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Enough of Radical Islam
Enough with the pseudonyms. Western civilization isn't at war with terrorism any more than it is at war with grenades. Western civilization is at war with militant Islam, which dominates Muslim communities all over the world. Militant Islam isn't a tiny minority of otherwise goodhearted Muslims. It's a dominant strain of evil that runs rampant in a population of well over 1 billion.
Enough with the psychoanalysis. They don't hate us because of Israel. They don't hate us because of Kashmir. They don't hate us because we have troops in Saudi Arabia or because we deposed Saddam Hussein. They don't hate us because of Britney Spears. They hate us because we are infidels, and because we don't plan on surrendering or providing them material aid in their war of aggressive expansion.
Enough with the niceties. We don't lose our souls when we treat our enemies as enemies. We don't undermine our principles when we post more police officers in vulnerable areas, or when we send Marines to kill bad guys, or when we torture terrorists for information. And we don't redeem ourselves when we close Guantanamo Bay or try terrorists in civilian courts or censor anti-Islam comics. When it comes to war, extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
Enough with the words. Talking with Iran without wielding the threat of force, either economic or military, won't help. Appealing to the United Nations, run by thugs and dictators ranging from Putin to Chavez to Ahmadinejad, is an exercise in pathetic futility. Evil countries don't suddenly decide to abandon their evil goals — they are forced to do so by pressure and circumstance.
Enough with the faux allies. We don't gain anything by pretending that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are true allies. They aren't. At best, they are playing both sides of the table. We ought to be drilling now in order to break OPEC. Building windmills isn't going to cut it. We should also be backing India to the hilt in its current conflict with Pakistan — unless Pakistan can destroy its terrorist element, India should be given full leeway to do what it needs to do. Russia and China, meanwhile, are facilitating anti-Western terrorism. Treating them as friends in this global war is simply begging for a backstabbing.
Enough with the myths.
Not everyone on earth is crying out for freedom. There are plenty of people who are happy in their misery, believing that their suffering is part and parcel of a correct religious system. Those people direct their anger outward, targeting unbelievers. We cannot simply knock off dictators and expect indoctrinated populations to rise to the liberal democratic challenge. The election of Hamas in the Gaza Strip is more a rule than an exception in the Islamic world.
Enough with the lies. Stop telling us that Islam is a religion of peace. If it is, prove it through action. Stop telling us that President-elect Barack Obama will fix our broken relationship with the Muslim world. They hate Obama just as much as they hated President George W. Bush, although they think Obama is more of a patsy than Bush was. Stop telling us that we shouldn't worry about the Islamic infiltration of our economy. If the Saudis own a large chunk of our banking institutions and control the oil market, they can certainly leverage their influence in dangerous ways.
Enough. After the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the plane downed in Pennsylvania, the endless suicide bombings, shootings and rocket attacks in Israel, the Bali bombings, the synagogue bombing in Tunisia, the LAX shootings, the Kenyan hotel bombing, the Casablanca attacks, the Turkey synagogue attacks, the Madrid bombings, the London bombings, and the repeated attacks in India culminating in the Mumbai massacres — among literally thousands of others — it's about time that the West got the point: we're in a war. Our enemies are determined. They will not quit just because we offer them Big Macs, Christina Aguilera CDs, or even the freedom to vote. They will not quit just because we ensure that they have Korans in their Guantanamo cells, or because we offer to ban “The Satanic Verses” (as India did). They will only quit when they are dead. It is our job to make them so, and to eliminate every obstacle to their destruction.
So enough. No more empty talk. No more idle promises. No more happy ignorance, half measures, or appeasement-minded platitudes. The time for hard-nosed, uncompromising action hasn't merely come — it's been overdue by seven years. The voice of our brothers' blood cries out from the ground.
Ben Shapiro, 24, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. He is the author of the new book "Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House," as well as the national bestseller "Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth." To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
I wanted to push back against this drivel, but then I read the comments, which are at least an order of magnitude above the post which generated them. I stand in awe of those comments, and will have nothing to add.
