"Think strategically when you post..."

Some interesting issues that might be worthwhile to cover in your book and this site are:

* The role of the West's dependence on oil
preventing disengagement with the Islamic
world.

* The view that terrorism is actually a tactical
error of the leaders of radical Islam.

* The strategic implications of letting Turkey
into the EU.

Great resource. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: raven_ at October 9, 2004 3:39 AM

I came here a while ago half hoping to find a way to link into the Western side of what someone (I think Mr. Spencer) called the "multi-generational ideological conflict." I found some useful links but my hope for a useful discussion forum was disappointed. I suppose that a productive forum on these topics would have to be moderated.

I do think that the conflict is multi-generational, cultural, and ideological. Military and homeland-security forces cannot win the struggle, they can only give us the time and room to wage and win the multi-generational conflict.

The items and links Mr. Spencer posts here definitely are valuable and make "Jihad Watch" an excellent resource even without a forum like the one I was half hoping for. Good work, Mr. Spencer, and thanks.

Pilgrim

Posted by: Pilgrim at October 9, 2004 7:13 AM

Jihad Watch was first recommended to me by an historian/writer/lecturer fluent in 11 languages and knowledgeable about almost everything. I've found his assessments absolutely correct, and have been able to gain some understanding of the Islamic thought-processes via Mr. Spencer's remarkable talents, although I have much yet to learn. Robert Spencer is to be commended for his dedication to truth in media, something we see far too little of. For the first time in my life, I've begun to gain the beginnings of an understanding of the Islamic's mind and method. Good job, Mr. Spencer!

Posted by: LilOleMissy at October 9, 2004 7:28 AM

I know I'm one who often posts with cynicism, but really in the face of overwhelming odds and against the tide of world events, often time this is the only way one can comment, when one feels powerless to do anything about the changes one sees in their country.

I like this site and I really Love frontpagemagazine, it has been invaluable to me in gaining accurate information about some serious issues and events.

Thank you Robert Spencer. I hope I dont over do it with my comments.

Posted by: Joe Bananas...in Pyjamas at October 9, 2004 8:16 AM

Robert says: "Ultimately, what is this site for? To raise awareness of the nature of the foe that faces the Western world and all free people. This is necessary because most policymakers and analysts in the West so far continue to ignore or deny outright the true nature of that foe."

Thanks to you, Robert, our awareness has been raised, and given our sense of right/wrong, justice, and worldview, we are shocked and ANGERED by the enemy's goal and the methods by which he uses to achieve it.

We are also excruciatinly aware of the fact that most policymakers and analysts ignor or deny the true nature of the foe, even as we, the "little people," get a firm grasp of it. This is frustrating, and because it puts us and our families and our nation at terrible risk, we are ANGRY.

The "Powers That Be" could learn much from you and others who are well informed, and they could learn even from the completely justifiable anger of those who "vent" on this site; sometimes the "venting" doesn't involve much in the way of "nuances," but it often contains the bare, raw, undisguised, unvarnished, very undiplomatic truth.

The enemy might also learn from the anger expressed from time to time on this site as he goes about his business of murder and mayhem. He could learn quite a bit about the nature of the enemy he has created with his thinking and behavior.

Some of us do, from time to time, discuss ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and even esthetics, but there is properly and emotional component attached to the evaluation of these issues, and most of the time, that proper emotion is anger.

I am in serious disagreement with the person who wishes to unsubscribe because of "venting." Where else can we do it in the company of others who "get it"? Where else can policymakers etc. get a clue about what the "little people" are thinking? Where else can the enemy get a sense of what he is facing?

The Unsubscriber is throwing the baby out with the bathwater; if "venting" were the only thing going on here, I would agree that it is wasting time.

Such, however, is not the case.

Posted by: cubed at October 9, 2004 8:54 AM

People subscribe and unsubscribe for reasons covering a broad spectrum. Occasionally, I have expressed my own pure id in the comments to JW/DW. And, less and less, I get turned off by comments expressing forms of rage against Islam's jihad. The reason why the negative comments bother me less and less is that the anger expressed is so appropriate to the injustices presented in the articles and so appropriate to the perpetrators of a primitive totalitarianism (Islam) which wishes to destroy our country, our values, our way of life, and all we love. Jihadists earn these emotional responses, and the "venters" are 100% American patriots and fellow humans from around the globe who want to stand up for their deepest values.

