In terms of humanly realistic psychology, the Muslims who flew planes into the World Trade Center undoubtedly saw themselves as heroes defending truth, justice, and the Islamic Way from hideous alien monsters a la the movie Independence Day. Only a very inexperienced nerd, the sort of nerd who has no idea how non-nerds see the world, would say this out loud in an Alabama bar.

I read this three times. First pass: What? Why? Maybe I missed something. rereads Second pass: Oh, would they not get the reference? But why would that be so bad? rereads Third pass: It's certainly plausible that it's severely overstating it to say they think of us as hideous alien monsters; I can think of other religious feelings that could lead to that level of bravery and dedication, so such a statement might make me seem insensitive and horribly ignorant. But I'm pretty sure random people in an Alabama bar wouldn't recognize that, so I'm still confused. reads on

Well. That's not good news for me is it?