The West's dilemma considering Islamic extremism

Submitted by J.B. (Germany), Nov 29, 2005 at 17:47

I think that the western governments (including the United States) are facing a severe dilemma fighting Islamic extremism and terrorism. Let me illustrate this by citing a fable written by american writer Ambrose Bierce more than 100 years ago:

"The Moral Principle and the Material Interest

A MORAL Principle met a Material Interest on a bridge wide enough for but one.

"Down, you base thing!" thundered the Moral Principle, "and let me pass over you!"

The Material Interest merely looked in the other's eyes without saying anything.

"Ah," said the Moral Principle, hesitatingly, "let us draw lots to see which shall retire till the other has crossed."

The Material Interest maintained an unbroken silence and an unwavering stare.

"In order to avoid a conflict," the Moral Principle resumed, somewhat uneasily, "I shall myself lie down and let you walk over
me."

Then the Material Interest found a tongue, and by a strange coincidence it was its own tongue. "I don't think you are very
good walking," it said. "I am a little particular about what I have underfoot. Suppose you get off into the water."

It occurred that way."


What does this mean? The moral principle (fighting terrorism and its ideology) stands against the material interest (cheap oil supply), causing collaboration of the western governments with states like wahhabist Saudi-Arabia. So guess who's getting off into the water?

So as long as the West is in need of cheap petrol, Islamic petrodollars will keep pouring into western countries with well known consequences, and the Western states are going to achieve one Phyrric victory over terrorism after the other.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".