Please educate me and show me any responsible web site, newspaper, scholarly article that calls them Islamists. Right wing nut sites don't count, anymore than a Maoist sight would count.
The issues in France are not limited to France. It is an extremely fallacy to consider France's actions limited to France. Around the world, governments have come to grips with their inheirited notions of religious freedom. France has laicite. (with accent marks), based on some particulars of French history. Most European countries adopted some form of laicite to protect individuals from coercive religions. If I were French, my views would probably be different. If I were Chinese or Indian, I doubt I woulld be Christian. The reality of my life is that I am American. Because I lived in NY, I thought I was pseudo-European and was proud. I'd rather live in Europe than anyplace besides NY, Boston or San Francisco. I take the 9.11 attacks very seriously because my life was shaken to the core. But for the grace of God b/c I lived downtown and worked one block from Ground Zero. Al-Qaeda made me define myself as a full American.
Al-Qaeda is a threat. A threat that cannot ever be won by Bush's tactics. We need to reinforce moderate Moslems so they will be more comfortable clearly condemning the attacks. Most moderate Moslems expressly were angered and condemned the terrorism. As I noted, Moslems were also vicitms. Christians have done unspeakable acts far worse than the cartoon incident. American imperialism and attitudes helped create this situation. I want the US to be dominant militarily and the economic power. If we start to show respect for Islam, maybe they will not seethe with rage. Rage is not an element of Moslem. Mohammed encourage rage no more than did Jesus. How many people condemning Islam have read the Koran in English?
I know from my personal experiences in Manhattan that diverse peoples can live in peace even if they don't agree on everything. To focus on the radicals, is to know the countless millions of Moslems who respect Christianity. Mohammed expressly respected Christianity in the Koran. I saw illustrations of Mohammed meeting with Christians at my local art museum.
We are threatened by some sick individuals formed into terrorist cells. Islam is no threat. Calling them Islamist throws fuel on the fire. The only way is to calm down, not cede our liberties to them or to our fears, and respect them. Mohammed called for this. Hitler was a Christian. Do we want ourselves defined as Nazis just b/c HItler was a Christian.