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November 20, 2009

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Now we can all see Islamic extremism for what it truly is

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.

David Brooks’ column in Wednesday’s Las Vegas Sun, “Americans can handle the truth: Reaction to Fort Hood massacre handled in patronizing manner,” was a thoughtful and frank assessment of the rampage committed last week at Fort Hood, Texas. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly murdered 13 people in cold blood.

Mr. Brooks adroitly maneuvers through the psychobabble that is the stock-in-trade of the politically correct, and he faces the real evil that lurks in the darkness of Islamic extremism, where the human beings targeted are considered to be less than human and where Christianity and Judaism are hated. Brooks notes that this hate exists at the extreme fringes of Islam.

Mr. Brooks’ clear and powerful assessment sweeps away “political correctness” and replaces it with a real-world vision of the evil and hate at the center of the Islamic extremism that inflames and threatens civil society.

Discussion: 62 comments so far…

  1. "Now we can all see Islamic extremism for what it truly is"

    We can but not the Obama Adminstration

    The Suspect in Fort Hood shootings, Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, corresponded by up to 20 e-mail from December 2008 and this year with radical cleric Anwar al-Aulaqi, in Yemen.

    Despite the Post 9/11 Electronic eavesdropping program working Hasan e-mails to cleric didn't result in inquiry. Remember that Obama brought this intelligence gathering from the CIA to directly under a special White House/FBI team.

    his is part of a shift from the Bush pre-emptive fight to an Obama and Eric Holder reactionary police investigation response to the war on terror.

    A shift back to the pre 9/11 strategy. The military charge is simple murder -- no charge of terrorism

    The White house/FBI determined that the e-mails did not warrant an investigation, according to the law enforcement official. Investigators said Hasan's e-mails were just chatter and religious discourse. This is beyond just a PC issue it a fight on terror strategy shift.

    Hoekstra and others are raising questions about whether government agencies paid sufficient attention to warning signs about Hasan. No doubt Attorney General Eric Holder will appoint special prosecutor John Durham to conduct a preliminary probe.

    Remember when Clinton's freewheeling FISA foreign intelligence Echelon data gold mining of the late 90's (Echelon
    http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/0.........) , failed to act on actionable Intel.

    Will Obama and Holder continue down the path to dismantle the CIA and our post 9/11 national security defense?

  2. The Taliban has stated that they want the Allied forces to leave Afghanistan. If some of you don't remember they were in power in Afghanistan when our forces attacked that country in 2001.

    I do believe that if our USA was attacked by a foreign country, we'd be doing everything and anything to protect our homeland.

    The only way we will protect our country is to leave other countries alone.

  3. Americans are ignorant enough to believe that Muslims around the world will forgive and forget they are wrong, dead wrong! Their religion is one that advocates vengence and death to the infadels...that is us folks, all non Muslim believers. The fanatical Muslim element, and it is a very large one, wants to take over the world so that there will be one religion: Theirs! Your choice will be to convert to Islam or face beheading! They don't blieve in political correctness only the choice: Islam or the Blade!

    Europe is already being threatened by the infiltration of Muslims in their countries. They are not going to be satsified to meld into European-Western Culture and Society. They want it their way, not ours! They moving rapidly against all Christian relgions in all European countries; Italy, a basic Catholic-Christian nation may no longer display the crucifix in their public schools...a nation that has been Christian; basically Roman Catholic, since the time of Christ!

    Political correctness, politeness and kind words will not work. If Muslim immigrants who enter our country don't like our policies send them go back to wherever they came from and face beatings, beheadings, abuse according to Muslim laws in their countries.

    Not all Muslims are evil, but the fanatical, revolutionary fringe element among them is large, strong, unforgiving of western culture, very determined and extremely dangerous. These are the fanatics that we will have to continually deal with wheter it become a court issue about Muslim dress in our schools, their involvement in our military, or a dirty nuclear bomb being placed in the middle of one of our cities. The threat is real and cannot be dealt with by political correctness and 'pie in the sky' ideology.

