Reaping

Tancredo has refused to apologize for his statements, saying they were taken out of context. Whether they were or not, Muslims around the world are offended. It's notable that many of the people interviewed in this article are leaders of some type in Syria and Indonesia -- both places know for fostering anti-US jihadist mentality. Not a good development. I think that statements like Tancredo's have far more to do with attacks -- like the second wave in London today -- than the war in Iraq. As Charles from Pragmaticism has been intent on pointing out, the US's image in the ME as being arrogant and a meddler has a lot to do with the current situation. It may not be what is motivating high up leaders like OBL or even Zarqawi, but it's what allows them to recruit middle-class, well educated Muslims from Saudi Arabia or even Kuwait to take part in their terrorist operations. The war in Iraq, if handled correctly, could be used to bolster US image in the ME. We could use it as a reconciling point (its our fault that Saddam and other dictators were in power, so we're taking initiative to take him out and bring freedom). But when well known politicians are making statements like Tancredo's -- and refusing to apologize for them -- our image only gets worse. And that means that more people are going to hate us. And that means that more people are going to be willing to blow themselves up to fight us. And that's a bad thing for all of us. Whether he meant to imply what everyone is saying, Tancredo should apologize for his statements for the sake of national security and our image abroad and make sure that the world knows that we are not a bigoted people full of fear and hatred. Otherwise things are probably going to get worse and we will find out what a real jihad is like -- one where all Muslims are against us, not just the extremists. And then all these ignorant things that stupid people are saying about all Islam being secretly militant will come true, and we will have to deal with conflict with all Muslim people. And to get to that point is just stupid. There is no reason it has to happen if people will be reasonable and understanding. I hope that we can avert inciting anyone who is currently peaceful to violence. I hope that we, as a country in general, work towards peace and understanding with Islam instead of bullheadedly forcing a confrontation with people who have nothing against us right now -- including many of our own citizens.