Dr. Deepak Chopra

Self-Help Guru

Dr. Chopra has had past problems with physicists because of his frequent references to the relationship of quantum mechanics to healing processes and was once awarded the satirical Ig Nobel Prize in physics for “his unique interpretation of quantum physics as it applies to life, liberty, and the pursuit of economic happiness.”

Visiting CNN and attempting to make himself relevant in the cure for worldly problems Dr. Chopra told Jonathon Mann what happened in Mumbai was a product of the US war on terrorism, that “our policies, our foreign policies” had alienated the Muslim population, that we had “gone after the wrong people” and inflamed moderates. And “that inflammation then gets organized and appears as this disaster in Bombay.”

Ultimately the message is always toward Washington because it’s also the perception that Washington, in their way, directly or indirectly funds both sides of the war on terror. They fund our side, then our petrol dollars going to Saudi Arabia through Pakistan and ultimately these terrorist groups, which are very organized. You know Jonathan, it takes a lot of money to do this. It takes a lot of organization to do this. Where’s the money coming from, you know? The money is coming from the vested interests. I’m not talking about conspiracy theories, but what happens is, our policies, our foreign policies, actually perpetuate this problem. Because, you know, 25% of the world’s population is Muslim and they’re the fastest growing segment of the population of the world. The more we alienate the Muslim population, the more the moderates are likely to become extremists.

Dorothy Rabinowitz, a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, wrote about Chopra’s “blame America” attitude and he became very defensive when challenged by Sean Hannity about the article. Dr. Chopra contends Ms. Rabinowitz needs a history lesson and refused to answer why America is to blame for Muslim extremists.

In the CNN interview Mr. Mann interrupted Dr. Chopra to note that there were other things going on — matters like the ongoing bitter Pakistan-India struggle over Kashmir — which had caused so much terror and so much violence. “That’s not Washington’s fault,” he pointed out.

Dr. Chopra agreed the Mumbai catastrophe was not Washington’s fault, it was everybody’s fault but he returned to blaming American policy. Dr. Chopra pointed out that most of the terrorism in the world came from Muslims. It was mandatory, then, to address their grievances — “humiliation,” “poverty,” “lack of education.” The U.S., he recommended, should undertake a Marshall Plan for Muslims.

Dr. Chopra never mentioned Islamic fundamentalism and the fanatics who blow themselves up to kill innocent civilians over alleged slights to the Quran or the prophet in the name of God.

In the Chopra world quantum physics, meditation and self-awareness may help prevent or even cure cancer but only the United States of America, which afforded Dr. Chopra endless opportunities to grow personally and become rich, can stop the war on terror by laying down it’s arms and accepting responsibility for the deranged fantasies cherished in large quarters of the Arab world.

Chopra enlightenment, indeed!

Moonbat is a special feature of Liberally Conservative and posted each Saturday. For previous awards visit Moonbat Awards.