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| Fifth Column |
| Islamists, Get Out |
| 2005-08-30 |
| By Daniel Pipes As the full implications of the Londonâs terrorism by domestic jihadis sink in, Westerners speak out about the problem of radical Islam with new clarity and boldness. The most profound development is the sudden need of the British and others to assert what it means to be British, Australian, or some other nationality. In the face of the Islamist challenge, historic identities taken for granted must now be explained and codified. This can be seen on a diurnal level, where Islamist assertion has provoked a new European willingness in recent months to stand up for historic customs â as seen by the banning of burqas in Italy, requiring a German school boy to attend co-ed swimming classes, and making male applicants for Irish citizenship renounce polygamy. When a ranking Belgian politician cancelled lunch with an Iranian group after it demanded that alcohol not be present, his spokesman helpfully explained, âYou canât force the authorities of Belgium to drink water.â As shown by two statements on the same day last week (Aug. 24), leading Western politicians are going beyond these minor specifics to address the civilizational heart of the matter. David Cameron, the British shadow education secretary and one of the Conservative Partyâs bright prospects, defined Britishness as âfreedom under the rule of law,â adding that this expression âexplains almost everything you need to know about our country, our institutions, our history, our culture - even our economy.â Peter Costello, the treasurer of Australia and regarded as heir apparent to Prime Minister John Howard, asserts, âAustralia expects its citizens to abide by core beliefs: democracy, the rule of law, the independent judiciary, independent liberty.â Cameron also spoke with a bluntness unique in four years of politiciansâ discourse since 9/11: âThe driving force behind todayâs terrorist threat is Islamist fundamentalism. The struggle we are engaged in is, at root, ideological. During the last century a strain of Islamist thinking has developed which, like other totalitarianisms, such as Nazi-ism and Communism, offers its followers a form of redemption through violence.â Most striking are the growing calls to extrude Islamists. Two politicians have advised foreign Islamists to stay away. Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Quebecâs international relations minister, retracted the welcome mat from those âwho want to come to Quebec and who do not respect womenâs rights or who do not respect whatever rights may be in our Civil Code.â Bob Carr, premier of New South Wales, Australia (which includes Sydney), wants would-be immigrants to be denied visas if they refuse to integrate: âI donât think they should be let in.â Costello goes further, observing that Australia âis founded on a democracy. According to our Constitution, we have a secular state. Our laws are made by the Australian Parliament. If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Shariâa law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you.â Islamists with dual citizenship, he suggests, could be asked âto exercise that other citizenship,â i.e., leave Australia. Likewise, Brendan Nelson, Australiaâs education minister, also on Aug. 24 urged immigrants to âcommit to the Australian constitution, Australian rule of law.â If not, âthey can basically clear off.â Geert Wilders, head of his own small party in the Dutch parliament, similarly called for the expulsion of non-citizen immigrants who refuse to integrate. But it was the British shadow defence minister, Gerald Howarth, who went the furthest, suggesting in early August that all British Islamists must go. âIf they donât like our way of life, there is a simple remedy: go to another country, get out.â He directed this principle even to Islamists born in Britain (such as three of the four London bombers): âIf you donât give allegiance to this country, then leave.â These statements, all dating from the past half-year, prompt several observations. First, where are the Americans? No major U.S. politician has spoken of making American-based Islamists unwelcome. Who will be the first? Second, note the consistent focus on the law and legal issues. This correctly picks up on the fact that ultimately, the Islamist project concerns the application of Islamic law, the Shariâa. And finally, these comments are likely to be leading indicators of a broader campaign to restrict and remove Islamists â a move that comes none too soon. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #2 Simple answer: assimilate or leave. That doesn't just include Muzzys, it means the wetback criminals from south of the border. No amnesty; if you're illegal, get back to where you came from. You're not wanted here if you break our laws and the time is coming quickly when those who have done so will be ejected without qualm and without recourse. Permanently. And, if that means fencing and mining the border and breaking relations with Mexico, that's no problem. We'd be a hell of a lot better off in the long run without any commerce with them whatsoever. |
| Posted by: mac 2005-08-30 16:21 |
| #1 Most striking are the growing calls to extrude Islamists. Are we talkin' cheese graters or sausage makers? I prefer sausage makers - they're easier on the fingers. |
| Posted by: Zpaz 2005-08-30 13:56 |