"Everything in Moderation"
Reader comment on item: Next Steps in Iraq

Submitted by Bob Hardy (United States), Apr 26, 2003 at 10:53

Dr. Pipes:
When you were in Vermont recently, to my understanding you stated we are not dealing with militant nations in the Mid-East but 10% to 15% of Muslims who are militant. Can we patiently assist moderate muslims to marginalize the 10% to 15% of muslims who are militant? This may be a very long task - and ordinarily "very long tasks" are not the strong suit of "instant gratification" Americans. However, to my belief, since 911 we have a nation with a different mindset - one that I would identify as the "post 911 generation". (eg. those who performed so well for us in Iraq without complaint - were the 19, 20, and 21 year old's and many of whom were reserves!) It is my belief that the "post 911 generation" understands that we have a long term task ahead of us.
Our country appears to be divided along the fault line of those infected with the Viet Nam (defeatist) syndrome and those who ally themselves with the post 911 generation.

As we endeavor with our present and future allies in the Gulf Region to reach the conclusions of representative government and free markets, we will have to remind those among us not alligned with the post 911 generation that in our last three wars we have defended the rights and property of Muslims and that the greater global good comes from investing in foreign representative government, healthy economies and jobs.

All the best--

---

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.