Editor’s Note: This commentary article ran in the Lee Clarion V.62 issue on Nov. 14. Due to the lapse in time since fall semester and because we are running letters to the editor in response to this piece, we are giving readers an opportunity to check out what started it all online.

When I think about idiots, Ron Paul comes to mind. Aside from all of his asinine platforms, Ron Paul exemplifies the rising attitude toward America’s role in the Middle East. Like most morons, Ron Paul keeps stating and insinuating the ridiculous notion that Muslim nations dislike America because of our involvement in their affairs (i.e. our tendency to crush their rulers like piñatas on Cinco de Mayo.) This idea could not be further from the truth.

The fact of the matter is that Muslim nations dislike America because they are comprised of Muslims. That has always been the case and it will continue to be so until either the destruction of the United States or the decimation of Islam. Personally, I prefer the later option.

Like Ron Paul, most Americans are ignorant of history. In their shallow collective worldview they remain convinced that America and the Muslim nations were the best of friends (a.k.a. “BFF”) right up until the 1970s. Unfortunately, that is a lie,

The United States has been the target of Muslim hostilities since July 4, 1776. Aside from some petty issues with the British, America’s first international military conflict was against Muslim terrorists known as the Barbary Pirates. This is why in 1794 the U.S. Navy was created with the sole purpose of destroying what John Jay described as an “alarming evil;” Muslim attacks on American citizens. Interestingly, that is exactly what the U.S. Navy continues to do to this day.

The Muslim nations’ approach to the United States has not changed much over the last 231 years: The Muslims want the Americans destroyed. This is why men named Mohamed keep killing American citizens. It’s really quite simple.

Many people try to defend Islam by spouting that religious fundamentalism of any stripe can be dangerous, and, while I am inclined to disagree with this assertion (when did the Amish ever hurt anyone?), I will allow it to stand for the sake of argument. The fact of the matter is that Islam is the only major world religion that has consistently produced maniacal killers at a rate that would make Henry Ford and his assembly line stand in awe. Sure, Christianity went through some dark days, but that was neither where it started nor where it is today. Islam, on the contrary, was founded by an unapologetic murderer (Mohammed) and its most devout followers continue to be unapologetic murderers.

So let’s examine the facts on their own terms: The Muslim nations hate America because Muslims populate them, Islam is about as peaceful as Michael Vick’s dogs, and there is no logical reason to assume that either of these fact will ever change.

As Americans, we have shied away from the reality of the situation at hand. For our own protection, we must fully understand the issues facing us. We are on the brink of World War III and face to face with an enemy that takes this struggle much more seriously than we do. Let’s not be afraid to become a little more ethnocentric. And don’t vote for Ron Paul.