Wild Animal Attacks

"The Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's death is everyone's loss. Even more than his endearing antics, his infectious enthusiasm for life will be sorely missed.

But out of all the news, tributes, and commentary, a striking remark caught my eye. The tragedy prompted Irwin's colleague Jack Hanna to say this:

"Ninety-nine percent of the time, when someone is hurt by an animal, it is your fault . . . . People use the word dangerous and that sometimes is a word that's not fair to that animal because the animal has been given the defenses that God gave it, so you have to understand what all that is involved and if you understand that, hopefully nothing will happen."

Hanna may as well be summing up the left's view of Islamic terrorism. They're wild animals, it's our job to tread lightly and not piss them off, and victims of terrorism merely fell to natural forces, like victims of hurricanes, earthquakes and animal attacks.

Besides being profoundly naive, stupid, and dangerous, such a view also reveals the disturbing assumptions that lead the left to such inverted conclusions: a total denial of the individual and free will. To them, Islamists do not consciously choose their path because they fervently cleave to the Qur'an's exhortations and willfully strive to emulate Muhammad. Instead, Islamists are feral animals to be given a wide berth, and when unavoidable, we should offer a small treat or even attempt a friendly scratch behind the ears, to prove how non-threatening we are.

In sum, the champions of "human rights" do not regard Islamists as human beings, capable of deliberate choice and freedom of action. Of course, this is how they view their political opponents as well. Stricken with Progressive Personality Disorder, perhaps they have abandoned the idea that anyone has free will, to include themselves.

Ironically, in aiming to kill every last Islamofascist and turn their fever swamps into smoking holes in the ground, the hawks at least recognize their humanity.