ITS, go ahead and rubb it in

Submitted by Michel C. Zala (Switzerland), Apr 29, 2012 at 14:24

Hello GIK, nice to see you still around here.

Indeed, credit, where credit is due, you were in our debates in the camp of the "pessimists", albeit at all times very respectful, polite and tolerant to my somewhat moderate views, compared to our mutual friend, dhimmi no more. I very well remember my last outburst of optimism in regard to Libya one year ago, which you reference in your comment, but also other exchanges to Turkey especially - a nation I have travelled and visited often and felt to know quite well.

As far, as Libya is concerned, GIK, I am not quite 100% ready and willing to concede defeat or agreement with you, as most revolutions, eventually resulting in stable democracies, were immediately followed by turmoil, sometimes utter chaos, and practically always by struggles for power and position. Even my beloved American Revolution, which could very well have ended up in some form of Monarchy or dictatorship, if Washington did not gracefully and voluntarily exit and allow for a fragile parlamentary democracy to take roots. His people, his compatriots, heck, even many of his fellow Founding Fathers were willing to grant this man a crown or presidency for life - albeit he walked away without need or pressure but for the knowledge that he would endanger the hard-fought results of the war for independency and democracy. (Something, Mr. Putin could well learn from for Russia). Thus the Americans did not have to go through years of chaos and the subsequent terrible Napoleonic periode. Because of the wisdom and foresight of one great leader. Can I be so bold and call it luck? Having thus gone through a comparably painless initial stage towards Freedom and Democracy, especially we Americans should demonstrate a great deal of humility and tolerance towards other, I call them normal, revolutions.

This is, why I myself am not quite willing to condemn the transitional Libyan government yet. While I do appreciate the danger a seemingly strong Islamist faction presents, there are at present also forces which work towards a secular democracy - quite difficult in any muslim nation, because of the mentioned built-in design flaws of this religion, which commands a strong involvement in literally all aspect of the people's life, political or private, as a people and as individual. Most of all I consider any change so ever to the terrible Ghaddafi regime as a step up. This man had to be removed no matter what. Not before the Muslim Brotherhood would be in power, civil war would break out and repression of the worst kind like under Ghaddafi would be the norm, will I concede to have replaced evil with equal evil. Above all, they deserve at least 10 years to determine their future and during that decade The West will have ample time and opportunity to exercise influence and assist in many ways to prevent Islamism from taking over. Let us not underestimate the general feeling of the Libyan population, similar to the French after D Day. They are well aware of who their true friends are in comparison to the opportunistic, macchiavellistic Russians or Chinese or the lukewarm support by the great financiers of Islamism, the GCC with the Saudis as spearhead.

I call upon Libyan commentators here to support or discuss my impressions. Do I see this correctly or am I too naive again? Is Libya inevitably on the road to yet another theocracy and the hammer of Islam guiding and ruling all aspects of the life there? Are there forces, movements, factions in open and loudspoken support of a secular democracy? What are their chances to succeed? I'd love to hear from people out of Libya.

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When I mentioned my utter disappointment with Islam or Muslims in my prior posts, I referred mainly to Turkey. Since Erdogan determines the political direction of this nation, it has clearly changed its people. From a psychological standpoint somewhat understandable, as deeply rooted inferiority complexes have evolved to some sense of a newfound strength, pride and nationalism, manifested in a significantly changed, robust, if not outright populist, arrogant and self-centered foreign policy. It is manifested in the tone of so many Turkish commentators here and everywhere on the Web. It is manifested in the nowadays extremely radical fundamentalist muslim sentiments of so many Turks living in Europe as well earning, prospering minorities, especially in Austria and Germany. Tragically the very same tone is prevalent in Turkey proper.

A nation on the verge of joining a society of free, western democracies and alliances, prospering and positively developing has clearly taken many steps backwards. It pains me personally a great deal, since I alsways considered myself as a friend of the Turkish people. Instead of becoming the role models of Muslims prospering in western societies and due to it promoting reform, modernity and secularism, they predominantly act arrogantly, patronizing, ungrateful and see themselves as some sort of a second coming of the old man on the Bosporus, competing with super powers for hegemony throughout the entire middle east. A truly insidious rise of Islamism without any revolution or Arab Spring, purely stemming from a political faction under the direction of a leader driven by some miniature Napoleon complex.

