Opinion
Fatal mindset
November 20, 2009
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To the editor:
Major Hasan’s treachery, treason and killing of U.S. soldiers while screaming “Allahu Akbar!” — God is Great! — brings Ms. Haehl’s response (“Revisit reasons,” Nov. 17) that other religions have had their killers, too. She concludes “dangerous people, not Muslims, are the problem.”
What’s been obvious since 9/11 is that not merely dangerous people, but rather dangerous Muslims, are the problem. Ms. Haehl fails to see an enemy where one clearly exists.
These dangerous Muslims kill us, fueled by fervent belief that the non-Muslim world — precisely because it is non-Muslim — is the “House of War.” Our enemies are those Muslims who have learned, in thousands of madrassas and mosques across the world and even within the U.S., that their sacred duty is to destroy the Great Satan.
It’s unfair to blame Muslims who do not share such beliefs for the acts of those who embrace them. But to deny that these tenets are Islamic in origin defies history, reason and the stated beliefs of the perpetrators themselves.
To know an enemy’s motivations is to know him; to refuse to acknowledge those motivations is, in this case, to deny one even has an enemy. Fort Hood proved this mindset is fatal, and in it lies the seeds of our destruction.
Even the Obama administration has forsaken “Islamic terrorism” in favor of “man-caused disaster.” Thus, officially, there is no war let alone one waged against us by Muslim radicals. There are many Islamists, and there will be many more, who do not agree.
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20 November 2009
at 6:02 a.m.
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rtwngr (Anonymous) says…
Major Hasan is a terrorist. The current administration is strictly appeasing the left on this one. Good letter Mr. Babcock!
20 November 2009
at 6:39 a.m.
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bkgarner (Brent Garner) says…
Mr. Babcock is correct! The problem is Islam!
20 November 2009
at 6:44 a.m.
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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…
“To know an enemy’s motivations is to know him; to refuse to acknowledge those motivations is, in this case, to deny one even has an enemy.”
Fine, but let's quit acting like religion is the main factor here. Ron Paul has been talking for years about what motivates terrorism against the US: our unwelcome military presence around the world and our close friendship and support of the Saudi royal family and other such undemocratic and corrupt governments. Why don't we actually pay attention to what our enemies say instead of guessing at their motivations. Their motivations are political, not religious. They could care less about converting the US into a muslim country.
The foundation of Al Qaeda's propaganda and mobilization effort is the US occupation and military presence in the middle East. This isn't about religion, it's about politics. These people are politically motivated and to ignore that in our policies will only exacerbate the situation.
20 November 2009
at 7:25 a.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Mr. Babcock said what needed to be said. I also however agree with Liberty One's take. But what we see is the PC liberal left Democrats trying to do is keep America believing we are singling out a religion and profiling them. As Palin said of Hasan, he should've been profiled–he fit the bill perfectly. But no, those in control of these situations are scared to death to do their jobs anymore because of what the PC liberal Democrats and far-left forces have done. These people hate us for what we/who we are and always have. The radical jihadist is not just thinking, “I'm a muslim and because of that I want to kill Americans”. They're just thinking, “I want to kill Americans”. Although, however, much of their dogma dictates they do so. Hasan's communication with the imam demonstrates this.
20 November 2009
at 8:02 a.m.
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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
I'm more worried about our own terrorists. They use the Bible like Muslims use the Koran to justify their actions.
20 November 2009
at 8:18 a.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
But to focus on one religion as terrorists is to ignore the others who also want to do our country wrong, and then what happens when you miss those signals because you are focused on one group.
20 November 2009
at 8:28 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Liberty One hit the nail on the head.
Perhaps we americans know not enough about what government officals are doing abroad in our name.
Thursday on Steve Kraske a reporter for the New Yorker who covers the mideast extensively suggested it is time for americans to become engaged. Engaged in what is actually going on around the world in our name. This man suggested that the US government seems to believe that the natural resources of other countries belongs to the USA. The reporter indicated it doesn't matter whether it is oil or titanium. The wealthiest nation in the world should purchase what we need not take.
