the clash of fundamentalisms

The Disgruntled Chemist and I attended a panel discussion this evening on Islamic radicalism at UC Irvine. The focal point of the event, which was sponsored by the UCI Campus Republicans, was the display of the infamous Mohammed cartoons.

I personally went to observe the circus...and what a circus it was. The entire Irvine campus police force was there trying to hold back hundreds of Muslim student union members from clashing with Israeli flag wavers and uber-patriotic obese Americans.

The Disgruntled Chemist has a much longer, more detailed description of the night's events. Be sure to check out his multi-installment series.

For a taste of the night's offering I give you the fine wisdom of panel member Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson:

"We were attacked on 9/11 because we are a Christian nation...They hate us because we are a free country...This is a spiritual battle [between Islam and Christianity]...homosexuals hate God"

I'm glad he cleared up those issues (those are direct quotes from the reverend himself by the way). A Muslim man in the audience called him "Uncle Tom" and then was quickly whisked out of the auditorium by police. The crowd erupted in joyous fervor to the man's removal and even chanted "USA, USA, USA!". I nearly puked.

I seriously felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. I am glad to be home now.