A Critical Analysis of 'Real Islam'. Its People ... - Bukti dan Saksi

Chapter 20
Spin …The Art of Ignoring the Obvious
As in all wars, this one is also fought with words. Waged for minds and hearts, propaganda is
employed by all sides. It is the age-old struggle for converts to adopt a cause. The stakes are very high, as
it the rhetoric and passion of the opposing ideals.
In any debate, to confuse an opponent, the classical approach is by and through obfuscation,
tangential diatribes, and/or classic political spin. The desired effect is to create confusion, to weaken an
opponent’s resolve and momentum through diversionary tactics. It is an age-old approach employed when
ones own arguments have weak moral or logical foundations. The tactic is often the only option when
tasked with presenting an inferior argument, which cannot otherwise be promoted through persuasiveness
based on reason, logic, or moral clarity. This method becomes the only viable option because a more
progressive concept cannot be beaten by an inferior philosophy without those arguing in behalf of the
lower standard first concealing obvious truths in layers of fog. On hearing such rhetoric, a reasonable
layperson may detect that there is something wrong with either the message or the delivery, but sufficient
time for careful analysis and appropriate response is seldom available, as expediency quickly sweeps both
the obvious facts with the muck into the past.
Once the audience has been so prepared, one can then make suggestions and offer premises that
would have otherwise been easily recognized as irrational or unconscionable. When carefully prepared
and delivered under the axiom "the bigger the lie, the easier it is for people to swallow", otherwise
outlandish suggestions can result in a mental shock effect, which over time can break down resistance. To
the masses for which the spin was constructed, the net effect is confusion and the blunting of reasonable
responses and actions, as well as more of an inclination to accept the unacceptable, or at least to tolerate
the intolerable. Indeed, when not properly recognized and challenged, there is the potential that otherwise
good people might eventually accept that good is evil, or that evil means can be sanctified if associated
with a seemingly good cause.
Take the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for example. Claiming that Israel is the sole instigator and villain
in this passionate and tragic play is a tactic designed to hide many truths in plain sight. The weak-minded
demonstrate personal failure when they bury their heads in the sand, and are akin to the Germans who
"closed their drapes" as the Jews were rounded up. We all see and hear about the things going on in the
Middle East every day, yet many continue to hide behind silly libels against the US and Israel to either
justify continued support for the Palestinian cause and methods, or to remain silent.
In a population of 6.3 million, Israel has endured over a hundred suicide bombings. If the same
proportion of attacks had occurred in the USA (288 Million people), there would have been 4571 suicide
bombings with over 40,000 killed and hundreds of thousands wounded (often maimed for life). The
number killed would be the equivalent of twelve ‘Sept-11/Pear-Harbor’ type mega-attacks! Almost
everyone would know more than one victim. Pause …and think about it. The reaction of this nation
would likely be more severe and violent than the Palestinians have faced to date from all Israeli actions.
Without second thoughts or significant dissention, our armies would be given marching orders to destroy
everyone suspected of supporting the attacks in any way. Political correctness would yield to the logic of
survival and nearly every American would support any and all means necessary to completely ruin
individuals, organizations, and governments deemed remotely culpable, with collateral damage of -much-
less concern.
Truth is truth, to the end of reckoning. Spin may distract, but does not diminish her. When "Old
Europe" and our own schizophrenic State Department say, "create a Palestinian state, coddle the Saudis,
don’t offend anyone", it only serves to embolden despots and their terrorist foot soldiers. When we
respond to left-leaning media, our Arab "allies", and the Europeans, we lose moral authority and giving
sanctuary and encouragement to despots and terrorists alike. As with the Israelis, our survival and
democracy depends on us living with both eyes wide open, willing to do the hard things necessary to
protect our children’s future. Islamic extremists, and Palestinians in particular, continually debase
themselves as they bask in their hatreds, blood lust, and thirst for revenge. Ongoing anxiety and suffering