Submitted by N J Murdoch, Apr 29, 2007 17:50

Having a democratic UN would be what exactly? Allowing fascist dictatorships and Islamic theocracies the same rights as liberal democracies? Or do you mean democratic Arab states enjoying equality at the UN? Which Arab democracies do you have in mind? Are you advocating regime change throughout the entire region to change the status quo? I didn't think so.

How are Arab countries going to have economic equality as long as they are oligarchies and unrepresentative states? Half their populations in subjigation, enlightenment values repressed, economic retardation and serfdom promoted as Islamic virtues and an education system strictly propagandistic and theocratic. Or do you blame the IMF, World Bank and the capitalist system for the Arab world's problems?

The idea that if 'we' (imperial bullies) gave 'them' (poor oppressed muslims) more power at the UN or more economic aid, then they wouldn't smash planes full of civilians into buildings, is as insulting as it is stupid. Most suicide-bombers are educated and middle class. Radical Islamists (Sunni and Shiite) have declared jihad on all Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, atheists, homosexuals and anyone else who gets in their way.

Baathism, Pan-Arabism, theocracy and jihadism are not a " violent demonstration" against a lack of political power or job opportunities. They are the product of decades of perverted ideology which took its lead from the Nazis and the Communists in the 1940's and 50's. Read Sayyid Qutb, Maulana Maududi and Hassan al Banna. To imply otherwise is to exculpate the terrorists and murderers of their responsibility.

Until the Arab and Muslim world becomes democratic, enlightened and respectful of human-rights, then the Western world should, quite rightly, not give it any 'cards'. It has to commit itself to recognizing Israel and renouncing terrorism of all kinds.

Murray's book, like Paul Berman's Terror and Liberalism, gives us a choice to make. Conservative isolationism? Infantile Michael Moore politics? Or standing up to totalitarian states and terrorists while supporting moderates, democrats, feminists and reformers in the Arab world? I think conservatives, liberals and socialists should be choosing the latter option and showing their solidarity with the oppressed and not making glib Chomskyite rationalizations for Islamic terrorism.

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