Bombs and guns won’t beat us, but our own hysteria will

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/10/hysteria-terrorists-fear-donald-trump-falling-into-bin-laden-trap
<snip>
He’s won,” I shouted at the television. “Bloody hell, he’s won.” As Donald Trump read out his surrender-to-terrorism message this week, I realised who was now his master: Osama bin Laden. Trump spoke with his eyes down, like a hostage under duress. His was an America frightened, incoherent, illiberal, fearful of some unknown power. He was the voice of a cowering nation.

Bin Laden, or at least his ghost, has moved a step closer to his goal on 9/11: to put America in thrall to an Islamic ascendancy. He wanted an America that, as Trump put it, “does not know what the hell is going on”, that is “out of control”. He wanted an America that “does not care” about its customary freedoms. He wanted all Muslims to be America’s enemies. Trump duly delivered. He was Bin Laden’s acolyte, his accomplice, his stooge.

Britons should beware of criticising Trump. They are not innocent of his crime. Godwin’s law states that the longer a political argument runs, the sooner it reverts to the second world war. Someone “plays the Hitler card” – and eventually loses. David Cameron played the card in last week’s parliamentary debate on Isis. So did Labour’s Hilary Benn. They equated Isis to the Nazis, and their opponents to appeasers of 20th century fascism. They summoned up the bombers against Muslim cities and demanded curbs on civil liberties commensurate with the declared threat. It was Trumpism for slow learners.
Isis is expanding its international reach. That is hardly a sign of weakness
Hassan Hassan
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To compare any threat facing Britain or America at present to Hitler’s Germany is ludicrous. It is historically illiterate. It is an offence to all who suffered and died in Hitler’s war. It is an offence to Britain’s allies round the world. It is an offence to language. As the House of Commons cheered on the bombers (and swore to send no ground troops), I wondered how it might react if Britain really did face another Hitler. Would it join Donald Trump, quaking with terror under the nearest table?

[Sherman A1]

1. Precisely

That said, some common sense things can and should be done about violence which includes doing somethings about firearms. However, running around in circles and shouting is probably not going to get any us anything but tired.

[ladjf]

2. Good post.

[napkinz]

3. Trump: Make America Afraid Again

kick!

[pampango]

4. Indeed. Terrorists know this better than anyone. Trump and the GOP play right into their hands. n/t