Re Op-Ed Contributor: Islam's Silent Moderates by Ayaan Hirsi Ali in today's NY Times:
All religions are stupid. Catholicism showed its barbarism during the years of the Inquisition. Islam is merely the craziest "religion". It has never been moderate, and never will be, since the Koran cannot be modified, and it was written with the blood of nonbelievers. Ms. Ayaan Hirsi Ali should know better. While I admire her enormous courage, she should know that it is impossible to be both a true Muslim and moderate. Islam, and all religions, were fictions created by fools who could not comprehend even the most elementary facts about our universe, so they invented religion. The problem with Islam is that, along with the fictional Allah, Muslims created an enormously detailed framework which justifies barbarism.
Showing posts with label Islam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islam. Show all posts
Friday, December 7, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sicko Saudi Arabia
Re Op-Ed Columnist: The Case for Illegal Mingling by Thomas L. Friedman in today's NY Times:
The government of Saudi Arabia "affirmed the sentence of 200 lashes for a 19-year-old Shiite girl who was sitting in a car with a male acquaintance last year when they were attacked by seven men who gang-raped both of them.
"The Saudi Justice Ministry said the young woman deserved 200 lashes and six months in prison, even though she had been raped, because she was guilty of “illegal mingling” — sitting in a car with a man who was not related to her."
What is the ideology which drives such barbarism? It has a name - Islam!
Now, Tom Friedman is Mr. Politically Correct, so what really galls him about this barbarism? "Two hundred lashes for a woman who was raped, under any circumstances in even the most traditional country, is barbaric — period." So far, so good. "But what also keeps tripping off my tongue is this phrase “illegal mingling.” It seems to me that if the Middle East could use more of anything these days it is more mingling — if not between the sexes then at least between the sects." So, he spends the rest of his column arguing for more "mingling". Too bad he doesn't have the courage to write what he no doubt is thinking: Islam is a barbaric ideology.
Tom quotes a report from Agence France-Presse: "“The Mahdi Army murdered and tortured and kidnapped people under Sharia law,” the police statement said. “They are the cause of the deaths of hundreds of people.”" Now, what the heck is Sharia? Islamic law! Yet, Tom is still focused on the sectarian strife.
The rationale behind Tom's thinking is then made plain: "The reason these events are important is that Iraq has become center stage for the struggle between a more moderate, modernizing Islamic outlook, advanced by the United States and some of its Iraqi allies, and another outlook, advanced by the Mahdi Army and Al Qaeda, that wants to “purify” the Muslim world of “the other.”
"The jihadists know that if they can defeat America — in the heart of their world — it would influence the whole region."
In other words, Tom is still trying to justify our insane invasion of Iraq, which he advocated. Still, he has learned a bit: "Attention: These pro-minglers are not Jeffersonian Democrats. But they do represent relatively more moderate strands of Sunnism and Shiism." Oh, I guess supporting the "moderate" Muslims is the reason why we are pouring blood and treasure into Iraq.
Finally, Tom ends with "Most Americans would still like to see us salvage something decent in Iraq — if it can be done at a reasonable cost."
Tom, nothing that can happen in Iraq will ever be worth the steep cost in blood and money that we have paid and have yet to pay. Those of us who have read your column for years have only one request of you: admit you were catastrophically wrong about Iraq, and stop pandering to the foreign Muslims. Until they turn Osama bin Laden over to us, they remain our mortal enemy.
The government of Saudi Arabia "affirmed the sentence of 200 lashes for a 19-year-old Shiite girl who was sitting in a car with a male acquaintance last year when they were attacked by seven men who gang-raped both of them.
"The Saudi Justice Ministry said the young woman deserved 200 lashes and six months in prison, even though she had been raped, because she was guilty of “illegal mingling” — sitting in a car with a man who was not related to her."
What is the ideology which drives such barbarism? It has a name - Islam!
Now, Tom Friedman is Mr. Politically Correct, so what really galls him about this barbarism? "Two hundred lashes for a woman who was raped, under any circumstances in even the most traditional country, is barbaric — period." So far, so good. "But what also keeps tripping off my tongue is this phrase “illegal mingling.” It seems to me that if the Middle East could use more of anything these days it is more mingling — if not between the sexes then at least between the sects." So, he spends the rest of his column arguing for more "mingling". Too bad he doesn't have the courage to write what he no doubt is thinking: Islam is a barbaric ideology.
