Extremist Islamist terrorists have bombed a mosque, and have been prevented from attacking pilgrims to Mecca. Al Qaeda have also made booby-trapped Korans in the past.

If they carry on like this, it is only a matter of time before they do something unforgivable to the Islamic faith. Like say, drawing an offensive cartoon, or inappropriately naming a plush toy. That’ll damage their already falling support in the long war.

As fanatics, the marginalized they become the more they will lash out at those who don’t live up to their ideals. And the more support they will lose in the process. It may take decades, but one day they will be in a bunker, decrying the “umma” for not being good enough, or strong enough, or pure enough for them. They will see this as evidence of their righteousness.

More importantly, they will have lost.

Accompanied by Bernard Kouchner, Sarkozy has been visiting Afghanistan:

“Here there is a war against terrorism, against fanaticism, that we cannot and must not lose,” Mr Sarkozy told reporters after his talks with Mr Karzai.

“That is why it is important that we help with the emergence of an Afghan state that is legitimate, democratic and modern.”

I’ve just been told that Channel 4 News ran a story yesterday about the latest initiative of an outfit called “Christian Research”. Apparently, some gormless idiot in a sensible jumper was interviewed by the formidable Sue Turton, and advocated bribing people into church with the offer of £30 in a plain brown envelope, and as much Fair Trade coffee as they can drink.

Did any of you see this?

Meanwhile, a man in a frock in Wales has awoken from his slumbers, and with the help of the BBC popped up to denounce “atheistic fundamentalism”.

Haven’t read it yet…

Any good?

I am coming late to this but thanks to Fleeing a Ghost have now caught up with… anyways…political-philosophical analysis to be found in a marvellous post here — Kpunk’s Marxist take on Supernanny (TV shit in general — like Charlie Brooker with a PHD), leading into some interesting thoughts on blogging, Spinoza, Zizek, the goals of a genuine left… i.e a goal that should not be to take over the State but to subordinate the State to the general will (and the problems with Facebook and Myspace!!).

All here.

* Marx, Karl (1973) Grundrisse

Fuck. I wish I could formulate and organise my thoughts just so. Alas I am in xmas mode. Always.

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Me shit at that sort of thing (except being good at logic and understanding semantic shit as opposed to being ‘overly interested in’  — haters fuck off as usual).