When this recent blogwar started, I thought I was having a flashback. People tend to ignore evidence that cuts against their worldviews, and highlight evidence that support them. It was with that in mind that I attempted to give you a good natured (soft) jab over this sort of thing when Esmay showed up and went batshit crazy.

Well, the human mind has a limit on its ability to process context, not to mention the energy it possesses to write. For example, some who have only read this blog post-2004 (and -2005) probably get the impression that I'm a dhimmi. In reality, I just attempt to focus on stories that run counter to common right-wing blog narratives about Islam (see Muslim chaplain story) because they aren't getting much representation in those circles.

Thus, everytime this issue comes up, I have to reestablish my anti-moral-equivalency-recognize-the-grave-problem-within-the-Islamic-world bona fides with another set of challengers.

Dean's excitable, but he has some very good points that are worth addressing, if not in defense, at least for clarification of position.

It's a shame that those points have gotten drowned out in this exchange.

Well said. When things get personal, the first thing on the chopping block is the argument itself.

The vague nature of the enemy is their strongest asset. I think being super meticulous in our definitions is neither possible or productive. I think Dean is basically right in that Michelle tends to hyperbole and could be more precise in her language, but he should recognize that she basically agrees with him, and he does need to chill out in my opinion. Calling someone a goddamn Benedict Arnold for not supporting our Muslim allies strenuously enough, while hilarious, is bordering on Coulterland.

Calling someone a goddamn Benedict Arnold for not supporting our Muslim allies strenuously enough, while hilarious, is bordering on Coulterland.

1. Not to pick (another) argument, but note how you characterized it as "not supporting our Muslim allies strenuously enough" vs. "specifically denigrating our Muslim allies."

2. The comment was not addressed to her, rather a troll that had been badgering him with inflammatory anti-Islam rhetoric. If the right troll came in here at the right time, I'd cut loose and it could be used against me too. Though Dean's comment was pretty freaking ridiculous in both tone and content, agreed.

Seriously, it was a pretty dirty blow to take that comment and republish it. It was done for no reason other than to be nasty. It wasn't directed at her and she should know that.

Dean, I am trying hard to understand where you are coming from, but dragging up the sins of our fathers doesn't help. It is hyperbole, not to mention the sins of our fathers were pretty minor for the times. Much like our situation today. I understand that the cry "but look at what they are up to" is the excuse of a child, but sometimes little perspective goes a long way. Pointing to extreme expamples of behavior and holding it up as the norm is wrong, no matter who does it.

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