Tom quotes a report from Agence France-Presse: "“The Mahdi Army murdered and tortured and kidnapped people under Sharia law,” the police statement said. “They are the cause of the deaths of hundreds of people.”" Now, what the heck is Sharia? Islamic law! Yet, Tom is still focused on the sectarian strife.
The rationale behind Tom's thinking is then made plain: "The reason these events are important is that Iraq has become center stage for the struggle between a more moderate, modernizing Islamic outlook, advanced by the United States and some of its Iraqi allies, and another outlook, advanced by the Mahdi Army and Al Qaeda, that wants to “purify” the Muslim world of “the other.”
"The jihadists know that if they can defeat America — in the heart of their world — it would influence the whole region."
In other words, Tom is still trying to justify our insane invasion of Iraq, which he advocated. Still, he has learned a bit: "Attention: These pro-minglers are not Jeffersonian Democrats. But they do represent relatively more moderate strands of Sunnism and Shiism." Oh, I guess supporting the "moderate" Muslims is the reason why we are pouring blood and treasure into Iraq.
Finally, Tom ends with "Most Americans would still like to see us salvage something decent in Iraq — if it can be done at a reasonable cost."
Tom, nothing that can happen in Iraq will ever be worth the steep cost in blood and money that we have paid and have yet to pay. Those of us who have read your column for years have only one request of you: admit you were catastrophically wrong about Iraq, and stop pandering to the foreign Muslims. Until they turn Osama bin Laden over to us, they remain our mortal enemy.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Terrorism in India
(This posting is not about American policy per se but is a freebie for anyone interested in Indian policies.)
It boggles my mind the degree to which many Indians are tolerant of Islamic terrorism.
In an article in today's NY Times (Courthouse Bombings Strike 3 Indian Cities by Amelia Gentleman) we are told of simultaneous bombings in three different cities, apparently in retaliation for "a recent decision by lawyers in Uttar Pradesh not to offer to defend terrorist suspects". Nowhere in the article does it mention Islam, but we all know that only one so-called "religion" constantly advocates and inspires (via the promise of 72 virgins in "Paradise") their brain-dead adherents to murder innocent people in the cause of their idiotic beliefs.
The solution to this problem in India is simple. Require all Muslims to renounce their faith or else face expulsion to the Islamic nation of their choice. This way, Indians can live in peace, and not have to worry about random acts of violence by deranged religious nutjobs.
It boggles my mind the degree to which many Indians are tolerant of Islamic terrorism.
In an article in today's NY Times (Courthouse Bombings Strike 3 Indian Cities by Amelia Gentleman) we are told of simultaneous bombings in three different cities, apparently in retaliation for "a recent decision by lawyers in Uttar Pradesh not to offer to defend terrorist suspects". Nowhere in the article does it mention Islam, but we all know that only one so-called "religion" constantly advocates and inspires (via the promise of 72 virgins in "Paradise") their brain-dead adherents to murder innocent people in the cause of their idiotic beliefs.
The solution to this problem in India is simple. Require all Muslims to renounce their faith or else face expulsion to the Islamic nation of their choice. This way, Indians can live in peace, and not have to worry about random acts of violence by deranged religious nutjobs.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Gaza, Dreams and Religion
The people of Gaza are living in misery today. Their economy is poor, there are many street gangs inflicting violence on innocent people, and most of the population is despondent. It need not be this way.
Hamas runs Gaza. Hamas orders daily rocket fire at Israel, and plans terrorist attacks against Israelis. Hamas does this because their leaders are Islamic fundamentalists. That ideology will not allow them to stop hating Israel.
Suppose somehow all the people of Gaza, while asleep one night, had the same dream. In this dream, "God" spoke to them and told them that He is not Allah, there is no Allah, Muhammad was not a prophet, and the Koran is a work of fiction; the only way for the people of Gaza to please Him would be for them to make peace with the Israelis, and love their neighbors, and live ethical lives; religion poisons everything; all religions are false; no man can know His mind; He does not want to be worshipped.
The next day, Hamas and all the Muslims in Gaza would renounce Islam; crime would stop; the attacks on Israel would end; the leaders of Hamas would contact the Israeli leaders and state that they have "seen the light" and want peace; a peace treaty with Israel would be signed; all economic sanctions against Gaza would end; all physical barriers between Gaza and Israel would be removed; Gazans and Israelis would live in peace and prosperity.