On the whole we americans may well be the most ignorant of all other cultures regarding what our government is doing abroad. The reporter openly criticized the KC Star for its' lack of sufficient international news coverage noting it was far to the back of the paper with more advertising than news.
Most other cultures speak more than one language. Our Turkish born nephew speaks 5.
20 November 2009
at 8:33 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Sticking with mainstream media is not necessarily the best daily news:
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20 November 2009
at 8:59 a.m.
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monkey_c (Anonymous) says…
Well said to both Babcock and Liberty.
Edjayhawk on the other hand feels this way - “I'm more worried about our own terrorists. They use the Bible like Muslims use the Koran to justify their actions.”
Ok, brilliant, you go right on worrying about “our” terrorists, and their evil Bibles. You do know Hasan is not only a military officer but also an American Citizen right? So, doesn't that qualify him as one of ours? Of course unless you are drawing a religious dividing line. That would not be very PC, to say he's not one of “ours” because he's Muslim. For shame for shame.
20 November 2009
at 9:10 a.m.
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Ricky_Vaughn (Anonymous) says…
There are millions of Muslims all over the world (more than any other religion). There are a handful of terrorists. Don't blame Islam.
20 November 2009
at 9:24 a.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
edjayhawk, a memo was sent out to law enforcement months ago by Obama's DHS warning of your 8:02 concerns.
Where was the memo covering radical Islamic jihadists?
Oh, right, there was not one. As a matter of fact, Obama has more or less declared the War on Terror officially over.
Obama and his crooked Chicago bunch are a disgrace.
20 November 2009
at 9:39 a.m.
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geekin_topekan (Anonymous) says…
The most impressionable Americans seem to be strategically/completely ignorant as to how their everyday activities affect people around the globe.The gullible are able to accept the idea that their government has never, will never and is completely incapable of doing anything wrong * . Read China's report to the people about human rights violations in America to get an idea of what the world sees in America.
Why should you care what China thinks?Go to your local wallyworld and see how deep Chins is ingrained in US economy.
No, don't look at their crappy products dumbarse, look at the money flow that is involved. Consider who profits from it and how.
**From a book called “Why do people hate America”
20 November 2009
at 9:46 a.m.
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geekin_topekan (Anonymous) says…
Ooops a daisy.
“…that their government has never, will never and is completely incapable of doing anything wrong “
+++
Just that part.
Carry on. Nothing more to see here.
20 November 2009
at 9:50 a.m.
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Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
It's all about Israel (our terrorists) and how we support the myth they 'deserve' a homeland they never really had, as least not as an organized government/unitary people. Once we quit propping up the Israelis, things might improve. Until then, it's my skygod can beat up your skygod in the middle eastern playground. Not much of this has to do with 'religion' as practiced by sincere followers. It's power, politics and revenge, some of it going back hundreds, if not thousands of years.
20 November 2009
at 10:19 a.m.
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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
Dresden,
You make some good points, but wouldn't you agree that America's support for Israel is based upon its status as one of very few Middle Eastern democracies? I believe it would be foolish for America's foreign policy to deny strong support to a stable nation situated in such a volatile region.
20 November 2009
at 10:31 a.m.
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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…
This progressive articulation is blasphemous! Diversity fulfills one's life. The killer is a nut and religion had nothing to do with his murders. Try him in civilian court to show the world america is fair. Just ask jabot b.
Stimulus and Posercare lives
Darwin bless you all
20 November 2009
at 10:51 a.m.
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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…
SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…
“it would be foolish for America's foreign policy to deny strong support to a stable nation situated in such a volatile region.”
It's foolish to get into entangling alliances that cause us more problems than benefits. Commerce with all, alliance with none. Their enemies become our enemies, their actions get imputed to us because of our “strong support.” It's not worth it and it's also not our business. Besides, they can take care of themselves.
20 November 2009
at 11:09 a.m.
