WHY FEAR IS THE WRONG REACTION

A must-read for all sane Americans. Here's a long excerpt:

I am a Muslim who has renounced Islam. I am an apostate. I have had very unflattering things to say about the Prophet Mohamed (number one no-no of all time in the eyes of radical Islam). If an Islamic theocracy were to take over, I would be the first one strung up.
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Nonetheless, here are three reasons why I am not scared of the Islamofascists:

1. They're not a real threat. These childish neo-cons run around trying to scare everyone into believing these guys are the new Third Reich. Really? Are they about to roll over the Czechoslovakia (or now the Czech Republic and Slovakia)? Is Cleveland next? Should the residents of Boca Raton look for new retirement communities because the Islamofascists are coming?

Don't be ridiculous. This is a made up threat that in no way, shape or form endangers the United States of America. Al Qaeda is a few thousand cave dwellers that have managed to hit us on several occasions through good planning, but it's not like their armies are going to roll into San Diego and occupy us. Iran is a country that is gaining some regional power, but to claim they threaten Europe or America (or even a nuclear-armed Israel) is ludicrous. Which European country do you think Ahmedinejad will take first - Germany or Great Britain?
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I don't want Iran taking over anywhere. They literally endanger my well-being. But there is a smart way of dealing with Iran and then there is the Bush way. The Iranian people can be won over by our culture and the lure of liberty and democracy (and more importantly, capitalism). Time is on our side. But if we attack them, we will definitely push them toward nationalism, militarism and fundamentalism. Ironically, we will create more Islamic radicals to fight, not less.

2. Islamofascism does not exist. It's a made up word and made up concept. There are plenty of Islamic radicals and Islamic fundamentalists. In fact, I think the "war on terror" should be renamed the "war on fundamentalism." But these radicals don't believe in fascism. They don't think the state should be merged with corporations. Corporations? Are there a slew of Islamic corporations threatening the world?
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3. The third reason why I am not afraid of the so-called Islamofascists is because I am not a coward. I don't run away from American principles and the US constitution just because we were attacked. I believe in America and what she stands for. These colors don't run.

I guess there are some people so weak and frightened that they will argue that we should change America so that we become more like our enemy in order to defeat them. But I'm not in that camp. I'm in the camp of standing by our flag, standing by our constitution and standing by our principles.

If we can't beat them by being Americans, then what's the point? Do these neo-conservative cowards believe in America at all? Do they believe in the America that respects its citizens' rights, that treats everyone -- even their prisoners -- fairly, that is the shining beacon for the world? Do they believe in the America that beat the real Nazis without having to be Nazis? That beat the Stalinists without having to become like the Stalinists?

Or do they think we should torture, spy on innocent Americans, start first strike wars and violate all of the principles that made this country great? You be the judge. But I, for one, am not afraid of the boogeyman, even if the boogeyman has my name first on his list. The America I know and love can beat any real or imagined boogeyman. And we do it by having the courage of our convictions and staying true to who we are.

SECOND VERSE, SAME AS THE FIRST

Richard Cohen has a great post today in which he scolds Mayor Rudy for rhetoric calling for war with Iran.

Giuliani ought to recognize that he is no longer the big-mouthed mayor of New York but a serious contender for the White House. All that his talk can accomplish is to make Iranian moderates rally around Ahmadinejad.
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The next president is going to have to use his noodle. Iran may be trying to go nuclear, but Pakistan already is -- and it's so unstable the present government may not last long. The United States cannot make war all over the globe, leading the West in a resumption of the crusades against the Islamic East. War should be the last resort, spoken of with the respect it deserves and in terms that acknowledge the dizzying chaos, widespread terrorism and grievances that would haunt us long into the future. War with Iran will not turn out to be the applause line it is in the campaign. That, Mr. Giuliani, is not a threat. It is a promise.

It seems the Republicans have learned nothing from seven years of a cowboy-wannabe running the government. Can they really believe that replacing him with a big-city motor-mouth bully will be an improvement? One is almost forced to believe that the 28-percenters are still so enamored of W that they're opting for the man most likely to repeat his mistakes.