Phyllis Chesler proposes hatred of women as one of the dominant forces motivating al-Qaeda-style Islamic radicalism. She recounts Osama bin Laden's childhood, and the way his father shamed or discarded Osama's successive line of maternal caretakers — and the way Osama ultimately saved face by emulating, instead of condemning, his father's maltreatment of his wives.

But what was it that sent Osama totally over the edge? What compelled him to plan the mass murders of civilians on every continent? Omar tells us. When Osama saw American female troops on Middle Eastern Arab soil, he cried out. "Women! Defending Saudi men!"

That was the ultimate shame, the only shame that mattered, greater than the shame of having no mother, no father, the shame of being known as the "son of the slave." Instead of bonding with persecuted women and/or trying to protect them, Osama went the usual psychological route. He subjugated and imprisoned his wives and bonded with his absent father by becoming like him, only more so.

Ask yourself: "Why do they hate you?" I do. I wish those who raise question would, too.