Extremism in political discourse

With the pictures coming out of Abu Ghraib and the stories of torture and abuse in Guantanamo Bay among other things, Islamist terrorist recruitment figures are on the rise.

They are recruiting the poor, angry, and uneducated that see America as a force as a threat to their livelihoods and existence.

They are brainwashed into an ideology that distorts religious texts to fit militant agendas.

However, with an open dialogue with the Middle East, misconceptions and misunderstandings can be resolved.

Ideas can be shared and friendships can be made.

While there are those who will not be swayed through meaningful engagement, the use of diplomacy may prevent many who share misconceptions from falling for the twisted ideas of Islamist extremism.

In the U.S., discourse between the opposing sides is turning heated because of Obama’s agenda.

People are showing up to town halls full of rage and an ideology that shields them from facts.

They show up with assault rifles to intimidate and exclaim misconceptions and blatant lies to force people to become emotional and shatter any chance for logical debate.

Images of the American flag are used; people talk about how “unconstitutional” Obama’s health care plan is and how the government wants to kill grandma.

They seek to brainwash those who are vulnerable into thinking Obama’s agenda is a threat to their livelihoods and recruit the ignorant into their ranks.

Their intense passion prevents them from acknowledging the merits of the opposing side.

The far-left and far-right are both using lies and misinformation to recruit those into their ranks.

The far-right states that the health care plan is a threat to their way of life and the prosperity of America, just as terrorist groups exclaim that the existence of Israel and U.S. intervention in the Middle East is a threat to Muslim faith.

The vulnerable believe these arguments, because they are oblivious to the facts and refuse to listen to all sides of an argument and think for themselves.

Intellectual laziness is driven through emotion, and soon the opposition becomes demonized and any chance for understanding and compromise is lost.

While Sayyid Qutb may be a champion for Islamist militant thought, Glenn Beck, Olbermann, and other pundits have become champions for their own respective thoughts.

They all use distortions of existing beliefs, views on justice and the rule of law to advance their own agendas.

What is needed is reasonable, logical civil discourse.

Leaving room for compromise is not being “soft.” What is needed is for leaders and pundits to state the facts and let people decide for themselves.

We all have a right to an opinion, but when someone deliberately uses lies and pure emotion to further their agenda and mold people’s minds to subscribe to a closed-minded ideology, they are undermining the democratic process.

Respect your opposition and things will get done.

You may not always get your way, but that doesn’t mean America will turn into Russia.

Might does not make right, whether you are a terrorist, a vocal conservative or an Obama supporter.