For Once, They Got It Right

By Judith

I have my troubles with both President Bush and Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), but in the last couple of days, they both have done something right.

First, President Bush exercised his veto power for the first time by vetoing the bill that would have supplied federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, in essence, having our tax dollars used for more murdering of innocent human life. Good one, Mr. President. At the same time, Sen. Santorum's bill supporting adult stem cell research (in which the stem cell donor does not die and which has had more promising results) never made it to the President's desk, being defeated in Congress. Good try, Senator.

But really, what Sen. Santorum said in a speech to the National Press Club on Thursday about Islamic Fascism is as interesting - and courageous. (Although I question the wisdom of his support of the Patriot Act.) Here's a snippet.

There is a bigger problem: our fear of speaking clearly, publicly, and consistently about the enemy. It is unfashionable in some quarters to speak about the Islamo fascists, because of the misguided cultural reflex that condemns anyone who speaks critically about others' practices or beliefs. Therefore, we can’t say or do anything that might offend Muslims. But that's backwards. The real offense to Muslims is to remain silent about an ideology that produces the systemic murder of innocents. Mostly, Muslim innocents. They are the first victims of Islamic fascism, and the enemy directly targets them, as we have heard once again in the most recent audiotape from Osama bin Laden. Those who refuse to criticize Islamic fascism undermine the cause of freedom of religion because if the Islamic fascists win this war, no other religion will be permitted to flourish. Paradoxically, when we refuse to criticize anybody, we end up patronizing everyone, which is offensive to everyone and self-defeating.

For the entire text of his speech, click here.