A Problem with the ADL Statement

While I have no problems with the basic point of the political message in this statement

ADL Condemns Anti-Islam Remarks Made by Dutch Parliamentarian During Appearances in S. Florida

Date: April 28, 2009

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemns remarks made over the last few days at various appearances throughout South Florida by Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders. In his speeches, he claimed that "Islam is not a religion" and "the right to religious freedom should not apply to this totalitarian ideology called Islam." Mr. Wilders also stated that the Koran is a book of hatred, and that Mohammed was both "a pedophile and a warlord."

Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The ADL strongly condemns Geert Wilders' message of hate against Islam as inflammatory, divisive and antithetical to American democratic ideals.

This rhetoric is dangerous and incendiary, and wrongly focuses on Islam as a religion, as opposed to the very real threat of extremist, radical Islamists.

I do have one problem.

And that is: how to reconcile the following with basic logic:

...wrongly focuses on Islam as a religion, as opposed to the very real threat of extremist, radical Islamists

How do extremist, radical Islamists come about? Through Judaism? Through Christianity?

They must have some connection to Islam and if the point is that not all Muslims are fanatical Islamists, which is true, nevertheless, one should investigate if the problem is the persons involved (are they kooks? psychologically disturbed?) or a particular style of Islam (Taliban?) or outside forces (an anti-Islam regime?) or if there really is something negatively unique about Islam.


UPDATE


Pam Geller's take on the ADL:

The ADL does not speak for Jews. The jewicidal, irresponsible leftopathic "Jews" over at the ADL have once again stabbed us in the back and come out against the staunchest Israel supporter and leader of the world counter jihad movement, Geert Wilders.

This is a mental disorder of the highest order. Atlas readers write me all the time asking how Jews can be Democrats or leftists. What must be understood is their "religion" is their dogma. These are not Jews, they worship at the church of human secularism. They define self-hating Jew (neo-kapo is apt here too)...