[lit-ideas] Re: New EU lexicon on terror
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 15:44:48 -0700
I have demonstrated several times to people who would rather challenge my
reading habits than respond to the issues I introduce that I have read
widely on the subjects we discuss. I could probably find some of those past
notes if you don't want to search the archives, that is if you are really
interested; which I doubt.
As to the war West described being the same as the war Osama bin Laden
describes, I fail to see your problem. If there is a war, then surely both
sides fighting it know it. That you don't know it was the subject of Bruce
Bawer's While Europe Slept.
One of the books I read recently was Fukuyama's America at the Crossroads.
Fukuyama would share your viewpoint on the subject matter. I criticized
Fukuyama for accepting the views of Gilles Kepel and Oliver Roy that the
Islamist threat is over-rated. They too would be in your camp. I have read
two books by Kepel, albeit not the one Fukuyama references. I am presently
reading Globalized Islam, the Search for a New Ummah, by Olivier Roy, which
he does reference.
Now that I have demonstrated that my reading includes books that don't
coincide with my own viewpoint, can you say the same?
As to the history of terrorism in the Middle East, I have commented
extensively on that over the years. The U.S. didn't create terrorism.
Terrorism is a product of an ideology that grew from Wahhabism, Salafism,
the Muslim Brothers, Maududi, Sayyid Qutb and some others who are interested
in asserting a Fundamentalist form of Islam politically and using a new and
revised definition of the Jihad as one of the primary means.
Lawrence
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Simon Ward
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 2:54 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: New EU lexicon on terror
Lawrence,
Your post invites me to accept the premise of your questioning; namely that
Islamic terrorism is the apocalyptic threat to which the West must respond.
Unfortunately, I don't subscribe to that view and reject the invitation. I
see West's article as indicative of the trend in mainstream US journalism to
denigrate Europe, whilst at the same time talking up opposition against
Islam in general. West, in my view, is guilty of seeking to set up a false
agenda, one that covers the true intent of Neocon ambitions.
Is it mere coincidence that oil and 'terrorism' originate in the Middle
East, or is it an unhappy accident that the real foundation of Islamic
extremism can be found in Pakistan, an 'ally in the war on terror'?
Lawrence, I don't ask you to accept my premise, but I do think you should
question your sources more, not to mention choosing them with objectivity in
mind. I don't believe anyone on the list will complain if you write notes on
an objective research project, but to concentrate, as I believe you do, on
sources that coincide with your own viewpoint is not, in my view,
constructive.
For example, examine the fact that articles like West's, which push the idea
of a war against Islam, happen to coincide with bin Laden's latest missive.
The words are different, but the message is the same.
Why is that?
*****
I've received positive reviews on the first few chapters of a draft novel,
though being that the genre is fantasy, I wouldn't object to it being called
pulp. (And thanks for asking.)
Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: Lawrence <mailto:lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Helm
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 8:34 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: New EU lexicon on terror
<http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/13/news/limits.php>
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/13/news/limits.php
Simon, would you say the above provides examples of how "Europe has dealt
successfully with terrorism in the recent past"? Do you endorse the
actions of the British government the article describes?
And "frothing at the mouth"??? Diane West might have been laughing or
perhaps sneering, but hardly frothing. The EU lexicon invites humor not
frothing - IMO.
And, one must try not to exaggerate. No one is waging "unceasing war on a
succession of Muslim-populated countries." The U.S. has declared war
"against Terror" and the sponsors of terror. If you are worried about Iran
the U.S. seems not to wish to have its fingers burned by the international
community by invading or bombing Iran. It seems content to let you
Europeans botch this one up in your own way.
I haven't heard it voiced in so many words, but I would be surprised if
there weren't some in our state department who were thinking, "okay, you
Europeans don't like the way we fight against terror, let's see how you do
in Iran," and hope we stay out of it utterly even if Iran develops nukes.
The opposition to our approach would drop dramatically, I am quite sure, if
Iran were to produce some current examples of what we are fighting against.
Lawrence
Ps, what work was it that was positively reviewed?
-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Simon Ward
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 12:00 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: New EU lexicon on terror
> Are you actually suggesting that changing the term "Islamic terrorists"
> will have some beneficial effect on would-be Islamic terrorists? Nice
> thought anyway...
What I'm not suggesting is that not using the term 'Islamic Terrorists' is
the limit of the EU's response to the terrorist threat. What I'm not
suggesting is that The 'Torygraph' is the best and only source for objective
news about the EU. What I'm not suggesting is that the only response to
terrorism is to wage unceasing war on a succession of Muslim-populated
countries.
What I am suggesting is that Diane West is frothing at the mouth in her
eagerness to attack Islam and Europe in the same article. What I am
suggesting is that Europe has dealt successfully with terrorism in the
recent past. What I am suggesting is that parts of US society have a
tarnished reputation as regards its relationships with terrorist
organisations.
And as for nice thoughts...the cricket season has started, I've just mown
the lawn for the first time this year, I've received positive reviews for my
work...
Nice thoughts all.
Simon
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