While millions die in obscurity at the bloody hands of Islamic terrorists the world over, every rare and infrequent act of harm against innocent Muslims is publicized and dramatized to prove the truth of tired Muslim claims that they are in fact victims in this ongoing “war on terror.”  Thus the forthcoming movie Shoot on Sight explores “the difficult dilemma of mostly peace-loving Muslims, in these turbulent times, when a cosmopolitan society, especially London, is gripped by fear of Islamic extremism, racial profiling, and Islamophobia during the aftermath of underground bombings in July 2005.”

The great Haid Dasalami’s BS divining rod was hard and stiff long before I even viewed the movie’s trailer, because emblazoned across the film’s promotional website is the rhetorical question, “Is it a crime to be a Muslim?”  I was agitated and alarmed when my raging divining rod started to throb in sync with the provocative and seductive query flashing on the screen.  Positive detections and readings are common nowadays, but in this case the rod was more erect than a boy scout salute at a girl scout slumber party.

“Terrorist teapot” graphic by ES (flickr)

YouTube video by VenomFongX

Not to be outdone by President Bush and his Ramadan message, recently posted on the White House website, Gordon Brown is even more effusive in his praise for Muslims and the month of jihad.

Right from the start, the British prime minister soars over the top when he alludes to “our shared moral universe,” leading us to wonder from which planet in that universe he in fact hails.  Only thirty seconds into the speech, he delivers the obligatory reference to legendary Muslim “compassion,” and only another ten seconds later he succeeded in making me stab myself in the ear when he invoked everyone’s favorite prophet.

Mr. Brown goes on to echo Mr. Bush in reminding us how much better off we all are , thanks to the important contributions of Muslims:

Ramadan is an opportune time to consider the contribution of Islam, not just to Britain, but to the world.  Islamic art, science, and philosophy have enriched our lives over many centuries.

My own limitations as a historian leave me inadequate to the task of substantiating this claim with even a short list of supporting examples, but I’m certain that—if not for being understandably preoccupied with trolling unabashedly for Muslim votes for his declining political party—Mr. Brown is able to wax eloquent with a plethora of details regarding the many-splendored inheritance of Islamic culture, and if required he would do so in perfectly exquisite King’s English, in advance of the inevitable day when Arabic sadly becomes the official language of the UK. 

An utterly embarrassing dhimmi Brown may be, but as linguistic contributions to culture are concerned, it is hardly possible to split hairs with him over even a split infinitive.

All in all it was an impressive song and dance.

He should at least win Miss Congeniality.