Attempts to stop the practice ==
Activism takes place worldwide. In April, 2011, Heather Jarvis and Sonya Barnett co-founded SlutWalk Toronto after a local Toronto police officer made the comment that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized". Participants cover their bodies in messages reading "Don't Tell Me How to Dress" and "I am not a slut but I like having consensual sex" and march under a giant banner with the word slut on it to take poison out of the word "slut" itself. From Vancouver to New York City, to Rio, Jerusalem, Hong Kong and more, the campaign has spread globally.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Nguyen|first1=Tram|title=From SlutWalks to SuicideGirls: Feminist Resistance in the Third Wave and Postfeminist Era|journal=Women's Studies Quarterly|date=1 January 2013|volume=41|issue=3/4|pages=157–172|doi=10.1353/wsq.2013.0102|jstor=23611512}}</ref>

The internet is a resource that exposes sexuality and sexual behaviors. In ''Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Minors from Sex (2002)'', Judith Levine argues that censoring women and children from the Internet doesn't benefit them in any way but instead results in ignorance.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Heywood|first1=ed. by Leslie L.|title=A - Z.|date=2006|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=Westport, Conn. [u.a.]|isbn=0313331340|pages=306|edition=1. publ.}}</ref>

In 2008, hundreds of South African women protested the local taxi rank wearing miniskirts and t-shirts that read, "Pissed-OffWomen." after a taxi driver and multiple hawkers confronted a young girl about wearing a short denim miniskirt and penetrated her with their fingers, calling her "slut" repeatedly. Protesters wanted to make their message clear; they wanted men to stop harassing women no matter how short their skirts were and that no matter how short it may be, it is never an invitation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wininger|first1=K. J.|title=Stomp & Holler: Because We've Had Enough! The Transformation of SlutWalks|journal=Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy|date=1 January 2012|volume=22|issue=2|pages=144–151|doi=10.5325/trajincschped.22.2.0144|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/trajincschped.22.2.0144}}</ref>

After the gang rape of an unconscious sixteen year old girl in Steubenville, Ohio, August of 2012, football players spread videos of the assault to other classmates whom some of which posted the videos to Twitter and Instagram. The pictures and video were later removed by authorities, however that didn't stop people from hash-tagging "Whore status" or "I have no sympathy for whores" on their tweets. Members of the collective Anonymous reported names of the rapists and classmates who spread the footage to local authorities. They took to the streets and internet requesting help from the community to bring justice to the Jane Doe who was raped.
<ref>{{cite book|title=Hate Crimes in Cyberspace|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674368293|pages=95–119|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7zsws7.7|chapter=Civil Rights Movements, Past and Present}}</ref>

Members of The Arts Effect All-Girl Theater Company have developed a play, ''[[Slut: The Play]]'', in which they address the damaging impact of slut-shaming and slut culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-hersh/nyc-girls-challenge-weiner_b_3691859.html |title=NYC Girls Challenge Weiner Campaign: Stop Slut-Shaming |first=Lauren|last=Hersh |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date= 2 August 2013|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="sluttheplay.com">{{cite web|url=http://sluttheplay.com/why/ |title=Why Slut — Slut |publisher=Sluttheplay.com |date= |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The creators note that their play "is a call to action – a reminder" that slut-shaming is happening every day, almost everywhere.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /> "Slut" is inspired by real-life experiences of 14- to 17-year-old girls from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /> The play was shown at the 2013 New York Fringe Festival.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/teenage-peta-pinup-speaks-out-205112851.html |title=Meet the Teen Star of PETA's Latest Controversy. We Love Her. |website=Love + Sex – Yahoo Shine |publisher=Shine.yahoo.com |date=8 August 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404050810/https://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/teenage-peta-pinup-speaks-out-205112851.html |archivedate=April 4, 2014 }}</ref>

In her statement on the production, and of slut-shaming in general, author of ''Slut! Growing Up Female with a Bad Reputation'', [[Leora Tanenbaum]] writes: "A teenage girl today is caught in an impossible situation. She has to project a sexy image and embrace, to some extent, a 'slutty' identity. Otherwise, she risks being mocked as an irrelevant prude. But if her peers decide she has crossed an invisible, constantly shifting boundary and has become too 'slutty,' she loses all credibility. Even if she was coerced into sex, her identity and reputation are taken from her. Indeed, the power to tell her own story is wrested from her. The Arts Effect's SLUT written by Katie Cappiello vividly represents this irrational, harmful, terrible circumstance...This play is the most powerful and authentic representation of the sexual double standard I have ever seen."<ref name="sluttheplay.com"/>

In April 2013, Emily Lindin, founder of the UnSlut Project, created a blog to share her stories on sexual bullying to “provide some perspective to girls who currently feel trapped and ashamed". The blog now consists of entries from members of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. The film, ''UnSlut: A Documentary Film'', coincides with the project and is screened across the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.unslutproject.com/about.html|title = The UnSlut Project|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = Lindin|first = Emily}}</ref>

After experiencing slut-shaming first-hand, Olivia Melville, Paloma Brierly Newton and approximately a dozen other Australian women founded the organization, Sexual Violence Won’t Be Silenced, on August 25, 2015. The association seeks to raise awareness of cyber-bullying and online sexual violence. The founders also launched a petition to the Australian government, requesting that they better train and educate law enforcement officers on how to prevent and punish violent harassment on social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mic.com/articles/124646/olivia-melville-was-slut-shamed-and-received-rape-threats-for-quoting-drake-on-her-tinder-profile#.I0vMKyLgT|title=A Woman Was Slut-Shamed and Received Rape Threats for Quoting Drake on Her Tinder Profile|author=Mic|work=Mic}}</ref>

==Among gay men==
Gay men have traditionally been relatively tolerant of promiscuity. However, this changed considerably with the [[AIDS]] epidemic of the 1980s. [[Condom]] use as a [[safe sex]] practice became prominent in the late 1980s as a result of the [[AIDS epidemic]],<ref name="Who">{{cite web| title = Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2006–2015. Breaking the chain of transmission| publisher = [[World Health Organization]]|year = 2007| accessdate=26 November 2011|url=http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241563475_eng.pdf}}</ref> though the availability of [[antibiotics]] and [[antiretroviral]] drugs in [[advanced economies]] has led to [[condom fatigue]] among [[men who have sex with men]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aids.about.com/od/womenandhiv/a/Why-People-Dont-Use-Condoms-and-That-Includes-Women.htm|title=The (Real) Reasons Why People Don't Use Condoms|author1=Dennis Sifris |author2=MD and James Myhre |work=About.com Health}}</ref>

The drug [[Tenofovir/emtricitabine|Truvada]] has been approved for [[pre-exposure prophylaxis]] for [[prevention of HIV/AIDS]] in some countries, after studies demonstrated it can lower the risk of new HIV infections.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Preexposure Chemoprophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Men Who Have Sex with Men | pmc=3079639 | pmid=21091279 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1011205 | volume=363 | date=December 2010 | journal=N. Engl. J. Med. | pages=2587–99 | last1 = Grant | first1 = RM | last2 = Lama | first2 = JR | last3 = Anderson | first3 = PL | display-authors = 3 | last4 = et al}}</ref><ref>US Public Health Service [5 October 2014]; Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States - 2014 Clinical Practice Guideline http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/PrEPguidelines2014.pdf</ref> A number of HIV researchers like [[Anthony S. Fauci]] have been positive about the drug,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/2010/11/24/131569907/dr-fauci-optimisitic-about-hiv-drug-truvada|title=Dr. Fauci Optimisitic About HIV Drug Truvada|date=24 November 2010|work=NPR.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4114402/aids-hiv-drug-prep/|title=PrEP Truvada: AIDS Drug Prevents HIV Infections, Study Finds|author=Alice Park|work=TIME.com}}</ref> the [[AIDS Healthcare Foundation]] has written to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] expressing concern that Truvada promotion would harm [[safer sex]] messaging that encourages condom use.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV Infection: Current Status, Future Opportunities and Challenges | pmc=4354703 | pmid=25673022 | doi=10.1007/s40265-015-0355-4 | volume=75 | year=2015 | journal=Drugs | pages=243–51 | last1 = Krakower | first1 = DS | last2 = Mayer | first2 = KH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/12/truvada-hiv-prep-stigma/418119/|title=The Danger in Comparing the HIV-Prevention Pill to Condoms|author=John Byrne|work=The Atlantic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://reason.com/archives/2014/05/08/truvada-chill-pill-or-party-drug |title=Truvada: Chill Pill or Party Drug? |first=Scott |last=Shackford |work=reason.com |date=8 May 2014 |accessdate=15 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/04/09/why-arent-gay-men-on-the-pill/|title=Why Aren’t Gay Men On The Pill? « The Dish|work=The Dish}}</ref><ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEgg6EOpNM|title=Stopping HIV? The Truvada Revolution (Full Length)|date=26 June 2015|work=YouTube}}</ref> The phrase "Truvada whore" has been used in the media<ref>{{cite journal|title=How Stigma Surrounding the Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Undermines Prevention and Pleasure: A Call to Destigmatize "Truvada Whores" | pmc=4566537 | pmid=26270298 | doi=10.2105/AJPH.2015.302816 | volume=105 | journal=Am J Public Health | pages=1960-4 | last1 = Calabrese | first1 = SK | last2 = Underhill | first2 = K}}</ref> and some openly gay men are afraid to disclose that they use Truvada,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2013/09/09/hiv-prevention-new-condom-truvada-pill-prep|title=The pill Truvada can prevent HIV: So why are so few gay men taking it?|publisher=}}</ref> while take up rates have been lower than expected. Some reports indicate that gay men who use Truvada to lower their risk of contracting HIV are shamed for doing so, based on perceptions that Truvada users are more promiscuous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/18/truvada-mircle-pill-prevent-hiv-controversy|title=Truvada has been called the 'miracle' HIV pill – so why is uptake so slow?|author=Amanda Holpuch|work=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/truvada--the-other-little-blue-pill-20141128-11l1od.html|title=Truvada – the other little blue pill|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

Some gay rights activists have said that environments which have slut-shaming are more likely to lead to gay men engaging in practices which lead to increased rates of HIV infection.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/09/08/op-ed-slut-shaming-cause-hiv |title=Op-ed: Slut-Shaming Is a Cause of HIV |first=Hussain |last=Turk |work=[[The Advocate]] |date=8 September 2014 |accessdate=15 December 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
*[[Madonna–whore complex]]
*[[Post-assault treatment of sexual assault victims]]
*[[Sexual bullying]]
*[[Victim blaming]]
*[[Honor killing]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Bullying]]
[[Category:Feminism and sexuality]]
[[Category:Feminist terminology]]
[[Category:Feminist theory]]
[[Category:Misogyny]]
[[Category:Sexuality and society]]
[[Category:Misogynistic slurs]]

Tyler Henry

2017-06-24T21:48:23Z

QuackGuru: - space

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Paranormal}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tyler Henry
| image = | image_size = | caption =
| birth_name = Tyler Henry Koelewyn
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|13}}
| birth_place = Hanford, California
| occupation = Self-described [[psychic]] and [[Mediumship|medium]]
}}
'''Tyler Henry Koelewyn'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theresakoelewyn|title=Theresa Koelewyn (@TheresaKoelewyn) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vol-8-Newsletter-.html?soid=1109927824673&aid=yUYL3lyGJcA|title=Vol 8 Newsletter|website=myemail.constantcontact.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> (born January 13, 1996) is an American reality show personality who appears in the series ''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' as a "[[clairvoyant]] [[Mediumship|medium]]."<ref name="Rees22Jan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a52547/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-celebrity-clarivoyant-spirits/|title=This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really|last=Rees|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2016|work=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> The series began broadcast on the [[E!|E! Television Network]] in the United States in January 2016,<ref name=Petski29July>{{cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2015/07/hollywood-teen-medium-series-e-tyler-henry-celebrity-clairvoyant-1201486992/|title=Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=July 29, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> and was E!'s largest launch of a non-spinoff unscripted series in the past three years with 3.2 million viewers for its third episode.<ref name=Wagmeister5Feb>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-teen-medium-episode-order-season-1-e-1201697888/|title=E! Orders Two More Episodes of 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2016|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|work=Variety}}</ref>

Critics [[Susan Gerbic]], [[Hemant Mehta]], [[Steven Novella]], [[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]], [[David Gorski]], [[Mark Edward]], Ryan Houlihan, and Bobby Finger maintain that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive [[Cold reading|cold]] and [[hot reading]] techniques, and not "psychic" powers. They also criticize his TV show for targeting people who are grieving and vulnerable, and exploiting them for entertainment.<ref name=Coyne/><ref name=patheos/><ref name=SN/><ref name=Hill/><ref name=DG/><ref name=Edwards/><ref name=Outline/><ref name=jezebel1/>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's show the ''Truly Terrible Television Award'' "in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program".<ref name=IIG/> In 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides details of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished.<ref name=Swift/>

==Early life==
Henry is a native of [[Hanford, California]], a small rural suburb just outside [[Fresno, California|Fresno]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/tv/article54719020.html|title=Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'|work=Fresno Bee|first=Rick|last=Bentley|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

After giving readings to students and teachers at Hanford's [[Hanford Joint Union High School District|Sierra Pacific High School]], from which he graduated on an accelerated academic program,<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry initially aspired to attend college and become a [[hospice]] [[nurse]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan/><ref name=Rees22Dec>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/television/2015/12/22/gay-hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-opens-about-his-psychic-abilities|title=Tyler Henry Opens Up About His Psychic Abilities|work=Out Magazine|date=December 22, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016|first=Nicholas Richard|last=Rees}}</ref> However, Henry soon was "discovered." Before long, he gained a celebrity clientele and a reality TV development deal.<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry began filming his E! television series when he was 19 years old; the show began airing a week after his 20th birthday.<ref name=Cohen12Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/727487/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-medium-s-tyler-henry|title=9 Things You Didn't Know About ''Hollywood Medium's'' Tyler Henry|date=January 12, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|first=Jess|last=Cohen|work=E! Online}}</ref> Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions," he told the ''Fresno Bee''.<ref name="Bentley16Jan" />
Henry is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Tyler Henry|url=http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/2016/01/20/meet-tyler-henry-hes-20-yrs-old-gay-and-the-hollywood-medium-on-e/}}</ref>

== Career ==
''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' premiered on E! on January 24, 2016. After a successful premiere, E! ordered two additional episodes, making it 10 episodes total. The show airs Sunday nights at 10 pm. In March 2016, It was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-renewed-season-2-e-1201723160/|title=E! Renews ‘Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry’ for Season 2|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In March 2016, E! reported that Henry was writing his first memoir with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book publisher told E! that the book "will reveal what living life as a medium is really like—from opening up about discovering his gift as a young teen to what it's truly like to communicate with the departed. He also discusses the difficulty he had accepting his rare talents and the courage it took to share them with the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/751071/tyler-henry-is-writing-a-book-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-the-hollywood-medium-star-s-exciting-new-memoir|title=Tyler Henry Is Writing a Book! Get the Exclusive Scoop on the Hollywood Medium Star's Exciting New Memoir on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

Henry has given readings to a number of celebrities, such as retired NBA player [[John Salley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere|title=Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and actors [[Monica Potter]], [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/feature/a785580/oi-why-arent-you-watching-tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-yet/|title=Oi! Why aren't you watching Hollywood Medium yet?|date=2016-03-03|website=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> [[Amber Rose]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amber-rose-is-dating-toronto-raptors-basketball-player-terrence-ross-w166473|title=Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!|website=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and [[Rob Dyrdek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-rob-dyrdek-baby-boy-95264|title=Tyler Henry Predicted Rob Dyrdek Would Have a Little Boy on ‘Hollywood Medium’ — Watch!|website=In Touch Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref>

== Critical analysis ==
[[Susan Gerbic]], a [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]], has dismissed Henry as one of many "grief vampires" who have gained recent cultural notoriety, and she is particularly critical of Henry's stated aspiration of offering counseling to parents who have lost children to suicide,<ref name=Rees22Dec/> a practice Gerbic describes as "prey[ing] on families when they are the most desperate and vulnerable."<ref name=Gerbic20Jan>{{cite web|title=Grief Vampires Don't Come Out Only at Night|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/grief_vampires_dont_come_out_only_at_night|date=January 20, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|work=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)|first=Susan|last=Gerbic|authorlink=Susan Gerbic}}</ref> Gerbic describes the performances as "a fabric of lies," saying that people like Henry "prey on the poor and disaffected."<ref name = Coyne>{{cite web|last1=Coyne|first1=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Coyne|title=E! about to debut new show starring a psychic "grief vampire"|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/e-about-to-debut-new-show-starring-a-psychic-grief-vampire/|website=Why Evolution is True|publisher=WordPress|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]] of [[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]] and the [[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]] podcast has also been critical of Henry, stating "It's hardly a 'skill' to guess at celebrities' lives," noting that his apparent successes on the show are "craftily edited" for television audiences.<ref name = Hill>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink=Sharon A. Hill|title=Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2016/01/real-deal-boy-next-door-medium-or-hollywood-hype/|website=Doubtful News|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

"What Henry's doing isn't entertainment" states activist [[Hemant Mehta]], "it's deception." Mehta doubts that Henry will submit to scientific trials, and feels that he is "just the latest telegenic star on a network dedicated to celebrating vapid people."<ref name=patheos>{{cite web|last1=Hemant|first1=Mehta|authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/01/21/hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-whose-show-premieres-sunday-wants-to-specialize-in-suicide-victims/|website=Friendly Atheist|publisher=Patheos|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

Neurologist [[Steven Novella]] states that psychics like Henry are "grief vampires" who say they are giving comfort to grieving families: "Henry wishes to inject made up BS. He is not a trained counselor, and working with the grieving is very tricky. The potential for harm is tremendous."<ref name = SN>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=Grief Vampires|url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/grief-vampires/|website=Neurologica|publisher=NESS|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[David Gorski]] of [[ScienceBlogs]] writes that if Henry restricted his readings to celebrities as entertainment, then that would be harmless, but Henry wants to work with grieving parents whose children have committed suicide. "Likely the producer of his show is looking for such grieving parents right now, fodder for the grief vampire, to be shown for the morbid entertainment of the masses."<ref name = DG>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|authorlink=David Gorski|title=The rise of a new grief vampire|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/01/22/the-rise-of-a-new-grief-vampire/|website=Respectful Insolence|publisher=Science Blogs|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

''[[Huffington Post]]'' entertainment writer Cole Delbyck criticized the show and Henry's claims to connect celebrities with their deceased loved ones, saying, "from the previews, it looks fairly exploitative and tasteless."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delbyck|first1=Cole|title=We’re Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-medium-brittany-murphy-jamie-pressly_us_56a62fe5e4b076aadcc72573|website=Huffington Post|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com|accessdate=15 April 2016}}</ref>

Mentalist [[Mark Edward]] and Gerbic commented on the readings Henry gave to [[Ross Matthews]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Jodie Sweetin]] and Jillian Rose Reed. They state that Henry does not need to know whom he is reading in advance as "it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm [[cold reading]], flattery and generalities." The sitters in the post interviews claimed that Henry had been very specific, but Gerbic and Edward could not find one single hit, noting errors in memory for each sitter.<ref name = Edwards>{{Cite web| last = Gerbic| first = Susan| authorlink = Susan Gerbic|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/tip_the_canoe_of_tyler_too|title=Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI|website=www.csicop.org|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref>

Bobby Finger calls ''Hollywood Medium'' "the worst show on television" and a "deceptively cruel little experiment in exploitative programming." He analyzed an episode in which Henry met with [[Carole Radziwill]] and showed that everything Henry told her was easily accessible public information. He concludes "The loss of a loved one causes its own special, terrible category of pain, and to exploit someone’s grief in a way that presents the afterlife as this bleak, murky place where our dead friends and family members are constantly on the hunt for people like the Hollywood Medium . . . to spread a message that is almost without fail, 'I’m fine,' doesn’t just con their desperate, mournful targets out of a few hard-earned dollars, it does a disservice to the memories of those they lost."<ref name=jezebel1>{{Cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/hollywood-medium-cemented-its-status-as-the-worst-show-1785754207|title=Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=|website=Jezebel|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Susan Gerbic agrees with Finger that "this is not innocent fun." She analyzed that same episode and came to an only slightly different conclusion. She states that Henry doesn't need to have advanced knowledge of his sitters "because he just needs to throw out general statements and then remain silent while the sitter fills in the details." She looks at the specific time when Radziwill handed Henry a woman's gold ring and Henry states that the ring is a reference to someone who died at an early age, then asked if she knew anyone who fit that. Radziwill said, "“yeah [pause] a girlfriend [pause] her name is Carolyn.” Gerbic points out that "These pauses are important to note. This is where Henry is just letting the sitter talk and dropping all the information he is going to need."<ref name="gerbiccsireturn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/return_of_the_grief_vampire_tyler_henry|title=Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=|website=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's TV show the "Truly Terrible Television Award", which read:
{{Cquote|text=In recognition of the lack of scientific integrity, and in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program, the IIG is unfortunately obligated to present this award to ''Hollywood Medium'' for truly terrible television 2016.<ref name="IIG">{{cite web|title=IIG Awards 2016 (3 of 6) Ron Lynch presents the TTTV award to Tyler Henry|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE7YUGQD_A|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube, IIGWest|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{rp|06:15}}}}

In a 2016 article "The Hollywood Medium has a secret," Ryan Houlihan describes and analyses the Tyler Henry phenomenon from a skeptical perceptive. He explains how Tyler uses [[cold reading]], and likely [[hot reading]] techniques as well, to give the illusion of psychic powers. Houlihan attributes Henry’s success to the [[gullibility]] of celebrities as well as the media: "Henry’s shtick is polished, but it only works because he has such great support. Besides the celebrities he interviews, Henry seems to have the full-throated endorsement of the entertainment press."<ref name=Outline/> Houlihan concludes his article with:

{{Cquote|If Henry can truly speak to the dead, it would be the most important discovery in the history of the world. But rather than take his gift to scientists or religious leaders, Henry has decided to speak to actors about their grandmothers and deceased pets on a reality show. Before this story published, The Outline asked Henry’s publicist one last time if he could prove his abilities. We did not get a response.<ref name=Outline>{{cite web|title=The Hollywood Medium has a secret|url=https://theoutline.com/post/598/the-hollywood-medium-has-a-secret|website=The Outline|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>}}

In December 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides a point-by-point analysis of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished, stating that "It may not come as a surprise, but Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry may not be the [[clairvoyant]] and [[medical intuitive]] he says he is.<ref name="Swift">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Nicki|title=Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-75u3ZzzdPc&feature=youtu.be|website=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=18 April 2017}}</ref>

In a May 2017 article she wrote for [[Skeptical Inquirer]], [[Susan Gerbic]] analyzed in great detail a widely viewed [[E! Network]] video of Henry giving a fan, Jamie Horn, a reading. Following the session with Henry, Horn said "It was amazing and emotional!" But Gerbic's conclusion is that Henry simply used [[cold reading]] techniques to deceive her:<ref name = Reading>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/anatomy_of_a_reading|title=Anatomy of a Reading - CSI|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=2017-05-03|website=www.csicop.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

{{Cquote|text=She [Horn] does not have the ability at that moment to pause, back up, and really think about what he is saying... [but] what was missing might be as important as what was said. Henry missed anything that could be considered specific. He never knew anyone’s names, careers, years of death or birth, hobbies, nothing. Everything he threw out was general, and he expected Horn to come up with the answers... These are statements that will fit pretty much anyone if you are general enough.<ref name = Reading/>}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://horoscopocontarot.com/horoscopo/tyler-henry-vidente-hollywood-medium Tyler Henry Spanish Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Tyler}}
[[Category:1996 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American psychics]]
[[Category:American spiritual mediums]]
[[Category:Gay men]]
[[Category:LGBT people from the United States]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Hanford, California]]

Tyler Henry

2017-05-30T16:29:13Z

QuackGuru: - spaces

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Paranormal}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tyler Henry
| image = | image_size = | caption =
| birth_name = Tyler Henry Koelewyn
| birth_date = {{birth date|1996|1|13}}
| birth_place = Hanford, California
| occupation = Self-described [[psychic]] and [[Mediumship|medium]]
}}
'''Tyler Henry Koelewyn'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theresakoelewyn|title=Theresa Koelewyn (@TheresaKoelewyn) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vol-8-Newsletter-.html?soid=1109927824673&aid=yUYL3lyGJcA|title=Vol 8 Newsletter|website=myemail.constantcontact.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> (born January 13, 1996) is an American reality show personality who appears in the series ''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' as a "[[clairvoyant]] [[Mediumship|medium]]."<ref name="Rees22Jan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a52547/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-celebrity-clarivoyant-spirits/|title=This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really|last=Rees|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2016|work=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> The series began broadcast on the [[E!|E! Television Network]] in the United States in January 2016,<ref name=Petski29July>{{cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2015/07/hollywood-teen-medium-series-e-tyler-henry-celebrity-clairvoyant-1201486992/|title=Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=July 29, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> and was E!'s largest launch of a non-spinoff unscripted series in the past three years with 3.2 million viewers for its third episode.<ref name=Wagmeister5Feb>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-teen-medium-episode-order-season-1-e-1201697888/|title=E! Orders Two More Episodes of 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2016|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|work=Variety}}</ref>

Critics [[Susan Gerbic]], [[Hemant Mehta]], [[Steven Novella]], [[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]], [[David Gorski]], [[Mark Edward]], Ryan Houlihan, and Bobby Finger maintain that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive [[Cold reading|cold]] and [[Hot reading|hot reading]] techniques, and not "psychic" powers. They also criticize his TV show for targeting people who are grieving and vulnerable, and exploiting them for entertainment.<ref name=Coyne/><ref name=patheos/><ref name=SN/><ref name=Hill/><ref name=DG/><ref name=Edwards/><ref name=Outline/><ref name=jezebel1/>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's show the ''Truly Terrible Television Award'' "...in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program..."<ref name=IIG/> In 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides details of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished.<ref name=Swift/>

==Early life==
Henry is a native of [[Hanford, California]], a small rural suburb just outside [[Fresno, California|Fresno]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/tv/article54719020.html|title=Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'|work=Fresno Bee|first=Rick|last=Bentley|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

After giving readings to students and teachers at Hanford's [[Hanford Joint Union High School District|Sierra Pacific High School]], from which he graduated on an accelerated academic program,<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry initially aspired to attend college and become a [[hospice]] [[nurse]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan/><ref name=Rees22Dec>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/television/2015/12/22/gay-hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-opens-about-his-psychic-abilities|title=Tyler Henry Opens Up About His Psychic Abilities|work=Out Magazine|date=December 22, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016|first=Nicholas Richard|last=Rees}}</ref> However, Henry soon was "discovered." Before long, he gained a celebrity clientele and a reality TV development deal.<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry began filming his E! television series when he was 19 years old; the show began airing a week after his 20th birthday.<ref name=Cohen12Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/727487/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-medium-s-tyler-henry|title=9 Things You Didn't Know About ''Hollywood Medium's'' Tyler Henry|date=January 12, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|first=Jess|last=Cohen|work=E! Online}}</ref> Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions," he told the ''Fresno Bee''.<ref name="Bentley16Jan" />
Henry is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Tyler Henry|url=http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/2016/01/20/meet-tyler-henry-hes-20-yrs-old-gay-and-the-hollywood-medium-on-e/}}</ref>

== Career ==
''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' premiered on E! on January 24, 2016. After a successful premiere, E! ordered two additional episodes, making it 10 episodes total. The show airs Sunday nights at 10 pm. In March 2016, It was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-renewed-season-2-e-1201723160/|title=E! Renews ‘Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry’ for Season 2|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In March 2016, E! reported that Henry was writing his first memoir with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book publisher told E! that the book "will reveal what living life as a medium is really like—from opening up about discovering his gift as a young teen to what it's truly like to communicate with the departed. He also discusses the difficulty he had accepting his rare talents and the courage it took to share them with the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/751071/tyler-henry-is-writing-a-book-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-the-hollywood-medium-star-s-exciting-new-memoir|title=Tyler Henry Is Writing a Book! Get the Exclusive Scoop on the Hollywood Medium Star's Exciting New Memoir on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

Henry has given readings to a number of celebrities, such as retired NBA player [[John Salley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere|title=Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and actors [[Monica Potter]], [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/feature/a785580/oi-why-arent-you-watching-tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-yet/|title=Oi! Why aren't you watching Hollywood Medium yet?|date=2016-03-03|website=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> [[Amber Rose]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amber-rose-is-dating-toronto-raptors-basketball-player-terrence-ross-w166473?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|title=Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!|website=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and [[Rob Dyrdek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-rob-dyrdek-baby-boy-95264|title=Tyler Henry Predicted Rob Dyrdek Would Have a Little Boy on ‘Hollywood Medium’ — Watch!|website=In Touch Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref>

== Critical analysis ==
[[Susan Gerbic]], a [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]], has dismissed Henry as one of many "grief vampires" who have gained recent cultural notoriety, and she is particularly critical of Henry's stated aspiration of offering counseling to parents who have lost children to suicide,<ref name=Rees22Dec/> a practice Gerbic describes as "prey[ing] on families when they are the most desperate and vulnerable."<ref name=Gerbic20Jan>{{cite web|title=Grief Vampires Don't Come Out Only at Night|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/grief_vampires_dont_come_out_only_at_night|date=January 20, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|work=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)|first=Susan|last=Gerbic|authorlink=Susan Gerbic}}</ref> Gerbic describes the performances as "a fabric of lies," saying that people like Henry "prey on the poor and disaffected."<ref name = Coyne>{{cite web|last1=Coyne|first1=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Coyne|title=E! about to debut new show starring a psychic "grief vampire"|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/e-about-to-debut-new-show-starring-a-psychic-grief-vampire/|website=Why Evolution is True|publisher=WordPress|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]] of [[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]] and the [[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]] podcast has also been critical of Henry, stating "It's hardly a 'skill' to guess at celebrities' lives," noting that his apparent successes on the show are "craftily edited" for television audiences.<ref name = Hill>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink=Sharon A. Hill|title=Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2016/01/real-deal-boy-next-door-medium-or-hollywood-hype/|website=Doubtful News|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

"What Henry's doing isn't entertainment" states activist [[Hemant Mehta]], "it's deception." Mehta doubts that Henry will submit to scientific trials, and feels that he is "just the latest telegenic star on a network dedicated to celebrating vapid people."<ref name=patheos>{{cite web|last1=Hemant|first1=Mehta|authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/01/21/hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-whose-show-premieres-sunday-wants-to-specialize-in-suicide-victims/|website=Friendly Atheist|publisher=Patheos|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

Neurologist [[Steven Novella]] states that psychics like Henry are "grief vampires" who say they are giving comfort to grieving families: "Henry wishes to inject made up BS. He is not a trained counselor, and working with the grieving is very tricky. The potential for harm is tremendous."<ref name = SN>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=Grief Vampires|url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/grief-vampires/|website=Neurologica|publisher=NESS|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[David Gorski]] of [[ScienceBlogs]] writes that if Henry restricted his readings to celebrities as entertainment, then that would be harmless, but Henry wants to work with grieving parents whose children have committed suicide. "Likely the producer of his show is looking for such grieving parents right now, fodder for the grief vampire, to be shown for the morbid entertainment of the masses."<ref name = DG>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|authorlink=David Gorski|title=The rise of a new grief vampire|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/01/22/the-rise-of-a-new-grief-vampire/|website=Respectful Insolence|publisher=Science Blogs|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

''[[Huffington Post]]'' entertainment writer Cole Delbyck criticized the show and Henry's claims to connect celebrities with their deceased loved ones, saying, "from the previews, it looks fairly exploitative and tasteless."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delbyck|first1=Cole|title=We’re Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-medium-brittany-murphy-jamie-pressly_us_56a62fe5e4b076aadcc72573|website=Huffington Post|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com|accessdate=15 April 2016}}</ref>

Mentalist [[Mark Edward]] and Gerbic commented on the readings Henry gave to [[Ross Matthews]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Jodie Sweetin]] and Jillian Rose Reed. They state that Henry does not need to know whom he is reading in advance as "it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm [[cold reading]], flattery and generalities." The sitters in the post interviews claimed that Henry had been very specific, but Gerbic and Edward could not find one single hit, noting errors in memory for each sitter.<ref name = Edwards>{{Cite web| last = Gerbic| first = Susan| authorlink = Susan Gerbic|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/tip_the_canoe_of_tyler_too|title=Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI|website=www.csicop.org|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref>

Bobby Finger calls ''Hollywood Medium'' "the worst show on television" and a "deceptively cruel little experiment in exploitative programming." He analyzed an episode in which Henry met with [[Carole Radziwill]] and showed that everything Henry told her was easily accessible public information. He concludes "The loss of a loved one causes its own special, terrible category of pain, and to exploit someone’s grief in a way that presents the afterlife as this bleak, murky place where our dead friends and family members are constantly on the hunt for people like the Hollywood Medium . . . to spread a message that is almost without fail, 'I’m fine,' doesn’t just con their desperate, mournful targets out of a few hard-earned dollars, it does a disservice to the memories of those they lost."<ref name=jezebel1>{{Cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/hollywood-medium-cemented-its-status-as-the-worst-show-1785754207|title=Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=|website=Jezebel|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Susan Gerbic agrees with Finger that "this is not innocent fun." She analyzed that same episode and came to an only slightly different conclusion. She states that Henry doesn't need to have advanced knowledge of his sitters "because he just needs to throw out general statements and then remain silent while the sitter fills in the details." She looks at the specific time when Radziwill handed Henry a woman's gold ring and Henry states that the ring is a reference to someone who died at an early age, then asked if she knew anyone who fit that. Radziwill said, "“yeah [pause] a girlfriend [pause] her name is Carolyn.” Gerbic points out that "These pauses are important to note. This is where Henry is just letting the sitter talk and dropping all the information he is going to need."<ref name="gerbiccsireturn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/return_of_the_grief_vampire_tyler_henry|title=Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=|website=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Gerbic also did a very detailed analysis of a YouTube video uploaded by E! in which Henry met with a fan, Jamie Horn. Horn says about her reading “It was amazing and emotional!” But Gerbic points out, "She does not have the ability at that moment to pause, back up, and really think about what he is saying. She isn’t even able to ask questions or take notes. We have that ability. . . I can look at her expressions and body language and take notes all the way through." Gerbic does not believe that Henry was using any hot reading in this case, pointing out that there were almost no specific hits, just very general statements that lead Horn to give up information. "This man, who Henry has now learned is Horn’s father, wants to acknowledge a Bob, Bobby or Robert. Horn explains that her husband’s name is Robert. Sounds like a hit, right? . . . [Horn] probably thinks her father reached out to her husband Robert. But Henry did not say the older man was her father, he learned that when Horn said so. And Henry did not say that Robert was her husband."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/anatomy_of_a_reading|title=Anatomy of a Reading - CSI|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=2017-05-03|website=www.csicop.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's TV show the "Truly Terrible Television Award", which read:
{{Cquote|text=In recognition of the lack of scientific integrity, and in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program, the IIG is unfortunately obligated to present this award to ''Hollywood Medium'' for truly terrible television 2016.<ref name="IIG">{{cite web|title=IIG Awards 2016 (3 of 6) Ron Lynch presents the TTTV award to Tyler Henry|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE7YUGQD_A|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube, IIGWest|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{rp|06:15}}}}

In a 2016 article "The Hollywood Medium has a secret," Ryan Houlihan describes and analyses the Tyler Henry phenomenon from a skeptical perceptive. He explains how Tyler uses [[cold reading]], and likely [[hot reading]] techniques as well, to give the illusion of psychic powers. Houlihan attributes Henry’s success to the [[gullibility]] of celebrities as well as the media: "Henry’s shtick is polished, but it only works because he has such great support. Besides the celebrities he interviews, Henry seems to have the full-throated endorsement of the entertainment press."<ref name=Outline/> Houlihan concludes his article with:

{{Cquote|If Henry can truly speak to the dead, it would be the most important discovery in the history of the world. But rather than take his gift to scientists or religious leaders, Henry has decided to speak to actors about their grandmothers and deceased pets on a reality show. Before this story published, The Outline asked Henry’s publicist one last time if he could prove his abilities. We did not get a response.<ref name=Outline>{{cite web|title=The Hollywood Medium has a secret|url=https://theoutline.com/post/598/the-hollywood-medium-has-a-secret|website=The Outline|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>}}

In December 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides a point-by-point analysis of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished, stating that "It may not come as a surprise, but Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry may not be the [[clairvoyant]] and [[medical intuitive]] he says he is.<ref name="Swift">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Nicki|title=Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-75u3ZzzdPc&feature=youtu.be|website=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=18 April 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://horoscopocontarot.com/horoscopo/tyler-henry-vidente-hollywood-medium Tyler Henry Spanish Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Tyler}}
[[Category:1996 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American psychics]]
[[Category:American spiritual mediums]]
[[Category:LGBT people from the United States]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Hanford, California]]

Tyler Henry

2017-05-29T22:53:38Z

QuackGuru: maybe this will work

{{Paranormal}}
'''Tyler Henry Koelewyn'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theresakoelewyn|title=Theresa Koelewyn (@TheresaKoelewyn) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vol-8-Newsletter-.html?soid=1109927824673&aid=yUYL3lyGJcA|title=Vol 8 Newsletter|website=myemail.constantcontact.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> (born January 13, 1996) is an American reality show personality who appears in the series ''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' as a "[[clairvoyant]] [[Mediumship|medium]]."<ref name="Rees22Jan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a52547/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-celebrity-clarivoyant-spirits/|title=This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really|last=Rees|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2016|work=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> The series began broadcast on the [[E!|E! Television Network]] in the United States in January 2016,<ref name=Petski29July>{{cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2015/07/hollywood-teen-medium-series-e-tyler-henry-celebrity-clairvoyant-1201486992/|title=Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=July 29, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> and was E!'s largest launch of a non-spinoff unscripted series in the past three years with 3.2 million viewers for its third episode.<ref name=Wagmeister5Feb>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-teen-medium-episode-order-season-1-e-1201697888/|title=E! Orders Two More Episodes of 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2016|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|work=Variety}}</ref>

Critics [[Susan Gerbic]], [[Hemant Mehta]], [[Steven Novella]], [[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]], [[David Gorski]], [[Mark Edward]], Ryan Houlihan, and Bobby Finger maintain that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive [[Cold reading|cold]] and [[Hot reading|hot reading]] techniques, and not "psychic" powers. They also criticize his TV show for targeting people who are grieving and vulnerable, and exploiting them for entertainment.<ref name = Coyne/><ref name=patheos/><ref name = SN/><ref name = Hill/><ref name = DG/><ref name = Edwards/><ref name=Outline/><ref name=jezebel1/>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's show the ''Truly Terrible Television Award'' "...in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program..."<ref name="IIG"/> In 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides details of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished.<ref name="Swift"/>

==Early life==
Henry is a native of [[Hanford, California]], a small rural suburb just outside [[Fresno, California|Fresno]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/tv/article54719020.html|title=Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'|work=Fresno Bee|first=Rick|last=Bentley|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

After giving readings to students and teachers at Hanford's [[Hanford Joint Union High School District|Sierra Pacific High School]], from which he graduated on an accelerated academic program,<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry initially aspired to attend college and become a [[hospice]] [[nurse]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan/><ref name=Rees22Dec>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/television/2015/12/22/gay-hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-opens-about-his-psychic-abilities|title=Tyler Henry Opens Up About His Psychic Abilities|work=Out Magazine|date=December 22, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016|first=Nicholas Richard|last=Rees}}</ref> However, Henry soon was "discovered." Before long, he gained a celebrity clientele and a reality TV development deal.<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry began filming his E! television series when he was 19 years old; the show began airing a week after his 20th birthday.<ref name=Cohen12Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/727487/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-medium-s-tyler-henry|title=9 Things You Didn't Know About ''Hollywood Medium's'' Tyler Henry|date=January 12, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|first=Jess|last=Cohen|work=E! Online}}</ref> Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions," he told the ''Fresno Bee''.<ref name="Bentley16Jan" />
Henry is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Tyler Henry|url=http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/2016/01/20/meet-tyler-henry-hes-20-yrs-old-gay-and-the-hollywood-medium-on-e/}}</ref>

