... is not about winning an argument. In an especially fine piece, Amir Taheri explains that the West's infatuation with the notion of a 'clash of civilizations' ignores some important realities of today's world: it is the Muslim world itself that is the chief battleground of the conflict, and many of the islamist movement's leaders have been educated in the West; so we cannot assume that the problem is a lack of information about the West. The 9/11 Commission's emphasis on a 'hearts and minds' campaign is misguided, Taheri says, and is symptomatic of such assumptions.
In plain English: It isn't all about us.
Taheri enumerates several important nations in the Muslim world that have been battlegrounds in the struggle for the soul of Islam: Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Malaysia. Although the article does not mention Sudan, it might well be added to the list as a prime example of intra-Muslim conflict. Continuing atrocities show us what can happen when Islam's Klansmen, the Janjaweed, are allowed to operate unopposed.
The article names two of the chief architects of islamist ideology, Abu al-Ala Maudoodi and Sayyed Qutb, who had extensive contact with Western values and education in their own lives. Qutb is extensively profiled in the excellent book 'Terror and Liberalism' by Paul Berman.
To Taheri's article I would only add that while the war in Islam is not only about the West, it cannot be separated from the West either. It isn't all about us but it is, partly, about us. To put it another way: both islamists and non-islamists often speak of moderate, progressive forms of Islam as reflecting "Western" values. But it is also possible to say that many of the values embraced by the West (and, to be plain, America more so than Europe) are the values of liberal Islam as this piece at "Armies of Liberation" demonstrates.
Taheri concludes that 'As for Osama bin Laden, even his fellow Wahhabis have put him beyond the pale. But that has not prevented the Bin Ladenists from pursuing their campaign of terror wherever they can. This war is about finding and neutralizing the killers, not educating them or winning an argument against them.' As more and more Muslims experience islamofascism first-hand, ordinary people in the Muslim world will understand that the enemy is their enemy, and the choice is their choice: surrender to slavery, or fight for freedom.
2004-08-12
2004-08-09
Why, yes, Wretchard, as a matter of fact ...
... I do believe the "war on terrorism" is about making the world safe for homosexuals, not to mention transsexuals, women, Jews, Africans, Christians, Muslims, and even straight white males.
2004-08-08
Rice Vows to Stop Mullahs' Nuke
Condoleezza Rice expressed confidence that the international community will put strong pressure on the Iranian regime to dismantle its nuclear program, but refused to say whether the US would act alone if necessary, according to this news item on Rice and Iran's nuclear program.
'"The United States was the first to say that Iran was a threat in this way, to try and convince the international community that Iran was trying, under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, to actually bring about a nuclear weapons program," Rice said on CNN's "Late Edition."
"I think we've finally now got the world community to a place, and the International Atomic Energy Agency to a place, that it is worried and suspicious of the Iranian activities," she said. "Iran is facing for the first time real resistance to trying to take these steps." ...
She also said, "We cannot allow the Iranians to develop a nuclear weapon. The international community has got to find a way to come together and to make certain that that does not happen."'
'"The United States was the first to say that Iran was a threat in this way, to try and convince the international community that Iran was trying, under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, to actually bring about a nuclear weapons program," Rice said on CNN's "Late Edition."
"I think we've finally now got the world community to a place, and the International Atomic Energy Agency to a place, that it is worried and suspicious of the Iranian activities," she said. "Iran is facing for the first time real resistance to trying to take these steps." ...
She also said, "We cannot allow the Iranians to develop a nuclear weapon. The international community has got to find a way to come together and to make certain that that does not happen."'
Goli Ameri: Say No to Terror
In a June 18 news item, congressionial candidate Goli Ameri responded to terrorist acts with a vow to stand firm against terror if elected to represent Oregon's First District. "These terrorists hate Americans because we are pluralistic, prosperous, and free. There is no negotiating or reasoning to be had with these fanatics. We must find them and destroy them before they can realize their evil intentions. ... In Iran I watched as radicals gained power through the use of terror and maintained it through fear. These terrorists are attempting to cow Americans in the same manner. Today’s atrocity should strengthen our resolve to win this deadly, painful, but necessary war," Ameri said.
2004-08-06
Haunted Iraq
Do not miss this post from Zeyad. There are some stories there that H. P. Lovecraft would be proud of.
Interesting detail about Zeyad's grandmother, who is a psychic. It's ironic because Zeyad is a confirmed atheist/skeptic/rationalist. Also the part about amulets is interesting: makes me think of the Necronomicon, or the Key of Solomon. There are amulets in the Jewish tradition too (cf. the Book of Raziel).
