UPDATE: Here is the original interview.
Congressman Reyes demonstrates a cluelessness that is common to both sides of the aisle, and which could be remedied easily by regular reading of Jihad Watch. Congressman, give me a call. I’d be happy to meet with you and explain this whole terrorism thing to you. I know it’s tiresome, but as chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, you might find it handy to know a thing or two about this jihad business. Uh, yes, Congressman, that’s “gee-hod,” not “jye-had.”
No wonder so many policymakers believe that negotiated concessions will solve the “Middle East crisis,” and that unrestricted immigration to the U.S. from Muslim lands is a perfectly fine idea, and that giving billions of American taxpayer money, no strings attached, to countries like Egypt and Pakistan is good strategy.
From Reuters, with thanks to all who sent this in:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Is al Qaeda a Sunni organization, or Shi’ite?
The question proved nettlesome for Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, incoming Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
“Predominantly — probably Shi’ite,” he said in a recent interview with Congressional Quarterly, a periodical that covers political and legislative issues in Congress.
Unfortunately for Reyes, the al Qaeda network led by Osama bin Laden is comprehensively Sunni and subscribes to a form of Sunni Islam known for not tolerating theological deviation.
In fact, U.S. officials blame al Qaeda’s former leader in Iraq, the late Abu Musab al Zarqawi, for the surge in sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi’ites.
But Reyes’ problems in the interview didn’t end with al Qaeda.
Asked to describe the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Congressional Quarterly said Reyes responded: “Hezbollah. Uh, Hezbollah,” and then said, “Why do you ask me these questions at five o’clock?”
Reyes’ office issued a statement on Monday noting that the Congressional Quarterly interview covered a wide range of topics.
“As a member of the intelligence committee since before 9/11, I’m acutely aware of al Qaeda’s desire to harm Americans. The intelligence committee will keep its eye on the ball and focus on the pressing security and intelligence issues facing us,” Reyes said in the statement.
Shi’ite, Sunni, hell — he knows they want to harm Americans, and that’s all that matters, right?
Congressman, go rent a copy of the movie Patton. Note the use Patton made of Rommel’s book of military strategy. Consider carefully possible parallels in our own day.