Comment: #1
Posted by: jim olson
Fri Dec 5, 2008 9:40 AM
ben, you are like a toddler tossed in the UFC Octagon.
i can't really work up any real anger, though, since your column is cute like a cat in a tuxedo (or analogously, you, in fatigues).
good luck with your "crying make a cookie!" theory of diplomacy.
it really shows promise.
ben, you are like a toddler tossed in the UFC Octagon.
i can't really work up any real anger, though, since your column is cute like a cat in a tuxedo.
good luck with your "crying make a cookie!" theory of diplomacy.
it really shows promise.
Gaza is a city behind walls, a prison from which there is no escape. Most of its citizens are not "terrorists," but ordinary people with families, children, and dwindling hopes for the future who for decades have been systematically starved, abused, terrorized, cut off from the basic amenities of nutritious food, medicine, and water. And Ben Shapiro, a citizen of a foreign country viewing these complex troubles from his far-off, lofty perch, advocates murdering these people, who can't run away from the Israeli attacks on them anymore than they can from the cute little leaflets that drop from the sky like manna from heaven, giving them ample warning - all of about fifteen seconds - that they are about to be marked for slaughter. And why not target an extra major city or two while we're at it? Hey, throw in a third, maybe even a fourth! We are democracy in action! Freedom on the march! What's a few hundred thousand more dead and maimed muslims or arabs, radical islamists, whatever the hell they are. It doesn't matter to Mr. Shapiro in the least. To him, sitting comfortably at his computer with the TV on and a cold beer within easy reach, those people are as inconsequential and deserving of misery and death as cockroaches. So what if a few innocents get killed along with the "terrorists"? Who cares? They're only muslims, arabs, towelheads, subhumans, collateral damage, the price they pay for us to so patriotically shove "freedom" down their unwilling, ungrateful throats.
This is exactly the way the men who flew the planes into the towers thought about US.
That makes Ben Shapiro exactly like them. And because he is, in fact, exactly like them, even while he parades around as the opposite, cloaked in his author's raiments of literary skill and seriousness, that actually makes him WORSE than they are.
The Israelis have been running Gaza as a concentration camp for forty years. Forty years of Gazans being treated as no better than animals by invaders on a Mission From God who came in after thousands of years, "reclaimed," meaning took away, their territory without regard for the rights of those who were already living there, and systematically over the course of decades have deprived them of almost everything that makes a person human. Children in Gaza are growing up sick, stunted by malnutrition and poor medical care, scarred by fear and deprivation, lacking even a basic education. And now the Israelis are slaughtering women and babies there under the guise, the sacred aegis, of destroying military installations and weapons caches. This is what marauding, conquering nations have done for thousands of years while claiming they do so because they are in the "right," trumpeting that their cause is "just." For Americans like Ben Shapiro, who ought to know better but for some reason DON'T - and they never seem to learn, either - to march in unyielding lockstep with Israel and everything Israel does, claiming that the murder Israel commits in the name of self-defense is righteous and justified - well, does any of that have the ring of familiarity? Or have we forgotten the Nazi empire so soon? Or the lessons of the Nuremburg trials, where the common refrain was "I was just doing what I was told." Like a good little boy, Mr. Shapiro mindlessly regurgitates the most shallow, hateful party line about Israel and the Palestinians, with absolutely no insight into what is happening over there or how to resolve it without blowing up the entire freakin' world. That is his solution to the conflict: torture dubious information out of anyone suspected of being a terrorist, then commit mass murder. Yeah, that's the ticket! That will definitely keep Americans safe and restore our beleaguered republic's lost glory.
"We don't undermine our principles when we torture terrorists for information." Ben Shapiro should keep repeating that mantra. It's done so much global good already! And little wind-up manly man that he is, he not only espouses torture and unjustifiable mass murder, he talks as if he wishes he were making the blood run himself. Only that's all it is, just talk. A lot of hot air coming from a hypocritical gasbag. He puts on a big ball-swinging, chest-thumping, phony, weak act like so many other neocon writers issuing unhinged pronouncements from the safety of their lofty perches, far removed from any actual bloodshed, but you can rest assured Ben Shapiro does not have the moral courage to actually do what he advocates. Although he apparently has just enough chutzpah to encourage others to do his obscene, bloody work for him. That's totally disgusting, and he ought to be ashamed. But since he agreed to let his noxious tract be published, he must have no shame, so I'm ashamed for him. For all of us.
Sign me,
One Ashamed Shiksa
Comment: #4
Posted by: Perry Barber
Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:05 AM
Well said, Ben.