I've never had a paranormal experience, but I don't discount them. Anyway, I've got to stop here as it's almost Shabbat. See you Saturday night.
Interesting detail about Zeyad's grandmother, who is a psychic. It's ironic because Zeyad is a confirmed atheist/skeptic/rationalist. Also the part about amulets is interesting: makes me think of the Necronomicon, or the Key of Solomon. There are amulets in the Jewish tradition too (cf. the Book of Raziel).
I've never had a paranormal experience, but I don't discount them. Anyway, I've got to stop here as it's almost Shabbat. See you Saturday night.
The Terror War
The latest weekly newsletter from Debka informs me that "The al-Qaeda Threat to America is Serious."
Well, duh.
As we recall, the September 11 attacks were in the works for five years or more, so we shouldn't be surprised if "old intelligence" bears on events affecting us now. A few days ago when the press reported that the threat to Wall Street was out of date, I assumed (just as the leftist press intended) that it meant our CIA and Homeland Security folks had screwed up. Fortunately a number of LGF readers clarified the situation. (There's discussion at this thread.)
No doubt, we can expect an attempted large-scale attack on America by the end of this year. Whether it succeeds in causing harm or not will depend on a lot of things; but whether it succeeds in demoralizing us will depend only on ourselves.
Well, duh.
As we recall, the September 11 attacks were in the works for five years or more, so we shouldn't be surprised if "old intelligence" bears on events affecting us now. A few days ago when the press reported that the threat to Wall Street was out of date, I assumed (just as the leftist press intended) that it meant our CIA and Homeland Security folks had screwed up. Fortunately a number of LGF readers clarified the situation. (There's discussion at this thread.)
No doubt, we can expect an attempted large-scale attack on America by the end of this year. Whether it succeeds in causing harm or not will depend on a lot of things; but whether it succeeds in demoralizing us will depend only on ourselves.
The Blogging Will Continue Until Morale Improves
These are dark times and it's easy to get discouraged. I know I do. Sometimes I wonder what's the point, or else I wonder whether any of us can make a difference. As you know, I do get out of the house once in a while, but my social life is fairly limited and there's really no one I can openly converse with about the things that matter. (Memo to self: first dates are not the place to talk politics. It's not such a good idea on second or third dates, either.)
Nevertheless, we've got to do something, and this little keyboard is all the weaponry I've got these days. I can't stay away from it for too long, or I feel like I'm abandoning my post.
Nevertheless, we've got to do something, and this little keyboard is all the weaponry I've got these days. I can't stay away from it for too long, or I feel like I'm abandoning my post.
2004-08-03
The New Republican: The Case Against "The Case Against Bush"
The New Republic didn't endorse John F. Kerry in the Democratic primaries. The magazine (quite sensibly) backed Joe Lieberman. Never ones to stifle dissent, the editors also ran articles endorsing Wesley Clark (by J. Peter Scoblic), John Edwards (Michelle Cottle), Richard Gephardt (Michael Crowley), and even Howard Dean (Jonathan Cohn). (A sidebar in that same issue presciently observes of Kerry: "The core problem with Kerry's candidacy ... has been that the man has never had a clear rationale for running. He has no Big Idea, no passionate constituency, no unique ideological niche." Thank you, Michael Crowley.)
But Democrats will be Democrats, and Kerry was the man they picked to represent them in this year's election. So TNR dutifully rises to the occasion and puts together a two-part series titled (mark this well) "The Case Against George W. Bush." Part 1, by Franklin Foer (July 5/12 print issue), takes the President to task for his approach to expert advisers; Part 2, by Jonathan Chait (July 16), criticizes the administration's transparency, or lack of it. Do they make some fair points? Sure. But they don't convince me that Bush is unfit to be President, or that a Bush presidency imperils the future of the nation. So it is really not a "case against Bush"; it is a list of criticisms, some of them perhaps valid, others almost certainly oveblown. What we're left with at the end is: So what?
The red-shirted DNC activists in my neighborhood have apparently heeded the Kerry campaign's injunction against negative politics, so now instead of "Wanna help get George Bush out of the White House?", they greet you with "Wanna help elect John Kerry?" Well, as they say in Yiddish, Das helft gornisht. That's the problem facing the Democrats in general and TNR in particular: It's not enough to criticize the Bush administration, even if you elevate the criticism to a "case against". You've got to offer an alternative. So what's the alternative to George W. Bush? John F. Kerry, of course.
