THERE HAVE BEEN a number of criticisms lately of Bush's use of the term "Islamic fascists," notably Pat Buchanan's latest pontification. Bush has been called every name the left could think of, and the U.S. has been demonized by Muslim radicals as "The Great Satan" for at least 27 years, but publish a few cartoons or use or call the terrorists "fascists" (which, as far as I can see is a perfectly good description of how they would govern if they succeed, i.e. as dictators), and the pundits go nuts.

I looked up "fascism" and as far as I can tell it means belief in a dictatorial regime. Further comparisons with the Italian and German governments of the 1930s are really beside the point. It works for me.