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Bonkers823 (Anonymous) says…
Mr. Babcock brings up several good points in his letter. The problem is political correctness has blinded us to who our real enemies are, and luckily there are some who are willing to shed light without a fear of persecution.
All political correctness has done is created an opening for our enemies to get in, a back door and shield. On another note, I would LOVE to know where Dresden gets his info from, “The democracy veneer is largely just to appease Americans, a PR ploy.”
~
He seems to know more than a lot of people when it comes to this topic. But then again most conspiracy theorists do.
Again, well done Mr. Babcock!
20 November 2009
at 11:15 a.m.
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remember_username (Anonymous) says…
This is much more a political issue than a religious one. Many of these terror groups as well as certain theocratic governments are using religion to further a political agenda. That political agenda has at it's core the desire to eliminate U.S. influence in the middle east. Motivating the suggestible masses by appealing to their religious beliefs is very common and very effective - just look at history. When fighting against this religious appeal by attacking the religion itself we strengthen our enemies propaganda. Every time we call our enemies “Islamic Terrorists” or “Muslim Extremists”, we subtly include all Muslims in our remarks, and we re-enforce the propaganda that is preached by our enemies. The better tactic is to divide these terrorist from their base in whatever way we can. One way is to treat these terrorists as criminals rather than combatants, just like Timothy McVeigh. Another is to begin reducing our presence in the middle east and show more tolerance and respect for local customs while there. And we should stop referring to these terrorists as part of a particular faith out of respect for the millions of other believers.
20 November 2009
at 11:23 a.m.
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jonas_opines (Anonymous) says…
Thing (Anonymous) says…
“Dresden sounds like he is trying to be Chairman Mao and Che at the same time. You must be Bozo's kid!”
If you knew anything about Mao, Thing, you'd realize that one of the major tactics adopted by Mao and his regime was the immediate denouncing of anybody who said anything inconvenient or against the party line with the label of enemy, unpatriotic, or a dangerous dissident.
In other words, the only one who sounds like Mao is you.
Congratulations, little Maoist.
20 November 2009
at 11:24 a.m.
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porch_person (Anonymous) says…
Trying to link Hasan with some sort of Islamic terrorist plot will fail.
Those promoting such a false link should reflect on whether they do themselves or their cause benefit by arguing a false scenario.
Think about it, “geniuses”…..
Does “Islam” have the money to take a guy, put him through medical school in the US, have him join the military, have him serve the United States Military for roughly a decade, have him make Major, and *then* pull the trigger?
I rest my case.
Hasan went postal. It's unfortunate but it happens. We have a real problem in the United States military with soldiers, even non-Muslim soldiers, “going postal” on themselves (ie: suicide).
Would the intelligent gesture be to initiate another set of Crusades against Islam or put more resources into finding out why these soldiers are “going postal” on themselves or each other?
It's a rhetorical question to you conservatives. Half of the time, you can't even spell your way out of a wet brown paper bag. I recognize that a decision tree like the one I've just posed will be beyond you.
20 November 2009
at 11:29 a.m.
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jonas_opines (Anonymous) says…
For the letter, and the rest: Even if this letter is well-founded, accurate, and is just “saying what needs to be said,” do you have some sort of actual, ya'know, solution to be implemented off of this idea. I mean, I know that you would Never just whine and moan while contributing nothing else but whining and moaning, but what actual actions are you suggesting we take, based off your enlightened viewpoint?
20 November 2009
at 11:30 a.m.
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porch_person (Anonymous) says…
remember_username,
Good post at 11:15 AM. Well said.
20 November 2009
at 11:34 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Israel is not a democracy and is not necessarily stable. The leaders seem to be blood thirsty individuals who do a lot of killing and perform much destruction.
Do the leaders necessarily represent the will of the people? No.
Israel could be a dangerous nuclear power. The 6th largest is the world.
20 November 2009
at 12:33 p.m.
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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…
No ^5 for me porch?