The problem with Islam is . . . Islam, or more specifically, the command of Allah and the example of Mohammed:
"the Messenger of Allah . . . would say: 'Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war. . . . When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. . . . Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. . . . If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them . . .'" (Muslim Book 19, Number 4294).
"fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war) . . . " (Qur'an 9:5).
"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued" (Qur'an 9:29).
"Allah's Apostle said: 'I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle . . . '" (Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 24).
"It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise" (Qur'an 8:67).
“Allah's Apostle said, ‘I have been made victorious with terror. The treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand'” (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220).
http://amillennialist.blogspot.com
Comment: #6
Posted by: Amillennialist
Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:45 PM
Ben,
This is the first I've read of you. It is the clearest and most truthful perspective I've seen from anyone. I've read your critics, and they are all idiots, but you know that.
Comment: #9
Posted by: don keller
Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:13 AM
"Hey punk, sign up for active duty and I'll take your call to action seriously. Until then, you're just another privileged chickenhawk whining for somebody else to compensate for your small penis size."
Don't listen to this guy, Ben. I am 57 years old, and I think you are wiser than the old gray beards and foreign policy "experts."
Your synopsis is brilliant, and in alignment with my own views regarding the threat coming from Islam.
Even now the Moslem army of "guest workers" is marching in the streets of Europe with placards which promise another 9-11… for Europe, this time around.
The Western World will be obligated to incinerate a country--or countries--if this religion is not utterly neutralized.
Far better to destroy a pile of bricks, draped with a black cloth, in gold trim, than have to incinerate millions of people.
With the destruction of Mecca, Medina, and the grave of the Prophet, only then will Islam get the message that there will be NO NEW ISLAMIC CALIPHATE in the West.
Islam has established the ground rules of genocide, by vandalizing Jewish graves, destroying world cultural heritage sites--such as the Bamiyan Buddhas--and attacking the Shrines of Democracy here in America, with the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
Do these demons of jihad actually imagine that their cultural spiritual center will remain exempt from retribution, while they continue to destroy everyone else's holy places?
These "Warriors of God," commit the most foul atrocities against the human race, and then when a people stands up to their chaotic destruction, they elect to run to the United Nations and hide under its skirt, as if they were small children, in need of protection.
Always remember Osama bin Laden targeted every man, woman, and child in both America and Israel for termination. In doing so, it is he, and he alone, who will be responsible for the destruction of Islam.
Everyone is tired of these rag heads, and their religion should become forfeit to annihilation, due to their callous disregard for human life--as manifested in sawing-off a man's head, as if he were a pig to be slaughtered.
This religion is spiritually bankrupt, and a direct threat to world peace. It must not be appeased, or handled with kid gloves, but rather--dealt with in a decisive manner which will change the direction in which it is moving...forever.
This crime against God--who designed man as the Crown of Creation-- will bring down the wrath of Allah onto His true believers, as it is the supreme sacrilege against the godhead to slay a human as if he were a hog.
Allah will use the infidel to punish the Arab world, for it is Osama bin Laden who has called down the wrath of the Lord, with his program of genocide in the name of the Most Holy.
It is this evil that men do in the name of God, which will sound the death knell for Islam.
That little Palestinian girl in Gaza--who recently found her arm torn off from the fighting--has Osama bin Laden to thank for her misery--not Israel.
Five stars for your article, Junior!
Comment: #10
Posted by: Thor H. Asgardson
Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:56 PM
Just an "amen and hallelujah" to johnbpt's comment (#10). You know what we've had enough of? All the strutting, bellicose couch warriors like Ben Shapiro.
Comment: #11
Posted by: Rich
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:25 AM
Well, it took Ben about 8 years longer than the average male to get laid. I am sure when he's 32 or so, he'll be ready to join the military and fight the good fight he longs for but refuses to take up at this time.
Comment: #12
Posted by: Marco
Thu Dec 4, 2008 11:39 AM
Oh, you can't expect Ben to join the armed forces. Obviously the fate of wetsren civiliation rests on Ben continuing to enlighten us all with these insightful essays. Besides, ben suffers from a sever condition. whenever faced with serious physical danger, he shits himself.
