2008 Woodie Awards
Santorum warns of jihadists
By: Sean Moroney
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: News
Last update: 12/6/07 at 7:35 AM EST
Last update: 12/6/07 at 7:35 AM EST
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Santorum said America, however, is not fighting a war on terror because if it were, the country would be fighting terrorists in other countries like Colombia as well.
Calling for a change in stance by the opponents of the war, Santorum said the American left has every reason to support the military force, but it continues to undermine the war effort.
"Look at the recent case in Saudi Arabia of the woman being raped," he said. "I was horrified when I read this. She will receive 200 lashes for being in a car with a man other than her husband. Why don't feminists, why doesn't the left react to this?"
During the question-and-answer session following the speech, one student, who said he is a Muslim, asked Santorum how can the military justify having a presence in the Middle East when Osama bin Laden has said the principle reason for jihad is the American presence.
In response, Santorum said he did not believe this is accurate.
"The principle reason is [Bin Laden's] theological belief that they have the spiritual obligation to spread Shariah [Muslim law] to the world," he said.
Along with calling for more American support for the fight against jihad, Santorum said Americans need to be able to define the enemy. He discussed the history of Islam, its different sects and emphasized that he is not against all Muslims, only those who subscribe to violent jihad.
"Why won't the American public support this effort? They don't know who America is fighting against," he said. "While on the other side, they know who we are, through CNN and Hollywood-a good understanding, a scary understanding."
Calling for a change in stance by the opponents of the war, Santorum said the American left has every reason to support the military force, but it continues to undermine the war effort.
"Look at the recent case in Saudi Arabia of the woman being raped," he said. "I was horrified when I read this. She will receive 200 lashes for being in a car with a man other than her husband. Why don't feminists, why doesn't the left react to this?"
During the question-and-answer session following the speech, one student, who said he is a Muslim, asked Santorum how can the military justify having a presence in the Middle East when Osama bin Laden has said the principle reason for jihad is the American presence.
In response, Santorum said he did not believe this is accurate.
"The principle reason is [Bin Laden's] theological belief that they have the spiritual obligation to spread Shariah [Muslim law] to the world," he said.
Along with calling for more American support for the fight against jihad, Santorum said Americans need to be able to define the enemy. He discussed the history of Islam, its different sects and emphasized that he is not against all Muslims, only those who subscribe to violent jihad.
"Why won't the American public support this effort? They don't know who America is fighting against," he said. "While on the other side, they know who we are, through CNN and Hollywood-a good understanding, a scary understanding."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sean, '99
posted 12/06/07 @ 4:43 PM EST
I am across the country, but maybe someone who was at Santorum's speech can explain this to me. Was he really using the recent (and deplorable) punishment of a rape victim in Saudi Arabia to needle the left to support the war?
I have read a number of articles from left-leaning writers who have specifically decried the recent Saudi Arabia situation and who have more generally decried our country's continued alliance with the Saudis in spite of their poor human rights record. (Continued…)
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