The Enemy at Home

Several Months ago, I marked the sixth anniversary of 9/11 with an article recalling my experiences on that day as well as my continuing frustration at understanding the perpetrators’ motivations. In spite of all that has been written about 9/11, its causes have remained stubbornly elusive, for many of us.

Earlier this year, Dinesh D'Souza published a book called The Enemy at Home, which does an excellent job of connecting the dots as it comes to grips with some of the underlying causes and effects of that great tragedy. Mr. D'Souza is the Rishwain Research Scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, an author of several well-known books, and a frequent contributor to National Review. He is considered by many to be one of the leading conservative thinkers of our time.

In the months since its publication, a firestorm of debate has erupted around the book as readers chime in on the issues raised. The Book department at Amazon.com currently shows 125 Customer Reviews, many of which have sparked lengthy chains of follow-on comments, all of which amounts to quite a robust debate.

Interestingly, one thread that seems to recur through all of it is a question as to how many of the commentators have actually read the book. This is not just a shallow put-down. Many, it seems, have reacted to reports of particular portions of the book without the benefit of a thorough reading. While it is very well-written and tightly reasoned, these qualities do not make it an easy book to read. The ideas are powerful and readers often find themselves stopping along the way to ponder the points it raises

The book’s subtitle, The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11, reflects the book’s premise that the dissemination of liberal values through the export of our popular culture elicits negative blowback from Islamic Traditionalists. While this might be a difficult premise, especially for those on the left, I would suggest that much can be learned from one’s critics. Moreover, regardless of ones political orientation, a careful reader is guranteed to come away from this book with a better understanding of the dynamics and underpinnings of the War on Terror.

Whether you agree or disagree with traditional Koran-inspired Muslim tenets, it is important to understand what values they provide to their believers. But before looking at specific values, it is important to note the key role that Muslim law, or Sharia, plays in Muslim life as devout Muslims look to the Koran for guidance in virtually every aspect of daily life. This is in sharp contrast with American culture which goes to great lengths to separate the religious from the secular, a trend which has accelerated in recent times as religious influences are increasingly removed from public institutions.

D’Souza draws another distinction that is important to note and that is the difference between Traditional Muslims who seek nothing more than to be allowed to live according to their chosen rules, and the Radical Muslims who have twisted Muslim thinking to justify terrorist activities. In many ways, the key to winning the War on Terror depends upon our success in limiting support for the radicals among the Traditionalists. Put another way, what sort of pressures drive the Traditionalists toward the Radical camp?
Like many subjects, this answer to this question has many facets. One example, however, provides an interesting cause and effect. The Muslim faith, as most of us know, takes a very conservative stance on moral issues such as abortion, homosexuality, extra-marital sex, and modesty, to name a few. At the same time, the only image that millions of Muslims have of Western culture is that portrayed in our movies and TV shows, which typically contain themes and events that fly in the face of their beliefs.

In addition, they bristle at efforts made to introduce changes to their culture in the name of Women’s right, Gay Rights, Reproductive rights, etc. that are carried out through the aggressive programs of Western governments as well as Non Government Organizations. Here again, before debating these “causes” on their own merits, it is worthwhile to consider how the Muslims see such programs as a threat to their way of life. Also, this is but one example of the many causes of distrust between the Muslim and western worlds.

To this point, I have attempted to steer a neutral course in arguing that both ends of the political spectrum can learn something from D’Souza’s book. But as a concerned American, I need to take this discussion one step further. It is outrageous that my country is judged by others solely on the basis of the decadence spewed out by Hollywood and the values of the political left. I think we all have to ask ourselves if we are doing all we can to counter these trends.

I recommend that you get a copy of The Enemy at Home and spend the time to read it. I guarantee you will come away with a much better feel for the underpinnings of the War on Terror and the disturbing role of the cultural left..