[benjaminthomas]

Who said anything about polling? Ignoring political realities when we are trying to marshal support for a war is foolish. And as to the Kennans and Hayeks, where praytell have they been? Since as you say, this has been going on for much longer than the few weeks since 9/11?

[JasonC]

"since the whole point is to direct the entirely new willingness to actually do anything, toward courses of action likely to make any long-term difference"

Gee, who said that? Oh, I said that. I have to quote myself to be heard. Nobody is ignoring political realities.

And if you'd paid any attention to the cultural and civilizational arguments the thread is supposed to be about, you'd already know that the reason I posted it is I think Rahman's ideas can help counteract Osama's, as Hayek can help counteract Marx.

If you have anything to add to the discussion of the cultural points, by all means share it with us. If the level of your thought about the subject is "hey, let's blast 'em; even popular right now" then forgive me if I doubt that adds anything to the discussion.