This is the essence of our problem - the enemy within, not the islamists. Were we united, the islamists would have already been banished.
But I would not characterize it as Blair does - the compacent ones - wish we were so lucky. Far from being complacent the enemy within is active and shrill. It is the left who would rejoice to see America defeated; it is the democrats who want to get back to power so badly that they would sacrifice America to unseat bush, it is their collaborators, the mass media, demoralizing our population with the nightly pounding of doom and gloom, it is the intelligenzia demagoguing our children at every school grade.
But as I think about it, perhaps the complacent ones that Blair is referring to are not the ones that want America to fail. Rather it is you and me, freepers and others who want us to win but are letting the other side make all the noise and setting the agenda. Where are our street demonstrations and rallies supporting what we believe in, where are our Soros's funding new media outlets flooding the printing press and the airways. Where is the strength of our convictions?
We often complain of the moderate Iraqis and Muslims not speaking up and standing up to their extremists - are we not guilty ourselves (freedom lovers) of that same charge? Both Bush and Blair have taken tough stands and stuck their necks way out - isn't it time that we take to the streets to provide them and the values we hold dear the support they need?
I agree with all the points you make. I just want to make one comment: I think Blair is aware of the fifth coloumn in our midst:
"The truth is, faced with this struggle, on which our own fate hangs, a significant part of Western opinion is sitting back, if not half-hoping we fail, certainly replete with schadenfreude at the difficulty we find. "
But, I think your observations are profound. Particularly, where I live. Norway is practically enemy territory. If you break from the party line you risk social riddecule. Many people are cowed into silence.
No more. This is a struggle we have to win, and everyone has a part to play.
Have a good night and a great easter.
Cheers.
Doesn't it seem as if the enemy within were of a demonic nature? Their actions are so venomous. It's so illogical to me. That's why the demonic theory is the only one that sticks IMHO.