    To those who may belive I am a religous racist, so be it! Fanatacism in whatever form is dangerous. Religous fanatacism is extremly dangersous. These are my opinions and I speak for no one else; those that don't like my opinions are free to express their own in the same manner.
    This is America, land of the free, I hope it remains such for eons of time to come. God Bless America!

  4. Comment removed by staff. Violates reader agreement.

  5. Comment removed by staff.

  6. Here's how a good Christain should act:

    Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

  7. And for those who don't think the old testament counts, here's some biblical wisdom from the new testament:

    "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." (Matthew 5:17 NAB)

  8. http://www.ffrf.org/
    Freedom From Religion Foundation

    Would some Muslims who are not extremist please try to explain to the rest of us why there is so much extremism and violence in this religion, and what might be done about it?

    Yes, the Christians had witch hunts, the Inquistion, etc., but this is 2009.

  9. The significant expansion of radical Islam in the world brings with it serious threats. Everywhere Muslim populations grow there are demands that local cultures change to accommodate fundamental Islamic doctrines. Fundamental Islam neither adapts to nor tolerates diversity. Radical Islam demands that those with differing beliefs conform, be silenced, or that the holders of these diverse values and beliefs ("infidels") be eliminated.

    Worldwide there are about 1.6 billion Muslims; about 23% of the world's population or more than the population of Communist China. Muslims are spreading out. They are gaining populated footholds in Europe. Great Britain is experiencing serious challenges from radical Muslims to traditional British social, religious and cultural norms. There has been significant growth in the Islamic population in America also. An estimate of the Muslim population in America in 2009 is 7 million.

    Radical Islamic jihad has targeted the United States, Israel and Western European nations for devastating attacks. Currently, America is engaged militarily with radical Islamic jihad in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Israel is in a perpetual military alert status against radical Islamic elements from Hamas,Hezbollah,and Iran.

    The threat to the United States from radical Islamic jihad comes from both outside and from within. Terrorists who were imported radical Islamists were to blame for the devastation on 9/11. Danger also exists from within America in the form of individual converts to radical Islam, and the prospect of decentralized cells (al Qaida, Hezbollah), waiting for activation by individual Fatwas (calls to jihad) from bin Laden and other al Qaida leaders, or by state sponsors such as Iran.

    One must be calculatingly realistic about the global threat from radical Islamic jihad. Only by being constantly vigilant can devastating attacks by these fanatics be avoided. As former President George W. Bush once warned, we must be right 100% of the time, whereas the terrorists must be right only once.

  10. There are extremists in the three major religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The majority of the people in those religions are moral beings who are family oriented. They want to have a home, feed their family, clothe them, and educate them. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is not a person and they should not be painted with a wide brush as being extremists just because a very few create violent acts. Are the gang members on the streets in America extremists? They are a much greater threat to you and yours everyday than the few religious extremists!

  11. Richard the Lionheart and George Bush were/are christians. Both killed thousands of muslims. A thousand years ago, or today one can criticize religions for death and destruction. The real reason is greed. It doesn't matter what religion, greed destroys all.

  12. what religion was Timothy McVeigh?
    Philip Garrido?
    the guy in Ohio?
    the men who have massacred their families?
    the killer of the abortion doctor?
    who massacred those ppl in Waco, what religion where they?
    Native Americans trail of tears, what religion took their kids and forced them not to speak their language?

    who are we hating today?
    arab muslims or african muslims (their is a difference)
    communists?
    Irish?
    savages?

    hate is hate no matter how it is described, for a person to commit a violent act under the guise of religion and those that hate the religion

    please some Catholic (cat holistic origin Rome) explain why you decimated the Native Americans and their culture and now after forcing your religion on them you criticize Mexicans (spaniards and native americans ) for having so many children

  13. You know Birdiedreamin lets face it your just f##king stupid! If your post were not so full of bull#hit all the time most of them just might be worth reading. I really would think that your strong suit would be stand-up comedy. Just you trying to be serious here is funny enough.

