[swarthyguy]

"I am terrified of you and all people who look like you,"

Imagine hearing this when you aren't even Muslim!!!!!!

BooHooHoo!!! I'm frigging heartbroken!!

I can't even stand the tone of the moderate muslims!

Well, Mr. Whiny Butt Moderate Muslim, get out of the ivory tower and start organizing and getting rid of the current leadership of American muslims organizations.

Discredit CAIR and the AMC. Debate Ibish and Hooper!!

The same way that gutsy Pakistani, Tashbih Sayyed, conradicted James Zogby on Hardball.

"Yes, It's time for you to stop all of your sobbing"

--Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders!

[dmeara]

Speak louder Kahled. We can't hear you.

[per loin]

When "moderate" American muslims compile and publish lists of the names, addresses, and associates of the "radical" muslims hiding in their midst, I might begin to think about considering the possibility that they are speaking honestly.

[TADSLOS]

Islam in moderation is akin to taking strychnine in moderation. Sooner or later the poison kills you.

[Shermy]

Since Sept. 11, moderate American Muslims have been fighting an exceedingly difficult battle on many fronts. They have been struggling to deal with the proponents of a clash of civilizations, who seem intent on transforming Islam into the enemy of the West after Communism; with the fanaticism of some supporters of Israel, who seem to deal with every manifestation of Islamic activism as a direct threat to Israel's existence...

Still in denial mode. Some progress but still mostly "See what you made me do" and "it's the other guy" standard arab lines of argument. If he's a moderate, what is he doing proactively? Barely anything mentioned here. A yawner to make the NY Times reader feel like progress is being made, without giving up their guilty feelings. As always, deflect to Israel.

[paul51]

Talk is cheap. What are you doing to purge the savages from your midst, here and world wide? Apparently not much because I haven't heard or seen it. By your docile attitude, you are aiding and abetting. Don't cry to me. As far as I am concerned, you are the enemy.

[Deb]

Tashbih Sayyed was AMAZING!!! Why don't we ever see this incredible man anywhere else?

I couldn't believe my ears when he appeared on Hardball. He suddenly made, not only Zogby, but every "moderate" muslim look like a stooge. Matthews sure gave him the bum's rush, which was a huge disappointment.

[RightWhale]

Muslims like me are grieving and in utter misery

Y'all can DO something about it. It's right there in your book, what to do. Those other misguided devils, spawns of s****, are doing things; you can, too. Take care of the problem. It is after all, YOUR problem.

[funkywbr]

NOWHERE IS AN OUTCRY FROM THE SO CALLED MUSCUM LEADERSHIP AGAINST TERRORISM!

You'll all get what you deserve.

And see the UN report today, Arab/Islam/Muscum countries are all on the bottom tiers of TRUTH, LIBERTY and even the lowly PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!~}

[LibWhacker]

The billion or so "moderate" muslims were not moderate enough pour out into the streets and protest 9/11. In fact, we saw them dancing in the streets. I guess a few were silent. But even they were very likely chuckling in their beards.

[rageaholic]

I am sure the majority of muslims believe "moderate" islam is the devil.

[Un669]

The best revenge for you moderate Muslims is to live a good life. As long as you keep complaining about everything and blaming everyone else for it, it only makes you more pathetic. How about shutting up and doing some positive things for a change? I'm sure people will appreciate you more like that, instead of starting a new cycle of propaganda. No matter how many words you read, as long as Arab-looking people are not associated with anything positive people will continue to dislike them.

[DWPittelli]

So we have a "presidential administration that is systematically undermining [Muslims'] civil liberties"? Notice how he made no attempt to identify a single Bush Administration policiy that has amounted to such an undermining. There are none.

If he means the 1,000 or so who were rounded up for being here illegally or as potential witnesses: maybe that was heavy-handed (although I don't think so), but illegal immigrants are by definition subject to roundup, in any country. Further, regardless of the merits, detaining 1,000 people is not a "systematic" policy if those 1,000 are chosen from among a population several thousand times as large.

[Zeroisanumber]

Louder Kahled, we need more volume. Good luck.

[Shryke]

Khaled Abou El Fadl teaches terrorism law and Islamic law at the University of California at Los Angeles.

That should read "Khaled Abou Fadl teaches Californians that everything is Israel's fault".

[philosofy123]

That Pakistani, Tashbih Sayyed, is the ONLY moslem on this planet that talks with integrity, and disregard the Moslem Party Line!

[arthurus]

moderate Muslim intellectuals living in the West have been fighting a thankless battle, often in the shadows

It has been a silent battle, they make no noise except when they say that terrorism is bad but the Palestinians were driven to it and can't do anything else. If the "moderates" cannot see any alternative to condoning and excusing terrorism, then if they are moderates the spectrum is exceedingly narrow.

[ohioman]

I say toughshiite! Hell, as a Southerner in a Northern Liberal College, I was told this several times and it didn't bother me at all. :)

[bulldawg]

my hourlong lecture on human rights and Islam

Someone can actually talk about this for an hour?

[The Californian]

I would like to pose a few questions. What type of information does Khaled Abou El Fadl present in his classes? How does he feel about Israel? What, specifically, does he object to in Bush's policy?

I don't want to rule out that there are moderate Muslims, nor do I want to blame them for the fringe element in their religion (although the "fringe" appears to be quite large.) However, it seems like Muslims have no problem with manipulating truth, saying what they think their audience wants to hear or attempting to blame shift on all fronts. I would like to reread this article with further information on the writer.

Also, I would very much like to know if there is a truthful, responsible, hardworking, articulate muslim who writes articles on a regular basis. Are there any who have leadership potential to sway large parts of their following to be decent people?

I am just curious. Any advice would be helpful.

[truth_seeker]

Khaled Abou El Fadl teaches terrorism law and Islamic law at the University of California at Los Angeles.

What is "terorism law?" Is it a subset of "islamic law?"

Would I expect a straight, truthful answer from a muslim, to anything? Why should I care what they think, anymore than one should care what the Japanese thought, 1941-1945?

After Pearl Harbor, we didn't enter negotiations. We had a war. Some wars last a long time. Remember the "hundred years war" and the "thirty years war."

Long wars have battles. If there is another major attack, so called moderate American muslims may get caught in the crosshairs of a "battle," moderate or not.

After the next attack, I wouldn't want to be an American muslim of any kind. They have had way too little to say, way too late. Unfortunate strategy, for them.