In a June 18 news item, congressionial candidate Goli Ameri responded to terrorist acts with a vow to stand firm against terror if elected to represent Oregon's First District. "These terrorists hate Americans because we are pluralistic, prosperous, and free. There is no negotiating or reasoning to be had with these fanatics. We must find them and destroy them before they can realize their evil intentions. ... In Iran I watched as radicals gained power through the use of terror and maintained it through fear. These terrorists are attempting to cow Americans in the same manner. Today’s atrocity should strengthen our resolve to win this deadly, painful, but necessary war," Ameri said.
2004-08-08
2004-08-06
Haunted Iraq
Do not miss this post from Zeyad. There are some stories there that H. P. Lovecraft would be proud of.
Interesting detail about Zeyad's grandmother, who is a psychic. It's ironic because Zeyad is a confirmed atheist/skeptic/rationalist. Also the part about amulets is interesting: makes me think of the Necronomicon, or the Key of Solomon. There are amulets in the Jewish tradition too (cf. the Book of Raziel).
I've never had a paranormal experience, but I don't discount them. Anyway, I've got to stop here as it's almost Shabbat. See you Saturday night.
Interesting detail about Zeyad's grandmother, who is a psychic. It's ironic because Zeyad is a confirmed atheist/skeptic/rationalist. Also the part about amulets is interesting: makes me think of the Necronomicon, or the Key of Solomon. There are amulets in the Jewish tradition too (cf. the Book of Raziel).
I've never had a paranormal experience, but I don't discount them. Anyway, I've got to stop here as it's almost Shabbat. See you Saturday night.
The Terror War
The latest weekly newsletter from Debka informs me that "The al-Qaeda Threat to America is Serious."
Well, duh.
As we recall, the September 11 attacks were in the works for five years or more, so we shouldn't be surprised if "old intelligence" bears on events affecting us now. A few days ago when the press reported that the threat to Wall Street was out of date, I assumed (just as the leftist press intended) that it meant our CIA and Homeland Security folks had screwed up. Fortunately a number of LGF readers clarified the situation. (There's discussion at this thread.)
No doubt, we can expect an attempted large-scale attack on America by the end of this year. Whether it succeeds in causing harm or not will depend on a lot of things; but whether it succeeds in demoralizing us will depend only on ourselves.
Well, duh.
As we recall, the September 11 attacks were in the works for five years or more, so we shouldn't be surprised if "old intelligence" bears on events affecting us now. A few days ago when the press reported that the threat to Wall Street was out of date, I assumed (just as the leftist press intended) that it meant our CIA and Homeland Security folks had screwed up. Fortunately a number of LGF readers clarified the situation. (There's discussion at this thread.)
No doubt, we can expect an attempted large-scale attack on America by the end of this year. Whether it succeeds in causing harm or not will depend on a lot of things; but whether it succeeds in demoralizing us will depend only on ourselves.
The Blogging Will Continue Until Morale Improves
These are dark times and it's easy to get discouraged. I know I do. Sometimes I wonder what's the point, or else I wonder whether any of us can make a difference. As you know, I do get out of the house once in a while, but my social life is fairly limited and there's really no one I can openly converse with about the things that matter. (Memo to self: first dates are not the place to talk politics. It's not such a good idea on second or third dates, either.)
Nevertheless, we've got to do something, and this little keyboard is all the weaponry I've got these days. I can't stay away from it for too long, or I feel like I'm abandoning my post.
Nevertheless, we've got to do something, and this little keyboard is all the weaponry I've got these days. I can't stay away from it for too long, or I feel like I'm abandoning my post.
2004-08-03
The New Republican: The Case Against "The Case Against Bush"
The New Republic didn't endorse John F. Kerry in the Democratic primaries. The magazine (quite sensibly) backed Joe Lieberman. Never ones to stifle dissent, the editors also ran articles endorsing Wesley Clark (by J. Peter Scoblic), John Edwards (Michelle Cottle), Richard Gephardt (Michael Crowley), and even Howard Dean (Jonathan Cohn). (A sidebar in that same issue presciently observes of Kerry: "The core problem with Kerry's candidacy ... has been that the man has never had a clear rationale for running. He has no Big Idea, no passionate constituency, no unique ideological niche." Thank you, Michael Crowley.)