  14. fremmasmind, ghostcommander -- well said!

    vestini -- it appears you're actually suggesting another Crusade/Holy War. That you omitted the fact of U.S. invasions and efforts to force "American values" (whatever those are) at gunpoint says all that needs to be said about the thinking behind your post.

    okra -- the intent of your post is not clear. If your post is to counter anti-Islamic rants with examples of christian extermism, it becomes understandable. Please clarify.

    gunowners4obama -- same as vestini.

    Personally, I find it hard to tolerate ANY belief that motivates its followers to stone a 13 year old girl to death for having been gang-raped.

    A bit of historical clarity on religion, courtesy of Frederich Nietzsche -- "Although the most clear-sighted judges of witches and even the witches themselves were convinced the witches were guilt of witchcraft, no guilt in fact existed. So it is with all guilt."

  15. Houstonjack, where was there ever an investigation into the events of 9/11 by the FBI and /or CIA? When was anyone ever taken into a court of law and given a trial with evidence proving that he/she/they were found guilty of the events of 9/11?

    Just recently 85,000 family members and friends of citizens and first responders who died on 9/11 signed a petition to be put on a ballot and took it to the city of New York to let citizens vote on whether they wanted an investigation (this would have been the first one, by the way) into the events that took place before, during and after 9/11. Even though they had enough signatures, the city would not put the question on a ballot to be voted on.
    Until our country can have an investigation into how and why 9/11 happened, any and all stories are just another conspiracy theory, including the one the Bush Administration told us.

  16. houstonjac...
    Don't agree with you often, but ya nailed this one.
    powerplay is jealous!

  17. KillerB, I never said a thing about any holy war, that slant was produced by you alone. Don't accuse me of statements written by yourself. Houston jack was talking about the global threat of radical Islamic jihad. I just reminded him that if one judges a religion by what a group of greedy individuals create, you are not judging that religion fairly at all. You don't find whole religions following any one person today. They follow scriptures that have been around for years. Be careful of what you post. You may be ingulfed by the Red Sea some day if your not careful.

  18. gmag39, ..an eye for an eye, if you can understand that.

  19. Of all the conflicts on the planet,What is the common denominator? Can you say muslim!

  20. No spock, but I can spell G-R-E-E-D. Where do you come up with your opinion that the muslims are a common denominator? Is this you slant?

  21. fremmasmind,
    Yep. Know what you are saying.
    Muslim/Islamists are not alone in their Holy War.
    What is looming today is WW3 based solely on one's religious preference, or lack thereof.
    However, radical Islamists are in a league of their own, by virtue of their sheer numbers and stated intentions. And yes, greed has always been, and will continue to be, the root of all evil.
    I understand that no religion is totally made up of lunatics. but history has shown that the masses will always follow some annointed charismatic genious nutcase, which makes them all very dangerous. May I offer Ahmadinijad, Bin Laden, Mohammed Omar, Kim Jung Il..........

  22. islamic "extremism", is there any other kind? i like how this guy suggested that muslims in the military shouldn't have to fight other muslims in battle. what? muslims kill each other all the time. islam is an inherently violent "religion" that thrives on bloody conflict. muslims always think they deserve special treatment. they love to live in our country and reap the benefits while at the same time hating it and us, too. if these people want to live in the stone age that's fine by me, just stay in the mid-east.

  23. gmag39, you'd better get yourself an oxygen bottle and start huffing on it. The majority of the voters in Iran are proclaiming Achma. winning the election was a farse. Bin Laden can't even be proven to be alive.

    You are proving what I am saying, that religion has nothing to do with the insane greedy rulers who are behind these wars. G.W. Bush is a protestant, did you see all of the protestants fall in line behind him. No.

    Huff on that oxygen bottle for while, you may come around.

  24. bam1969, your statement that every muslim is an extremist is like saying every american is a gangbanger. Don't mess around in my hood!

  25. fremmasmind, Prove me wrong and I will apologize!