I have also noticed that some of those who begin their tenure venting in the comments become more and more thoughtful across time. They are reading valuable material in JW/DW--material
which is UNAVAILABLE elsewhere without spending all day, every day on the computer. As they read, they learn. As they learn, their thinking deepens and broadens across the time line. Their comments change in quality as well. They are being armed intellectually, and that takes a long time given the state of education in America at this time. However, it is working.

Some of the venting comments are outrageously funny. There are some very clever people out there. What a loss it would be to throttle these comments. There is probably a book's worth of humor in the JW/DW archives already.

Mr. Spencer, I think you are meeting your goal magnificently, a goal which you state as "Ultimately, what is this site for? To raise awareness of the nature of the foe that faces the Western world and all free people." Some venting may reflect unintended consequences, but I think these unintended consequences do not diminish the goals or the value of JW/DW.

The great value of JW/DW to me comes from the incredible array of articles and Spencerian remarks within them. The next greatest value comes from the comments of the JW/DW subscribers. Yesterday, for example, I printed at least one hundred pages from JW/DW to get the articles and to capture the comments about this distorter Akyol versus Bostom, Spencer, and the other Upholders-of-the-Truth about Islam. Those comments are loaded with great nuggets of information, some real belly laughs, and links to information I might never have found otherwise.

One other thing about the venting. JW/DW supports chronically recurring commentary strings unique in the world, as far as I know. These are the Muslim versus non-Muslim point:counter-points. Muslims can come to the site and express themselves, and others from around the globe can fire back without the speech and thought police monitoring. Not everything written is elegant, nice, or sophisticated, but it is free speech in the finest tradition and spirit of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I hope the comments will remain this way.

Posted by: George Mason at October 9, 2004 9:42 AM

As a busy parent, I came to rely on quick passes of media generated news and updates. All too often, I felt bewildered at UN responses (or lack of) to current world events.

My son (car broke down) asked me to check his e-mail for messages and I happened to catch a link to Frontpagemag. Curiosity got the best of me and I explored that site and the links it offered. One of those links was JW.

Over the last couple of months, I have read every article (w/comments) time would accomodate.
The educational value of this information is cannot be understated.

JW/DW are invaluable resources as they provide a great deal of complicated information while relating worldwide current events to bear it out.

Subsequent comments often add outstanding scholarship to supplement each article.

As opportunities to address issues arise, kindly include guidance for those of us who aren't (as Mr. Spencer wrote) "legislators, students," or "human rights activists".

I'm sure there are concerned individuals from every walk of life eager to oblige as appropriate.

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 9, 2004 9:49 AM

Ok so Mr. Spencers reminder appears half way through the column and you have just written an astouning piece on American integrity that may or may not cross the boundarys set forth what do you do?

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the WISDOM to KNOW the difference.

See you on the flip:)
ALKUFR

Posted by: Chuck at October 9, 2004 9:54 AM

P.S. Please excuse my typos--I do that a lot when I'm venting.

I can't help but think that it wasn't the "venting" that caused the Unsubscriber to unsubscribe; rather, it was the substance of the site itself, which is to say, its goal of alerting the rest of us to the danger of Islam.

This person, I am convinced, was him/herself angered at the warnings and education contained in the site, not the "venting."

People who are put off by the appropriate and just anger of others are always suspect in my mind; they belong to the "judge not lest ye be judged" crowd, which means nothing less than, "I want to get away with something that I shouldn't be (doing, saying, feeling, thinking), and I'd like the freedom to get away with it, so I would appreciate it if you would a) pretended not to notice, or b) at least looked the other way."

This is what makes me think that Unsubscriber was pulling a con job, and didn't want to admit to the real reason for unsubscribing.

Posted by: cubed at October 9, 2004 11:05 AM

I LOVE this site. For a quick look at the state of jihad worldwide everyday it's invaluable.

I don't often read the comments, but when I have, I have found them usually well-informed and intelligent.

Mr. Spencer must be forced to restrict comments and I understand that. If someone wanted to discredit him, the comment board would be the only place they could find the material to do it.

If we all keep that in mind before venting, I'm sure that would help. Otherwise, he might have to go the way of "The Corner" or other blogs where only certain bloggers are allowed access and the rest of us are "read only."

God Bless, Rebecca

Posted by: rb at October 9, 2004 11:41 AM

When we read about innocent people getting their heads cut off, being enslaved, children being slaughtered and Jews being targeted it sometimes tests out patience. It's frustrating to sit and read about the inhumanity and barbarism inflicted on innocent human beings and not be able to fight, to feel helples.

Then the trollers come in and talk about the same old sh*t, different day.

But I understand your point. You've just subtly expressed how we are different from them. They never would have said what you said.

