Stalking the elusive Arab ‘moderate’-Washington's fantasies will waste money and lives

Jewish World Review ^ | 10-5-06 | Jonathan Tobin

[SJackson]

Washington's fantasies about the Palestinians will waste money and lives

With congressional elections not far off, those politicians interested in Jewish votes are now talking about their support for Israel. Fair enough, but for the vast majority of us who weren't looking at events in Washington too closely, the pro-Israel side just received something of a setback.

A bill that would have banned direct U.S. funding of the terrorist-controlled Palestinian Authority fell under the bus as Congress adjourned to allow its members to scramble home to fight for re-election. Though the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act was passed in two different versions by the House and the Senate, efforts to produce a final version acceptable to both bodies failed. It will not have a chance for passage until some time next year, assuming, of course, that the new House and Senate (which may be under different leadership then) are even interested.

This proved bad news for the supposedly all-powerful pro-Israel lobby which, despite reports of its supposed omniscience and unlimited power, was unable to muster a whole-hearted effort to get it passed. And it's good news for the Bush White House and the State Department, which — no matter its view of the Palestinians — oppose congressional oversight of foreign policy.

CONDI ON TOUR

[George W. Bush]

Okay, just rub it in. ; )

You'd think that, human nature being what it is, there would have to be moderates. Human critters are too wishy-washy and contrarian. But this is a religion designed to conquer nations and peoples for its false god and to eliminate any moderating tendency.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

[Steel Wolf]

You'd think that, human nature being what it is, there would have to be moderates. Human critters are too wishy-washy and contrarian. But this is a religion designed to conquer nations and peoples for its false god and to eliminate any moderating tendency.

The places where actual moderate Islam exists, i.e. in Southeast Asia, America, certain parts of central Asia, it's because those Islamic cultures have been relatively isolated from the mainstream. Geography and politics plays a large role in that.

The problem being, those weaker, milder strains of Islam have no backing whatsover in Quranic law. They exist because the locals took from Islam what they liked, and kept from their own culture what they liked. They have no scripture per se to back up their brand of Islam, and when confronted on a theological basis, have no standing with which to challenge the 'extreme' strains.

The reason for that is simple. In Islam, what we call the 'moderates' are the extremists. They're the ones who have tried to change Islam away from the purer form adhered to by the Wahabbis.

[George W. Bush]

So the 'moderates' are Muslim heretics. I shouldn't be surprised. It's an ideology as bad or worse than Nazism. Its legalism, sexual restrictions and degradation of women actually seems to cause greater devotion from its adherents.

What a contrast with the results of Judaism or Christianity.

[Steel Wolf]

So the 'moderates' are Muslim heretics. I shouldn't be surprised.

Lots of people are surprised, but that's the deal.

I've worked with a number of moderate Muslims over the years. To a man they were all great guys, and lousy Muslims. One, from the southern Philippines, was pretty cognizant that what they called Islam wasn't really on the same wavelength as the mainstream, and that they do what they do because it works for the locals. The others were Muslims, but they drank, and didn't give any thought to the 'crazy stuff' in Islam.

That's all well and good, when you live on the periphery, and have the freedom to ignore the hardliners. It's not so good when ignorant people in the West want you to step forward and confront the hardliners on points of theology, when you know damn well that you're not a particularly devout guy.

[monday]

"And it's good news for the Bush White House and the State Department, which — no matter its view of the Palestinians — oppose congressional oversight of foreign policy."

In other words they want to give money to Palestinians and other Muslims in the hopes that bribing them will keep them from killing us. Politicians, especially in the State Dept., are so dumb its a wonder they can dress themselves when they get out of bed in the morning. Perhaps they can't. We would be better off if they put their butlers, or nannies, or whoever dresses them in the morning in charge of foreign policy.

