The solution to terrorism isn't just going out and killing Muslims.

[TarHell]

I just came from a great speech from an expert on the Arab world and former State Dept. official, someone who actually has a clue. Its too bad he's not President. From the transcript:

"...this is a fight that cannot be fought by the West alone—in fact, the fight against the killers who pervert and exploit a great world religion is most effectively fought by Muslims themselves. We must help and support them, because the outcome affects the security and welfare of the entire world.

It is more appropriate for Muslims to refute the extremists’ false arguments that Islam condones terrorism, suicide bombing, the killing of innocent men, women, and children.

And Muslim voices are the ones that will be most effective in calling for the reform of the madrassas that deny Muslim children any opportunity to cope and excel in the modern world, that prepares them not for life but only for early and senseless death.

Muslims are the only ones who can dispute theologically the extremist teachings that are distributed free to millions.

Many good decent Muslims have spoken out against those who have tried to hijack their religion. Unfortunately, all too often, they have to do so in the face of threats and intimidation from well-funded extremists.

We need to do everything we can to support those moderate voices and assist their courage in speaking out...

...Based on my own experiences with Muslims – not only with Indonesians when I was U.S. Ambassador for three years, but Arabs and Turks and Bosnians and Pakistanis and Malaysians and many others – my own outlook is prudently optimistic, despite the many obstacles."

[alcuno]

1. Welcome to DU, TarHell

Our current foreign policy in the ME appears designed to wipe out moderate voices and incite extremism. I find it hard to believe that that was the plan, but it's definitely the result.

[TarHell]

2. Thanks.

We really need a peace-oriented, humanitarian ME policy like the one outlined there.

[_Jumper_]

3. Religion is the problem

The sad fact is that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are intolerant religions that advocate violence.

[BeFree]

4. Replace

Replace Muslim with Christian and now yer talking...

Yer right, the guy nails it. Working from the inside usually proves to be more effective. We need Christian insiders to take back our religion.

[TarHell]

5. Granted that all religious extremism is evil...

Shouldn't we work on both Islam AND Christianity?

And the genocide Judaism of Ariel Sharon and his ilk?

[BeFree]

6. Careful, Tarhell

Ya might get bumped for doing a P/I thing here in GD.

As for working both religions - fine- if ya follow both. But most folks have just one. If your religion has a bunch of extremists running the show.... well, my advise would be to find a new religion or work to fix the one yer in. It'd be nice if the followers of Christ made sure that they was actually following and not making stuff up as they go, as the extremists are wont to do.

Saw a guy on NOW, with Bill Moyers, the other night... he was ranting about how Fundie extremists were getting away with murder (my words) and how it's time for true Christains to take back their religion. The chap was spot on. America, it is said, is a Christian nation. Methinks we need to grow up and starting act like one.