From Mona Charen:

Yesterday NPR host Diane Rehm featured a discussion between The Very Reverend David O’Connell, president of Catholic U. and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Prof. of Islamic Studies at George Washington U. Nasr was well-versed in the history of Western Civilization as well as articulate and calm. But according to the segments I heard, he took issue with O’Connell’s description of the violence perpetrated against Christians worldwide following the Pope’s remarks as “unprovoked.” He interjected “But it was provoked.” Diane Rehm equably restated his position (I paraphrase) “So you think words are violence.” He confirmed.

Call me crazy but I’d prefer to be called nasty names to being beaten or beheaded any day of the week. How about you Prof. Nasr?

The problem is that they prefer beheading to dialogue.
After all, why not? So far it's been working very well for them.

Technorati Tags: Islamism

Is there a difference between the media reaction to the Danish cartoon controversy and Islamist reaction to Pope Benedict?

According to Spiegel:

But the attacks against the pope are especially grotesque. The severe criticism -- often coupled with threats of violence -- directed at the speech held last Tuesday by Benedict XVI is not just an attack on the head of the Catholic Church. The malicious twisting of the pope's words and the absurd allegations made by representatives of Islam represent a frontal attack on open religious and philosophical dialogue.

Maybe somehow people could justify the reaction to the cartoons.
But this time around, it's getting more and more obvious that the reaction is way over the top.

Maybe people are ready to go to the next level after fear--anger.

Technorati Tags: Pope Benedict and Islamism

In Australia they are reading Moslems the riot act.
Andrew Robb, Howard Government's multicultural spokesman, spoke to a group of 100 imams who speak at Australia's mosques.

"We live in a world of terrorism where evil acts are being regularly perpetrated in the name of your faith," Mr Robb said at the Sydney conference.

"And because it is your faith that is being invoked as justification for these evil acts, it is your problem.

"You can't wish it away, or ignore it, just because it has been caused by others.

"Instead, speak up and condemn terrorism, defend your role in the way of life that we all share here in Australia."

Imagine if the US gave a talk like that to CAIR.
Or if Israel laid down the law to the Arab MK's.

Technorati Tags: Australia and Islam and Islamism