Our Irrational Enemies and their Sympathizers
By David Holcberg (Wall Street Journal, September 8, 2004)

In "Innocents Abroad" (September 2, 2004) you rightly criticized the naive idea that the United States should be "more sensitive" in its prosecution of the war against Islamic totalitarianism. But sensitive is exactly what we've been.

Our government has been sensitive to the concerns of "the international community." We sought, for example, approval from the United Nations to eliminate Saddam's regime. Our government has been sensitive to the feelings of the "Muslim world." Jihad and beheadings notwithstanding, President Bush declared Islam a "religion of peace." Our government has been sensitive to the gun-firing, flag-burning, anti-Semitic hordes overflowing the "Arab street." We tried to be impartial "brokers" in the conflict between Palestinian terrorists and their Israeli victims.

But it is obscene to be sensitive to the feelings of our irrational enemies--and their sympathizers--while they shoot at our soldiers and threaten our civilians with mass destruction. On the other hand, there is no need to be sensitive to our true friends and allies, who are rational enough to understand that our acting in self-defense is not only morally proper but mandatory--and in their self-interest too.

Our government should stop being sensitive and start being assertive. We must stop worrying about what others feel and focus on doing what is right. The defense of America requires nothing less.

Reprinted with permission of The Wall Street Journal © 2004 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.  All rights reserved.