A vital distinction and a history lesson of Ye'or.

J.B. Williams gets it exactly right:

Americans see things through the prism of western civilization. Through this prism it is easy to forget in time, that there is a vitally important [ingredient] to peaceful self-governance. . . .

That [ingredient] is a fundamental moral conviction [commitment?] to peaceful [co-existence] with those of other beliefs. Democracy and self-governance can only work in societies that require little governance at all. . . .

. . . America was founded upon Christian principles of set moral codes of conduct and justice. America was built by morally conscious men, on moral foundations and ideals, . . . all of which aim for the peaceful open [co-existence] of many ideologies.

Such is not the case in most of the Middle East. Such is not the case in Palestine or Iran, both of which see peace as only possible in the elimination of all other belief structures.

* * * *

. . . . If it is true that Islam is a religion of peace, then Islam must clean its own house of those who seek to destroy Islam from within its own ranks.

Until then, the war on terrorism will be long, broad and deadly. Those who believe in the ideology of terror have been committed to this war (Jihad) for centuries and they remain committed today.

The free world must be equally committed . . ..^[1]

For proof of this vital distinction read Bat Ye'or and believe what she tells you about how Christians and infidels of every stripe were marginalized and driven out of Muslim-dominated lands:

The main principles of dhimmitude are: (1) the inequality of rights in all domains between Muslims and dhimmis; (2) the social and economic discrimination against the dhimmis; (3) the degradation and vulnerability of the dhimmis.

Dhimmitude has existed for 13 centuries in the Muslim empire established, primarily, on former Christian lands. Extending over three continents -- Africa, Asia, and Europe -- this field of history was the setting for jihad, the Crusades, Reconquista, and the Balkan and Israeli wars of independence. Countless populations, swept along in the whirlwind of centuries, were marked in the crucible from which issued the death of civilizations and the birth of others. Dhimmitude convulsed the whole 19th century, and Europe -- as obsessed as it was divided -- floundered in endless debates on the Eastern Question: how to put an end to dhimmitude.

World War I affected a 180-degree turn. Colonial imperatives, World War II and the Cold War, oil, economic, geostrategic and religious interests in the Muslim world -- all combined to suppress this history.^[2]

That's right. Dhimmitude. Coming soon to a theater near you, unless you are awake and willing to . . . uh, fight.

And if that isn't a downer, what is?

Securing our continued place in the world as we know it may require war, sacrifice, death, loss, tragedy, expense, uncertainty, confidence in the worth of our civilization and our principles, and faith in our leadership.

Any sacrifice will be worth it a thousand times over if it forestalls what the Mohammedans have in mind for us (warning, warning).

So far as confidence in leadership is concerned, Ms. Ye'or doesn't see any justification for it in Europe:

In fact, I have no solution to offer for the prevention of the culture of dhimmitude, denial and hate and for the subversion of truth and values that is invading Europe. This is because it is encouraged by our own leaders, intellectuals and media. This is the model society that they praise. Many brilliant minds fought against it with no avail. This is Eurabia.^[3]

We wonder if the American intellectual elite is likely to be much better in this crucial contest, given its indifference to the massive, decades-long influx of illegal immigrants whose long-term result is much easier to see.

Notes
^[1] "Democracy . . . It's NOT for Everyone!." By J.B. Williams, The Conservative Voice, 1/31/06 (emphasis added).
^[2] "Islam, Taboo, and Dialogue. Reclaiming historic truths in seeking present-day solutions." By Bat Ye'or with Andrew G. Bostom, M.D., NationalReviewOnline, 8/9/02 (emphasis added).
^[3] "Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis. An interview with Bat Ye'or." By John W. Whitehead, oldSpeak, The Rutherford Institute, 6/9/05.