  26. spock, your saying that the U.S. attacking the mideast was their fault? What were they breathing our air? You don't have to appologize because stupidity is thought to be hereditary.

  27. Muslim extremists are everyone's concern. These nitwits are sneaky and cowardly and very well organized. Within 6 months the Jewish National Guard is going to attack Iran with all the vengence of the Old Testament God. There will be much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. I suggest all Muslims start amassing a fresh batch of insults to hurl at the Jewish heroes.

  28. Answer the question! Of all conflict on earth,Name the one's that don't envolve muslim's!

  29. Comment removed by staff.

  30. Don't worry folks...Israel will do what needs to be done. They can't afford to lose even one war.
    The United States can lose a war and still function. Germany lost a war and propers to this day. Israel will be scorched if they loose. I see them winning a war in Iraq.

  31. Houstonjac: Great post but, any suggestions?
    I vote for bringing the troops home in order to stop creating terrorists by trying to democratize muslim countries. Spend the money on intelligence & rooting out extremists at home.

  32. If Israel would make Peace with the Palestinians, most of the problems in the Middle East would be resolved. Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qaeda and those who support them would have their fire stolen-their cause would no longer exist. The right wingers of the world do not want peace because they know they would be out of political jobs forever.

  33. If we did away with the misconception that there is a God we would have no problems. Who is this guy Allah?

  34. fremmasmind,
    At this point in our conversation I'd like a canister of nitrous oxide. Good luck convincing people that religious zealots are not a threat to mankind.

  35. Houstonjac....You magnificent bastard!! I read your book.

  36. Since the Coward in Chief can't make a decision let's bring the troops home. Not because we risk offending somebody, boo hoo, but because the political wind doesn't have backbone to get the job done.

    It was initiated by Bush as a response to 9-1-1, but it is Obama's war now. You crybaby libs and peaceniks only want to blame Bush, well here is a newsflash; You Hero Obama, has been the CIC for almost eleven months. You worship him and laud how smart he is, don't you think he could have figured it out by now. The General asking is Obama's General.

    Keep making excuses the enemies are reloading.

    What's with this nonsense about "making" terrorists, these clowns don't need a valid reason, only a reason. The more we bend over backwards to appease the militant muslims the more we expose ourselves.

    To paraphrase and old saying; If you can't take a joke, nuke em.

    Fremma, ok, I get it, you are a closet or active Muslim. No problem, don't try to detonate anything near me and we are good.

    Killer, nice to see you still think you are the king of the op section. Did I get a passing grade Obi-wan?

  37. The threat is real. We need to be vigilant, we all get it.

    But to elevate the "global war on terror" (Gog and Magog, anyone?) into a religious crusade, as many do, or something that requires us to subjugate every Muslim Country on the planet... doesn't that make us just as fanatical (hi, rhooster) as our opponents? Isn't that exactly What Bin Laden wants? So far who have the winners been? Answer: Bin Laden, Halliburton, Blackwater, defense contactors, and oil companies.

    Don't take my word for it though, Google Smedley Butler's "War is a Racket."

  38. fremmasmind -- read my post again. How did you get all that from "well said"?

  39. Personally I am for sending the troops to Afghanistan. If we do not draw a line and push back, they will be here before long. Radical Islam is the great threat. Islamists seek global domination, and have no plans to back off. There are some who do not realize this and sincerely think that if we withdraw from all the wars that we will be magically left in peace. I do not believe this. Islam is on the offensive. Muslims are now 1.6 billion strong. It is from this huge number that the extreme fringe emerges. Global domination is their objective. Your personal freedom and liberty,your life, is their target. Withdraw and seek peace at your own peril. There will be no stopping them.

  40. Read vsestini's post above. He gets it.

  41. Separation of Church & State should have not schizm religion from the State but greet all religions the same in the state. The modern interpretation in the United States was caused by athism wanting to take that away from the American People. It now is going worldwide and the extremist are just the other side of that same coin. As Jesus has taught the world, "Do things in moderation". But as you see, no one wants to listen to anyone but wants to create a place that is away from one another. The best way to help humanity is to be human. Let people live their own lives; they would make this world a better place.