The former Hamas leaders would spread the Word throughout the Middle East, and all its neighbors would seek peace with Israel. The message of Peace would then spread throughout the Islamic world, and eventually all 1,300,000,000 Muslims would renounce their false religion and try to live in peace with all other peoples. Al Qaeda would cease to exist, and the United States would declare an end to the War on Terror. Gitmo would be closed forever, and all political prisoners of the War on Terror would be released.
This is my dream.
Hamas runs Gaza. Hamas orders daily rocket fire at Israel, and plans terrorist attacks against Israelis. Hamas does this because their leaders are Islamic fundamentalists. That ideology will not allow them to stop hating Israel.
Suppose somehow all the people of Gaza, while asleep one night, had the same dream. In this dream, "God" spoke to them and told them that He is not Allah, there is no Allah, Muhammad was not a prophet, and the Koran is a work of fiction; the only way for the people of Gaza to please Him would be for them to make peace with the Israelis, and love their neighbors, and live ethical lives; religion poisons everything; all religions are false; no man can know His mind; He does not want to be worshipped.
The next day, Hamas and all the Muslims in Gaza would renounce Islam; crime would stop; the attacks on Israel would end; the leaders of Hamas would contact the Israeli leaders and state that they have "seen the light" and want peace; a peace treaty with Israel would be signed; all economic sanctions against Gaza would end; all physical barriers between Gaza and Israel would be removed; Gazans and Israelis would live in peace and prosperity.
The former Hamas leaders would spread the Word throughout the Middle East, and all its neighbors would seek peace with Israel. The message of Peace would then spread throughout the Islamic world, and eventually all 1,300,000,000 Muslims would renounce their false religion and try to live in peace with all other peoples. Al Qaeda would cease to exist, and the United States would declare an end to the War on Terror. Gitmo would be closed forever, and all political prisoners of the War on Terror would be released.
This is my dream.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Friedman Twist
It is so much fun to watch Tom Friedman twist in the wind. In his column in today's NY Times ( Op-Ed Columnist: Democracy's Root: Diversity ) he writes "A senior French official suggested to me that maybe we in the West, rather than trying to promote democracy in the Middle East — a notion tainted by its association with the very Western powers that once colonized the region — should be focusing on promoting diversity, which has historical roots in the area." Of course, he fails to mention that he was at the front of the media herd agitating that the United States install democracy in the Middle East, and that is why he supported Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Now democracy is to Islam as oil is to water, so Tom has to contort himself a bit while he tries to sneak in the notion that maybe what the Islamic countries really need is a little diversity. Duh!
I think Tom's next book should be about all the things he got terribly wrong since he started his op-ed column. There is certainly a lot of material to work with.
Now democracy is to Islam as oil is to water, so Tom has to contort himself a bit while he tries to sneak in the notion that maybe what the Islamic countries really need is a little diversity. Duh!
I think Tom's next book should be about all the things he got terribly wrong since he started his op-ed column. There is certainly a lot of material to work with.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Islamic World Needs New Leadership
There are supposed to be about 1.2 billion Muslims around the world. I have seen polls which suggest varying amounts of support among them for Osama bin Laden (OBL) and al Qaeda (AQ). I imagine a lot of them are "on the fence".
The question that the AQ supporters and the Muslims on the fence should ask themselves is, "Are we better off today than we were on September 10, 2001?".
While I am still reading "Imperial Hubris" by Michael Scheuer (along with several other books), I must admit that I agree with almost everything he has written. However, I think he goes a bit overboard in "understanding" OBL and AQ. Of course, we need to understand our enemy. But I come from the school of thought which says you kill him first, then later, at your leisure, try to understand what motivated the guy.
Nevertheless, I have to think that OBL must be second-guessing himself by now. Does he really think there is any way for him to win this war? Are Muslims better off today? I don't think so. There are a lot more people (several billions) who are not Muslim, and many of us now have a very low opinion of Islam, post 9/11.
(As an agnostic, I think all the major religions are nonsense, but they do vary in how much hatred they spawn today, and no religion has "clean hands". (The Inquisition was not very nice.)
The world of humans is very tribal and violent. One would hope that along with all the nonsense about paradise, "God" (definitions vary, as well as whose side "He" is on), angels and devils, at least religion would bring some peace to man's bloody history, but then one would be mistaken.
Sure, there are peaceful Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. But not nearly enough.)
