[nova]

> Polarization and naivety are easy, subtlety and deeper understanding are hard

Isn't precisely the problem that we can't have a rational discussion of this issue without people bringing out the X-word, the R-word, the I-word and others and calling for immediate stop of all criticism of the current situation?

[eivarv]

I'd say that the problem seems to be that any attempt at rational discussion inevitably leads to talks of "us" vs. "them", culture war, conspiracy theories and propaganda akin to "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" (including "Eurabia", lying to kafirs, etc.), the negation of moderate muslims and integrated immigrants, stereotypes and generalizations, misrepresented statistics and basically fear mongering dealing with the supposed invading hordes of savages.

The average Joe not being able to tell "racist" from "xenophobe" seems kind of trivial in comparison.