"It's time to Thump the Bible Thumpers with the Bible"

[pinto]

6. Fareed Zakaria (CNN) had Ayaan Hirsi Ali on his GPS show this morning.

She made an articulate case that, in her view, Islamic extremism needs a reformation fostered and implemented by Muslims themselves. To be viable and lasting, she said, change needs to come from within. It's a good if brief interview.

A good point. I think it holds true in re: Christian extremism. Outside pressure and public challenges are equally important in my view but I got her point.

I didn't know much about her before Fareed's interview, but have followed up some. Born in Somalia, raised in the Muslim faith, active and controversial in Dutch politics, now an American citizen. A fellow at Harvard's Kennedy Government School and a former fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Included on Time's 2005 list of the 100 most influential people in the world. A varied and interesting history.

She left Islam in 2002 and now self identifies as an atheist, advocate for women's rights and opponent of Islam's views on homosexuality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaan_Hirsi_Ali