== Career ==
''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' premiered on E! on January 24, 2016. After a successful premiere, E! ordered two additional episodes, making it 10 episodes total. The show airs Sunday nights at 10 pm. In March 2016, It was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-renewed-season-2-e-1201723160/|title=E! Renews ‘Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry’ for Season 2|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In March 2016, E! reported that Henry was writing his first memoir with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book publisher told E! that the book "will reveal what living life as a medium is really like—from opening up about discovering his gift as a young teen to what it's truly like to communicate with the departed. He also discusses the difficulty he had accepting his rare talents and the courage it took to share them with the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/751071/tyler-henry-is-writing-a-book-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-the-hollywood-medium-star-s-exciting-new-memoir|title=Tyler Henry Is Writing a Book! Get the Exclusive Scoop on the Hollywood Medium Star's Exciting New Memoir on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

Henry has given readings to a number of celebrities, such as retired NBA player [[John Salley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere|title=Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and actors [[Monica Potter]], [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/feature/a785580/oi-why-arent-you-watching-tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-yet/|title=Oi! Why aren't you watching Hollywood Medium yet?|date=2016-03-03|website=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> [[Amber Rose]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amber-rose-is-dating-toronto-raptors-basketball-player-terrence-ross-w166473?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|title=Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!|website=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and [[Rob Dyrdek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-rob-dyrdek-baby-boy-95264|title=Tyler Henry Predicted Rob Dyrdek Would Have a Little Boy on ‘Hollywood Medium’ — Watch!|website=In Touch Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref>

== Critical analysis ==
[[Susan Gerbic]], a [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]], has dismissed Henry as one of many "grief vampires" who have gained recent cultural notoriety, and she is particularly critical of Henry's stated aspiration of offering counseling to parents who have lost children to suicide,<ref name=Rees22Dec/> a practice Gerbic describes as "prey[ing] on families when they are the most desperate and vulnerable."<ref name=Gerbic20Jan>{{cite web|title=Grief Vampires Don't Come Out Only at Night|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/grief_vampires_dont_come_out_only_at_night|date=January 20, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|work=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)|first=Susan|last=Gerbic|authorlink=Susan Gerbic}}</ref> Gerbic describes the performances as "a fabric of lies," saying that people like Henry "prey on the poor and disaffected."<ref name = Coyne>{{cite web|last1=Coyne|first1=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Coyne|title=E! about to debut new show starring a psychic "grief vampire"|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/e-about-to-debut-new-show-starring-a-psychic-grief-vampire/|website=Why Evolution is True|publisher=WordPress|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]] of [[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]] and the [[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]] podcast has also been critical of Henry, stating "It's hardly a 'skill' to guess at celebrities' lives," noting that his apparent successes on the show are "craftily edited" for television audiences.<ref name = Hill>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink=Sharon A. Hill|title=Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2016/01/real-deal-boy-next-door-medium-or-hollywood-hype/|website=Doubtful News|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

"What Henry's doing isn't entertainment" states activist [[Hemant Mehta]], "it's deception." Mehta doubts that Henry will submit to scientific trials, and feels that he is "just the latest telegenic star on a network dedicated to celebrating vapid people."<ref name=patheos>{{cite web|last1=Hemant|first1=Mehta|authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/01/21/hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-whose-show-premieres-sunday-wants-to-specialize-in-suicide-victims/|website=Friendly Atheist|publisher=Patheos|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

Neurologist [[Steven Novella]] states that psychics like Henry are "grief vampires" who say they are giving comfort to grieving families: "Henry wishes to inject made up BS. He is not a trained counselor, and working with the grieving is very tricky. The potential for harm is tremendous."<ref name = SN>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=Grief Vampires|url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/grief-vampires/|website=Neurologica|publisher=NESS|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[David Gorski]] of [[ScienceBlogs]] writes that if Henry restricted his readings to celebrities as entertainment, then that would be harmless, but Henry wants to work with grieving parents whose children have committed suicide. "Likely the producer of his show is looking for such grieving parents right now, fodder for the grief vampire, to be shown for the morbid entertainment of the masses."<ref name = DG>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|authorlink=David Gorski|title=The rise of a new grief vampire|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/01/22/the-rise-of-a-new-grief-vampire/|website=Respectful Insolence|publisher=Science Blogs|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

''[[Huffington Post]]'' entertainment writer Cole Delbyck criticized the show and Henry's claims to connect celebrities with their deceased loved ones, saying, "from the previews, it looks fairly exploitative and tasteless."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delbyck|first1=Cole|title=We’re Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-medium-brittany-murphy-jamie-pressly_us_56a62fe5e4b076aadcc72573|website=Huffington Post|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com|accessdate=15 April 2016}}</ref>

Mentalist [[Mark Edward]] and Gerbic commented on the readings Henry gave to [[Ross Matthews]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Jodie Sweetin]] and Jillian Rose Reed. They state that Henry does not need to know whom he is reading in advance as "it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm [[cold reading]], flattery and generalities." The sitters in the post interviews claimed that Henry had been very specific, but Gerbic and Edward could not find one single hit, noting errors in memory for each sitter.<ref name = Edwards>{{Cite web| last = Gerbic| first = Susan| authorlink = Susan Gerbic|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/tip_the_canoe_of_tyler_too|title=Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI|website=www.csicop.org|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref>

Bobby Finger calls ''Hollywood Medium'' "the worst show on television" and a "deceptively cruel little experiment in exploitative programming." He analyzed an episode in which Henry met with [[Carole Radziwill]] and showed that everything Henry told her was easily accessible public information. He concludes "The loss of a loved one causes its own special, terrible category of pain, and to exploit someone’s grief in a way that presents the afterlife as this bleak, murky place where our dead friends and family members are constantly on the hunt for people like the Hollywood Medium . . . to spread a message that is almost without fail, 'I’m fine,' doesn’t just con their desperate, mournful targets out of a few hard-earned dollars, it does a disservice to the memories of those they lost."<ref name=jezebel1>{{Cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/hollywood-medium-cemented-its-status-as-the-worst-show-1785754207|title=Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=|website=Jezebel|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Susan Gerbic agrees with Finger that "this is not innocent fun." She analyzed that same episode and came to an only slightly different conclusion. She states that Henry doesn't need to have advanced knowledge of his sitters "because he just needs to throw out general statements and then remain silent while the sitter fills in the details." She looks at the specific time when Radziwill handed Henry a woman's gold ring and Henry states that the ring is a reference to someone who died at an early age, then asked if she knew anyone who fit that. Radziwill said, "“yeah [pause] a girlfriend [pause] her name is Carolyn.” Gerbic points out that "These pauses are important to note. This is where Henry is just letting the sitter talk and dropping all the information he is going to need."<ref name="gerbiccsireturn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/return_of_the_grief_vampire_tyler_henry|title=Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=|website=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Gerbic also did a very detailed analysis of a YouTube video uploaded by E! in which Henry met with a fan, Jamie Horn. Horn says about her reading “It was amazing and emotional!” But Gerbic points out, "She does not have the ability at that moment to pause, back up, and really think about what he is saying. She isn’t even able to ask questions or take notes. We have that ability. . . I can look at her expressions and body language and take notes all the way through." Gerbic does not believe that Henry was using any hot reading in this case, pointing out that there were almost no specific hits, just very general statements that lead Horn to give up information. "This man, who Henry has now learned is Horn’s father, wants to acknowledge a Bob, Bobby or Robert. Horn explains that her husband’s name is Robert. Sounds like a hit, right? . . . [Horn] probably thinks her father reached out to her husband Robert. But Henry did not say the older man was her father, he learned that when Horn said so. And Henry did not say that Robert was her husband."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/anatomy_of_a_reading|title=Anatomy of a Reading - CSI|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=2017-05-03|website=www.csicop.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's TV show the "Truly Terrible Television Award", which read:
{{Cquote|text=In recognition of the lack of scientific integrity, and in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program, the IIG is unfortunately obligated to present this award to ''Hollywood Medium'' for truly terrible television 2016.<ref name="IIG">{{cite web|title=IIG Awards 2016 (3 of 6) Ron Lynch presents the TTTV award to Tyler Henry|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE7YUGQD_A|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube, IIGWest|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{rp|06:15}}}}

In a 2016 article "The Hollywood Medium has a secret," Ryan Houlihan describes and analyses the Tyler Henry phenomenon from a skeptical perceptive. He explains how Tyler uses [[cold reading]], and likely [[hot reading]] techniques as well, to give the illusion of psychic powers. Houlihan attributes Henry’s success to the [[gullibility]] of celebrities as well as the media: "Henry’s shtick is polished, but it only works because he has such great support. Besides the celebrities he interviews, Henry seems to have the full-throated endorsement of the entertainment press."<ref name=Outline/> Houlihan concludes his article with:

{{Cquote|If Henry can truly speak to the dead, it would be the most important discovery in the history of the world. But rather than take his gift to scientists or religious leaders, Henry has decided to speak to actors about their grandmothers and deceased pets on a reality show. Before this story published, The Outline asked Henry’s publicist one last time if he could prove his abilities. We did not get a response.<ref name=Outline>{{cite web|title=The Hollywood Medium has a secret|url=https://theoutline.com/post/598/the-hollywood-medium-has-a-secret|website=The Outline|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>}}

In December 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides a point-by-point analysis of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished, stating that "It may not come as a surprise, but Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry may not be the [[clairvoyant]] and [[medical intuitive]] he says he is.<ref name="Swift">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Nicki|title=Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-75u3ZzzdPc&feature=youtu.be|website=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=18 April 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://horoscopocontarot.com/horoscopo/tyler-henry-vidente-hollywood-medium Tyler Henry Spanish Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Tyler}}
[[Category:1996 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American psychics]]
[[Category:American spiritual mediums]]
[[Category:LGBT people from the United States]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Hanford, California]]

Tyler Henry

2017-05-29T22:52:49Z

QuackGuru: maybe this will work

{{Paranormal}}
'''Tyler Henry Koelewyn'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theresakoelewyn|title=Theresa Koelewyn (@TheresaKoelewyn) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vol-8-Newsletter-.html?soid=1109927824673&aid=yUYL3lyGJcA|title=Vol 8 Newsletter|website=myemail.constantcontact.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> (born January 13, 1996) is an American reality show personality who appears in the series ''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' as a "[[clairvoyant]] [[Mediumship|medium]]."<ref name="Rees22Jan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a52547/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-celebrity-clarivoyant-spirits/|title=This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really|last=Rees|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2016|work=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> The series began broadcast on the [[E!|E! Television Network]] in the United States in January 2016,<ref name=Petski29July>{{cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2015/07/hollywood-teen-medium-series-e-tyler-henry-celebrity-clairvoyant-1201486992/|title=Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=July 29, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> and was E!'s largest launch of a non-spinoff unscripted series in the past three years with 3.2 million viewers for its third episode.<ref name=Wagmeister5Feb>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-teen-medium-episode-order-season-1-e-1201697888/|title=E! Orders Two More Episodes of 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2016|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|work=Variety}}</ref>

Critics [[Susan Gerbic]], [[Hemant Mehta]], [[Steven Novella]], [[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]], [[David Gorski]], [[Mark Edward]], Ryan Houlihan, and Bobby Finger maintain that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive [[Cold reading|cold]] and [[Hot reading|hot reading]] techniques, and not "psychic" powers. They also criticize his TV show for targeting people who are grieving and vulnerable, and exploiting them for entertainment.<ref name = Coyne/><ref name=patheos/><ref name = SN/><ref name = Hill/><ref name = DG/><ref name = Edwards/><ref name=Outline/><ref name=jezebel1/>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's show the ''Truly Terrible Television Award'' "...in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program..."<ref name="IIG"/> In 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides details of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished.<ref name="Swift"/>

==Early life==
Henry is a native of [[Hanford, California]], a small rural suburb just outside [[Fresno, California|Fresno]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/tv/article54719020.html|title=Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'|work=Fresno Bee|first=Rick|last=Bentley|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

After giving readings to students and teachers at Hanford's [[Hanford Joint Union High School District|Sierra Pacific High School]], from which he graduated on an accelerated academic program,<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry initially aspired to attend college and become a [[hospice]] [[nurse]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan/><ref name=Rees22Dec>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/television/2015/12/22/gay-hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-opens-about-his-psychic-abilities|title=Tyler Henry Opens Up About His Psychic Abilities|work=Out Magazine|date=December 22, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016|first=Nicholas Richard|last=Rees}}</ref> However, Henry soon was "discovered." Before long, he gained a celebrity clientele and a reality TV development deal.<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry began filming his E! television series when he was 19 years old; the show began airing a week after his 20th birthday.<ref name=Cohen12Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/727487/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-medium-s-tyler-henry|title=9 Things You Didn't Know About ''Hollywood Medium's'' Tyler Henry|date=January 12, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|first=Jess|last=Cohen|work=E! Online}}</ref> Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions," he told the ''Fresno Bee''.<ref name="Bentley16Jan" />
Henry is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Tyler Henry|url=http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/2016/01/20/meet-tyler-henry-hes-20-yrs-old-gay-and-the-hollywood-medium-on-e/}}</ref>

== Career ==
''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' premiered on E! on January 24, 2016. After a successful premiere, E! ordered two additional episodes, making it 10 episodes total. The show airs Sunday nights at 10 pm. In March 2016, It was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-renewed-season-2-e-1201723160/|title=E! Renews ‘Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry’ for Season 2|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In March 2016, E! reported that Henry was writing his first memoir with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book publisher told E! that the book "will reveal what living life as a medium is really like—from opening up about discovering his gift as a young teen to what it's truly like to communicate with the departed. He also discusses the difficulty he had accepting his rare talents and the courage it took to share them with the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/751071/tyler-henry-is-writing-a-book-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-the-hollywood-medium-star-s-exciting-new-memoir|title=Tyler Henry Is Writing a Book! Get the Exclusive Scoop on the Hollywood Medium Star's Exciting New Memoir on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

Henry has given readings to a number of celebrities, such as retired NBA player [[John Salley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere|title=Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and actors [[Monica Potter]], [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/feature/a785580/oi-why-arent-you-watching-tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-yet/|title=Oi! Why aren't you watching Hollywood Medium yet?|date=2016-03-03|website=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> [[Amber Rose]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amber-rose-is-dating-toronto-raptors-basketball-player-terrence-ross-w166473?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|title=Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!|website=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and [[Rob Dyrdek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-rob-dyrdek-baby-boy-95264|title=Tyler Henry Predicted Rob Dyrdek Would Have a Little Boy on ‘Hollywood Medium’ — Watch!|website=In Touch Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
[[Susan Gerbic]], a [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]], has dismissed Henry as one of many "grief vampires" who have gained recent cultural notoriety, and she is particularly critical of Henry's stated aspiration of offering counseling to parents who have lost children to suicide,<ref name=Rees22Dec/> a practice Gerbic describes as "prey[ing] on families when they are the most desperate and vulnerable."<ref name=Gerbic20Jan>{{cite web|title=Grief Vampires Don't Come Out Only at Night|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/grief_vampires_dont_come_out_only_at_night|date=January 20, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|work=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)|first=Susan|last=Gerbic|authorlink=Susan Gerbic}}</ref> Gerbic describes the performances as "a fabric of lies," saying that people like Henry "prey on the poor and disaffected."<ref name = Coyne>{{cite web|last1=Coyne|first1=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Coyne|title=E! about to debut new show starring a psychic "grief vampire"|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/e-about-to-debut-new-show-starring-a-psychic-grief-vampire/|website=Why Evolution is True|publisher=WordPress|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]] of [[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]] and the [[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]] podcast has also been critical of Henry, stating "It's hardly a 'skill' to guess at celebrities' lives," noting that his apparent successes on the show are "craftily edited" for television audiences.<ref name = Hill>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink=Sharon A. Hill|title=Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2016/01/real-deal-boy-next-door-medium-or-hollywood-hype/|website=Doubtful News|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

"What Henry's doing isn't entertainment" states activist [[Hemant Mehta]], "it's deception." Mehta doubts that Henry will submit to scientific trials, and feels that he is "just the latest telegenic star on a network dedicated to celebrating vapid people."<ref name=patheos>{{cite web|last1=Hemant|first1=Mehta|authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/01/21/hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-whose-show-premieres-sunday-wants-to-specialize-in-suicide-victims/|website=Friendly Atheist|publisher=Patheos|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

Neurologist [[Steven Novella]] states that psychics like Henry are "grief vampires" who say they are giving comfort to grieving families: "Henry wishes to inject made up BS. He is not a trained counselor, and working with the grieving is very tricky. The potential for harm is tremendous."<ref name = SN>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=Grief Vampires|url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/grief-vampires/|website=Neurologica|publisher=NESS|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[David Gorski]] of [[ScienceBlogs]] writes that if Henry restricted his readings to celebrities as entertainment, then that would be harmless, but Henry wants to work with grieving parents whose children have committed suicide. "Likely the producer of his show is looking for such grieving parents right now, fodder for the grief vampire, to be shown for the morbid entertainment of the masses."<ref name = DG>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|authorlink=David Gorski|title=The rise of a new grief vampire|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/01/22/the-rise-of-a-new-grief-vampire/|website=Respectful Insolence|publisher=Science Blogs|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

''[[Huffington Post]]'' entertainment writer Cole Delbyck criticized the show and Henry's claims to connect celebrities with their deceased loved ones, saying, "from the previews, it looks fairly exploitative and tasteless."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delbyck|first1=Cole|title=We’re Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-medium-brittany-murphy-jamie-pressly_us_56a62fe5e4b076aadcc72573|website=Huffington Post|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com|accessdate=15 April 2016}}</ref>

Mentalist [[Mark Edward]] and Gerbic commented on the readings Henry gave to [[Ross Matthews]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Jodie Sweetin]] and Jillian Rose Reed. They state that Henry does not need to know whom he is reading in advance as "it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm [[cold reading]], flattery and generalities." The sitters in the post interviews claimed that Henry had been very specific, but Gerbic and Edward could not find one single hit, noting errors in memory for each sitter.<ref name = Edwards>{{Cite web| last = Gerbic| first = Susan| authorlink = Susan Gerbic|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/tip_the_canoe_of_tyler_too|title=Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI|website=www.csicop.org|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref>

Bobby Finger calls ''Hollywood Medium'' "the worst show on television" and a "deceptively cruel little experiment in exploitative programming." He analyzed an episode in which Henry met with [[Carole Radziwill]] and showed that everything Henry told her was easily accessible public information. He concludes "The loss of a loved one causes its own special, terrible category of pain, and to exploit someone’s grief in a way that presents the afterlife as this bleak, murky place where our dead friends and family members are constantly on the hunt for people like the Hollywood Medium . . . to spread a message that is almost without fail, 'I’m fine,' doesn’t just con their desperate, mournful targets out of a few hard-earned dollars, it does a disservice to the memories of those they lost."<ref name=jezebel1>{{Cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/hollywood-medium-cemented-its-status-as-the-worst-show-1785754207|title=Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=|website=Jezebel|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Susan Gerbic agrees with Finger that "this is not innocent fun." She analyzed that same episode and came to an only slightly different conclusion. She states that Henry doesn't need to have advanced knowledge of his sitters "because he just needs to throw out general statements and then remain silent while the sitter fills in the details." She looks at the specific time when Radziwill handed Henry a woman's gold ring and Henry states that the ring is a reference to someone who died at an early age, then asked if she knew anyone who fit that. Radziwill said, "“yeah [pause] a girlfriend [pause] her name is Carolyn.” Gerbic points out that "These pauses are important to note. This is where Henry is just letting the sitter talk and dropping all the information he is going to need."<ref name="gerbiccsireturn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/return_of_the_grief_vampire_tyler_henry|title=Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=|website=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Gerbic also did a very detailed analysis of a YouTube video uploaded by E! in which Henry met with a fan, Jamie Horn. Horn says about her reading “It was amazing and emotional!” But Gerbic points out, "She does not have the ability at that moment to pause, back up, and really think about what he is saying. She isn’t even able to ask questions or take notes. We have that ability. . . I can look at her expressions and body language and take notes all the way through." Gerbic does not believe that Henry was using any hot reading in this case, pointing out that there were almost no specific hits, just very general statements that lead Horn to give up information. "This man, who Henry has now learned is Horn’s father, wants to acknowledge a Bob, Bobby or Robert. Horn explains that her husband’s name is Robert. Sounds like a hit, right? . . . [Horn] probably thinks her father reached out to her husband Robert. But Henry did not say the older man was her father, he learned that when Horn said so. And Henry did not say that Robert was her husband."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/anatomy_of_a_reading|title=Anatomy of a Reading - CSI|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=2017-05-03|website=www.csicop.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's TV show the "Truly Terrible Television Award", which read:
{{Cquote|text=In recognition of the lack of scientific integrity, and in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program, the IIG is unfortunately obligated to present this award to ''Hollywood Medium'' for truly terrible television 2016.<ref name="IIG">{{cite web|title=IIG Awards 2016 (3 of 6) Ron Lynch presents the TTTV award to Tyler Henry|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE7YUGQD_A|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube, IIGWest|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{rp|06:15}}}}

In a 2016 article "The Hollywood Medium has a secret," Ryan Houlihan describes and analyses the Tyler Henry phenomenon from a skeptical perceptive. He explains how Tyler uses [[cold reading]], and likely [[hot reading]] techniques as well, to give the illusion of psychic powers. Houlihan attributes Henry’s success to the [[gullibility]] of celebrities as well as the media: "Henry’s shtick is polished, but it only works because he has such great support. Besides the celebrities he interviews, Henry seems to have the full-throated endorsement of the entertainment press."<ref name=Outline/> Houlihan concludes his article with:

{{Cquote|If Henry can truly speak to the dead, it would be the most important discovery in the history of the world. But rather than take his gift to scientists or religious leaders, Henry has decided to speak to actors about their grandmothers and deceased pets on a reality show. Before this story published, The Outline asked Henry’s publicist one last time if he could prove his abilities. We did not get a response.<ref name=Outline>{{cite web|title=The Hollywood Medium has a secret|url=https://theoutline.com/post/598/the-hollywood-medium-has-a-secret|website=The Outline|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>}}

In December 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides a point-by-point analysis of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished, stating that "It may not come as a surprise, but Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry may not be the [[clairvoyant]] and [[medical intuitive]] he says he is.<ref name="Swift">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Nicki|title=Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-75u3ZzzdPc&feature=youtu.be|website=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=18 April 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://horoscopocontarot.com/horoscopo/tyler-henry-vidente-hollywood-medium Tyler Henry Spanish Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Tyler}}
[[Category:1996 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American psychics]]
[[Category:American spiritual mediums]]
[[Category:LGBT people from the United States]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Hanford, California]]

Tyler Henry

2017-05-29T17:41:36Z

QuackGuru: maybe this will work

{{Paranormal}}
'''Tyler Henry Koelewyn'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theresakoelewyn|title=Theresa Koelewyn (@TheresaKoelewyn) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vol-8-Newsletter-.html?soid=1109927824673&aid=yUYL3lyGJcA|title=Vol 8 Newsletter|website=myemail.constantcontact.com|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> (born January 13, 1996) is an American reality show personality who appears in the series ''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' as a "[[clairvoyant]] [[Mediumship|medium]]."<ref name="Rees22Jan">{{cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a52547/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-celebrity-clarivoyant-spirits/|title=This Celebrity Medium Once Channeled Brittany Murphy's Spirit During a Reading, No Really|last=Rees|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2016|work=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> The series began broadcast on the [[E!|E! Television Network]] in the United States in January 2016,<ref name=Petski29July>{{cite news|url=http://deadline.com/2015/07/hollywood-teen-medium-series-e-tyler-henry-celebrity-clairvoyant-1201486992/|title=Teen Clairvoyant Delivers Messages From Beyond In E!'s 'Hollywood Teen Medium'|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=July 29, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016}}</ref> and was E!'s largest launch of a non-spinoff unscripted series in the past three years with 3.2 million viewers for its third episode.<ref name=Wagmeister5Feb>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-teen-medium-episode-order-season-1-e-1201697888/|title=E! Orders Two More Episodes of 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2016|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|work=Variety}}</ref>

Critics [[Susan Gerbic]], [[Hemant Mehta]], [[Steven Novella]], [[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]], [[David Gorski]], [[Mark Edward]], Ryan Houlihan, and Bobby Finger maintain that Henry's readings are performed using deceptive [[Cold reading|cold]] and [[Hot reading|hot reading]] techniques, and not "psychic" powers. They also criticize his TV show for targeting people who are grieving and vulnerable, and exploiting them for entertainment.<ref name = Coyne/><ref name=patheos/><ref name = SN/><ref name = Hill/><ref name = DG/><ref name = Edwards/><ref name=Outline/><ref name=jezebel1/>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's show the ''Truly Terrible Television Award'' "...in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program..."<ref name="IIG"/> In 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides details of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished.<ref name="Swift"/>

==Early life==
Henry is a native of [[Hanford, California]], a small rural suburb just outside [[Fresno, California|Fresno]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/tv/article54719020.html|title=Hanford's Tyler Henry shares gift on new E! TV series 'Hollywood Medium'|work=Fresno Bee|first=Rick|last=Bentley|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref>

After giving readings to students and teachers at Hanford's [[Hanford Joint Union High School District|Sierra Pacific High School]], from which he graduated on an accelerated academic program,<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry initially aspired to attend college and become a [[hospice]] [[nurse]].<ref name=Bentley16Jan/><ref name=Rees22Dec>{{cite news|url=http://www.out.com/television/2015/12/22/gay-hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-opens-about-his-psychic-abilities|title=Tyler Henry Opens Up About His Psychic Abilities|work=Out Magazine|date=December 22, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2016|first=Nicholas Richard|last=Rees}}</ref> However, Henry soon was "discovered." Before long, he gained a celebrity clientele and a reality TV development deal.<ref name=Bentley16Jan/> Henry began filming his E! television series when he was 19 years old; the show began airing a week after his 20th birthday.<ref name=Cohen12Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/727487/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hollywood-medium-s-tyler-henry|title=9 Things You Didn't Know About ''Hollywood Medium's'' Tyler Henry|date=January 12, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|first=Jess|last=Cohen|work=E! Online}}</ref> Henry reportedly welcomes skepticism about his work: "I am content with people asking questions," he told the ''Fresno Bee''.<ref name="Bentley16Jan" />
Henry is openly gay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Tyler Henry|url=http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/2016/01/20/meet-tyler-henry-hes-20-yrs-old-gay-and-the-hollywood-medium-on-e/}}</ref>

== Career ==
''Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry'' premiered on E! on January 24, 2016. After a successful premiere, E! ordered two additional episodes, making it 10 episodes total. The show airs Sunday nights at 10 pm. In March 2016, It was announced that E! had ordered a second season of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-renewed-season-2-e-1201723160/|title=E! Renews ‘Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry’ for Season 2|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

In March 2016, E! reported that Henry was writing his first memoir with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book publisher told E! that the book "will reveal what living life as a medium is really like—from opening up about discovering his gift as a young teen to what it's truly like to communicate with the departed. He also discusses the difficulty he had accepting his rare talents and the courage it took to share them with the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/751071/tyler-henry-is-writing-a-book-get-the-exclusive-scoop-on-the-hollywood-medium-star-s-exciting-new-memoir|title=Tyler Henry Is Writing a Book! Get the Exclusive Scoop on the Hollywood Medium Star's Exciting New Memoir on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-01}}</ref>

Henry has given readings to a number of celebrities, such as retired NBA player [[John Salley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/shows/hollywood_medium/news/733118/hollywood-medium-with-tyler-henry-recap-nene-leakes-bella-thorne-and-5-omg-moments-from-the-series-premiere|title=Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry Recap: NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne and 5 OMG Moments From the Series Premiere on Hollywood Medium|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and actors [[Monica Potter]], [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/feature/a785580/oi-why-arent-you-watching-tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-yet/|title=Oi! Why aren't you watching Hollywood Medium yet?|date=2016-03-03|website=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> [[Amber Rose]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amber-rose-is-dating-toronto-raptors-basketball-player-terrence-ross-w166473?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|title=Amber Rose Has a New Man in Her Life! Find Out Who!|website=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref> and [[Rob Dyrdek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tyler-henry-hollywood-medium-rob-dyrdek-baby-boy-95264|title=Tyler Henry Predicted Rob Dyrdek Would Have a Little Boy on ‘Hollywood Medium’ — Watch!|website=In Touch Weekly|access-date=2016-05-02}}</ref>

== Reception ==
[[Susan Gerbic]], a [[Skeptical movement|skeptical activist]], has dismissed Henry as one of many "grief vampires" who have gained recent cultural notoriety, and she is particularly critical of Henry's stated aspiration of offering counseling to parents who have lost children to suicide,<ref name=Rees22Dec/> a practice Gerbic describes as "prey[ing] on families when they are the most desperate and vulnerable."<ref name=Gerbic20Jan>{{cite web|title=Grief Vampires Don't Come Out Only at Night|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/grief_vampires_dont_come_out_only_at_night|date=January 20, 2016|accessdate=January 29, 2016|work=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)|first=Susan|last=Gerbic|authorlink=Susan Gerbic}}</ref> Gerbic describes the performances as "a fabric of lies," saying that people like Henry "prey on the poor and disaffected."<ref name = Coyne>{{cite web|last1=Coyne|first1=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Coyne|title=E! about to debut new show starring a psychic "grief vampire"|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/e-about-to-debut-new-show-starring-a-psychic-grief-vampire/|website=Why Evolution is True|publisher=WordPress|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Sharon A. Hill|Sharon Hill]] of [[Sharon A. Hill#Doubtful News|Doubtful News]] and the [[Sharon A. Hill#15 Credibility Street|15 Credibility Street]] podcast has also been critical of Henry, stating "It's hardly a 'skill' to guess at celebrities' lives," noting that his apparent successes on the show are "craftily edited" for television audiences.<ref name = Hill>{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=Sharon|authorlink=Sharon A. Hill|title=Real-deal "boy next door" medium? Or Hollywood hype?|url=http://doubtfulnews.com/2016/01/real-deal-boy-next-door-medium-or-hollywood-hype/|website=Doubtful News|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

"What Henry's doing isn't entertainment" states activist [[Hemant Mehta]], "it's deception." Mehta doubts that Henry will submit to scientific trials, and feels that he is "just the latest telegenic star on a network dedicated to celebrating vapid people."<ref name=patheos>{{cite web|last1=Hemant|first1=Mehta|authorlink=Hemant Mehta|title=Hollywood "Medium" Tyler Henry, Whose Show Premieres Sunday, Wants to Specialize in Suicide Victims|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/01/21/hollywood-medium-tyler-henry-whose-show-premieres-sunday-wants-to-specialize-in-suicide-victims/|website=Friendly Atheist|publisher=Patheos|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

Neurologist [[Steven Novella]] states that psychics like Henry are "grief vampires" who say they are giving comfort to grieving families: "Henry wishes to inject made up BS. He is not a trained counselor, and working with the grieving is very tricky. The potential for harm is tremendous."<ref name = SN>{{cite web|last1=Novella|first1=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|title=Grief Vampires|url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/grief-vampires/|website=Neurologica|publisher=NESS|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

[[David Gorski]] of [[ScienceBlogs]] writes that if Henry restricted his readings to celebrities as entertainment, then that would be harmless, but Henry wants to work with grieving parents whose children have committed suicide. "Likely the producer of his show is looking for such grieving parents right now, fodder for the grief vampire, to be shown for the morbid entertainment of the masses."<ref name = DG>{{cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=David|authorlink=David Gorski|title=The rise of a new grief vampire|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2016/01/22/the-rise-of-a-new-grief-vampire/|website=Respectful Insolence|publisher=Science Blogs|accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref>

''[[Huffington Post]]'' entertainment writer Cole Delbyck criticized the show and Henry's claims to connect celebrities with their deceased loved ones, saying, "from the previews, it looks fairly exploitative and tasteless."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Delbyck|first1=Cole|title=We’re Not So Convinced This Guy Is Channeling The Spirit Of Brittany Murphy|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-medium-brittany-murphy-jamie-pressly_us_56a62fe5e4b076aadcc72573|website=Huffington Post|publisher=HuffingtonPost.com|accessdate=15 April 2016}}</ref>

Mentalist [[Mark Edward]] and Gerbic commented on the readings Henry gave to [[Ross Matthews]], [[Margaret Cho]], [[Jodie Sweetin]] and Jillian Rose Reed. They state that Henry does not need to know whom he is reading in advance as "it appears to be nothing more than lukewarm [[cold reading]], flattery and generalities." The sitters in the post interviews claimed that Henry had been very specific, but Gerbic and Edward could not find one single hit, noting errors in memory for each sitter.<ref name = Edwards>{{Cite web| last = Gerbic| first = Susan| authorlink = Susan Gerbic|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/tip_the_canoe_of_tyler_too|title=Tip the Canoe of Tyler Too! - CSI|website=www.csicop.org|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref>

Bobby Finger calls ''Hollywood Medium'' "the worst show on television" and a "deceptively cruel little experiment in exploitative programming." He analyzed an episode in which Henry met with [[Carole Radziwill]] and showed that everything Henry told her was easily accessible public information. He concludes "The loss of a loved one causes its own special, terrible category of pain, and to exploit someone’s grief in a way that presents the afterlife as this bleak, murky place where our dead friends and family members are constantly on the hunt for people like the Hollywood Medium . . . to spread a message that is almost without fail, 'I’m fine,' doesn’t just con their desperate, mournful targets out of a few hard-earned dollars, it does a disservice to the memories of those they lost."<ref name=jezebel1>{{Cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/hollywood-medium-cemented-its-status-as-the-worst-show-1785754207|title=Hollywood Medium Cemented Its Status As the Worst Show on Television Last Night|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=|website=Jezebel|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Susan Gerbic agrees with Finger that "this is not innocent fun." She analyzed that same episode and came to an only slightly different conclusion. She states that Henry doesn't need to have advanced knowledge of his sitters "because he just needs to throw out general statements and then remain silent while the sitter fills in the details." She looks at the specific time when Radziwill handed Henry a woman's gold ring and Henry states that the ring is a reference to someone who died at an early age, then asked if she knew anyone who fit that. Radziwill said, "“yeah [pause] a girlfriend [pause] her name is Carolyn.” Gerbic points out that "These pauses are important to note. This is where Henry is just letting the sitter talk and dropping all the information he is going to need."<ref name="gerbiccsireturn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/return_of_the_grief_vampire_tyler_henry|title=Return of the Grief Vampire Tyler Henry|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=|website=The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref>

Gerbic also did a very detailed analysis of a YouTube video uploaded by E! in which Henry met with a fan, Jamie Horn. Horn says about her reading “It was amazing and emotional!” But Gerbic points out, "She does not have the ability at that moment to pause, back up, and really think about what he is saying. She isn’t even able to ask questions or take notes. We have that ability. . . I can look at her expressions and body language and take notes all the way through." Gerbic does not believe that Henry was using any hot reading in this case, pointing out that there were almost no specific hits, just very general statements that lead Horn to give up information. "This man, who Henry has now learned is Horn’s father, wants to acknowledge a Bob, Bobby or Robert. Horn explains that her husband’s name is Robert. Sounds like a hit, right? . . . [Horn] probably thinks her father reached out to her husband Robert. But Henry did not say the older man was her father, he learned that when Horn said so. And Henry did not say that Robert was her husband."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/anatomy_of_a_reading|title=Anatomy of a Reading - CSI|last=Gerbic|first=Susan|authorlink=Susan Gerbic|date=2017-05-03|website=www.csicop.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-05-04}}</ref>

In 2015, the [[Independent Investigations Group]] awarded Henry's TV show the "Truly Terrible Television Award", which read:
{{Cquote|text=In recognition of the lack of scientific integrity, and in acknowledgment of the extraordinary ongoing deceit of the American public represented in this television program, the IIG is unfortunately obligated to present this award to ''Hollywood Medium'' for truly terrible television 2015.<ref name="IIG">{{cite web|title=IIG Awards 2016 (3 of 6) Ron Lynch presents the TTTV award to Tyler Henry|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XE7YUGQD_A|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube, IIGWest|accessdate=23 April 2017}}</ref>{{rp|06:15}}}}

In a 2016 article "The Hollywood Medium has a secret," Ryan Houlihan describes and analyses the Tyler Henry phenomenon from a skeptical perceptive. He explains how Tyler uses [[cold reading]], and likely [[hot reading]] techniques as well, to give the illusion of psychic powers. Houlihan attributes Henry’s success to the [[gullibility]] of celebrities as well as the media: "Henry’s shtick is polished, but it only works because he has such great support. Besides the celebrities he interviews, Henry seems to have the full-throated endorsement of the entertainment press."<ref name=Outline/> Houlihan concludes his article with:

{{Cquote|If Henry can truly speak to the dead, it would be the most important discovery in the history of the world. But rather than take his gift to scientists or religious leaders, Henry has decided to speak to actors about their grandmothers and deceased pets on a reality show. Before this story published, The Outline asked Henry’s publicist one last time if he could prove his abilities. We did not get a response.<ref name=Outline>{{cite web|title=The Hollywood Medium has a secret|url=https://theoutline.com/post/598/the-hollywood-medium-has-a-secret|website=The Outline|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>}}

In December 2016, Nicki Swift released a video, "Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake", where she provides a point-by-point analysis of how Henry's "psychic readings" are actually accomplished, stating that "It may not come as a surprise, but Hollywood Medium's Tyler Henry may not be the [[clairvoyant]] and [[medical intuitive]] he says he is.<ref name="Swift">{{cite web|last1=Swift|first1=Nicki|title=Proof That Hollywood Medium Is Totally Fake|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-75u3ZzzdPc&feature=youtu.be|website=Youtube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=18 April 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://horoscopocontarot.com/horoscopo/tyler-henry-vidente-hollywood-medium Tyler Henry Spanish Biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Tyler}}
[[Category:1996 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American psychics]]
[[Category:American spiritual mediums]]
[[Category:LGBT people from the United States]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Hanford, California]]

Slutshaming

2017-05-18T17:34:03Z

QuackGuru: CN

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In [[human sexuality]], '''slut-shaming''' is a form of [[social stigma]] applied to people, especially women and girls, who are perceived to violate traditional expectations for sexual behaviors. Some examples of circumstances wherein women are "slut-shamed" include violating [[dress code]] policies by dressing in perceived sexually provocative ways, requesting access to [[birth control]],<ref name="Lamb B14–B15">{{cite journal | last=Lamb | first=Sharon| author-link = Sharon Lamb | title=The 'Right' Sexuality for Girls |date=27 June 2008 | journal=[[Chronicle of Higher Education]] | volume=54 | issue=42 | pages=B14–B15 | url=https://chronicle.com/article/The-Right-Sexuality-for/13770 | issn=0009-5982 | subscription = yes | quote=In Dilemmas of Desire: Teenage Girls Talk About Sexuality (Harvard University Press, 2002), Deborah L. Tolman complained that we've "desexualized girls' sexuality, substituting the desire for relationship and emotional connection for sexual feelings in their bodies." Recognizing that fact, theorists have used the concept of desire as a way to undo the double standard that applauds a guy for his lust, calling him a player, and shames a girl for hers, calling her a slut.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Albury |first1=Kath |last2=Crawford |first2=Kate |title=Sexting, consent and young people's ethics: Beyond ''Megan's Story'' |journal=[[Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies]] |date=18 May 2012 |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=463–473 |doi=10.1080/10304312.2012.665840 |quote=Certainly the individualizing admonishment to 'think again' offers no sense of the broader legal and political environment in which sexting might occur, or any critique of a culture that requires young women to preserve their 'reputations' by avoiding overt demonstrations of sexual knowingness and desire. Further, by trading on the propensity of teenagers to feel embarrassment about their bodies and commingling it with the anxiety of mobiles being ever present, the ad becomes a potent mix of technology fear and body shame.}}</ref><ref name="limbaugh"/> having [[Premarital sex|premarital]], [[casual sex|casual]], or [[promiscuous]] sex, engaging in [[prostitution]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Tesla|first=Carrasquillo,|date=2014-01-01|title=Understanding Prostitution and the Need for Reform|url=http://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/lawreview/vol30/iss3/11/|journal=Touro Law Review|volume=30|issue=3|issn=8756-7326}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?redir_esc=y&id=BbETAAAAQBAJ&q=slut+shaming#v=snippet&q=slut%20shaming&f=false|title=Sex Workers Unite: A History of the Movement from Stonewall to Slutwalk|last=Chateauvert|first=Melinda|date=2014-02-07|publisher=Beacon Press|year=|isbn=9780807061398|location=|pages=49|language=English|quote=It encouraged women to be angry about whore stigma and slut shaming for pursuing sexual pleasure or trading sex for money|via=}}</ref> or when being [[victim blaming|victim blamed]] for being [[rape]]d or otherwise [[sexually assaulted]].<ref name="asking" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://bhttps://books.google.co.uk/books?redir_esc=y&q=slut+shaming#v=snippet&q=slut%20shaming&f=false|title=Sex Workers Unite: A History of the Movement from Stonewall to SlutWalk|last=Chateauvert|first=Melinda|date=2014-01-07|publisher=Beacon Press|year=|isbn=9780807061404|location=|pages=|language=en|quote=Slut-shaming implies that victims of sex violence "asked for it" because they were sexually promiscuous or dressed provocatively.|via=}}</ref>

==Definitions and characteristics==
Slut-shaming is defined by many as a process in which women are attacked for their transgression of accepted codes of sexual conduct,<ref name="Ringrose2012">{{cite book|author=Jessica Ringrose|title=Postfeminist Education?: Girls and the Sexual Politics of Schooling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1jbsSXc9rUQC&pg=PA93|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=21 August 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-25971-5|page=93}}</ref> i.e., of admonishing them for behavior or desires that are more sexual than society finds acceptable.<ref name="FoyDale2013">{{cite book|author=Denise Du Vernay|title=Feminism, Sexism, and the Small Screen|pages=163–182}} in {{cite book|author1=Joseph J. Foy|author2=Timothy M. Dale|title=Homer Simpson Ponders Politics: Popular Culture as Political Theory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dvnAmHgqTX4C&|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=24 April 2013|publisher=University Press of Kentucky|isbn=978-0-8131-4151-0|page=164}}</ref><ref name="Bazelon2013">{{cite book|author=Emily Bazelon|title=Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z9QxYZ4J1kC&pg=PA95|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=19 February 2013|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-679-64400-2|page=95}} Emphasis in original.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Schalet|first=Amy T.|title=Not Under My Roof: Parents, Teens, and the Culture of Sex|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C|year=2011|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-73620-4|pages=[https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C&pg=PA12 12], [https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=hVBV86xxG10C&pg=PA156 156]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Tolman|first1=Deborah L.|title=Dilemmas of desire teenage girls talk about sexuality.|date=2005|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674018563|edition=1. Harvard Univ. Press paperback ed.}}</ref>

Slut-shaming is used against women by both men and women.<ref name="Psy.D.Eagleson2010">{{cite book|author1=[[Belisa Vranich]], Psy.D.|author2=Holly Eagleson|title=Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4cToqrySVDAC&pg=PA52|accessdate=16 May 2013|date=1 July 2010|publisher=HCI|isbn=978-0-7573-1364-6|page=52}}</ref><ref>[http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/9/political-sex-scandalsmonicalewinskysexismslutshaming.html Monica Lewinsky’s return and the sexism 2.0 of political scandals]</ref> Jessica Ringrose has argued that slut-shaming functions among women as a way of [[Sublimation (psychology)|sublimating]] sexual jealousy "into a socially acceptable form of social critique of girls' sexual expression".<ref name="Ringrose2012"/> The term ''slut-shaming'' is also used to describe [[victim blaming]] for [[rape]] and other [[sexual assault]]; e.g. by stating that the crime was caused (either in part or in full) by the woman wearing revealing clothing or acting in a sexually provocative manner, before refusing consent to sex,<ref name="asking" /> and thereby absolving the perpetrator of guilt. The study "Birds of a feather? Not when it comes to sexual permissiveness," published in the ''Journal of Social and Personal Relationships'', notes that sexually lenient individuals are judged more negatively than non-permissive peers, which places those who are more permissive at risk of social isolation.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com">{{cite journal |last1=Vrangalova |first1=Z. |author2=Bukberg, R. E.; Rieger, G.|title=Birds of a feather? Not when it comes to sexual permissiveness|journal=Journal of Social and Personal Relationships |date=19 May 2013 |doi=10.1177/0265407513487638 |url=http://spr.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/05/16/0265407513487638.full.pdf+html |volume=31 |pages=93–113}}</ref> The researchers from Cornell University found that similar sentiments appeared in nonsexual, same-sex friendship context as well.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/> The researchers had college women read a vignette describing an imaginary female peer, "Joan", then rate their feelings about her personality.<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/> To one group of women, Joan was described as having two lifetime sexual partners; to another group, she had had twenty partners.<ref name="slate.com">{{cite web|last=Hess |first=Amanda |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/06/07/slut_shaming_study_women_discriminate_against_promiscuous_women_but_so_do.html |title=Slut-shaming study: Women discriminate against promiscuous women, but so do men |publisher=Slate.com |date=7 June 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The study found that women—even women who were more promiscuous themselves—rated the Joan with 20 partners as "less competent, emotionally stable, warm, and dominant than the Joan who'd only boasted two".<ref name="spr.sagepub.com"/><ref name="slate.com"/>

== In the media ==
[[File:SlutWalk NYC October 2011 Shankbone 4.JPG|thumb|right|Two women protesting about victim-blaming and slut-shaming at New York City's [[SlutWalk]] in October 2011.]]

