Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Clown-Free Zone... sorry, no clowns allowed -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Haim R. Branisteanu who wrote (127346)	10/4/2001 12:21:16 PM
From: KyrosL	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

>>going further on democracy no one has the guts to do it. Haim, the problem is that if you run free elections today in most Islamic countries, the fundamentalists will win hands down, and they will proceed to kill democracy as soon as they achieve power -- see Iran. Economic and cultural advancement has to precede any attempt to introduce democracy -- just like what China is doing. If Saudi Arabia had free elections today, and Bin Laden was running, he would win easily. So I fail to understand your criticism of American policy in Saudi Arabia. The regime there is much more friendly to American (and Israeli) interests than anything that true democracy would produce today.

To: Haim R. Branisteanu who wrote (127346)	10/4/2001 4:40:36 PM
From: pater tenebrarum	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

Haim, i fully agree. certainly the separation of church and state that has been effected in the West has greatly contributed to that evolution. Islam somehow never really got to that point...all secular governments in Muslim countries are battling to keep religion out. i still think it may be due to the rigidities inherent in Islam...it was never a religion known for its tolerance after all. Buddhism is certainly the exact opposite. as an aside, in Austria, the Catholic Church still collects a tax. a unique feature in Europe as far as i know...