Nothing like proving the point-

[innerSpaceman]

Someone check the temperature in hell, because I'm now going to agree with scaeagles, a mere handful of posts after I agreed with Nephythys.


All this talk about the crusades, the holocaust, KKK lynchings and the like is red herringism. Radical Islamic Fundamentalism is a growing force, a violent force, and a very real danger to us, you and me, in the here and now of the year 2006. My apologies to innocent Muslims around the world, but I interpret their faith as a dangerous threat. And I'm hardly alone in that. Muslims have a bad rep, and I can't say as its undeserved.

Perhaps use Japanese internment camps as a warning not to go too far off the deep end. But try to understand why this is pushing the Deep End button for a lot of people.


I don't think Muslims in general are doing enough to counter the poor p.r. they are being saddled with. I don't fault any of them for that. Frankly, I don't think I personally am doing enough to counter my country's image as a warmongering death bully, and I am not surprised in the least that many in the world consider us a loathsome enemy.


So whining about poor, poor Muslims being tarred unfairly with the terrorist brush just strikes me as a bit disingenuous. This is their problem now. All of them. They've inherited it just as surely as I've inherited the "American" problem.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Kevy, I'm going to argue against you, an unusual thing for me indeed.

You say that, yet I do not see one word about Ringo.

[Alex]

This states things pretty well, in my opinion.

[innerSpaceman]

Hmm, this quote from that Slate article sums it up pretty nicely for me:

Originally Posted by Anne Applebaum, as published by Slate

True, these principles sound pretty elementary—"we're pro-free speech and anti-gratuitous violence"—but in the days since the pope's sermon, I don't feel that I've heard them defended in anything like a unanimous chorus. A lot more time has been spent analyzing what the pontiff meant to say, or should have said, or ought to have said if he had been given better advice.

All of which is simply beside the point, since nothing the pope has ever said comes even close to matching the vitriol, extremism, and hatred that pours out of the mouths of radical imams and fanatical clerics every day of the week all across Europe and the Muslim world, almost none of which ever provokes any Western response at all. And maybe it's time that it should.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by [B

Anne Applebaum, as published by Slate[/b]]All of which is simply beside the point, since nothing the pope has ever said comes even close to matching the vitriol, extremism, and hatred that pours out of the mouths of radical imams and fanatical clerics every day of the week all across Europe and the Muslim world, almost none of which ever provokes any Western response at all. And maybe it's time that it should.

It's cool to say this, but do you really think at the next time some Imam says something extreme we go kill a random Muslim, or burn a Mosque? Does that really solve anything?

On the other hand I'm all for being a free speach advocate. Pop culture and porn are our best secret weapons. We just need to get their women to start thinking they're fat, and the men to start thinking they're small.

[wendybeth]

In other words, we need to westernize them?



Edited to add: I have an idea! Let's arrange a USO-type tour; get Nicole Richie, the Olsen twins, Lindsey Lohan and Dr. Phil to headline. We could throw in Rosie for good measure.


I think you're on to something, €uro.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

To the contrary.

The New Testament (Paul's writings specifically) is about how none are worthy. Paul called himself the least of all and the greatest of all sinners. Paul was despised by the religious establishment during his day because not only did he turn from being a member of that very leadership, he dared to extend the circle from Jews only to include gentiles.

I won't bore people here by referencing his writings, but I very much disagree with your assessment.

I said impliedly, and I didnt' say anything against Paul. Paul was a ballsy MF (though a bit of a smug prig). However, the reality is that Acts and Paul's letters are a major part of the New Testament. The plot of those writings is conversion. If you're looking for an excuse--and a lot of people are--how hard is it to leap from that general concept to the persecution of others (which, of course, was Paul's first job).

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

In other words, we need to westernize them?

Well c'mon we know that violence is just a cover for their feelings of inadequacy - all those guns? phallic symbols...who are they trying to kid? But can you blame them? look at what their women are wearing - it's no wonder they mostly prefer boys...

[wendybeth]

Maybe the women just feel fat.


(Guns? They've moved up to missiles....must be really small).

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

This states things pretty well, in my opinion.

Wow. That's the best take on the Radical Islam vs The West I've seen in quite a while. I agree completely.