The War on Truth

It seems every time President Bush opens his mouth on the subject of Islam, the "War on Terror," or matters tangentially related to them, he exhibits cluelessness, at best, or conscious dishonesty, at worst.

For example, here are a few snippets from his recent speech:

“The terrorist movement multiplied in strength, and resentment that had simmered for years boiled over into violence across the world.”

Elsewhere: “Instead, the lack of freedom in the Middle East made the region an incubator for terrorist movements.”

More: “And the unifying feature of this movement, the link that spans sectarian divisions and local grievances, is the rigid conviction that free societies are a threat to their twisted view of Islam.”

On one side are those who believe in the values of freedom and moderation -- the right of all people to speak, and worship, and live in liberty. And on the other side are those driven by the values of tyranny and extremism -- the right of a self-appointed few to impose their fanatical views on all the rest.

We see a day when people across the Middle East have governments that honor their dignity, unleash their creativity, and count their votes. We see a day when leaders across the Middle East reject terror and protect freedom. We see a day when the nations of the Middle East are allies in the cause of peace. The path to that day will be uphill and uneven, but we can be confident of the outcome, because we know that the direction of history leads toward freedom.


Putting it gently, all the above is crap. I'll take them one at a time. 1. Islamic terrorism is not caused by resentment, nor a hatred of freedom; its catalyst isn't greed directed toward fat rich westerners. 2. A lack of liberty in the Middle East does not cause terrorism. 3. Jihadis do not harbor a "twisted" view of Islam or the Koran. 4. Those who murder in Allah's name, for the greater glory of Islam and its propagation, are not "extremists," nor are they "radicals," or any other descriptor denoting froth-mouthed zealotry. 5. In 1,400 years of Islamic ascendancy in the Middle East, we have never seen a time when honoring the populace's dignity, removing the strictures of creativity, or giving serious weight to voting ever held relevance. How can one reject terror, when it plays a pivotal role in the spread of one's religion? According to Muhammed's teachings, the "cause of peace" is the cause of Islam. And "the direction of history leads toward freedom?" What utter nonsense. Try telling that to the people of Vietnam, Russians on the cusp of the October Revolution, the French during the Reign of Terror, and the vast territory once controlled by Christendom, now crushed under the overlord's thumb of sharia. Whatever this guy's smoking, it's killing brain cells faster than primetime MTV.

So if this steady diet of pap fed to us by the president, his administration, and the media is a facade, what is the real truth? I'm glad you asked.

The reality is that Islamic terrorism--strangely enough--stems from Islam. This is a religion born in blood, and on this red tide it has washed away countless millions over the centuries. From the earliest days of Muhammed to the present, Islamic history has proven one long, vicious wallow in the lifesblood of its victims. Killing the infidel is a joy, an obedience to their sanguinary god. The concept of religious domination not extended by Islam is intolerable; loss of territory once occupied by Muslims the worst affront imaginable. None of this is extreme, by Islamic standards. Quite the contrary, moderate Muslims--of which there are fewer than you might suspect--are the true extremists. Their lives are in direct conflict with the "holy" books and traditions to which they profess loyalty. It is inescapable that the more seriously one takes Muhammed's teachings, the more violent of purpose one becomes--by necessity. If this view is "twisted," that's news to Muhammed, all of his successors, and the empires that came afterwards--such as the Ummayads, Abbasids, Mamluks, Seljuks, and the Ottomans--leading up to World War I.

A glorious death on the paths of Allah while waging war against the unbelievers, followed by immediate entry into Paradise as a reward, is not a recent innovation or a novel idea. It's a basic assertion or guarantee made by Muhammed himself. Christianity has no corresponding belief, and I tell you it isn't a coincidence that Muslim "Palestinians"--not Christians--are blowing themselves to kingdom come. Listen to what these people say. Do a little research on letters they leave behind, or home-made video tapes. In every case, the rhetoric is steeped in traditional Islamic views of the world, and a desire to please Allah.

Those of you familiar with this blog know I don't make a habit of being politically correct, nor will I start now. Islam is the problem. Not extremism; not greed; not loathing toward freedom; not resentment. Islam. But don't take my word for it. Read biographical information on Muhammed. Study the Koran and Hadith. Research Islamic history as a whole. You won't have to forge your way very far into these subjects before you reach the same unpleasant and unpopular conclusion. It is one I reached before the words September 11 had any special significance; and speaking of that atrocity, if Muhammed had never lived, the New York skyline wouldn't be marred, today, and many would spend this evening with loved ones long since lowered into the earth.