Words have power. Bush has power. Bush's words have power
If the president wants to convey to the Islamic people that America is not a bigoted, religious zealot against Islam and its tenets then Mr. Bush ought to consider that his use of the phrase "islamo-fascist" may be an ill-thought-out idea. It sends the message to Muslims worldwide that America is trying to destroy Islam and that's an incredibly stupid thing to do!
So please, Mr. Bush. Before you whip out your guns and start firing randomly at anything that moves, think before you speak. Christsakes, you're supposed to be the leader of the free world; the steadying hand at the tiller of state; so how can you not get that your words, when expressed in public, have consequences?
Can't you get that we're at war with terrorists. Terrorists of all stripes and religious or any other belief. What does it matter what their personal religiouis preference may be, in the long run?
If we were declaring ourselves at war with Catholic fanatics or Christian-right zealots, don't you think that many Christians, whether politically to the right or not, would get a bit ruffled by the phrase? Wouldn't you think that people who're flocked together with a group of killers and bloody fanatics when they themselves are peaceful and unconnected to any terror effort might take offense and assume a defensive posture against whomever makes the statement "we're at war with Christian fanatics?"
Well, I want to reiterate, sir, words have power. PLEASE THINK BEFORE you speak. It's certainly too late after the phrase leaves your mouth.