[spatso]

"I'm not eager for war, and I don't think Muslims, in general, are, either."

The only one who wins in a war between the West and Islam is bin Laden and terrorism. From the beginning, this has been the strategic goal of Islamic terrorism. They want the Islamic street to choose extremism over modernity. Every time a faux pas is committed,the Islamic street is inflamed, it is no accident, there are extremists promoting conflict. The President has my support as he begins to look for accommodation on a wider front.

[CobaltBlue]

The only one who wins in a war between the West and Islam is bin Laden and terrorism.

Salafism is a modern movement in Sunni Islam, supported by the Saudi royal family, and spread by their funding of mosques throughout the world, and giving away free copies of the Koran with commentary that support this ideology.

Bin Laden is an extreme practitioner of Salafiyyah but he's not at all inconsistent with their goals.

The "moderate" Salafis advise not using violence and terror to achieve their goals, because they are outnumbered, except in the ummah, where the goal of reuniting the Caliphate is the goal. This is Bin Laden's goal, this is Al Sadr's goal, this is Amadinejad's goal, this is the goal of the Saudi royal family.

The only thing they disagree about is who gets to be the Caliph, and which version of Islam gets to be on top.

As long as Muslims are fighting Muslims, we have less to worry about than if they ever unite. Don't kid yourself, they will probably overcome their divisions within your lifetime.