[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            WHO DO WE FIGHT?

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, who do we fight against? We have been at war in 
Iraq and Afghanistan for years. We heard that we are fighting a war on 
terror. But what does that mean? Who are the people at war with 
America?
  Now, after all this time, our government has decided we must have a 
politically correct name for our enemy. No longer can we use the term 
``Jihadist,'' the primary meaning being a holy war to subject the world 
to Islam. After all, using that term might hurt our enemies' feelings.
  And certainly the most accurate term, ``Islamo-Fascists,'' is 
strictly taboo because it might further anger our enemies by 
insinuating they are a bit radical when they murder in the name of 
religion.
  So the government insists that we call the bad guys ``extremists'' or 
``terrorists.''
  That vague term won't indicate the war against us is waged in the 
name of radical Muslim religious doctrine. But isn't that the reason 
for this war?
  The term ``Jihadist'' is not a reflection on all Muslims. After all, 
many Muslims are literally fighting these radical ideas.
  In a war, we must specifically define our enemy. Otherwise, we don't 
know who they are or why we fight.
  And that's just the way it is.

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