Let me say that you have stated the situation about as well as (though not at all pc) I've ever seen it stated. The problem here in the West is that many people (esp. the elites) are not willing to look reality square in its often very ugly face. They would rather turn away and pretend reality is something other than what it actually is. Hence, they come up with idiotic notions, such as "socialism" and "liberalism," which are nothing more than flights into fantasy. This is why I would say the basic difference between the Left and Conservatives is that the Left ignores or distorts reality, while a Conservative desires that his thinking conforms to reality. The reality is that Islam has been at war with every other ideology since its inception.
I read a very interesting New York Times article in our local Fresno newspaper yesterday that indicates a dramatic departure in western perceptions of Islam. It is more notable that it was a front page article here. It not only made mention of how conservatives view Muslims, but is the first widely published article that delved into the growing European concerns expressed by liberals of the intolerance practiced by Muslims. The article can be accessed at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/world/europe/11muslims.html?em&ex=1160712000&en=34a1441b298f76c0&ei=5070
While the article addresses European concerns, there are some aspects I find interesting. First the article is addressing concerns a great many within our nation hold. It also lays a groundwork of a new national consensus toward Islam. Where a great many of our religious citizens have expressed concerns over the religion, this article cited that and added the social concerns of liberals. As a nation we've a rather noble history if intolerance toward groups that practice intolerance. It is neither conservative or liberal, but embraced by both and completely American.
The article is sterile in comparison to what I would be inclined to write, but I see it as a first effort in building a consensus, and as such applaud it. For such an article to be authored and published by the New York Times, not known for being a conservative voice, is a necessary step forward if Islam is to be stopped and held accountable for their atrocities against non-Muslims.