Posted on 02/03/2006 12:42:30 AM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
I watched only part of President Bush's State of the Union address. I just couldn't bring myself to watch the whole speech. I soon discovered that I wasn't alone.
Since then, I had the opportunity to talk to a number of academic acquaintances in the Middle East. I was interested in getting a firsthand Arab response to the turmoil taking place between the Europeans and Muslims, but I also took the opportunity to get some feedback on Bush's speech.
To my surprise, none of them heard the address. When I told one that Bush had promised to put in place programs to end America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil by 2025, he retorted, "From your mouth to God's ear." He was hoping without the need for the region's oil, the United States would be less inclined to involve itself in the area's politics.
However, Bush might need to speed up the effort.
A huge storm has been brewing between Europe and the Islamic world since the publication in the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten of 12 cartoons depicting Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, as a terrorist. A Norwegian newspaper also carried the cartoons.
Muslims throughout the world took offense, and many were even angrier at the Danish editor's claim to freedom of speech. Demonstrations worldwide denouncing Denmark were followed by the closure of the Libyan Embassy in Copenhagen and the recall of the Saudi ambassador.
Worse yet were the public boycotts of Danish goods in the Muslim world. Danish companies in Saudi Arabia were forced to shut down, and a huge dairy factory under construction had to be put on hold. The citizens of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also boycotted Danish products.
France Soir, Germany's Die Welt, Italy's La Stampa and Spain's La El Periodico have come to the support of Jyllands-Posten. In Europe, fliers and posters are asking Europeans to boycott Muslim businesses.
Mr. Bush, whether you want it or not, you now have what your neocon advisers planned all along. You have a global religious and cultural war, and I promise no one will emerge a winner. As an American Muslim, I found the cartoons offensive and unnecessary, even if sanctioned by freedom of expression.
Fifteen million Muslims in Europe and 8 million in America have been subjected to alienation, discrimination, cultural, political and legal barriers by governments and citizens alike, all done in the name of security or freedom of expression.
To deal with this, Arab and Muslim peoples, not only governments, must swallow a difficult pill that includes the following:
First, they need to borrow from Gandhi's book and its emphasis on resistance without violence, for violence only gives Western society the incentive and excuse to interfere in their lives.
Second, they need to respect themselves and demonstrate freedom of expression by weaning themselves off Western aid, goods and services. Moreover, they must divest themselves from Western markets.
Third, I never thought I would agree with the Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, but I urge Muslims to sever political and economic relations with any country using "freedom of expression" as an excuse to manifest hate for them.
Fourth, sell to and buy from each other and countries that respect them. That will mean dealing with Latin American countries, as well as China, India and South Korea.
Fifth, investment must be done within Islamic societies. There are 1.7 billion Muslims, and they don't need Western society to create their own common currency and market.
Only by becoming truly independent will they be able to stand up to the nonsense coming from Washington, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and elsewhere.
who in the hell is this author?
Does this mean he'll be making himself "truly independent" from the West and going back to live in the glorious Muslim world?
The more I hear about this "Mohammed cartoon" silliness, the more I'm reminded of the haggling that goes on the a rug bazaar -- lots of noise, lots of drama, lots of manuevering, plenty of intimidation -- all to push an incremental point.
If we cave on this free speech issue, it'll only be a matter of time until the Muslim world presses for more. And then more.
Screw 'em. The Muslim world first needs to atone for the kidnapping and behading of innocents. THEN maybe we can talk about some silly-a$$ cartooning.
I am retiring but I think I will g into pig farming. There is going to be a huge market for pig skin blankets.
I Agree. They're hoping to eventually create a world war, where they figure they might have a shot at world domination. That's why we have to keep them in check now.
Sent to the good professor as email:
I read your article in the San Antonio Express-News about Muslim satire. I am confused.
While you pay lip service to nonviolence it is not being practiced by Muslim activists. You declare that the US interferes in the business of other countries when they are violent. Is this somehow inappropriate? Clearly the US has no interest in overthrowing peace loving governments.
The fault, sir, and there are many, lie with your Muslim compatriots who seek to enforce their religious beliefs by violence. "Death to the infidels" is a cry we have come to fear.
The US will not long endure violence in our midst without retaliating. Our actions in Afganistan and Iraq have been measured and deliberate. We have removed tyrannical governments that opressed Muslims and presented a threat to world peace. When Muslims cease instilling fear in the non Muslim world they (you) will find greater tolerance.
I am certain that you do not see matters in the same light. There is, however, one God, by any name, and He loves his children to be at peace with each other.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
For the latest on The Dread Cartoons of Blasphemy, go here and work backwards:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1052520/posts?page=474#474
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/591624/posts?page=149#149
Goodbye Mansour. We don't want to dirty your wonderfulness any further here in infidel-land.
Have a great life back in Sandistan. AMF.
uh, why do you say we fear the cry of DEATH TO THE INFIDELS? i for one dont fear it at all. be very careful, this issue about the cartoons is much more than just the cartoons on both sides. if we show fear, they will close for the kill. btw, imo, the cartoons are childish and silly, its rude to mock peoples relgions. but the cartoons are out there and now the fallout must be dealt with. but fear? never.
BTTT!
Get the F*** out, you miserable bastard and take all the goat-loving terrortists with you
You are right, but they have no intention of going back where they came from. They'll stay here, enjoying all the benefits while forming a Fifth Column in our midst.
uh, why do you say we fear the cry of DEATH TO THE INFIDELS? i for one dont fear it at all.
_____________________
Do not misunderestimate my words. The fear of 9/11 redux motivates us to take the fight to the enemy. We are not at war out of some loving sense of joy and peace. We fight to overcome the very real fear of continued violence upon us.
i dont think of fear at all regarding the muslims. i think of it more as duty to decency. we just have different definitions is all. now bear in mind, i have no desire to die by a muslims hands, but this fight is so one sided imo, if only we would really fight them as they wish.
Fifteen million Muslims in Europe and 8 million in America have been subjected to alienation, discrimination, cultural, political and legal barriers by governments and citizens alike, all done in the name of security or freedom of expression.
Oh Mansour, you as they say, "ain't seen nothing yet", as
far as what will be done in the name of our security.
Jihad is what YOU believe in , and Jihad is what you SHALL
have.
I wonder what he plans to do with all of those petro-dollars.
How about just going the Muslim route instead? Slap him with sandals, spit on his mustache, something like that. Would that be okay with you, globalheater?
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