But should we take any option or target off the table, regardless of the circumstances? Absolutely not, particularly if the mere discussion of an option or target may dissuade a fundamentalist Muslim extremist from strapping on a bomb-filled backpack, or if it might encourage "moderate" Muslims to do a better job cracking down on extremism in their ranks.
In many respects, the decision of "moderate" Muslims to acquiesce to these actions and even provide tacit justification for them is just as damaging to global safety and security as the attacks themselves. Until "mainstream" Islam can bring itself to stop rationalizing terrorist attacks and start repudiating and purging people like Ali and Hajjar from its ranks who do, this war will continue. As long as this war goes on, being "offended" should be the least of anyone's worries.
"until "mainstream" Islam can bring itself to stop rationalizing terrorist attacks and start repudiating and purging people...."
I heard Feinstein on some news show this morning (some Republican was there too). They both are on some defense committee or something. Please don't kick me off of FR, but I was REALLY liking what Feinstein was saying. She said she hasn't heard of one major immam condemning 9/11 or the other bombings. She said she wants to see all the immams condeming the terrorist activities, issuing Fatwahs against the terrorists - she said "they need to be rooted out from the mosques, just like the Catholic church will excommunicate someone". I guess what she was saying wasn't anything new. I WAS surprised by who was saying it.
She also was nodding her head in agreement with the republican when he answered the charge that the Iraq war was causing more terrorism. He brought up the first WTC bombing, the Khobar towers, the Cole, etc., and Feinstein was nodding her approval. She added to it saying "they use the Gulf war as an excuse, poverty, etc. But those are just excuses to cover there terrorism."
Anyway - if Feinstein is talking and thinking like this, then maybe there's hope. (There is only one women named Feinstein - right?!)
Do you actually believe that common sense will sway a paid or volunteer propagandist?