So You Want a Holy War? (William F. Buckley Jr.)

National Review Online ^ | October 02, 2001 | William F. Buckley Jr.

[Drew68]

I hope this wasn't posted before. I did a keyword search on both the title and the subtitle. Also, I realize that many people are upset right now with NRO's dismissal of Ann Coulter (as am I). Nonetheless, I am a fan of both Buckley and NRO and still feel that they have a relevant voice.

[The Thin Man]

I hope WFB Jr. doesn't get banned for this.

[JmyBryan]

Buckley is right on.

[be-baw]

How can you continue to be a fan of a man who joined Jimmie Karter in shoving the Panama Canal into the hands of the communists?

I'm still looking for a columnist who writes only things I agree with. Can you recommend any for me?

[cactusSharp]

dead on

[nofriendofbills]

Finally, a respected, nationally known figure comes forward to speak the truth.

[be-baw]

if the Koranic high exegetes are paralyzed with doubt whether such as the Ladenites are true to their faith — then the faith being practiced must be disavowed by the legitimists

Of course they are not disavowing anything. I've almost convinced myself that any devout Muslim is an extreme fundamentalist Muslim, and that the peaceful ones are like the self-professed Christians who only go to church on Easter Sunday and Christmas.

[Drew68]

Someone pointed out on another thread that this article in content is not that much different from what Ann wrote and was fired for. I can see some similarities. Buckley's response was a little more thought out whereas Coulter's was written under duress at the loss of a friend. In short, that Islam is either distorted or needs to change to be compatible with civilized society.

...And I could just see Jonah trying to pass Buckley a pink slip (LOL).

[wardaddy]

Carefully selected, there are Koranic preachments that are consistent with civilized life. But on September 11th we were looked in the face by a deed done by Muslims who understood themselves to be acting out Muslim ideals.

This is exactly what I and many other FReepers have been feeling and expressing these past few weeks and our State Dept. and Media have done their best so far to convince all of us not to believe "our lying eyes".

Kudos to WFB for setting the record straight. Unfortunately for the lovely Miss Coulter....her words strictly about forced conversion were a case of emotional hyberbole and her defiance to her editors resulted in her dismissal. I fear not that she will find another more suitable place for expression.

[KarlH]

Good post. I haven't seen it before and I agree that there is something inherently wrong with a "religion" that allows "believers" to believe that killing themselves and thousands of others will bring them great rewards in the afterlife.

Where are the Muslim religious scholars denouncing these acts? Who is in charge of the mosque at Mecca? Couldn't he issue a statement denouncing such teachings? All the rational leaders of Islam should produce a joint statement pointing out that anyone teaching such doctrine is wrong and such actions will put the perpetrators, the planners and the financers in the Islamic hell.

There is something wrong if the peaceful followers of Islam don't mind being grouped-in with these murderous fanatics.

ABC broadcast an interview that an American crew had with an Islamic fundamentalist/terrorist in a prison somewhere in the mid-east. The reporter was stunned at the answer to his question: "Would you strap a bomb around your waist and blow up a group of school children?" The response, "If the religious scholars told me to do this, I would." What kind of fools are these? How do you comprehend the incomprehensible?

[Republic of Texas]

I was against giving the Panama Canal away also, but that was 20 years ago. I will continue to check out the thread that shows Chinese soldiers on the Canal! Today we are talking about terrorism, keep up.

[borkrules]

Exactly. Buckley just used bigger words and was more nuanced in his approach. But the gist of his column and the one that apparently got Coulter the boot are very similar.

Both are sadly accurate.

[be-baw]

Thanks! I read them all regularly, except Ms. Rabinowicz (somehow I've missed her, though the name sounds familiar).

I respect all those folks, and many more (Thomas Sowell, George Will, R. Emmett Tyrrell and many more). My point was I can't say I always agree with any of them. I agree with you that Buckley was wrong about the Panama Canal, and I think he's wrong about legalizing drugs; still, I agree with what he says much more than I disagree, and I greatly respect what he has done for the modern conservative movement. In my opinion, his advancing of it is in the same league as Ronald Reagan and Rush Limbaugh.

[VoodooEconomist]

We can thank our Founding Fathers for choosing to be enlightened by Reason, rather than go down the path of a theocratic State, like so many Muslim countries have chosen to do.

In his, "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" [1787-1788], John Adams wrote:

"The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.

". . . Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind."

[M Kehoe]

Either restore the proper Allah — or get ready for a holy war.

We are coming.

5.56mm

[DeweyCA]

I've almost convinced myself that any devout Muslim is an extreme fundamentalist Muslim, and that the peaceful ones are like the self-professed Christians who only go to church on Easter Sunday and Christmas.

Amen! I have advanced this same theory with my friends. Yes, these fanatics use religion to give their political aims more legitimacy, but if the Muslim officals will not openly unite to condemn those actions, then their silence speaks louder than any words. Consider how Christian leaders openly condemn anti-abortionist bombings and killings. Why haven't the Muslim leaders done the same with the WTC atrocity?

[SuziQ]

Declare in full voice that Islam is widely profaned and mistaught.

I know that Bush and some of his people have said this, but is Buckley talking about ISLAMIC leaders saying this? I won't hold my breath, but maybe Dubya and Co. can convince some of them to speak out.