Old chesnuts revistited: All for the want of some 'how's your father.'

Old Slaughter dislikes pop psychology as much as the next person. Trite conclusions which in a line or two manage to reduce an argument to an ad hominem assault and assume the simplest or lowest motivation as the antagonist's raison d'être.

• Criminal tendencies amongst certain demographics?  No mystery there, it's due to repressed rage caused by the inherent racism in society.
• Not too keen on the immigration policy? You are a Little Englander trapped by your own fears don't you know.
• Say something against homosexuality (not something OS is in the habit of doing)? You are clearly a closet gay, no question.
• Criticise the red-top obsession with Posh and Becks et al? You merely envy their success.

Nothing is to be discussed with nuance. No respect should be given to a person's professed motivations.

The above is mentioned because it is with no shame or irony that I engage in the following simplistic and trite bit of pop psychology which I happen to believe:

Feel like blowing yourself up? You need to get laid more.

I accept of course that this is to ignore the various opinons of others, the Guardian and Galloway will have us believe our recent difficulties are down to American troops on Arab lands (the South Koreans, us or the Germans aren't bombing America). Or poverty and repression is causing the bitterness (are only Muslims poor?). Others, and this seems to be the BNP's line, will tell you it is inherent within the Qur'an (you show me your quotes I'll show you mine).

Well now, allow me to make the case for rumpy pumpy, or rather the lack of it:

Abdul Mutallab, fast becoming known as the 'Pantybomber' cannot be said to be repressed, or poor, or a fighting the injustice of infidel troops in his homeland. He is rich, granted the freedoms of a life in Britain and is of course Nigerian. However he is able to claim that he wasn't getting to knock boots enough.

Commenting as Farouk1986 he posted the following:

As i get lonely, the natural sexual drive awakens and i struggle to control it, sometimes leading to minor sinful activities like not lowering the gaze [in the presence of unveiled women]. And this problem makes me want to get married to avoid getting aroused.

So far, so normal. Later he writes:

The hair of a woman can easily arouse a man. The Prophet advised young men to fast if they can't get married but it has not been helping me much and I seriously don't want to wait for years before I get married. But i am only 18 ... It would be difficult for me to get married due to social norms of getting to the late 20's when one has a degree, a job, a house, etc before getting married. So usually my fa[n]tasies are about islamic stuff. The bad part of it is sometimes the fantasies are a bit worldly rather than concentrating in the hereafter.

Beginning to veer a bit. At least he is aware of it.

Alright, i wont go into too much details about me fantasy, but basically they are jihad fantisies [sic]. I imagine how the great jihad will take place, how the muslims will win insha Allah and rule the whole world, and establish the greatest empire once again!!!

And there we have it. Job done. Radicalised.

Tenuous? A gross simplification? The lesson seems to be that if he had made the beast with two backs a little he might not of been caught on a plane setting fire to his scrotum.

Of course this supposed connection between extremism and sexual repression is not new by any means.

The traumatic separation of the sexes in Islamic societies is a major cause of fundamentalism and the search for violent political activity. Suicide bombing is one result of hating one's sexual impulses.

Elaine Hoffman Baruch Ph.D, 2003

We in the West may not have the finest balance of sexual morals and traditions but it seems to this author it is  stating the obvious when suggesting Islam has it far worse.

From the Daily News Egypt:

...Islamic countries are the most frequent searches for sex. In the top ten are Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Looking for "hot sex" though and not just ordinary sex are Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Bahrain, Egypt, the UAE, India and Jordan.

The moment US troops deposed Saddam's Ba'ath Party Iraqi markets filled with porn. They filled fast and they sold many. It was reminiscent of a camel drinking after crossing the Sinai.

This strange thing of wanting, idolising, sexually active women and constantly viewing pornographic material whilst holding a deep loathing of the females involved, hating the low morality yet wishing to plumb the depths with them, seems clearly apparent and not a little dangerous.

Whereas our sexually deprived join the priesthood or become serial killers of prostitutes, it seems those under the crescent moon reach for the explosive vest (or in this case Y-fronts).

Still tenuous? Perhaps. But surely it won't hurt to send some copies of Hustler to find out.