Comment: #13
Posted by: ace-o-aces
Thu Dec 4, 2008 12:38 AM
Compare and contrast cultural hero Ben Shapiro with:
Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, a 14 year-old Muslim kid from Jersey when 9-11 happened right across the river, joins the Army at 18 because he loves his country, and gets blown to pieces by an IED in Iraq two years later. The photo of his mother resting her head on his gravestone in Arlington was described by Gen. Colin Powell in his endorsement of Barack Obama.
The difference is that one of them is a courageous patriot, and the other is a waste of human protoplasm.
Comment: #16
Posted by: sashal
Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:55 AM
Ben, this is your father.
I hate Muslims too, but I usually keep quiet about it in public. Besides, my lies are so much harder to decipher from the truth than yours. You really need to work on your FEARMONGERING, it's weak and doesn't stir up pure misguided hatred like we want . I'm sorry I touched your penis during your formative years. Maybe that was what caused you to lash out with such blatant ignorance. I can only hope that others in our Jewish community pick up the slack, and start raping Muslim women and reporting it to the police as "pre-emptive self defense from Anti-Semitism." We chosen ones really would like to ignite some sort of contemporary holocaust, but one that we Jewish folks can INVEST IN this time. Since many of our ancestors' closely witnessed the slaughter of our people firsthand, I'm convinced that we could take on the responsibilities of executioner and command a massacre that would have the any bloodthirsty fascist in line for autographs. After all, revenge is a dish best served to undeserving innocents, right? You know it's true. Anyhow, that's about it. I'm sorry I had to cum in your mouth so many times. But at least you stopped talking for a bit. You schmucky tukkus of a boy. Love you, kiddo. Keep reaching for the stars. Of David.
Comment: #17
Posted by: Rick Shapiro
Thu Dec 4, 2008 3:22 AM
PS: I think we really should have let you mature more before sending you off to college. It was obviously far too early. Maybe a program like "No child skips ahead" could, in the future, shield our educational institutions from having to account for liabilities like your complete lack of intellect, and huge eyebrows.
Comment: #19
Posted by: Rick Shapiro
Thu Dec 4, 2008 3:40 AM
Enough with straw. Straw men are sapping our precious bodily essences.
BD is proof all the education in the world will do no good for the willfully stupid. Willfully stupid people fantasizing about cleansing violence that will gratify their need for a simplistic moral universe? BD and the terrorists are two sides of the same coin. They think the same way and need each other to justify their own existences.
Comment: #20
Posted by: Xenos
Thu Dec 4, 2008 6:12 AM
I'm sorry, but this bull about "I can only take your warmongering seriously if you dress in camo and carry a glock in your gym shorts" is getting hard to swallow. If Peter Pace were to have written this article, I can't say I'd have taken it more seriously. Of course, Peter Pace didn't write this article. Possibly because he's a soldier, not a stary-eyed wanna-be Charles Manson who wants to butcher Islamoradical liberal fascists.
Still, the point is that even if Shapiro made it through basic training without getting an excessive number of soap beatings, he'd still be a trigger happy neo-con bigot. And I still wouldn't be taking him seriously.
Comment: #21
Posted by: Zifnab
Thu Dec 4, 2008 7:40 AM
God Bless you Ben. Good effort. From what I have read I think the definition of Islam given by the greatest man of the 20th century Winston Churchill is the one that I consider most accurate and comprehensive.
Winston Churchill on Islam:
How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries (ithtarët)! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.
A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.
Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyzes the social development of those who follow it.
No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome.
-- Sir Winston Spencer Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248-50 (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899).
Comment: #23
Posted by: Loren
Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:16 AM
i think you are right-lets quit playin games with these folks-fu-- collatrial damage-bomb them back to the stone age as they say-their women and kids and dogs and cats and cows -religous sites-and everything else about them-just remove them from the earth-you are right they are always offended about something and it aint gonna stop until we kill them all
Comment: #24
Posted by: jpromansic
Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:18 AM
"Ben Shapiro, 24, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. He is the author of the new book 'Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House," as well as the national bestseller "Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth.'"
Noticeably absent from Ben's resume: current member of the armed forces he's proposing to throw into the meat grinder. Hey punk, sign up for active duty and I'll take your call to action seriously. Until then, you're just another privileged chickenhawk whining for somebody else to compensate for your small penis size.
