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 : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Grainne who wrote (92587)	1/5/2005 3:20:04 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Regardless of where you point the finger, the anti-American vitriol is increasing and will continue no matter what administration is in place. For example, there are two fairly recent developments that are anti-Western society and will continue to grow in force until they are each world powers. One is the Al-Mahdi army that was formed during Al-Sadr's insurgency in Iraq. Little is known about this force, so let me start there. In Shi'ite doctrine there are a series of Imam's (leaders of the religion) that extend from the time of Mohammad to the present. The number is limited and the final Imam would be Al-Mahdi. The Shi'ites long ago announced the presence of Al-Mahdi but insist that Al-Mahdi exists in an invisible form. "The world will not come to an end until a man from my family (ahl al-bayt), who will be called al-Mahdi, emerges to rule upon my community." (Mohammad) The prophesy claims that Al-Mahdi will make his appearance visible. He will go to Mecca and Pray with Jesus when he returns at the Kaaba in Mecca. Al-Sadr preached to his followers that the real reason the Americans invaded Iraq was because they knew Al-Mahdi is there and preparing to reveal himself, and the Americans want to murder him. So, he formed the Al-Mahdi army to prepare for this. When Al-Sadr was held up in the Mosque and was surrounded, he refused to disban the Army because it is not his army but the Army of Al-Mahdi. Part of the agreement to end the siege on the Mosque is that he would not be forced to disban the Al-Mahdi army or turn the participants over to the enemy. So, he told his followers to lay down their arms for now but that the Al-Mahdi army must continue and that they should prepare themselves for the future. "The Day of Resurrection will not take place until the True Qa'im rises. This will happen when God permits him to do so. Anyone who follows him will be saved, and anyone who opposes him will perish. O servants of God, keep God in your mind and go towards him even if it happens to be on the ice, for indeed he is the caliph of God, the Exalted and Glorified, and my successor." (Mohammad) The mission of the Al-Mahdi Army will be to prepare the world for Al-Mahdi, which means that they must re-establish a world wide Khaliphate under which Islamic order will be manifest. "Listen to the good news about the Mahdi! He will rise at the time when people will be faced with severe conflict and the earth will be hit by a violent quake. He will fill the earth with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny. He will fill the hearts of his followers with devotion and will spread justice everywhere." (Mohammad) "The world will not come to an end until a man from the descendants of Husayn takes charge of the affairs of the world and fills it with justice and equity as it is filled with injustice and tyranny." (Mohammad)

To: Grainne who wrote (92587)	1/5/2005 3:31:09 PM
From: cosmicforce	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

I agree it was long. Most people don't have the patience to be informed in their own fields, let alone politically. It was telling that, when pressed, Bush could not think of a single instance where he was wrong. He doesn't even entertain the idea. Most of us have angst. He doesn't. Even if you find the acts of a criminal reprehensible - to make fun of their pleas for lenience by mimicry shows an utter contempt for their humanity. One can be stern but not uncompassionate. What would Ike have done, for instance? Bush's behavior was something a thirteen year old schoolyard bully would do while punching someone in the face, mocking the pleas for mercy. It doesn't matter whether the person deserves it. To openly mock another's distress shows no humanity, compassion or gravitas. Clearly, he never considered that and that was one thing he should have really regretted and said, "It was a mistake to mock someone on death row." But, that would require self-reflection.