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July 20, 2005
Tom Tancredo is an Idiot
Representative Tom Tancredo is an idiot. And that's about the nicest thing I can say about him.
Not nice would be to say that he's morally bankrupt. As is anyone who agrees with him that we should "take out" Mecca if the United States is struck by nuclear weapons planted by Islamic terrorists.
Last Friday, Rep Tancredo was interviewed on WFLA-AM in Orlando by talk show host Pat Campbell. Campbell asked him how the US should respond if terrorists struck several U.S. cities with nuclear weapons.
"Well, what if you said something like — if this happens in the United States, and we determine that it is the result of extremist, fundamentalist Muslims, you know, you could take out their holy sites," Tancredo answered."You're talking about bombing Mecca," Campbell said.
"Yeah," Tancredo responded.
Later, Tancredo tried to explain himself:
The congressman later said he was "just throwing out some ideas" and that an "ultimate threat" might have to be met with an "ultimate response."Spokesman Will Adams said Sunday the four-term congressman doesn't support threatening holy Islamic sites but that Tancredo was grappling with the hypothetical situation of a terrorist strike deadlier than the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Pathetic. He needs to make a complete apology immediately. Not a Dick Durban "if you were offended" non-apology, but a straight-out "I was wrong and take it all back" apology.
Please do not make a fool of yourself by asking me why what he said was wrong or why he needs to apologize.
Here are some additional thoughts on the matter and reaction from around the Internet
The good news is that most big-name conservative sites that I've visited agree that Tancredo was totally out of line.
Hugh Hewitt has it exactly right:
I want to be very clear on this. No responsible American can endorse the idea that the U.S. is in a war with Islam. That is repugnant and wrong, and bloggers and writers and would-be bloggers and writers have to chose sides on this, especially if you are a center-right blogger. The idea that all of Islam is the problem is a fringe opinion. It cannot be welcomed into mainstream thought because it is factually wrong. If Tancredo's blunder does not offend you, then you do not understand the GWOT.
The folks over at National Review all agree that Tancaredo is an idiot and needs to apologyze. John Podhoretz, writing on the NR blog, however, says that the reaction by some of his readers is "scary":
Whole lotta folks writing in to defend the idea of bombing Mecca in retaliation for bombing here. Comparisons are being made to mutual assured destruction. Please, please, please, my friends, don't give the Left such easy cause to resurface the old charge that conservatives (Tories) form "the stupid party." And yes, no matter how long your e-mails run, the idea is stupid and Tom Tancredo is an idiot for mentioning it and that's all there is to it.
Unfortunately I've seen this sort of reaction on a few smaller conservative blogs sites (i.e. not a big name site), and I'm fairly disgusted.
Look folks, it's one thing to sit around with your buddies and say such things after a few beers. But even then, you should know in your heart of hearts that it's wrong. But to advocate such an action publically and you've lost me. I know, I know, this is harsh talk, but we've got to act responsibly.
However, for those of you lefties who will tell us that Tancredo's remarks are on a parallel with Durbin, forget it. Michelle Malkin cites too many instances if idiotic statements by liberal polticians for me to buy into that one.
Posted by Tom at July 20, 2005 8:22 AM
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