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Line 83: − * [http://dir.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2001/08/01/maher/index.html Is Bill Maher a libertarian? by Dann Halem]
add biography and clean up
'''Bill Maher''' (1956- ) is a [[left-wing]] talk show host. He is also a [[Socialism|socialist]], [[atheist]] and [[liberal]] comedian, actor, writer, producer, and [[Democratic Party]] activist. Maher supports the legalization of marijuana, gay marriage, gambling and prostitution. He is most notable as the host of ''[[Real Time|Real Time with Bill Maher]]'', which airs on the HBO television network. Maher formerly hosted ''[[Politically Incorrect]]'' on ABC.
'''Bill Maher''' (1956- ) is a [[left-wing]] talk show host. He is also a [[Socialism|socialist]], [[atheist]] and [[liberal]] comedian, actor, writer, producer, and [[Democratic Party]] activist. Maher supports the legalization of marijuana, gay marriage, gambling and prostitution. He is most notable as the host of ''[[Real Time|Real Time with Bill Maher]]'', which airs on the HBO television network. Maher formerly hosted ''[[Politically Incorrect]]'' on ABC.
==Biography==
Maher was born in New York City, the son of Julie (née Berman), a nurse, and William Maher, Sr., a network news editor and [[radio announcer]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.filmreference.com/film/32/Bill-Maher.html |title = Bill Maher Biography (1956–)|accessdate = January 17, 2008|publisher = Film Reference}}</ref> He was raised in his [[Irish American]] father's [[Catholic]] religion, remaining unaware that his mother was [[Jews|Jew]]ish until his early teenage years.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/24/lkl.00.html|title = Interview With Bill Maher|date = May 24, 2002|accessdate = January 17, 2008|publisher = CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|date= May 24, 2002
|last= King
|first= Larry
|authorlink= Larry King
|url= http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/24/lkl.00.html
|title= CNN LARRY KING LIVE Interview With Bill Maher
|publisher= CNN
|accessdate= Aug 13, 2012
|quote= But I never even knew I was half-Jewish until I was a teenager.
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|year= 2008
|month= November/December
|last= Carlin-McCall
|first= Kelly
|url= http://www.irishabroad.com/irishworld/irishamericamag/octnov08/features/bill-maher-octnov08.asp
|title= The Real Bill
|publisher= [[Irish America magazine]]
|accessdate= Aug 13, 2012
|quote= So the fact that I’m half Irish and half Jewish, they both contributed to a sense of humor.
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|year= 2011
|month= July
|last= Morgan
|first= Piers
|url= http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/maher-on-religion/
|title= Bill Maher explains his 'apatheism,' apathetic atheism
|publisher= CNN
|accessdate= Aug 13, 2012
|quote= "...and I was raised Catholic. I was never Jewish"
}}</ref> When Maher was 13, his father disagreed with the [[Catholic Church]]'s position on [[birth control]] and stopped taking Maher and his sister to Catholic church services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081221013449/http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/10/03/Diversions/Getting.Blasphemous.In.The.Presence.Of.Bill.Maher-3467097.shtml |title=Getting Blasphemous in the Presence of Bill Maher |publisher=Media.www.diamondbackonline.com |date= |accessdate=Aug 13, 2012}}</ref>
Maher grew up in [[River Vale, New Jersey]], and graduated from [[Pascack Hills High School]] in [[Montvale, New Jersey|Montvale]] in 1974. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in [[English literature|English]] and [[history]] from [[Cornell University]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-ivyleague/18/ |title=Entertainment; Ivy League Celebrities |publisher=Comcast.net|accessdate=Aug 13, 2012}}</ref>
== Television shows & Other Media ==
== Television shows & Other Media ==
== Political claims and statements ==
== Political claims and statements ==
Despite bizarre claims of being a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]], his views are more line with totalitarian-[[communism]]. In fact, most of his views are in direct opposition to libertarian ideology, such as his support of government regulation of corporations, foreign aid, public schooling, a ban on homeschooling, campaign finance restrictions, restricting carbon emissions and creating other radical "environmental protection" laws, affirmative action, minimum wage laws, absolute gun control, support for the [[United Nations]], income redistribution through higher taxation, and socialized medicine. He supported [[Ralph Nader]] in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, but not in 2004. He has even praised Janet Reno and the ATF for its action in the massacre in Waco, Texas. He supports personal choice on moral issues, including abortion, the use of drugs, gambling, and prostitution.
Despite claims of being a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]], his views are more line with socialism. In fact, most of his views are in direct opposition to libertarian ideology, such as his support of government regulation of corporations, foreign aid, public schooling, a ban on homeschooling, campaign finance restrictions, restricting carbon emissions and creating other radical "environmental protection" laws, affirmative action, minimum wage laws, absolute gun control, support for the [[United Nations]], income redistribution through higher taxation, and socialized medicine. He endorsed Bob Dole in 1996.<ref name=salon>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2001/08/01/maher_4/|title=Is Bill Maher a libertarian?|first=Dan|last=Halem|date=Aug 1, 2001|accessdate=Aug 13, 2012|work=Salon.com}}</ref> He supported [[Ralph Nader]] in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, but not in 2004. He has even praised [[Janet Reno]] and the ATF for its action in the massacre in Waco, Texas. He supports personal choice on moral issues, including abortion, the use of drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Salon.com characterizes him as a "A flaming liberal"><ref name=salon/>
Maher was formerly involved in a relationship with model Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen". However, Ms. Johnson ended it and in November of 2004 sued Maher for palimony amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1111041coco1.html]</ref> Maher said that he never promised to marry her and that the claims of abuse were a money making scam.<ref>[http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2004-62384.asp]</ref>
Maher was formerly involved in a relationship with model Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen". However, Ms. Johnson ended it and in November of 2004 sued Maher for palimony amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1111041coco1.html]</ref> Maher said that he never promised to marry her and that the claims of abuse were a money making scam.<ref>[http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2004-62384.asp]</ref>
Somewhat anachronistically, he voted for [[Bob Dole]] in the 1996 Presidential election, calling him an "old-fashioned" Republican. He is also a personal friend of [[Ann Coulter]], despite (or perhaps because of) their widely divergent views. She was a frequent guest on ''Politically Incorrect.''
Somewhat anachronistically, he voted for [[Bob Dole]] in the 1996 Presidential election, calling him an "old-fashioned" Republican. He is also a personal friend of fellow Cornell student [[Ann Coulter]], despite (or perhaps because of) their widely divergent views. She was a frequent guest on ''Politically Incorrect.''
==Victory: Begins at Home==
==Victory: Begins at Home==
== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=18224 Bill Maher Owes Another Apology] - A war veteran responds to Maher's anti-military comments
*[http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=18224 Bill Maher Owes Another Apology] - A war veteran responds to Maher's anti-military comments
*[http://www.aim.org/aim_column/A3735_0_3_0_C/ Is Bill Maher the Jane Fonda of the Iraq War?] - Another response to Maher's anti-military comments
*[http://www.aim.org/aim_column/A3735_0_3_0_C/ Is Bill Maher the Jane Fonda of the Iraq War?] - Another response to Maher's anti-military comments