Questions in Presidential Debate Fall ShortWhere’s the beef?” a quote from an old advertisement, might apply to at least one topic that was scrupulously avoided at last Friday night’s presidential debate. That subject, the global “war on terror”, was like the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Discussion of radical Islamic ideology, the underlying cause and basic reason we are at war, was ignored by Jim Lehrer, moderator. This was a serious oversight in view of the fact that foreign policy was publicized as the central debate theme. Dr. Bernard Lewis, noted Princeton professor, has written: “In 1940 [World War II], we knew who we were, we knew who the enemy was, we knew the dangers and the issues. It is different today. We don’t know who we are. We don’t know the issues, and we still do not understand the nature of the enemy.” During the Presidential debate, the “nature of the enemy”, the scope of the international threat and what we are fighting to defend was avoided, probably in deference to Political Correctness. Not once did we hear the words radical/militant/Islam or, heaven forbid, terrorism or Islamist Jihad. The candidates were not called upon to utter any thoughts about their knowledge of the ideology behind the war being waged against Western Civilization in which we are embroiled. Candidates were not asked to analyze the underlying reasons for which we have committed our nation to engage the “forces of evil” that are involved in a centuries old plot to reestablish an international Islamic Caliphate. The enemy would replace our constitution with the Koran, Hadith, and Shariah law; impact all financial institutions; make 5th class citizens out of women, Christians, Jews and all other minorities; condone, encourage and establish training centers for terrorism; commit honor killings and human mutilation; buy influence on our campuses with huge donations used to sensitize students to disparage America and Western values of freedom and democracy; and generally move our Judeo-Christian society back to the barbarism of the 7th century when Islam was dominant. How do we know that this is their intent? Recent history, Osama ben Laden and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad keep openly repeating these goals. Iran and their race to attain nuclear power is central to all of these issues and will be foremost among decisions and responsibilities faced by the next President. Let’s hope that the vice-presidential debate Thursday, October 2, will raise these critical issues and let us know where the candidates stand in terms of strategy. Do they fully comprehend the extent of the dangers and will they educate the public and reveal how they will protect us from this major threat? While the economy is a primary concern, voters will also appreciate it if our candidates will help us understand, in depth, the true “nature of the enemy” in the international struggle that demands the sacrifice of so many valiant men and women to protect our freedoms and our way of life. - Esther Levens – Founder and CEO Unity Coalition for Israel
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