Don't make me write a letter!

Letter to the editor, August 15:

I do not begrudge Muslims' desire to retain their way of life and culture. However, I do not want to convert to Islam. I will fight to the death to prevent it.

This is where America is today. Either we fight to the death or we convert to Islam. It's that simple. That's what they want. That's what they fight for.

Many of us talk a good talk, but too many of us don't back it up. Freedom isn't free! Either we fight for it or we lose it.

John R. Wilkinson, Tulsa

My response sent to the editor:

Following the tradition of Jonathan Swift, the great satirical writer, I sit this day and write my dear friend Mr. Wilkinson (“Fight or Convert” Letters August 15, 2006). Dear Mr. Wilkinson, you are right: America is at war with “them.” Those Islamics who spend night and day working on plans to trick poor, innocent American men and women into fighting against this nation of perfection and absolute freedom. You are most definitely right: we must “fight to the death” to save our souls and our flawless country. So rather than just “talk a good talk,” let’s “back it up.” Since we must “fight to the death” let’s adopt an action plan.

First, we must absolutely refuse to convert to Islam. The idea of a religion that believes in only One God and prophets like Noah, Jonah, and David is too radical for any American. Indeed, if any pure American is approached by one of “them” and is asked to convert, immediately denounce their monotheistic religion and seek help from other pure Americans. Together we can make sure our freedom is preserved.

Then we should place all those who believe in this radical religion in small camps or prisons. We should detain them much like we did the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. That move greatly strengthened our nation making it a better place for freedom to thrive. Just as then, our enemy is as clear. So let us imprison all those who adhere to Islam, thereby proving our love of freedom and our promotion of the greater good.

Finally, we should give them the opportunity to repent for their evil ways. Just like we showed the Native Americans the errors of their “savage” ways and forced them to adhere to our rules of language, dress, and religion, our new enemy must simply convert to acceptable American society. Either they convert or fight our society and face such consequences as near extinction and loss of their culture. We, as righteous, conscientious Americans, must stand up to defend freedom. If you choose to live in America, you have the freedom to change and if you do not I have the freedom to fight you.

You are right Mr. Wilkinson; freedom isn’t free. Just as our forefathers fought against anything so apparently wrong (like the fight against the Native Americans’ savage ways upon our arrival to this land, the wars against abolitionists during the years of slavery, and the imprisonment of Japanese nationalists in America after Pearl Harbor), we must “fight to the death” against this clear and present danger. In fact, this is a holy war. Our American jihad must end in victory and true democracy.

So I choose to stand up next to you, fellow American, and defend America. Should I die, let it be known it was for a just, American cause and I died a martyr.

Kamlah, Tulsa