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Politics : Foreign Policy Discussion Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (718)	12/18/2002 1:50:22 PM
From: lorne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15987

Border militia targeted by Mexicans? Groups south of boundary reportedly threatening to shoot activists December 18, 2002 By Jon Dougherty Is the citizen border-patrol group formed to defend the U.S. against illegal aliens being targeted for cross-border retribution by opposition groups based in Mexico? So claims Tombstone Tumbleweed editor in chief Chris Simcox, founder of the Civil Homeland Defense Corps. He told WorldNetDaily that he and members of his Arizona group have been threatened "numerous times," and that the threats have increased in recent weeks. Simcox, who formed his organization because he says the federal government is doing little to curb illegal immigration and drug running into the United States, said he's personally been shot at "four or five times." Nevertheless, he said members of his group – numbering around 233 "screened applicants" – would begin patrolling the border between Arizona and Mexico 24 hours a day on Jan. 4. Screened applicants are those who have passed federal background checks and have received their conceal-carry permit for weapons, as well as first aid and CPR training. Simcox said he believes the reason the threats are increasing is because he and his group are beginning to have an effect. But he added that he's trying to get Washington's attention before there is bloodshed. He says his goal is to have U.S. troops deployed along the border, but he hasn't heard a peep from the government. "The fuse has been lit," he said. To publicize the upcoming deployment, Simcox published an open letter earlier this week warning Mexican citizens not to make an attempt to enter the U.S. illegally after Jan. 4, "or they will be met with overwhelming opposition." "There are ways in which you can enter the United States legally. We now must insist that you heed this warning to enter legally or be repelled by American citizens. We do not want to create trouble for anyone, nor do our countries need problems at a time when we are fighting terrorism," the letter said. "We will defend our borders to deter entry other than through proper legal checkpoints into this country. We will protect the sovereignty of our borders; we are not out to 'get' anyone," said the letter. A few U.S. politicians, including Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., also support placing U.S. troops on the border as a deterrent to illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Tancredo is head of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. The Bush administration has said it does not support putting troops on the border full time, though the White House authorized a partial mobilization of National Guard troops to assist law-enforcement agents on the border shortly after the 9-11 attacks. Other media also have taken up the issue. "Those patrolling the border may soon come under fire by foreign, hostile forces," said an editorial penned by J. J. Johnson, editor of the Internet-based publication The Sierra Times. The intent of the Mexico-based groups "is to shoot at the militia members from across the border during one of the militia missions on private or public land," Johnson wrote, a warning confirmed by Simcox. The Tombstone editor also said he and others were upset by a report last week that the U.S. would finance construction of 177 checkpoints along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan in an effort to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, illicit drugs, terrorists and contraband. The checkpoints would be staffed by 12,000 border police. Reports said each checkpoint and its related facilities would cost an average of $300,000, and that they will include offices, sleeping quarters and, in some cases, clinics. Simcox said he has been warned that members of his group would be "picked off one by one" by opposing groups south of the border if they continue their border control operations. But he remained undeterred. "I really discourage anyone from trying to get into this country illegally after the first of the year," he said. worldnetdaily.com

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (718)	12/18/2002 2:33:06 PM
From: Sultan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15987

<OT> On Pluralism, Intolerance, and the Quran By Ali S. Asani [1] “Infuse your heart with mercy, love and kindness for your subjects…either they are your brothers in religion or your equals in creation.” excerpt from a letter by the Muslim Caliph Ali b. Abi Talib (d. 661)to Malik al-Ashtar on the latter’s appointment as governor of Egypt As a Muslim involved in teaching and scholarship on the Islamic tradition, I have received many invitations over the past several weeks to speak about the role that religion and religious ideas may or may not have played in the horrific events of September 11, 2001. Non-Muslim audiences have wanted to know how Islam, a religion whose very name signifies peace to many Muslims, could be used to promote violence and hatred for America and the “West”? Why, many in these audiences, wonder are some Muslims and some governments in Muslim nations anti-American, antagonistic to America and the “West,” willing to condone or even applaud the loss of innocent American lives? For their part, Muslims I have spoken to have similar concerns. Why, many of them wonder, are some Americans and Europeans and some American and “Western” policies anti-Islamic, antagonistic to Muslim interests, and heedless to the loss of innocent Muslim lives? In an atmosphere rampant with stereotypes about the “other,” I have been engaged in providing audiences with historical and religious perspectives on the complex factors that have created such deep and profound misunderstandings among Muslims and non-Muslims alike. While I have participated in many public forums, this has also been a time of reflection for me personally as, indeed, for many Muslims who are bewildered by the bizarre and repugnant behavior of individuals who committed these acts allegedly in the name of God. akdn.org