The [[SlutWalk]] protest march started in [[Toronto]] in response to an incident where a Toronto Police officer told a group of students that they could avoid sexual assault by not dressing like "sluts".<ref name="asking">{{cite journal |last1=McCormack |first1=Clare |last2=Prostran |first2=Nevena |title=Asking for it: a first-hand account from slutwalk |journal=[[International Feminist Journal of Politics]] |year=2012 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=410–414 |doi=10.1080/14616742.2012.699777 | publisher = [[Taylor and Francis]] | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2012.699777 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Ringrose | first1 = Jessica | last2 = Renold | first2 = Emma | title = Slut-shaming, girl power and ‘sexualisation’: thinking through the politics of the international SlutWalks with teen girls | journal = [[Gender and Education]], special issue: Making Sense of the Sexualisation Debates: Schools and Beyond | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 333–343 | publisher = [[Taylor and Francis]] | doi = 10.1080/09540253.2011.645023 | date = May 2012 | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2011.645023 | ref = harv | postscript = .}} [http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/11877/1/Ringrose_and_renold_Slutwalk_2012.pdf Pdf.]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slutwalktoronto.com/|title=SlutWalk Toronto - BECAUSE WE'VE HAD ENOUGH - SlutWalk Toronto|work=slutwalktoronto.com}}</ref> Progress to end slut-shaming has gained momentum in the U.S. when bigger SlutWalks are organized by celebrities like Amber Rose. Rose's second annual walk in Los Angeles of 2016 was reported to have "several hundred" women in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/arts/amber-roses-slutwalk-was-reality-tv-ready-7456324|title=Amber Rose's SlutWalk Was Reality TV Ready|last=Lecaro|first=Lina|date=2016-10-03|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref>

The term has since been used when describing the comments of [[Rush Limbaugh]] during the [[Rush Limbaugh–Sandra Fluke controversy]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Ball |first=Krystal |title=Boycott Rush |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/krystal-ball/rush-limbaugh-sandra-fluke_b_1315805.html |work=The Blog |publisher=Huffington Post |accessdate=13 December 2012 |date=3 February 2012 |quote=This type of despicable behavior is part and parcel of a time-worn tradition of Slut-Shaming. When women step out line, they are demeaned and degraded into silence. If you say Herman Cain sexually harassed you, you are a slut. If you say Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sexually harassed you, you are a slut.}}</ref> Condemnation of Limbaugh following the incident is argued to have increased public attention to societal shame around women being demeaned in the media for use of birth control.<ref name="limbaugh">{{cite journal |last1=Legge |first1=Nancy J. |last2=DiSanza |first2=James R. |last3=Gribas |first3=John |last4=Shiffler |first4=Aubrey |title="He sounded like a vile, disgusting pervert..." An Analysis of Persuasive Attacks on Rush Limbaugh During the Sandra Fluke Controversy |journal=Journal of Radio & Audio Media |year=2012 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=173–205 |doi= 10.1080/19376529.2012.722468 | url = http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2012.722468 |quote=It is also possible that the Limbaugh incident has turned "slut-shaming", or other similar attacks on women, into a "Devil-term". It may be possible that Limbaugh's insults were so thoroughly condemned that he and others (such as Bill Maher) will have a more difficult time insulting women who are not virgins, or attacking them in other sexist ways.}}</ref>

Kaitlin Menza argues that slut-shaming is a common form of bullying on social media, with some people using [[revenge porn]]ography tactics to spread intimate photos without consent. In 2012, a California teenager, [[Suicide of Audrie Pott|Audrie Pott]], was sexually assaulted by three boys at a party. She committed suicide eight days after photos of her being assaulted were distributed among her peer group.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/slut-shaming-teen-girls_n_4178812.html|title = Teen Girls Take A Stand Against Slut Shaming: What It Is, And Why You Should Care|date = |accessdate = |website = Huff Post Teen|publisher = Huffington Post|last = Menza|first = Kaitlin}}</ref>

James Miller, editor-in-chief, for the [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] of Canada wrote a controversial article defending slut shaming.<ref name="Why Slut-Shame">{{cite web|url=http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kateandrews/2013/09/03/editorinchief-of-mises-institute-in-canada-advocates-slut-shaming-n1690262 |title=Editor-In-Chief of Mises Institute in Canada Advocates "Slut-Shaming" – Kate Andrews |publisher=Townhall.com |date=3 September 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The article was later taken down, but still received criticism from some libertarians, such as Gina Luttrell of ''Thoughts on Liberty'', an all-female [[libertarian]] blog.<ref name="Misogynists Gonna Misogynate">{{cite web|last=Robinson |first=Elizabeth |url=http://thoughtsonliberty.com/misogynists-gonna-misogynate-or-more-issues-with-that-mises-ca-post |title=Misogynists Gonna…Misogynate? (or, More Issues with That Mises.ca Post) |publisher=Thoughts on Liberty |date=5 September 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref>

The comedy duo Sorry About Last Night (composed of Krystyna Hutchinson and Corinne Fischer) have a podcast that is entitled “Guys We F****d, The Anti-slut shaming podcast”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13/guys-we-fucked-corinne-fisher-krystyna-hutchinson_n_4951770.html|title=This Is The Sexiest Podcast You'll Ever Hear|last=Editor|first=Emma Gray Executive Women's|last2=Post|first2=The Huffington|date=2014-03-13|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> The women interview previous men that they have slept with along with an array of people like fellow comedians, celebrities like Andy Dick, or sex-workers.{{CN}} This podcast has over 200,000 listeners on each episode that is on SoundCloud.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/guyswefucked|title=Guys We F****d|website=SoundCloud|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> This podcast is now available on iTunes as well although it was kept off of iTunes for some time for unknown reasons, according to one interviewer "“iTunes would not comment on whether the show is subject to an official ban”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/18/the-podcast-too-hot-for-itunes.html|title=The Podcast Too Hot for iTunes|last=Goldstein|first=Rich|date=2014-02-18|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> The goal of the podcast is to de-stigmatize the way we talk about sex so that slut-shaming becomes less of an issue, Hutchinson explains in an interview with ''Huffington Post'': “We want to make people feel more comfortable in their own skin. We just got a message from a girl from New Delhi, India, about how she loves the podcast because it makes her feel like it’s OK to be comfortable with your sexuality and enjoy sex. And that made me so happy.” <ref name=":0" />

== In social media ==
With the proliferation in the use of [[social networking]] tools, the practice of slut-shaming is becoming more prevalent among [[social media]] platforms, including [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]].

In the YouTube community, users such as Jenna Mourey (aka [[Jenna Marbles]]) speak out against “sluts” in their videos. In a video released in December 2012 entitled "Things I don’t understand about girls Part 2: Slut edition", Mourey scorns women who engage in [[casual sex]]:

“A slut is someone that has a lot of casual sex. [...] It’s the girl that you’re like, ‘Pyeah [sic], yeah, she’s a slut.’ Yeah, that girl. Those are the group of people that I’m talking about. [...] Help the sluts of the world make less bad slutty decisions. [...] We need to look out for the sluts of the universe together. Because I think they are just a little lonely and sad.”

Lewis Webb, PhD candidate at [[Umeå University]] (Sweden), emphasizes that Mourey’s opinion is one among several in the YouTube community and that “the medium [of YouTube] is increasingly being used to attack and malign female reputations and criticize female sexual behavior.”<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Shame transfigured: Slut-shaming from Rome to cyberspace|url = http://ojphi.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5464|journal = First Monday|date = 2015-04-02|issn = 1396-0466|volume = 20|issue = 4|language = en|first = Lewis Mark|last = Webb|doi=10.5210/fm.v20i4.5464}}</ref>

Slut-shaming is also commonplace on Facebook. In the middle of 2015, twenty-three year old Australia resident, Olivia Melville, was the target of slut-shaming by Chris Hall, a man who took a screenshot of her [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]] biography and posted it on Facebook. Melville’s biography was a lyric from the song “Only” by the rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] and read: “Type of girl that will suck you dry and then eat some lunch with you.” The post spawned a plethora of comments, calling Melville a “bitch” and a “cunt.” Zane Alchin even alluded to the threat of a sexual assault in a series of comments on the photo, including: “You know the best thing about a feminist they don’t get any action so when you rape them it feels 100 times tighter.”<ref>{{Cite web|title = This Woman Received Rape Threats for Quoting Drake on Tinder|url = http://mic.com/articles/124646/olivia-melville-was-slut-shamed-and-received-rape-threats-for-quoting-drake-on-her-tinder-profile#.I0vMKyLgT|website = Mic|accessdate = 2015-11-16}}</ref> Alchin was subsequently convicted of using a [[carriage service]] to menace, harass or cause offence.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/30/how-facebook-troll-came-undone|author = Elle Hunt|date = 30 July 2016|accessdate = 30 July 2016|newspaper = [[The Guardian]]|title = 'What law am I breaking?' How a Facebook troll came undone}}</ref>

== In literature ==
There are several instances in literature in which women are degraded or admonished for their sexual behavior. In these novels, men are largely exempt from the public outrage that their female counterparts endure for engaging in relationships deemed socially inappropriate:

* In [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]]'s ''[[The Scarlet Letter]]'', [[Hester Prynne]] is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" to display her adulterous affair to her whole town.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/07/book-characters-sex_n_3960991.html| work= The Huffington Post| last=Triska | first=Zoë| title=9 Female Book Characters Punished For Having Sex | date=7 October 2013| accessdate=24 December 2013}}</ref>
* In ''[[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]]'' by [[Thomas Hardy]], the title character is abandoned by her husband after she tells him how she was coerced into a sexual relationship with her former employer, Alec. He is completely disgusted by the revelation and claims that she is "not the woman he fell in love with."
* In ''[[Anna Karenina]]'' by [[Leo Tolstoy]], the title character has a highly public affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. Anna is rejected by her friends, while the reputation of Count Vronsky remains more or less untarnished.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>

==In school dress codes==
{{weasel|section|date=August 2016}}
Some believe that school [[dress codes]] are a form of slut shaming, and are unfair to girls and women.<ref name="Carroll">{{cite web|last1=Carroll|first1=Rory|title=Students protest 'slut shaming' high school dress codes with mass walkouts|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/24/us-high-schools-dress-codes-protest-sexism-hemline|website=The Guardian|accessdate=8 December 2014}}</ref> In the United States, some believe that these dress codes "violate [[Title IX]], the [[federal law]] that ensures non-[[discrimination]] in educational environments."<ref name="Carroll"/> On Monday, September 22, 2014, "about 100 pupils walked out of Bingham high school in South Jordan, Utah."<ref name="Carroll"/> Students staged a walkout because more than a dozen girls were turned away from a [[homecoming dance]] for wearing dresses which violated the dress code rules.<ref name="Carroll"/> "School staff allegedly lined up girls against a wall as they arrived and banished about two dozen for having dresses which purportedly showed too much skin and violated the rules." It is believed that this act was awkward and humiliating towards the female students, which spawned the walkouts.<ref name="Carroll"/>

Certain dress code restrictions in schools across North America are believed to be perpetuating sexist standards, since they concentrate specifically on females and what they are and are not allowed to wear. There is also an emphasis placed on the effects that girls’ wardrobe choices have on their male classmates, which is seen by some as inappropriate. In March 2014, a group of middle-school girls from Evanston, Illinois protested their school’s dress code, which prohibited them from wearing leggings to school under the pretense that it was “too distracting for boys.” Thirteen-year-old student, Sophie Hasty, was quoted in the Evanston Review saying that “not being able to wear leggings because it’s ‘too distracting for boys’ is giving us the impression we should be guilty for what guys do.” In a Time magazine article covering the incident, Eliana Dockterman argued that teachers and administration in these schools are “walking the fine line between enforcing a dress code and slut shaming.”<ref>{{Cite web|title = When Enforcing School Dress Codes Turns Into Slut Shaming|url = http://time.com/36997/when-enforcing-school-dress-codes-turns-into-slut-shaming/|website = TIME.com|accessdate = 2015-11-16|first = Eliana|last = Dockterman}}</ref>

In September 2014, a similar incident occurred at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, New York. Within the first few days of the semester, two hundred detention slips were handed out to students who violated the school’s dress code. Approximately ninety percent of the slips distributed were given to girls as their clothing was deemed “disruptive to teaching and learning.” Many claim that making girls feel guilty for the actions of boys is similar to telling victims of sexual assault that they were “asking for it” by dressing in a particular manner and has thus been linked to the practice of victim-blaming.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Schools Are Still Slut-Shaming Girls While Enforcing Dress Code|url = http://time.com/3394549/dress-code-long-island-new-york/|website = TIME.com|accessdate = 2015-11-16|first = Eliana|last = Dockterman}}</ref>

A Canadian teenager, Lauren Wiggins, was given detention in May 2015 for wearing a floor-length dress with a halter neckline. The punishment prompted Wiggins to write an open letter to the school’s assistant vice principal at Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, New Brunswick. In the letter, Wiggins concentrated specifically on the fact that females are often blamed for the behaviour of males, saying that if a boy “will get distracted by my upper back and shoulders then he needs to be sent home and practice self-control.” She was then given a one-day suspension after writing and submitting the letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/lauren-wiggins-haltar-top_n_7284528.html|title=High Schooler Lauren Wiggins' Letter Nails Exactly What's Wrong With School Dress Codes|date=14 May 2015|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>

== Attempts to stop the practice ==
Activism takes place worldwide. In April, 2011, Heather Jarvis and Sonya Barnett co-founded SlutWalk Toronto after a local Toronto police officer made the comment that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized". Participants cover their bodies in messages reading "Don't Tell Me How to Dress" and "I am not a slut but I like having consensual sex" and march under a giant banner with the word slut on it to take poison out of the word "slut" itself. From Vancouver to New York City, to Rio, Jerusalem, Hong Kong and more, the campaign has spread globally.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Nguyen|first1=Tram|title=From SlutWalks to SuicideGirls: Feminist Resistance in the Third Wave and Postfeminist Era|journal=Women's Studies Quarterly|date=1 January 2013|volume=41|issue=3/4|pages=157–172|doi=10.1353/wsq.2013.0102|jstor=23611512}}</ref>

The internet is a resource that exposes sexuality and sexual behaviors. In ''Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Minors from Sex (2002)'', Judith Levine argues that censoring women and children from the Internet doesn't benefit them in any way but instead results in ignorance.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Heywood|first1=ed. by Leslie L.|title=A - Z.|date=2006|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=Westport, Conn. [u.a.]|isbn=0313331340|pages=306|edition=1. publ.}}</ref>

In 2008, hundreds of South African women protested the local taxi rank wearing miniskirts and t-shirts that read, "Pissed-OffWomen." after a taxi driver and multiple hawkers confronted a young girl about wearing a short denim miniskirt and penetrated her with their fingers, calling her "slut" repeatedly. Protesters wanted to make their message clear; they wanted men to stop harassing women no matter how short their skirts were and that no matter how short it may be, it is never an invitation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wininger|first1=K. J.|title=Stomp & Holler: Because We've Had Enough! The Transformation of SlutWalks|journal=Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy|date=1 January 2012|volume=22|issue=2|pages=144–151|doi=10.5325/trajincschped.22.2.0144|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/trajincschped.22.2.0144}}</ref>

After the gang rape of an unconscious sixteen year old girl in Steubenville, Ohio, August of 2012, football players spread videos of the assault to other classmates whom some of which posted the videos to Twitter and Instagram. The pictures and video were later removed by authorities, however that didn't stop people from hash-tagging "Whore status" or "I have no sympathy for whores" on their tweets. Members of the collective Anonymous reported names of the rapists and classmates who spread the footage to local authorities. They took to the streets and internet requesting help from the community to bring justice to the Jane Doe who was raped.
<ref>{{cite book|title=Hate Crimes in Cyberspace|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674368293|pages=95–119|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7zsws7.7|chapter=Civil Rights Movements, Past and Present}}</ref>

Members of The Arts Effect All-Girl Theater Company have developed a play, ''[[Slut: The Play]]'', in which they address the damaging impact of slut-shaming and slut culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-hersh/nyc-girls-challenge-weiner_b_3691859.html |title=NYC Girls Challenge Weiner Campaign: Stop Slut-Shaming |first=Lauren|last=Hersh |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date= 2 August 2013|accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="sluttheplay.com">{{cite web|url=http://sluttheplay.com/why/ |title=Why Slut — Slut |publisher=Sluttheplay.com |date= |accessdate=11 April 2014}}</ref> The creators note that their play "is a call to action – a reminder" that slut-shaming is happening every day, almost everywhere.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /> "Slut" is inspired by real-life experiences of 14- to 17-year-old girls from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /> The play was shown at the 2013 New York Fringe Festival.<ref name="sluttheplay.com" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/teenage-peta-pinup-speaks-out-205112851.html |title=Meet the Teen Star of PETA's Latest Controversy. We Love Her. |website=Love + Sex – Yahoo Shine |publisher=Shine.yahoo.com |date=8 August 2013 |accessdate=11 April 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404050810/https://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/teenage-peta-pinup-speaks-out-205112851.html |archivedate=April 4, 2014 }}</ref>

In her statement on the production, and of slut-shaming in general, author of ''Slut! Growing Up Female with a Bad Reputation'', [[Leora Tanenbaum]] writes: "A teenage girl today is caught in an impossible situation. She has to project a sexy image and embrace, to some extent, a 'slutty' identity. Otherwise, she risks being mocked as an irrelevant prude. But if her peers decide she has crossed an invisible, constantly shifting boundary and has become too 'slutty,' she loses all credibility. Even if she was coerced into sex, her identity and reputation are taken from her. Indeed, the power to tell her own story is wrested from her. The Arts Effect's SLUT written by Katie Cappiello vividly represents this irrational, harmful, terrible circumstance...This play is the most powerful and authentic representation of the sexual double standard I have ever seen."<ref name="sluttheplay.com"/>

In April 2013, Emily Lindin, founder of the UnSlut Project, created a blog to share her stories on sexual bullying to “provide some perspective to girls who currently feel trapped and ashamed". The blog now consists of entries from members of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. The film, ''UnSlut: A Documentary Film'', coincides with the project and is screened across the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.unslutproject.com/about.html|title = The UnSlut Project|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = Lindin|first = Emily}}</ref>

After experiencing slut-shaming first-hand, Olivia Melville, Paloma Brierly Newton and approximately a dozen other Australian women founded the organization, Sexual Violence Won’t Be Silenced, on August 25, 2015. The association seeks to raise awareness of cyber-bullying and online sexual violence. The founders also launched a petition to the Australian government, requesting that they better train and educate law enforcement officers on how to prevent and punish violent harassment on social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mic.com/articles/124646/olivia-melville-was-slut-shamed-and-received-rape-threats-for-quoting-drake-on-her-tinder-profile#.I0vMKyLgT|title=A Woman Was Slut-Shamed and Received Rape Threats for Quoting Drake on Her Tinder Profile|author=Mic|work=Mic}}</ref>

==Among gay men==
Gay men have traditionally been relatively tolerant of promiscuity. However, this changed considerably with the [[AIDS]] epidemic of the 1980s. [[Condom]] use as a [[safe sex]] practice became prominent in the late 1980s as a result of the [[AIDS epidemic]],<ref name="Who">{{cite web| title = Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2006–2015. Breaking the chain of transmission| publisher = [[World Health Organization]]|year = 2007| accessdate=26 November 2011|url=http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241563475_eng.pdf}}</ref> though the availability of [[antibiotics]] and [[antiretroviral]] drugs in [[advanced economies]] has led to [[condom fatigue]] among [[men who have sex with men]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aids.about.com/od/womenandhiv/a/Why-People-Dont-Use-Condoms-and-That-Includes-Women.htm|title=The (Real) Reasons Why People Don't Use Condoms|author1=Dennis Sifris |author2=MD and James Myhre |work=About.com Health}}</ref>

The drug [[Tenofovir/emtricitabine|Truvada]] has been approved for [[pre-exposure prophylaxis]] for [[prevention of HIV/AIDS]] in some countries, after studies demonstrated it can lower the risk of new HIV infections.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Preexposure Chemoprophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Men Who Have Sex with Men | pmc=3079639 | pmid=21091279 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1011205 | volume=363 | date=December 2010 | journal=N. Engl. J. Med. | pages=2587–99 | last1 = Grant | first1 = RM | last2 = Lama | first2 = JR | last3 = Anderson | first3 = PL | display-authors = 3 | last4 = et al}}</ref><ref>US Public Health Service [5 October 2014]; Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States - 2014 Clinical Practice Guideline http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/PrEPguidelines2014.pdf</ref> A number of HIV researchers like [[Anthony S. Fauci]] have been positive about the drug,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/2010/11/24/131569907/dr-fauci-optimisitic-about-hiv-drug-truvada|title=Dr. Fauci Optimisitic About HIV Drug Truvada|date=24 November 2010|work=NPR.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4114402/aids-hiv-drug-prep/|title=PrEP Truvada: AIDS Drug Prevents HIV Infections, Study Finds|author=Alice Park|work=TIME.com}}</ref> the [[AIDS Healthcare Foundation]] has written to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] expressing concern that Truvada promotion would harm [[safer sex]] messaging that encourages condom use.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV Infection: Current Status, Future Opportunities and Challenges | pmc=4354703 | pmid=25673022 | doi=10.1007/s40265-015-0355-4 | volume=75 | year=2015 | journal=Drugs | pages=243–51 | last1 = Krakower | first1 = DS | last2 = Mayer | first2 = KH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/12/truvada-hiv-prep-stigma/418119/|title=The Danger in Comparing the HIV-Prevention Pill to Condoms|author=John Byrne|work=The Atlantic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://reason.com/archives/2014/05/08/truvada-chill-pill-or-party-drug |title=Truvada: Chill Pill or Party Drug? |first=Scott |last=Shackford |work=reason.com |date=8 May 2014 |accessdate=15 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/04/09/why-arent-gay-men-on-the-pill/|title=Why Aren’t Gay Men On The Pill? « The Dish|work=The Dish}}</ref><ref>{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEgg6EOpNM|title=Stopping HIV? The Truvada Revolution (Full Length)|date=26 June 2015|work=YouTube}}</ref> The phrase "Truvada whore" has been used in the media<ref>{{cite journal|title=How Stigma Surrounding the Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Undermines Prevention and Pleasure: A Call to Destigmatize "Truvada Whores" | pmc=4566537 | pmid=26270298 | doi=10.2105/AJPH.2015.302816 | volume=105 | journal=Am J Public Health | pages=1960-4 | last1 = Calabrese | first1 = SK | last2 = Underhill | first2 = K}}</ref> and some openly gay men are afraid to disclose that they use Truvada,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2013/09/09/hiv-prevention-new-condom-truvada-pill-prep|title=The pill Truvada can prevent HIV: So why are so few gay men taking it?|publisher=}}</ref> while take up rates have been lower than expected. Some reports indicate that gay men who use Truvada to lower their risk of contracting HIV are shamed for doing so, based on perceptions that Truvada users are more promiscuous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/18/truvada-mircle-pill-prevent-hiv-controversy|title=Truvada has been called the 'miracle' HIV pill – so why is uptake so slow?|author=Amanda Holpuch|work=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/truvada--the-other-little-blue-pill-20141128-11l1od.html|title=Truvada – the other little blue pill|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

Some gay rights activists have said that environments which have slut-shaming are more likely to lead to gay men engaging in practices which lead to increased rates of HIV infection.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/09/08/op-ed-slut-shaming-cause-hiv |title=Op-ed: Slut-Shaming Is a Cause of HIV |first=Hussain |last=Turk |work=[[The Advocate]] |date=8 September 2014 |accessdate=15 December 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
*[[Madonna–whore complex]]
*[[Post-assault treatment of sexual assault victims]]
*[[Sexual bullying]]
*[[Victim blaming]]
*[[Honor killing]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Bullying]]
[[Category:Feminist theory]]
[[Category:Misogyny]]
[[Category:Sexuality and society]]
[[Category:Misogynistic slurs]]

Jōmon-Venus

2017-01-04T00:02:31Z

QuackGuru: -1

{{Infobox artifact
| image = Tanabatake Venus. Middle Jōmon.JPG
| name = Jōmon Venus
| image_caption = ''Jōmon Venus''
| size = height: {{convert|27|cm|abbr=on}} weight: {{convert|2.14|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="CCBE_2015_en">{{cite web|publisher=Chino City Board of Education|title=The « Dogu » (« Jomon no Venus ») [Clay Figurine (the Venus of Jomon)] of the Tanabatake site|year=2015|url=http://www.city.chino.lg.jp/www/contents/1446544612482/index.html|access-date=29 November 2016}}.</ref>
| created = ca. 3,000–2,000 BC
| period = middle [[Jōmon period]]
| location = [[Togariishi Jōmon Archeological Museum]], [[Chino, Nagano]], Japan
| discovered_date = 1986
| discovered_place = Tanabatake (棚畑) site, Yonezawa (米沢), Chino, Nagano
| material = clay
}}

The {{nihongo|'''Jōmon Venus'''|縄文のビーナス|Jōmon no Bīnasu}} is a ''[[dogū]]'', a humanoid clay female figurine from the Middle [[Jōmon period]] (3,000–2,000 BC), discovered in 1986 in [[Chino, Nagano|Chino]], [[Nagano Prefecture]], Japan. It was designated a [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasure]] in 1995.

== Description ==
The ''[[dogū]]'' excavated at Chino in 1986 is a clay statuette of ocher color, with a height of {{convert|27|cm|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|2.14|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="CBE_2016_en" /> Its shape is thought to resemble a pregnant woman: broad hips, a pronounced gluteal arch, prominent mammaries and an enlarged belly.<ref name="CBE_2016_en" /> In contrast to the overwhelming majority of the 20,000 ''dogū'' found in Japan, which were fragmented, the Venus of Jōmon is complete and has all its limbs.<ref name="CBE_2016_en" /> The clay from which it is made has been carefully polished and contains [[mica]].<ref name="CBE_2016_en" />

== History ==
The statuette known as the ''Jōmon Venus'' dates to the middle Jōmon period, 3,000–2,000 BC.<ref name="JACA_201_10063">{{cite web|language=Japanese|publisher= Agency for Cultural Affairs|url=http://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/bemaindetails.asp?register_id=201&item_id=10063|script-title=土偶|trans-title=Dogū|access-date= 29 November 2016}}.</ref> Since its discovery in 1986, it has been in the custody of the city of [[Chino, Nagano|Chino]] in [[Nagano Prefecture]]. It is exhibited at the city's [[Togariishi Jōmon Archeological Museum]].<ref name="CCBE_2015_en" />

In 1986, archaeological excavations were organized before the construction of an industrial park in the town of Chino at the site of the former hamlet of Tanabatake, located at the foot of the southern slope of [[Mount Kirigamine]] in the [[Yatsugatake Mountains]], about {{convert|140|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Tokyo.<ref name="JACA_201_10063" /> This {{nihongo|Tanabatake archaeological site|棚畑遺跡|Tanabateke Iseki}} revealed the vestiges of a village of 149 houses, out of which 146 date from the middle Jōmon period. The pieces of obsidian discovered at the site indicate that this village was a prosperous trading center. Among the burial pits at the center of the excavation site, a clay figurine (''[[dogū]]'') representing a pregnant woman was found.<ref>{{cite web|language=Japanese|publisher= Chino city, Jōmon project|script-title=棚畑遺跡|trans-title=Tanabatake archaeological site|year=2015|url=http://www.city.chino.lg.jp/www/contents/1448511805635/index.html|access-date=29 November 2016}}.</ref> This figure received the name ''Tanabatake Venus'' and later: ''Jōmon Venus''.<ref name="CBE_2016_en">{{cite web|publisher =Chino City Board of Education|title=National Treasure « Dogu » part 1: « Jomon no Venus » (the Venus of Jomon)|year=2016|url=http://www.city.chino.lg.jp/www/contents/1446544612482/index_k.html|website=www.city.chino.lg.jp|access-date= 29 November 2016}}.</ref>

== National Treasure ==
In 1989, the Jōmon Venus acquired the status of [[Important Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Property]]. Then, on {{date|1995-06-15}}, it was the first Jōmon-period artifact to be designated a [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasure of Japan]].<ref name="JACA_201_10063" /><ref name="CBE_2016_en" /> It was joined in this category in 2004 by the Masked Goddess, another ''dogū'' discovered in 2000 at the neighboring archaeological site of {{nihongo|Nakappara|中ッ原}} in Chino.<ref>{{cite web|language=Japanese|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|website=Cultural Heritage Online|url=http://bunka.nii.ac.jp/db/heritages/detail/136237|script-title=土偶／長野県中ッ原遺跡出土|trans-title=Dogū: excavation of the Nakappara archaeological site in Nagano Prefecture|access-date=29 November 2016}}.</ref> Both statuettes are exhibited at the Togariishi Jōmon Archeological Museum in Chino.

== See also ==
* [[List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)]]
* [[Japanese Prehistoric Art]]
* [[Jōmon pottery]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|1=http://www.city.chino.lg.jp/www/toppage/1444796190237/APM03000.html
|titre=Site officiel du musée archéologique Togariishi de Chino}}



[[Category:Prehistoric art]]
[[Category:Archaeological artifacts]]
[[Category:Japanese sculpture]]
[[Category:National Treasures of Japan]]
[[Category:Sculptures of women]]
[[Category:1986 archaeological discoveries]]
[[Category:Venus figurines]]

Adrianne Wadewitz

2016-11-01T05:43:16Z

QuackGuru: Undid revision 747226871 by 172.56.33.54 (talk) Please find a WP:SECONDARY source to verify the claim.

{{Infobox person
|name = Adrianne Wadewitz
|image = Skepchickal.jpg{{!}}border
|alt =
|caption = Wadewitz at [[Washington, D.C.]], in July 2012
|birth_name = 
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1977|01|06}}
|birth_place = [[Omaha, Nebraska]], U.S.
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|04|08|1977|01|06}}
|death_place = [[Palm Springs, California]], U.S.
|occupation = Academic
|alma_mater = [[Columbia University]] (B.A., English, 1999) [[Indiana University]] (Ph.D., 2011)<ref name=nyt/>
|known_for = Feminist scholar, educator, and {{srlink|User:Wadewitz|Wikipedian}}
|other_names =
}}
'''Adrianne Wadewitz''' (January 6, 1977 – April 8, 2014) was an American [[feminist]] scholar of 18th-century [[British literature]], and a noted [[Wikipedian]] and commenter upon [[Wikipedia]], particularly focusing on gender issues. In April 2014, Wadewitz died from head injuries from a fall while [[rock climbing]].

