On Islamofascists and Inked Fingers

Previously on this blog, I defended the use of the word "Islamofascism" to describe the goals of the radical Islamists. Goals such as those outlined in this interview with Islamist Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad. And there are even more examples in this post on Wahhabism over at Dean's World.

Now, more on this subject...Both James Joyner and C.D. Harris respond to this Guardian piece that complains about the growing usage of the word "Islamofascism" while regretting that the word "fascist" can't be used convincingly against the Bush Administration.

Joyner comments on the term "Islamofascism":

While it's not a term I use -- I prefer the more established "Islamists" -- "Islamo-fascist" is not used merely to describe a set of ideas with which, presumably, virtually all Americans disagree. Rather, it describes the political credo that motivates a terrorist movement and its sympathizers. The facist label is used because the fascsist ideology, like Islamism, required an absolute fealty to a dogma issued by a central leadership, a totalitarian worship of that idea, and terroristic violence to kill or intimidate the opposition.

Then Joyner comments on the absurdity of attempting to hang the "fascist" label on Republicans:

Amazingly, in an article attempting to persuade readers that the use of incendiary labels applied to mass murderers should be avoided, the author expresses his disappointment that the attempt to tar a democratically elected leader with a similar label isn't sticking. Norm Geras correctly notes that even Trotsky was able to "cut through the kind of sorry and dangerous claptrap that minimizes or altogether eliminates the differences between democratic polities and the openly undemocratic, and murderous, movements that are intent on destroying them."

Albert Scardino in the Guardian piece says:

Nazism is better known for its death camps than for Leni Riefenstahl or the Reichstag fire, so analogies between the Nazis' early years and current Republican party behaviour seem hollow, no matter how strong some parallels might be.

To which Harris responds:

Naturally, he fails to mention that the American filmmaker most aptly compared to Riefenstahl is none other than Guardian poster child Michael Moore. Nor does he supply any actual examples of Republican behaviour that analogize to the Reichstag fire or other episodes in the rise of National Socialism in Germany. Well, none that correspond with reality, anyway.

Joyner also looks at liberal talk-show host Janeane Garofalo's ridiculous attempt to equate the inked fingers showing solidarity with the Iraqi voters with a "Nazi salute".

Click for larger view.

Yes, the resemblance is uncanny. [/sarcasm]

Posted by Susan B. at 6:08 PM to Islamism