Their are a lot of folks here with great intelligence and imagination.( Hugh and many others) His posts are full of useful information.

But one of the ways we can be useful is put that imagination to work.(Remember the opinion of the 911 report) Put ourselves in the jihadist shoes (like a profiler) and see what we come up with....Just a thought.

Posted by: Kemaste at October 9, 2004 11:49 AM

I think JW is the best source for news about the threat we face. The comments reflect a cross section of people from all over the world- that is great! I enjoy knowing what is in the minds and hearts of others. There are Christians, Jews, Hindus,atheists,Muslims, and who knows how many other beliefs who post here. There are not that many forums where all these people can come and have a civil (most of the time) discourse. I hope the comment section will not be changed. Like some others have said, the people here are all intelligent-each in his/her own way, some are so witty and FUNNY. Anyway just my humble opinion.

Posted by: Carolyn2 at October 9, 2004 11:58 AM

OMG . . .

my post was incorrectly edited before pasting . . .where the post reads -

"The educational value of this information cannot be understated"

I meant to say the 'value'of the information cannot be 'overstated'. . .While issues should never be 'understated'.

OY!

Posted by: justamomof4 at October 9, 2004 12:40 PM

i always try to remember to hate the hate not the hater. i could go on with biblical or philosophical quotes but the sentence above summs it up.

Posted by: jimmytheclaw at October 9, 2004 1:06 PM

Slightly OT but this rant has to be read to be believed:

http://www.tanzeem.org/resources/articles/articles/article.asp?id=223

(At last!! The truth is revealed! 9/11 was actually a conspiracy between CAIR and Daniel Pipes. Or something like that. And Robert Spencer is a warlord.)

Posted by: kafira at October 9, 2004 1:07 PM

oops...correct url should be:

http://www.tanzeem.org/resources/articles/article.asp?id=223

Posted by: kafira at October 9, 2004 1:09 PM

I feel if there is a problem, everyone should lay all their cards on the table. That includes the frustrations and angers. However, don’t pile all the frustrations and anger on the problem and buy it out of sight. Then analyze all the cards to determine what and where the problem is. It appears the governments news media of the free world have not done that. One group of people has - the people on this site. Now, what are we going to do about it? We have to get organized as a group and formulate a plan to convince the people in government and news media there is a serious problem. The one thing that is a major force, and that is organization. Look at the ACLU and the damage they doing in transferring the freedoms and rights from the citizens to the organizations of the Muslims. I am not very adept at writing down what my thoughts are, so would like for those who are more qualified to present a plan of action for us to pursue. Thank you Mr. Spencer and everyone for this site.

Posted by: THSIMJ at October 9, 2004 2:45 PM

cubed and George Mason:

I agree with you completely.

cubed:

That goes double for all your other comments (on other threads) on this same topic.

Posted by: CGW at October 9, 2004 2:56 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:05 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:05 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:06 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:08 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:12 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:15 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:17 PM

Human interaction is the way to truth. Freedom to interact is essential.
Say whatever you wish, whatever you feel.
It's good for you and good for me.
Knowing who you aren't is as valuable as knowing who you are.

Posted by: D' Artist at October 9, 2004 3:17 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:22 PM

I have visited this site on a near daily basis for several months now. It has served me and the many other subscribers well. Yes, many of the posts are intemperate and/or dishonest. Many are informative, deliberate, and temperate. The links posted are a rich source of both current and historical information regarding Islamic madness and the West's confused response to the irregular war waging against it. My reading of the koran and other Islamic tracts has been critically informed by the flow of assessments of Islamic doctrine as shaped by centuries of commentary. I am now much more appreciative of the remarks and opinions of informed Israelis, Iranian Bahias, Sikhs, and Hindus of my acquaintance regarding the character and ruthless purpose of jihadist Islam.

I now coldly appreciate that jihadist Islam is a global movement embedded in the Koran and in the legends, stories, and fictions that compose that wretched compilation. I have been purged of the impressions gleaned from an early reading of Karen Armstrong - a vision-intoxicated and self-blinded apologist for the murderous movement that has plagued the Middle-, Near-, and the far-East and the West since the early Moslem conquests. As a retired high school principal, I am outraged that her propaganda is required reading in many high school courses of study around the USA. As a former Marine, I regret that I am well beyond the age to take up arms against Islamic jihad.

Mr. Spencer, thank you for your hard and necessary work.

Posted by: FormerMarine at October 9, 2004 3:24 PM

I am guilty of venting here, but as George Mason puts it, I am getting better. Its hard to control your emotions after watching another America lose his head to Islam. I have received an education here that is priceless!
Mr Spencer has done a great service to everyone here.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Thank you Robert Spencer and All the posters for making me FREE.