But Democrats will be Democrats, and Kerry was the man they picked to represent them in this year's election. So TNR dutifully rises to the occasion and puts together a two-part series titled (mark this well) "The Case Against George W. Bush." Part 1, by Franklin Foer (July 5/12 print issue), takes the President to task for his approach to expert advisers; Part 2, by Jonathan Chait (July 16), criticizes the administration's transparency, or lack of it. Do they make some fair points? Sure. But they don't convince me that Bush is unfit to be President, or that a Bush presidency imperils the future of the nation. So it is really not a "case against Bush"; it is a list of criticisms, some of them perhaps valid, others almost certainly oveblown. What we're left with at the end is: So what?
The red-shirted DNC activists in my neighborhood have apparently heeded the Kerry campaign's injunction against negative politics, so now instead of "Wanna help get George Bush out of the White House?", they greet you with "Wanna help elect John Kerry?" Well, as they say in Yiddish, Das helft gornisht. That's the problem facing the Democrats in general and TNR in particular: It's not enough to criticize the Bush administration, even if you elevate the criticism to a "case against". You've got to offer an alternative. So what's the alternative to George W. Bush? John F. Kerry, of course.
The New Republic didn't make a "case for John F. Kerry" during the primary, and it still hasn't made one. That's a shame, because a good magazine like TNR ought to be able to put on together.
Say, maybe I can help.
(Scroll down ... )
But Democrats will be Democrats, and Kerry was the man they picked to represent them in this year's election. So TNR dutifully rises to the occasion and puts together a two-part series titled (mark this well) "The Case Against George W. Bush." Part 1, by Franklin Foer (July 5/12 print issue), takes the President to task for his approach to expert advisers; Part 2, by Jonathan Chait (July 16), criticizes the administration's transparency, or lack of it. Do they make some fair points? Sure. But they don't convince me that Bush is unfit to be President, or that a Bush presidency imperils the future of the nation. So it is really not a "case against Bush"; it is a list of criticisms, some of them perhaps valid, others almost certainly oveblown. What we're left with at the end is: So what?
The red-shirted DNC activists in my neighborhood have apparently heeded the Kerry campaign's injunction against negative politics, so now instead of "Wanna help get George Bush out of the White House?", they greet you with "Wanna help elect John Kerry?" Well, as they say in Yiddish, Das helft gornisht. That's the problem facing the Democrats in general and TNR in particular: It's not enough to criticize the Bush administration, even if you elevate the criticism to a "case against". You've got to offer an alternative. So what's the alternative to George W. Bush? John F. Kerry, of course.
The New Republic didn't make a "case for John F. Kerry" during the primary, and it still hasn't made one. That's a shame, because a good magazine like TNR ought to be able to put on together.
Say, maybe I can help.
(Scroll down ... )
2004-08-02
Iran Regime Change Petition
has over 500 signatures. Is yours one of them? Click here:
True Security Begins with Regime Change in Iran
True Security Begins with Regime Change in Iran
2004-08-01
Let's blogroll!
Suffragette nation! Great news on Afghanistan from Greatest Jeneration: a recent news item reports that 90% of Afghans are registered to vote - and that "women and ethnic minorities are strongly represented". Did you get that? I'll say it again: ninety percent of Afghans are registered to vote. Thanks, Greatest Jen, for the good news.
What's wrong with this picture? Baldilocks offers a few pointers for John Kerry. Quiz question: When's the best time to come between a GI and his/her food? (If you answered "never", you're one up on Kerry.)
Yes, there is such a thing as a post-9/11 world. Jane is living in it. So is Michele.
How low can Subway go? Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler ponders the implications of the grinder giant's campaign on the "Fat American" stereotype.
What's wrong with this picture? Baldilocks offers a few pointers for John Kerry. Quiz question: When's the best time to come between a GI and his/her food? (If you answered "never", you're one up on Kerry.)
Yes, there is such a thing as a post-9/11 world. Jane is living in it. So is Michele.
How low can Subway go? Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler ponders the implications of the grinder giant's campaign on the "Fat American" stereotype.
