We’ve had some of the most thoughtful comments ever on this blog to what was a throw-away comment in my last post about Muslim extremists. In addition to those comments I received several mails as well. I’d like to clarify my point and give everyone the opportunity to explore this issue further.The first step in solving any problem is to recognize that the problem exists and call it by its true name. This is hardly a controversial point of view; it is shared by many people and is the first step in 12 step programs like AA.
One big problem facing this country is that radical Muslims are at war with us. Invading Iraq and Afghanistan may have exacerbated the problem, but they were at war with us long before those events, and they won’t stop killing us if we leave. Regardless of your position on the wars, this is a big problem that has taken many American lives and it isn’t going to go away by wishing it so.
Many Americans, including some members of the media, seem to be afraid to acknowledge this fact. I’m sure their reasons are varied, but it seems to stem from the belief that it would be even worse to acknowledge the problem because it would stigmatize innocent Muslims as well as those who make war against us. I don’t have an answer to that problem and I feel bad for the innocent. But the problem remains and is made worse by throwing a blanket of political correctness over it.
Failure to recognize the true problem has had us chasing Osama, Saadam, the Taliban and Al Qaeda when the real enemy is a belief system. It should be a propaganda war we are waging. It’s so ironic that a bunch of dark-age religious fanatics are beating us at the game of global communications and social networking. Maybe we should put the Google boys in charge of the war.
No one, not even the nut cases, are calling for Japanese-style internment camps. Quite the opposite; who best to help in this effort than loyal American Muslims who left the old world behind and want to enjoy the fruits of American liberal democracy.
Surely this is one issue where left and right can find some common ground and find a path to victory.
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