One Can Hope

Submitted by Ron Thompson (United States), Nov 30, 2009 at 18:29

Given the universally disheartening comments coming from European leaders for years past on the topic of Islam (I heard Prime Minister Gordon Brown just this morning refer to the radical extremism that "perverts the true religion" of Islam), it was very welcome to learn of the strong vote of the Swiss people against the spread of one of the most visible and intrusive symbols of a militant Islam.

While living in an area rich in religious edifices - Protestant, Catholic, Russian and Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and other equally large if more arcane houses of worship - only the sight of a Mosque brings a sense of chill. I applaud any reining in of the only religion on earth that poses a threat to the peace and physical security of all other religions.

Since I've just finished reading a remarkable dual biography of George Kennan and Paul Nitze - The Hawk and the Dove - and their relationship to Kennan's famous doctrine of "containment", which was the key strategy of the West against militant Communism - I can't help but wonder if this vote may finally trigger someone somewhere among our so-called Leaders to publicly discuss a strategy of comprehensive CONTAINMENT of an Islam that seems anything but tolerant and peaceful to me.

One can hope.

Ron Thompson

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