Morning report: August 1, 2004
Al Qaeda threatening financial organizations? Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge cited specific threats against several East Coast financial centers at a news conference Sunday and indicated he would raise the threat alert level to Orange for designated areas of Washington, DC, New York, and New Jersey. Ridge said possible targets included the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., the Prudential Building in Newark, N.J. and the Citicorp buildings and New York Stock Exchange in New York City. (Fox News)
Terrorists attack Christian churches in Iraq. In an ominous turn of events, terrorists have attacked Iraqi Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul. According to the latest bulletin from Debka, at least 15 lives were lost in the attacks on Armenian, Catholic, and Chaldean churches. Debka further explains that this al-Qaeda operation is distinct from the goals announced by Ba'athist elements, who specifically stated that their campaign is "national, not religious" in nature. It also accompanies an al-Qaeda threat against the Vatican unless Italy withdraws its troops. (Comment: This seems like a particularly shrewd move if it is aimed at pitting the secular Italian government against the Holy See. The implications for both Europe and Christianity could be enormous. -aa )
Terrorists attack Christian churches in Iraq. In an ominous turn of events, terrorists have attacked Iraqi Christian churches in Baghdad and Mosul. According to the latest bulletin from Debka, at least 15 lives were lost in the attacks on Armenian, Catholic, and Chaldean churches. Debka further explains that this al-Qaeda operation is distinct from the goals announced by Ba'athist elements, who specifically stated that their campaign is "national, not religious" in nature. It also accompanies an al-Qaeda threat against the Vatican unless Italy withdraws its troops. (Comment: This seems like a particularly shrewd move if it is aimed at pitting the secular Italian government against the Holy See. The implications for both Europe and Christianity could be enormous. -aa )
2004-07-30
Zeyad Is Back!
Iraqi blog fans, rejoice! Zeyad of the Healing Iraq blog has returned, and he's brought his friends. Go check out the latest posts ... there's info on the newest, youngest crop of Iraqi bloggers yet.
2004-07-29
Just a few quick thoughts ...
... before I go back to schlepping.
I believe President Bush spoke wisely when he said of the War on Terror, "This is not a war against a religion." In a December 3, 2003 post, Ali at Iraq the Model wrote: 'I think that the governments can not create criminals or saints, but a wise one makes it easier for the good ones to use their free will as it makes it harder for the bad ones to use theirs. And the opposite applies for the bad government; it just acts as a catalyst to the potentialities within each human soul.' I believe this applies to religions as well. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are what their adherents make of them. A religious teaching provides the framework to strengthen and ennoble the human soul, but it is up to people to use their free will to build on that framework in a positive way. There is, in Irshad Manji's words, a "trouble with Islam"; and as a Muslim acquaintance of mine recently said, "No religion today is more sick than Islam." But it doesn't have to be that way. This is why you'll never find sarcastic comments about "the religion of peace" or "72 virgins" on this site.
I really do believe in all that good liberal stuff about "understanding other people/cultures/religions". At the same time, everything in the world doesn't reduce to this. You need to "understand" bin Laden, Arafat, and Saddam only well enough to know that they are trying to destroy you. It's important to know how to "win friends and influence people", but there are some folks in the world who are immune to the Dale Carnegie treatment. They will continue killing innocent people, and they will not stop no matter how nicely you ask.
Understanding other people means relating to others as people, not as "strange objects on a laboratory slide". And it applies equally to everyone, regardless of religion, politics, ethnicity, or social class. It's a strange kind of "liberalism" that can be more "open-minded" about fascist terrorists than about conservative Americans. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I'll post again when I get the chance. Meanwhile, as always, thanks for reading my blog - drop me a comment sometime.
I believe President Bush spoke wisely when he said of the War on Terror, "This is not a war against a religion." In a December 3, 2003 post, Ali at Iraq the Model wrote: 'I think that the governments can not create criminals or saints, but a wise one makes it easier for the good ones to use their free will as it makes it harder for the bad ones to use theirs. And the opposite applies for the bad government; it just acts as a catalyst to the potentialities within each human soul.' I believe this applies to religions as well. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are what their adherents make of them. A religious teaching provides the framework to strengthen and ennoble the human soul, but it is up to people to use their free will to build on that framework in a positive way. There is, in Irshad Manji's words, a "trouble with Islam"; and as a Muslim acquaintance of mine recently said, "No religion today is more sick than Islam." But it doesn't have to be that way. This is why you'll never find sarcastic comments about "the religion of peace" or "72 virgins" on this site.