  42. KillerB sorry for my remark and thanks for the post. I mistakingly added the remark below with the kudos you gave me. Again, my mistake.

    Getalife, you seem to have a recognition problem. Just as I don't believe every muslim is bad, sure there are some that are radicals. The same can be said about any other religious belief. There are normal worshippers and then you have your radicals who want to spread their own style of religion around. There comes a point that the radicals lose their thoughts on what their religion is supposed to carry into the next generation as it was carried from the last generation into today. It usually takes a few generations for the radicals' beliefs to be overshawdowed by their original writings as told in each religions' holy books. Thats why I brought up Richard the Lionheart in an earlier post. As radical as he was, going into the holy lands killing muslims for not believing in god, it took a few generations for the countries affected by these killings to realize not all christians are that way.
    Afghanistans' people who are not all radical muslims in the last 30 years have been attacked by the Russians and by our country. I belive we should stop killing them and leave their country, for the Afghans as a country and a people had nothing to do with 9/11. Get rid of Karzai by letting their people have fair elections. It is time to let their people feel free and safe again without having American soldiers walking around their country with weapons. Sure they had problems before we invaded, but their citizens lives became worse when we invaded and have occupied their country. We as americans have enough problems to take care of in our own country that need our direct attention now. Quit listening to the war mongers in our government, we have got to end these occupations and bring our soldiers home.

  43. "As Jesus has taught the world, "Do things in moderation"

    VegasVampire -- Jesus didn't say that or anything like it. Even if he ever existed. Hint -- try spellchecking, it might make your posts more understandable.

    "Radical Islam is the great threat. Islamists seek global domination, and have no plans to back off."

    Houstonjac -- you just described christianity from the 17th through the early 20th centuries.

    "Global domination is their objective. Your personal freedom and liberty,your life, is their target."

    I've got a newsflash for you -- you just described our own government.

  44. KillerB "I've got a newsflash for you -- you just described our own government.
    Don't B another self loathing American.

  45. Fremma, sorry to newsflash this you but your entire theory about life in Afghanistan is wrong.

    Currently women can go to school and some are Doctors..... you want to show me how that looked under Taliban rule....

    We are not fighting the people of Afghanistan like the Russians did, we are fighting the terrorists.

    We just need to grow a set and finish the job.

    The Coward in Chief wants to appease everybody and this guy waffles more than Ihop. We need to either go big or go home.

    I say, go big and finish the job. We need to hit them so hard they think twice about, thinking twice.

  46. Thank you ghostcommander for inserting reason into the discussion.

    These other people apparently think all muslims are evil based on the acts of a small percentage of the members of that group. But they refuse to do the same if people of their own faith/race/gender commit acts of violence.

  47. getalife, you're telling us that it is the U.S.'s job to monitor and correct human rights violations within other countries? Are you telling us that if another country is not treating its' citizens rightly, we have the duty to invade that country to correct what our government thinks is wrong? Are you now adding onto the long list of reasons our government has started on why these occupations had to take place?
    As we have learned, History repeats itself. However nowadays we have the memories of how the sequence of events of past wars were started with false flag incidents, and how our government lied to us to start conflicts or to keep them going.
    JFK was the only President that didn't want to escalate a war. We all remember what happened to him.

  48. Yes, God Bless America.... Are we ones to point fingers and judge when this country came to be by
    and from men who came here, butchered the American Indians and took their land from them?
    Just some food for thought.....

  49. Go ask the french what they think about the wonderful world of islam. Better yet, Go ask all of europe.

  50. Fremma, we are not the Worlds police I was mearly pointing out the difference with Taliban control vs US control.

    If we are not willing to fight then we need to pull out.

    Better yet, instead of an all volunteer Army we need an all Mercenary Army. Disposable soldiers for hire; afterall, it worked great for the British back in the day.

    JFK wanted the War in Vietnam so don't go all JFK was a pacifist. Speaking of History, brush up.

