Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Barack Obama and the Summit of Doom

Today's the day when those geniuses over at the White House are going to delve into the most terrifying crisis of our times.

No, not climate change--although, given his druthers, that would likely be Obama's preferred and exclusive focus.

At today's "summit" they're going to examine the jihad, without calling it jihad, and, indeed, while endeavoring to ensure that the word "Islam" never slips from anyone's lips. ("Violent extremism," a euphemism that's as clunky as it is absurdly--no, dangerously--generic, is the preferred locution.)

So "jihad" is out--but what's in? Stuff like this, apparently:
"On February 18, 2015, the White House will host a Summit on Countering Violent Extremism to highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting, or inspiring individuals or groups in the United States and abroad to commit acts of violence, efforts made even more imperative in light of recent, tragic attacks in Ottawa, Sydney, and Paris. This summit will build on the strategy the White House released in August of 2011, Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States, the first national strategy to prevent violent extremism domestically," a White House announcement stated at the time. "Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) efforts rely heavily on well-informed and resilient local communities. Boston, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis-St. Paul have taken the lead in building pilot frameworks integrating a range of social service providers, including education administrators, mental health professionals, and religious leaders, with law enforcement agencies to address violent extremism as part of the broader mandate of community safety and crime prevention. The summit will highlight best practices and emerging efforts from these communities." 
That's right--at a time when ISIS jihadis have taken depravity to a whole new level with the aim of establishing a global caliphate, the Obama White House is pushing integrative "pilot frameworks" and "best practices"--in the hopes, no doubt, of boring potential jihadis to death via mind-numbing bureaucratese.

It kind of reminds me of that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where Indiana Jones, confronted by a swordsman doing all sorts of fancy moves with his weapon, takes out his gun and puts him away with one shot.

It's a metaphor. ISIS is Indy. The White House is the feckless swordsman.

 
Strong religious beliefs should never be confused with violent extremism. Freedom of religion is a fundamental American right and one of our most strongly held values. Since our founding, people of diverse and strongly held religious faiths have thrived in America. Though we will not tolerate illegal activities, opposition to government policy is neither illegal nor unpatriotic and does not make someone a violent extremist. It is a basic tenet of our democracy that citizens of good conscience can respectfully disagree with one another and resolve their differences through peaceful means. Our Nation is built upon the principles of debate, dialogue, and cooperation.  
Good to know, but what has that to do with the jihad?

Update: Joe Biden opens this smoke 'n' mirrors summit by claiming that the problems have to do with the "marginalization" of immigrant communities.

No doubt about it--we're doomed.

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