You said -- "We are at war with islam. Unfortunately, our government and most of the US population doesn't realize that we are supposed to fight back."
Well, the so-called "radicals" want to make it clear that the West is at war with Islam, because this will cause all Muslims to rise up and cause damage wherever they are -- as opposed to a handful of "radicals" doing it. So, they want *all* the Muslims to become like they are. They want to turn the U.S. into Beirut and Kabul and Baghdad -- a constant state of war and bombings and killings -- from every single Muslim who is currently living in the U.S.
On the other hand. Bush and company (by saying Islam is a religion of peace) wants the rest of Islam to remain "complacent" while they cut the legs out from under Islam -- without the masses reacting. Thus, his words "soothing" the rest of the Muslims -- saying that those so-called radicals have hijacked your poor religion and we know you're good guys and those others are the bad guys. So, don't worry -- we're not after you.
But, the thing is -- we're caught between a rock and a hard spot -- because Islam is a religion of war and a terrorist religion at heart.
What do you do in the meantime? I guess you keep lying to the masses of Muslims, making them think you're not at war with Islam -- and then cut the ground out from under the so-called radicals before the masses can react.
I would suppose that's the strategy of Bush and Co.
Regards,
Star Traveler
bump!
I think you just gave us an excellent analysis of Bush's strategy - and, of course, the big problem, which is simply that the "religion" as a whole is a war-and-death cult, call it what you will. I think Bush is making soothing noises to stall for time, because right now that is about all that can be done. I'd say an all-out war launched by Islam is pretty inevitable, but it would be nice to delay it as long as possible.
It had better be, because if it's not, then it's pretty clear that we have no strategy at all.