Where are the Republicans?
Sep 25th, 2007 by Randy Toman
The “Pew Forum on Religion and Public life” April 27, 2006, at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington D.C. had this event “Islam and the West: a conversation with Bernard Lewis”. The interview was conducted by Luis Lugo Director of the Center along with number of guest journalist asking questions of Mr. Lewis.
The event transcript runs 35 pages of which I will only focus on a couple of paragraphs.
Bill Gertz, The Washington Times:
“…It seems that the current method is to apply democracy— concepts of democracy and freedom to something that is dominated by a religious tone.”
Mr. Gertz had just ask this —-
“… Is it possible to wage a successful war of ideas against Islamist extremism? ”
Mr. Lewis—-
“Regarding the war against terror, I am familiar with this slogan. (GWOT– global war on terrorism) I feel that while we are indeed engaged in a war against terror, it is in adequate and even misleading. If Churchill had informed the country in 1940, we are engaged in a war against bomber aircraft and submarines that would have been an accurate statement but not a very helpful one. To say we are engaged in a war against terror is of the same order. Terror is a tactic it’s a method of waging war. It is not a cause it is not an adversary, it is not anything that one can identify as an opponent. And I think we need to be more specific in fighting a war. It is useful to know who the enemy is. I think you would agree.”
Charles Krauthammer The Washington Post—ask this
“…What Churchillian policy would you therefore advocate—and I’ll name three crises—the U.S. to follow: one, versus Iran, two, in relation to Hamas and three, in relation to the insurgency in Iraq? ”
Mr. Lewis:
“ Well, in two simple words: get tough. I have not suggested that we should launch an armed attack on Iran. I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t think we should do anything that would either offend or tickle Iranian national pride we are doing both at the present time. We’re offending them by saying you mustn’t have nuclear weapons, and we’re tickling them by allowing their leaders to present themselves as defying the mighty West, standing alone and successfully defying the United States. I think that’s the wrong way to do it. There are other things that one can do to indicate displeasure and help those there who want a big change.”
Now I have been asking “WHY” we have two options for consideration “STAY” or “PULL OUT”. Isn’t it fair we had more of an explanation from our politician and presidential candidates and just maybe our “TALK SHOW” people most of all our NEWS MEDIA, if they had any allegiance to this country? This forum was held well over a year ago. And as I write the president of Iran is here in this country speaking at one of our universities “WHY”? Maybe the better question would be, “HOW” is that happening? Where is our Republican Churchill’s?
DO WE KNOW OUR ENEMIES? —–PART TWO IS COMING UP, SO LOOK FOR IT. AND CONSIDER THIS ARTICLE ALONG WITH WHAT DR. STEYKO ALEYTHOS HAS TO SAY IN PART TWO.