  51. ALL Muslims are ruled by "Sharia Law" which is the Koran. This means Allah first, country last, so they will Never assimalate to become an American Nor speak up and if they Try to, it's a Lie which they are very good at. Therefore there is no such thing as a Radical Muslim. They all believe alike in the Same thing...Sharia Law-Quaran. They Must be removed to their own countries.

  52. "Don't B another self loathing American."

    Houstonjac -- indeed.

    Of course the flipside is your implication I should march in lockstep with you and your ilk waving flags, shouting slogans and generally being your version of a patriot. That's not going to happen. Pay attention -- government at every level is off its leash and on the hunt for all of us.

    9balls -- excellent point.

    "JFK wanted the War in Vietnam so don't go all JFK was a pacifist."

    getalife -- JFK was hardly a pacifist, the Bay of Pigs being one example. During his time the U.S. role in Vietnam was limited to providing advisors and other support, no troops. It was Johnson who escalated it to a full-blown invasion. You can check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War...

    Sadly our leaders can't seem to learn the lessons of that "war."

  53. The extremist Muslim terrorists are dedicated to death and destruction. Don't think for one second that that piece of garbage down in Ft Hood wasn't a terrorist. He was a TERRORIST of the first order! Screw political correctness, and this BS about stressed out solders. Call it what it was TERRORISM!!

  54. Christians are just as extreme. Christians spread hate abroad and here in the states.

    People in glass houses...

  55. Old Saint Nick,

    Yep, Christians are just as extreme as Muslim terrorists. That's why you have so many Christians hijacking airplanes and crashing them into buildings.

    That's all why there are so many Christian homicide bombers running around out there.

    Don't forget all of those Christians killing those who have taken down, Christmas decorations and mangers.

    And this year, instead of handing out Christmas presents, Christians will be giving exploding Christmas presents to the non believers...

  56. Killer, I didn't say JFK was a pacifist. Correct on the Johnson angle but JFK was in for a penny and in for a pound.

    Very few people believe the only good muslim is a dead Muslim, but plenty of Muslims believe the only good Christian is a dead Christian.

    No, it's not irony it is reality.

  57. Comment removed by staff.

  58. fremmasmind, don't be ridiculous, i would never say all americans are gang bangers. but yes, i would say all muslims are extremely suspect. there is not one reason to trust any of them. and don't worry, i have no plans to visit anywhere you would call "the hood". you just stay put and try not to blow yourself up.

  59. Okra: don't embarass yourself by claiming that Christianity is on par with Islam re violence.

    Three points:
    1. The occasional chastisement or wrath of God of the Old Testament is over 2000 yrs old and has no applicability to modern Christianity.

    2. The "Christianity" of 100 AD - 1500 AD had little to do with the teaching and gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a manmade mixture of Christianity and paganism with a heavy dose of arbitrariness from an elite cleric. There was a definite falling away from the Gospel that Christ taught (Love God and love thy neighbor) The corruption and heavy handedness of this "Christianity" also has nothing to do with modern Christianity.

    3. Killing others in the name of Christianity runs against the teachings of Christ. Killing others in the name of Islam conforms with and adheres to the teachings of the prophet Mohammed.

    What is common thread among 30+ of the 40-odd terrorist organizations designated so by the U.S. Dept of State?

    What is the common thread of the 4,000+ attacks on civilians around the world since 9/11 (suicide bombings in markets, cafes, etc.)

    What is the common thread of the 5-6 attacks and foiled attacks (NYC, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Hood) within the U.S. in 2009?

    Islam is the common thread.

    A sober analysis of this dysfunctional authoritarian political system is required vice wishful thinking that Islam is just like every other "religion".

  60. Christans cant live peacefully. They thrive on violence and discrinimation.

  61. Comment removed by staff.

  62. Bird:

    Try using the term "Mormon" here. You get an instant delete. If the above editorial was about extreme Mormons rather than muslims, it would not have been allowed.

    Personally I'd rather have a muslim neighbor than a mormon.

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