[Sabramerican]

A bill that would have banned direct U.S. funding of the terrorist-controlled Palestinian Authority fell under the bus as Congress adjourned to allow its members to scramble home to fight for re-election. Though the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act was passed in two different versions by the House and the Senate, efforts to produce a final version acceptable to both bodies failed.

Not exactly.

An Israeli paper reported that Rice actively intervened with Sen. Mitch McConnell, an original sponsor of the Bill, to make sure the Bill would not be enacted.

Israel's best friend ever's Sec of State. Easing life for "Palestinian" terrorists and she plays the piano.

[SJackson]

Israel's best friend ever's Sec of State. Easing life for "Palestinian" terrorists and she plays the piano.

Can't play the piano when your hands are tied.

the effort was shot down by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who called Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), chairman of the Senate’s Rules Committee, and told him the White House opposed it.

Rice reportedly did not want her hands tied before she launches a peace-making tour in the Middle East next week. The act is not likely to come up again until well into 2007.

[Sabramerican]

It's why she is SOS and we're not. It's not just the piano playing as I once believed.

You must have that higher intelligence- way above that of mortals such as you and I- to understand which Islamic terrorists are to be fought and which are to be supported.

It's still way above my competence but I am beginning to believe I uncovered a clue.

You look at who they want to kill most and first and start there.

Or you can take a shortcut to any thinking and just ask the Saudis... or even Pat Buchanan.

[SJackson]

Thought it was worth it's own thread.

US blocks further sanctions against PA--Palestinian act fails in Congress

BTW, Islam in America is still alive an well on the State Dept site. Christians in America, Jews in America, pretty much everyone else in America, they don't get web pages.

[SJackson]

		Advanced Search/Archive

Español | Français | Pycckuú |

|

|

USINFO >  Publications

FAMILY LIFE Photos: Togetherness The Tagouri Family Living in Two Cultures Photos: Faces of Islam MUSLIM COMMUNITIES Photos: Everyday Life Patterns of Immigration Where Do American Muslims Live? A Mosque in Massachusetts EDUCATION Photos: Muslim Schools Muslim Students in California Portrait of a Teacher VARIETIES OF WORSHIP Demographic Facts Photos: Patterns of Prayer American Mosques Photos: Observing Ramadan IN THE WORLD OF WORK Photos: On the Job Beliefs and Banking INTO THE MAINSTREAM In the Words of President Bush Portrait of a Scientist Photos: Official Recognition Muslim Rap Music Executive Editor: George Clack Managing Editor: Chandley McDonald Art Director: Min-Chih Yao Photo Research: Maggie Johnson Sliker JS Photo Research John Wicart

(Posted October 2002)                                 Español | Pycckuu |  Members of the Tagouri family in Charles County, Maryland, are some of the growing number of Muslims moving into more rural parts. (Jim Blair) Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States today. According to one recent survey, there are 1,209 mosques in America, well over half founded in the last 20 years. Between 17 and 30 percent of American Muslims are converts to the faith. At the center of both traditional American life and the lives of the generally more recent Muslim immigrants is the family. As Shahed Amanullah, an engineer who lives in San Franciso, California, puts it, " American values are, by and large, very consistent with Islamic values, with a focus on family, faith, hard work, and an obligation to better self and society." This booklet is a brief introduction to a complex subject, an attempt to explore in words and images the extraordinary range and richness of the way American Muslims live. That point of cross-cultural commonality -- the family -- is where we begin. Photos: Togetherness »

This site is produced and maintained by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs.        Links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
	Home  |  What's New  |  About USINFO  |  Site Index  |  Webmaster  |  Privacy Topics  |  Regions  |  Resource Tools  |  Products

[George W. Bush]

Israel's best friend ever's Sec of State.

When I hear FReepers talking about her for Prez in '08, I'm almost speechless.

Easing life for "Palestinian" terrorists and she plays the piano.

Surely her skills at the piano aren't connected with her support for known and active terrorist groups and her enmity for a legitimate and besieged democratic Western government.

[livius]

Good analysis and good description of the problem.