Ralph Peters Says I'm A Bigot, Hater, Fanatic, Creep and KKKer.
September 10, 2006
By Douglas B. Wakeman
The unkindest cut of all - A man who I admire greatly for his clarity on the Islamic Wars, Colonel Ralph Peters, disagrees with the attitude expressed in my column of August 12 - "Outlaw Islam". In fact he says I am part of a "rotten core of American extremists", "bent on discrediting honorable conservatism" I am a "bigot", a "hater", a "fanatic", "the Ku Klux Klan with higher-thread-count sheets", a "fool" and a "creep."
Wow! What the hell is a higher-thread-count sheet? Anyway, I don't know where this politically correct bullshit comes from in this unhinged rant that almost equals my more reasonable ones, but his own words, when not irrational, illogical or counter-intuitive, actually contradict his defense of "moderate", American muslims.
I'll just deal with the irrational today using one quote. He demeans folks like me for insisting, "that Islam can never reform, that the violent conquest and subjugation of unbelievers is the faith's primary agenda - and, when you read between the lines, that all Muslims are evil and subhuman.".
First of all, by his own words, he implies that reform of Islam is necessary and that it hasn't yet reformed. Well, please show me any indication that, after 1,400 years, Islam can reform? This is like castigating someone for basing their actions on the belief that Communism always leads to bad outcomes. I suppose that it is possible that, someday, someone may implement a Communist system where all live in peace and prosperity without gulags and early morning visits from the secret police. But, as rational beings, we must act according to the obvious, undeniable evidence of human experience. I don't insist that Islam can never reform. I just think that, after centuries have gone by where all other belief systems have adapted to the relentless march of human liberty and civilization, it is highly, extremely, ridiculously improbable! And, you have only to read the Koran to see that, "the violent conquest and subjugation of unbelievers is the faith's primary agenda." This is really all that Islam is about if you leave out rape and plunder.
There have been miraculous cancer remissions. But, if you have a cancer and you wish to live, you don't sit around waiting for some improbable miracle. You act on the assumption that the cancer will behave as most cancers always have and you take the necessary steps to survive, no matter how costly and tortuous.
Oooohhhh - he's comparing Islam to cancer! Well, if Islam isn't malignant, why is everybody, including Colonel Peters talking about reform?
So, yeah, if we seek to preserve modern, Western civilization from this scourge, we have to proceed from the assumption "that Islam can never reform." While the reverse may be possible, we simply do not have the luxury to entertain the notion
Then, in the same quote cited above, Peters reads behind the lines of people who hold my position, (the type of cheap mind-reading that I will spare Colonel Peters), to say we consider all Muslims as evil. I will dismiss the part of his accusation that we insist that all Muslims are subhuman. When you look at what people do to their their fellow man everyday, there is really no such classification. There is no depth of depravity and cruelty in nature below which human beings will not go. The word, "subhuman" is meaningless.
But, the relationship between an evil ideology and its mundane members - here is a concept we must deal with. It is not necessary that every single adherent of an ideology personally perform the atrocities, which have gained it notoriety, to associate the followers with the acts. Perhaps if Colonel Peters had meandered amongst American Nazis or Communists in the 30s, 40 and 50s, he would have seen "moderates" who could be convinced to ally with us against their fellows. Maybe he would have seen decent citizens who went to work everyday and cared for their families. But, they were seditious termites in the foundation of our republic nonetheless! If someone embraces an evil ideology, dedicated to your extermination, you are a fool to attribute benevolent motives to them when your very life and civilization are at stake.
Yes, individual Muslims may be fine people, but they are bricks and mortar in a loathsome edifice. They contribute to their Wahabist mosques. That money goes to the enemy. Whether knowingly or not, they provide a subculture in which the malevolent members of their faith can sleep and eat and blend. Additionally, it cannot be denied that any ideology has power commensurate with the numbers that subscribe to it regardless of their actual, individual participation in the activities of the leaders and activists. This is a fact of the human experience. Something as simple as a poll can give strength to an organization like CAIR to influence pandering politicians on the Islamo-Fascists' behalf. It is impossible to be a member of any organization and not, by that fact alone, contribute to the prospects of its success.
When we firebombed Dresden in WWII and nuked Japan, were we making war with "extremist" Germans and "militant" Japs? No, we weren't. We slaughtered "members" of the enemy camp. Why would we do this? It is because the enemy extends to all of its members, whether homemakers, children or workers in industry. Would Peters walk among the people of Hiroshima prior to August 1945 and see good, decent people, undeserving of a horrible incineration? I would like to know. Because, throughout human history, one fact of war is undeniable - a nation fighting for its life, cannot afford to be solicitous of the innocent among the enemy, and when you go to war you bring all of your members with you. And this war is with Islam. Its members do not mass in one state like previous enemies. They are scattered among the peoples of all the nations on Earth. When their leaders declared war on us, they brought them all along.
So, no, I don't see individual American Muslims as evil. But the fact that they are part of something evil must be recognized and dealt with! If their civil rights are infringed upon or they are regarded with suspicion, tough. Every day people sever ties with organizations and ideologies. When you see your leaders dragging your faith or cause into the gutter, you fight them. Then, having failed to prevail you leave and join something more in line with your beliefs or start a new group. Does anyone see American Muslims fighting or leaving or starting more moderate offshoots? If members of your faith or organization commit atrocities on your behalf, you stand up and denounce them. Where are the massive marches of American Muslims denouncing Jew-hatred and terrorism? If Colonel Peters has knowledge of such a powerful argument for his case, it is a remarkable omission from his column!
Colonel Peters seems to think that we are hurting our cause by alienating our Muslims. I say that enabling someone in their errors only emboldens them. Shame and ostracism are effective tools to bring about personal change. Colonel Peters's prescription of whining and begging American Muslims to come over to our side only engenders their contempt and strengthens them in their noxious faith.
And one last thought for Colonel Peters and our Muslim-American brethren; a warning. The veil of tolerance of the West is as thin as it is in the hearts of all men. Just look at Dresden, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When confronted with the most depraved barbarism of which man is capable, and pushed to the wall, we will reciprocate in kind, and then some. I say to the Muslims of America - you had better get into the streets and demonstrate your love and support for America, now. You had better start turning in the extremists in your midst, now. You had better report your Imams if they are preaching hate, now. You had better make your stand with us complete and unmistakable, now. Because this is an armed populace, as jealous of their land and culture as any other. If a nuke goes off in an American city, there will not be one of you left above room temperature - man woman or child.
9/12/2006 - Robert Spencer Agrees with me!
9/13/2006 - And so does Andrew G. Bostom.
9/27/2006 - And so does Don Feder
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