An attack on the principles of civilization.
The suicide bombers and terrorists who strike in Iraq or Afghanistan, in Indonesia or Israel or Manhattan, do not represent Islamic civilization. They represent the rejection of all civilized values.
Terrorists who pervert their religion to justify atrocities aren't waging holy war. Islam doesn't permit the slaughter of the innocent. And the Koran certainly doesn't advocate murdering fellow Muslims.
Yet the bombers in Irbil attacked during celebrations of the Muslim festival of Eid. Doubtless, they convinced themselves with a few twists of logic that they were doing a blessed deed - the human beast can rationalize anything.
But consider the act: The bombers used the generous traditions of the Eid holiday to penetrate celebrations open to all - and the killers reportedly entered dressed as mullahs.
Imagine if Christian extremists dressed as priests exploded suicide bombs on Easter Sunday - to drive us back to 13th-century intolerance.
These bombers didn't sacrifice their lives for their faith. They blasphemed horrendously against it. Even if their organization proves to have secular aims, the killers insulted not only the faith of the majority of Iraqis - Sunni or Shi'a - but the fundamental values of civilization.
Why strike the Kurdish parties, the PUK and KDP? Because they learned to cooperate. Because they made the long, terribly difficult journey to democratic values and tolerance. Because their leaders have done their best to build bridges to other Iraqi factions on the Governing Council and beyond. Because they cooperate with Americans.
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