CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate concluding question, in light of this mountain of disturbing evidence, might be, “What Is to Be Un-Done?”—invoking ideals and motivations directly opposed to the Leninist mantra.¹²⁷ We must heed Newt Gingrich’s clarion call,¹²⁸ and promote the sharia educational, and anti-sharia advocacy resources provided, in particular, by the Center for Security Policy, under the aegis of the indefatigable Frank Gaffney.¹²⁹

The American public may be awakening to this evidence, as suggested by a national poll of one thousand likely American voters that was completed in August 2011 by Democratic pollster Pat Caddell and Republican pollster John McLaughlin.¹³⁰* The published results indicate that despite the prevailing apologetics and denial about sharia,¹³¹ by a ratio of 13:1 Americans oppose the application of sharia in US federal or state courts.¹³²*

As a tenacious fighter against both Nazi and Communist totalitarianism, historian Karl Wittfogel (d.

a new insight that is fully perceived, convincingly communicated, and daringly applied may change the face of a military and political campaign. It may change the face of a historical crisis.¹³³

Identifying and vociferously rejecting the encroachment of Islamic sharia is the apposite “insight” for our era applying Wittfogel's paradigm.

Wittfogel concluded his great 1957 work on premodern Eastern totalitarianism, Oriental Despotism —A Comparative Study of Total Power with what remain defining questions for free Western societies confronting Islamic totalitarianism more than a half century later, ultimately citing Herodotus, the West's first true historian,¹³⁴ to remind us of the most appropriate—and courageous—inspiration:

Ultimately, the readiness to sacrifice and the willingness to take the calculated risk of alliance against the total enemy depend upon the proper evaluation of two simple issues: slavery and freedom.

The good citizens of classical Greece drew strength from the determination of two of their countrymen, Sperthias and Bulis, to resist the lure of total power. On their way to Suza, the Spartan envoys were met by Hydarnes, a high Persian official, who offered to make them mighty in their homeland, if only they would attach themselves to the Great King, his despotic master. To the benefit of Greece—and to the benefit of all free men— Herodotus has preserved their answer. “Hydarnes,” they said, “thou art a one-sided counselor. Thou has experience of half the matter; but the other half is beyond thy knowledge. A slave's life thou understandest; but, never having tasted liberty, thou canst not tell whether it be sweet or no. Ah! Hadst thou known what freedom is, thou wouldst have bidden us fight for it, not with spear only, but with the battle-axe.”¹³⁵

2.