Predictable...Fatal Vision or Cognitive Egocentrism

In the 1932 elections, Germans voted for the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) because they were sick of Weimar decadence, and because they wanted a better economy. In 1933, Adolf Hitler was made Chancellor of Germany by Franz von Papen, on the sincere belief that responsibility would serve as a moderating influence upon him and upon his party. Noone thought that Nazi antisemitism was a cause for concern, or that the German people really disliked Jews.

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini came to power in Iran, because the people were sick of the oppressions and corruption of the Shah's government. The pundits all said that once they were in power, the ayatollahs would calm down and act like civilized leaders. Westerners either discounted or ignored their jihadi rhetoric. After all, what do a bunch of primitive ragheads know?

In 1992, the Taliban conquered Kabul and set up an Islamic regime in Afghanistan. Everyone said that once they were in power they would calm down and act like civilized leaders. Westerners either discounted or ignored their jihadi rhetoric. After all, what do a bunch of primitive ragheads know?

Now, ostensibly smart people are saying the same thing about Hamas. When will these people learn. First, it doesn't matter why the Palestinians voted them in. They are in. Period. Second, most Palestinians are sincere Muslims. That means that there is no room for an infidel state on waqf land i.e. Israel. Every anti-Jewish outburst since 1920 has been based on Muslim sentiment (usually based on Al-Aqsa). Please, please...get an education. respect the Muslims for what they believe. The alternative is nothing less than destruction. Ours.

At least some sane responses are around. Here. Here.