Editorial: With all the raving rhetoric in pushback from Leftists, Democrats, and establishment Republicans; Donald Trump must be doing something right. Even Tulsa's daily paper rushes today to diminish and dismiss him. The fact is that Donald Trump, Republican Candidate for U.S. President, has re-gifted free speech to a people in need. Overripe for discussion is Islam and invasion and the safety, stability and future for our children. Now we can talk - thank Trump. David French for the National Review Tuesday wrote, "While many of Trump’s actual proposals are misguided, nonsensical, or untenable, by smashing the window, he’s begun the process of freeing the American people from the artificial and destructive constraints of Left-defined discourse. Serious and substantive politicians like Ted Cruz will get a more respectful hearing, and PC shibboleths about allegedly boundless virtues of Islam and immigration will be treated with the skepticism they deserve."
French first points to the “Overton Window” as the Mackinac Center explains, “the ‘window’ of politically acceptable options is primarily defined not by what politicians prefer, but rather by what they believe they can support and still win re-election.” The key to shifting policy lies not so much in changing politicians but in changing the terms of the debate. In other words, “The window shifts to include different policy options not when ideas change among politicians, but when ideas change in the society that elects them.
Donald Trump "Then along came Donald Trump. On key issues, he didn’t just move the Overton Window, he smashed it, scattered the shards, and rolled over them with a steamroller. On issues like immigration, national security, and even the manner of political debate itself, there’s no window left. Registration of Muslims? On the table. Bans on Muslims entering the country? On the table. Mass deportation? On the table. Walling off our southern border at Mexico’s expense? On the table. The current GOP front-runner is advocating policies that represent the mirror-image extremism to the Left’s race and identity-soaked politics," French writes. Click here for the complete column on National Review.
OK Rep. Paul Wesselhoft is quoted on the McCarville Report saying he will leave the Republican Party if Donald Trump wins. While some Republicans are heartened to hear that of Wesselhoft; a check of his Facebook didn't find the post, but this writer urges he remain with his party offering others the same First Amendment Rights he so frequently utilizes. Wednesday on MSNBC’s “All In,” Rep. Steve King (R-IA), was asked to weigh in on GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal to halt allowing Muslims into the United States. King, a supporter of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), said that though he did not necessarily support Trump’s proposal, it has opened up “space” for an important debate that might not have otherwise been had because of the confines of political correctness.
Later in that segment, King said, "...which is superior - Constitution or Sharia law? ...by their teachings [Sharia law] is superior to everything else. It replaces everything else. It replaces the Constitution itself. So you can’t be assimilated into American civilization and accept Sharia law as being superior to our Constitution. It’s antithetical to Americanism." Click here to view the segment on Breitbart.com. The reformation required by modern civilization desperately needed within Islam must come from the Muslim community. It is happening. Some are favoring a less violent interpretation of the Quran, but the book itself is the problem as quotes from the Quran at the end of this article illustrate. Further, as Tulsa Today covered here, one raised Muslim notes, “What did Muhammad do? He was a rapist, a pedophile, a mass murderer,” she said. “Not to mention a warmonger, liar, cheater, thief, adulterer.” Donald Trump may or may not be the nominee, but he benefits us all by staying in the race and continuing to speak freely on topics deeply important to the future of the nation.
And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you; persecution is more grievous than slaying. But fight them not by the Holy Mosque until they should fight you there; then, if they fight you, slay them — such is the recompense of unbelievers, but if they give over, surely Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. Fight them, till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s; then if they give over, there shall be no enmity save for evildoers. (Quran 2:191-193)
Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that Allah has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have expended of their property. Righteous women are therefore obedient, guarding the secret for Allah’s guarding. And those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them. (Quran 4:34)
They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of Allah; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper. (Quran 4:89)
This is the recompense of those who fight against Allah and His Messenger, and hasten about the earth, to do corruption there: they shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feet shall alternately be struck off; or they shall be banished from the land. That is a degradation for them in this world; and in the world to come awaits them a mighty chastisement. (Quran 5:33)
When thy Lord was revealing to the angels, ˜I am with you; so confirm the believers. I shall cast into the unbelievers’ hearts terror; so smite above the necks, and smite every finger of them! (Quran 8:12)
Make ready for them whatever force and strings of horses you can, to strike terror in the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides them that you know not; Allah knows them. And whatsoever you expend in the way of Allah shall be repaid you in full; you will not be wronged. (Quran 8:60)
Then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms, then let them go their way; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. (Quran 9:5)
Fight those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden — such men as practise not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book — until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled. (Quran 9:29)
Allah has bought from the believers their selves and their possessions against the gift of Paradise; they fight in the way of Allah; they kill, and are killed; that is a promise binding upon Allah in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Koran; and who fulfils his covenant truer than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain you have made with Him; that is the mighty triumph. (Quran 9:111)
O believers, fight the unbelievers who are near to you; and let them find in you a harshness; and know that Allah is with the godfearing. (Quran 9:123)
When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads. So it shall be; and if Allah had willed, He would have avenged Himself upon them; but that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will not send their works astray. (Quran 47:4)
Further information with comparisons of Islam may be found in "Scriptures of the World's Religions" by James Fieser and John Powers, McGraw-Hill Publishers.