Daniel Pipes: Scholar, Not Prophet
Reader comment on item: Pipes' Dreams

Submitted by David M Dastych (Poland), Jul 20, 2002 at 15:30

Dear Sirs,
I went through the very long and laborious article by Daniel Brook article with an intention to find out who Dr. Daniel Pipes really is. A conservative political writer, a scholar thrown into deep water to swim against the current or a day-dreamer considering himself a "prophet" of our time?
Before this piece, I have read at least a 100 of Dr. Pipes' articles and transcripts of his TV appearances. I have to admit that I have had no chance yet to read his books. So I am looking forward to the forthcoming "Militant Islam Reaches America." I don't always agree with him, because I am also stubborn and I like to force my own views. But I like him and, what's more important, I trust him.
Let me tell you, why:
- he really knows a lot about Islam, Islamism and the Muslim World
- he can see more than an average American, Jew, Russian or anybody else when he
studies a problem linked to Islam or the Muslim World
- he has got a sharp mind and an ability to concentrate on the most important issues
- he may be prejudiced or over-eager but he also can listen to other views and logic
- most of his observations have been proven true, held water
- he is a very valuable "whistle blower" with a powerful voice
- he isn't appeasing the President, the U.S.Government or any other Government but
tells them about their mistakes
- he should actively participate in the shaping of the U.S. policy versus Islam, both at
home and abroad.
TO SUM UP: Dr. Daniel Pipes is a scholar and an outspoken critic, a very good writer
and a convincing speaker. People may not like him but they listen to him and
they should respect him for what he does for America.
Thank you.

DAVID M. DASTYCH
journalist & political analyst
Warsaw, Poland

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments. For informational purposes, we identify countries from which comments are sent.