Please Explain

Submitted by Infidel (Canada), Sep 12, 2006 at 17:34

Dr. Pipes,

I'm rather confused by your statement and the use of the word "pedant", "Only a pedant would point out that the suicide hijackers hardly represented the wretched of the earth, and had everything to do with - no, not again! - militant Islam". This statement comes from, "Why the Left Loves Osama", danielpipes.org/article/1040. And please tell me why that word was appropriate in that sentence.

Pedant
1. a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning.
2. a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.
3. a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.

At the risk of flaunting my ignorance, I would prevail upon you to explain which definition of the three above best fits your use of the word "pedant". By the way, I would rather reveal my ignorance and learn than, conceal my ignorance and remain ignorant.
On another note, I believe that the four negative fundamental human character traits that motivate an individual are vanity, jealousy, lust and greed. Therefore, suicide hijackers were not focused on "militant Islam", but rather their own rewards of heaven, and more specifically;
Aya44:54: Thus (shall it be), and We will wed them with Houris pure, beautiful ones.

Should you choose to reply, I will be most grateful.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I used the word ironically.