a reply to:
Logarock
I heard something on the radio earlier today that was on a slightly different topic but I think applies here.
In short, it's Hitler's fault.
Essentially, the Western world saw first hand how the majority could treat the minority. Death camps, etc. Fortunately the West summoned the
strength and resolve to defeat Hitler and his army. However, the West was left traumatized and live in constant fear of becoming (or even being
unjustly being labeled) racists, bigots or imperialists.
That fear at times prevents the West from taking on groups like ISIS head on. It is why some people will go to great lengths to disconnect the common
thread between too many of the modern day terrorist attacks. It seems that making the distinction that "not all Muslims are terrorists" or "there are
some other evil people/groups out there that have nothing to do with Islam" isn't enough. We can not acknowledge that the common thread these days
is, in fact, a pledge of allegiance to Mohammed (even if Mohammed himself may not approve of what is going on with a minority of his followers).
Its the reason why
Piss Christ is called art but drawing a depiction of Mohammed is "asking for
trouble."
Its the reason why we hear so much about allegedly racist cops, yet almost never hear about a black on white crime with seemingly racial overtones
being charged as a hate crime. (Side note, I hate that "hate crime" is a thing in our system but that is for another thread).
It's why (as wacky as we may be sometimes) an essentially law and order nation simply looks the other way as people enter the country illegally and we
don't put any real effort into securing our borders... for fear of being called racists.
Its why Merkel (especially Merkel) turns a blind eye to all the chaos that is taking place in Germany and Europe and insists on maintaining wide open
borders to unchecked and unvetted people.
Although Osama bin Laden is the current boogey-man, when someone wants to really insult someone, they call that person a "Hitler."
The horrors Hitler and company performed have traumatized the West to the point where we will not allow ourselves to do what many people know is
necessary.
When I was in High School I got into a fist fight with the school bully. It was over him throwing an egg at me during lunch on Halloween. People
(especially his former victims) were very happy about it and I thought I was happy about it at the time as well. However, as time went by I realized
that since I'd taken up boxing for many months before, I used the egg as an excuse to prove myself (to others or to myself or whatever). Ultimately,
in retrospect I realized that I should not have gotten into that fight. However, I'm not so traumatized about it that I would not defend myself or my
family with fisticuffs if need be.