The inconvenient truth that our lazy media elites do so much to ignore is that Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, and Warren are much closer in their views to the vast majority of ordinary Americans than the Bloombergs or the Bidens. They are the true centrists, the real moderates; they represent the actual political middle. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
To be clear, no one is saying there weren’t any legitimate economic grievances in Trumpland, nor is anyone claiming that the economy played no role whatsoever. The point, however, is that it wasn’t the major motivating factor for most Trump voters – or, at least, that’s what we learn when we bother to study those voters. Race trumped economics. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
As a supporter of secularism, I am willing to accept same-sex weddings in a state-sanctioned register office, on grounds of equity. As a believer in Islam, however, I insist that no mosque be forced to hold one against its wishes. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
I have always regretted the dumb and offensive comments I made in my 20s on atheism and homosexuality. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
In theory, the filibuster helps whichever party is in the minority in the Senate. In practice, it is the Republicans who have disproportionately used it to engage in cynical and anti-democratic obstructionism whenever they find themselves in the minority. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
Scepticism may be evidence of a healthy and independent mindset; but conspiracism is a virus that feeds off insecurity and bitterness. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
Bigotry and demonisation of difference are usually the hallmark of immature and childish minds. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
There are two Tory parties: the trendy, socially liberal Notting Hill set which dominates at the national level, and the unreconstructed, reactionary, and often bigoted members of Conservative associations at the local level. The latter have yet to reconcile themselves to the reality of modern, multiracial Britain. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
The common stereotype of the Middle Eastern, Muslim-born terrorist is not just lazy and inaccurate but easy fodder for the anti-immigrant, anti-Islam far right. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote
The state exists to serve and protect every citizen, regardless of colour, creed, race or religion – and the welfare state should exist to and protect the populace in the same non-discriminatory and universal manner. Mehdi Hasan Read Quote