[CobaltBlue]

I don't want to kill them all, per se. Just stop them from killing others.

Thus, the number who die are within their control. If they want to risk all, then all are subject to death.

I hope it won't come to that. I doubt it will come to that.

They only attack when they have numeric superiority or some other advantage, like sneaking up on the unsuspecting.

[durasell]

The trick is not to let this thing get out of control.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

But the fact is that not all of them are killing others. Taking out a punishment on a billion people for the actions of thousands, or even millions, should not be done.

It is akin to when Denmark's Jyllen-Posten (spelling?) posted those cartoons and Muslims burned American flags in protest. Although both Denmark and the United States are part of the West, they are not one, solid group (furthermore, not all Danes are Jyllen-Posten people either). And yet those Muslims lumped all Westerners together--and then started acting as if Christians had posted those cartoons (most Danes are nominal Christians who could be mostly agnostic or atheist in reality).

[spatso]

"Thus, the number who die are within their control. If they want to risk all, then all are subject to death."

My guess is the President is trying to stop the ideological escalation. If for example, this thing becomes merely Christianity against Islam what do we do about Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal. Should we attack before they deliver weapons into a terrorist delivery system? What about Indonesia, the country with the largest Islamic population? Do we close the borders to all Muslims and do we consider the implementation of a list of enemy aliens and sympathizers in order to restrict and control the domestic Islamic community?

If you think a war against Islam is an easy option, think again! Imagine the world dominance that could be asserted by the Chinese if they were to stand in a neutral position while profiting from both sides. Imagine the cost of a gallon of gas. Imagine the schism in NATO as we stand in opposition to our Muslim ally Turkey. Listen to the President, we do not help when we allow our rhetoric to race beyond reason.