Religious Funda-mentalists

Every wonder why so many in the Middle East despise us (I know, many more around the world hate us but I'm focusing on this demographic)? Much of it has to do with our military bases on their land, yes. That was one of Osama bin Laden's demands of the Bush Administration: get US soldiers out of Saudi Arabia, and Bush did it. Ah, the bond between the Bush's and the bin Laden's... Now we have our countries leaders talking full on Holy War, The Crusades all over again.

My right wing relatives ask me why 'the Muslims' are so intent on killing Westerners. It's easy to criticize others but not so easy to look critically at ourselves. If the leaders of a powerful country were constantly threatening to attack the USA, might we be worried? Might we act presumptively?

From the Christian Science Monitor (September 19, 2001)

President Bush's reference to a "crusade" against terrorism, which passed almost unnoticed by Americans, rang alarm bells in Europe. It raised fears that the terrorist attacks could spark a 'clash of civilizations' between Christians and Muslims, sowing fresh winds of hatred and mistrust.

The Washington Post reports Bush said "God inspired me to hit al Qaeda, and so I hit it. And I had the inspiration to hit Saddam, and so I hit him."

"The Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation," declared John McCain back in September 2007.

From the Huffington Post:

Comments Palin made to a group of graduating Wasilla high school students earlier this year...: "Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she said. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

During that speech, Palin also promoted a $30-billion natural gas pipeline project, stating, “God’s will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built.”

From the New York Times:

Shortly after becoming mayor, former city officials and Wasilla residents said, Ms. Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books...

Anne Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every City Council meeting in Ms. Palin’s first year in office, said Ms. Palin brought up the idea of banning some books at one meeting. “They were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her,” Ms. Kilkenny said.

The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, pledged to “resist all efforts at censorship,” Ms. Kilkenny recalled. Ms. Palin fired Ms. Emmons shortly after taking office but changed course after residents made a strong show of support.

And as for commentary, Cintra Wilson's excellently written Salon.com article, though a bit angry and over-the-top in my humble opinion, can't be topped. An excerpt:

As a woman who does not believe what Palin believes, the thought of such an opportunistic anti-female in the White House -- in the Cheney chair, no less -- is akin to ideological brain rape. What this Republican blowup doll does with her own insides in accord with her own faith is her business. But, like the worst and most terrifying of religious extremists, she seems very comfortable with the idea of imposing her own views on everyone else.

Palin has also opposed extending hate crime laws to protect gays and lesbians and called for teaching creationism in public schools.

From the Guardian:

This is a woman who once addressed a church congregation, saying of her work as governor - transport, policing and education - "really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God".

According to the Huffington Post:

Pastor Kalnins has also preached that critics of President Bush will be banished to hell; questioned whether people who voted for Sen. John Kerry in 2004 would be accepted to heaven; charged that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and war in Iraq were part of a war "contending for your faith;" and said that Jesus "operated from that position of war mode."

In 2007 Palin signed a proclamation declaring "Christian Heritage Week" in Alaska.

Juan Cole has an interesting Salon.com article claiming Palin is a bigger radical than most fundamentalist Muslims.

Not scared yet? Watch this video: