| At CPAC three positions on Islam were apparent. | | | | safeguard us. |
| One was represented by Pamela Geller's | | | | Geller's event explained domestic Jihad initiatives. |
| "Freedom Defense Initiative" conference. The | | | | Whereas Paul could not believe that an aggressive |
| second came from the Ron Paul followers. And | | | | Islam for Islam's sake exists, Geller's speakers |
| the third appeared in the conference's otherwise | | | | clearly showed that it can and does exist. As a |
| deafening silence on Islam. Culturism has a lot to | | | | culturist, I agreed with their domestic solution. We |
| say about all three positions. | | | | need culturist profiling at airports. We need to limit |
| Ron Paul's followers believe that Islamic terrorist | | | | Islamic immigration. That is not, by the way, racist |
| attacks result from our overbearing presence in | | | | - it is culturist. And, we need to recognize that |
| the Middle East. Therefore, they recommend | | | | western cultural practices and laws are the norm |
| pulling our troops out of that region. As a culturist, | | | | and standard in western nations. We should not |
| I agree that we should not be nation building in | | | | recognize Sharia courts or allow, for example, |
| Iraq and Afghanistan. As a culturist I believe the | | | | veils in photo Identification. Unlike multiculturalists, |
| project of turning these nations into progressive | | | | culturists recognize that the West has a culture to |
| democracies with respect for individual rights will | | | | protect and promote. Domestically Geller's group |
| fail because their cultures will not support such | | | | was very culturist. |
| changes. And I agree with Ron Paul's argument | | | | Culturism and Geller diverge on foreign policy. |
| for disengagement based on our inability to afford | | | | Culturism believes in national cultural sovereignty. |
| these nation-building enterprises. Western culturists | | | | Allen West said we should seek to defeat Islam, |
| know that if the West is not solvent our values | | | | not Muslims. I am unclear how the two are to be |
| will die globally. | | | | separated. Quoting Ronald Reagan, he said victory |
| But none of Paul's followers could explain why the | | | | means "we win, they lose." That statement holds |
| Jihad in Thailand and India exist. Neither nation has | | | | too little nuance for me. We all agree on bombing |
| military bases outside of their own borders. As | | | | Iran's nuclear sites and being aggressive in regions |
| multiculturalists do, the followers of Paul fail to | | | | of Afghanistan that harbor terrorist. But culturists |
| appreciate that diversity is real and important. | | | | do not believe we will convert Islamic nations by |
| Diversity is not just about food, festivals, and | | | | the sword. If we want the sovereignty to pursue |
| fashion. Some cultures drop out of school early | | | | culturist policies domestically, we must also grant |
| and think teen pregnancy is not so bad. Other | | | | that right to other nations. We are not the world. |
| cultures think our way of life is a blasphemous | | | | We are the West. The idea that we will convert |
| affront to God. Diversity is real and important. | | | | Islam nations by the sword is, as Ron Paul says, a |
| Overlooking the cultural aspects of Jihad will not | | | | dangerous proposition we cannot afford. |