Islamic Fascism??

The following was published in Delaware News Journal on 8/29/06 & Galveston Daily on 8/31/06(slightly modified version):

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060829/OPINION10/608290324/1004

http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3c8f68e65a141381

It is disheartening to see the president of our country engaging in despicable politics at the expense of Muslim sentiment. What I'm referring to is Bush's use of the term "Islamic fascism."

The president is not the first one to use this phrase; rather he has borrowed it from the briefcase of hate terms carried around by right-wing nuts such as Hannity, Savage, and the like. Instead of being careful and deliberate with his choice of words, the leader of the world's strongest nation has opted to rely on a sensationalist terminology, terminology that is illogical and deeply offensive to Muslims.

Your readers should know that the definition of fascism: "a system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator." If one were to look at the different militant outfits around the world that purport to be Islamic, it is easy to see that there is no central authority that runs through these groups. For instance, Hezbollah claims to be staunchly Shia, while al-Qaida claims to follow a staunchly Sunni ideology. Both these groups would as easily consider each other infidels as they would non-Muslims.

The political purpose of Bush in using the phrase "Islamic fascism" is obvious; it is an attempt to shore up his faltering popularity by pandering to the extreme right wing, and by engaging in fearmongering (in the phrase's allusion to Hitler).

While it may actually prove politically helpful in today's climate of Islamaphobia, it is a complete disservice to President Bush's role as the leader of all people in America, including Muslims.