==Early life==
[[File:Editing Wikipedia brochure (Wiki Education Foundation) (2015).pdf|thumb|right|''Editing Wikipedia'' featuring Wadewitz as the face of Wikipedia]]

The only child of Betty M., a nurse and attorney, and Nathan R. Wadewitz, a [[Lutheran]] pastor, Adrianne Wadewitz was born on January 6, 1977, in [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref name=LATimesObit>{{cite news
| date = April 23, 2014
| url = http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-adrianne-wadewitz-20140424,0,1077455.story
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz dies at 37; helped diversify Wikipedia
| first = Elaine |last=Woo
| newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> She graduated from [[North Platte High School (Nebraska)|North Platte High School]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.omaha.com/article/20140423/NEWS/140429478/1707
| title = North Platte grad, 37, Wikipedia editor, dies in climbing fall
| work = [[Omaha World Herald]]
| date = April 23, 2014
| agency = World-Herald News Service
| accessdate = April 27, 2014
| last = Wetzel
| first = Diane
| archivedate = April 24, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424062441/http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-adrianne-wadewitz-20140424,0,1077455.story
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> Wadewitz studied [[English literature]] and received a degree in English from [[Columbia University]] in 1999.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/business/media/adrianne-wadewitz-37-wikipedia-editor-and-academic-dies.html
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz, 37, Wikipedia Editor, Dies After Rock Climbing Fall
| last = Cohen
| first = Noam
| work = [[The New York Times]]
| date = April 19, 2014
| accessdate = April 19, 2014
| archivedate = April 20, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140420015133/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/business/media/adrianne-wadewitz-37-wikipedia-editor-and-academic-dies.html
}}</ref> In 2011, she obtained a [[Ph.D.]] from [[Indiana University]] and became a [[postdoctoral fellow]] at the Center for Digital Learning and Research at [[Occidental College]]. She was chosen as a Mellon Digital Scholarship Postdoctoral Fellow and a [[HASTAC]] scholar.<ref name=HASTAC>{{cite web
| last = Davidson
| first = Cathy
| url = https://www.hastac.org/blogs/cathy-davidson/2014/04/10/remembering-adrianne-wadewitz-scholar-communicator-teacher-leader
| publisher = HASTAC
| title = Remembering Adrianne Wadewitz: Scholar, Communicator, Teacher, Leader
| accessdate = April 23, 2014
| archivedate = April 23, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140423071538/https://www.hastac.org/blogs/cathy-davidson/2014/04/10/remembering-adrianne-wadewitz-scholar-communicator-teacher-leader
}}</ref>

==Academic career==

===Education===
Wadewitz graduated ''[[magna cum laude]]'' from [[Columbia University]], and later received her [[Master's degree|masters]] and [[Doctor of Philosophy|doctoral]] degrees in British literature with a minor in 18th-century studies from [[Indiana University]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://oxy.academia.edu/AdrianneWadewitz/CurriculumVitae
| title = Curriculum Vitae of Adrianne Wadewitz
| work = Academia.edu
| accessdate = April 23, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524153644/http://oxy.academia.edu/AdrianneWadewitz/CurriculumVitae
| archivedate = May 24, 2014
}}</ref> She completed both a [[master's thesis]], "Doubting Thomas': The Failure of Religious Appropriation in The Age of Reason" (2003),<ref>{{cite web
| last = Wadewitz
| first = Adrianne
| title = 'Doubting Thomas': The Failure of Religious Appropriation in The Age of Reason
| accessdate = April 23, 2014
| url = http://iucat.iu.edu/catalog/6033513
| publisher = [[Indiana University]]
}}</ref> and her [[doctoral dissertation]], '''Spare the Sympathy, Spoil the Child:' Sensibility, Selfhood, and the Maturing Reader, 1775–1815'' (2011).<ref>{{citation
| last = Wadewitz
| first = Adrianne
| year = 2011
| url = http://search.proquest.com/docview/884792113
| title = 'Spare the Sympathy, Spoil the Child:' Sensibility, Selfhood, and the Maturing Reader, 1775–1815
| publisher = ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
| place = Ann Arbor, MI
| deadurl = no
}}. Order Number 3466388. Indiana University.</ref>

Her dissertation combined her research interests in archival work, children's literature, and gender studies. In it, Wadewitz studied the use of language and discursive strategies such as embedded narratives in children's books by [[Mary Wollstonecraft]], [[Anna Laetitia Barbauld]], [[Charlotte Turner Smith|Charlotte Smith]], [[Maria Edgeworth]], and others. She argued that through such reading, the child was supported in the construction of a "sympathetic self" that was "collective, benevolent, and imaginative."<ref name="Wadewitz 2011 vi">Wadewitz (2011), p. vi</ref> She also argued that the kinds of subjectivity displayed in late eighteenth-century children's literature challenged "the dominant Lockean model" by drawing upon "Rousseau's theory of education and the discourse of sensibility to construct a 'sympathetic self.' [...] Significantly, this 'sympathetic self' was available to both sexes and to children. Unlike other versions of the self based on sensibility, it was not predicated upon femininity. Moreover, maturation did not depend on age, but rather on one's state of mind; any person educated through this sympathetic literature could be an adult and participate in civic society through, for example, charitable acts."<ref name="Wadewitz 2011 vi"/> Moreover, through its analysis of "how childhood reading informed the reading of 'adult' novels by [[Jane Austen]]," it argued that "contemporary readers of Austen would have read her novels 'didactically' and followed the structural patterns of the children's literature they grew up reading rather than seeing the irony we value today."<ref>Wadewitz (2011), p. vii</ref>

===Digital humanities===
In 2009, Wadewitz began putting ''[[The New England Primer]]'' online, culminating in a permanent online exhibit in 2012, with text and annotated transcriptions.<ref>[http://cdlrsandbox.org/neprimer/index.html New England Primer] exhibit and analysis, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2014.</ref>

She published on topics including 18th-century children's literature, ambiguity in historical scholarship, and use of Wikipedia in the classroom.<ref name=works>[http://works.bepress.com/adrianne_wadewitz/doctype.html Selected Works of Adrianne Wadewitz], [http://scholar.oxy.edu/ OxyScholar Digital Repository], Occidental College. Retrieved April 21, 2014.</ref>

Writing about the use of Wikipedia in education, she argued that in addition to traditional writing and research skills, students should develop skills in media and technological literacy. Reflecting on the construction of knowledge, she emphasized the need to assess sources; distinguish between fact-based and persuasive writing; and be aware of authority and legitimacy. She promoted the development of curricula that included collaborative writing, development of writing skills in the context of a "community of practice", and writing for a global readership.<ref name=works/>

==Wikipedia editing and advocacy==
[[File:The Impact of Wikipedia Adrianne Wadewitz.webm|thumb|350px|Wadewitz's video, "The Impact of Wikipedia"]]
Wadewitz made her first edit on Wikipedia in 2004,<ref name=corriere>{{cite web
| url = http://seigradi.corriere.it/2014/04/21/addio-ad-adrianne-wadewitz-paladina-delle-donne-su-wikipedia/
| title = Addio ad Adrianne Wadewitz, paladina delle donne su Wikipedia
| author = Marta Serafini
| publisher = Corriere della Sera
| date = April 21, 2014
| accessdate = April 27, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427172643/http://seigradi.corriere.it/2014/04/21/addio-ad-adrianne-wadewitz-paladina-delle-donne-su-wikipedia/
| archivedate=April 27, 2014
}}</ref> and went on to create articles on female writers and scholars, several of them becoming [[Wikipedia:Featured articles|featured articles]]. She originally edited anonymously for several years before revealing her gender.<ref>{{cite web
| work = [[PBS NewsHour]]
| date = May 18, 2014
| url = http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/wikipedian-editor-took-wikipedias-gender-gap/
| title = ‘Wikipedian’ editor took on website’s gender gap
| accessdate = May 21, 2014
| last = Wholf
| first = Tracy
| archivedate = May 19, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140519000243/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/wikipedian-editor-took-wikipedias-gender-gap/
}}</ref> She made nearly 50,000 edits in all.<ref name=nyt/>

As a major promoter of getting more women to edit Wikipedia to help end [[systematic bias]],<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/12/25/magazine/2014-the-lives-they-lived.html
| title = The Lives They Lived – Remembering some of those we lost this year
| first = Virginia
| last = Heffernan
| authorlink = Virginia Heffernan
| date = December 27, 2014
| work = [[The New York Times]]
| accessdate = December 30, 2014
}}</ref> she said, "We need more female editors, more feminists (who can be editors of any gender), and more editors willing to work on content related to women. The single most [[underrepresented group]] on Wikipedia is married women of color with children."<ref name=college>{{cite web
| work = [[USA Today]]
| date = March 26, 2014
| url = http://college.usatoday.com/2014/03/26/universities-re-write-wikipedia-to-fill-holes-include-women/
| title = Universities 're-write' Wikipedia to fill holes, include women
| accessdate = April 20, 2014
| last = Mehrotra
| first = Karishma
| archivedate = April 21, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140421051432/http://college.usatoday.com/2014/03/26/universities-re-write-wikipedia-to-fill-holes-include-women/
| deadurl = no
}}</ref>

She increasingly became seen as an authority on Wikipedia, and particularly on the encyclopedia's gender issues, and was cited as such by organizations such as the [[BBC]].<ref name=bbc>{{cite news
| date = April 7, 2014
| url = http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26828726
| title = How can Wikipedia woo women editors?
| first = Lynsea
| last = Garrison
| accessdate = April 21, 2014
| work = [[BBC News Magazine]]
| publisher = [[BBC]]
| archivedate = May 23, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140523235334/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26828726
}}</ref>

Wadewitz also served on the board of the [[Wikipedia:Wiki Education Foundation|Wiki Education Foundation]].<ref name=bbc/>

==Climbing==
Wadewitz enjoyed [[rock climbing]], which she described in 2013 as enabling "a new narrative about herself beyond that of a bookish, piano-playing Wikipedia contributor":<ref name=nyt/><ref name="worststudent">{{cite web
| url = https://www.hastac.org/blogs/wadewitz/2013/08/12/what-i-learned-worst-student-class
| last = Wadewitz
| first = Adrianne
| title = What I learned as the worst student in the class
| publisher = HASTAC
| date = August 12, 2013
| archivedate = April 25, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140425040459/https://www.hastac.org/blogs/wadewitz/2013/08/12/what-i-learned-worst-student-class
| deadurl = no
}}</ref>

{{bq|"For me, one of the most empowering outcomes of my year of climbing has been the new narrative I can tell about myself. I am no longer 'Adrianne: scholar, book lover, pianist, and Wikipedian'. I am now 'Adrianne: scholar, book lover, pianist, Wikipedian, and rock climber'. This was brought home most vividly to me one day when I was climbing outdoors here in Los Angeles and people on the beach were marveling at those of us climbing. Suddenly I realized, I used to be the person saying how crazy or impossible such feats were and now I was the one doing them. I had radically switched subject positions in a way I did not think possible for myself. That, I realized, is what I want my students to experience—that radical switch and growth. It is an enormous goal and I would love to hear how others work at achieving it with their students."<ref name="worststudent" />}}

==Death==
[[File:Media tribute to Adrianne Wadewitz, Occidental College.jpg|thumb|A digital media tribute to Adrianne Wadewitz at Occidental College]]

On April 8, 2014, Wadewitz died from head injuries sustained a week earlier in a rock climbing fall at [[Joshua Tree National Park]].<ref name=Albrinck>{{cite news
| last = Albrinck
| first = Jennie
| title = Busy Weekend for Search and Rescue at Joshua Tree National Park
| url = http://www.nps.gov/jotr/parknews/busy-weekend-for-search-and-rescue-at-joshua-tree-national-park.htm
| accessdate = April 24, 2014
| newspaper = Joshua Tree National Park
| date = April 1, 2014
| archivedate = April 24, 2014
| deadurl = no
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424080251/http://www.nps.gov/jotr/parknews/busy-weekend-for-search-and-rescue-at-joshua-tree-national-park.htm
}}</ref><ref name=desertsun>{{cite news
| url = http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2014/04/18/wikipedia-editor-dies-palm-springs-following-fall-joshua-tree-national-park/7890685/
| title = Wikipedia editor Adrianne Wadewitz dies in Palm Springs
| last1 = Newkirk
| first1 = Barrett
| date = April 18, 2014
| work = [[The Desert Sun]]
| accessdate = April 18, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140419165219/http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2014/04/18/wikipedia-editor-dies-palm-springs-following-fall-joshua-tree-national-park/7890685/
| archivedate = April 19, 2014
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> [[Sue Gardner]], the executive director of the [[Wikimedia Foundation]], described Wadewitz's death as a "huge loss" and said she may have been Wikipedia's "single biggest contributor on ... female authors [and] women's history".<ref name=nyt/>

Obituaries for her were published in ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name=nyt/> the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'',<ref name=LATimesObit/> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/adrianne-wadewitz-wikipedia-contributor-dies-at-37/2014/04/25/42ceecd8-cc95-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz, Wikipedia contributor, dies at 37
| last = Elaine Woo
| newspaper = The Washington Post
| accessdate = April 30, 2014
| deadurl = no
}} (republication of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' article)</ref> ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'',<ref name="smh">{{cite news
| last = Cohen
| first = Noam
| date = April 25, 2014
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/adrianne-wadewitz-a-persnickety-factobsessed-wikipedia-editor-20140425-zqzdi.html
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz: A persnickety, fact-obsessed Wikipedia editor
| newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald
| accessdate = April 29, 2014
| location = Sydney
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524165134/http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/adrianne-wadewitz-a-persnickety-factobsessed-wikipedia-editor-20140425-zqzdi.html
| archivedate = May 24, 2014
| deadurl = no
}} (reprint of the ''[[New York Times]]'' obituary)</ref> and the ''[[Corriere della Sera]]'',<ref name=corriere/> amongst others.<ref>E.g. "[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fortwayne/obituary.aspx?n=adrianne-wadewitz&pid=170755315 Dr. Adrianne Wadiwitz]" Fort Wayne, Indiana Newspapers, April 23, 2014.</ref><ref name=BostonGlobe>{{cite news
| work = [[Boston Globe]]
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz: Seizing the power of Wikipedia
| date = May 3, 2014
| accessdate = May 3, 2014
| author = [[Editorial]]
| url = http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2014/05/03/adrianne-wadewitz-seizing-power-wikipedia/j5LtDtmbbr8LDSzuread2I/story.html
| archivedate = May 4, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140504122904/http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2014/05/03/adrianne-wadewitz-seizing-power-wikipedia/j5LtDtmbbr8LDSzuread2I/story.html
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' also republished one of her last blog posts, in which she discussed how engaging with a difficult activity had taught her about helping students with their own difficulties, partly by teaching them to celebrate the little successes on the way to a goal. She wrote that, "Ultimately, nothing was more helpful for me than failing repeatedly" and that she wanted her students to realize that failures could be part of learning and were nothing to be ashamed of.<ref name="smhblogpostrepublish">{{cite news
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-adrianne-wadewitz-learnt-to-embrace-failure-20140425-zqzgx.html
| title = How Adrianne Wadewitz learnt to embrace failure
| last = Wadewitz
| first = Adrianne
| date = April 25, 2014
| work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
| accessdate = April 30, 2014
| location = Sydney
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524164926/http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-adrianne-wadewitz-learnt-to-embrace-failure-20140425-zqzgx.html
| archivedate = May 24, 2014
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> The journal ''[[ABO (journal)|ABO]]'', which Wadewitz had worked for from 2011 to 2012, dedicated its March 2014 issue to Wadewitz.<ref name="runge">{{cite journal
| journal = ABO: Interactive Journal for Women in the Arts, 1640–1830
| url = http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1087&context=abo
| date = May 12, 2014
| accessdate = May 19, 2014
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz, 1977–2014
| first = Laura
| last = Runge
| volume = 4
| issue = 1
| publisher = ScholarCommons; [[University of South Florida]]
| quote = On behalf of all the editors, I dedicate this issue to her memory.
}}</ref>

Wadewitz is survived by her parents, the Rev. Dr. Nathan R. Wadewitz and Betty M. Wadewitz, and her partner, Peter B. James.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://occidentalweekly.com/news/2014/04/15/adrianne-wadewitz-37-remembered/
| title = Adrianne Wadewitz, 37, remembered
| publisher = Occidental Weekly
| accessdate = 6 July 2015
}}</ref>

==Works==
* With Pamela Gay-White. "[http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/lion_and_the_unicorn/toc/uni.33.2.html Introduction: 'Performing the Didactic']". ''The Lion and the Unicorn'' 33.2 (2009): v–vii.
* With Pamela Gay-White (eds.) ''[[The Lion and the Unicorn (journal)|The Lion and the Unicorn]]'', special issue on [[didacticism]] in 18th-century children's literature. 2009.<ref>Pamela Gay-White and Adrianne Wadewitz. [http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/lion_and_the_unicorn/toc/uni.33.2.html "Introduction: "Performing the Didactic"]." The Lion and the Unicorn 33.2 (2009): v–vii. Project MUSE. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.</ref>
* {{citation
| last = Wadewitz
| first = Adrianne
| year = 2011
| url = http://search.proquest.com/docview/884792113
| title = 'Spare the Sympathy, Spoil the Child:' Sensibility, Selfhood, and the Maturing Reader, 1775–1815
| publisher = ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
| place = Ann Arbor, MI
| ref = none
}}. Order Number 3466388. Indiana University. (Doctoral dissertation)
* With Anne Ellen Geller and Jon Beasley-Murray. "Wiki-hacking: Opening up the Academy with Wikipedia", ''Hacking the Academy''. In Tom Scheinfeldt and Daniel J. Cohen (eds.). {{citation
| title = Hacking the Academy: New Approaches to Scholarship and Teaching from Digital Humanities
| place = Ann Arbor, MI
| year = 2013
| url = http://hackingtheacademy.org/lectures-classrooms-and-the-curriculum/
| publisher = [[University of Michigan Press]]
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140424062333/http://hackingtheacademy.org/lectures-classrooms-and-the-curriculum/
| archivedate = April 24, 2014
| deadurl = no
| ref = none
}}
* With Mica Hilson. "A Doctor for Who(m)?: Queer Temporalities and the Sexualized Child", ''[[Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature]]'' 52.1 (January 2014): pp. 63–76<ref>{{citation
| last1 = Wadewitz
| first1 = Adrianne
| last2 = Hilson
| first2 = Mica
| title = A Doctor for Who(m)?: Queer Temporalities and the Sexualized Child
| url = http://muse.jhu.edu/
| journal = Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature
| volume = 52
| issue = 1
| year = 2014
| pages = 63–76
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140506133533/http://muse.jhu.edu/
| archivedate = May 6, 2014
| deadurl = no
}}</ref> ([http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/bookbird/summary/v052/52.1.wadewitz.html Abstract])

==See also==
* [[Gender bias on Wikipedia]]
* "[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2014-04-09/Special report|Community mourns passing of Adrianne Wadewitz]]", ''The Signpost'', April 9, 2014.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Adrianne Wadewitz-article.oga|2015-02-25}}
[[File:Wikipedia Weekly Episode 35 Secretly Famous Interview with Adrianne Wadewitz.ogg|thumb|Wikipedia Weekly Episode 35 Secretly Famous Interview with Adranne Wadewitz]]
* [https://www.hastac.org/blogs/wadewitz Wadewitz's blog] on the [[HASTAC|Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory]] website
* Alex Juhasz and Anne Balsamo, [http://femtechnet.newschool.edu/blog/adrianne-wadewitz/ Tribute to Adrianne Wadewitz], [[The New School]], FemTechNet blog, April 10, 2014.
* "[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fortwayne/obituary.aspx?n=adrianne-wadewitz&pid=170755315 Dr. Adrianne Wadewitz]" Fort Wayne, Indiana Newspapers, April 23, 2014.
* [https://sites.google.com/site/wadewitz/ Wadewitz] Google Website.
* {{cite news
| url = http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/wikipedian-editor-took-wikipedias-gender-gap/
| title = 'Wikipedian' editor took on website’s gender gap
| date = May 18, 2014
| work = [[PBS NewsHour]]
| publisher = [[PBS]]
| accessdate = May 19, 2014
| first = Tracy
| last = Wholf
| archivedate = May 19, 2014
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140519000243/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/wikipedian-editor-took-wikipedias-gender-gap/
| deadurl = no
}}
* {{cite news
| url = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2014-04-09/Special_report
| title = Community mourns passing of Adrianne Wadewitz
| date = April 9, 2014
| work = [[WP:POST|The Signpost]]
| accessdate = January 6, 2014
}}
* {{cite web|last1=Wadewitz|first1=Adrianne|title=Wikipedia’s “Neutral Point of View”|url=https://vimeo.com/102555721|website=FemTechNet|location=Pitzer College|date=March 2013}}

{{Subject bar|d=Q16438247|commons=category:Adrianne Wadewitz|s=Author:Adrianne Wadewitz|q=Adrianne Wadewitz|n=Wikimedian activist Adrianne Wadewitz dies}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portalbar|Biography|California|Indiana|Nebraska|Feminism|Internet}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wadewitz, Adrianne}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in California]]
[[Category:American academics]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American feminists]]
[[Category:Columbia University alumni]]
[[Category:Indiana University alumni]]
[[Category:Mountaineering deaths]]
[[Category:Occidental College faculty]]
[[Category:Writers from Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Wikipedia people]]
[[Category:Women encyclopedists]]
[[Category:Women bloggers]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis faculty]]
[[Category:American rock climbers]]

Pferdekult

2015-12-21T04:04:08Z

QuackGuru:

{{pp-pc1|expiry=09:48, 29 January 2017}}
[[File:Uffington-White-Horse-sat.jpg|thumb|The Uffington White Horse]]
'''Horse worship''' is a spiritual practice with archaeological evidence of its existence during the [[Iron Age]] and, in some places, as far back as the [[Bronze Age]]. The horse was seen as divine, as a sacred animal associated with a particular deity, or as a [[totem]] animal impersonating the king or warrior. Horse cults and [[horse sacrifice]] were originally a feature of [[Eurasian nomad]] cultures. While horse worship has been almost exclusively associated with [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] culture, by the [[Early Middle Ages]] it was also adopted by [[Turkic peoples]].

Horse worship still exists today in various regions of [[South Asia]].

==Bronze Age==

[[File:Hayagreeva.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Hayagriva]], the Hindu god.]]
In [[India]], Horse worship in the form of worship of ''[[Hayagriva]]'' dates back to 2000 BC,<ref>{{cite book|title = Hayagrīva: The Mantrayānic Aspect of Horse-cult in China and Japan|publisher = Brill Archive|page = 9|author = Robert Hans van Gulik}}</ref> when the [[Indo-Aryan people]] started to migrate into the [[Indus Valley Civilisation|Indus valley]].<ref>Gavin Floyd (1996), ''An introduction to Hinduism'', Cambridge University Press</ref> The Indo-Aryans worshipped the horse for its speed, strength, and intelligence.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mārg̲, Volume 43|page=77}}Originally from = University of Michigan</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Animal in Far Eastern Art: And Especially in the Art of the Japanese Netzsuke, with References to Chinese Origins, Traditions, Legends, and Art|page=102|author=T. Volker|year=1950|publisher=BRILL}}</ref> To this day, the worship of Hayagriva exists among the followers of [[Hinduism]].<ref>[http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2012/June/engpdf/27-30.pdf Jagannath Cult in North - East India] by Prof. Byomakesh Tripathy and Dr. Prabhas Kumar Singh</ref>

==Iron Age==

The [[Uffington White Horse]] in the United Kingdom, is dated to the [[Iron Age Britain|Iron Age]] (800 BC–AD 100) or the late [[Bronze Age Britain|Bronze Age]] (1000–700 BC) in Britain; deposits of fine silt removed from the horse's 'beak' were scientifically dated to the late Bronze Age.<ref>*{{cite book|last=Darvill|first=Timothy|title=Prehistoric Britain from the Air: A study of space, time and society|year=1996|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=9780521551328|page=223|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ZPC_Bd7reVcC&pg=PA222}}</ref>

The French archaeologist Patrice Méniel has demonstrated, based on examination of animal bones from many archaeological sites, a lack of ''hippophagy'' (horse eating) in ritual centres and burial sites in Gaul, although there is some evidence for hippophagy from earlier settlement sites in the same region.<ref>{{cite book|title = Society for Ancient Medicine Review|publisher = Department of Classical Studies, University of Pennsylvania|page = 131|quote = Hippophagy in pre-Roman Gaul can no longer be denied MULDER, J., 'A Historical Review of Wound Treatment in Animals,'|year = 1993}}</ref>

Horse oracles are also attested in later times (see Arkona below).

There is some reason to believe that [[Poseidon]], like other water gods, was originally conceived under the form of a horse. In [[Greek art]], Poseidon rides a [[chariot]] that was pulled by a [[Hippocampus (mythology)|hippocampus]] or by horses that could ride on the sea, and sailors sometimes drowned horses as a sacrifice to Poseidon to ensure a safe voyage.

In the cave of [[Phigalia]] [[Demeter]] was, according to popular tradition, represented with the head and mane of a horse, possibly a relic of the time when a non-specialized corn-spirit bore this form. Her priests were called Poloi (Greek for "colts") in Laconia.

This seems related to the archaic myth by which Poseidon once pursued Demeter; She spurned his advances, turning herself into a [[Mare (horse)|mare]] so that she could hide in a herd of horses; he saw through the deception and became a [[Horse|stallion]] and [[rape|captured]] her. Their child was a [[horse]], [[Arion (mythology)|Arion]], which was capable of human speech.

This bears some resemblance to the [[Norse mythology|Norse]] mythology reference to the gender-changing [[Loki]] having turned himself into a mare and given birth to [[Sleipnir]], "the greatest of all horses".
{{further|Equirria}}

==Germanic==

[[Tacitus]] (Germania) mentions the use of white horses for divination by the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]]:

:''But to this nation it is peculiar, to learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also. These are nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and groves, all milk-white and employed in no earthly labour. These yoked in the holy chariot, are accompanied by the Priest and the King, or the Chief of the Community, who both carefully observed his actions and neighing. Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed, not by the populace only, but even by the nobles, even by the Priests. These account themselves the ministers of the Gods, and the horses privy to his will. ''

==Gallo-Roman==

In [[Gallo-Roman]] times, the worship of [[Epona]] was widespread<ref>Nantonos & Ceffyl 2005</ref> in the north-western portions of the [[Roman Empire]].

==Early medieval==

The Welsh legend of [[Rhiannon]] and the Irish legend of [[Macha]], although first recorded in Christian times, may indicate memories of horse worship. The white horse of Rhiannon is another example of cultic use of white horses, which seems to be an Indo-European phenomenon.<ref>Hyland p.6</ref>

The temple fortress of Arkona, at [[Cape Arkona]] on the German island of [[Rügen]], was the religious centre of the [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] [[Rani (Slavic tribe)|Rani]] in the [[Early Middle Ages]]. The temple, dedicated to the deity [[Svantevit]], housed an important horse oracle in Slavic times, where the behaviour of a white stallion could decide peace or war - recalling the above account by Tacitus.

Similar horse oracles have been reported from [[Pomerania during the Early Middle Ages#Religion|medieval temples]] in [[Pomeranians (Slavic tribe)|Pomeranian]] [[Stettin]] and [[Veleti|Lutitian]] [[Rethra]] and in temples in the [[Ming Dynasty Tombs]].

==See also==
*[[White horse (mythology)]]
*[[Horse burial]]
*[[Animal worship]]
*[[Domestication of the horse#Botai_culture|Domestication of the horse]]
*[[Horse (zodiac)]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* [[Ann Hyland|Hyland, Ann]] (2003) ''The Horse in the Ancient World''. Stroud, Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-2160-9
* Méniel, Patrice ''Les Sacrifices d'animaux chez les gaulois''. Paris, Editions Errance. ISBN 2-87772-068-3
* Nantonos & Ceffyl (2005) [http://www.epona.net/distribution.html Geographical Distribution of Epona]
* Tacitus, ''Germania''. Thomas Gordon, translator. [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/tacitus-germanygord.html Available online]
*W. H. Corkill, ''Horse Cults in Britain'', Folklore (1950).
* Robert Hans van Gulik, ''Hayagrīva: The Mantrayānic Aspect of Horse-cult in China and Japan'' (1935)

{{Equine}}

[[Category:Horses in culture and religion|Worship]]
[[Category:Nomadic groups in Eurasia]]
[[Category:Germanic paganism]]
[[Category:Animal worship]]

Pamela Geller

2014-02-15T19:42:55Z

QuackGuru: -1

{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref name= ts130505/> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]"<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her viewpoints are described as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/> and she aligns herself with international [[far-right]] causes.<ref name="guardian"/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |date=July 2010 |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html|title=Papa|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html|title=Shout Out to the Moms!|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=May 10, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York, she felt she was the black sheep of her family—an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education."<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul''], Macmillan, 2012 p. 136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref name=nd130408/>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name= VV121128/>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/> She also co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy. She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In a 2010 interview with the ''New York Times'', Geller said she believed it would be incompatible for a devout Muslim to be considered politically moderate, but also made clear: "I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam." She said she had "no problem with Islam," but rather with political Islam.<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation on Sharia law at a Long Island synagogue, which was eventually canceled due to security concerns.<ref name=cbs>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/10/l-i-synagogue-cancels-controversial-pamela-geller-speech/|title=L.I. Synagogue Cancels Controversial Pamela Geller Speech|publisher=CBS New York|date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> Some left-wing Jewish groups voiced opposition as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://forward.com/articles/174306/leftist-jewish-groups-want-synagogue-to-cancel-spe/?p=all|title=Leftist Jewish Groups Want Synagogue To Cancel Speech by Pamela Geller|author=Josh Nathan-Kazis|publisher=The Forward|date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> [[Caroline Glick]] argued that White and Davidson were unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Charles Jacobs (political activist)|Charles Jacobs]] says that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref name=<ref name=ja130510/> [[Cathy Young]], however, says that Geller fails to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an op-ed for ''[[Arutz Sheva]],'' expressing disappointment that fellow Jews are not more politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros—these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref name=jj120625/> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref name=salon130304>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/|title=Anti-Muslim activist Pam Geller turned away from CPAC|date=March 4, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Jewish Defense League]] invited Pamela Geller to speak in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Initially, Geller was invited by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan to speak at Chabad@Flamingo. Because Kaplan was a chaplain with the [[York Regional Police]], the police's Hate Crimes Unit stated that Kaplan's invitation conflicted with "our long-held position of inclusivity". Kaplan consequently uninvited Geller, and she spoke at the [[Toronto Zionist Center]]. The [[Toronto Board of Rabbis]] criticized JDL's invitation of Geller, accusing Geller of making "extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pamela Geller's Invitation to Speak in Toronto Angers Board of Rabbis|url=http://forward.com/articles/176656/pamela-gellers-invitation-to-speak-in-toronto-ange/#ixzz2quL0RdgQ|date=2013-05-13|publisher=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>

==Views==
Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref name=ja130510>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref name=cbs130108/><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref name=wsj121001>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref name=ap120920/><ref name=nyt120919/> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those "engaged" in what she calls "jihad."<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as "a political movement ... authoritarian and supremacist ... as well as a religion," the ADL responded that "[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam."<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=jj120625>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio|title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters|work=Jewish Journal|date=June 25, 2012|accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: "Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don't spring from "perversions of Islam but from the religion itself"<ref name="nytimes1" /> "I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. ... I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], "... there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam."<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: "This Is a Clash of Civilizations"|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: "I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam."<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors "right-wing" "small government" fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p. 137.</ref> She is "socially liberal" in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes "too far."<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p. 130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand's philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 pp. 129–137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s "verbal excesses" accompanied by a "willingness to provoke and offend."<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 pp. 133–4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans—70%—find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref name=nr260784/> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref> Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref><ref name=cbs/> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
Geller's blog, ''Atlas Shrugs,'' is named in homage to novelist/philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Rand's writings had a seminal influence on her thought.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name= VV121128/><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/><ref name="guardian"/> Geller was a frequent and prolific commenter on the anti-jihadi ''[[Little Green Footballs]]'' when, encouraged by a fellow commenter, she started her own blog in late 2004.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=adlreport/> She generally posts 10–15 times a day.<ref name= VV121128/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Her first "spike" in traffic came in early 2006. When thousands of Muslims worldwide protested – sometimes [[International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy#Violent_protests|violently]] – over [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Consequently her hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/> By September of 2010 she was attracting 184,000 visitors per month.<ref name="nytimes1"/> She refers to her blog as "my living room and kitchen — a place where she can kick back and yell, like some people shout at their TV" in contrast to her books and published articles which are "more studied and more measured."<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/>

During the 2008 Presidential campaign she posted a number of critical articles on [[Barack Obama]]. [[NPR]] reported that after she examined lists of contributions given to Barack Obama's presidential campaign, others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', followed suit.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125|title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change|publisher=NPR|date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" /> She published a letter from one of her readers saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name= VV121128/> Geller later said this was never her view.<ref name="QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp|title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage|work=The Weekly Standard|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn't have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don't walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement|title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement|agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html|title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments|publisher=Fox News|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html|title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=November 5, 2009|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Judson|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/|title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints|publisher=Fox News|date=April 7, 2010|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008|title=Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform|accessdate=August 24, 2010|last=Dimiero|first=Ben|date=July 2, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title=Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|date=August 19, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] in a mock-up photograph in a Nazi uniform,<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html|title=Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis|accessdate=August 22, 2010|last=Geller|first=Pamela|date=July 2, 2010|work=Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, and a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag.<ref name="QueenHP" />

The Guardian claimed Geller defends former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]] and denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] of the 1990s.<ref name="guardian"/> She denies supporting Milošević but has expressed skepticism of some accounts of the camps.<ref name=rebuttal>{{cite web|url=http://pamelageller.com/rebuttals-to-false-charges/|title=Rebuttals to False Charges|author=Pamela Geller|accessdate=February 13, 2014}}</ref> During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{cite episode|title=The Alyona Show|url=http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html|credits=Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer|network=[[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]|city=Washington, D.C.|airdate=August 3, 2010|minutes=26:10|quote=RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref><ref name=rebuttal/>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref name=ap120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref name=nyt120919>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref name=jpost120930/> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref name=cbs130108>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the ''[[American Prospect]]'', "the media often craves controversy over substance" and paid "disproportionate attention" to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that "the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller ... whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch's ''New York Post''." Jefferson concludes that "... a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months."<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled "The Ground Zero Mosque" by "multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and "racist". McGurn says "most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad." He points out that the word "jihad" is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref name=wsj121001/>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title=Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title=Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who stated she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* {{cite book|title=Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide for the Resistance|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=haehZwEACAAJ|date=2011|publisher=WND Books|isbn=9781936488360}}
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, [[Fox News]], August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-02-15T18:52:25Z

QuackGuru: expand lede and body; numerous sources say this is a right wing blogger (the arguments on the talk page are tantamount to I don't like the label

Pamela Geller

2014-02-06T03:01:08Z

QuackGuru: It is widely known she is a "right-wing blogger" and she aligns herself with international far-right causes.

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref name= ts130505/> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]"<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her viewpoints are described as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/> and she aligns herself with international [[far-right]] causes.<ref name="guardian"/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |date=July 2010 |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html|title=Papa|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html|title=Shout Out to the Moms!|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=May 10, 2009|accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York, she felt she was the black sheep of her family—an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education."<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul''], Macmillan, 2012 p. 136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref name=nd130408/>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Charles Jacobs (political activist)|Charles Jacobs]] says that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, says that Geller fails to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Jewish Defense League]] invited Pamela Geller to speak in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Initially, Geller was invited by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan to speak at Chabad@Flamingo. Because Kaplan was a chaplain with the [[York Regional Police]], the police's Hate Crimes Unit stated that Kaplan's invitation conflicted with "our long-held position of inclusivity". Kaplan consequently uninvited Geller, and she spoke at the [[Toronto Zionist Center]]. The [[Toronto Board of Rabbis]] criticized JDL's invitation of Geller, accusing Geller of making "extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pamela Geller's Invitation to Speak in Toronto Angers Board of Rabbis|url=http://forward.com/articles/176656/pamela-gellers-invitation-to-speak-in-toronto-ange/#ixzz2quL0RdgQ|date=2013-05-13|publisher=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>

==Views==
Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those "engaged" in what she calls "jihad."<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as "a political movement ... authoritarian and supremacist ... as well as a religion," the ADL responded that "[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam."<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio|title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters|work=Jewish Journal|date=June 25, 2012|accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: "Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don't spring from "perversions of Islam but from the religion itself"<ref name="nytimes1" /> "I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. ... I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], "... there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam."<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: "This Is a Clash of Civilizations"|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: "I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam."<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors "right-wing" "small government" fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p. 137.</ref> She is "socially liberal" in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes "too far."<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p. 130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand's philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 pp. 129–137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s "verbal excesses" accompanied by a "willingness to provoke and offend."<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 pp. 133–4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
Geller's blog, ''Atlas Shrugs,'' is named in homage to novelist/philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Rand's writings had a seminal influence on her thought.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=Greghoward/><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/><ref name="guardian"/> Geller was a frequent and prolific commenter on the anti-jihadi ''[[Little Green Footballs]]'' when, encouraged by a fellow commenter, she started her own blog in late 2004.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=adlreport/> She generally posts 10–15 times a day.<ref name=Greghoward/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Her first "spike" in traffic came in early 2006. When thousands of Muslims worldwide protested – sometimes [[International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy#Violent_protests|violently]] – over [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Consequently her hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/> By September of 2010 she was attracting 184,000 visitors per month.<ref name="nytimes1"/> She refers to her blog as "my living room and kitchen — a place where she can kick back and yell, like some people shout at their TV" in contrast to her books and published articles which are "more studied and more measured."<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/>

During the 2008 Presidential campaign she posted a number of critical articles on [[Barack Obama]]. [[NPR]] reported that after she examined lists of contributions given to Barack Obama's presidential campaign, others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', followed suit.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125|title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change|publisher=NPR|date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" /> She published a letter from one of her readers saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp|title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage|work=The Weekly Standard|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn't have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don't walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement|title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement|agency=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html|title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments|publisher=Fox News|date=November 3, 2008|accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html|title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base|work=Atlas Shrugs|date=November 5, 2009|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Judson|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/|title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints|publisher=Fox News|date=April 7, 2010|accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008|title=Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform|accessdate=August 24, 2010|last=Dimiero|first=Ben|date=July 2, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title=Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|date=August 19, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html|title=Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis|accessdate=August 22, 2010|last=Geller|first=Pamela|date=July 2, 2010|work=Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name="QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html|title=CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama|accessdate=August 22, 2010|last=Geller|first=Pamela|date=August 1, 2009|work=Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp|title=Ann Dunham Soetoro|publisher=snopes.com|date=|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}{{dead link|date=February 2014}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name="QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{cite episode|title=The Alyona Show|url=http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html|credits=Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer|network=[[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]|city=Washington, D.C.|airdate=August 3, 2010|minutes=26:10|quote=RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the ''[[American Prospect]]'', "the media often craves controversy over substance" and paid "disproportionate attention" to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that "the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller ... whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch's ''New York Post''." Jefferson concludes that "... a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months."<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled "The Ground Zero Mosque" by "multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and "racist". McGurn says "most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad." He points out that the word "jihad" is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title=Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title=Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* {{cite book|title=Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide for the Resistance|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=haehZwEACAAJ|date=2011|publisher=WND Books|isbn=9781936488360}}
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, [[Fox News]], August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-23T07:07:31Z

QuackGuru: rmv space

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her viewpoints are described as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]]<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/> and she aligns herself with international [[far-right]] causes.<ref name="guardian"/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Charles Jacobs]] says that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, says that Geller fails to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Jewish Defense League]] invited Pamela Geller to speak in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Initially, Geller was invited by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan to speak at Chabad@Flamingo. Because Kaplan was a chaplain with the [[York Regional Police]], the police's Hate Crimes Unit stated that Kaplan's invitation conflicted with "our long-held position of inclusivity". Kaplan consequently uninvited Geller, and she spoke at the [[Toronto Zionist Center]]. The [[Toronto Board of Rabbis]] criticized JDL's invitation of Geller, accusing Geller of making "extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pamela Geller's Invitation to Speak in Toronto Angers Board of Rabbis|url=http://forward.com/articles/176656/pamela-gellers-invitation-to-speak-in-toronto-ange/#ixzz2quL0RdgQ|date=2013-05-13|publisher=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>

==Views==

Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those “engaged” in what she calls “jihad.”<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as “a political movement … authoritarian and supremacist … as well as a religion,” the ADL responded that “[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam.”<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: “Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam.”<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don’t spring from “perversions of Islam but from the religion itself”<ref name="nytimes1" /> “I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. … I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim.”<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], “… there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: “This Is a Clash of Civilizations”|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Quotations_on_Islam_from_Notable_Muslims#Recep_Tayyip_Erdo.C4.9Fan|title=Quotations on Islam from Notable Muslims}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: “I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors “right-wing” “small government” fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.137.</ref> She is “socially liberal” in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes “too far.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand’s philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.129-137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s “verbal excesses” accompanied by a “willingness to provoke and offend.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.133-4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-23T06:27:54Z

QuackGuru: rmv space

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her viewpoints are described as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]]<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/> and she aligns herself with international [[far-right]] causes.<ref name="guardian"/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Charles Jacobs]] says that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, says that Geller fails to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Jewish Defense League]] invited Pamela Geller to speak in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Initially, Geller was invited by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan to speak at Chabad@Flamingo. Because Kaplan was a chaplain with the [[York Regional Police]], the police's Hate Crimes Unit stated that Kaplan's invitation conflicted with "our long-held position of inclusivity". Kaplan consequently uninvited Geller, and she spoke at the [[Toronto Zionist Center]]. The [[Toronto Board of Rabbis]] criticized JDL's invitation of Geller, accusing Geller of making "extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pamela Geller's Invitation to Speak in Toronto Angers Board of Rabbis|url=http://forward.com/articles/176656/pamela-gellers-invitation-to-speak-in-toronto-ange/#ixzz2quL0RdgQ|date=2013-05-13|publisher=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>

==Views==

Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those “engaged” in what she calls “jihad.”<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as “a political movement … authoritarian and supremacist … as well as a religion,” the ADL responded that “[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam.”<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: “Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam.”<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don’t spring from “perversions of Islam but from the religion itself”<ref name="nytimes1" /> “I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. … I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim.”<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], “… there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: “This Is a Clash of Civilizations”|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Quotations_on_Islam_from_Notable_Muslims#Recep_Tayyip_Erdo.C4.9Fan|title=Quotations on Islam from Notable Muslims}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: “I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors “right-wing” “small government” fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.137.</ref> She is “socially liberal” in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes “too far.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand’s philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.129-137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s “verbal excesses” accompanied by a “willingness to provoke and offend.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.133-4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-23T03:55:24Z

QuackGuru: Remove original research from the lead. Summarise body per WP:LEAD

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her viewpoints are described as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]]<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/> and she aligns herself with international [[far-right]] causes.<ref name="guardian"/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Charles Jacobs]] says that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, says that Geller fails to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

In May 2013, the [[Jewish Defense League]] invited Pamela Geller to speak in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. Initially, Geller was invited by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan to speak at Chabad@Flamingo. Because Kaplan was a chaplain with the [[York Regional Police]], the police's Hate Crimes Unit stated that Kaplan's invitation conflicted with "our long-held position of inclusivity". Kaplan consequently uninvited Geller, and she spoke at the [[Toronto Zionist Center]]. The [[Toronto Board of Rabbis]] criticized JDL's invitation of Geller, accusing Geller of making "extreme criticism of Muslims in language that is intended to shock and ridicule."<ref>{{cite news|title=Pamela Geller's Invitation to Speak in Toronto Angers Board of Rabbis|url=http://forward.com/articles/176656/pamela-gellers-invitation-to-speak-in-toronto-ange/#ixzz2quL0RdgQ|date=2013-05-13|publisher=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>

==Views==

Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those “engaged” in what she calls “jihad.”<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as “a political movement … authoritarian and supremacist … as well as a religion,” the ADL responded that “[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam.”<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: “Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam.”<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don’t spring from “perversions of Islam but from the religion itself”<ref name="nytimes1" /> “I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. … I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim.”<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], “… there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: “This Is a Clash of Civilizations”|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Quotations_on_Islam_from_Notable_Muslims#Recep_Tayyip_Erdo.C4.9Fan|title=Quotations on Islam from Notable Muslims}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: “I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors “right-wing” “small government” fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.137.</ref> She is “socially liberal” in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes “too far.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand’s philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.129-137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s “verbal excesses” accompanied by a “willingness to provoke and offend.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.133-4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://pamelageller.com/ www.pamelageller.com]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-18T19:41:30Z

QuackGuru: The part "Her critics" is WP:OR. (This is a BLP violation to add OR to a BLP page.

