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.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: greenspirit who wrote (114555)	9/11/2003 11:02:07 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Hawk, it looks like Jeff Jacoby has been borrowing from your excellent posts lately. :) Indeed it does... Always glad to do my part in explaining what shouldn't need to be explained.. :0) I was just having a similar discussion with a friend of mine earlier this evening. She's a PR type for the govt and we were discussing how the media seems to be focusing on the mistakes we're making rather than the threat we're facing. And I impressed upon her that I opine we're doing too little to expose the hypocrisy of some of these militant clerics, and the governments that protect, sanctions, and rely upon them for legitimacy... We also agreed that it's almost as if some journalists believe there's some "story" in focusing on the failures and mistakes thus far, and brush aside their coverage of the players who lie on the other side (which was why I was encouraged to see TIME do a decent job of discussing what the Saudis don't want discussed) and how they are the purveyors of this intolerance and hatred. I also suggested the US needs to focus on explaining how Islamic militancy (Wahhabism) is an abboration, and that their own religious beliefs are at risk. The Islamic world is just as divided as the Christian world is. They have their sects and cults, and moderate muslims are at risk of being subjugated by it. I suggested that, while it was alright for the US to take the lead (since France, Germany, and Russia refused), that the real war which must be fought is between muslims. It is a fight for the future direction of Islam, and how that impacts every adherent to the religion.. And I also mentioned that, as a worst case scenario where the Saudis royals can't muster the will/ability to quash the militants, that we should be prepared to approach the Hashemites and make a deal enabling them to reclaim the Islamic holy cities... People have to be made to understand that Wahhabism is a racist, hate filled, and intolerant sect. And that it is militant Wahhabism we are fighting, not necessarily Islam. And that we fighting not just for the West, Christians, or the Jews, but for the soul of Islam itself. And we should diffuse this claim that the US is waging a crusade by emphasizing that the US believes that religious battles for souls should be carried out peacefully, not violently. Let the various religious leaders use their powers of persuasion to evangelize and obtain aderents. But do it within a secular governmental structure that protects everyone's rights (even atheists), while promoting common values of family, lawfulness, and at least some moderate moral standards. This war must be waged just as we've waged the war on racism and social prejudice, through education and legal enforcement of non-discrimination laws. Hawk

To: greenspirit who wrote (114555)	9/22/2003 3:02:10 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Hi Michael, on ''Hawk, it looks like Jeff Jacoby has been borrowing from your excellent posts lately. :)Hawk, it looks like Jeff Jacoby has been borrowing from your excellent posts lately. :)'' Or may be from this post...ggg Message 19254073