What follows are segments from a post by Ami Isseroff. You need change only a few words to make it relevant to the USA. Words in quotes have been added by me. The original post is at
http://www.mideastweb.org/...
Extremists derive legitimacy from consensus symbols such as national ideals and religious teachings.
Extremists are entrenched in organized religious groups. Organizations have political power beyond their numbers.
Extremists take control of key positions in society and national leadership, professional organizations and educational institutions.
Using national and religious symbols, extremists discredit moderates by labeling them as traitors or Infidels.
Extremists can mobilize committed followers who will speak out on behalf of their positions and create a seeming consensus. Moderates are usually apathetic about the issues and will not speak out.
Extremists need an enemy. If none exists, one is invented. The enemy is painted as an existential threat to God and country.
Extremists force hypocrisy - people with moderate private positions are afraid to speak out; they may be labeled as traitors.
Extremist policies force extremist reactions by "the enemy, and these, as Hanania notes, in turn feed extremism.
If all else fails, extremists use violence or threats of violence.
Not surprisingly, when the price of dissent can be political, commercial or even actual death, the moderates become silent. In some cases, they line up to provide support and justification for extremists. In moderate Lebanese newspapers (and talk shows), we can read (and hear), from time to time (constantly), the most amazing editorials in praise of the Hezbollah or in justification of Islamist extremism. ....... The people however, read (and hear) the editorials and form their opinions accordingly, legitimizing the foulest sort of extremism.
Islamists should be called religio-nationalists, or theo-nationalists, because they now tend to combine the twin forces of religion and nationalism. "My God and my people" may be the two most powerful mass mobilization forces ever invented by human civilization.
Wishing for better times and better leaders is not enough. Moderate leadership won't succeed in the Middle East until and unless the mechanisms that can support pragmatism become strong enough to overcome the extremists' organization, identification with symbols of legitimacy and ability to manipulate the system.
Ami Isseroff