Blair's Alternative Reality

Tony Blair was lauded by some for his "This is not a clash between civilisations. It is a clash about civilisation" speech. He did have some very good points to make, but then he went on to say this-

The roots of global terrorism and extremism are indeed deep. They reach right down through decades of alienation, victimhood and political oppression in the Arab and Muslim world. Yet this is not and never has been inevitable.

Nothing to do with the expansionist, dominating doctrine of jihad then? Or the fact that all of that political oppression comes right from the Arab world itself?

The most remarkable thing about reading the Koran - in so far as it can be truly translated from the original Arabic - is to understand how progressive it is. I speak with great diffidence and humility as a member of another faith. I am not qualified to make any judgements.

The Koran is progressive? What version is Tony reading? What exactly is progressive about it? It's calls for the subjugation of the infidel? And look how he claims that he's incapable of judging the Koran- why not? Can he not think rationally? Is the Koran somehow separate from all other books in that it cannot be analysed and criticised by non-believers?

But as an outsider, the Koran strikes me as a reforming book, trying to return Judaism and Christianity to their origins, rather as reformers attempted with the Christian Church centuries later. It is inclusive. It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in attitudes to marriage, women and governance.

The Koran is inclusive? Is that why it speaks at length about making war on the infidel? That's why it says not to take Jews and Christians as friends, that infidels are unclean? It abhors superstition- that's why it's considered the exact word of god as delivered by an angel? Remember that- because the Koran also says that there are eleven planets in the Solar System and that the sun (14.4), that the sun rises and sets in a muddy spring (18.86) and that the Earth does not move (27.61). It's ahead of it's time towards women- in considering them as worth half of a man and in considering them to be unclean? In not trusting their word against that of a man? In writing that a man can have sex with his wife whenever he pleases? And how exactly is complete submission to the will of Allah returning Judaism and Christianity, which speak volumes about God's love and forgiveness, to their origins? Islam is patently nothing like either religion in any way. And as for governance- it's ahead of its time in stating that the only way to govern is in accordance with God's word? That's ahead of its time is it Tony? Sharia is a practical system of governance? Does Blair even realise what he's saying here? Shouldn't he be praising the Taliban in this case, admiring what they did in Afghanistan?

Under its guidance, the spread of Islam and its dominance over previously Christian or pagan lands was breathtaking. Over centuries it founded an Empire, leading the world in discovery, art and culture. The standard bearers of tolerance in the early Middle Ages were far more likely to be found in Muslim lands than in Christian.

I've already tackled the myth of Islamic invention- and is the Islamic invasion of Christian lands, and subsequent relegation of Christians and Jews to second-class citizens, really something that he should be praising? Really, Tony, Muslims were more tolerant during the Middle Ages than Christians? Are you sure about that?

All this really does is cement Blair's position as a dhimmi, despite everything else he has to say. And his pandering to Muslims trumps all else he said in that speech.