What does it really mean to be Islamophobic or xenophobic?

The terms "Islamophobia" and "xenophobia" are being tossed around and thrown at Americans like wet toilet paper to the ceiling of a boy's highschool bathroom, and some of it is sticking. It's sticking only because we let it, only because we don't immediately grab it and and put it where it belongs, in the toilet.

People who suffer from phobias are shackled by fears that are somewhat irrational in nature. Agoraphobics fear being out in public spaces, arachnophobics fear spiders to the point of sometimes being paralyzed by the mere presence of one of the little creatures. "Islamophobia", especially when applied to those who have studied both Islam and Islamic history and doctrine, refers instead to a rather rational response that is common to humans everywhere who desire the protection of their own culture and way of life. Given certain devious Islamic DOCTRINAL practices, such as al Taqiyya, in which Muslims are religiously sanctioned to use deceit and outright lies in their dealings with non-Muslims in order to advance the cause of Islam, I do not think that either mistrust OR fear are irrational. There are numerous speeches which have been given by Muslim leaders worldwide in Arabic which have been translated and reveal these same leaders to be saying quite different things to their Western audiences than their Muslim ones when giving speeches in Arabic.

In short, I fear Islam not out of an irrational fear of women who wear headscarves or for the fact that Muslims believe in a religion that is not mine. I am not a "xenophobe", to use another term which is quickly gaining currency in the al Taqiyya factories worldwide. I do not fear foreigners, even newer imigrants to the US who dress and believe differently than I do, and certainly don't have either a fear of Indian Hindus. I also am not aware of active efforts on the part of these same Hindus to issue religious decrees (as in the infamous Muslim "fatwas"), to launch massive efforts of either misinformation or conversion against my fellow Westerners. Rather, I fear Islam in much the same way that I would fear a train barrelling towards my car if I were stuck on the train tracks. From, " The Misnomer That is "Islamophobia" : Why Be Afraid?" at What Would Charles Martel Do?

We were asleep on September 11, 2001 and as Captain Kirk of the Star Ship Enterprise would say, we got "caught with out britches down". If being Islamophobic means being awake, alert and prepared for any other attacks on our country, then yes, I'm Islamophobic. If it means 'knowing our enemy', who they are and what their desires are, then yes again.

"Nobody has said that we have to rush immediately to sanctions of some kind (against Iran). We would love to solve this within the IAEA framework, by having Iran react to the requirements of the February 4th (IAEA) resolution. But thus far they haven't shown any inclination to do that," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during a briefing in Islamabad yesterday. source

Well, I beg to differ Condi. As Fred Kaplan asks, "Do we really want to relive the Cold War nuclear nightmare?" Just another example of American 'tolerance' coming from the cowboy President who was so strong after 9/11. I want to see some more of that cowboy.

Islamophobic? No. Just aware of the train that is headed my way.
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In an extremely thought-provoking post, Chester at The Adventures of Chester War and Foreign Affairs titled: "The Key Strategic Question", asks the question, "Is Islam compatible with a free society? A 'yes' answer offers a far different set of strategic imperatives than a 'no' answer." Go read it all, but here's a taste:

Is Islam compatible with a free society?

This is the key strategic question of our day.

In October, William Buckley wrote:

The moment has not come, but it is around the corner, when non-Muslims will reasonably demand to have evidence that the Muslim faith can operate within boundaries in which Christians and Jews (and many non-believers) live and work without unconstitutional distraction.

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Linked with "Islamophobia? Yes! Islamohatred? No!" at The Median Sib who says, "I admit it. I am Islamophobic. That doesn't mean I hate Muslims or the Islam religion. It means simply that I fear what Islam has become."...

Comments

[enzo]

Excellent post. Brilliant analysis. I'm not islamophobic, I'm only islamoafraid! Why? Because they have already started their Jihad, and we are still discussing what to do , when, and how. They do not need the U.N. to carry out their evil actions. They don't listen to the international community.
Thanks for the beautiful post!

[Sri Harsha]

"Just another example of American 'tolerance' coming from the cowboy President who was so strong after 9/11. I want to see some more of that cowboy."

Wht do u want? U want America ending up in another Iraq like quagmire. It's easy to sit bck at home and write whtever comes to your mind. Jst think abt how many more innocent lives are we going to lose...both of our own and of the others.

The problem of Iran's Nuclear program is bet if dealt by the U.N. and the international community....not by an unilateral action.