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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41647)	11/15/2001 12:21:27 PM
From: Jill	Respond to of 50167

Thanx Ike. Its a difficult question--our global responsibilities. We do indeed have imperialist reach...but as you say, we're loved and hated, and a large part of that is envy. Responsibility can be seen in many ways. And I think we always have to be aware of our vulnerability--Rome lasted 5 centuries--England never really understood that it was no longer the imperialist power (does it, even today? And I am proud to be an American. Wouldn't have it any other way.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41647)	11/15/2001 2:44:09 PM
From: Snowshoe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

Kabul soccer stadium used for ... Soccer! reuters.com Kabul Men Fling Off Trousers for Death-Free Soccer Last Updated: November 15, 2001 11:02 AM ET By Mark Chisholm KABUL (Reuters) - A group of Kabul men flung off their baggy trousers and tunics on Thursday for a game of post-Taliban soccer, free from the threat of interruption by the fundamentalist militia carrying out a public execution. "In the past, soccer matches were interrupted and executions would be carried out for everyone to see," said Ahmed Marof in the middle of a practice soccer match in the same Kabul football ground that the Taliban used for shooting criminals. "What could we do?" Bullet casings could still be seen on the pitch. The Taliban, who tried to turn Afghanistan into their vision of a pure Muslim utopia, retreated from Kabul before dawn on Tuesday -- freeing residents from their draconian rules. Women appeared on the streets without the head-to-toe burqa veils the Taliban forced them to wear, music was heard for the first time since the militia took the city in 1996, children flew kites, men shaved off the beards the Taliban made compulsory -- and played soccer. The Taliban allowed soccer on special occasions, but with bizarre restrictions. Players had to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers -- preventing the showing of skin, which the Taliban denounced as un-Islamic. Applause was banned -- spectators were told the appropriate way to show enthusiasm was to shout "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest). Last year, a match in the Taliban's stronghold Kandahar against players from the Pakistani border town Chaman ended in disarray when members of the feared religious police raced on to the pitch to arrest the Pakistani players for wearing shorts. Five of the Pakistani players managed to flee to the safety of their consulate in Kandahar while the rest had their heads shaved before being released. Pakistani diplomats lodged a protest. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic, law imposed the death penalty for several offences. Executions were often carried out in public, sometimes by the family of the victim. With few other sources of entertainment, Afghans often flocked to stadiums to watch. But Thursday's players were left to play interrupted, and dared to wear shorts. "Before, the Taliban used to make us play in long garments, and today you see us in short sleeves and shorts," said Ahmed Zaia. "It's wonderful."

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41647)	11/15/2001 10:14:17 PM
From: Thomas A Watson	Respond to of 50167

A friend a fellow poster who I regard as one of the clearest writers pointed me to three of your posts on the realities of the Tallies and binnie and the generally negative prognosis of their future. I found your practical analysis clear, concise and on the money. I don't know if I write clearly but I try. Anyway I also read about your idea of Raj. I am an American and I'm proud of it. But I not sure you have the Raj idea right. First I agree totally with your analysis of why America is loved and hated. But I see America's greatness is that we don't believe it is America's responsibility or obligation to be a global, hmmmm I guess Cop is the word. But 911 awoke Americans to the fact that it is our best interest to be involved. It's because Americans don't think of it as a responsibility but is a sad necessary pain in the ass that America may succeed where others have failed. But it is difficult balance to maintain over the long haul. The problem is folks taking themselves to seriously and that lead to the cultural bully and the really pissed off. I remember watman.com tom watson tosiwmee