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics{{OR}} have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] and "right wing".<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref name=Ind20130626/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is "worse" than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Views==

Pamela Geller is an outspoken opponent of [[political Islam]]<ref name="nytimes1" /> and [[radical Islam]].<ref name=ts130505>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref><ref name=nd130408>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref><ref name=npr120924>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/09/24/161706741/new-yorkers-rush-by-as-embattled-anti-jihad-ads-hit-the-subway|title=New Yorkers Rush By As Embattled Anti-Jihad Ads Hit The Subway|author=April Fehling|date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=NPR}}</ref> Explaining her position she says, "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> In particular, she says [[jihadism|jihad]] is a threat to civilization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref><ref name=jpost20130413/><ref name=jpost120930>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 30, 2012|author=Israel Kasnett|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name=npr120924/> After expressing her anti-jihad views in controversial subway ads<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> she has been called an anti-Muslim bigot.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Responding to these charges, she says the ads are not directed at all Muslims but only those “engaged” in what she calls “jihad.”<ref name=sn120920>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/987227/anti-jihad-adverts-to-run-in-new-york-subway|title=Anti-Jihad Adverts To Run In New York Subway|date=September 20, 2012|newspaper=Sky News|author=Hannah Thomas-Peter}}</ref>

Critics believe she crosses the line from a focused criticism of [[Islamism]] to a broader hostility towards Muslim in general. When she called for an official classification of Islam as “a political movement … authoritarian and supremacist … as well as a religion,” the ADL responded that “[w]hile the threat of Islamic extremism is a legitimate concern, such a simplistic initiative fails to distinguish between the general Muslim population and extremists motivated by radical interpretations of Islam.”<ref name=adlreport>{{cite web|url=http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf|date=March 2011|publisher=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|title=Stop the Islamization of America|page=6}}</ref> Geller repeatedly denies that she is categorically anti-Muslim.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=nd130408/><ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref>

She holds the view that radical Islam is a ''bona fide'' variant of Islam, which she describes in a number of ways: “Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam.”<ref name=Cooper360/><ref name=nr260784/> Terrorists don’t spring from “perversions of Islam but from the religion itself”<ref name="nytimes1" /> “I believe in the idea of a moderate Muslim. I do not believe in the idea of a moderate Islam. … I think a moderate Muslim is a secular Muslim.”<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> She quotes the prime minister of Turkey, [[Recep Tayyip Erdogan]], “… there is no moderate Islam; there is no extreme Islam; Islam is Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/religion/man-behind-mosque/pamela-geller-this-is-a-clash-of-civilizations/|title=Pamela Geller: “This Is a Clash of Civilizations”|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=PBS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Quotations_on_Islam_from_Notable_Muslims#Recep_Tayyip_Erdo.C4.9Fan|title=Quotations on Islam from Notable Muslims}}</ref> She argues that Islam must be secularized from within: “I believe most Muslims are secular. I don’t believe that most Muslims subscribe to devout fundamentalist Islam by any stretch of the imagination. And we need the secular Muslims to win the battle for the reformation of Islam.”<ref name=pbs110927/>

In economics she favors “right-wing” “small government” fiscal policies of cutting taxes and reducing budgets.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.137.</ref> She is “socially liberal” in her support of abortion legalization<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name=VV121128>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/|title=Pamela Geller's War|newspaper=Village Voice|date=November 28, 2012|author=Greg Howard}}</ref><ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01"/> and same-sex marriages<ref name=VV121128/> but she believes drug legalization goes “too far.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.130.</ref> [[Gary Weiss]] writes that Ayn Rand’s philosophy of individualism is a major influence in her thought and life.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.129-137.</ref> But unlike Rand, Geller is a theist who defends the Judeo-Christian ethical tradition.<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.134.</ref> In her rhetorical style, she shares Rand’s “verbal excesses” accompanied by a “willingness to provoke and offend.”<ref>Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.133-4.</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Support-the-civilized-man|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],.<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Phil Robertson

2014-01-06T23:21:49Z

QuackGuru: age 15 or 16

{{pp-semi-indef}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-vandalism |small =yes}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Phil Robertson
|birth_name = Phil Alexander Robertson
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|4|24|mf =y}}
|birth_place = [[Vivian, Louisiana]], USA
|image = Phil Robertson La Tech 1967.jpg
|caption = Robertson at Louisiana Tech in 1967
|television = ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
|education = [[Louisiana Tech University]]
|religion = [[Christianity]]
|denomination = [[Churches of Christ]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Kay Robertson|Marsha Kay Carroway]]|1966|}}
|children = {{plainlist|
* Alan Merritt Robertson
* [[Jase Robertson|Jason Silas Robertson]]
* [[Willie Robertson|Willie Jess Robertson]]
* Jules Jeptha Robertson}}
|relatives = [[Silas Robertson]] (brother)
|website = {{URL|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson|duckcommander.com}}
}}
'''Phil Alexander Robertson''' (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman ([[Duck Commander]]), and reality television star on the popular [[television series]] ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''. He is also featured on the television show ''Buck Commander'', a hunting program on the [[Outdoor Channel]].<ref name=Meehan>{{cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2013/12/19/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-anti-gay.html | title=Will Under Armour continue to outfit 'Duck Dynasty' star after anti-gay comment? | work=[[Baltimore Business Journal]] | date=December 19, 2013 | accessdate=December 27, 2013 | author=Meehan, Sarah}}</ref> Robertson is married with four children, a devout [[Christian]] and strongly [[pro-life]].

He attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.

Robertson became the central figure in a 2013 controversy after he was suspended by [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] after saying that homosexual behavior is sinful in an interview with ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1">{{cite journal |last= Magary |first= Drew | authorlink= Drew Magary | date= January 2014|title= What the Duck?|url= http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson |journal= GQ|location= New York|accessdate= December 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Macatee>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/493340/phil-robertson-breaks-silence-on-anti-gay-remarks-duck-dynasty-star-will-not-give-or-back-off | title=Phil Robertson Breaks Silence on Anti-Gay Remarks; Duck Dynasty Star ‘Will Not Give or Back Off’ | publisher=E! Entertainment | date=December 23, 2013 | accessdate =December 23, 2013 | last =Macatee | first = Rebecca}}</ref><ref name=Rothman>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/duck-dynasty-phil-robertsons-quotes-gq-interview/story?id=21278832 | title= 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Has Made Other Anti-Gay Comments in the Past | publisher=[[ABC News]] | date=December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 23, 2013 | last = Rothman | first = Michael}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matthews-El|first=Toni|title=Phil Robertson Booted From 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.webpronews.com/phil-robertson-booted-from-duck-dynasty-2013-12|date=December 19, 2013|publisher=WebProNews|accessdate=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Facing what was reported as "a strong backlash from Robertson's supporters", A&E lifted the suspension after nine days.<ref name="O'Connell">{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title=A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 27, 2013|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Robertson was born in [[Vivian, Louisiana]]. He was the fifth of seven children of James and Merritt Robertson (née Hale). Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.

In his book, ''Happy, Happy, Happy'', Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |title= Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson had impoverished childhood with no running water or electricity |publisher=Starcasm |url = http://starcasm.net/archives/218207 |date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

Halfway between Vivian and [[Hosston, Louisiana|Hosston]] is Robertson's restored [[log cabin]] birth home. In September 2013, it was for sale for an asking price of $750,000. The property is now owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale, who acquired it for an initial $55,000 investment around 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130924/SPORTS06/309240020/Birth-home-Duck-Dynasty-stars-up-sale-Hosston | title=Jimmy Watson, Birth home of 'Duck Dynasty' stars up for sale in Hosston |date=September 23, 2013| work = [[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]] | accessdate =September 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}</ref>

===College and football===
[[File:Louisiana Tech 1966 Bradshaw and Robertson.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback Phil Robertson throws against [[Southeastern Louisiana Lions football|Southeastern Louisiana University's Lions]].]]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in [[High school football|football]], baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] on a [[College football|football]] [[Athletic scholarship|scholarship]] in the late 1960s.<ref name=espn>{{cite news |first= Doug | last = Williams |title=How Good was Phil Robertson at Football? |url= http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/18740/how-good-was-phil-robertson-at-football |publisher=ESPN |date= February 26, 2013 |accessdate= August 30, 2013}}</ref> There he played first-string quarterback for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]], ahead of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Terry Bradshaw]],<ref name=hwndch>{{cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dAEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R84FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1273,6184046 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=He will never duck challenge |date=November 8, 1983 |page=D5}}</ref><ref name=lthtbpr>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23626584/louisiana-tech-honors-terry-bradshaw-phil-robertson-at-tulane-game | work =CBS Sports|last=Patterson|first=Chris | title= Louisiana Tech honored Terry Bradshaw, Phil Robertson Thursday | date = September 13, 2013|accessdate= September 15, 2013}}</ref> the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref name = "Boys Life Nov 1979">{{cite journal | last = Fox | first = Larry | title = Terry Bradshaw, Steel Drivin' Man | journal = Boys' Life | volume = 69 | issue = 11 | pages = 6–10 | publisher = Boy Scouts of America | date = November 1979 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=zosfNeBq2B8C&pg=PA6 | issn = 0006-8608}}</ref><ref name=gabe>{{cite web |title="Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson Once Gave Terry Bradshaw Starting QB Spot |first=Gabe |last= Zaldivar |date=April 1, 2013 |publisher=Bleacher Report |url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1588651-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-once-gave-terry-bradshaw-starting-qb-spot | accessdate = August 29, 2013}}</ref> Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in [[1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1966]] and [[1967 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1967]], and chose not to play in 1968.<ref name=hprfsaf>{{cite web|url= http://college-football.si.com/2012/03/22/duck-punt-how-phil-robertson-found-stardom-after-giving-up-football/| work = Sports Illustrated Campus Union |last=Anderson |first = Holly |title= Duck Punt: How Phil Robertson found stardom after giving up football |date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate = September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions.<ref name=espn/> It was thought he had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting.<ref name=espn/> Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much."<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos Video: Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson as quarterback for Louisiana Tech and high school |url=http://starcasm.net/archives/202772 |first=Ruby |last=Turpin |date=March 5, 2013 |publisher=Starcasm |accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

When [[Paul Harvey]] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]], he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Besides, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport.<ref name=gabe/> Robertson put it in this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks."<ref name=espn/>

Robertson later received a [[bachelor's degree]] in physical education and a [[Master's degree|master's]] in education.<ref name=dc>{{cite web |title=Duckman; Phil Robertson |publisher=Duck Commander |url=http://www.duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson.aspx |accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===
Robertson initially spent several years teaching<ref name = dc /> before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | title = Duck Dynasty, How It Almost Never Happened |first=Stephen |last=Copeland |work=Sports Spectrum |url = http://www.sportsspectrum.com/articles/2013/03/23/duck-dynasty-how-it-almost-never-happened/ |date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Duck Dynasty Cast Member Testimony |publisher= The Woodnote |date= March 13, 2013 |url= http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ | accessdate= July 31, 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130928232411/http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ |archivedate=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Duck Commander===
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the [[Duck Commander]] Company was incorporated in 1973.<ref name="dc" /> Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multi-million dollar empire, headed by his son, [[Willie Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/meet-family/willie-robertson/ | work =Duck Dynasty | title = Willie Robertson | publisher = A&E TV |accessdate= December 22, 2013}}</ref>

===''Duck Dynasty''===
Robertson is presented in ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' as the patriarch of the entire Robertson clan.

====Disputes with A&E====
When A&E decided to add bleeps to the show to add "spice", Robertson went to the network and told them to not make it seem like they use profanity, as they do not. Also, while they did not cut prayers, they did cut out the part of Robertson's prayer where he said "in Jesus' name". When A&E told them that they did not want to offend the Muslim population, Phil asked, "What year is it?" They replied "2012." He pointed out that the year was 2012 ''AD'', or ''in the year of Our Lord''. He asked them why they would take someone out who the entire universe is based on. He also asked A&E how many Muslims were watching ''Duck Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie & Phil Robertson talk about fake bleeps and praying in Jesus' name | work =Sports Spectrum Mag |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M. | publisher = Google | format = video | accessdate =August 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====''GQ'' comments=====
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with [[Drew Magary]] of ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1" /> During the interview for a featured article in ''GQ's'' January 2014 issue, titled, "[[What the Duck?]]"; when asked what he thought was sinful Robertson responded,<ref>{{Citation | last = Merrigan | first = Tara Wanda | date = December 19, 2013 | url = http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/readers-react-to-gqs-duck-dynasty-story-and-phil-robertsons-indefinite-suspension.html | title = Readers React to GQ's 'Duck Dynasty' Story and Phil Robertson's Indefinite Suspension | journal = GQ | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}</ref> "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He paraphrased a Biblical passage from [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|First Corinthians]] saying "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. Robertson said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying,<ref name = "GQprimer pg1" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Goldberg | first = Lesley | date = December 18, 2013 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808 | title = 'Duck Dynasty’s' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks | newspaper = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref name= Hibberd>{{cite web | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-crisis-experts-weigh-in/ | title='Duck Dynasty': Crisis experts weigh in | work = Inside TV | work= Entertainment Weekly | date= December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 21, 2013| last =Rice | first = Lynette}}</ref><ref name=Rice>{{cite web | work = Inside TV | url= http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-return-phil/ | title='Duck Dynasty': New episodes will include Phil | work= Entertainment Weekly | date = December 20, 2013 | accessdate=December 21, 2013| last =Hibberd | first = James}}</ref> "We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?"

In response to A&E's suspension, Robertson released a statement saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."<ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E | publisher=Fox News Channel |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/ |date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes and statements from political figures condemning the move,<ref>{{cite web | title= Gov. Jindal on Phil Robertson Suspension: I Remember When TV Networks Believed in 1st Amendment | publisher=Office of the Governor, State of Louisiana |url= http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=2&articleID=4374 | date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Sarah Palin Admits She Defended Phil Robertson's Anti-Gay Remarks Before Even Reading Them | publisher=Huffington Post |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/27/sarah-palin-phil-robertson_n_4507969.html | date=December 27, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref> A&E lifted the suspension before any episode was affected.<ref name="O'Connell"/>

===Memoir===
* {{cite book|title = Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander|author = With co-author Mark Schlabach|publisher = [[Howard Books]]|year = 2013|isbn = 978-1476726090}}

==Personal life==
Phil Robertson and [[Kay Robertson|Marsha "Kay" Carroway]] started dating in 1964, during their adolescence, as "high school sweethearts".<ref name="yahootv">{{cite web | title= How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? |first=Kelly |last=Woo |publisher=Yahoo TV |url= http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html |date=April 16, 2013 |accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> Two years later, when Kay was 15 or 16, they were married.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20771027,00.html |title=Phil Robertson Tells Men to Marry Underage Girls in Newly Unearthed Video - Duck Dynasty, Phil Robertson |publisher=People.com |date=2013-12-31 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html | title=How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? | date=April 16, 2013 | accessdate=6 January 2014 | author=Woo, Kelly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Takeda |first=Allison |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-miss-kay-open-up-about-pre-fame-infidelity-alcohol-issues-in-new-film-20132011 |title=Duck Dynasty's Phil, Miss Kay Talk Infidelity, Alcoholism in New Film - Us Weekly |publisher=Usmagazine.com |date=2013-11-20 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |title='Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family |publisher=Christianpost.com |date=2013-05-18 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref> In a 2013 editorial published by Yahoo TV, correspondent: Kelly Woo, described the Robertson's union as "[a] long-standing, rock-solid marriage". Their first son, Alan, was born while they were attending college.<ref name="yahootv"/>

===Beliefs===
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of the [[Louisiana Highway 143|White's Ferry Road]] [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Sarah Pulliam|title= Phil Robertson’s suspension from ‘Duck Dynasty’ sends fans rallying to his side|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/phil-robertsons-suspension-from-duck-dynasty-sends-fans-rallying-to-his-side/2013/12/19/eb1c427e-68f8-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html |accessdate = December 20, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> in [[West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe]], and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping God in command: Phil Robertson, family living out faith on small screen |first= Ruth |last= Schenk | work =The Southeast Outlook |date= August 14, 2013 |url = http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_8bea6dc0-051c-11e3-9628-0019bb30f31a.html | quote=For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called “Miss Kay,” to raise their three sons alone. | accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In an interview prior to the release of his autobiography, he said:

{{Quote |My message is to get human beings to love God, love their neighbor and for the life of me I just don't see the downside of human beings not being so mean to one another and actually care for one another and not steal from one another and not murder each other for their tennis shoes. That's the message I have. [...]

America and the world, we have a love problem. I'm trying to get people aware of that. A loving person is not going to pick up a spear or a knife because when the Ten Commandments were written it was before guns, and God was saying, 'Look, quit murdering each other.' Now I'm just trying to say, 'Folks, let's try to love one another no matter what the color of their skin.'<ref>{{cite news | title= Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson talks values family in new book | first= Nicki | last = Gosten | publisher =Fox News Channel |date=May 7, 2013 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/07/duck-dynasty-star-phil-robertson-talks-values-family-in-new-book/}}</ref>}}

Robertson is [[pro-life]] and frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title= Duck Dynasty Star captivates NTCC crowd |first=Rey |last=Sifuentes Jr. |newspaper=Daily Tribune |date=April 8, 2013 |url = http://www.dailytribune.net/sports/article_0e2cefc2-a0cf-11e2-8e82-001a4bcf887a.html |accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family | first =Melissa |last=Barnhart |work=The Christian Post |date=May 18, 2013 |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |accessdate = August 25, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson}}
{{Duck Commander}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Robertson, Phil Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessman, reality television participant
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 24, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Vivian, Louisiana
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Phil}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American members of the Churches of Christ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Caddo Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from West Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]

Phil Robertson

2014-01-06T22:45:19Z

QuackGuru: -1

{{pp-semi-indef}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-vandalism |small =yes}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Phil Robertson
|birth_name = Phil Alexander Robertson
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|4|24|mf =y}}
|birth_place = [[Vivian, Louisiana]], USA
|image = Phil Robertson La Tech 1967.jpg
|caption = Robertson at Louisiana Tech in 1967
|television = ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
|education = [[Louisiana Tech University]]
|religion = [[Christianity]]
|denomination = [[Churches of Christ]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Kay Robertson|Marsha Kay Carroway]]|1966|}}
|children = {{plainlist|
* Alan Merritt Robertson
* [[Jase Robertson|Jason Silas Robertson]]
* [[Willie Robertson|Willie Jess Robertson]]
* Jules Jeptha Robertson}}
|relatives = [[Silas Robertson]] (brother)
|website = {{URL|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson|duckcommander.com}}
}}
'''Phil Alexander Robertson''' (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman ([[Duck Commander]]), and reality television star on the popular [[television series]] ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''. He is also featured on the television show ''Buck Commander'', a hunting program on the [[Outdoor Channel]].<ref name=Meehan>{{cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2013/12/19/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-anti-gay.html | title=Will Under Armour continue to outfit 'Duck Dynasty' star after anti-gay comment? | work=[[Baltimore Business Journal]] | date=December 19, 2013 | accessdate=December 27, 2013 | author=Meehan, Sarah}}</ref> Robertson is married with four children, a devout [[Christian]] and strongly [[pro-life]].

He attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.

Robertson became the central figure in a 2013 controversy after he was suspended by [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] after saying that homosexual behavior is sinful in an interview with ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1">{{cite journal |last= Magary |first= Drew | authorlink= Drew Magary | date= January 2014|title= What the Duck?|url= http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson |journal= GQ|location= New York|accessdate= December 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Macatee>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/493340/phil-robertson-breaks-silence-on-anti-gay-remarks-duck-dynasty-star-will-not-give-or-back-off | title=Phil Robertson Breaks Silence on Anti-Gay Remarks; Duck Dynasty Star ‘Will Not Give or Back Off’ | publisher=E! Entertainment | date=December 23, 2013 | accessdate =December 23, 2013 | last =Macatee | first = Rebecca}}</ref><ref name=Rothman>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/duck-dynasty-phil-robertsons-quotes-gq-interview/story?id=21278832 | title= 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Has Made Other Anti-Gay Comments in the Past | publisher=[[ABC News]] | date=December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 23, 2013 | last = Rothman | first = Michael}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matthews-El|first=Toni|title=Phil Robertson Booted From 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.webpronews.com/phil-robertson-booted-from-duck-dynasty-2013-12|date=December 19, 2013|publisher=WebProNews|accessdate=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Facing what was reported as "a strong backlash from Robertson's supporters", A&E lifted the suspension after nine days.<ref name="O'Connell">{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title=A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 27, 2013|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Robertson was born in [[Vivian, Louisiana]]. He was the fifth of seven children of James and Merritt Robertson (née Hale). Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.

In his book, ''Happy, Happy, Happy'', Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |title= Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson had impoverished childhood with no running water or electricity |publisher=Starcasm |url = http://starcasm.net/archives/218207 |date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

Halfway between Vivian and [[Hosston, Louisiana|Hosston]] is Robertson's restored [[log cabin]] birth home. In September 2013, it was for sale for an asking price of $750,000. The property is now owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale, who acquired it for an initial $55,000 investment around 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130924/SPORTS06/309240020/Birth-home-Duck-Dynasty-stars-up-sale-Hosston | title=Jimmy Watson, Birth home of 'Duck Dynasty' stars up for sale in Hosston |date=September 23, 2013| work = [[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]] | accessdate =September 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}</ref>

===College and football===
[[File:Louisiana Tech 1966 Bradshaw and Robertson.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback Phil Robertson throws against [[Southeastern Louisiana Lions football|Southeastern Louisiana University's Lions]].]]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in [[High school football|football]], baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] on a [[College football|football]] [[Athletic scholarship|scholarship]] in the late 1960s.<ref name=espn>{{cite news |first= Doug | last = Williams |title=How Good was Phil Robertson at Football? |url= http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/18740/how-good-was-phil-robertson-at-football |publisher=ESPN |date= February 26, 2013 |accessdate= August 30, 2013}}</ref> There he played first-string quarterback for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]], ahead of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Terry Bradshaw]],<ref name=hwndch>{{cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dAEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R84FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1273,6184046 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=He will never duck challenge |date=November 8, 1983 |page=D5}}</ref><ref name=lthtbpr>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23626584/louisiana-tech-honors-terry-bradshaw-phil-robertson-at-tulane-game | work =CBS Sports|last=Patterson|first=Chris | title= Louisiana Tech honored Terry Bradshaw, Phil Robertson Thursday | date = September 13, 2013|accessdate= September 15, 2013}}</ref> the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref name = "Boys Life Nov 1979">{{cite journal | last = Fox | first = Larry | title = Terry Bradshaw, Steel Drivin' Man | journal = Boys' Life | volume = 69 | issue = 11 | pages = 6–10 | publisher = Boy Scouts of America | date = November 1979 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=zosfNeBq2B8C&pg=PA6 | issn = 0006-8608}}</ref><ref name=gabe>{{cite web |title="Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson Once Gave Terry Bradshaw Starting QB Spot |first=Gabe |last= Zaldivar |date=April 1, 2013 |publisher=Bleacher Report |url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1588651-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-once-gave-terry-bradshaw-starting-qb-spot | accessdate = August 29, 2013}}</ref> Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in [[1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1966]] and [[1967 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1967]], and chose not to play in 1968.<ref name=hprfsaf>{{cite web|url= http://college-football.si.com/2012/03/22/duck-punt-how-phil-robertson-found-stardom-after-giving-up-football/| work = Sports Illustrated Campus Union |last=Anderson |first = Holly |title= Duck Punt: How Phil Robertson found stardom after giving up football |date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate = September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions.<ref name=espn/> It was thought he had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting.<ref name=espn/> Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much."<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos Video: Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson as quarterback for Louisiana Tech and high school |url=http://starcasm.net/archives/202772 |first=Ruby |last=Turpin |date=March 5, 2013 |publisher=Starcasm |accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

When [[Paul Harvey]] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]], he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Besides, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport.<ref name=gabe/> Robertson put it in this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks."<ref name=espn/>

Robertson later received a [[bachelor's degree]] in physical education and a [[Master's degree|master's]] in education.<ref name=dc>{{cite web |title=Duckman; Phil Robertson |publisher=Duck Commander |url=http://www.duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson.aspx |accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===
Robertson initially spent several years teaching<ref name = dc /> before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | title = Duck Dynasty, How It Almost Never Happened |first=Stephen |last=Copeland |work=Sports Spectrum |url = http://www.sportsspectrum.com/articles/2013/03/23/duck-dynasty-how-it-almost-never-happened/ |date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Duck Dynasty Cast Member Testimony |publisher= The Woodnote |date= March 13, 2013 |url= http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ | accessdate= July 31, 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130928232411/http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ |archivedate=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Duck Commander===
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the [[Duck Commander]] Company was incorporated in 1973.<ref name="dc" /> Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multi-million dollar empire, headed by his son, [[Willie Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/meet-family/willie-robertson/ | work =Duck Dynasty | title = Willie Robertson | publisher = A&E TV |accessdate= December 22, 2013}}</ref>

===''Duck Dynasty''===
Robertson is presented in ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' as the patriarch of the entire Robertson clan.

====Disputes with A&E====
When A&E decided to add bleeps to the show to add "spice", Robertson went to the network and told them to not make it seem like they use profanity, as they do not. Also, while they did not cut prayers, they did cut out the part of Robertson's prayer where he said "in Jesus' name". When A&E told them that they did not want to offend the Muslim population, Phil asked, "What year is it?" They replied "2012." He pointed out that the year was 2012 ''AD'', or ''in the year of Our Lord''. He asked them why they would take someone out who the entire universe is based on. He also asked A&E how many Muslims were watching ''Duck Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie & Phil Robertson talk about fake bleeps and praying in Jesus' name | work =Sports Spectrum Mag |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M. | publisher = Google | format = video | accessdate =August 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====''GQ'' comments=====
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with [[Drew Magary]] of ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1" /> During the interview for a featured article in ''GQ's'' January 2014 issue, titled, "[[What the Duck?]]"; when asked what he thought was sinful Robertson responded,<ref>{{Citation | last = Merrigan | first = Tara Wanda | date = December 19, 2013 | url = http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/readers-react-to-gqs-duck-dynasty-story-and-phil-robertsons-indefinite-suspension.html | title = Readers React to GQ's 'Duck Dynasty' Story and Phil Robertson's Indefinite Suspension | journal = GQ | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}</ref> "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He paraphrased a Biblical passage from [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|First Corinthians]] saying "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. Robertson said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying,<ref name = "GQprimer pg1" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Goldberg | first = Lesley | date = December 18, 2013 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808 | title = 'Duck Dynasty’s' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks | newspaper = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref name= Hibberd>{{cite web | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-crisis-experts-weigh-in/ | title='Duck Dynasty': Crisis experts weigh in | work = Inside TV | work= Entertainment Weekly | date= December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 21, 2013| last =Rice | first = Lynette}}</ref><ref name=Rice>{{cite web | work = Inside TV | url= http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-return-phil/ | title='Duck Dynasty': New episodes will include Phil | work= Entertainment Weekly | date = December 20, 2013 | accessdate=December 21, 2013| last =Hibberd | first = James}}</ref> "We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?"

In response to A&E's suspension, Robertson released a statement saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."<ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E | publisher=Fox News Channel |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/ |date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes and statements from political figures condemning the move,<ref>{{cite web | title= Gov. Jindal on Phil Robertson Suspension: I Remember When TV Networks Believed in 1st Amendment | publisher=Office of the Governor, State of Louisiana |url= http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=2&articleID=4374 | date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Sarah Palin Admits She Defended Phil Robertson's Anti-Gay Remarks Before Even Reading Them | publisher=Huffington Post |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/27/sarah-palin-phil-robertson_n_4507969.html | date=December 27, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref> A&E lifted the suspension before any episode was affected.<ref name="O'Connell"/>

===Memoir===
* {{cite book|title = Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander|author = With co-author Mark Schlabach|publisher = [[Howard Books]]|year = 2013|isbn = 978-1476726090}}

==Personal life==
Phil Robertson and [[Kay Robertson|Marsha "Kay" Carroway]] started dating in 1964, during their adolescence, as "high school sweethearts".<ref name="yahootv">{{cite web | title= How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? |first=Kelly |last=Woo |publisher=Yahoo TV |url= http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html |date=April 16, 2013 |accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> Two years later, when Kay was still 15, they were married,<ref>{{cite web|last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20771027,00.html |title=Phil Robertson Tells Men to Marry Underage Girls in Newly Unearthed Video - Duck Dynasty, Phil Robertson |publisher=People.com |date=2013-12-31 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Takeda |first=Allison |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-miss-kay-open-up-about-pre-fame-infidelity-alcohol-issues-in-new-film-20132011 |title=Duck Dynasty's Phil, Miss Kay Talk Infidelity, Alcoholism in New Film - Us Weekly |publisher=Usmagazine.com |date=2013-11-20 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |title='Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family |publisher=Christianpost.com |date=2013-05-18 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref> the coupling withstanding early tribulation to endure. In a 2013 editorial published by Yahoo TV, correspondent: Kelly Woo, described the Robertson's union as "[a] long-standing, rock-solid marriage". Their first son, Alan, was born while they were attending college.<ref name="yahootv"/>

===Beliefs===
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of the [[Louisiana Highway 143|White's Ferry Road]] [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Sarah Pulliam|title= Phil Robertson’s suspension from ‘Duck Dynasty’ sends fans rallying to his side|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/phil-robertsons-suspension-from-duck-dynasty-sends-fans-rallying-to-his-side/2013/12/19/eb1c427e-68f8-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html |accessdate = December 20, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> in [[West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe]], and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping God in command: Phil Robertson, family living out faith on small screen |first= Ruth |last= Schenk | work =The Southeast Outlook |date= August 14, 2013 |url = http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_8bea6dc0-051c-11e3-9628-0019bb30f31a.html | quote=For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called “Miss Kay,” to raise their three sons alone. | accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In an interview prior to the release of his autobiography, he said:

{{Quote |My message is to get human beings to love God, love their neighbor and for the life of me I just don't see the downside of human beings not being so mean to one another and actually care for one another and not steal from one another and not murder each other for their tennis shoes. That's the message I have. [...]

America and the world, we have a love problem. I'm trying to get people aware of that. A loving person is not going to pick up a spear or a knife because when the Ten Commandments were written it was before guns, and God was saying, 'Look, quit murdering each other.' Now I'm just trying to say, 'Folks, let's try to love one another no matter what the color of their skin.'<ref>{{cite news | title= Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson talks values family in new book | first= Nicki | last = Gosten | publisher =Fox News Channel |date=May 7, 2013 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/07/duck-dynasty-star-phil-robertson-talks-values-family-in-new-book/}}</ref>}}

Robertson is [[pro-life]] and frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title= Duck Dynasty Star captivates NTCC crowd |first=Rey |last=Sifuentes Jr. |newspaper=Daily Tribune |date=April 8, 2013 |url = http://www.dailytribune.net/sports/article_0e2cefc2-a0cf-11e2-8e82-001a4bcf887a.html |accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family | first =Melissa |last=Barnhart |work=The Christian Post |date=May 18, 2013 |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |accessdate = August 25, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson}}
{{Duck Commander}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Robertson, Phil Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessman, reality television participant
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 24, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Vivian, Louisiana
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Phil}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American members of the Churches of Christ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Caddo Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from West Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]

Phil Robertson

2014-01-06T22:11:32Z

QuackGuru: Text is sourced. See Wikipedia:BLP/N#Phil Robertson query.

{{pp-semi-indef}}{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-vandalism |small =yes}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Phil Robertson
|birth_name = Phil Alexander Robertson
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|4|24|mf =y}}
|birth_place = [[Vivian, Louisiana]], USA
|image = Phil Robertson La Tech 1967.jpg
|caption = Robertson at Louisiana Tech in 1967
|television = ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
|education = [[Louisiana Tech University]]
|religion = [[Christianity]]
|denomination = [[Churches of Christ]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Kay Robertson|Marsha Kay Carroway]]|1966|}}
|children = {{plainlist|
* Alan Merritt Robertson
* [[Jase Robertson|Jason Silas Robertson]]
* [[Willie Robertson|Willie Jess Robertson]]
* Jules Jeptha Robertson}}
|relatives = [[Silas Robertson]] (brother)
|website = {{URL|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson|duckcommander.com}}
}}
'''Phil Alexander Robertson''' (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman ([[Duck Commander]]), and reality television star on the popular [[television series]] ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''. He is also featured on the television show ''Buck Commander'', a hunting program on the [[Outdoor Channel]].<ref name=Meehan>{{cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2013/12/19/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-anti-gay.html | title=Will Under Armour continue to outfit 'Duck Dynasty' star after anti-gay comment? | work=[[Baltimore Business Journal]] | date=December 19, 2013 | accessdate=December 27, 2013 | author=Meehan, Sarah}}</ref> Robertson is married with four children, a devout [[Christian]] and strongly [[pro-life]].

He attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.

Robertson became the central figure in a 2013 controversy after he was suspended by [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] after saying that homosexual behavior is sinful in an interview with ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1">{{cite journal |last= Magary |first= Drew | authorlink= Drew Magary | date= January 2014|title= What the Duck?|url= http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson |journal= GQ|location= New York|accessdate= December 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Macatee>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/493340/phil-robertson-breaks-silence-on-anti-gay-remarks-duck-dynasty-star-will-not-give-or-back-off | title=Phil Robertson Breaks Silence on Anti-Gay Remarks; Duck Dynasty Star ‘Will Not Give or Back Off’ | publisher=E! Entertainment | date=December 23, 2013 | accessdate =December 23, 2013 | last =Macatee | first = Rebecca}}</ref><ref name=Rothman>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/duck-dynasty-phil-robertsons-quotes-gq-interview/story?id=21278832 | title= 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Has Made Other Anti-Gay Comments in the Past | publisher=[[ABC News]] | date=December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 23, 2013 | last = Rothman | first = Michael}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matthews-El|first=Toni|title=Phil Robertson Booted From 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.webpronews.com/phil-robertson-booted-from-duck-dynasty-2013-12|date=December 19, 2013|publisher=WebProNews|accessdate=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Facing what was reported as "a strong backlash from Robertson's supporters", A&E lifted the suspension after nine days.<ref name="O'Connell">{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title=A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 27, 2013|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Robertson was born in [[Vivian, Louisiana]]. He was the fifth of seven children of James and Merritt Robertson (née Hale). Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.

In his book, ''Happy, Happy, Happy'', Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |title= Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson had impoverished childhood with no running water or electricity |publisher=Starcasm |url = http://starcasm.net/archives/218207 |date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

Halfway between Vivian and [[Hosston, Louisiana|Hosston]] is Robertson's restored [[log cabin]] birth home. In September 2013, it was for sale for an asking price of $750,000. The property is now owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale, who acquired it for an initial $55,000 investment around 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130924/SPORTS06/309240020/Birth-home-Duck-Dynasty-stars-up-sale-Hosston | title=Jimmy Watson, Birth home of 'Duck Dynasty' stars up for sale in Hosston |date=September 23, 2013| work = [[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]] | accessdate =September 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}</ref>

===College and football===
[[File:Louisiana Tech 1966 Bradshaw and Robertson.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback Phil Robertson throws against [[Southeastern Louisiana Lions football|Southeastern Louisiana University's Lions]].]]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in [[High school football|football]], baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] on a [[College football|football]] [[Athletic scholarship|scholarship]] in the late 1960s.<ref name=espn>{{cite news |first= Doug | last = Williams |title=How Good was Phil Robertson at Football? |url= http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/18740/how-good-was-phil-robertson-at-football |publisher=ESPN |date= February 26, 2013 |accessdate= August 30, 2013}}</ref> There he played first-string quarterback for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]], ahead of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Terry Bradshaw]],<ref name=hwndch>{{cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dAEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R84FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1273,6184046 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=He will never duck challenge |date=November 8, 1983 |page=D5}}</ref><ref name=lthtbpr>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23626584/louisiana-tech-honors-terry-bradshaw-phil-robertson-at-tulane-game | work =CBS Sports|last=Patterson|first=Chris | title= Louisiana Tech honored Terry Bradshaw, Phil Robertson Thursday | date = September 13, 2013|accessdate= September 15, 2013}}</ref> the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref name = "Boys Life Nov 1979">{{cite journal | last = Fox | first = Larry | title = Terry Bradshaw, Steel Drivin' Man | journal = Boys' Life | volume = 69 | issue = 11 | pages = 6–10 | publisher = Boy Scouts of America | date = November 1979 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=zosfNeBq2B8C&pg=PA6 | issn = 0006-8608}}</ref><ref name=gabe>{{cite web |title="Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson Once Gave Terry Bradshaw Starting QB Spot |first=Gabe |last= Zaldivar |date=April 1, 2013 |publisher=Bleacher Report |url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1588651-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-once-gave-terry-bradshaw-starting-qb-spot | accessdate = August 29, 2013}}</ref> Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in [[1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1966]] and [[1967 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1967]], and chose not to play in 1968.<ref name=hprfsaf>{{cite web|url= http://college-football.si.com/2012/03/22/duck-punt-how-phil-robertson-found-stardom-after-giving-up-football/| work = Sports Illustrated Campus Union |last=Anderson |first = Holly |title= Duck Punt: How Phil Robertson found stardom after giving up football |date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate = September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions.<ref name=espn/> It was thought he had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting.<ref name=espn/> Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much."<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos Video: Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson as quarterback for Louisiana Tech and high school |url=http://starcasm.net/archives/202772 |first=Ruby |last=Turpin |date=March 5, 2013 |publisher=Starcasm |accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

When [[Paul Harvey]] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]], he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Besides, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport.<ref name=gabe/> Robertson put it in this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks."<ref name=espn/>

Robertson later received a [[bachelor's degree]] in physical education and a [[Master's degree|master's]] in education.<ref name=dc>{{cite web |title=Duckman; Phil Robertson |publisher=Duck Commander |url=http://www.duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson.aspx |accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===
Robertson initially spent several years teaching<ref name = dc /> before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | title = Duck Dynasty, How It Almost Never Happened |first=Stephen |last=Copeland |work=Sports Spectrum |url = http://www.sportsspectrum.com/articles/2013/03/23/duck-dynasty-how-it-almost-never-happened/ |date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Duck Dynasty Cast Member Testimony |publisher= The Woodnote |date= March 13, 2013 |url= http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ | accessdate= July 31, 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130928232411/http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ |archivedate=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Duck Commander===
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the [[Duck Commander]] Company was incorporated in 1973.<ref name="dc" /> Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multi-million dollar empire, headed by his son, [[Willie Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/meet-family/willie-robertson/ | work =Duck Dynasty | title = Willie Robertson | publisher = A&E TV |accessdate= December 22, 2013}}</ref>

===''Duck Dynasty''===
Robertson is presented in ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' as the patriarch of the entire Robertson clan.

====Disputes with A&E====
When A&E decided to add bleeps to the show to add "spice", Robertson went to the network and told them to not make it seem like they use profanity, as they do not. Also, while they did not cut prayers, they did cut out the part of Robertson's prayer where he said "in Jesus' name". When A&E told them that they did not want to offend the Muslim population, Phil asked, "What year is it?" They replied "2012." He pointed out that the year was 2012 ''AD'', or ''in the year of Our Lord''. He asked them why they would take someone out who the entire universe is based on. He also asked A&E how many Muslims were watching ''Duck Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie & Phil Robertson talk about fake bleeps and praying in Jesus' name | work =Sports Spectrum Mag |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M. | publisher = Google | format = video | accessdate =August 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====''GQ'' comments=====
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with [[Drew Magary]] of ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1" /> During the interview for a featured article in ''GQ's'' January 2014 issue, titled, "[[What the Duck?]]"; when asked what he thought was sinful Robertson responded,<ref>{{Citation | last = Merrigan | first = Tara Wanda | date = December 19, 2013 | url = http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/readers-react-to-gqs-duck-dynasty-story-and-phil-robertsons-indefinite-suspension.html | title = Readers React to GQ's 'Duck Dynasty' Story and Phil Robertson's Indefinite Suspension | journal = GQ | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}</ref> "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He paraphrased a Biblical passage from [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|First Corinthians]] saying "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. Robertson said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying,<ref name = "GQprimer pg1" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Goldberg | first = Lesley | date = December 18, 2013 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808 | title = 'Duck Dynasty’s' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks | newspaper = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref name= Hibberd>{{cite web | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-crisis-experts-weigh-in/ | title='Duck Dynasty': Crisis experts weigh in | work = Inside TV | work= Entertainment Weekly | date= December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 21, 2013| last =Rice | first = Lynette}}</ref><ref name=Rice>{{cite web | work = Inside TV | url= http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-return-phil/ | title='Duck Dynasty': New episodes will include Phil | work= Entertainment Weekly | date = December 20, 2013 | accessdate=December 21, 2013| last =Hibberd | first = James}}</ref> "We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?"

