In a controversial speech to representatives of fifty-seven Islamic nations, the Prime Minister of Malaysia said that Jews rule the world by proxy - and "get others to fight and die for them."

"They survived 2,000 years of pogroms not by hitting back but by thinking," Mahathir said. "They invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy so that persecuting them would appear to be wrong, so that they can enjoy equal rights with others."

Mahathir said the world's "1.3 billion Muslims cannot be defeated by a few million Jews," but suggested the use of political and economic tactics, not violence, to achieve a "final victory."

"In today's world, we wield a lot of political, economic and financial clout, enough to make up for our weaknesses in military terms," Mahathir said.

Of course, now that a lot of folks are incensed about these statements (as being anti-Semitic), many in the Islamic world are saying they were taken out of context - although the context, which relates to Muslim empowerment, remains vague. In other words, what sort of "victory" is being suggested here? And note that Mahathir didn't say that the Jews "invented" socialism, communism, human rights and democracy in order to enjoy basic equal rights - but rather so that "persecuting them would appear to be wrong."

Appear to be wrong? As opposed to absolutely wrong? There's a lot wrong with this speech, but that right there is the kicker, at least in my mind.

Help me make the most

of freedom and of pleasure

Nothing lasts forever

Everybody wants to rule the world

-- Tears for Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Note: The author wastes a fair amount of time blogging about a variety of subjects over at Walloworld, where this post originally appeared.