The only way to turn this around, before it gets any worse for Muslims, is for the "Islamic nation" to replace OBL as its leader. Otherwise, OBL may get his hands on a WMD and kill a great number of Americans. That would lead to a "world war" of America against the "Islamic nation", and that would look a lot different than the so-called wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (which really aren't wars, but stupid "nation-building").
It is not my job, or America's, to tell Muslims who to "select" as the next leader. (In fact, "selection" is not the right term, but the idea is, Muslims need a new leader, and it is up to Muslims to find him or her.) OBL talks about paradise and dignity, but delivers blood. He gets fame, but Muslims get pain.
As for Israel, Muslims need to accept it. Israel is also not going away. Instead of supporting OBL and AQ, Muslims should support real anti-poverty programs and education, and allow Palestinians to live anywhere in the "Islamic nation", not segregated into ghetto-like refugee camps.
The world is just a tiny spec of dust in a vast universe. There are something like (10 to the power 22) stars just like our sun. Does anyone really think they know "God"? What is the probability that "God" talks to mere Earthly humans, versus the probability that some mentally ill people are merely experiencing auditory hallucinations? We can only guess at such questions; not one of us actually "knows" the whole truth.
When the "Islamic nation" matures, it will discover a small truth that some of us are already privy to: we humans start out all the same, and none of us is special: we are equally all just insignificant specks of dust in a vast, incomprehensible universe, and that is why we invent religions.
But back to the world as it is. Messy. Painful. Full of strife. Tribal. Angry. The so-called Islamic Nation can never defeat the United States of America. The sooner it realizes this, the sooner it will choose a new leader. Until then, there will be just more pain and humiliation.
The question that the AQ supporters and the Muslims on the fence should ask themselves is, "Are we better off today than we were on September 10, 2001?".
While I am still reading "Imperial Hubris" by Michael Scheuer (along with several other books), I must admit that I agree with almost everything he has written. However, I think he goes a bit overboard in "understanding" OBL and AQ. Of course, we need to understand our enemy. But I come from the school of thought which says you kill him first, then later, at your leisure, try to understand what motivated the guy.
Nevertheless, I have to think that OBL must be second-guessing himself by now. Does he really think there is any way for him to win this war? Are Muslims better off today? I don't think so. There are a lot more people (several billions) who are not Muslim, and many of us now have a very low opinion of Islam, post 9/11.
(As an agnostic, I think all the major religions are nonsense, but they do vary in how much hatred they spawn today, and no religion has "clean hands". (The Inquisition was not very nice.)
The world of humans is very tribal and violent. One would hope that along with all the nonsense about paradise, "God" (definitions vary, as well as whose side "He" is on), angels and devils, at least religion would bring some peace to man's bloody history, but then one would be mistaken.
Sure, there are peaceful Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. But not nearly enough.)
The only way to turn this around, before it gets any worse for Muslims, is for the "Islamic nation" to replace OBL as its leader. Otherwise, OBL may get his hands on a WMD and kill a great number of Americans. That would lead to a "world war" of America against the "Islamic nation", and that would look a lot different than the so-called wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (which really aren't wars, but stupid "nation-building").
It is not my job, or America's, to tell Muslims who to "select" as the next leader. (In fact, "selection" is not the right term, but the idea is, Muslims need a new leader, and it is up to Muslims to find him or her.) OBL talks about paradise and dignity, but delivers blood. He gets fame, but Muslims get pain.
As for Israel, Muslims need to accept it. Israel is also not going away. Instead of supporting OBL and AQ, Muslims should support real anti-poverty programs and education, and allow Palestinians to live anywhere in the "Islamic nation", not segregated into ghetto-like refugee camps.
The world is just a tiny spec of dust in a vast universe. There are something like (10 to the power 22) stars just like our sun. Does anyone really think they know "God"? What is the probability that "God" talks to mere Earthly humans, versus the probability that some mentally ill people are merely experiencing auditory hallucinations? We can only guess at such questions; not one of us actually "knows" the whole truth.
When the "Islamic nation" matures, it will discover a small truth that some of us are already privy to: we humans start out all the same, and none of us is special: we are equally all just insignificant specks of dust in a vast, incomprehensible universe, and that is why we invent religions.
But back to the world as it is. Messy. Painful. Full of strife. Tribal. Angry. The so-called Islamic Nation can never defeat the United States of America. The sooner it realizes this, the sooner it will choose a new leader. Until then, there will be just more pain and humiliation.
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