A Nuclear 9/11 Could Shut Us Down
http://www.opinioneditorials.com/guestcontributors/rneuwirth_20041015.html
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In our war on terror, the enemy is now positioning to strike America from yet another direction and with a potentially fatal blow, with many thanks to France. The 9/11 Commission pointed out that our biggest failure was ''a failure of imagination.'' That is, our thinking lagged the evolving reality and our key leaders failed to grasp the possibility of such a daring attack and hence we were caught unprepared. We not only failed to imagine such a scenario but we also underestimated the enemy’s intent and its capabilities even as we also ignored those people who tried to warn us about our exposure.
Americans already anticipate a variety of possible internal terror threats and we hope and assume that our government is on the job. But now another ominous warning comes from Professor Howard Bloom. He is a visiting scholar at the Graduate Psychology Department at New York University, an author of two books and articles. If he is right, then there is an urgent need to understand this emerging threat and to respond in time.
After 9/11, President Bush asserted that Islam is a religion of peace and that we need to fight only that small minority of Moslems who are extremists. By now the term ''war on terror'' is gradually being replaced by terms like Islamism, Islamo-Fascism, Islamic extremism, etc. The actions of Moslems around the world, and even inside America, are raising disturbing questions about the mindset of large numbers of people within the greater Moslem community.
King Abdullah of Jordan, after the bombing of the train in Madrid, Spain, made a brief but significant comment. He said that the real conflict was going on within the Moslem world and it was between the moderates and the extremists. He did not say who is winning. This is part of the big picture that the west does not fully understand and hence it is not providing a sufficiently effective response.
Professor Bloom, on his web site addresses Islamic intent and also the rapidly emerging Islamic military capability. This article will summarize both issues from his web site and also include remarks from his lengthy radio interview on the Art Bell show of August 21, 2004.
CANNON fire signalled the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan early today.
During the holiest of months, all Muslims will abstain from life's normal habits in order to cleanse and purify their bodies and minds.
During the fasting day, which begins at dawn and continues until immediately after sunset, Muslims must refrain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual relations - the subjection of passions and appetites, being designed to purify the soul and bring it close to God.
The Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry has issued an order forbidding restaurants and coffee shops to open during daylight in Ramadan.
It also forbids smoking, drinking or eating in public places during the day for everyone, until after sunset.
Those found guilty of such acts will be punished by the court according to the law.
Although non-Muslims are allowed to eat during the daylight hours, it is illegal to do so in public.
Even though Bahrain is renowned for cosmopolitan tolerance, during this month non-Muslims are expected to show particular respect and sensitivity towards those who are fasting.
Newcomers to Bahrain may be under the impression that Ramadan is held at roughly the same time each year. However, this is not the case. The date of the start of Ramadan is 11 days or so earlier each year.
A devout Muslim should refrain from telling lies, backbiting and committing sinful acts. Muslims believe that if a person commits a sinful act while fasting, God will not reward him.
During Ramadan, Muslims wait for the night of Lailat Al Qadir, which falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
They believe that prayers on the night will be answered and God will reward the faithful who stay up late at night praying for the atonement of their sins and a place in paradise after resurrection.