Since 9/11, ive come to the conclusion that the islamic religion as represented by many leaders in that religion is a major reason, if not the biggest reason, for the rise in terrorism against the Western World. In mosques all across the globe people are taught to be hostile toward western culture and America in particular. The verses of the koran that deal with infidels are taken literally in many cases, and religious leaders use anti-western rhetoric to hide their own failings in making a good community.

But thats not what Im writing this about. What really angers me is the predisposition of some people, usually on the left, to ignore the fact that islam has some major problems itself. For some strange reason these people go to great lengths to blame poverty, ignorance, the west itself and a myriad of other reasons - but refuse to acknowledge the very simple fact that there are elements in the islamic world that are stirring these flames.

These people not only go to great lengths to defend islam, but attack any of those who try to criticize the religion. Bigot, racist, blah, blah, blah are common buzzwords used to stifle any real conversation about the subject.

And the height of hypocrisy is that these same people who go to such great lengths to stifle any criticism of islam are the same people who will dredge up the crusades and the inquisition to try and draw some parallel to what is going on today.

My point is that its common rhetoric that "to defeat terrorism, we have to get at its root causes". Well its seems that some people, usually on the left, dont want to address a key aspect of islamic terrorism for reasons of political correctness, hurt feelings or whatever.

Ive said it once and ill say it again. Islam as represented by many leaders in that religion is a major cause of the hatred and violence that breeds terrorism, and if we're serious about defeating these guys - we should worry a little less about muslim's feelings and a little more about what some muslims are being taught at mosque.