In response to A&E's suspension, Robertson released a statement saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."<ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E | publisher=Fox News Channel |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/ |date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes and statements from political figures condemning the move,<ref>{{cite web | title= Gov. Jindal on Phil Robertson Suspension: I Remember When TV Networks Believed in 1st Amendment | publisher=Office of the Governor, State of Louisiana |url= http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=2&articleID=4374 | date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Sarah Palin Admits She Defended Phil Robertson's Anti-Gay Remarks Before Even Reading Them | publisher=Huffington Post |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/27/sarah-palin-phil-robertson_n_4507969.html | date=December 27, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref> A&E lifted the suspension before any episode was affected.<ref name="O'Connell"/>

===Memoir===
* {{cite book|title = Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander|author = With co-author Mark Schlabach|publisher = [[Howard Books]]|year = 2013|isbn = 978-1476726090}}

==Personal life==
Phil Robertson and [[Kay Robertson|Marsha "Kay" Carroway]] started dating in 1964, during their adolescence, as "high school sweethearts".<ref name="yahootv">{{cite web | title= How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? |first=Kelly |last=Woo |publisher=Yahoo TV |url= http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html |date=April 16, 2013 |accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref> Two years later, when Kay was still 15, they were married,<ref>{{cite web|last=Nudd |first=Tim |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20771027,00.html |title=Phil Robertson Tells Men to Marry Underage Girls in Newly Unearthed Video - Duck Dynasty, Phil Robertson |publisher=People.com |date=2013-12-31 |accessdate=2014-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Takeda |first=Allison |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-miss-kay-open-up-about-pre-fame-infidelity-alcohol-issues-in-new-film-20132011 |title=Duck Dynasty's Phil, Miss Kay Talk Infidelity, Alcoholism in New Film - Us Weekly |publisher=Usmagazine.com |date=2013-11-20 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |title='Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family |publisher=Christianpost.com |date=2013-05-18 |accessdate=2014-01-02}}</ref> the coupling withstanding early tribulation to endure. In a 2013 editorial published by Yahoo TV, correspondent: Kelly Woo, described the Robertson's union as "[a] long-standing, rock-solid marriage". Their first son, Alan, was born while they were attending college.<ref name="yahootv"/>

===Beliefs===
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of the [[Louisiana Highway 143|White's Ferry Road]] [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Sarah Pulliam|title= Phil Robertson’s suspension from ‘Duck Dynasty’ sends fans rallying to his side|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/phil-robertsons-suspension-from-duck-dynasty-sends-fans-rallying-to-his-side/2013/12/19/eb1c427e-68f8-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html |accessdate = December 20, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> in [[West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe]], and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping God in command: Phil Robertson, family living out faith on small screen |first= Ruth |last= Schenk | work =The Southeast Outlook |date= August 14, 2013 |url = http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_8bea6dc0-051c-11e3-9628-0019bb30f31a.html | quote=For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called “Miss Kay,” to raise their three sons alone. | accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In an interview prior to the release of his autobiography, he said:

{{Quote |My message is to get human beings to love God, love their neighbor and for the life of me I just don't see the downside of human beings not being so mean to one another and actually care for one another and not steal from one another and not murder each other for their tennis shoes. That's the message I have. [...]

America and the world, we have a love problem. I'm trying to get people aware of that. A loving person is not going to pick up a spear or a knife because when the Ten Commandments were written it was before guns, and God was saying, 'Look, quit murdering each other.' Now I'm just trying to say, 'Folks, let's try to love one another no matter what the color of their skin.'<ref>{{cite news | title= Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson talks values family in new book | first= Nicki | last = Gosten | publisher =Fox News Channel |date=May 7, 2013 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/07/duck-dynasty-star-phil-robertson-talks-values-family-in-new-book/}}</ref>}}

Robertson is [[pro-life]] and frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title= Duck Dynasty Star captivates NTCC crowd |first=Rey |last=Sifuentes Jr. |newspaper=Daily Tribune |date=April 8, 2013 |url = http://www.dailytribune.net/sports/article_0e2cefc2-a0cf-11e2-8e82-001a4bcf887a.html |accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family | first =Melissa |last=Barnhart |work=The Christian Post |date=May 18, 2013 |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |accessdate = August 25, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson}}
{{Duck Commander}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Robertson, Phil Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessman, reality television participant
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 24, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Vivian, Louisiana
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Phil}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American members of the Churches of Christ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Caddo Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from West Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-03T18:53:35Z

QuackGuru: /* Media response */

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization. The same article says "She's viewed by "leftists," as she calls her critics, as a monster, the animalistic id of the racist, paranoid right, a supremacist leader of arguably the most extreme wing in the Tea Party, who knowingly interacts with bigots and xenophobes." and calls her "a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality Manhattanite." <ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref> She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."<ref>http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref>. She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [[http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America]] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League ]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-03T18:52:00Z

QuackGuru: minus extra space

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization. The same article says "She's viewed by "leftists," as she calls her critics, as a monster, the animalistic id of the racist, paranoid right, a supremacist leader of arguably the most extreme wing in the Tea Party, who knowingly interacts with bigots and xenophobes." and calls her "a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality Manhattanite." <ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref> She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."[http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/]

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref>. She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [[http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America]] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League ]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-03T18:51:19Z

QuackGuru: restore non-controversial text

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right-wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization. The same article says "She's viewed by "leftists," as she calls her critics, as a monster, the animalistic id of the racist, paranoid right, a supremacist leader of arguably the most extreme wing in the Tea Party, who knowingly interacts with bigots and xenophobes." and calls her "a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality Manhattanite." <ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref> She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."[http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/]

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref>. She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [[http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America]] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League ]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-03T18:48:14Z

QuackGuru: wikilink

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[right wing]] blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization. The same article says "She's viewed by "leftists," as she calls her critics, as a monster, the animalistic id of the racist, paranoid right, a supremacist leader of arguably the most extreme wing in the Tea Party, who knowingly interacts with bigots and xenophobes." and calls her "a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality Manhattanite." <ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref> She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."[http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/]

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref>. She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [[http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America]] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League ]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2014-01-03T18:47:18Z

QuackGuru: right-wing is accurate (According to reliable source: She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."

{{POV|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American]] right wing blogger,<ref name=Nussbaum>{{cite book|last=Nussbaum|first=Martha C.|title=The New Religious Intolerance: Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age|year=2012|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674065901|page=195}}</ref> author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/>

Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last1= Geller |first1= Pamela |first2=Robert |last2=Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 |origyear=2010 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a [[Village Voice]] interview, she said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization. The same article says "She's viewed by "leftists," as she calls her critics, as a monster, the animalistic id of the racist, paranoid right, a supremacist leader of arguably the most extreme wing in the Tea Party, who knowingly interacts with bigots and xenophobes." and calls her "a pro-choice, pro-marriage-equality Manhattanite." <ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref>http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/</ref> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Khan]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith (journalist)|Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI are described as exhibiting anti-Muslim bigotry by the [[Anti-defamation league]].<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> The [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] classifies them as [[hate groups]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism (Ayn Rand)|Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|agency=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now! |date=September 27, 2012 |author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012 }}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref> She has been called "a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger."[http://www.salon.com/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/]

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref>. She called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' who says she aligns herself with international far-right causes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}
* [[http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/stop-islamization-of-america-2013-1-11-v1.pdf Stop Islamization of America]] Report of the [[Anti-Defamation League ]], March 2011

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Phil Robertson

2014-01-02T04:43:29Z

QuackGuru: -1

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-vandalism |small =yes}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Phil Robertson
|birth_name = Phil Alexander Robertson
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|4|24|mf =y}}
|birth_place = [[Vivian, Louisiana]], USA
|image = Phil Robertson La Tech 1967.jpg
|caption = Robertson at Louisiana Tech in 1967
|television = ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
|education = [[Louisiana Tech University]]
|religion = [[Christianity]]
|denomination = [[Churches of Christ]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Kay Robertson|Marsha Kay Carroway]]|1966|}}
|children = {{plainlist|
* Alan Merritt Robertson
* [[Jase Robertson|Jason Silas Robertson]]
* [[Willie Robertson|Willie Jess Robertson]]
* Jules Jeptha Robertson}}
|relatives = [[Silas Robertson]] (brother)
|website = {{URL|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson|duckcommander.com}}
}}
'''Phil Alexander Robertson''' (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman ([[Duck Commander]]), and reality television star on the popular [[television series]], ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''. He is also featured on the television show ''Buck Commander'', a hunting program on the [[Outdoor Channel]].<ref name=Meehan>{{cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2013/12/19/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-anti-gay.html | title=Will Under Armour continue to outfit 'Duck Dynasty' star after anti-gay comment? | work=[[Baltimore Business Journal]] | date=December 19, 2013 | accessdate=December 27, 2013 | author=Meehan, Sarah}}</ref> Robertson is married with four children, a devout [[Christian]] and strongly [[pro-life]].

He attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.

Robertson attracted controversy in 2013 when he was briefly suspended by [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] after making controversial comments about homosexuality.<ref name=Macatee>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/493340/phil-robertson-breaks-silence-on-anti-gay-remarks-duck-dynasty-star-will-not-give-or-back-off | title=Phil Robertson Breaks Silence on Anti-Gay Remarks; Duck Dynasty Star ‘Will Not Give or Back Off’ | publisher=E! Entertainment | date=December 23, 2013 | accessdate =December 23, 2013 | last =Macatee | first = Rebecca}}</ref><ref name=Rothman>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/duck-dynasty-phil-robertsons-quotes-gq-interview/story?id=21278832 | title= 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Has Made Other Anti-Gay Comments in the Past | publisher=[[ABC News]] | date=December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 23, 2013 | last = Rothman | first = Michael}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matthews-El|first=Toni|title=Phil Robertson Booted From 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.webpronews.com/phil-robertson-booted-from-duck-dynasty-2013-12|date=December 19, 2013|publisher=WebProNews|accessdate=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Following a strong backlash from his supporters, A&E lifted the suspension after nine days and before any episodes were impacted.<ref name="O'Connell">{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title=A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 27, 2013|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Robertson was born in [[Vivian, Louisiana]]. He was the fifth of seven children of James and Merritt Robertson (née Hale). Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.

In his book, ''Happy, Happy, Happy'', Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |title= Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson had impoverished childhood with no running water or electricity |publisher=Starcasm |url = http://starcasm.net/archives/218207 |date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

Halfway between Vivian and [[Hosston, Louisiana|Hosston]] is Robertson's restored [[log cabin]] birth home. In September 2013, it was for sale for an asking price of $750,000. The property is now owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale, who acquired it for an initial $55,000 investment around 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130924/SPORTS06/309240020/Birth-home-Duck-Dynasty-stars-up-sale-Hosston | title=Jimmy Watson, Birth home of 'Duck Dynasty' stars up for sale in Hosston |date=September 23, 2013| work = [[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]] | accessdate =September 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}</ref>

===College and football===
[[File:Louisiana Tech 1966 Bradshaw and Robertson.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback Phil Robertson throws against [[Southeastern Louisiana Lions football|Southeastern Louisiana University's Lions]].]]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in [[High school football|football]], baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] on a [[College football|football]] [[Athletic scholarship|scholarship]] in the late 1960s.<ref name=espn>{{cite news |first= Doug | last = Williams |title=How Good was Phil Robertson at Football? |url= http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/18740/how-good-was-phil-robertson-at-football |publisher=ESPN |date= February 26, 2013 |accessdate= August 30, 2013}}</ref> There he played first-string quarterback for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]], ahead of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Terry Bradshaw]],<ref name=hwndch>{{cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dAEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R84FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1273,6184046 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=He will never duck challenge |date=November 8, 1983 |page=D5}}</ref><ref name=lthtbpr>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23626584/louisiana-tech-honors-terry-bradshaw-phil-robertson-at-tulane-game | work =CBS Sports|last=Patterson|first=Chris | title= Louisiana Tech honored Terry Bradshaw, Phil Robertson Thursday | date = September 13, 2013|accessdate= September 15, 2013}}</ref> the first overall pick in the [[1970 NFL Draft]]. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref name = "Boys Life Nov 1979">{{cite journal | last = Fox | first = Larry | title = Terry Bradshaw, Steel Drivin' Man | journal = Boys' Life | volume = 69 | issue = 11 | pages = 6–10 | publisher = Boy Scouts of America | date = November 1979 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=zosfNeBq2B8C&pg=PA6 | issn = 0006-8608}}</ref><ref name=gabe>{{cite web |title="Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson Once Gave Terry Bradshaw Starting QB Spot |first=Gabe |last= Zaldivar |date=April 1, 2013 |publisher=Bleacher Report |url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1588651-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-once-gave-terry-bradshaw-starting-qb-spot | accessdate = August 29, 2013}}</ref> Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in [[1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1966]] and [[1967 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1967]], and chose not to play in [[1968 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1968]].<ref name=hprfsaf>{{cite web|url= http://college-football.si.com/2012/03/22/duck-punt-how-phil-robertson-found-stardom-after-giving-up-football/| work = Sports Illustrated Campus Union |last=Anderson |first = Holly |title= Duck Punt: How Phil Robertson found stardom after giving up football |date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate = September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions.<ref name=espn/> It was thought he had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting.<ref name=espn/> Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much."<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos Video: Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson as quarterback for Louisiana Tech and high school |url=http://starcasm.net/archives/202772 |first=Ruby |last=Turpin |date=March 5, 2013 |publisher=Starcasm |accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

When [[Paul Harvey]] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]], he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Besides, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport.<ref name=gabe/> Robertson put it in this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks."<ref name=espn/>

Robertson received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[physical education]] and a [[Master's degree|master's]] in [[List of academic disciplines#Education|education]].<ref name=dc>{{cite web |title=Duckman; Phil Robertson |publisher=Duck Commander |url=http://www.duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson.aspx |accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===
Robertson initially spent several years teaching<ref name = dc /> before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | title = Duck Dynasty, How It Almost Never Happened |first=Stephen |last=Copeland |work=Sports Spectrum |url = http://www.sportsspectrum.com/articles/2013/03/23/duck-dynasty-how-it-almost-never-happened/ |date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Duck Dynasty Cast Member Testimony |publisher= The Woodnote |date= March 13, 2013 |url= http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ | accessdate= July 31, 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130928232411/http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ |archivedate=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Duck Commander===
[[File:DuckCommanderLogo.jpg|thumb|Duck Commander Logo]]
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the [[Duck Commander]] Company was incorporated in 1973.<ref name="dc" /> Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multi-million dollar empire, headed by his son, [[Willie Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/meet-family/willie-robertson/ | work =Duck Dynasty | title = Willie Robertson | publisher = A&E TV |accessdate= December 22, 2013}}</ref>

===''Duck Dynasty''===
Robertson is presented in ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' as the patriarch of the entire Robertson clan.

====Disputes with A&E====
When [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] decided to add bleeps to the show to add "spice", Robertson went to the network and told them to not make it seem like they use profanity, as they do not. Also, while they did not cut prayers, they did cut out the part of Robertson's prayer where he said "in Jesus' name". When A&E told them that they did not want to offend the Muslim population, Phil asked, "What year is it?" They replied "2012." He pointed out that the year was 2012 ''AD'', or ''in the year of Our Lord''. He asked them why they would take someone out who the entire universe is based on. He also asked A&E how many Muslims were watching ''Duck Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie & Phil Robertson talk about fake bleeps and praying in Jesus' name | work =Sports Spectrum Mag |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M. | publisher = Google | format = video | accessdate =August 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====''GQ'' comments=====
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with [[Drew Magary]] of ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1">{{cite journal |last= Magary |first= Drew | authorlink= Drew Magary | date= January 2014|title= What the Duck?|url= http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson |journal= [[GQ]]|location= New York|accessdate= December 21, 2013}}</ref> During the interview for a featured article in ''GQ's'' January 2014 issue, titled, "[[What the Duck?]]"; When asked what he thought was sinful Robertson responded,<ref>{{Citation | last = Merrigan | first = Tara Wanda | date = December 19, 2013 | url = http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/readers-react-to-gqs-duck-dynasty-story-and-phil-robertsons-indefinite-suspension.html | title = Readers React to GQ's 'Duck Dynasty' Story and Phil Robertson's Indefinite Suspension | journal = GQ | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}</ref> "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He also paraphrased a Biblical passage from [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|First Corinthians]] saying "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. However, Robertson also said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying, <ref name = "GQprimer pg1" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Goldberg | first = Lesley | date = December 18, 2013 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808 | title = 'Duck Dynasty’s' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks | newspaper = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref name= Hibberd>{{cite web | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-crisis-experts-weigh-in/ | title='Duck Dynasty': Crisis experts weigh in | work = Inside TV | work= Entertainment Weekly | date= December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 21, 2013| last =Rice | first = Lynette}}</ref><ref name=Rice>{{cite web | work = Inside TV | url= http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-return-phil/ | title='Duck Dynasty': New episodes will include Phil | work= Entertainment Weekly | date = December 20, 2013 | accessdate=December 21, 2013| last =Hibberd | first = James}}</ref> "We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?"

In response to A&E's suspension, Robertson released a statement saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."<ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E | publisher=Fox News Channel |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/ |date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> After a strong backlash from supporters, including a Facebook page that accumulated 1.5 million likes<ref>{{cite web | title= Fans Of Controversial 'Duck Dynasty' Star Plan 'Chick-Phil-A-Day' At The Famously Conservative Chicken Chain | publisher=Business Insider |url= http://www.businessinsider.com/duck-dynasty-spawns-chick-phil-a-day-2013-12 | date=December 27, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref> and statements from political figures condemning the move<ref>{{cite web | title= Gov. Jindal on Phil Robertson Suspension: I Remember When TV Networks Believed in 1st Amendment | publisher=Office of the Governor, State of Louisiana |url= http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=2&articleID=4374 | date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Sarah Palin Admits She Defended Phil Robertson's Anti-Gay Remarks Before Even Reading Them | publisher=Huffington Post |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/27/sarah-palin-phil-robertson_n_4507969.html | date=December 27, 2013 |accessdate=December 30, 2013}}</ref>, A&E lifted the suspension before a single episode was impacted.<ref name="O'Connell"/>

==Personal life==
Robertson and [[Kay Robertson|Marsha "Kay" Carroway]] started dating in 1964, when Kay was only 14 years old. They married two years later, in 1966. They had their first son, Alan, while they were attending college.<ref>{{cite web | title= How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? |first=Kelly |last=Woo |publisher=Yahoo TV |url= http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html |date=April 16, 2013 |accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref>

===Beliefs===
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of the [[Louisiana Highway 143|White's Ferry Road]] [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Sarah Pulliam|title= Phil Robertson’s suspension from ‘Duck Dynasty’ sends fans rallying to his side|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/phil-robertsons-suspension-from-duck-dynasty-sends-fans-rallying-to-his-side/2013/12/19/eb1c427e-68f8-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html |accessdate = December 20, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> in [[West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe]], and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping God in command: Phil Robertson, family living out faith on small screen |first= Ruth |last= Schenk | work =The Southeast Outlook |date= August 14, 2013 |url = http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_8bea6dc0-051c-11e3-9628-0019bb30f31a.html | quote=For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called “Miss Kay,” to raise their three sons alone. | accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In an interview prior to the release of his autobiography, he said:

{{Quote |My message is to get human beings to love God, love their neighbor and for the life of me I just don't see the downside of human beings not being so mean to one another and actually care for one another and not steal from one another and not murder each other for their tennis shoes. That's the message I have. [...]

America and the world, we have a love problem. I'm trying to get people aware of that. A loving person is not going to pick up a spear or a knife because when the Ten Commandments were written it was before guns, and God was saying, 'Look, quit murdering each other.' Now I'm just trying to say, 'Folks, let's try to love one another no matter what the color of their skin.'<ref>{{cite news | title= Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson talks values family in new book | first= Nicki | last = Gosten | publisher =Fox News Channel |date=May 7, 2013 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/07/duck-dynasty-star-phil-robertson-talks-values-family-in-new-book/}}</ref>}}

Robertson is [[pro-life]] and frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title= Duck Dynasty Star captivates NTCC crowd |first=Rey |last=Sifuentes Jr. |newspaper=Daily Tribune |date=April 8, 2013 |url = http://www.dailytribune.net/sports/article_0e2cefc2-a0cf-11e2-8e82-001a4bcf887a.html |accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family | first =Melissa |last=Barnhart |work=The Christian Post |date=May 18, 2013 |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |accessdate = August 25, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson}}
{{Duck Commander}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Robertson, Phil Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessman, reality television participant
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 24, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Vivian, Louisiana
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Phil}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American members of the Churches of Christ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Caddo Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from West Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]

Phil Robertson

2013-12-30T23:19:23Z

QuackGuru: sourced

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{pp-vandalism |small =yes}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Phil Robertson
|birth_name = Phil Alexander Robertson
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|4|24|mf =y}}
|birth_place = [[Vivian, Louisiana]], USA
|image = Phil Robertson La Tech 1967.jpg
|caption = Robertson at Louisiana Tech in 1967
|television = ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
|education = [[Louisiana Tech University]]
|religion = [[Christianity]]
|denomination = [[Churches of Christ]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Kay Robertson|Marsha Kay Carroway]]|1966|}}
|children = {{plainlist|
* Alan Merritt Robertson
* [[Jase Robertson|Jason Silas Robertson]]
* [[Willie Robertson|Willie Jess Robertson]]
* Jules Jeptha Robertson}}
|relatives = [[Silas Robertson]] (brother)
|website = {{URL|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson|duckcommander.com}}
}}
'''Phil Alexander Robertson''' (born April 24, 1946) is an American professional hunter, businessman ([[Duck Commander]]), and reality television star on the popular [[television series]], ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''. He is also featured on the television show ''Buck Commander'', a hunting program on the [[Outdoor Channel]].<ref name=Meehan>{{cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2013/12/19/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-anti-gay.html | title=Will Under Armour continue to outfit 'Duck Dynasty' star after anti-gay comment? | work=[[Baltimore Business Journal]] | date=December 19, 2013 | accessdate=December 27, 2013 | author=Meehan, Sarah}}</ref> Robertson is married with four children, a devout [[Christian]] and strongly [[pro-life]].

He attended [[Louisiana Tech University]] where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He received a master's degree in education and spent several years teaching.

Robertson attracted controversy in 2013 when he was briefly suspended by [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] after making controversial comments about homosexuality.<ref name=Macatee>{{cite web | url = http://www.eonline.com/news/493340/phil-robertson-breaks-silence-on-anti-gay-remarks-duck-dynasty-star-will-not-give-or-back-off | title=Phil Robertson Breaks Silence on Anti-Gay Remarks; Duck Dynasty Star ‘Will Not Give or Back Off’ | publisher=E! Entertainment | date=December 23, 2013 | accessdate =December 23, 2013 | last =Macatee | first = Rebecca}}</ref><ref name=Rothman>{{cite web | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/duck-dynasty-phil-robertsons-quotes-gq-interview/story?id=21278832 | title= 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson Has Made Other Anti-Gay Comments in the Past | publisher=[[ABC News]] | date=December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 23, 2013 | last = Rothman | first = Michael}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matthews-El|first=Toni|title=Phil Robertson Booted From 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.webpronews.com/phil-robertson-booted-from-duck-dynasty-2013-12|date=December 19, 2013|publisher=WebProNews|accessdate=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Following a strong backlash from his supporters, A&E lifted the suspension after nine days and before any episodes were impacted.<ref name="O'Connell">{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title=A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=December 27, 2013|date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Robertson was born in [[Vivian, Louisiana]]. He was the fifth of seven children of James and Merritt Robertson (née Hale). Because of financial setbacks during his childhood, the family lived in rugged conditions having no electricity, toilet or bathtub. The family rarely went into town to buy groceries, and instead lived off of the fruits and vegetables they grew in their garden; the meat from deer, squirrels, fish and other game they hunted and fished; and the pigs, chickens, and cattle they raised.

In his book, ''Happy, Happy, Happy'', Robertson recalls that "It was the 1950s when I was a young boy, but we lived like it was the 1850s... but we were always happy, happy, happy no matter the circumstances."<ref>{{cite web |title= Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson had impoverished childhood with no running water or electricity |publisher=Starcasm |url = http://starcasm.net/archives/218207 |date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

Halfway between Vivian and [[Hosston, Louisiana|Hosston]] is Robertson's restored [[log cabin]] birth home. In September 2013, it was for sale for an asking price of $750,000. The property is now owned by Robertson's cousin, Nathan Hale, who acquired it for an initial $55,000 investment around 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130924/SPORTS06/309240020/Birth-home-Duck-Dynasty-stars-up-sale-Hosston | title=Jimmy Watson, Birth home of 'Duck Dynasty' stars up for sale in Hosston |date=September 23, 2013| work = [[The Times (Shreveport)|The Shreveport Times]] | accessdate =September 24, 2013}}{{dead link|date=December 2013}}</ref>

===College and football===
[[File:Louisiana Tech 1966 Bradshaw and Robertson.jpg|thumb|left|Quarterback Phil Robertson throws against [[Southeastern Louisiana Lions football|Southeastern Louisiana University's Lions]].]]
As an athlete in high school, Robertson was all-state in [[High school football|football]], baseball, and track, which afforded him the opportunity to attend [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] on a [[College football|football]] [[Athletic scholarship|scholarship]] in the late 1960s.<ref name=espn>{{cite news |first= Doug | last = Williams |title=How Good was Phil Robertson at Football? |url= http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/18740/how-good-was-phil-robertson-at-football |publisher=ESPN |date= February 26, 2013 |accessdate= August 30, 2013}}</ref> There he played first-string quarterback for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]], ahead of [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Terry Bradshaw]],<ref name=hwndch>{{cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dAEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R84FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1273,6184046 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|title=He will never duck challenge |date=November 8, 1983 |page=D5}}</ref><ref name=lthtbpr>{{cite web|url= http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/23626584/louisiana-tech-honors-terry-bradshaw-phil-robertson-at-tulane-game | work =CBS Sports|last=Patterson|first=Chris | title= Louisiana Tech honored Terry Bradshaw, Phil Robertson Thursday | date = September 13, 2013|accessdate= September 15, 2013}}</ref> the first overall pick in the [[1970 NFL Draft]]. When he arrived at Tech in 1966, Bradshaw caused a media frenzy on account of his reputation of being a football sensation from nearby [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref name = "Boys Life Nov 1979">{{cite journal | last = Fox | first = Larry | title = Terry Bradshaw, Steel Drivin' Man | journal = Boys' Life | volume = 69 | issue = 11 | pages = 6–10 | publisher = Boy Scouts of America | date = November 1979 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=zosfNeBq2B8C&pg=PA6 | issn = 0006-8608}}</ref><ref name=gabe>{{cite web |title="Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson Once Gave Terry Bradshaw Starting QB Spot |first=Gabe |last= Zaldivar |date=April 1, 2013 |publisher=Bleacher Report |url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1588651-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-once-gave-terry-bradshaw-starting-qb-spot | accessdate = August 29, 2013}}</ref> Robertson was a year ahead of Bradshaw, and was the starter for two seasons in [[1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1966]] and [[1967 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1967]], and chose not to play in [[1968 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|1968]].<ref name=hprfsaf>{{cite web|url= http://college-football.si.com/2012/03/22/duck-punt-how-phil-robertson-found-stardom-after-giving-up-football/| work = Sports Illustrated Campus Union |last=Anderson |first = Holly |title= Duck Punt: How Phil Robertson found stardom after giving up football |date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate = September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his time at Louisiana Tech, Robertson completed 179 of 411 passing attempts for 2,237 yards. He threw 12 touchdowns, but had 34 interceptions.<ref name=espn/> It was thought he had the potential for a pro career, but Robertson was more interested in hunting.<ref name=espn/> Bradshaw once remarked about Robertson's love of hunting, saying "... Phil Robertson, loved hunting more than he loved football. He'd come to practice directly from the woods, squirrel tails hanging out of his pockets, duck feathers on his clothes. Clearly he was a fine shot, so no one complained too much."<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos Video: Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson as quarterback for Louisiana Tech and high school |url=http://starcasm.net/archives/202772 |first=Ruby |last=Turpin |date=March 5, 2013 |publisher=Starcasm |accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

When [[Paul Harvey]] approached Robertson with a recruitment to play professionally for the [[Washington Redskins]], he declined because football conflicted with his hunting. Besides, football was only about holding up his scholarship to him, while Bradshaw practically lived and breathed the sport.<ref name=gabe/> Robertson put it in this way: "Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks."<ref name=espn/>

Robertson received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[physical education]] and a [[Master's degree|master's]] in [[List of academic disciplines#Education|education]].<ref name=dc>{{cite web |title=Duckman; Phil Robertson |publisher=Duck Commander |url=http://www.duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson.aspx |accessdate=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career===
Robertson initially spent several years teaching<ref name = dc /> before becoming a commercial fisherman. In the 1970s, his marriage became strained. Robertson was running a bar in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | title = Duck Dynasty, How It Almost Never Happened |first=Stephen |last=Copeland |work=Sports Spectrum |url = http://www.sportsspectrum.com/articles/2013/03/23/duck-dynasty-how-it-almost-never-happened/ |date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Duck Dynasty Cast Member Testimony |publisher= The Woodnote |date= March 13, 2013 |url= http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ | accessdate= July 31, 2013 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130928232411/http://www.thewoodnote.com/duck-dynasty-cast-member-testimony/ |archivedate=September 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Duck Commander===
[[File:DuckCommanderLogo.jpg|thumb|Duck Commander Logo]]
As an avid duck hunter, Robertson was dissatisfied with the condition of duck calls. He began to experiment with making a call that would produce the exact sound of a duck. He invented his first Duck Commander call in 1972. He received a patent for this call and the [[Duck Commander]] Company was incorporated in 1973.<ref name="dc" /> Today, the company of Duck Commander is a multi-million dollar empire, headed by his son, [[Willie Robertson]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/meet-family/willie-robertson/ | work =Duck Dynasty | title = Willie Robertson | publisher = A&E TV |accessdate= December 22, 2013}}</ref>

===''Duck Dynasty''===
Robertson is presented in ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' as the patriarch of the entire Robertson clan.

====Disputes with A&E====
When [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] decided to add bleeps to the show to add "spice", Robertson went to the network and told them to not make it seem like they use profanity, as they do not. Also, while they did not cut prayers, they did cut out the part of Robertson's prayer where he said "in Jesus' name". When A&E told them that they did not want to offend the Muslim population, Phil asked, "What year is it?" They replied "2012." He pointed out that the year was 2012 ''AD'', or ''in the year of Our Lord''. He asked them why they would take someone out who the entire universe is based on. He also asked A&E how many Muslims were watching ''Duck Dynasty''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie & Phil Robertson talk about fake bleeps and praying in Jesus' name | work =Sports Spectrum Mag |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_0XS1vaX-M. | publisher = Google | format = video | accessdate =August 7, 2013}}</ref>

=====''GQ'' comments=====
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced the indefinite suspension of Robertson from the network following an interview with [[Drew Magary]] of ''[[GQ]]''.<ref name="GQprimer pg1">{{cite journal |last= Magary |first= Drew | authorlink= Drew Magary | date= January 2014|title= What the Duck?|url= http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson |journal= [[GQ]]|location= New York|accessdate= December 21, 2013}}</ref> During the interview for a featured article in ''GQ's'' January 2014 issue, titled, "[[What the Duck?]]"; When asked what he thought was sinful Robertson responded,<ref>{{Citation | last = Merrigan | first = Tara Wanda | date = December 19, 2013 | url = http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/12/readers-react-to-gqs-duck-dynasty-story-and-phil-robertsons-indefinite-suspension.html | title = Readers React to GQ's 'Duck Dynasty' Story and Phil Robertson's Indefinite Suspension | journal = GQ | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}</ref> "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He also paraphrased a Biblical passage from [[First Epistle to the Corinthians|First Corinthians]] saying "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. However, Robertson also said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying, <ref name = "GQprimer pg1" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Goldberg | first = Lesley | date = December 18, 2013 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808 | title = 'Duck Dynasty’s' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks | newspaper = The Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = December 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref name= Hibberd>{{cite web | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-crisis-experts-weigh-in/ | title='Duck Dynasty': Crisis experts weigh in | work = Inside TV | work= Entertainment Weekly | date= December 20, 2013 | accessdate= December 21, 2013| last =Rice | first = Lynette}}</ref><ref name=Rice>{{cite web | work = Inside TV | url= http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/12/20/duck-dynasty-return-phil/ | title='Duck Dynasty': New episodes will include Phil | work= Entertainment Weekly | date = December 20, 2013 | accessdate=December 21, 2013| last =Hibberd | first = James}}</ref> "We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?"

In response to A&E's suspension, Robertson released a statement saying, "I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me."<ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E | publisher=Fox News Channel |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/ |date=December 19, 2013 |accessdate=December 28, 2013}}</ref> After a strong backlash from supporters, A&E lifted the suspension before a single episode was impacted.<ref name="O'Connell"/>

==Personal life==
Robertson and [[Kay Robertson|Marsha "Kay" Carroway]] started dating in 1964, when Kay was only 14 years old. They married two years later, in 1966. They had their first son, Alan, while they were attending college.<ref>{{cite web | title= How Did the 'Duck Dynasty' Couples Meet? |first=Kelly |last=Woo |publisher=Yahoo TV |url= http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty--couples--how-they-met-234103918.html |date=April 16, 2013 |accessdate=July 31, 2013}}</ref>

===Beliefs===
Robertson is a devout Christian, a member of the [[Louisiana Highway 143|White's Ferry Road]] [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Sarah Pulliam|title= Phil Robertson’s suspension from ‘Duck Dynasty’ sends fans rallying to his side|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/phil-robertsons-suspension-from-duck-dynasty-sends-fans-rallying-to-his-side/2013/12/19/eb1c427e-68f8-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html |accessdate = December 20, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> in [[West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe]], and is outspoken about his beliefs. He had various personal problems in his 20s including excessive alcohol drinking, causing a separation in the marriage for a period and he credits a subsequent religious awakening for being able to overcome the problems<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeping God in command: Phil Robertson, family living out faith on small screen |first= Ruth |last= Schenk | work =The Southeast Outlook |date= August 14, 2013 |url = http://www.southeastoutlook.org/news/features/article_8bea6dc0-051c-11e3-9628-0019bb30f31a.html | quote=For Phil, seven years between the ages of 21 and 28 were like sliding down a muddy river bank. He drank too much whiskey, ran wild, smoked marijuana, popped pills and hunted ducks, leaving his wife, affectionately called “Miss Kay,” to raise their three sons alone. | accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref> In an interview prior to the release of his autobiography, he said:

{{Quote |My message is to get human beings to love God, love their neighbor and for the life of me I just don't see the downside of human beings not being so mean to one another and actually care for one another and not steal from one another and not murder each other for their tennis shoes. That's the message I have. [...]