Posted by: Bar at October 9, 2004 4:07 PM

What are we here for? How about that most of us are normal human beings who are outraged and disgusted that a billion-man army of slaves are incited to murder not just us but their own children; and that if we don't act to stop them from destroying our world, in fact, even if we do, they'll continue on their own to destroy themselves; the Moslem world will implode, taking to the grave multiple millions of people who have the right to a free and decent life as ordinary people with personal lives of inherent value. If we don't come here to organize to the best of our ability the salvation of milions of people who are incited to murder and suicide, then we are failures as evil as our forebearers who refused to bomb the Nazi rail system. I can't bring myself to sit back and watch as over a billion people become a clot of ragged beggars wandering for years in a diorama in the sand. Islam is a psychotic world-view that is incapable of reforming itself. It's up to those outside the psychosis to intervene. My suggestion plainly? It'll come over time.

I've written a few times already, and I'll continue to do so as long as I'm allowed. What I won't be doing is upsetting the U.S. or European government security agencies. On the other hand, consider that those we find ourselves in conflict with use kitchen knives to cut men's heads off. I will not stand by and allow myself to shuffle off responsibility to others simply because I am a private citizen. There are things we can do as private citizens, but we have to be extremely careful not to bring the wrath of our governments upon us. Be at least vaguely smart here. We can organize an effective opposition to the status quo as easily as we can flame the Moslems. our enemies are serious. They murder people. I'm here to do my best to stop them. To have any hope at all of success, one needs a goal. What is our goal? Focus. Try, for example, to ally with Sunnis to encourage them to make fitna on Shi'ite in such a way the Shi'ites can blame the West. Point? No amount of provocation by Islam seems to rouse us. Turn the table: Let Sunnis rile the Shi'ites to the point we cannot ignore them further. Make war. But make our enemies make our enemies make war they cannot win so we have to save them from themselves.Let's not be sentimental here. Our enemies murder people with impunity, Let's make this happen, and rejoice in it. I don't like violence. I've live through it too long. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible so the harm in the long term is less. That's what i'm doing here.

Posted by: sonofwalker at October 9, 2004 5:35 PM

FormerMarine-

The problem is that we need many, many more Hindus, Buddhists, Bahaiis etc. coming to this site but seldom see their presence. To be honest, we don't see Israelis here also, and must ask ourselves how we're failing to reach out to these communities. The message of this site seems to be clear, but I'd like to know what's being lost in the transmission.

Posted by: kafira at October 9, 2004 5:39 PM

I agree with the comments above, and would also like to extend my thanks to Mr Spencer.

As a defender of Western liberalism, but by no means a 'postmodernist', or left-leaning liberal, I have found the postings on this site informative, frequently disturbing, and always well-researched. It is also a relief to find some intellectual honesty in a (Western) world of equivocation, multi-cultural relativism, and deeply-ingrained denial as to the threats facing it. The BBC, in its coverage of Ken Bigley's death, makes NO use of word 'Islamic', asks no questions that could conceivably offend anyone of Islamic origin, and then somehow sees this as an issue pertaining to the conduct of Tony Blair. If this is the "free" Western press, then journalism is dead.

Rather than venting here (or, in addition to), I would suggest emailing organisations like the BBC and asking about their coverage. If you find extreme examples of Dhimmitude, email the source and tell them that you find their coverage biased and offensive. If we find ourselves in a war with a large part of the Islamic world, then such acts are battles within it.