20 November 2009
at 12:50 p.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Porch person, referencing your 11:24 post, I bet you're one of those who feel like O'Reilly had something to do with Tillers' death though aren't you?
And who said Hasan was involved in a terrorist plot? He had at least a dozen or more communications with a radical imam though. What's that all about? And the little “SoA (SWT) on his biz cards. And oh! What about screaming “Allah Akbar” while blowing away 13 people and injuring numerous others intended to be killed?
Nah, nothing to see here. Give me a break, porchie. WOW!
20 November 2009
at 1:04 p.m.
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a_flock_of_jayhawks (Anonymous) says…
Oh no, yet another way that we're all going to die. I've already been killed - twice!
The LTE writer's kool aid must have been spiked with acid. I think some of the other posters here drank the same batch and are peaking in a really bad trip.
20 November 2009
at 1:19 p.m.
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Robert_Babcock (Anonymous) says…
Liberty_One believes “This isn't about religion, it's about politics,” and points out US involvements overseas to support the claim. In so doing, the writer illustrates a sincere, widely-held but flawed belief, that Islam is merely a religion.
The writer is correct that it is about politics (while erring in claiming it is not about religion) for Islam is not merely a religion but also a political doctrine, and a war doctrine as well. Failure to comprehend this is a failure to understand the nature of Islam; Islam is not like Methodism with a few theological differences. Modern-day Islamists didn't invent these political and war doctrines. They were not created because of Western actions in the 20th century: the political and war doctrines are based in the hadiths and the writings of the Prophet himself.
Whenever I read an argument such as Liberty_One has put forth, my first thought is: this person needs to learn more about Islam. One would think that, eight years after 9/11, the populace at large would be more familiar with Islamic teachings that motivate our enemies.
An excellent place for a brief introduction is the article “Islam 101” at http://www.jihadwatch.org/islam-101.html.
www.jihadwatch.com also has daily updates on the political fight against the West. It's a real eye-opener: this is information that you don't get in the mainstream media. Jihad Watch is run by Robert Spencer, who has taught seminars for many government entities. Of course, charges of Islamophobia are regularly leveled against Spencer by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and others.
www.brusselsjournal.com covers events—Islamic and otherwise—unfolding in Europe and the British Isles. Here are things that, again, just don't make it into our mainstream media. I find that hardly any of my fellow citizens are aware of political appeasement toward Muslims that has become the policy of so many countries—and the EU itself.
For an insider's insight into life within Islam, a general history of the faith, it's teachings, and its practices in the modern world, might I suggest Cruel and Unusual Punishment, by Egyptian-born Nonie Darwish.
A book that contrasts the collapse of Western self-confidence in its own values with Islamic political and demographic determination is America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It, by Mark Steyn—who is both astute and very entertaining.
Both violent and political jihadists threaten us. But the greatest threats are (1) the ignorance of so many of my fellow citizens regarding the dangers posed by both terrorists and political jihadists, and (2) our adoption of European-style appeasement, under the guise of 'tolerance'—and the demise of Western civilization itself. The first step to solving a problem is, of course, to acknowledge that a problem exists. From there on, it is a matter of having the will to fight.
20 November 2009
at 2:27 p.m.
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a_flock_of_jayhawks (Anonymous) says…
RB says…
“…and (2) our adoption of European-style appeasement, under the guise of 'tolerance'—and the demise of Western civilization itself.”
Funny, what you call appeasement, others would call the First Amendment of the US Constitution (or clauses of the Magna Carta, for that matter). So much for democracy, guess it did itself in.
20 November 2009
at 2:44 p.m.
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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…
Robert_Babcock (Anonymous) says…
“Whenever I read an argument such as Liberty_One has put forth, my first thought is: this person needs to learn more about Islam.”
Sorry, but you need to learn a thing or two about Muslims. My roommate is muslim and you don't know jack squat about what you're talking. Religion is an excuse these people use to give their actions some cover as moral. Some suckers believe this is true, the rest of us adults know better.
