Comments on: In his own words

By: dearieme

dearieme — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 09:32:00 +0000

"McCarthy was wrong and disgusting in the 1950s": why do people keep repeating this tired old half-truth? Disgusting, yes: he didn’t have much, or any, evidence, and it was all just a cynical attempt to advance his career. (Remind you of anyone called Tony?). But he wasn’t wrong (obviously not reminding you of someone called Tony): the decrypts that were realeased much later left no doubt that there had been pretty effective penetration of the Federal government. In fact, I gather that it was worse under FDR and that Truman’s people cleared a lot of them out, which does rather imply that they knew what had been going on, doesn’t it?

By: dsquared

dsquared — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:14:00 +0000

oh I see sorry. I will try, but to be honest being an arse is something that’s in the blood and there’s not much that can be done to shift it.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:06:00 +0000

There are also many different types of cancer and grading within them.

Islamist has a very clear meaning, like cancer, but again there are various interpretations and sects - and willingness to use violence for their ends. Witness MAB's willingness to work with Galloway, and the death threats he received from another group. If pushed I could give you a definition concerning people who believe Islam is political system which should run the state to varying degrees of fanaticism, but why simplify a complex issue. You're a bright enough chap to educate yourself, and then be able to recognise it when you see it.

Dsquared stop being an arse. Sifaoui's book is largely concerned with Islamists in Paris and London - not Algeria.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 09:26:00 +0000

See Dave, you just don't "Get It". Stock up on the Bruschetta!

By: backword dave

backword dave — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 09:20:00 +0000

Eric, sorry to be a pain, but you did say, "Islamist has a very clear meaning."

Why won't you give a definition? I'm not asking you to unicycle on a tightrope across the Grand Canyon while balancing a ball on your nose, and reciting pi. I'm asking for a definition of a word which you say has a clear meaning. This clear meaning escapes me.

I know what "cancer" means without having studied medicine. Why should I read several books to grasp one word? If these books are essential to using the word properly, shouldn't this debar most commentators?

By: dsquared

dsquared — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:52:00 +0000

Eric I’m sure you’re not suggesting that we follow Algeria’s example when it comes to dealing with Islamists!!

By: eric

eric — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:51:00 +0000

In fact this would be a useless reading list to get compiled.

Ho ho. I meant useful.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:49:00 +0000

Well, the wikipedia page that John points to is a better starting point than your dictionary.

I'd then recommend you invest in some books, starting with the one I mentioned before, then Berman's Terror and Liberalism. You might also enjoy reading some of Christopher Hitchen's work.

In fact this would be a useless reading list to get compiled.

By: Backword Dave

Backword Dave — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:28:00 +0000

"As you know Dave words change in meaning, and Islamist has a very clear meaning."

Could you tell me what it is then, please, Eric?

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:18:00 +0000

I was perhaps unfair there given John’s last comment!