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Neocon bigwig purports to address Islamization of Europe, and says nothing
I’ve just read an article by Michael Novak in the February 13th National Review, “Troubled Continent.” In its failure to engage with the issue it purports to address, namely the growing power of Islam in Europe, it is nothing short of a disgrace. Novak begins by arguing, rather eloquently, that our civilization is based in an experience of transcendent divine truth, and that Europeans’ rejection of Christian (and Jewish) faith has left them without confidence, courage, or creativity. Yet he makes absolutely no connection between the decay of Christianity, or its possible restoration, and the present Muslim problem. He does not ask, let alone answer, the question: if the Europeans did rediscover their spiritual faith and thus renewed their courage and confidence, what would they then do about the millions of hostile Muslims who are now planted in the European continent? Just as Mark Steyn implies that if the Europeans simply increased their birth rate, the Muslim problem would somehow vanish on its own, like magic, without the Europeans (or Steyn) having to say or do anything about the actual Muslims in Europe, Novak implies that if Europeans became devout Christians again, the Muslim problem would somehow vanish on its own, like magic, without the Europeans (or Novak) having to say or do anything about the actual Muslims in Europe. His argument is one of pure escapism. Similarly, Novak lauds Europe’s past history of military defense against Muslim power, but makes no connection between that subject and the Islamic threat of today. Sounding the notes of European patriotism, he speaks of how in past centuries Europe saved itself from extinction by repeatedly beating back Muslim invaders. He reels off the honors list, more than once, of the battles of Malta (1565), Lepanto (1571) and Vienna (1683). Then he observes in dread terms the rise of a passionate, confident, rapidly expanding Muslim population in today’s Europe. And then … what? … he simply moves onto other topics, concluding on the point that Europe needs a strong dose of capitalism in order to create enough wealth to support its retirees. But what about the threat of the Islamization of Europe? How can Novak raise that awful specter, and then just forget about it, or imply that an increase in European entrepreneurship will stave it off?
Some readers may be offended at the language I’m about to use, but we must face the fact that the self-regarding, empty-headed, terminally disengaged conservative establishment that we are saddled with today is worthless, truly worthless. As Al Gore said of Bush the elder’s administration in 1992, it is time for them to go. Or, to adopt an infamous remark of Tony Blair’s, but with scare quotes added that reverse its meaning, we must sweep away those forces of “conservatism.” Email entry |