kabar -
Thanks for your insight and I believe you are correct about the many reasons the Shah fell in Iran. I still think Carter made a fundamental miscalculation that is costing us dearly today but I agree that there are many reasons for what happened.
I also agree there are many reasons for what exists today and in no way do I (or probably any others on this thread) think this subject is the ultimate explanation for the conflict.
It is a small part of the "why" and I think we should all endeavor to understand it. If we understand what D'Souza points out we can better understand the fundamental differences between our culture and theirs. My hope is that the sooner we understand that the sooner we will realize that we are not going to "Americanize" them.
Thanks. I think it is incorrect to make too many generalizations about Islam and the way it is practiced. I have lived a total of 9 years in three Islamic countries--Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. And I have visited many more. There are significant differences from country to country. Also, many Muslims are not that devout nor do they adhere to the practices of the religion. There are more gradations than just traditional and radical. D'Souza presents too simplistic an explanation. Perhaps it is spelled out more in his book.