America and the world, we have a love problem. I'm trying to get people aware of that. A loving person is not going to pick up a spear or a knife because when the Ten Commandments were written it was before guns, and God was saying, 'Look, quit murdering each other.' Now I'm just trying to say, 'Folks, let's try to love one another no matter what the color of their skin.'<ref>{{cite news | title= Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson talks values family in new book | first= Nicki | last = Gosten | publisher =Fox News Channel |date=May 7, 2013 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/05/07/duck-dynasty-star-phil-robertson-talks-values-family-in-new-book/}}</ref>}}

Robertson is [[pro-life]] and frequently speaks about the issue during public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title= Duck Dynasty Star captivates NTCC crowd |first=Rey |last=Sifuentes Jr. |newspaper=Daily Tribune |date=April 8, 2013 |url = http://www.dailytribune.net/sports/article_0e2cefc2-a0cf-11e2-8e82-001a4bcf887a.html |accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= 'Duck Dynasty' Stars Phil, Miss Kay: How Jesus Christ Saved Their Marriage, Restored Their Family | first =Melissa |last=Barnhart |work=The Christian Post |date=May 18, 2013 |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/duck-dynasty-stars-phil-miss-kay-how-jesus-christ-saved-their-marriage-restored-their-family-96101/ |accessdate = August 25, 2013}}</ref>

====Underage marriage====
In a video from a Sportsmen's Ministry event in Georgia in 2009, Robertson endorsed the marriage of underage girls. The video shows Robertson speaking about the virtues of young women who can "[[Plucking (hair removal)|pick ducks]]", saying "Look, you wait till they get to be 20 years old - the only picking that’s gonna take place is your pocket. You gotta marry these girls when they’re about 15 or 16."<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Shoshana|title="Duck Dynasty" saga: A&E facing more Phil Robertson controversy|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-ae-walking-a-fine-line-over-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson/|newspaper=CBS News|date=December 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Marcotte|first=Amanda|title=Phil Robertson Says Girls Should Be Married Off at “15 or 16”|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/12/30/phil_robertson_on_marriage_duck_dynasty_star_advised_men_to_find_15_year.html|newspaper=Slate|date=December 30, 2013}}</ref> Robertson himself began dating his future wife when she was 14 and married her when she was 16.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pennacchia|first=Robyn|title=Phil Robertson says men should marry girls when they are 15 so they will be better at picking ducks|url=http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/212207/phil-robertson-says-men-should-marry-girls-when-they-are-15-so-they-will-be-better-at-picking-ducks/|newspaper=Death and Taxes|date=December 30, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|duckcommander.com/duckmen/profile/3/phil_robertson}}
{{Duck Commander}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = Robertson, Phil Alexander
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessman, reality television participant
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 24, 1946
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Vivian, Louisiana
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Phil}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American members of the Churches of Christ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:People from Caddo Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from West Monroe, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-24T18:21:26Z

QuackGuru: there are lots of sources for this

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] and the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.[http://www.salon.com/2013/03/04/anti_muslim_activist_pam_geller_turned_away_from_cpac/] She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Kahn]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-24T18:10:57Z

QuackGuru: The sewntence does serve a purpose. (Geller, who has spoken at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref name="cpac"/>

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] and the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.<ref name="cpac"/> She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Kahn]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-24T17:58:07Z

QuackGuru: /* Career */ RS

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] and the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

Geller, who has spoken at the annual [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) convention in past years, finds she is no longer welcomed.[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/02/1191042/-Pamela-Geller-too-lip-bibbling-insane-even-for-CPAC] She has attacked the American Conservative Union’s board members, [[Grover Norquist]] and [[Suhail Kahn]], alleging ties to the [[Muslim Brotherhood]].<ref name="cpac"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/03/16/pam_geller_cpac_board_member_is_worse_than_anwar_al_awlaki/|title=Pam Geller: CPAC board member is “worse” than Anwar al-Awlaki|date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=Salon|author=Alex Seitz-Wald}}</ref> [[Ben Smith]], at Politico, noted that two “sharply divergent strains of conservative thought about how to deal with Islam” pit Geller and Spencer against CPAC’s organizers and other conservatives who find that “most Muslims have social and political views that match with the Republican party.”<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Mark Steyn]] calls her a “fearless fighter on free speech” and finds it regrettable that she no longer will be part of CPAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/342143/cpac-tentwatch-mark-steyn|title=CPAC Tentwatch|newspaper=National Review|date=March 4, 2013|author=Mark Steyn}}</ref>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Hofstra University alumni]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-24T04:38:29Z

QuackGuru: Spencer and Geller who support right-wing causes and who has been called a right-wing political activist

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were listed as "hate groups" by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] and the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller who support [[right-wing]] causes were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, Geller, who has been called a [[right-wing]] political activist,<ref name=news4UK/> was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been listed as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Media response==
According to [[Cord Jefferson]], writing in the [[American Prospect]], “the media often craves controversy over substance” and paid “disproportionate attention” to the [[Park51]] story. Citing Salon writer Justin Elliot as evidence that “the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller … whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post.” Jefferson concludes that “… a small-time political blogger with an obsession was able to hijack the news cycle for months.”<ref name=prospect2011>{{cite journal|url=http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-252446753/the-right-messengers-can-the-media-responsibly-cover|title=The Right Messengers: Can the Media Responsibly Cover Race? Only with the Guidance of a More Diverse Audience|author=Cord Jefferson, date=April 2011|journal=[[The American Prospect]]}}</ref> The story was erroneously labeled “The Ground Zero Mosque” by “multiple conservative media outlets such as Fox News and drew national attention.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QL17Mt4uhasC&pg=PA26&dq=%22pamela+geller%22+%22right+wing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AzG4UvKCOc_NkQev_IHoCA&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22pamela%20geller%22&f=false|title=Journalism After September 11|author=Barbie Zelizer|author2=Stuart Allan|publisher=Routledge|year=2002|isbn=978-0415288002}}</ref>

[[William McGurn]], writing in the [[Wall Street Journal]] on the subway ads, says they were meant to provoke by being ambiguous. There were immediately taken as many as hateful and “racist”. McGurn says “most Americans probably read it the way it is written: Israel is a civilized nation under attack from people who do savage things in the name of jihad.” He points out that the word “jihad” is taken in a benign spiritual sense or as a violent militant sense. He finds the media is too quick to assume the ad is an attack on the religion and all Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444592404578030423958154556|title=Call a Terrorist a 'Savage'? How Uncivilized, An anti-jihad message is 'hate speech' by today's topsy-turvy standards.|date=Oct 1, 2012|newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-23T04:34:31Z

QuackGuru: right-wing political activist per talk

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative and [[Stop Islamization of America]]<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990–2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,<ref name=Huff20130620/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said:
{{quote|the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref>}}

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative:
{{quote|It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), Israel's real friends are in the Republican Party and yet over 80% of American Jews are Democrats. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. Chomsky, Finkelstein, Soros – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>}}
She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, the [[right-wing]] political activist, Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally,<ref name=Huff20130620>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html|title=Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer To Speak At EDL Rally In Woolwich, Campaigners Call For UK Entry Ban |date=June 20, 2013|author= Jessica Elgot |newspaper=The Huffington Post |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2350023/Far-right-U-S-bloggers-banned-entering-UK-attend-rally-response-beheading-British-soldier-Islamic-extremists.html|title=Far-right U.S. bloggers banned from entering the UK to attend rally in response to beheading of British soldier by Islamic extremists |date=June 27, 2013 |author=Ashley Collman |newspaper=The Daily Mail |location=London}}</ref><ref name=news4UK/> but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|work=The New York Times|author=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,
{{quote|I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/>}}

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''The Washington Post'', and ''The New York Times''. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić|on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Works==
===Books===
* ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
* ''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
* ''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
* [http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
* [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* {{cite web|last=Lobe|first=Jim|title=US Islamophobes Distance Themselves from Norway Killings|url=http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings|work=RightWeb: Tracking militarists' efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy|publisher=Institute for Policy Studies & Inter Press Service|date=August 3, 2011}}
* {{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-21T18:36:42Z

QuackGuru: /* Career */ two sources support claim per V policy (both are reliable

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,<ref name=news4UK/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, the [[far-right]] activist, Pamela Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/20/edl-robert-spencer-pamela-geller_n_3472196.html][http://www.washingtonspectator.org/index.php/BREAKING-VIEWS/pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-to-bring-american-islamophobia-to-uk.html#.UrXSi_vFbs0] but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-21T18:29:15Z

QuackGuru: /* Career */ typo; grammar

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,<ref name=news4UK/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, the [[far-right]] extremist, Pamela Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally[http://www.washingtonspectator.org/index.php/BREAKING-VIEWS/pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-to-bring-american-islamophobia-to-uk.html#.UrXSi_vFbs0] but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-21T17:56:24Z

QuackGuru: We don't have a far-right extremist cat. h

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,<ref name=news4UK/> and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, the [[far-right]] extremism, Pamela Geller was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally[http://www.washingtonspectator.org/index.php/BREAKING-VIEWS/pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-to-bring-american-islamophobia-to-uk.html#.UrXSi_vFbs0] but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Cited as evidence for the ban were statements categorizing al-Qaeda as “a manifestation of devout Islam” and claiming that jihad requires Jews as an enemy.<ref name=news4UK>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk|title=American right-wing activists banned from entering UK|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2013|newspaper=4 News|location=UK}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and ran about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-20T20:43:47Z

QuackGuru: /* Claims */ she said it

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,[http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk] and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[far-right]] [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, she was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and will run about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Claims==

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref> She said, "Al-Qaeda is a manifestation of devout Islam... it is Islam" and "If the Jew dies, the Muslims will dies as well: their survival depends on their constant jihad, because without it they will lose the meaning and purpose of their existence".[http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk]

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-20T20:38:23Z

QuackGuru: But while Geller has inserted herself into mainstream politics in America, she has also aligned herself with far-right causes across the globe including the English Defence League in Britain, white supremacists in South Africa and Serbian war criminals.

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
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'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,[http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk] and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[far-right]] [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, she was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and will run about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Claims==

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Pamela Geller

2013-12-20T04:55:54Z

QuackGuru: Adding "right-wing" political activist and Category:Far-right politics in the United States. Reliably sourced according to Larry Sanger's WP:V policy. See Talk:Pamela Geller#Right-wing according to RS.

{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pamela Geller
| image = Pamela Geller 2011.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Pamela Geller
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1958|06|14}}<ref name="nytimes1" />
| birth_place = [[Long Island, New York]], U.S.<ref name="jewish week 2010-09-01">{{cite web|author=Chandler, Doug |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new_york/passions_and_perils_pamela_geller |title=The Passions (And Perils) Of Pamela Geller |work=[[The Jewish Week]] |date=September 1, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>
| birth_name =
| residence = [[Upper East Side]], [[New York City|New York]], New York, U.S.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| ethnicity =
| citizenship = United States
| other_names = Pamela Oshry
| known_for = Opposition to [[Park51]] community center and mosque
| alma_mater = [[Hofstra University]]; left before completing degree<ref name="nytimes1" />
| organization = Co-founder of Freedom Defense Initiative, and [[Stop Islamization of America]]
| notable_works =''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]]<ref name = Obamabook/>
| influences =[[Ayn Rand]], [[Bat Ye'or]], and [[Ibn Warraq]]<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| occupation = [[Blog]]ger, [[author]], [[political activist]], [[Pundit (expert)|commentator]], former newspaper editor
| years_active =
| home_town = [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| party =
| boards = Executive Director of the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) and Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)<ref name=HuffPo20130328>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/islamic-apartheid-ads-mta-pamela-geller_n_2973229.html|title='Islamic Apartheid' Ads Submitted To MTA By Pamela Geller In Response To Pro-Palestinian Ads|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=March 28, 2013|accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref>
| religion = Judaism
| spouse =Michael Oshry (1990-2007; divorced)<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| children = 4
| parents = Reuben ("Ruby") and Lillian Geller<ref name="nytimes1"/>
| website = [http://www.atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs'']
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}

'''Pamela Geller''' (born June 14, 1958)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an [[United States|American blogger]], author, [[right-wing]] political activist,[http://www.channel4.com/news/usa-right-wing-activist-pamela-geller-banned-from-uk] and commentator.<ref name="nytimes1">Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10geller.html?pagewanted=all "Outraged, and Outrageous"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> She is known primarily for her [[criticism of Islam]] and opposition to Islamic activities and causes, such as the proposed construction of an [[Park51|Islamic community center]] near the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Milazzo|first=Linda|title=Jewish Federation Puts Kibosh On Extreme Islamophobe Pamela Geller|url=http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/2012/06/25/jewish-federation-puts-kibosh-on-extreme-islamophobe-pamela-geller|accessdate=28 September 2012|newspaper=Alternet|date=25 June 2012}}</ref> She has described her blogging and campaigns in the United States as being against what she terms "creeping [[Sharia]]" in the country. She is described as a critic of [[radical Islam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/01/york-regional-police-threaten-rabbis-role-as-chaplain-over-pamela-geller-speech|title=York Regional Police threaten rabbi's role as chaplain over Pamela Geller speech|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=May 1, 2013|accessdate=May 5, 2013|author=Terry Davidson}}</ref> and self-described as opposing "[[Political Islam]]".<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Her critics have described her viewpoints as [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]].<ref name=Ind20130626/><ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Together with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]] she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative|Freedom Defense Initiative]] and [[Stop Islamization of America]].<ref name="sioaonline1">{{cite web|url=http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153 |title=Contact|publisher=Stop Islamization of America |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100817064516/http://sioaonline.com/?page_id=153|archivedate=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> These organizations were classified as "hate groups" by the civil rights organizations [[Southern Poverty Law Center|SPLC]] and [[Anti-Defamation League|ADL]].<ref name=ADL20110325/><ref name=SPLC20110301/> Spencer and Geller were barred from travel to the [[UK]] in 2013 for supporting "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626/> They co-authored the book ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'' in 2010.<ref name= Obamabook>{{cite book |last= Geller |first= Pamela |coauthors= Robert Spencer |title= The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America |publisher= [[Simon & Schuster]] |year= 2010 |month= July |isbn= 978-1-4391-8930-6 |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Geller, born to Jewish parents Reuben ("Ruby"), a texile manufacturer, and Lillian Geller, is the third of four sisters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/papa.html |title=Papa |work=Atlas Shrugs|date=June 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/shout-out-to-the-moms.html |title=Shout Out to the Moms! |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 10, 2009 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> Growing up in [[Hewlett Harbor]], Long Island, New York,She felt she was the black sheep of her family, an underachiever whose parents refused to cover the expenses of her college education.".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.136.</ref> She helped out in her father's business, where she learned to speak fluent [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="papa"/> Two of her sisters became doctors, and the third became a teacher.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller attended [[Lynbrook Senior High School|Lynbrook High School]] and [[Hofstra University]], though she left before completing her degree.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

She was married to Michael Oshry from 1990 until the couple divorced in 2007, and is the single mother of four children.<ref name="nytimes1"/> As of April 2013 she was living in [[Hewlett, New York|Hewlett]], [[Long Island]], New York,.<ref>[http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/blogger-involved-in-ground-zero-mosque-controversy-to-speak-in-great-neck-1.5033720#disqus_thread Blogger involved in 'Ground Zero mosque' controversy to speak in Great Neck Newsday April 8, 3013]</ref>

==Career==
Geller spent most of the 1980s working at the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', first as a financial analyst and then in the advertising and marketing areas.<ref name = "QueenHP">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/pamela-gellerqueen-of-mus_n_689709.html |title=Pamela Geller, 'Queen Of Muslim Bashers,' At Center Of N.Y. 'Mosque' Debate|first=Daniel|last=Burke|agency=Religion News Service|work=The Huffington Post |date=May 25, 2011 [August 20, 2010]|accessdate=January 12, 2012}}</ref> She then became the associate publisher and top-ranking business executive of ''[[The New York Observer]]'' for five years, from 1989 through 1994, when she quit to stay home with her four daughters.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/creator-anti-ground-zero-mosque-bus-ads-speaks |title=The Woman Behind The Anti-Ground Zero Mosque Bus Ads|first=David|last=Freedlander|work=The New York Observer |date=August 11, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/10/nyregion/new-editor-named-for-observer.html |title=New Editor Named for Observer |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Geller has said that the [[9/11 attacks]] led her politicization.<ref name=Greghoward>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-11-28/news/pamela-geller-s-war/Pamela Geller's War Village Voice November 28, 2012]</ref>

In January 2010 she co-founded the [[American Freedom Defense Initiative]] organization (FDI) with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/about.html |title=Freedom Defense Initiative |publisher=Freedom Defense Initiative |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (January 26, 2010). [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/fdi/2010/01/ "Jihad: The Political Third Rail"]. Freedom Defense Initiative.</ref><ref name=AOL20100623>{{cite news|url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/23/legal-battle-brews-over-ban-on-anti-islam-bus-ads/|title=Legal Battle Brews Over Ban on 'Anti-Islam' Bus Ads|first=Mara|last=Gay|publisher=AOL News|date=June 23, 2010|accessdate=January 14, 2012}}</ref> Spencer is a blogger and author of articles and books relating to [[Islam]] and [[Islamic terrorism]], and the founder of [[Jihad Watch]].<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Geller, according to [[Bradley Burston]], promotes Israel by pushing [[Islamophobia]].<ref>[[Bradley Burston]], http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/islamophobia-not-islam-will-be-the-end-of-israel.premium-1.459722 [Islamophobia, not Islam, will be the end of Israel,] at [[Haaretz]], 21 August 2012.</ref> Geller denies accusations of being [[Islamophobia|anti-Muslim]], saying that it is "a slanderous slur and it's unfair".<ref name="guardian"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/10/prime-islam-basher-pam-geller-outdone-by-colleague/ |title=Prime Islam-Basher Pam Geller Outdone by Colleague|work=Hatewatch|first=Larry|last=Keller|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2010/08/25/white-supremacists-find-common-cause-with-pam-gellers-anti-islam-campaign |title=White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign|first=Heidi|last=Beirich|work=Hatewatch|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>the ground zero mosque ... To me it was an outrage, to me it was deeply offensive, to me it was indicative that interfaith dialogue and mutual respect and mutual understanding is a one-way street with Islamic supremacists, not Muslims. I believe that Muslims are more victimized by Islamic supremacists than even non-Muslims.<ref name=NYT_8_Oct_2010>Barnard, Anne; Feuer, Alan (October 8, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/nyregion/10gellerb.html "Pamela Geller: In Her Own Words"]. ''The New York Times''.</ref></blockquote>

In an interview, Geller said "I have no problem with Islam. I have a problem with political Islam."<ref name = NYT_8_Oct_2010/> Rabbi Michael White and Jerome Davidson, denouncing Geller as an anti-Muslim bigot, opposed her presentation at a Long Island Synagogue. Caroline Glick argues that they are unfair to Geller's selective opposition to jihadi and her sympathy for their Muslim victims as well as non-Muslim victims.<ref name=jpost20130413>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Column-One-Moral-relativism-and-jihad-309549|title=Moral relativism and jihad|author=Caroline B. Glick|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> Charles Jacobs notes that Geller takes aim at "radical Islam," comes to the defense of victims of honor killings, and deals with Islamist antisemitism which the ADL and SPLC fail to address.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/news/2013-05-10/Charles_Jacobs/Pamela_Geller_Jewish_heroine.html|title=Pamela Geller, Jewish heroine|date=May 10, 2013|author=Charles Jacobs|newspaper=The Jewish Advocate}}</ref> [[Cathy Young]], however, faults Geller for failing to hold that Islam can be reformed or evolve into a moderate religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://reason.com/archives/2012/06/24/the-nations-broad-definition-of-isamomph|title=The Nation's Broad Definition of "Islamophobia:" As Islam navigates shoals of extremism, the left lumps legitimate criticism with bigotry.|date=June 24, 2012|author=Cathy Young|newspaper=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>

In 2008, Geller co-wrote an editorial for ''[[Arutz Sheva]]'' expressing her distaste for fellow Jews who are not politically conservative: <blockquote>It galls me that the Jews I fight for are self-destructive, suicidal even. Here in America (and the world over), [[Israel]]'s real friends are in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and yet over 80% of American Jews are [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]. I don't get it. The conventional wisdom on the Left is that Israel is an oppressor and her actions are worse than the world's most depraved and dangerous regimes. [[Noam Chomsky|Chomsky]], [[Norman Finkelstein|Finkelstein]], [[George Soros|Soros]] – these men are the killers.<ref name="Indomitable Israel">{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7968 |title=Op-Ed: Indomitable Israel|first=Pamela|last=Geller|first2=Eliza|last2=Saxon|publisher=Arutz Sheva|location=[[Beit El]]|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> She encouraged Israel to "stand loud and proud. Give up nothing. Turn over not a pebble. For every rocket fired, drop a [[Massive Ordnance Air Blast|MOAB]]. Take back [[Gaza]]. Secure [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]]. Stop buying ''[[Haaretz]]''. Throw leftists bums out."<ref name="Indomitable Israel"/> She is an ardent [[Zionist]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_angeles/article/anti-muslim_activist_pamela_geller_barred_from_speaking_at_jewish_federatio | title=Anti-Muslim activist barred from speaking at Jewish Federation headquarters | publisher=Jewish Journal | date=June 25, 2012 | accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref> She regards the much of the Israeli media as "Jewicidal" and the [[kibbutz]] movement as a failed idea and a variety of slavery.<ref>Weiss, p.133.</ref>

She co-authored a book with Spencer, ''The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America'', with a foreword by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations [[John R. Bolton]], which was published in July 2010.<ref name= Obamabook/> The book criticizes the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]]'s treatment of the free-market system, freedom of speech, and foreign policy.

She is also a contributor to the conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pamela Geller|work=[[Human Events]]|accessdate=February 16, 2012|url=http://www.humanevents.com/search.php?author_name=Pamela+Geller}}</ref>

She is a supporter of the [[English Defence League]] (EDL) saying: "I share the EDL's goals ... We need to encourage rational, reasonable groups that oppose the Islamisation of the west."<ref name="guardian"/><ref name = "ObserverEDL">Townsend, Mark (October 10, 2010). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/10/english-defence-league-tea-party/print "English Defence League forges links with America's Tea Party"], ''[[The Observer]]''.</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/in_england_a_victory_for_freed.html "In England, A Victory for Freedom"], ''The American Thinker'', May 5, 2010.</ref> In June 2013, she was scheduled to speak at an EDL rally but was barred from entering Britain by a Home Office ruling that describes her as having established "anti-Muslim hate groups".<ref name=Ind20130626>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/antiground-zero-mosque-campaigners-pamela-geller-and-robert-spencer-barred-from-entering-britain-to-speak-at-an-edl-rally-8675251.html|title=Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally|date=June 26, 2013|author=Kevin Rawlinson|newspaper=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Geller called the decision "a striking blow against freedom ... The nation that gave the world the Magna Carta is dead." [[Hope not Hate]], which led a campaign to ban her, applauded the decision as a proper limit to "unfettered free speech".<ref name=Ind20130626/>

==Stop Islamization of America and Park51==
{{Main|Park51}}
Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America.<ref name="sioaonline1"/> In May 2010, they began a strong campaign against the proposed [[Park51]] Islamic community center and mosque, which Geller has referred to as the "Ground Zero Mega Mosque".<ref name=elliott>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins |title=How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began – Park51, Muslim Community Center in Lower Manhattan |work=Salon|date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2010/08/untold-story-behind-the-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=The Seeker: Untold story behind the so-called 'Ground Zero mosque' |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 20, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> She says that Park51 is viewed by Muslims as a "triumphal" monument built on "conquered land". She also appeared on a number of cable news shows speaking out against the proposed Islamic community center and mosque.<ref name = "QueenHP" /> Stop Islamization of America has sponsored ads which carry messages such as "Fatwa on Your Head?" and "Leaving Islam?" in several cities including New York City and Miami, pointing readers to a website called RefugefromIslam.com.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref name="dailymail1">Mail Foreign Service. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281867/Controversial-adverts-given-green-light-appear-New-York-buses.html "'Fatwa on your head?' Controversial adverts that help Muslims abandon Islam appear on New York buses"], ''Daily Mail'', 27 May 2010.</ref> Geller said the ads were meant to provide resources for Muslims who were afraid to leave the religion.<ref name="dailymail1"/>

Geller first blogged in ''Atlas Shrugs'' about the proposed New York mosque in reaction to coverage in ''[[The New York Times]]'' on December 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/giving-thanks.html |title=Giving Thanks |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 8, 20092 |accessdate=010-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html?_r=1&ref=park51|title=Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero|date=December 9, 2009|authors=Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On December 21, she again blogged on the subject, referring to it as "Mosque at Ground Zero" and calling it "a stab in the eye".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/12/mosque-at-ground-zero-adding-insult-to-agony.html |title=Mosque at Ground Zero: Adding Insult to Agony |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=December 21, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Geller next blogged about the building on May 24, 2010, when she reported on a self-selected reader poll connected with a report in the New York ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'', urging her readers to vote in it. This is when she first used the phrase "Mega Mosque at Ground Zero".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/05/vote-on-mega-mosque-at-ground-zero.html |title=Vote On Mega Mosque At Ground Zero | work=Atlas Shrugs |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/24/2010-05-24_lower_manhattan_board_mixed_on_planned_mosque_at_wtc_site.html#ixzz0otXidPej |title=Lower Manhattan board mixed on planned mosque and Islamic center at Ground Zero WTC site |work=NY Daily News |date=May 24, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

Commenting on the controversy, Geller said,

<blockquote>I'm not leading the charge against the Islamic center near Ground Zero. The majority of Americans – 70% – find this deeply insulting, offensive. To call it anti-Muslim is a gross misrepresentation and to say that I'm responsible for all this emotion, again a gross misrepresentation.<ref name="guardian"/></blockquote>

When asked in an August 17, 2010, interview on [[CNN]] whether she agreed "that the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 were practicing a perverted form of Islam, and that is not what is going to be practiced at this mosque", she responded "I will say that the Muslim terrorists were practicing pure Islam, original Islam."<ref name=Cooper360>{{cite news|title=Firestorm Grows Over Islamic Center Near Ground Zero|first=Randi|last=Kaye |work=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]|publisher=CNN |date= August 17, 2010 | url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1008/17/acd.01.html|accessdate=August 26, 2010}}</ref>

[[Ibrahim Hooper]], a spokesman for the [[Council on American-Islamic Relations]], criticized Geller, stating:
{{quote|People say don't give her too much credit, she's a fringe character, but she is a fringe character who every day is on CNN, Fox, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', and ''[[The New York Times]]'. She is the driving force behind the Islamic center campaign. I would say that she is the queen of the Muslim bashers, I see her rise and the rise of these anti-Islam hate groups going hand in hand.<ref name = "QueenHP" />}}

Eric Boehlert, a senior fellow at liberal watchdog group [[Media Matters for America]], concurred with Hooper, remarking that "she's been instrumental, she has whipped up hatred in the right-wing blogosphere and now that's spilled out into the wider community"<ref name = "QueenHP" /> while [[Andrew C. McCarthy]], writing in the [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]]<ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/mediakit/ Advertising Media Kit], ''National Review Online''.</ref> magazine ''[[National Review]]'', criticized Hooper's remarks on the matter, citing his controversial comments about [[Islamism]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Andrew C.|title=Re:SPLC on Geller|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/260784/re-splc-geller-andrew-c-mccarthy|publisher=National Review}}</ref> Media Matters said "Geller's history of outrageous, inflammatory and false claims, particularly when it comes to issues related to Islam, demonstrate that she cannot be expected to make accurate statements and should not be rewarded with a platform on national television."<ref name="mediamatters1"/>

Both SIOA and FDI have been designated as [[hate group]]s by the [[Anti-defamation league]]<ref name=ADL20110325>[http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/sioa.htm "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)"]. ''Extremism''. [[Anti-Defamation League]]. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name=SPLC20110301>Lach, Eric (March 1, 2011). [http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/pam_geller_on_splc_hate_group_label_badge_of_honor.php "Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor{{'"}}]. ''[[Talking Points Memo]]''. Retrieved February 16, 2012.</ref> Geller dismissed the SPLC as an "uber left" organization.<ref>{{cite news |title= Southern Poverty Law Center lists anti-Islamic NYC blogger Pamela Geller, followers a hate group|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/25/2011-02-25_southern_poverty_law_center_lists_antiislamic_nyc_blogger_pamela_geller_follower.html|first=Corky|last=Siemaszko|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date= February 25, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

Geller is a co-founder of ''Stop Islamization of Nations,'' an umbrella organization that includes [[Stop Islamization of America]] and [[Stop Islamization of Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/17/idUS133243+17-Jan-2012+PRN20120117|title=International Freedom Organizations Unite to Create Stop Islamization of Nations|date=Jan 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/09/a_plan_to_stop_the_islamization_of_the_world_is_at_hand.html|title=A Plan to Stop the Islamization of the World is at Hand|author=John K. Press|date=Sep 16, 2012}}</ref>

==''Atlas Shrugs'' blog==
The name of Geller's website and blog ''Atlas Shrugs'' is a reference to novelist and philosopher [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref name="guardian"/> Investigative journalist [[Gary Weiss]] states that her blogging "represented the intersection of [[Objectivism]] with far-right Islam-baiting politics".<ref name="Weiss" >Gary Weiss, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=oJVLHvEPdrQC&pg=PA128 ''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.128.</ref> Geller calls Rand "the greatest philosopher in human history". She says her blog and its purpose are "clearly defined by Rand's philosophy".<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert Stacy |last=McCain |title={{-'}}Atlas', at last, on map; Rand's novel set for 50th fete, film adaptation |work=[[The Washington Times]] |page=A.2 |date=October 5, 2007}}</ref> The blog concentrates on what Geller perceives to be a violent threat to the United States by Islamist extremists and liberal politicians.<ref name="typepad1">{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/11/seven-shot-dead-at-us-army-base.html |title=Muslim Terror Attack: 'Twelve shot dead' <s>12</s> 30 Wounded, Mass Shooting at Fort Hood, US Army Base |work=Atlas Shrugs |date=November 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref>{{Primary source-inline|reason=Need source other than Geller|date=December 2012}} The blog was shut down by the internet service provider [[PayPal]] in mid-2010 for fomenting "hate speech" though the service was restored after some days.<ref>Gary Weiss, [''Ayn Rand Nation: The Hidden Struggle for America's Soul,''] Macmillan, 2012 p.132.</ref> As of October 2010, the blog was receiving 150,000 unique visitors a month.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

In 2006, when thousands of Muslims worldwide [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|protested]] – sometimes violently – over cartoons of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] printed in a Danish newspaper,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslim cartoon fury claims lives|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4684652.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Danes issue travel warning list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4684930.stm|date=February 6, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Muslims continue protest against satirical cartoons|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1564092.htm|date=February 7, 2006|work=The World Today|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pakistan cartoon violence spreads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4715084.stm|date=February 15, 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> Geller posted the cartoons on her blog,<ref name="nytimes1"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Danes Wont Deign, But Will the UN?|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/01/so_its_ok_to_ca.html|date=January 29, 2006|first=Pamela|last=Geller|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=September 24, 2011}}</ref> and its hits increased dramatically to tens of thousands.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

[[NPR]] reported that in 2008, for ''Atlas Shrugs'', she examined lists of contributions given to [[Barack Obama]]'s presidential campaign. Others, including ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', then did the same.<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96403125 |title=Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change |publisher=NPR |date= October 31, 2008|accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Contributors with the names "Es Ech", "Doodad Pro", and similar names turned up, and a conservative activist said he donated to Obama's campaign using the name [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="Illegal Campaign D 103110" />

In November 2008, she captured a conversation by Representative [[Jerrold Nadler]] (D-NY) on video, and posted it on [[YouTube]].<ref name="weeklystandard1">{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/nadler_questions_obamas_courag.asp |title=Nadler Questions Obama's Courage |work=The Weekly Standard |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> In it, after prefacing his remarks by saying he had "no personal knowledge" of the matter and his statement was merely his "guess", he went on to say that Obama "didn’t have the political courage to want to make the statement of walking out" of [[Trinity United Church of Christ]] when he realized that Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] was "a nut" and "lunatic", because "you don’t walk out of a church with 8,000 members in your district".<ref name="weeklystandard1"/><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/03/1000725/rjc-robo-call-highlights-nadler-statement |title=RJC robo-call highlights Nadler's Obama statement |publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref><ref name="foxnews2">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov03/0,4670,ObamaCongressman,00.html |title=NY Rep. backtracks from Obama comments |publisher=Fox News |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=January 17, 2011}}</ref> After Geller released the video, Nadler said: "I made a thoughtless comment yesterday which does not reflect the way I feel about Barack Obama".<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref name="foxnews2"/>

Also in 2008 Geller posted a letter saying that [[Malcolm X]] had impregnated [[Ann Dunham]], Barack Obama's mother. After the theory was posted, the [[conspiracy theory]] gained notoriety and led [[Keith Olbermann]] to label her "the worst person in the world" during the eponymous segment of ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref name=Greghoward/>

The blog was among the first on November 5, 2009, to opine that the [[Fort Hood shooting]] was a "Muslim terror attack."<ref name="typepad1"/> Geller later noted that the recent Pentagon report into the Fort Hood shooting did not mention possible religious motivations behind the attack, and argued that self-imposed censorship is hurting U.S. understanding of the wars it is engaged in.<ref name="foxnews1">{{cite web|last=Berger |first=Judson |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/17/cpac-session-jihad-free-speech-draws-protest/ |title=CPAC Session on Jihad, Free Speech Attracts Complaints |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=October 12, 2010}}</ref> She said: "When nowhere in that document was Islam or Jihad mentioned, then Houston, we have a problem. People need to understand what is the motivation."<ref name="foxnews1"/>

===Controversial postings===
Controversial postings on ''Atlas Shrugs'' include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/blog/201007020008 | title = Geller illustrates ridiculous attack on Kagan with image of Kagan in a Nazi uniform | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = Dimiero | first = Ben | date = July 2, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024 | title = Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers | accessdate = August 24, 2010 | last = | first = | date = August 19, 2010 | publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]}}</ref> accusations that Supreme Court Justice [[Elena Kagan]] cited German socialists who supported Nazi ideology in her Princeton thesis (accompanied by a mock-up photograph of her in a Nazi uniform),<ref name="nytimes1" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/shocking-kagans-princeton-thesis-cited-german-socialist-who-endorsed-nazis.html | title = Shocking: Kagan's Princeton Thesis Cited German Socialist Who Endorsed Nazis | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = July 2, 2010 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref> a video suggesting that some Muslims have sex with goats, a [[Photo manipulation|doctored photo]] showing President Obama urinating on an American flag,<ref name = "QueenHP" /> statements that Obama's mother had "nude pornographic photos" taken, and that Obama "was involved with a [[crack whore]] in his youth".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/cnn-tells-sells-more-lies-about-palin-its-time-to-expose-the-truth-about-obama.html | title = CNN Tells, Sells More Lies About Palin – it's Time to Expose the truth about Obama | accessdate = August 22, 2010 | last = Geller | first = Pamela | date = August 1, 2009 | work = Atlas Shrugs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/photos/risque/dunham.asp |title=Ann Dunham Soetoro |publisher=snopes.com |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Another post suggested, ''inter alia'', that the president is the "love child" of [[Malcolm X]], though Geller later said this was by another author and that she herself does not believe that Obama is Malcolm X's child, and never did.<ref name = "QueenHP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html |title=How could Stanley Ann Dunham have delivered Barack Hussein Obama Jr. in August 1961 in Honolulu, when official University of Washington Records show her 2680 miles away in Seattle attending classes that same month?|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=October 17, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081031070524/http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/10/how-could-stanl.html|archivedate=October 31, 2008|date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

Geller has also lent her support to a number of other political causes. She has strongly defended former Serbian president [[Slobodan Milošević]],<ref name="guardian"/> denied the existence of Serbian [[concentration camps]] in the 1990s,<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/08/canadian-pm-steven-harper-leader-of-the-free-world-vetoes-bosnian-lie-resolution.html "Canadian PM Steven Harper, Leader of the Free World, Vetoes Bosnian Lie Resolution"], ''Atlas Shrugs'', August 11, 2010.</ref> and defended [[Radovan Karadžic]], [[Trial of Radovan Karadžić | on trial]] for genocide and crimes against humanity against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the [[Bosnian War]], arguing that the Muslim victims were not murdered but committed suicide to embarrass their enemies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Geller|first=Pamela|title=The Real Criminals Presiding over the International Criminal Court Part II of Nuremberg II|url=http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/07/the-real-criminals-presiding-over-the-international-criminal-court-part-ii-of-nuremberg-ii.html|work=Atlas Shrugs|accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> She also said that black [[South Africa]]ns are engaging in a "[[genocide]]" against whites.<ref>Geller, Pamela. [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/04/pamela-geller-american-thinker--1.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''The American Thinker'', reprinted in ''Atlas Shrugs'', April 16, 2010.</ref>

During an [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]] interview, reporter Lauren Lister repeatedly questioned Geller's statement that she is not anti-Muslim, at one point calling attention to Geller's having posted a drawing of [[Muhammad]] on her blog with the face of a pig superimposed over his own. Geller responded by saying, "I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun."<ref name="RT News Video 1">{{Cite episode| title = The Alyona Show| url = http://rt.com/About_Us/Programmes/The_Alyona_Show/2010-08-03/588949.html| credits = Lauren Lister, guest host and interviewer| network = [[RT (TV network)|RT Television News]]| city = Washington, D.C.| airdate = August 3, 2010| minutes = 26:10| quote = RT News: Why would you have a picture of the prophet Mohammad, which I have right here, with his face replaced with that of a pig, on your blog if you don't have a problem with Islam? Geller: First of all, I don't know where it is in America that you can't make jokes or make fun. I mean you had Robert Mapplethorpe put a cross in a glass of a, a ... RT News: So you think it's funny to have the prophet Mohammad as a pig? Geller: Who cares?! What difference does it make? I mean, this is America!}} The Geller interview segment of the hour-long Alyona Show is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6GOZMM_ok also available on youtube], where the exchange occurs at 5:48 into the video.</ref>

The blog has been criticized by [[Progressivism in the United States#Contemporary progressivism|progressive]] [[Media Matters for America]],<ref name="mediamatters1">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201007140035|title= Memo to media: Pamela Geller does not belong on national television|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mediamatters2">{{cite web|url= http://mediamatters.org/research/201008190024|title= Attention TV networks: Pam Geller is lying to your viewers|accessdate=August 24, 2010|first=|last=|publisher=[[Media Matters for America]]|date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> and called "extreme" by [[Chris McGreal]] of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/20/rightwing-blogs-islam-america|title=The US blogger on a mission to halt 'Islamic takeover{{'-}}|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|accessdate=August 21, 2010|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised by Caroline Glick, managing editor of ''The Jerusalem Post'', who hailed the blog's coverage of Muslim "[[honor killing]]s" and called her "an intrepid blogger".<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Messiah in the Holy Land|url=http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGI4MmY4MmMyYzY1MDhiNTEzMmRmM2ViYmI5OTFkZjM=|work=[[National Review]]|date=July 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=199339 "Our World: The feminist deception"] ''Jerusalem Post''. December 14, 2010.</ref>

American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]], who frequently writes about topics relating to Israel and the Middle East, has described Geller as a "bigoted blogger" and said she supported South African white supremacist [[Eugène Terre'Blanche]].<ref name="terrible'anche">{{cite journal|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/pamela-geller-supports-english-pogromists-south-african-fascists/64693/|title=Pamela Geller Supports English Pogromists, South African Fascists|work=[[The Atlantic]]|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|accessdate=October 28, 2010|date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> Geller has in turn called Goldberg "notoriously [[anti-zionism|anti-zionist]] and intellectually dishonest", as well as a "Jewicidal Jihadi"<ref>Geller, Pamela (Nov. 30, 2011) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/11/jeffgoldberg-.html "Jeffrey Goldberg Goes Post-al on Halal"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref><ref>Geller, Pamela (May 18, 2008) [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/goldberg-jewici.html "JEFFREY GOLDBERG: JEWICIDAL JIHADI BENDS OVER, SUBMITS, DEMANDS ISRAEL DO SAME"], Atlas Shrugged, Retrieved June 18, 2012</ref> Geller describes Terreblanche as the "leader of the noxious and hateful [[neo-Nazi]] [[Afrikaner Resistance Movement]]". She maintains there is a genocide underway in [[South Africa]] that includes innocent whites who are not "racist monsters like Eugene Terreblanche".<ref>Geller, Pamela (April 16, 2010) [http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/genocide_in_south_africa.html "Genocide in South Africa"], ''[[American Thinker]]'', Retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

==Paid ads on public transit==
Geller has paid to have ads run on the transit systems of New York City, Washington, and San Francisco. The ad approved to run on the New York City subway and San Francisco buses read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad."<ref name="Pine">Pine, Dan. [http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/68578/new-ad-on-muni-buses-in-s.f.-has-disturbing-imagery-calls-israel-an-aparthe "New ad on Muni buses in S.F. has disturbing imagery, calls Israel an apartheid state."] ''J Weekly''. 16 May 2013. 16 May 2013.</ref> Opponents argue that the ad implies Muslims are savages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/anti-jihad-savage-ads-going-nyc-subway-220228596.html|title=Anti-jihad 'savage' ads going up in NYC subway|author=Karen Matthews|publisher=Associated Press|date=Sep 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/nyregion/ad-demeaning-muslims-to-appear-in-new-york-subway.html|newspaper=New York Times|title=Ad Calling Jihad 'Savage' Is Set to Appear in Subway|author=Matt Flegenheimer|date=Sep 18, 2012}}</ref> Others argue the opposite, that it is insulting to assume Muslims will identify with violent jihadi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/shocking_assumption_gwMiupSSPR0d6waO4lVt6J|title=A shocking assumption|newspaper=The New York Post|date=Sep 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/09/27/mona-eltahawy-defends-jihad-we-are-all-proud-savages-now/|title=Mona Eltahawy Defends Jihad: We are all Proud Savages Now!|date=Sept 27, 2012|author=Petra Marquardt-Bigman|newspaper=The Algemeiner}}</ref> Moderate Muslims argue that Geller's use of the word ''jihad'' is identical to Islamic extremists' and too common in general American usage. Moderates seek to reclaim the notion of ''jihad'' as a ''striving'' but find
"rebranding" difficult in today's culture.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/09/can_jihad_be_rebranded/|title=Can "jihad" survive Pam Geller?|date=January 9, 2013|author=Alex Seitz-Wald|newspaper=Solon}}</ref>

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has called the ad "Bigoted, Divisive" and JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow has said, “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims".<ref>{{cite web|last=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs|title=^ Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ""JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads"|url=http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?key=477&blog_entry_KEY=6561&t=|publisher=JCPA|accessdate=September 21, 2012.}}</ref> Israel Kasnett, editor for the ''Jerusalem Post'', argues that Geller is right in her description of violent jihad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=286331|title=Support the civilized man|date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|author=Israel Kasnett}}</ref> Jewish groups such as the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League "successfully persuaded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to donate proceeds from the [offensive bus] ads to the city’s Human Rights Commission."<ref name="Pine" />

Geller purchase ad space at 39 New York City subway stations for a new ad that "links Islam to terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/group-links-islam-terror-article-1.1235963#ixzz2HSN3sGa|title=Group's ads link Islam to terrorism: Controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative paid $77,000 to quote Koran with flaming Twin Towers|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=New York Daily News|author=Peter Donohue}}</ref> Prompted by an ad critical of Israel on the subway, Geller said she is exercising her freedom of speech by showing a picture of the burning World Trade Center with a quote from the [[Koran]]. The ads went up in January 2013 and will run about a month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/08/more-ads-with-inflammatory-messages-about-islam-appear-in-nyc-subway/|title=More Ads With Inflammatory Messages About Islam Appear In NYC Subway|date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=CBS news}}</ref>

==Claims==

Geller has also stated her belief that the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] has "corrupted and compromised" the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC).<ref name="cpac">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/At_least_Two_approaches_to_Islam_at_CPAC.html?showall|title=(At least) Two approaches to Islam at CPAC|last=Smith|first=Ben|work=[[Politico]]|date=February 11, 2011|accessdate=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books===
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=9RR2MyoDwBAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:%22Pamela+Geller%22&hl=en&ei=_12oTIKlBML78Aab_tW0DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America]'', Pamela Geller with [[Robert Spencer (author)|Robert Spencer]], foreword by (former) Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]], ([[Simon & Schuster]], July 2010) ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6
*''Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance'', Pamela Geller, ([[WND Books]], September 6, 2011) ISBN 978-1-936488-36-0
*''Freedom or Submission: On the Dangers of Islamic Extremism & American Complacency'', Pamela Geller, ([[CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform]], April 3, 2013) ISBN 978-1-484019-65-8

===Articles===
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38830 "Why There Shouldn’t Be a Mosque at Ground Zero"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Human Events]]'', September 4, 2010
*[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38683 "Ground Zero Imam is No Moderate"], Pamela Geller, ''Human Events'', August 24, 2010
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/12/pamela-geller-free-speech-ground-zero-mta-new-york-bus-campaign/ "Free Speech Wins A Narrow Victory In New York"], Pamela Geller, ''[[Fox News]]'', August 12, 2010

==See also==
* [[Rifqa Bary]]
* [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]]
* [[Geert Wilders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/ ''Atlas Shrugs''] official blog
* [http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/profiles/pamela-geller Pamela Geller | Southern Poverty Law Center]
* [http://www.americanthinker.com/pamela_geller/ Column archive] at ''[[The American Thinker]]''
* [http://biggovernment.com/author/pgeller/ Column archive] at [[Andrew Breitbart]]'s BigGovernment.com
* [http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/ Freedom Defense Initiative]
* [http://sioaonline.com/ Stop Islamization of America]
* {{C-SPAN|pamelageller}}
* [http://rightweb.irc-online.org/articles/display/us_islamophobes_distance_themselves_from_norway_killings Pamela Geller's connections to European terrorists - Institute for Policy Studies]
*{{Worldcat id|id=lccn-no2010-120880}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=149341497}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Geller, Pamela
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Oshry, Pamela
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Blogger, author, political activist, and commentator
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 14, 1958
|PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Hewlett Harbor, New York]]
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geller, Pamela}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
[[Category:American financial analysts]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:American newspaper executives]]
[[Category:American political pundits]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American social commentators]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American Zionists]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from New York]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in advertising]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Critics of Islam]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Jewish American writers]]
[[Category:Jewish women writers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in North America]]
[[Category:People from Long Island]]
[[Category:People from Upper East Side]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]

Zehn-Prozent-Mythos

2009-06-02T16:46:04Z

QuackGuru: minus extra spaces

The '''10% of brain myth''' is the widely-perpetuated myth that humans only use 10% of their [[brain]]s. By association, it is often suggested that by some process a human being may harness this unused potential and in so doing inherit several magnitudes more [[intelligence]].