Posted by: akiwiguy at October 9, 2004 5:45 PM

Fury is difficult to contain when you read about inhuman Islamic atrocities and the contemptible hubris of Muslims. Their fanaticism and arrogance are offensive and vexing, evoking resentment, frustration, and concern in all of us. But I know we cannot allow anger to blind and incapacitate us, or we'll lose this war for sure.
If scholars, government bureaucrats, lawmakers, students, activists, or the average citizen read this site to gain knowledge and become better informed, they should regard the comments as a gauge of public opinion and realize that appeasement, concessions, and political correctness are exacerbating the Islamic problem. I know there are some who do not believe we have an Islamic problem. They see all honest discourse and criticism of Islam as bigotry and ignorance. If those deluded souls happen along, maybe they will learn the truth.
Those who regularly post comments on this site are intelligent, well-informed, and educated people, not militant hotheads out to spread propaganda and hate about Muslims and Islam. That should be obvious to anyone after a few visits.
But everyone who understands Islam well enough to recognize the threats it poses are angry and frustrated, and rightly so.
I'm sure most have written many letters to their representatives in Washington expressing their legitimate fears and concerns. I certainly have, and it was a complete waste of my time. I spend countless hours trying to warn and inform other Americans about the dangers of Islam. Frankly, I don't know what else to do.
Too many Americans remain either completely ignorant about Islam or have been egregiously misinformed about its true nature. Amazingly, many Americans are totally oblivious to the insidious Islamic threat and don't even know it exists!
I would eagerly participate in any type of campaign to inform American citizens about the dangers of Islam and to badger our politicians unmercifully until they acknowledge and address these dangers.
I still believe that the best hope for fighting the insidious Islamic threat is through public education, by making people understand that Muslims want to destroy our culture, government, religions, heritage, our way of life. But how do you accomplish this daunting task with the politically correct gestapo blocking your every step?

Posted by: Susanp at October 9, 2004 5:56 PM

Nothing is more powerful than an idea who's time has come.

We here at JW know that the idea of saving western civilization, nay civilization itself, from islamism is way too important not to be strengthened and refined. its time will certainly come bt not if we few faithfuls lose heart and hope in its eventual triumph. Simply put, too much is at stake here.

God means freedom.

Posted by: voletti at October 9, 2004 6:03 PM

I've been a lurker on this site for many months and signed on tonight essentially to replace the person who unsuscribed. Mr. Spencer I find your site an invaluable tool in keeping us aware of the 'belly of the beast' for which I can't thank you enough. You have helped remove the scales from my eyes of what's really afoot and find it disgraceful that we can't find the same information from our own MSM.

The comment section is also very informative, imo, if anyone goes OTT, it's only in direct reponse to the topic at hand and perfectly justified.

Posted by: abbey at October 9, 2004 8:05 PM

Keep up the good work. What else can be said that hasn't already been mentioned above. Thank you for your effort in keeping us informed and by providing a practical way for the educated and erudite posters to provide the rest of us with the requisite information that we need to face today's most important problem.

Posted by: epg at October 9, 2004 9:17 PM

I enjoy this site very much, and have been sending the link to all who read my writing elsewhere on the net. I have found comments which were offensive, and was impressed by how quickly the rest of the community responded. I think this site is a great resource, as are all of the regular commenters. You do a great service to all, Mr. spencer, not only by providing the news but by providing a place for those of us who appreciate your message to meet and talk amongst ourselves. Thank you for the hard work you put into this.

Posted by: libbysmom at October 9, 2004 10:40 PM

This site is my way finding out that I am not alone in this world thinking the way I do. I read it almost every day since the day I found it.
After seeing action in Africa in the mid sixties I was unfortunate to be in Czechoslovakia during the invasion 1968 and then it was Yugoslavia in the 90-ies. I have seen a lot.
Married a Muslim lady 10 years ago and it lasted 4 years. During these 4 years I learned a lot about Islam – I am lucky we all are still alive but the threat is still there.
So, I do not post much as English is not my native tongue but it will not prevent me from reading. The comments are not offensive to those who have first hand experience.
I hope this site goes on as it is.

Posted by: boma at October 10, 2004 1:21 PM

Boma, did you have to convert to Islam in order to marry?

Posted by: Voltaire at October 11, 2004 2:10 AM

Boma, did you have to convert to Islam in order to marry?

Posted by: Voltaire at October 11, 2004 2:10 AM

Boma, did you have to convert to Islam in order to marry?

Posted by: Voltaire at October 11, 2004 2:10 AM

Voltaire;
No, I am still the same stubborn viking as I always been.
It was the other way around.
I still have to look over my shoulders because what we did did not suit the other muslims in the community but it worked out rather well with the family.
The religous pressure on my spouse became over time so great that the marriage broke mostly of fear.

Posted by: boma at October 11, 2004 3:55 AM

Mr. Spencer's article, expresses an attitude of self-assessment, of the site as well as of the posters on it. It gives the thought "Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing, and are we doing it right?".

I wish if the radical Islamists in the middle east had such an attitude, Islam wouldn't have spread its dark shadows as it has today. No wonder such thoughts have to be suppressed in the Islamic world.

I agree with Mr. Spencer, that awareness about the dark side of Islam has to spread, in an assertive way. Assertiveness will only make us stronger against the Jihad.

If anybody hasn't been to this site, please have a look:
www.faithfreedom.org

All the best to you, Mr.Spencer.

igotit

Posted by: igotit at October 11, 2004 6:20 AM