20 November 2009
at 4:11 p.m.
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remember_username (Anonymous) says…
R_Babcock - I checked out the link “Islam 101 website” that you provided and considered that in light of your view that too many of your fellow citizens are ignorant of the nature of Islamic faith. After following several of the other links presented and reading a selection of articles I was struck by the similarity of method found in so many anti-religious rhetoric, whether it is anti-Christian, anti-Pagan, or anti-Semitic. A follow up look at the “about us” links, and bios confirms the anti-Islamic agenda is often political, anti-Arabic, or pro-Christian in origin. If a problem of ignorance is demonstrated it is that the internet has multiplied the number of non-scholarly publications to the point where anybody can believably prove anything.
20 November 2009
at 5:58 p.m.
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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
“Ok, brilliant, you go right on worrying about “our” terrorists, and their evil Bibles.”
Try reading or watching MSNBC sometime. You might learn something.
20 November 2009
at 6:08 p.m.
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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…
Tom Shewmon says:
“Where was the memo covering radical Islamic jihadists?
Oh, right, there was not one. As a matter of fact, Obama has more or less declared the War on Terror officially over.
Obama and his crooked Chicago bunch are a disgrace. ”
Tom, you should read before you speak. I never said that we should give up the war on terror on radical Islamics. But we need to also address our terrorists at home. Then again you don't like that because the Republicans are the front for terrorist anti-abortion doctor killers, bible quotes threatening our President, overt racism toward our President and African-Americans in his administration, and violent and abusive tactics at town hall meetings.
20 November 2009
at 6:31 p.m.
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ukillaJJ (Anonymous) says…
Open up your history books and look up the Crusades. Dangerous people come in all shapes, colors, sizes, creeds, etc. Stereotyping and labeling dehumanizes.
Try communicating. Do you even know a person of a different ethnic of religious background? The world would be a better place if you (and everybody else) did.
20 November 2009
at 7:10 p.m.
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Pilgrim2 (Anonymous) says…
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Sticking with mainstream media is not necessarily the best daily news:
******************************************
You left some off your list, Richard.
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http://townhall.com/
http://jewishworldreview.com/
http://www.newsmax.com/index.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/
http://www.wnd.com/
20 November 2009
at 7:19 p.m.
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Pilgrim2 (Anonymous) says…
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Israel is not a democracy and is not necessarily stable.
***********************************
Really, Richard? Then what form of government does Israel have?
I dare you to answer at least one question posed to you. This one would be a good start.
21 November 2009
at 10:29 a.m.
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parrothead8 (Anonymous) says…
TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
These people hate us for what we/who we are and always have. The radical jihadist is not just thinking, “I'm a muslim and because of that I want to kill Americans”. They're just thinking, “I want to kill Americans”.
First of all, they haven't ALWAYS hated us…that's been a recent development, like just in the last 40-50 years.
Second, I'm glad you make the distinction between a radical jihadist and a true follower of Islam. The billion or so Muslims who truly follow the Koran don't agree with the radical jihadists. Just like Christianity, Islam has its extreme sects.
Third, I'm still not sure why Hasan's actions should compel us to “profile” a certain population. After all, Terry Ratzmann, a Christian, middle-aged, white male shot and killed seven of his fellow church members unexpectedly in Wisconsin in March 2005. Robert Stewart, another Christian, middle-aged, white male, killed eight people in a Carthage NC nursing home just a few months ago. Should we also be profiling all Christian, middle-aged, white males?
21 November 2009
at 9:54 p.m.
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Pilgrim2 (Anonymous) says…
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Israel is not a democracy and is not necessarily stable.
***********************************
Really, Richard? Then what form of government does Israel have?
I dare you to answer at least one question posed to you. This one would be a good start.
=========================
(Crickets chirping)
Yeah, that's what I thought.
24 November 2009
at 12:34 a.m.
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vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) says…
Israel is a multiparty republic with one legislative house.
A democracy /= a republic.
You owe me one, Merrill.