Though many factors of intelligence may be increased with training, the idea that large parts of the brain remain unused is without substantial foundation. Although many mysteries regarding brain function remain, every part of the brain has a known function.<ref name="snopes10pct">{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/10percnt.htm| title=The Ten-Percent Myth| first=Benjamin| last=Radford| publisher=snopes.com| date=[[8 February]] [[2000]]| accessdate=2006-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/?main=fa/brain-myth| title=Myths About the Brain: 10 percent and Counting| first=Eric| last=Chudler| accessdate=2006-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.twopercentco.com/rants/archives/2005/03/a_piece_of_our.html| title=A Piece of Our Mind - About Ten Percent| publisher=The Two Percent Company| accessdate=2006-04-12}}</ref>

==Origins==
*The 10% myth most likely arose from a misunderstanding (or public misrepresentation) of neurological research undertaken in the late 1800s or early 1900s when researchers either:
**discovered that only about 10% of the neurons in the brain are [[action potential|firing]] at any given time, or:
**announced that they had only mapped the functions of 10% of the brain at that time (accounts differ on this point).
*Another possible origin of the 10% myth is that neurons only compose approximately 10% of the cells in the brain; the rest are [[glial cells]] that, despite being involved in learning, function differently to neurons.
*Einstein is reported as quipping that people typically only use 10% of their brains. Although a facetious remark, the media took this as fact.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=people-only-use-10-percent-of-brain| title=Do People Only Use 10 Percent Of Their Brains| publisher=Scientific America(www.sciam.com)| date=[[7 February]] [[2008]]| accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref>
*It may have been William James who wrote in 1908: "We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources"<ref>The Energies of Men, (p. 12)</ref>
*There is not a direct relationship between the performance of the brain and its level of activation; this variable has confounded scientists, because some 'gifted' individuals showed less brain activity than those with brain performance considered average. Haier proposed that indeed more gifted individuals might possess more efficient brain circuits.
*Dr. James W. Kalat, author of the textbook Biological Psychology, points out that neuroscientists in the 1930s knew about the existence of the large number of "local" neurons in the brain, but only knew that these cells were small. The misunderstanding of the function of local neurons may have led to the 10% myth.<ref>Kalat, J.W., Biological Psychology, sixth edition, Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., 1998, p. 43.</ref>

==Perpetuation==
The 10% myth has been spread both unwittingly, by individuals believing it to be fact, and deliberately as an advantageous deception. It is frequently used to give strength to arguments in [[cognitive training]] or counseling.

The 10% brain myth occurs frequently in advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/tenper.html| title=Neuroscience For Kids| publisher=Eric H. Chudler, Ph.d(University of Washington, Director of Education and Outreach)}}</ref>

Some [[New Age]] proponents propagate this belief by asserting that the "unused" ninety percent of the human brain is capable of exhibiting [[psionics|psychic powers]] and can be trained to perform [[psychokinesis]] and [[extra-sensory perception]].<ref name="snopes10pct"></ref> In addition to the fact that humans use their entire brain, there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of psychic powers at all.

==In popular culture==
* The [[DC Comics]] character [[Deathstroke]] gained superhuman powers by increasing the use of his brain from 10% to 90%.
* In the film ''[[Wedding Crashers]]'', [[Owen Wilson]] says the myth as a pick up line for the bridesmaid "You know how they say we only use 10 percent of our brains, I think we only use 10 percent of our hearts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396269/quotes| title=Wedding Crashers (2005) - Memorable quotes(IMDB)}}</ref>
* In [[Stargate]], mainly in the [[Stargate SG-1]] and [[Stargate Atlantis]] series, the Ancients [[Ascension (Stargate)#Ascension|ascended]] to an all powerful form of being after expanding their brain function to 100%<ref>Stargate Atlantis Season 3 eps 54 "Tao of Rodney"</ref>
* In [[Kyle_XY]] the main character uses 70% of his brain, having supernatural powers and being able to learn as quickly as snapping fingers
* In [[The Simpsons]] episode [[Brother's Little Helper]], Bart takes a perscription pill called ''Focusyn''. When bragging about his newfound smarts, Bart tells his sister Lisa, "Did you know that most people use 10% of their brains? I am now one of them!"

==See also==
* [[Common misconceptions about the brain]]
* [[Educational psychology]]
* [[List of misconceptions]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Footer Neuropsychology}}

[[Category:Brain]]
[[Category:Urban legends]]

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[[lt:Dešimties procentų mitas]]

Englischsprachige Wikipedia

2009-05-04T06:17:40Z

QuackGuru: unnecessary

{{update}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Infobox website
| name = [[File:Wikipedia's W.svg|16px|Favicon of Wikipedia]] English Wikipedia
| logo = [[File:Wikipedia-logo-en.png|Logo of the English Wikipedia]]
| screenshot = [[File:Wikipedia screenshot.png|280px|The [[Main Page]] of the English Wikipedia on 31 January 2009]]
| collapsible = yes
| caption = The [[Main Page]] of the English Wikipedia.
| url = http://en.wikipedia.org/
| commercial = No
| launch date = 15 January 2001
|Version=1.13alpha<ref>Wikipedia signpost</http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2008-06-30/Technology_report>
| type = [[Internet encyclopedia project]]
| registration = Optional
| owner = [[Wikimedia Foundation]]
| author = [[Jimmy Wales]], [[Larry Sanger]]<ref name=foundercontroversy>There is some controversy over who founded Wikipedia. Wikipedia's official [http://web.archive.org/web/20011104094947/www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Wikipedia personnel page from September 2001] states Wales and Sanger were the two or three co-founders, and that there was no editor-in-chief. Wales considers himself to be the sole founder of Wikipedia and has told the ''[[Boston Globe]]'' that "it's preposterous" to call Sanger the co-founder. However, Sanger strongly contests that description. He was identified as a co-founder of Wikipedia at least as early as September 2001 and referred to himself that way as early as January 2002.
* {{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041206/news_mz1b6encyclo.html|author =Jonathan Sidener|title =Everyone's Encyclopedia|accessdate = 2006-10-15|publisher=San Diego Union Tribune|date = 6 December 2004}}
* {{cite news|author=Peter Meyers|title=Fact-Driven? Collegial? This Site Wants You|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9800E5D6123BF933A1575AC0A9679C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fC%2fComputer%20Software|publisher =[[New York Times]]|accessdate = 2006-10-15|date=2001-09-20}}
* {{cite web|url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_and_why_it_matters&oldid=149626|author=[[Larry Sanger|Sanger, Larry]]|title=What Wikipedia is and why it matters|accessdate = 2006-04-12}}</ref>}}
The '''English Wikipedia''' is the [[English language]] edition of [[Wikipedia]]. Founded on 15 January 2001 and reaching two million articles by September 2007,<ref>{{cite news |first=Anjali |last=Rego |title= Wikipedia Reaches 2 Million Articles |url=http://www.tech2.com/india/news/websites-internet/wikipedia-reaches-2-million-articles/16031/0 |work=Tech2 |date=2007-09-13 |accessdate=2007-09-23 }}</ref> it was the first edition of Wikipedia and remains the largest, with more than three times as many articles as the next largest, the [[German Wikipedia]]. As of 2009, approximately 22.3% of articles in all Wikipedias belong to the English language edition, this share having gradually declined from over half in 2003, due to growth of Wikipedias in other languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Wikipedias&oldid=520778|title=List of Wikipedias|author=Wikimedia Meta-Wiki|date=2008-09-21|accessdate=2008-09-21}}</ref> There are currently {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} on the site.

== Pioneering edition ==
[[File:English Wikipedia contributors by country (1).svg|thumb|English Wikipedia contributors by country<ref>[[:m:Edits by project and country of origin]]</ref> as of December 2007.]]
[[File:Enwiki-map.png|thumb|Main sizeable countries from which Wikipedians contribute]]
The English Wikipedia was the first-established Wikipedia edition and has remained the largest. It has pioneered many conventions, policies and features that have been adopted by other Wikipedia editions. These include "featured articles",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Featured_articles&oldid=104207677|title=Featured articles|author=English Wikipedia|date=2007-01-30|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> the neutral point of view policy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view&oldid=103033132|title=Neutral point of view|author=English Wikipedia|date=2007-01-25|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> navigation templates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Help:Template&oldid=520481|title=Help:Template|author=Wikimedia Meta-Wiki|date=2007-01-29|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> sorting of short "stub" articles into sub-categories,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:WikiProject_Stub_sorting&oldid=101829026|title=WikiProject Stub sorting|author=English Wikipedia|date=2007-01-19|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Resolving_disputes&oldid=103577785|title=Resolving disputes|author=English Wikipedia|date=2007-01-27|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> and weekly collaborations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Article_Creation_and_Improvement_Drive&oldid=104243512|title=Article Creation and Improvement Drive|author=English Wikipedia|date=2007-01-30|accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> In turn, the English Wikipedia has adopted features from the [[German Wikipedia]], and from other smaller editions as well.

Many of the most active participants in the [[Wikimedia Foundation]], and developers of the [[MediaWiki]] software that powers Wikipedia, are also English Wikipedia users.

== Users and editors ==
English Wikipedia reached 4,000,000 registered user accounts on 1 April 2007,<ref name="4,000,000">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2007-04-02/News_and_notes Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2007-04-02/News and notes]. Retrieved on 20 April 2007</ref> just a little over a year since it had crossed a threshold of 1,000,000 registered user accounts in late February 2006.<ref name="1,000,000">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2006-02-27/News_and_notes Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2006-02-27/News and notes]. Retrieved on 20 April 2007</ref> The number of individual persons who are active editors (either registered or anonymous) at Wikipedia on any given month is much less than these figures.

As the largest Wikipedia edition, and because the [[English language]] is such a widely used language, the English Wikipedia draws many users and editors whose [[native language]] is not English. Such users seek information from the English Wikipedia rather than the Wikipedia of their native language simply because the English Wikipedia contains more information. Many successful collaborations have developed between non-native English speakers who add content to English Wikipedia and native English speakers who act as copy editors for those adding content.

== Controversies ==
{{seealso|Seigenthaler incident|Essjay controversy}}
Among the controversies in the English Wikipedia is a debate over which national variety of the English language is to be preferred, with the most commonly advocated candidates being [[American English]] and [[British English]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_%28spelling%29||title=Wikipedia:Manual of Style (spelling)|author=English Wikipedia|accessdate=2006-02-25}}</ref> Many suggestions have been proposed by editors, ranging from standardizing upon a single form of English to [[fork (software)|forking]] the English Wikipedia project. A style guideline states, "the English Wikipedia has no general preference for a major national variety of the language" and "an article on a topic that has strong ties to a particular English-speaking nation uses the appropriate variety of English for that nation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style#National_varieties_of_English|title=Wikipedia:Manual of Style|author=English Wikipedia|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref> An article should use spelling and grammar variants consistently; for example, ''color'' and ''colour'' are not to be used in the same article, since they represent American and British English, respectively. The guide also states that an article must remain in the same [[dialect]] in which it was first created, or which first became discernible in the article's history.

There has been a [[Chinese Wikipedia#Automatic conversion between Traditional and Simplified Chinese|similar issue in the Chinese language Wikipedia]] concerning regional differences in how the language is written, as well as in the [[Portuguese Wikipedia]] between [[European Portuguese]] and [[Brazilian Portuguese]].

== See also ==
* [[History of Wikipedia]]
* [[Criticism of Wikipedia]]
* [[Simple English Wikipedia]]

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org English Wikipedia] 
* [[:meta:English Wikipedia|Meta: English Wikipedia]]
* [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia.org multilingual portal]
* [http://wikimediafoundation.org Wikimedia Foundation]

{{Wikipedias}}

[[Category:Wikipedias by language]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2001]]
[[Category:English-language encyclopedias]]

[[af:Engelse Wikipedia]]
[[ar:ويكيبيديا الإنجليزية]]
[[be:Англійская Вікіпедыя]]
[[be-x-old:Ангельская Вікіпэдыя]]
[[bg:Уикипедия на английски език]]
[[ca:Viquipèdia en anglès]]
[[cs:Anglická Wikipedie]]
[[cy:Wicipedia Saesneg]]
[[da:Engelsk Wikipedia]]
[[et:Ingliskeelne Vikipeedia]]
[[el:Αγγλική Βικιπαίδεια]]
[[es:Wikipedia en inglés]]
[[eu:Ingelesezko Wikipedia]]
[[fa:ویکی‌پدیای انگلیسی]]
[[fr:Wikipédia en anglais]]
[[gl:Wikipedia en inglés]]
[[ko:영어 위키백과]]
[[hi:अंग्रेजी विकिपीडिया]]
[[hr:Wikipedija na engleskom jeziku]]
[[ig:Wikipedia nke ndị bekee]]
[[it:Wikipedia in inglese]]
[[he:ויקיפדיה האנגלית]]
[[sw:Wikipedia ya Kiingereza]]
[[lt:Angliška Vikipedija]]
[[ms:Wikipedia bahasa Inggeris]]
[[nl:Engelstalige Wikipedia]]
[[ja:英語版ウィキペディア]]
[[no:Engelsk Wikipedia]]
[[uz:Ingliz Vikipediyasi]]
[[km:វិគីភីឌាភាសាអង់គ្លេស]]
[[pl:Anglojęzyczna Wikipedia]]
[[pt:Wikipédia em inglês]]
[[ru:Англоязычная Википедия]]
[[simple:English Wikipedia]]
[[sh:Engleska Wikipedija]]
[[fi:Wikipedia:Englanninkielinen Wikipedia]]
[[sv:Engelskspråkiga Wikipedia]]
[[th:วิกิพีเดียภาษาอังกฤษ]]
[[tr:İngilizce Vikipedi]]
[[uk:Англійська Вікіпедія]]
[[vi:Wikipedia tiếng Anh]]
[[wuu:英语维基百科]]
[[yi:ענגלישע וויקיפעדיע]]
[[zh-yue:英文維基百科]]
[[bat-smg:Onglėška Vikipedėjė]]
[[zh:英語維基百科]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T18:44:15Z

QuackGuru: provided requested reference

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Joe the Plumber''' (born 1973<ref>http://salon.glenrose.net/?view=plink&id=8984</ref>), a nickname applied to '''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''',<ref name = TBlicense/> is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University — Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Plumbing career==
Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/> In an interview with Dom Giodana of the [[Philadelphia Bulletin]], Joe said that "He has lived in several states in order to be close to his son who until recently was in the custody of his estranged wife. As a result, he has not yet gotten his plumbing license."<ref> http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20173020</ref>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

==Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district==
Since his meeting with Barack Obama, various media outlets have reported on a campaign to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] Wurzelbacher to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the 2010 election.<ref name ="Toledo Free Press">{{cite web
|url= http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/
|date=2008-10-19
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Web site urges ‘Joe the Plumber’ to run for Congress"
|publisher = [[Toledo Free Press]]
}}</ref>
<ref name ="NBC24">{{cite web
|url= http://www.wnwo.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809
|date=2008-10-20
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[NBC]]
}}</ref> Both the [[Washington Times]] and the [[Boston Herald]] have reported on a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. [[Marcy Kaptur]] of [[Ohio's 9th congressional district]].<ref name ="Boston Herald">{{cite web
|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4
|date=2008-10-18
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"
|publisher = [[Boston Herald]]
}}</ref><ref name ="Washington Times">{{cite web
|url= http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[Washington Times]]
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Сантехнік Джо]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T18:21:24Z

QuackGuru: grammar

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Joe the Plumber''' (born 1973), a nickname applied to '''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''',<ref name = TBlicense/> is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University — Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Plumbing career==
Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/> In an interview with Dom Giodana of the [[Philadelphia Bulletin]], Joe said that "He has lived in several states in order to be close to his son who until recently was in the custody of his estranged wife. As a result, he has not yet gotten his plumbing license."<ref> http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20173020</ref>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district==
Since his meeting with Barack Obama, various media outlets have reported on a campaign to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] Wurzelbacher to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the 2010 election.<ref name ="Toledo Free Press">{{cite web
|url= http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/
|date=2008-10-19
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Web site urges ‘Joe the Plumber’ to run for Congress"
|publisher = [[Toledo Free Press]]
}}</ref>
<ref name ="NBC24">{{cite web
|url= http://www.wnwo.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809
|date=2008-10-20
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[NBC]]
}}</ref> Both the [[Washington Times]] and the [[Boston Herald]] have reported on a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. [[Marcy Kaptur]] of [[Ohio's 9th congressional district]].<ref name ="Boston Herald">{{cite web
|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4
|date=2008-10-18
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"
|publisher = [[Boston Herald]]
}}</ref><ref name ="Washington Times">{{cite web
|url= http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[Washington Times]]
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Сантехнік Джо]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T18:19:19Z

QuackGuru: add ref and year of birth

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Joe the Plumber''' (born 1973), is a nickname applied to '''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''',<ref name = TBlicense/> an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University — Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Plumbing career==
Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/> In an interview with Dom Giodana of the [[Philadelphia Bulletin]], Joe said that "He has lived in several states in order to be close to his son who until recently was in the custody of his estranged wife. As a result, he has not yet gotten his plumbing license."<ref> http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20173020</ref>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district==
Since his meeting with Barack Obama, various media outlets have reported on a campaign to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] Wurzelbacher to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the 2010 election.<ref name ="Toledo Free Press">{{cite web
|url= http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/
|date=2008-10-19
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Web site urges ‘Joe the Plumber’ to run for Congress"
|publisher = [[Toledo Free Press]]
}}</ref>
<ref name ="NBC24">{{cite web
|url= http://www.wnwo.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809
|date=2008-10-20
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[NBC]]
}}</ref> Both the [[Washington Times]] and the [[Boston Herald]] have reported on a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. [[Marcy Kaptur]] of [[Ohio's 9th congressional district]].<ref name ="Boston Herald">{{cite web
|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4
|date=2008-10-18
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"
|publisher = [[Boston Herald]]
}}</ref><ref name ="Washington Times">{{cite web
|url= http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[Washington Times]]
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Сантехнік Джо]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T18:12:27Z

QuackGuru: most famous plumber bit

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
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|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Joe the Plumber''' is a nickname applied to '''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''', an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University — Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Plumbing career==
Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/> In an interview with Dom Giodana of the [[Philadelphia Bulletin]], Joe said that "He has lived in several states in order to be close to his son who until recently was in the custody of his estranged wife. As a result, he has not yet gotten his plumbing license."<ref> http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20173020</ref>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district==
Since his meeting with Barack Obama, various media outlets have reported on a campaign to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] Wurzelbacher to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the 2010 election.<ref name ="Toledo Free Press">{{cite web
|url= http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/
|date=2008-10-19
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Web site urges ‘Joe the Plumber’ to run for Congress"
|publisher = [[Toledo Free Press]]
}}</ref>
<ref name ="NBC24">{{cite web
|url= http://www.wnwo.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809
|date=2008-10-20
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[NBC]]
}}</ref> Both the [[Washington Times]] and the [[Boston Herald]] have reported on a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. [[Marcy Kaptur]] of [[Ohio's 9th congressional district]].<ref name ="Boston Herald">{{cite web
|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4
|date=2008-10-18
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"
|publisher = [[Boston Herald]]
}}</ref><ref name ="Washington Times">{{cite web
|url= http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[Washington Times]]
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Сантехнік Джо]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T18:09:45Z

QuackGuru: /* Political leanings and views on taxation */ restore directly related tax information per NPOV

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Joe the Plumber''' is a nickname applied to '''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''', an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University — Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Plumbing career==
Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,000 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/> In an interview with Dom Giodana of the [[Philadelphia Bulletin]], Joe said that "He has lived in several states in order to be close to his son who until recently was in the custody of his estranged wife. As a result, he has not yet gotten his plumbing license."<ref> http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=20173020</ref>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Draft campaign for Ohio's 9th congressional district==
Since his meeting with Barack Obama, various media outlets have reported on a campaign to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] Wurzelbacher to run for the [[United States House of Representatives]] in the 2010 election.<ref name ="Toledo Free Press">{{cite web
|url= http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/
|date=2008-10-19
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Web site urges ‘Joe the Plumber’ to run for Congress"
|publisher = [[Toledo Free Press]]
}}</ref>
<ref name ="NBC24">{{cite web
|url= http://www.wnwo.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809
|date=2008-10-20
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[NBC]]
}}</ref> Both the [[Washington Times]] and the [[Boston Herald]] have reported on a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run against Rep. [[Marcy Kaptur]] of [[Ohio's 9th congressional district]].<ref name ="Boston Herald">{{cite web
|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4
|date=2008-10-18
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "GOP group says Joe the Plumber is the right guy to unclog Washington"
|publisher = [[Boston Herald]]
}}</ref><ref name ="Washington Times">{{cite web
|url= http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-23
|title = "Joe the Plumber for Congress?"
|publisher = [[Washington Times]]
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Сантехнік Джо]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T05:39:08Z

QuackGuru: /* Plumbing career */ unreliable source?

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''' (born 1973{{fact|date=October 2008}}), also known as '''Joe the Plumber''',<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the [American] nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name=TBlicense/> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "First off, if you're a small business you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut for that part. If your revenue is above 250 – then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that from 250 up – from 250 – 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Plumbing career==

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,00 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = APlicense/>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/>

[[Lew Rockwell]] decried "the complete absurdity of the idea that you have to have a license in order to have the right to fix someone else's sink" and the property taxes that are "too high and similarly unjust":<ref>http://mises.org/story/3160</ref>{{vc}}
{{cquote|By practicing plumbing without a license, Joe is bucking the system in a truly heroic way. He shouldn't be condemned for this. He should be celebrated as a freedom fighter. He has a lot more to complain about than just taxes. It is the state itself in all its incarnations that is his true enemy...so it turns out that we truly do have an American archetype in Joe Wurzelbacher. He is an outlaw in the same sense that our founders were outlaws. He lives outside the regulations of the state because these regulations attack his freedom and property. It was to end systems such as this that the American revolution came to be. And yet we find ourselves back in exactly the same system, and one incredibly worse in every way.}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Джо Сантехнік]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-23T05:32:18Z

QuackGuru: the most famous plumber in the [American] nation bit See Talk:Joe the Plumber#The most famous plumber bit.

{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = United States
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
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|signature =
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|footnotes =
}}
'''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''' (born 1973{{fact|date=October 2008}}), also known as '''Joe the Plumber''',<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio]], USA. He came to media attention during the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]] when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=2008-10-17
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref><ref>26 times according to the [[BBC]], per [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7675278.stm "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'"], October 17, 2008</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> He has been called "the most famous plumber in the [American] nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/in-working-clas.html|title =In working-class Ohio, Obama meets amorous dogs, skeptical plumber|date = 2008-10-12 |publisher = ABC News|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name=TBlicense/> As an [[ABC News]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher stated, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250, 270, 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "First off, if you're a small business you would get a 50% tax credit so you'd get cut in taxes for your healthcare costs. So you would actually get a tax cut for that part. If your revenue is above 250 – then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that from 250 up – from 250 – 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you’d go from 36 to 39%, which is what it was under [[Bill Clinton]]. "<ref>{{cite news|url = http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6031110 |title =ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-20}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher also asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan. Obama replied,
{{cquote| I would be open to it except here’s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we’ve got, you’d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too… And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Political leanings and views on taxation==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = "APlicense">{{cite web
|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0 |author=John Seewer |date=2008-10-16 |title= "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license" |publisher=The Associated press. |accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a tax [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of Ohio income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> On October 16, 2008, Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Plumbing career==

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo,<ref name=realdeal/> the company he described to Obama as making $250,000 to $280,00 per year.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref>Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions, he would be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, said Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but did not complete the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = APlicense/>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[es:Joe el fontanero]]
[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]
[[uk:Джо Сантехнік]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-20T16:22:26Z

QuackGuru: /* Encounter with Barack Obama */ more reliable reference

{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = [[United States]]
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''' (born 1973{{fact|date=October 2008}}), also known as '''Joe the Plumber,'''<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> has been called "the most famous plumber in the nation."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref> He rose to national attention when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=[[2008-10-17]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Wurzelbacher is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]].

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref name=TBlicense/> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name=TBlicense/> As a [[Fox News Channel]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher said he was upset about his interpretation of Obama's tax plan and suggested that such a plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama, "I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan.

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If your revenue is above $250[K], then from $250[K] down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for $250[K] up, …, you'd go from 36% to 39%, which is where it was under [[Bill Clinton]]."<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUvwKVvp3-o|title =YouTube video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>

Regarding the flat tax Obama said,
{{cquote|I would be open to it, but here's the problem with a flat tax: … in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that was got [replace all the revenue that is currently being received], you'd probably end up having to make it like a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref> On the following day [[Colin Powell]] commented on that line of attack:
{{cquote|Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes, that are redistributed, go back to those who paid them - in roads, airports, hospitals and schools. Taxes are necessary for the common good.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/powell.transcript/index.html?iref=hpmostpop Colin Powell on CNN]</ref>}}

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama just happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Political leanings and tax issues==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = APlicense/> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a judgement [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> Barb Loisie, deputy clerk at the [[Lucas County, Ohio|Lucas County]] Court of Common Pleas, told [[ABC News]] that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Plumbing career==

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo.<ref name=realdeal/> This is the company he described to Obama as making more than $250,000 per year.<ref name = APlicense>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0|title = 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license|last = Seewer|first = John|publisher = The Associated press|date = 16 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions he'd be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, indicated that Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but never completed the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = APlicense/>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]
* [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/spread-the-weal.html Full text] of the conversation, Jake Tapper, [[ABC News]] online, 2008-10-14

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-20T14:42:42Z

QuackGuru: Category:Articles on deletion review is closed per the review. The result is keep for now. (Decision endorsed, no consensus to overturn.

{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = [[United States]]
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''' (born 1973), also known as '''Joe the Plumber''', is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]].<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, called "the most famous plumber in the nation",<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref> rose to national attention when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=[[2008-10-17]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref name=TBlicense/> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name=TBlicense/> As a [[Fox News Channel]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher said he was upset about his interpretation of Obama's tax plan and suggested that such a plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama, "I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan.

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If your revenue is above $250[K], then from $250[K] down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for $250[K] up, …, you'd go from 36% to 39%, which is where it was under [[Bill Clinton]]."<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUvwKVvp3-o|title =YouTube video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>

Regarding the flat tax Obama said,
{{cquote|I would be open to it, but here's the problem with a flat tax: … in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that was got [replace all the revenue that is currently being received], you'd probably end up having to make it like a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, even comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama just happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Political leanings and tax issues==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = APlicense/> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a judgement [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the [[Lucas County]] Court of Common Pleas, explains that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Plumbing career==

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo.<ref name=realdeal/> This is the company he described to Obama as making more than $250,000 per year.<ref name = APlicense>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0|title = 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license|last = Seewer|first = John|publisher = The Associated press|date = 16 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions he'd be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, indicated that Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but never completed the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = APlicense/>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]
* [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/spread-the-weal.html Full text] of the conversation, Jake Tapper, [[ABC News]] online, 2008-10-14

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
{{Lifetime|1973|LIVING|Wurzelbacher, Joe}}
[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]

Joe the Plumber

2008-10-20T14:33:31Z

QuackGuru: rmv extra spaces

{{pp-semi|small=yes}}

{{ambox
| type = delete
| image = none
| text ='''This page is currently under discussion at [[Wikipedia:Deletion review]]''', because a recent decision to retain or delete it on Wikipedia has been appealed. You may wish to contribute to [[Wikipedia:Deletion review/Joe the Plumber|the review]]. While the review is in progress, you are welcome to edit the article, but please do not blank it or remove this notice. For more information, particularly on merging or moving articles under review, please see [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion]].  }}
[[Category:Articles on deletion review]]
{{Infobox Person
|name = Joe Wurzelbacher
|image =
|image_size = 200px
|caption =
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place =
|residence = [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]]
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship = [[United States]]
|other_names = Joe the Plumber
|known_for =
|education =
|alma_mater =
|employer = Newell Plumbing & Heating (A. W. Newell Inc.)
|occupation = Assistant to plumbing contractor
|years_active =
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse =
|partner =
|children =
|parents =
|relations =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
'''Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher''' (born 1973), also known as '''Joe the Plumber''', is an employee of Newell Plumbing & Heating and a resident of [[Holland, Ohio|Holland]], [[Ohio]].<ref name = TBlicense>{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418|title='Joe the plumber' isn’t licensed|first =Larry| last = Vellequette |coauthors = Troy, Tom|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> Wurzelbacher, called "the most famous plumber in the nation",<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/howmuchdoplumbersreallymake</ref> rose to national attention when he was mentioned by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States]] [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Senator [[Barack Obama]] at least 23 times<ref name = VoA>{{cite news|url = http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-16-voa59.cfm|title = 'Joe the Plumber' - Unexpected Star of US Presidential Debate|first = Cindy |last = Saine|date = 16 October 2008|publisher = Voice of America: VoA News}}</ref><ref name ="IndianExpress">{{cite web
|url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mentioned-26-times---Joe-the-Plumber--becomes-a-national-fixture/374282
|date=[[2008-10-17]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-17
|title = "Mentioned 26 times, ‘Joe the Plumber’ becomes a national fixture"
|publisher = IndianExpress.com
}}</ref> during the third and final [[United States presidential election debates, 2008#October 15: Third presidential debate (Hofstra University – Hempstead, New York)|presidential debate]] on October 15, 2008.<ref name ="ABC-News">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref>

==Encounter with Barack Obama==
On October 11, 2008, four days before the final presidential debate, Obama met residents in Wurzelbacher's Ohio neighborhood.<ref name=TBlicense/> Wurzelbacher, who had been playing football with his son in his front yard at the time, asked Obama about his tax plan.<ref name=TBlicense/> As a [[Fox News Channel]] camera recorded the conversation, Wurzelbacher said he was upset about his interpretation of Obama's tax plan and suggested that such a plan would be at odds with "the American dream."<ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/us/politics/16plumber.html|title = Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight |last = Rohter|first = Larry|publisher = New York Times|date = October 15, 2008 |accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama, "I’m getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year. Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn’t it?"<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17joe.html |title=Real Deal on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Reveals New Slant |work=The New York Times |date=2008-10-16 |author=Rohter, Larry. |accessdate=2008-10-16 }}</ref> Wurzelbacher asked Obama whether he would support a [[flat tax]] plan.

Obama responded with an explanation of how his [[tax]] plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama stated, "If your revenue is above $250[K], then from $250[K] down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that for $250[K] up, …, you'd go from 36% to 39%, which is where it was under [[Bill Clinton]]."<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUvwKVvp3-o|title =YouTube video 'Joe the Plumber'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>

Regarding the flat tax Obama said,
{{cquote|I would be open to it, but here's the problem with a flat tax: … in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that was got [replace all the revenue that is currently being received], you'd probably end up having to make it like a 40% sales tax.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209|title =LiveLeak video 'Complete Joe the Plumber video'|date = 2008-10-15|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref>}}

Obama also said,
{{cquote|It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. And I think that when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha9qKZFKzFvH74G3c5PxRG_lHRIAD93RC8FG0|title =McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate|last = Fouhy|first = Beth|date = 15 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17|publisher = The Associated Press}}</ref>}}

The "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, even comparing Obama’s policies to [[socialism]].<ref name="Drogin">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign19-2008oct19,0,6341003.story|title=John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism|last=Drogin|first=Bob|coauthors=Mark Z. Barabak|date=2008-10-18|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-19}}</ref> [[Steve Schmidt]], McCain's chief campaign strategist, commented that this statement would be a focus of their campaign in its final weeks.<ref name="Nagourney">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/us/politics/17campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries |last=Nagourney|first=Adam|coauthors=Jim Rutenberg|date=2008-10-16|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=2008-10-17}}</ref>

==Phone call with John McCain==
On October 18, [[John McCain]] told a [[Melbourne, Florida]] campaign rally that he phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said:
{{cquote|"…He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marines Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."<ref>[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber inquirer.net, John McCain telephones ‘Joe the Plumber’], ''AFP'', October 17, 2008 </ref>}}

==Media appearances==
Wurzelbacher spoke to [[Katie Couric]] of [[CBS Evening News]] on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but, you know, question, so he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much, you know? I mean, you're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? I mean, where does it end?"<ref name="CBS-News"/> He also said, “I asked the question but I still got a tap dance ...almost as good as [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]]”<ref name ="CBS-News">{{cite web
|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric"
|publisher = [[CBS News]]
}}</ref>

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he prefers, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."<ref name = LATimes>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-campaign17-2008oct17,0,373757.story |title='Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama |accessdate=2008-10-16 |date= 16 October 2008|work= |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first = Seema |last = Mehta |coauthors = Michael Muskal}}</ref>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on ''[[Your World with Neil Cavuto]]'' on Fox News. [[Neil Cavuto|Cavuto]] asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was [[Socialism|socialist]] in nature.<ref name = NYT/>

On October 16, Wurzelbacher also appeared on ''[[Good Morning America]]''. [[Diane Sawyer]] asked him if he was taking home $250,000 now, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."<ref name ="ABC-vid">{{cite web
|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Meet Joe the Plumber"
|publisher = [[ABC News]]
}}</ref> Sawyer asked Wurzelbacher, "And the McCain camp, some people have said did they contact you and tell you that you were going to be a major part of this, and had they contacted you before that encounter with Senator Obama?" Wurzelbacher answered, "Oh no, no, no one's contacted me as far as if I was going to be on the debate or as far as my name being used. No. I have been contacted by them and asked to show up at a rally. But, other than that, no. I just happened to be here and Barack Obama just happened to show up."<ref name ="ABC-vid"/>

==Political leanings and tax issues==
Wurzelbacher registered to vote in 1992. In 2008, he voted in the Republican primary.<ref name="toledoblade">{{cite web
|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS09/810160418
|title="'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes"
|author=Bridget Tharp and Mark Zaborney
|publisher=Toledo Blade
|date=2008-10-16
|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> He told an [[Associated Press]] reporter that in the most recent Republican primary, he backed McCain.<ref name = APlicense/> Wurzelbacher is a registered Republican.<ref name = "BBC profile"> {{cite journal
| year =2008 | month =17 October
| title =Profile: Joe Wurzelbacher
| journal =BBC | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7673170.stm
}} </ref>

In an October interview, Wurzelbacher said<ref>[http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=527094 'Who is "Joe the Plumber"?', KARE11, October 16, 2008]</ref>
{{cquote|You know a lot of the stuff that our government is doing right now is all about taxation without representation and you know the last time that happened a couple guys got together and threw the Brits out.}}

There is a judgement [[lien]] against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of income taxes.<ref>http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93S1EKG0</ref> Barb Loisie, deputy clerk of the [[Lucas County]] Court of Common Pleas, explains that "there is a 99 percent chance he doesn't know about the lien."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=6047360&page=1 "Joe the Plumber Takes Center Stage at Final Presidential Debate", ABC News, October 16, 2008]</ref>

==Plumbing career==

Wurzelbacher is one of two employees of a small [[plumbing]] firm, Newell Plumbing and Heating Co. of Toledo.<ref name=realdeal/> This is the company he described to Obama as making more than $250,000 per year.<ref name = APlicense>{{cite news|url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJsPHiQlgYvAsrHz9mvHJlezQJLwD93RONUO0|title = 'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license|last = Seewer|first = John|publisher = The Associated press|date = 16 October 2008|accessdate = 2008-10-17}}</ref> Wurzelbacher said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior.<ref name= TBlicense/>

[[MSNBC]] reported that "Ohio business records show the company’s estimated total annual revenue as only $100,000. Actual ''taxable income'' would be even less than that."<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27221645/ |title= ‘Joe the plumber’ and Obama’s tax plan |publisher= [[msnbc.com]] |date= 2008-10-16 |accessdate= 2008-10-17}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]], if Wurzelbacher bought the company and it did have the earnings he described, by the time he took proper business deductions he'd be left with between $150,000 and $200,000 in [[taxable income]] and wouldn't be affected by Obama's proposed increase in the top rates.<ref>{{cite news | first = Ryan J. | last = Donmoyer | title = 'Joe the Plumber,' Obama Tax-Plan Critic, Owes Taxes | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aC4j3T5.s_eQ&refer=home | work = Bloomberg.com | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | location = New York, New York | date = 2008-10-16 | accessdate = 2008-10-17 }}</ref>

An [[Associated Press]] article reported that Wurzelbacher did not have a plumber's license or [[apprentice]]ship.<ref name ="Yahoo-news">{{cite web
|url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081017/ap_on_re_us/joe_the_plumber;_ylt=Avwwyr5JRUHYIXm2bhAYz5RH2ocA
|date=[[2008-10-16]]
|accessdate = 2008-10-16
|title = "Is 'Joe the Plumber' a plumber? That's debatable"
|publisher = [[Yahoo]]
}}</ref>
Local 50 of the [[United Association|United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics]], which endorsed Obama, indicated that Wurzelbacher applied for an apprentice program in 2003 but never completed the work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603614_2.html|title=After Debate, Glare Of Media Hits Joe|author=Barnes, Robert|publisher=[[Washington Post]]|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> Wurzelbacher told reporters he did not need a license because he worked under license of Al Newell, the owner of the firm where he works. Newell held licenses with the State of Ohio and City of [[Toledo]].<ref name = TBlicense/><ref name = APlicense/>

In his interview on [[ABC News|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' on October 16, Wurzelbacher said that his two current plumbing jobs were for a gas station and for a shopping center, Levis Commons.<ref name = "ABC-vid"/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1a4_1224166209 Full, unedited video of the conversation between Joe the Plumber and Obama]
* [http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/spread-the-weal.html Full text] of the conversation, Jake Tapper, [[ABC News]] online, 2008-10-14

{{United States presidential election, 2008}}

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[[Category:United States presidential election, 2008]]
[[Category:John McCain]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Plumbers]]
[[Category:People from Lucas County, Ohio]]

[[fr:Joe the Plumber]]