"You may be too close to the trees to see the forest. :^)"
It may seem that way to you. However, I am convinced I am seeing things that are not seen by most of the people on this thread and that would be of benefit to considerate people who believe rational solutions serve a higher purpose than score keeping does. I respect loyalties to a group, however flag waving extremism is destructive. Why? Just like 'aggression breeds aggression', extremism breeds extremism. Extremism in the face of moderacy can drive what was moderate to extremes.
It is a simple utilitarian concept. If you truly don't want to reduce radicalism don't feed it. Radical Islam sees American Extremists as a tool to drive Muslims within America to a more radical level. Why would you allow yourselves to be used as such a tool. I can only guess that you are so blinded by hate that you truly don't get that or you just don't care.
It is only a matter of common sense that when we have extreme bigotry against American Muslims we push them underground to the furthest extremes of their haven, which could be a terror cell. The reverse, invitational inclusion into community life, opportunity, and involvement brings them comfortably, acceptably and appropriately away from extremes without denying them to right to practice their religion in a moderate manner.
I offered this yesterday and whether you see it as forest or trees doesn't matter it is true and it absolutely works and is the ONLY rational solution that doesn't have armaggedon as an outcome. Reject if you will but accept your tool status when so doing.
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How to defeat Extremists without becoming one:
Begin to speak out against extremism without exploiting extremism and in the process becoming an extremist. If you or others are hyping unrealistic fear, there is a goal involved. Whether consciously or subconsciously the intent is to incite paranoid psychosis, not in crazy people but for everyday folk who may not be able to handle the overwhelming sense of fear without being able to identify the specific threats. There is no outlet for an overwhelming sense of fear except uncontrolable rage.
Instead begin working with decent rational people to build and strengthen diverse communities in America. Identify specific areas of concern, that do represent a threat and defuse unrealistic fear. That is our strongest defense against terrorist threats from outside. When Muslim populations identify themselves as American, which they are, and share the positive aspects of American life with the folks from their countries of heritage, which they are, we become less of the great enemy to Islam, which we are not... Well unless you get people to believe your viewpoint.
It’s an effective way to defuse terrorist threats. Nothing is a cure all but extremism is definitely a tool of terrorism, don’t buy the tool, don't use or distribute the tool. The only winning strategy in the game of extremism is to refuse to play along. |
