Why Don’t We Just Talk It All Out?

Typically, I would say terrorism isn’t exactly a funny topic. In fact, the subject is about as serious as life gets. That’s why I was so surprised when a chuckle and a “Really?” came out while watching an MSNBC discussion concerning the usually sober topic. In case you are wondering, I don’t normally watch MSNBC. Consistent exposure to certain things can cause a substantial IQ reduction, but then again, too much sugar isn’t good either and that doesn’t stop me from occasionally devouring an entire box of Oreos. Call it intellectual curiosity or a dramatic predilection if you’d like. At its core, it’s just the same nature that drives us to stare at a car wreck or watch pro wrestling.

Nevertheless, I didn’t expect to be amused, at least not in a traditional sense. In fairness, however, I also didn’t expect the strange woman commentating on the President’s address concerning terrorists to include the brilliant analysis that, and I am quoting here, “We should just sit down and talk to them in a civil manner.” This lady clearly has more confidence in her charm than the interview suggests she should, or she knows some serious conversational hypnosis and possesses a cavalier attitude concerning the attachment of her head.

Let’s put this in perspective. She wants a civilized conversation with people who decapitate humanitarian workers, enslave women, and vow death to anyone who isn’t like them. That sounds like a perfect situation for respectful dialogue. Yes, reason seems highly likely to triumph. We can just sit down and tell them we made them bad people, but we’re sorry now and they should stop killing everyone they don’t like. Then we can give them a goose that lays golden eggs and three magic beans. Personally, I suggest that if we try this strategy, we send the lady in the interview to do the talking. She seems confident in the plan, eager and, not to be judgmental, kind of a loner. Who knows? If she survives the first couple of seconds when the terrorists realize a non-Muslim American woman is talking to them without her husband’s permission about the possibility that their Jihad might not be prudent and that they should consider letting people of no faith or other religions live, the plan just might work.