ISIS (The terrorist Islamic state) finally got our government’s attention. Their blatant, vicious beheading of journalist James Foley was so in our face that no one could ignore for one more second what is happening in northern Iraq and Syria, and in fact all over the Middle East.
Just like President Obama, most of us are reasonable people and feel that everyone should be treated fairly and their beliefs respected. That idea of fairness is flawed when one is dealing with Islamic terrorists. Nothing they say or do can or should be believed. Their goal is to destroy anyone and everyone who doesn’t conform to their ancient cancerous ideas.
It’s no wonder that we suspect and fear the motives of all believers of Islam. Why did it take so long for the president of Indonesia to say publicly that these terrorists bring shame to all sincere, caring Muslim believers and that Islamic leaders should unite in attacking extremism? Why haven’t these leaders done something?
Why aren’t millions of “good” Muslims speaking out against the twisted “evil” Muslims? Why aren’t the millions of american Muslims marching with american flags in anger and horror at what is going on in the Middle East and supporting freedom and women’s rights? Is their silence affirmation and tacit agreement with the terrorists?
Fear? Reprisal? Insecurity?
Maybe. But at some point, a people must stand up for what they believe in. Just like in the sixties when activists marched for the rights of blacks in this country, why aren’t Muslims marching in support of american values and against Islamic terrorist values?
Finally, our president is doing what needs to be done. Terrorists must be stopped. We are at war for our very existence. Another Hitler has emerged and someone has to stop him.
Why should a psychiatrist have any special insight into the mind of a terrorist? I deal with people who are motivated to look into themselves on a daily basis. Who better to have an opinion regarding people who have no interest in examining themselves and are determined to kill people who don’t agree with them…
Art Smukler is an award-winning psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.
Tales from Smukler's Couch 
Thanks for the excellent post, Art. The part that struck the deepest chord with me was when you said [Why aren’t millions of “good” Muslims speaking out against the twisted “evil” Muslims? Why aren’t the millions of american Muslims marching with american flags in anger and horror at what is going on in the Middle East and supporting freedom and women’s rights? Is their silence affirmation and tacit agreement with the terrorists?]
Exactly. Everyone is outraged at what happened to the brave journalist who went to Syria to report on what’s happening there. But apparently “Everyone” does not include many Muslims. Yes, a handful of them, all women wearing their headscarves, demonstrated in Boston, but where are the others?
Whether anyone wants to believe it or not, and few do, especially in Washington and in the media, we are in a religious war. But no one wants to talk about it.
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Thanks. Very well stated. We are in a serious war and it will affect the whole world and how we live our lives.
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Yes, we are, but no one wants to come out and say it is a religious war, do they?
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Reblogged this on I am Danger: You are entering the Danger Zone and commented:
This is a brilliant piece from a blogger I follow that stands out because, well— this is a guy who normally doesn’t blog about politics who just has had enough. Sound familiar?
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I hate to tell you this Art, but Mr. Foley’s beheading, based on appearances, was a major inconvenience for the President; it took him away from his vacation and golfing. I’m not a psychiatrist, but it seems to me Mr. Obama wants the trappings of the position but not the responsibility, pretty much reinforcing the stereotypical perception of the black male.
As far as Islam is concerned, Muslims have been beheading “infidels” or forcing non-Muslims to convert or risk death for over a thousand years; I doubt that will change; as well, part of their methodology is to repurpose or destroy non-Muslim houses of worship as a direct affront to other faiths. Muslims should not be surprised when non-Muslims show distrust.
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Art,
I couldn’t agree more with you.
When I went to college, I had several friends from various Arab countries. During my career, I’ve worked for two Iranians who escaped before the fall of the Shah, were Western educated, and would probably be executed if they ever went home. I also worked for a manager from Jordan who was a reasonable person. In my everyday work, I deal with engineering consultants who are typically from Iran and Iraq. Even my gastroenterologist who I trust my colonoscopies to is Muslim.
Earlier in the week, the “enlightened” Saudis even called ISIS a cancer. Let’s see if they have any action more than simply words.
Terrorists like ISIS, Al Quaeda, and Hamas make it difficult for the average person to accept that Islam is a religion of peace. ISIS is sweeping across Syria and Northern Iraq like the Moors when they spread religion by the sword. I agree that American Muslims and those in other countries need to protest against the terrorists with flags of their home nations in hand. How else can they demonstrate that not all Muslims are terrorists? They need to hit the streets and protest against the latest evil that threatens not only the Middle East, but our own security.
My best,
Mike
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Well said and thank you!
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Art, I’ve become almost immune to violence, but the way James Foley died touched me at a very deep level. Maybe because I worked for a newspaper once. Maybe because I knew journalists, and maybe because James Foley was an outstanding example of what a journalist should be at a time when so many journalists have sold out. He was a true soldier of the Fifth Estate. But he was in the wrong place. He was in an eternal war zone where what happened to him is a common thing. In that human wasteland, life holds no value and how a man or woman dies is of little consequence. If you can blow yourself up in the name of Allah, why would you think twice about decapitating someone? You used the term evil. I agree. These people are an extremely evil force. You also examined the possibility that their actions could be motivated by fear, reprisal or insecurity. No, this is evil at work. I’m not sure that evil can be fought purely on a physically level. Energies attract and as long as violence, bigotry and anger remain in our own society, we will have no strength to fight anything but our own demons.
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I fully agree. Thanks.
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