Tunisia (and Beyond) Opinion: Can West Stop Worrying and Accept the Islamist Movements? (Karon)

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Time Magazine's Tony Karon asks whether, as Tunisia and Libya enter this next phase of this pro-democracy movement, the West will be able to accept that Islam is not fundamentally at odds with democracy.

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Tunisia's election and Libya's celebration of the overthrow of Col. Muammar Gaddafi won't have made for a happy weekend among those fevered heads in Washington who believe the West is locked in an existential struggle with political Islam: If anything, the Islamist tones of the Libyan celebrations, coupled with the Islamist victory in the Tunisian polls will have evoked the collapsing dominoes of Vietnam-era anti-communist metaphor.

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Egypt Special: Why is Religion All Around? (Samir)

Dina Samir writes for EA:

From the ringtones on the mobile phones of Cairo's underground riders --- chiming out the Islamic call to prayer or Christian worship songs --- to religious products such as Islamic books to the preaching of a Muslim lady in the women-only carriage, a stranger can hear and feel religion in the air. Just one ride gives you Egyptians’ “religious mania,” a term used by various intellectuals to refer to an obsession among many Christians and Muslims in Egypt.

But why is religion all around? Professor Madgy Guirguis offers a challenging conclusion, “Since they cannot speak loud about political activism, corruption, inheritance of power, contemplating religion and football are the safe choices left for Egyptians.”

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US Politics: Your Latest "Islamic Flag Over the White House" Campaign Alerts

The conservative non-profit West Virginia Conservative Foundation has put out an ad attacking West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall, who is third-generation Lebanese-American, for his involvement with the Arab-American community.

The WVCF was founded by Mike Stuart, who is now chairman of West Virginia's Republican Party. Stuart claims he is no longer linked to the Foundation.

An opinion poll this week shows Rahall 25 points ahead of his Republican opponent, Spike Maynard.

Meanwhile, The Washington Times, the number-two newspaper in the nation's capital, declares in an editorial, "Islamic Flag Over the White House: Radical Muslims Want America Ruled by Shariah". It explains:

Islamists say the Koran is destined to rule America. In fact, the Muslim takeover of the White House is not just an unfolding action plan but a directive from Muhammad himself....

Many Americans believe this conquest is well underway, if not already secretly completed. President Obama was concerned enough about perceptions of his faith to address the question at one of his recent "backyard discussions" in New Mexico. Mr. Obama said he is "a Christian by choice," which may or may not assuage the concerns of those who believe he is a Muslim by birth.

US Politics Video: Muslims=Terrorists=Al Qa'eda=Conquest Campaign Ad of the Year

Renee Ellmers, a Republican running for Congress in North Carolina, says it all in 30 seconds: