Note to an Old Friend Regarding Orlando, FL

Michael L.

{This is a note that I sent today to a non-Jewish friend of mine of the Gay persuasion from San Francisco. - ML}

I have been debating with myself on whether or not to write you this note.

I saw your facebook post today and very much feel how difficult this must be for the GBLTQ community.

And, I am happy to say, that I was very pleased to see the West Hollywood Pride Parade go on today with a vital spirit.

This is, nonetheless, a hard moment and so I am wary about being too forward, but I do want to address some of what you wrote.

"One group will be demonized, another victim shamed and between all the finger pointing the real villains will continue to sell more guns."

The concern that Muslims, in general, will get demonized is a legitimate concern. The problem is that we often fail - on both the Left and the Right - to make the necessary distinction between regular Muslims and those promoting political Islam.

A highly significant aspect of political Islam is the violent promotion of Sharia (Jihad), which is what we just saw in Orlando.

It must be understood, however, that opposing political Islam (or "radical Islam" or "Islamism" or whatever term anyone might choose to use) is not the same as bigotry toward Muslims. This is true in the same way that opposing Nazism was not the same as bigotry toward Germans.

That is, there is nothing "racist" or bigoted about opposing political movements, particularly ones that would, y'know, see you dead.

Peace to you, please, my friend.

Michael

Oh, and as for US gun laws, I favor reform. There is no reason for any American to own a semi-automatic assault rifle. Hand guns for personal defense? Sure.

Rifles for deer hunting?

OK.

But let's not let the 2nd Amendment issues that are going to shoot through the roof in the coming days and weeks detract from the main problem... the rise of a theocratic-political movement throughout the world that has taken over huge swaths of land and that has millions of devotees who would gladly see both you and I gone from the planet.