[backhoe]

Thanks Marvin.... I am still struck by the idea that one facet of this problem is that of an essentially medieval culture at war with progress.
( or more accurately, it's fear of being dragged into the modern world )

Remember one reason the Shah of Iran was deposed was that he tried to drag Iran into the 20th century- not fast enough for the "reformers," yet way too fast for the fundamentalists, who wanted zero change.

[ChaseR]

"( or more accurately, it's fear of being dragged into the modern world )"

[FReethesheeples]

Well put, at $37!

"Medieval culture at war with progress,"

--- although this is an inadvertent insult to most (true historical) Medieval Culture!