Democrats and Muslim extremism. Where should we be? [View All]

[Hamlette]

I'm hearing this idea: "only liberals can fix the problem with Islamists". I'm not sure I've got it all but I think it goes something like this:

Liberals rightfully lay claim to the greatest human values: justice, education, progress, compassion, helping the poor, equality, tolerance.

That gives us the moral authority to "wage war" against intolerance and totalitarianism. Remember, FDR had to bring the GOP kicking and screaming into WWII to fight Hitler. Truman worked with Churchhill re: the Iron curtain. The Dems were seen as the party that could protect America then. Now we are not.

Fundamentalist extremism is a real threat to America, the world, our way of life. It is growing and if they win we live under the Taliban.

Liberals should pick up the cause and make it ours. We do that by advocating and LIVING our Democratic values for the US and the world. Not in Iraq to steal its oil but in Africa where poverty is shameful. We pressure the ME to give rights to women and public, secular education to all so as to get those kids out of the madrasses (sp?) We encourage moderate Islam. Closing Gitmo, denouncing torture, being the example we want for the rest of the world. Being a good neighbor by passing Kyoto, spreading our wealth, creating opportunities here and abroad. Only with that kind of respect from the rest of the world can we get broad support to stop totalitarian Islamist groups.

Blair talked about it today here: http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page9948.asp

and it's been the subject of several articles and the book The Good Fight.

What I see instead, is a sort of isolationism here on the left. An attitude of America has done so many awful things in the world we should pull back and stay out of it. I fear that approach because national security IS an issue and I think we can should and MUST steal it from the GOP.

How say you?