[merrin]

The practical problem (as distinct from the obvious moral problem of religious bigotry) with this "kick the Muslims out!" crap is that it is counterproductive.

I believe that the main reason for our current Minetic unwillingness to institute commonsensical security measures (such as screening Muslim soldiers for radical associations) is that people who propose such measures end up being lumped in with lunatic Muslim-haters. The same with people who call for Muslim groups to disassociate themselves from radicals and terrorists.

There is no way that Muslims in the services are going to be scrutinized for radicalism--which they damn well should be--because people don't want to feel like they are giving any ground to bigotry.

And the last people the bigots will think of blaming are themselves.

[William McKinley]

You are preaching to the choir, my friend. It is the same with immigration. The most vociferous anti-immigration types have poisoned the issue so much that common sense, simply right-thing-to-do measures aren't even considered.

And we all suffer for it.

[dep]

And the last people the bigots will think of blaming are themselves.

not to put too fine a point on it, but blow me. there is a substantial religion in the world, the chief tenet of which is the eradication of everyone else. that religion has demonstrated its willingness to do all it can to bring about that end. you are full of it.

dep