I really do believe in all that good liberal stuff about "understanding other people/cultures/religions". At the same time, everything in the world doesn't reduce to this. You need to "understand" bin Laden, Arafat, and Saddam only well enough to know that they are trying to destroy you. It's important to know how to "win friends and influence people", but there are some folks in the world who are immune to the Dale Carnegie treatment. They will continue killing innocent people, and they will not stop no matter how nicely you ask.
Understanding other people means relating to others as people, not as "strange objects on a laboratory slide". And it applies equally to everyone, regardless of religion, politics, ethnicity, or social class. It's a strange kind of "liberalism" that can be more "open-minded" about fascist terrorists than about conservative Americans. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I'll post again when I get the chance. Meanwhile, as always, thanks for reading my blog - drop me a comment sometime.
2004-07-27
Fikr
Yesterday evening I visited with my Islamic teacher, Imam Toure, a sixth-generation Sufi Imam from Senegal. We spoke about Iraq for a while, as well as many other things, and he explained the concept of fikr.
Fikr, he said, is the innate drive for self-expression and justice. If you have two young children, and you give a toy to one of them, the other will ask "Why didn't you give me a toy?" Why? Because of fikr. Fikr is the reason human beings rebel against oppression and degradation. In my work as a chaplain - the Imam said - I often work with prostitutes. There is not one among them who does not experience shame and rage at the violations she is forced to endure. In the traditional culture of Senegal, he went on, there is only one crime punishable by death: it is not murder, but rape, because the woman is seen as a co-creator with G-d and a violation of her is a violation of the Divine process itself. Rape was virtually unknown in Senegal until modern times.
Islamic law (he continued) teaches that humankind has a positive duty to fight injustice and oppression. If a person sees evil being committed, they have an obligation to resist with their own hands if possible; if it is not possible, they must speak out against it; and if even this is not possible (as when a man's life and family are threatened), then at a minimum they have a duty to hate the oppression in their heart.
He cited the Israel Sura of the Koran, which states "We [G-d] have honored the sons of Adam ... and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation" (Koran 17:70). As the commentary by 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali explains, "The distinction and honour conferred by Allah on man are recounted in order to enforce the corresponding duties and responsibilities of man."
It is neither a sin nor a merit to be born rich or poor, powerful or oppressed; our merit consists solely in how we choose to make use of the resources and power available to us. As Americans, we should not feel guilty for being a part of the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world; indeed, that is a gift that G-d can take away if we misuse it. Rather, we must remember our calling as human beings, to act in accord with our highest nature.
Fikr, he said, is the innate drive for self-expression and justice. If you have two young children, and you give a toy to one of them, the other will ask "Why didn't you give me a toy?" Why? Because of fikr. Fikr is the reason human beings rebel against oppression and degradation. In my work as a chaplain - the Imam said - I often work with prostitutes. There is not one among them who does not experience shame and rage at the violations she is forced to endure. In the traditional culture of Senegal, he went on, there is only one crime punishable by death: it is not murder, but rape, because the woman is seen as a co-creator with G-d and a violation of her is a violation of the Divine process itself. Rape was virtually unknown in Senegal until modern times.
Islamic law (he continued) teaches that humankind has a positive duty to fight injustice and oppression. If a person sees evil being committed, they have an obligation to resist with their own hands if possible; if it is not possible, they must speak out against it; and if even this is not possible (as when a man's life and family are threatened), then at a minimum they have a duty to hate the oppression in their heart.
He cited the Israel Sura of the Koran, which states "We [G-d] have honored the sons of Adam ... and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation" (Koran 17:70). As the commentary by 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali explains, "The distinction and honour conferred by Allah on man are recounted in order to enforce the corresponding duties and responsibilities of man."
It is neither a sin nor a merit to be born rich or poor, powerful or oppressed; our merit consists solely in how we choose to make use of the resources and power available to us. As Americans, we should not feel guilty for being a part of the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the world; indeed, that is a gift that G-d can take away if we misuse it. Rather, we must remember our calling as human beings, to act in accord with our highest nature.
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