An Oxymoron is a self-contradicting statement. Some classic examples are jumbo shrimp, just war, and military intelligence. Most oxymorons, however, are perfectly rational statements when understood to be relative. Compared to other varieties of shrimp, jumbo shirmp are on the average bigger. Compared with other methods of choosing and conducting warfare, wars fought according to a just war doctrine are more fair. Relative to other military specialties, inteligence is tasked with knowing more. Pro-life Democrats think abortion is wrong unless a woman really really wants one, compared with all other democrats who think it is the bedrock of our democracy. Fiscally conservative congressmen don't mind multi-million dollar bridges payed for by taxpayers who will never use them as long as they go somewhere. Etc.

   Let's add to this list the famous moderate muslims. Moderate Muslims are almost always talked about without definition. Do they exist? How many? Why don't they speak up? Of course we're not at war with moderate muslims, etc.  (I suspect a theme of my blog may end up being just what are we at war with.) But like the other terms above, moderate is a relative term used as a modifier. Of course there are moderate muslims; if you have 3 muslims, the one in the middle is moderate. The fact that a muslim is not as far gone as the "radical" muslim makes him definitionally moderate, but is hardly a feat of temperance.
 
   I think some slight of hand is used with the term moderate, where my above definition is used to establish how many "moderate muslims" there are, and then moderate is used, as it may mean often in US politics, as a synonym for restrained or reasonable. "Look at all the muslims who didn't blow themselves up today! A billion! They are moderate compared to our enemies, and if they are moderate, surely they will fit right in in American life."

   This may be true for some. I'd wish it true for all American Muslims, but I'm not that stupid. This is the test I'd give to "moderate" muslims (not that anyone made me Judge Judy and exectutioner, of course) to see if they would pose a threat to American way of life.

1. Is there ever a circumstance when intentionally killing or injuring innocent Israelis is justified?
   I've heard callers to Dennis Prager argue that of course Islam teaches terrorism is wrong, but when asked about Palestinian terror, be unable to issue a blanket condemnation. Justifiying murder of Jews will lead to accepting terror tactics in other scenarios. Besides, justifying murder is for lawyers!

2. What is the proper response to a Muslim who decides to abandon his faith?
   If the answer is anything other than a long talk and prayer (i.e., death, like this Islamic kindergarten Sunday School teacher argues, here) then they have a profound disagreement with freedom and America.

3. What is the proper punishment for a grown promiscuous daughter?
   Again, if the answer is anything other than not being invited to the Ramadan feast (i.e., death) ... well this one should be obvious.

4. How should sharia be introduced into western nations?
   Another trick question. Any answer other than "Never, religious compliance should always be voluntary," is a loser. Sharia denys almost every freedom Americans cherish. Even if a muslim wants to merely convince people to vote it in sometime in the future, they are working towards the complete reversal of western political tradition. And many young muslims do not care for persusion.

    I'm sure there are more that are applicable, these just spring to mind due to recent events. The point is, my impression is that there are many seemingly reasonable muslims who hold extremely dangerous ideas. Am I wrong?