The New Republic didn't make a "case for John F. Kerry" during the primary, and it still hasn't made one. That's a shame, because a good magazine like TNR ought to be able to put on together.
Say, maybe I can help.
(Scroll down ... )
But Democrats will be Democrats, and Kerry was the man they picked to represent them in this year's election. So TNR dutifully rises to the occasion and puts together a two-part series titled (mark this well) "The Case Against George W. Bush." Part 1, by Franklin Foer (July 5/12 print issue), takes the President to task for his approach to expert advisers; Part 2, by Jonathan Chait (July 16), criticizes the administration's transparency, or lack of it. Do they make some fair points? Sure. But they don't convince me that Bush is unfit to be President, or that a Bush presidency imperils the future of the nation. So it is really not a "case against Bush"; it is a list of criticisms, some of them perhaps valid, others almost certainly oveblown. What we're left with at the end is: So what?
The red-shirted DNC activists in my neighborhood have apparently heeded the Kerry campaign's injunction against negative politics, so now instead of "Wanna help get George Bush out of the White House?", they greet you with "Wanna help elect John Kerry?" Well, as they say in Yiddish, Das helft gornisht. That's the problem facing the Democrats in general and TNR in particular: It's not enough to criticize the Bush administration, even if you elevate the criticism to a "case against". You've got to offer an alternative. So what's the alternative to George W. Bush? John F. Kerry, of course.
The New Republic didn't make a "case for John F. Kerry" during the primary, and it still hasn't made one. That's a shame, because a good magazine like TNR ought to be able to put on together.
Say, maybe I can help.
(Scroll down ... )
2004-08-02
Iran Regime Change Petition
has over 500 signatures. Is yours one of them? Click here:
True Security Begins with Regime Change in Iran
True Security Begins with Regime Change in Iran
2004-08-01
Let's blogroll!
Suffragette nation! Great news on Afghanistan from Greatest Jeneration: a recent news item reports that 90% of Afghans are registered to vote - and that "women and ethnic minorities are strongly represented". Did you get that? I'll say it again: ninety percent of Afghans are registered to vote. Thanks, Greatest Jen, for the good news.
What's wrong with this picture? Baldilocks offers a few pointers for John Kerry. Quiz question: When's the best time to come between a GI and his/her food? (If you answered "never", you're one up on Kerry.)
Yes, there is such a thing as a post-9/11 world. Jane is living in it. So is Michele.
How low can Subway go? Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler ponders the implications of the grinder giant's campaign on the "Fat American" stereotype.
What's wrong with this picture? Baldilocks offers a few pointers for John Kerry. Quiz question: When's the best time to come between a GI and his/her food? (If you answered "never", you're one up on Kerry.)
Yes, there is such a thing as a post-9/11 world. Jane is living in it. So is Michele.
How low can Subway go? Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler ponders the implications of the grinder giant's campaign on the "Fat American" stereotype.
Morning report: August 1, 2004
Al Qaeda threatening financial organizations? Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge cited specific threats against several East Coast financial centers at a news conference Sunday and indicated he would raise the threat alert level to Orange for designated areas of Washington, DC, New York, and New Jersey. Ridge said possible targets included the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., the Prudential Building in Newark, N.J. and the Citicorp buildings and New York Stock Exchange in New York City. (Fox News)
Terrorists attack Christian churches in Iraq. In an ominous turn of events, terrorists have attacked Iraqi Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul. According to the latest bulletin from Debka, at least 15 lives were lost in the attacks on Armenian, Catholic, and Chaldean churches. Debka further explains that this al-Qaeda operation is distinct from the goals announced by Ba'athist elements, who specifically stated that their campaign is "national, not religious" in nature. It also accompanies an al-Qaeda threat against the Vatican unless Italy withdraws its troops. (Comment: This seems like a particularly shrewd move if it is aimed at pitting the secular Italian government against the Holy See. The implications for both Europe and Christianity could be enormous. -aa )
Terrorists attack Christian churches in Iraq. In an ominous turn of events, terrorists have attacked Iraqi Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul. According to the latest bulletin from Debka, at least 15 lives were lost in the attacks on Armenian, Catholic, and Chaldean churches. Debka further explains that this al-Qaeda operation is distinct from the goals announced by Ba'athist elements, who specifically stated that their campaign is "national, not religious" in nature. It also accompanies an al-Qaeda threat against the Vatican unless Italy withdraws its troops. (Comment: This seems like a particularly shrewd move if it is aimed at pitting the secular Italian government against the Holy See. The implications for both Europe and Christianity could be enormous. -aa )
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