When exactly did support for gay marriage become an essential Democratic party principle akin to racial equality? Was it when Anthony Lewis' wife decided to impose it on Massachusetts? Seems like only a few years ago the concept was an entry on the New Republic's "to be assigned" list. (Sullivan got the job.) Now we must embrace it or leave the party? Isn't that rushing things a bit? ...I don't see why not--but plenty of Democrats do.
Even if you favor making gay marriage a central, non-negotiable Democratic plank, the fact remains that this greatly complicates any Democrat-led struggle against Islamic extremists (because, as my emailer notes, it alienates even Islamic moderates). That's another reality Beinart doesn't seem to want to confront. (Better to talk about 1947!) How exactly would a Dem president who declares gay marriage a "morally momentous" principle [as Beinart recommends] convince civilized, non-terrorist, observant Muslims that their religion and culture is compatible with Western-style economics and democracy?
Maybe Democrats will ultimately have no choice other than dissembling or declaring a clash of civilizations. But why race to that point? At the moment, I don't see why we can't have a Democratic party that openly a) refrains from force-feeding gay marriage to the public b) has room in it for patriotic Iraq War skeptics and c) as a consequence of a) and b) is better positioned to wage an effective military and ideological battle against Islamic terrorism.
(via Instapundit)
2 comments:
Hi - I thought this was really interesting. Particularly your point about Republican values appealing to moderate Arabs, it reinforces a point made in the Daily Star a week or so ago about certain Syrians preferring Bush to Kerry.
I don't want to completely repeat myself, but I posted it hear: http://www.friendsofmicronesia.com/archives/000467.html
Appealing to moderate Muslims is important. Ahmad Al-Jarallah's article, quoted earlier, shows it's possible. The Daily Star article you mention--previously noted by Instapundit--demonstrates most "Ivy League-educated" liberals have a tin ear when assessing the "Arab street."
So we have two challenges: persuading moderate Muslims, then convincing Democrats not fortunate enough to see witness Arab attitudes first hand. Note that I've given up on Europe.
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