ISLAM-HATERS: AN ENEMY WITHIN

NY Post ^ | September 7, 2006 | Ralph Peters

[presidio9]

ISLAMIST fanatics attacked us and yearn to destroy us. The Muslim civilization of the Middle East has failed comprehensively and will continue to generate violence. The only way to deal with faith-poisoned terrorists is to kill them. And the world's only hope for long-term peace is for moderate Muslims - by far the majority around the globe - to recapture their own faith.

But a rotten core of American extremists is out to make it harder for them.

The most repugnant trend in the American shouting match that passes for a debate on the struggle with Islamist terrorism isn't the irresponsible nonsense on the left - destructive though that is. The really ugly "domestic insurgency" is among right-wing extremists bent on discrediting honorable conservatism.

How? By insisting that Islam can never reform, that the violent conquest and subjugation of unbelievers is the faith's primary agenda - and, when you read between the lines, that all Muslims are evil and subhuman.

I've received no end of e-mails and letters seeking to "enlighten" me about the insidious nature of Islam. Convinced that I'm naive because I defend American Muslims and refuse to "see" that Islam is 100 percent evil, the writers warn that I'm a foolish "dhimmi," blind to the conspiratorial nature of Islam.

Web sites list no end of extracts from historical documents and Islamic jurisprudence "proving" that holy war against Christians and Jews is the alpha and omega of the Muslim faith. The message between the lines: Muslims are Untermenschen.

We've been here before, folks. Bigotry is bigotry - even when disguised as patriotism. And, invariably, the haters fantasizing about a merciless Crusade never bothered to serve in our military (Hey, guys, there's still time to join. Lay your backsides on

[sageb1]

"Ultimately, our military actions can only buy time"...UNTIL... "The long overdue liberal reformation within the Islamic world can only be carried out by Muslims themselves."

In what century will this reformation occur and what do we do about it while we're waiting?

Islam has not been hijacked by extremists. Islam is extreme.

[alarm rider]

Arabs are not a race. Tribal/ethnic, yes, but not a race. Arabs can come in any one of the three major races.

[sageb1]

All Arabs are not Muslims.

To hate all Arabs is racist.

To hate all Muslims is bigotry.

To hate Islam is wise.

[Gordongekko909]

Hooray knowledge!

[AmericanChef]

The "good" muzzies protect the bad ones simply because they're all muzzies. Isn't that "racist" also? Sorry, but I'm not buying it. If they protect terrorists in their midst - and you can find them all together at your local mosque - I don't really care to try to separate them all individually. That's not my concern. My concern is to be and remain safe.

[Elsiejay]

You're right in regard to Arabs, but the writer didn't mention Arabs. We must avoid equating Arab with Muslim, for a great many Muslims are not Arabian, and many Arabs are not Muslim. In fact, a not inconsiderable number of Arabs are Christians.

[capydick]

This surprises me because I usually like Peters' columns. He's a retired MI Officer and has generally supported President Bush and our WOT.

He may have confused Muslims who are waging jihad against us and those who are not. Those who are not are just waiting for the right moment to begin.

[EricT.]

"...and, invariably, the haters fantasizing about a merciless Crusade never bothered to serve in our military "

6 years active duty, 4 years reserve.

Islam is an evil cancer on the civilized world that shouldn't be left for our children to deal with.

[sageb1]

"He may have confused Muslims who are waging jihad against us and those who are not."

Or he may have been the victim of a CAIR letter campaign.

[jpl]

I have the utmost respect for Ralph Peters, but I really don't need him to tell me that not all Muslims are homicidal maniacs any more than I need President Bush to tell me this.

Everyone with a brain already understands this perfectly obvious truth. It's a rather pointless way of trying to avoid a much-needed debate on what Islam is and what can be done to change it.

[Ieatfrijoles]

1.2 Billion Muslims minus 100Million active jihadists/CAIR spokespeople = 1.1 Billion silent partners

[Dallas59]

OK. Lets put the shoe on the other foot....Was it "racist" and "bigoted" to to hijack 4 planes and kill 3000 people in the name of Islam and Allah?

[thoughtomator]

Bigotry is bigotry - even when disguised as patriotism.

And facism is facism - even when disguised as a religion.

[Tallguy]

It's a rather pointless way of trying to avoid a much-needed debate on what Islam is and what can be done to change it.

It's not a 'debate' that we non-Muslims can engage in. All we can do is confront them until they change. Islam needs a Reformation.

[tkathy]

Genocide is genocide. Murder is murder.

[The_Reader_David]

I fear it works the same way as when the Emperor is a god: a horrific defeat, and reform imposed from without. (I'm refering to Japan, not pre-Constantinian Rome; though the way that earlier situtation got changed: converting them to Christianity would be lovely.)

I'm not one of the dark "Islam is irreformable" types the author decries, and I still hope we can get away without fighting the whole ummah, but I'm not hopeful--less so with al Sistani retiring from politics in Iraq.

[George W. Bush]

"...I'm a foolish "dhimmi," blind to the conspiratorial nature of Islam."

There, now it's much shorter and more accurate.

[hosepipe]

Muslim = Time bomb... All it takes is for a "mullah" to light the fuse..

[killermedic]

And just how many years are you sitting on in the Military. Pray tell, Ralph.

[El Cid]

Most muslims are good people.
But that is not the point. The point is that they subscribe to a creed, that thankfully most don't follow, that requires them to convert, or kill (or enslave), the infidel (non-muslim). This doctrine is unique amongst all religions, and it is one that needs to be acknowledged and not ignored. The danger is that reformation of islam would imply that its adherents strive to more closely follow the demands of their (un)holy book. Which is a bad thing if you are an infidel. This is the tough nut that needs to be addressed.
Yes, most muslims are good folks (thank God in Heaven), but according to their book that makes them bad muslims.
Reformation is not needed.
Conversion is needed.