In a column that reaches new heights of the bizarre, David Brooks proves
he hates America:
In his book "Globalized Islam," the French scholar Olivier Roy points out that today's jihadists have a lot in common with the left-wing extremists of the 1930's and 1960's. Ideologically, Islamic neofundamentalism occupies the same militant space that was once occupied by Marxism. It draws the same sorts of recruits (educated second-generation immigrants, for example), uses some of the same symbols and vilifies some of the same enemies (imperialism and capitalism).
Roy emphasizes that the jihadists are the products of globalization, and its enemies. They are detached from any specific country or culture, he says, and take up jihad because it attaches them to something. They are generally not politically active before they take up jihad. They are looking to strike a vague blow against the system and so give their lives (and deaths) shape and meaning.
In short, the Arab world is maintaining its nearly perfect record of absorbing every bad idea coming from the West. Western ideas infuse the radicals who flood into Iraq to blow up Muslims and Americans alike.
I know I know, he is trying to say it is the Left's fault. But since the defining characteristic of terrorism is religious extremism it is really the American Taliban that offers the Western model for the terrorists.
Liberals believe in women's rights, civil rights generally, voting rights and, as the Extreme Right loudly states, secularism.
The terrorists abhor civil rights, voting rights, women's rights and secularism.
Just like the American Taliban.
David Brooks, we have found the enemy, and it is you and your Extremist Right Wing fanatic allies.
Blame the American Taliban First.
Update [2005-8-4 1:53:48 by Armando]: Oh by the way, notice how Brooks is a French lover now. See how he coddles the terrorist lovers?