Posted on 02/26/2006 7:13:10 PM PST by A. Pole
So how do you explain "moderate" state-supported morals police forcing young girls to go back into a burning building to die because their faces aren't covered? That was the government of Saudi Arabia. Aren't they supposed to be our "friends"?
Arabs are far less white than mexicans which I have been told many times are not white at all.
My point is, we have several that have never read or studied the Qu'Ran that quote it as if scholars on it. Others could do the same on the Bible and even have in times past. Earlier "Christian" groups have also misquoted sections of the Bible to justify their misdeeds or mistreatment of others and yes, even murders.
To someone unfamiliar with Christianity or that has been taught Christians are "evil," the Old Testament especially could appear to be very warlike.
If Iraq stands a chance at becoming a Democracy, we won't accomplish that by constantly telling them that any who believe in their religion are terrorist and "ragheads" deserving of death simply for breathing.
OTH, if we can recognize that terrorists have twisted the religion and attack only them and their supporters, we may just develope a friend in the War on Terror who recognizes that their religion was highjacked and turn against those misusing their Holy Book.
They hate western civilization and aim to violently convert the world. If you don't have a phobia, you're not aware of the problem.
The Aussies, Danes, etc are finally getting Islamphobia first hand, and belatedly addressing.
UAE is an islamic country. In the minds and hearts of the vast majority of the people of these United States, the islamics are the enemy. The islamics have proven themselves to be our enemies and continually reinforce that (Every demonstration anywhere in the islamic world must have the "death to America" sign. It's covered by the rules I think).
While the government won't admit it, the people know that the war on terror is really "the war against islamic aggression" and we know that the war ends with the death of the last islamic (or the death of the west).
If recognizing the truth that these people are sworn to fight against us and kill us is islamophobia then call me an islamophobe.
You are confusing the complexion with the race. Arabs belong to the white race as much as Jews do. Arabs are not black and they are not Mongoloids/Orientals.
On the other hand most of Mexicans are of mixed race - white and Indian.
Race is not the issue here, religion and politics are.
Christian religion is based on the NEW Testament. That is why Christians call the OLD Testament "Old" as the Old was the preparation for the New. The initial Revelation from God was addressed to the savage men of 3000 years ago. After centuries of preparation the higher standards were established by Jesus Christ.
To compare Christianity with Islam you need compare the NEW Testament with Koran. The later meant spritual regress.
Good post: #83. Those are important concerns you listed.
"The deal supporters are learning from the Democrat playbook."
Ding ding ding.
Agreed, we need to protect ourselves better. The fact that you can walk across the mexican border is not Mexico's fault. Do we expect Mexico will one day shut off all immigrations. Ha.
Only we can secure our border. The fact that UAE managing a port could be a problem because WE can't secure the harbor, container processing, manifest inspection etc.. (I'm not an expert) is not UAE's fault. We need to set strict policies in place that actually are enforced. If someone tries to derail or infiltrate, we have at least have an organzied security detail and process to thwart any problems. Stopping UAE from buying a management company does NONE Of this.
I don't trust Islamofacists as a rule, but let's reward and encourage the behaviour we claim to seek in the middle east. And lets look at this security issue sensibly. We have enemies that wish to kill us. We cannot always identify them by the 'towells on their heads' (though I am not against profiling them, this can only be part of the solution to security). We must focus on the process of securing the ports.
Franky I trust China, France, Russia, Pakistan a lot less than UAE and there would be little interest if these countries (ok Pakistan would raise my interest) getting involved.
It doesn't matter what "WE" view it as. My point is that others can view it erroneously because we include both the Old and the New in our Bible and yes, some Christian Sects teach from both.
At the same time, we condemn Islam (nothing new, been going on for centuries) based on "OUR" perception of their Holy Book and the handful of terrorists that have been causing trouble.
Now, I ask you and everyone else, how do we demand the Muslim community to stand up to terror (something several have done), fight against the highjackers of their religion and yet, tell them they are demonic beasts for not accepting our views?
If others view our position erroneously the patient explaining is the thing to do. We should not change our position in order to accommodate the erroneous view of others.
So we should invite Muslims to read the NEW Testament and compare it with Koran if they want to have some idea about what Christian doctrine is about. Old Testament will not help much.
A token amount. I thank them for their effort, but if you know anything about Iraq, then you had to be holding your nose when you said that. Unless you choose the route that Iraq is not related to terror. HA!
Don't get me wrong. I'm no apologist for Islam or what it stands for, but I think it's too clever to support a doctrine where we seek allies in the war on terror and then treat them seperately, in fact worse than countries who oppose our interests under the murky surface (once again France et. al.). Especially when the country has reportedly been pulling along with us since 9/11. What failing to crack down on an international arms dealer (Victor Boit (sp?) has to do with this is questionable.
In my humble opinion, this issue has two sides.
1. Should Arabs be in charge of port security. Obviously NO. But you have failed to illustrate how they will be. I don't see how they will have more or less opportunity to affect security through the sale. Are you going to increase the size of the already porous net? through this sale? How?
Foreigners are not in charge of our port security, thus what's the problem. If their are failings in our port security, homeland security, then don't try to put the blame where it doesn't belong. We have our own work to deal with in securing our borders and ports.
Now for the other side of this. 2. Economic dealings with a mideast partner in the GWOT, who may support Hamas and may support Sharia law.
If you choose to nix the deal on this path, then we need to do some serious reflection on our dealings with China, Pakistan, and numerous other states that have less than glorious human rights records. I suggest NOT following the Carter administrations policy as seen in Iran. I think its quite reasonable to say that the Carter administrations handling of Iran in 1979? is responsible for much of our current problem in the region. (another thread perhaps). Quite a conundrum, especially considering that many of these countries are less helpful (as is easily illustrated) than the UAE when it comes to supporting our national security interests.
So where is the argument?
What Carter administration could have done? Sent US troops to prop shah against the popular uprising?
I think the error was done earlier in 1953 when the secular populist government of Mossadeq was overthrown.
I'm one of these guys wondering why, if doing this port job isn't such a big deal, then why can't an American company do it?
But something tells me that doing that suggestion will only change the epithetic du jour from "Islamophobe" to "xenophobe".
Here is the crux of all the animosity. We are unwilling to reciprocate and actually learn what their real belifs are about.
It may be Old Testament, but I reminded of several scriptures wherein it is stated the "God Reads Hearts," not Church attendance or proselytizing.
"Oh dear. He called me a xenophobe. I hope I don't get sent to the Free Republic Sensitivity Reeducation Camp."
LOL!
Nicely done.
I think we need to keep firmly in mind that on September 11, 2001, it was NOT a gaggle of nineteen BAPTISTS who hijacked four airliners and flew three of them into buildings. And of course we must also remember that 15 of the nineteen came from our "friend," Saudi Arabia and 2 or 3 of the rest were from where? Why, the UAE... my, oh my... Nor have I yet heard of any Arab country calling for an end to such tactics nor recommending that the planners of 9-11 be handed over to us and reparations be made to the families of the victims of 9-11 and the families of the dead troops who are fighting the islammonazis even as we speak.
I guess it really IS a phobia to be wary of folks from that part of the world...
Why are we wasting blood and treasure on the War on Terror?
Folks from that part of the world are obviously irredeemable and never to be trusted again. In the name of humanity folks from that part of the world should be purged by fire, their lands salted and the survivors delivered into slavery. /sarc
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.