D’Souza Knows Not--A Letter to Dinesh D’Souza from the Traditional Muslim World [VDH Private Papers]

VDH Private Papers ^ | February 13, 2007 | A VDH reader

[James Ewell Brown Stuart]

But it's not patently absurd and not overly simplified. It does play a role in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. I haven't read D'Souza's book but even Bernard Lewis has stated the same in his book What Went Wrong.

[Huber]

I have seen him on TV and believe he will not be open to a differing opinion, not even if it comes from a Muslim woman from one of the cultural groups at the heart of his thesis.

I know Dinesh and can vouch for his openness to logic and facts. He will not be open to a differing opinion where that opinion is simply illogical. The writer of the letter is clearly intelligent and thoughtful, and seemingly decent, but her letter seems to contradict itself. I wonder if being an intelligent, thoughtful and decent Muslim woman can have any other eventual conclusion than a pervasive state of cognitive dissonance?

[SuzyQue]

Did you actually read the letter?

[an amused spectator]

Eventually, I did. However, my posts still stand.

She's a Muslim woman, and therefore still is property under Islam. She can run to the free West, but she can't hide - not if Dar al-Islam comes to the West, as is looking more likely by the day.

[cricket]

[The most charitable interpretation of this is that it is a gross oversimplification, while others would say it is patently absurd.]

Think it is too easy to be dismissive here. The name of the book is 'The Enemy At Home'. . .and we know that the Left is precisely that. Although not 'Hollywood exclusive'; we surely know that much of our American culture as now shared/promoted throughout the world carries a Liberal Hollwood-Gross value-challenging message. . .

We also know those who fight Islam's war; do so, with benefit of ancestral memory fashioned by a radical Islam. This should not mean however, that we should ignore or discount entirely; more recent influences that have enabled; empowered and facilitated the radical Islamic 'unfolding'. . .

Often enough, we hear the Liberal political rhetoric. . .and recognize it's tranlations upon hearing our enemy feedback - recycled; compliments of Osama 'et als'. . .

(Have only to recall Hugo Chavez's speech, which sounded 'comedy central scripted'. . .and only a few days ago; we hear. . .GW is a 'drunk'/alcoholic. We hear daily political messages which if googled; one can find the Leftist popularlized versions that give rise to these exhortations for our defeat)

Seldom is there ONE reason catyclysmic events unfold. Dinesh I believe; is digging at the roots of the Left; the valueless culture it has spawned; the anger it has generated - if only by boosting adrenalain when needed. He is considering the Left's treason by empathy with our enemy; the politics they have in common. He is showing how; by all their means. . .this self-inspired, Lib/Leftist 'culture' - by their words and deeds. . .contributed to the events of 9/11.

We know as well; for a fact and as we speak; that now - as they did then - 'the Left' continues to 'marshal the enemy' - at the expense of our own Country; our Military; their war efforts and goals. We know 'the Left' continues to give justification; aid and comfort to our enemy.

So; while I wish Dinesh had given broader acknowledgement to 'other factors'; he does stake clearly his target for this book; and I cannot see yet. . .where he is wrong.

[steve-b]

From my reading it appears that distilled down to its essence, D'Souza's premise is that American pop culture and American liberals' aggressive global campaign to undermine the traditional patriarchal family is responsible for the rise of radical Islam. The most charitable interpretation of this is that it is a gross oversimplification, while others would say it is patently absurd.

And I would say that it is a piece of blame-America surrender-monkeydo that makes Chamerlain at Munich look like Leonidas at Thermopylae.

[steve-b]

Think the woman here; is throwing out the baby - Dinesh's premises/book - with the bathwater. Think she should allow first that he is right; but that he does not going far enough by allowing for historical context.

On the contrary; she correctly dismisses D'Souza's premise.

The bottom line is that Islamic Fundamentalists do not hate the West because some of our women wear six square inches of clothing. Islamic Fundamentalists hate the West because our women do not wear burqas and are not beaten and murdered if they talk back... and they fear that it might spread.

[tet68]

Ouch!
She nails him.

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