While I staunchly believed that the millions of Turks, living in Europe, would with their strong family ties prove to become some form of counter balance to those Islamist forces at home by pouring millions of Dollars (and influence) back into Turkey, I find myself today sadly disappointed, as Turkey proper, heck most their people in Europe, is as far removed from our guiding principles as ever. You as well as Dr. Pipes were clearly right and I find myself today on the wrong side of the debate we once had.

I was also wrong with regard to Egypt. Mubarak was scapegoated by the very same military regime still in true power, and the only alternative at present seems to be the muslim brotherhood. What a choice between bad and worse. While I should, according to my own prerequisite, give this "revolution" a bit more time, it nevertheless seems to follow historical parallels into a chaos, followed likely by an Islamist regime, as any moderate, secular factions and movements seem to be either inexistent or mute, to be polite. Recent actions and expressions toward Israel point to a populist effort (the common enemy), similar to Turkey, desperately clinging to power by villifying ISR and the US which, after all, actively assisted in the overthrow of Mubarak.

Lastly, network terrorism has definitely taken a hit. The War on Terror at least in the USA has kept us safe for a decade now. Albeit, soft target, individualist suicidal terrorism, the more dangerous, cell based cancer is on the rise. Literally every single day some fanatic Muslim blows himself up somewhere in the world, indiscriminately killing civilians, fellow muslims, women and children - all in the name of Allah. Worldwide, people live in fear of a muslim attack. Worldwide, when people see a muslim, a woman in a burqu'a, a guy with a turban, olive skin and/or a mustache, they cringe and suspicion, fear and angst are prevalent.

Europe especially responds with appeasement and kumbayah, so called tolerance and understanding. The media hypes up every single occasion, where rare terror of non-muslim origin (e.g. Breivik) occurs. In America the mainstream media tries to stir up fake racism allegations (Trayvon Martin shooting) - only to avoid those uncomfortable (politically incorrect) questions in regard to Islam and its in the meantime utter domination of worldwide terror. While the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union, an ultra left Association) clamors about racial profiling, 99 out of 100 people traveling by airplane understand, that it is not the white grey haired grandmother who will ikely blow up a plane. Worldwide, Muslims demand special treatment, equality in western host nations, tolerance and acceptance. And in return? They build religious indoctrination centers and say nothing of note about muslim violence.

Yes, GIK, I have developed from a 50:50, glass half full kind of guy into a 90% pessimist in everything concerning islam. It is about time that I concede that there is no such thing like moderate Islam, a majority of muslims willing to rise up against their own fundamentalists. Having said that, I may sound as counterdicting myself here, I believe that there is a majority of Muslims not interested in active violence or terror. But, as long as they do not speak up, actively do something against their own fanatics to keep them in check or marginalize them, if not outright work towards reformation of Islam in order to curb or even prevent abuse of that religion, all of them must be held accountable as accomplices or co-conspirators. For as long as the saying holds true, that not all Muslims are terrorists, but pretty much all terrorists are Muslims, all Muslims should pay the price for the actions of their extremists. Since appeasement and tolerance clearly have not worked, perhaps pressure, racial/religious profiling, monitoring and curbing of their religious activities (in the West at least) may result in the needed pressure on this culture to exercise some form of self-discipline and self-awareness. If all muslims feel the pain of the repercussions to global terror, maybe then they will feel compelled to do something in addressing the root causes for it.

Yes, GIK, while I call for a bit of patience with regard to Libya, concerning Egypt, Turkey and most other muslim Nations, as well as the large minorities living in Western democracies, I have evolved from a dove to a hawk, which is why I am no longer willing to differentiate between a Muslim and an Islamist anymore.Credit, tolerance, liberties and freedom have to be earned first, they can't just be demanded. And, it is time now to take a stand, as hiding behind a silent condemnation or support of Islamists can no longer be acceptable.

How are things in Australia? Do you encounter the same there? Are the activities of Muslims monitored and curbed, or do you experience the same fruitless debates as well with a media hiding behind the shield of political correctness? You guys are sitting right next to a 300 M people hotspot (Indonesia) which can erupt at any time, sitting so close to so much open, free territory. How are you guys dealing with that danger? Do not forget, I was exec with Boeing and am privy to certain classified info with regard to AU defenses in the center north of your continent. You guys aware of the respective collaboration between the US and AU? Is it a topic of discussion?

Best,

Michel

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