Charen: Our enemies are stupid

Mona Charen sounds an optimistic note in this syndicated column (thanks to all who sent this in). But this appeared on the 8th; in the intervening days, it looks more likely that the 7/7 bombings will just win the jihadists more concessions.

By committing such atrocities, the Islamists manage to stiffen whatever small residue of resolve remains in flaccid Western civilization. Before the vicious attacks on London civilians, the G8 conference in Scotland focused primarily on global warming, poverty in Africa, and economic matters. But now the leaders of the industrial giants will inevitably turn their attention to the war on terror.

The Islamists could make huge strides in their campaign to undermine Western societies if they used any tactic other than terror. And, in fact, in Great Britain, they have made incredible progress by playing upon Britain's overindulgence of any minority complaint. Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes keeps a running chronicle of British abjectness on his website (Danielpipes.org).

Example 1: The University of Leicester NHS Trust is considering removal of Gideon Bibles from its hospital rooms, out of concern that their presence might "offend" non-Christian patients.

Example 2: Pipes quotes the Sunday Times to the effect that the British equivalent of the IRS, the Inland Revenue, "is considering recognizing polygamy for some religious groups for tax purposes. Officials have agreed to examine 'family friendly' representations from Muslims who take up to four wives under sharia, the laws derived from the Koran. Existing rules allow only one wife for inheritance tax purposes. The Revenue has been asked to relax this so that a husband's estate can be divided tax free between [sic] several wives."

Example 3: The warden at Belmarsh Prison, temporary quarters of Abu Hamza Al-Masri, the Islamist leader charged with crimes ranging from inciting racial hatred to murder, has plans to spend $3 million on a mosque for the prison. The facility already maintains a multi-denominational chapel. But this is unacceptable to the Muslim inmates, some of whom are suspected Al Qaeda members, because it contains crosses.

And speaking of Al-Masri, the British taxpayer has been most generous to the accused terrorist who blew off his own hand and lost an eye making a bomb. Example 4: Masri plans to sue the British government for the £200 a week in welfare he says he is owed for almost three years. This would complement the other benefits he receives. Pipes reports that al-Masri receives a rent-free £500-a-month house in which his wife and eight children live; £2 million of taxpayer funds to pay for his now-seven-year legal battle against deportation; special help in jail to bathe, dress, and eat due to his disabilities, as well as a personal nurse who visits him daily; and a new hook.

Example 5: A pizzeria in Scotland applied for a permit to place tables on the sidewalk outside its restaurant. This met with angry resistance from two Muslim charities who objected that the plan was "offensive" because alcohol would be served out of doors.

If the Islamists had but the patience to play upon the guilt-ridden West's weakness, they might have their victory in a few decades. Leaning over backwards has become so common in the West that its enemies could reasonably wonder whether any spine remained at all. Brutal attacks like that in London snap us back to reality and remind all but the most weak-minded Europeans and Americans that appeasement is nothing less than slow surrender.

Posted by Robert at July 12, 2005 7:48 AM
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