0604 - Anti-Jihad

The London Underground bombings occasion a change of announced subject. As our Constant Readers know, we hold little or no regard for the so-called “Intelligence” agencies that burped up so much completely wrong information from Iraq. We do suggest, though, that intelligence in the good old sense of smarts could assist in dealing with terrorists. Some suggestions follow, a few with caveats from our Staff Ethicist, who, alas, spends many days deeply depressed, both by the actions of the crazies and the stupidity of U.S. Government reaction.

Start with the patent fact that the terrorists are Muslims with a deep religious hatred of the U.S. and the West generally. This is so flagrantly obvious as to make extra-foolish the insistence of aviation inspectors that randomly chose children of three to remove shoes when passing through airport lines. This is just stupid: children of three and grandmothers from Sioux Falls are not the threat. The threat comes from Muslim countries and Muslim groups. Yes, yes, racial and ethnic stereotyping is against American values, but when searching for criminals a random search is useless – you have to look at the groups from whence the threat comes. And please note the obvious logical distinction between saying that almost all terrorists are Muslims and saying that all Muslims are terrorists.

It is high time to face the facts. The American tradition is that all religions are free and respected. Yes, but that does not excuse a priest from child abuse. Nor does it mean that the truth must be ignored: the preachers of hate are found in the Muslim schools (variantly spelled Madrasas, or Madrassas, or Madrassahs). Again, people, recognize that assuming a religious cover does not excuse preaching, teaching, or organizing crimes. Mullahs can be criminals and many are. Criminal investigations, inspections, and wiretaps can be conducted in places of supposed worship where the teaching is criminal and the meetings are conspiracies.

Yes, this means that treasured civil liberties are in much danger. But looking for crimes in criminal groupings, in gangs or in mosques, does not mean that civil rights are to be ignored. The revelations of childish and vicious abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib or at Guantanamo are shocking, and reveal the lack of brains in our “Intelligence”. Peeing on a prisoner is not interrogation. But that does not mean that anybody with a beard and a robe is entitled to preach murder and terror without being wire-tapped (all due processes being observed).

After the 911 attacks, one of our most faithful Readers from Spokane suggested that U.S. national identity cards are coming. We fear they are, because they make sense and facilitate travel in these times of danger. What does not make sense is the Administration’s permitting some 13 million illegal immigrants to cross U.S. borders and stay in. That is neglect, and it is stupid, dangerous, politically cowardly, and no surprise. Again, three year olds are not the threat. Get real!

We also note that all U.S. politicians are firmly in the grip of the gun nuts. Their recent stupidity is allowing the law against sale of automatic weapons to lapse, in the name of “Freedom” to machine-gun high schools. The love of guns extends to explosives, apparently, and so anybody wanting to blow things up can buy explosives freely. This makes no sense, of course, except to craven pols who know the gun lobby fights any controls on distribution of guns, ammo, or explosives. They are morally and deeply guilty. Two words for them: Bah! Bah!

Next time: FoodFad (maybe) [OO #605]

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