The Washington Post has an interesting profile of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the Somalian/Dutch "refugee" in America. I agree with her on a lot of things - but I disagree with Ali on so many levels it is difficult to know where to start. Regardless, she is certainly a figure we will keep hearing from for a long time to come.
A central notion is that she is "courageous". I'm not so sure that is the case. I don't think it takes courage to do what she does - I think it takes a shrewd sense of political judgement and a pragmatic ability to position yourself among the enemies of your enemies. Being a female ex-Muslim who hates Islam is no more courageous than being an ex-homosexual who hates homosexuals, or being a reformed weed smoker who hates pot-heads etc.
I guess the amount of violence directed toward outspoken anti-Islamic types is much higher (you don't heard of many gay groups ordering death on those who insult homosexuality) - but then the rewards of being an anti-Islamic bigot are also much higher - look at Ali, who got elected to the Dutch parliament, and is now sitting pretty with practically guaranteed US citizenship and a fellowship at the cushy American Enterprise Institute.
Anyhow, the profile is interesting, and worth a read. I'd like the read her new book "Infidel", but I doubt it will be making it to Cairo bookstores anytime soon.
A central notion is that she is "courageous". I'm not so sure that is the case. I don't think it takes courage to do what she does - I think it takes a shrewd sense of political judgement and a pragmatic ability to position yourself among the enemies of your enemies. Being a female ex-Muslim who hates Islam is no more courageous than being an ex-homosexual who hates homosexuals, or being a reformed weed smoker who hates pot-heads etc.
I guess the amount of violence directed toward outspoken anti-Islamic types is much higher (you don't heard of many gay groups ordering death on those who insult homosexuality) - but then the rewards of being an anti-Islamic bigot are also much higher - look at Ali, who got elected to the Dutch parliament, and is now sitting pretty with practically guaranteed US citizenship and a fellowship at the cushy American Enterprise Institute.
Anyhow, the profile is interesting, and worth a read. I'd like the read her new book "Infidel", but I doubt it will be making it to Cairo bookstores anytime soon.
Actually - she's not that interesting and her type of of Islam-bashing opportunism will go away once the extremists wise up.