US losing the war of ideas in Muslim world

THE STRAITS TIMES ^ | OCT 2, 2003 THU | ARNAB NEIL SENGUPTA

[onedoug]

"...you're just making up words...."

A little studying, and you'll learn that I'm not. Thanks.

[Monty22]

Explain to me the ethics of 'islam' vs 'islamism'.. This is a very banal subject, since there is no distinction.

The koran + haddith are what all islam's about, and it's about murder, mayhem, and destroying the world in allah's name.

[RussianConservative]

Why not give choice of England? France? Germany? Italy? Japan? You give four bad one good and say well they choose good...how about give four varient of good and see who choose what for example. This is silly survey with predetermine result.

[Publius6961]

The author of this delusionary piece of sophistry seems to be unaware that in order to have a "war of ideas", the ideas have to exist in the same universe.

It is obvious that in the Muslim universe black can be white, killer can be victim and victim can be agressor.

It doesn't take rocket science to see that a war of ideas under those circumstancs defies all known physical laws of God and man.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Societies based upon Muslim law are extremely poor, due to the fact that they generally are in opposition to Western values such as materialism and hence capitalism.

Materialism is not the same thing as Capitalism and Muslim societies have nothing against materialism.

[Redcoat LI]

Part of the reason we are in Iraq,and Afghanistan is to provide a practical example of a differant,and better way of life.Winning the prophaganda war is not as important.A concrete example of what we are capable of is far more important,honest and lasting.

[RLK]

Arabs and Muslims are 'angered at being treated like children'

----------------------

Maybe if they had the maturity to give up worshiping the words of a madman from 1,400 years ago they might merit more respect.

[Coroner]

I can explain the difference between islam and islamism for you. In islamism you are supposed to blow up the infidels. In islam you are supposed to lie to the infidels about what your islamist brothers are doing!! Glad I could clear that up!!

[MosesKnows]

Why do they hate us?

The President told us they hated us because they are jealous of our freedoms. Could he have been mistaken?

I never really believed that. However, you are either for him or you are against him so what choice does one have but to except that meager explanation.

Are people actually ready to try to determine the truth?

[Bud Bundy]

Or just maybe because you alive and Christian and none Dimmi...oh just maybe.

Well, I am alive, but the rest of what you guess at? No.

So I guess maybe not.

[Bud Bundy]

Muslim societies have nothing against materialism.

I guess that obliges you to offer an alternate explanation.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - RELIGION OF PEACE

[onedoug]

Democratization might mean less Islamism so that Islam may continue.

Or, we will succumb to sharia.

Or, Islam, meaning Muslim peoplehood, will have to be destroyed.

My religion counsels the hope that God wants for us all, for either alternative does not exactly seem as within it.

The times we live in yet seem more biblical than quranic, to me.

[x]

We could remake Germany and Japan because the Soviet threat provided us all a common adversary or enemy. If we only had capitalism and democracy and food to offer maybe the defeated would not have responded as positively as they did. It was because we provided them with a defender and the possibility of self-determination in the face of Soviet power that Germany and Japan supported our reconstruction efforts. None of this applies today. Not having a common enemy means that our efforts in the Middle East will have serious drawbacks and obstacles.

[edchambers]

Please help me, I can't come up with a new and creative way to say I don't give a rats ass why they hate us.I would like them to stop trying to kill us but if it takes killing every last one of them before they get the message I'm ok with that too.

[Dark Wing]

fyi

[eleni121]

Well gee whiz - how helpful can an editorialist be?

The muslims have a saying: if you can't chop off a man's hand, kiss it.

We are in the "trying to chop off the hand" mode at the moment. When these Muslim sickos start being sycophantically sweet again is when we should really pay attention.

[cookcounty]

" Arabs and Muslims are 'angered at being treated like children' and 'feel the sting of contempt in being objects of manipulation'. "

maybe that would change if they began to show some adult responsibility.

[RussianConservative]

You not remake Germany or Japan. Germany already Republic until Nazi Party take control. Allies remove National Socialism and old Reichstag return, so not remake. Rebuild yes, not remake. Japan also had parliment until Generals take control. Again, Emperor and emperor worship left and parliment return. If Japan remake then it not have present economic problems, which tied directly to bank and loan taker run by same clan.