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What you may be ignoring is that the history of Islam, which extends much further back than than of Communism, seems to show that Islam itself seems to generate this tendency

(I wish more would apply this "extends further back" logic to comparisons of the "OBL" and "former Soviet" networks of terror ... =)

But, agreed wholeheartedly ... Islam's PERFECT for that very reason.

Although arguably the most popular heresy on the planet, it's not like it's proven itself terribly successful ... (as evidenced its historical defeats, centuries of malaise and inability to summon on its own the "western energy that dethrones tyrants" in order to shake off the despots and enjoy the full promise of what just and true principles -- we share -- which are extant in Islam).

And the current campaign by which "radical" Islam has boxed Muslims and sympathetic Arab states between the rock that are the Radical agents who organized them and the hard place that is the West who enriched them has got to be the all-time lame move.

Bottom line -- I think we're watching a methodical and calculated "triangulation" of the People of the Book ... almost Diabolical for its incredibly efficient capitalizing on ancient schisms and cloaking in terms of "Holy War" what are purely political and economic conflicts.

I think the radical co-opting of Islam is just as calculated as the U.S. Government's suddenly getting religion in the wake of Santa Fe and ECSR and galvanizing a so-called Christian response that -- with a little help from PR-hacks types like Berlusconi -- could help catalyze the Demand of the People necessary to compel the desired western coalitions.

And with the wild card that is Israel, there's always the opportunity to fine-tune the conflict or "send a message" as necessary (as with the axing of the officer the other day for "Jewish sympathies").

Seems to be working like a charm.

If I had to pinpoint a flaw, I suppose it would be the enrichment and strengthening of China by both Russia and the US. I was reading at lunch today this yellowed crumbly 1943 book on Russia by Bernard Pares ... particularly his chapters: "East or West?" and "Anti-Religion".

Fascinating.

I suspect Russia may have miscalculated its ancient Eastern refuge and Sino-"former Soviet" ties now that both Russia and the East are poised to play offense (instead of defense) against the West.

And if Russia's also overplayed its hand with the freedom of religion thing, it could end up its saving grace of sorts once the Hegemon finally brings us together for real.

That particular wait could be interminable, however, thanks mostly to our own who already have their faces fixed for an Extended period of escalating violence as they prosecute their third Noun Engagement: The War on Terrorism.

To: Marine Inspector

Give the Government the power it needs to eliminate the threat, with ensurences that those powers will be removed, when the threat is removed.
That sounds real nice, but it's not going to happen. In a surprising moment of candor, the Vice-President isn't even pretending it will:
US vice president warns war might not be over in our lifetime
Vice-President Dick Cheney:
"It is different than the Gulf War was, in the sense that it may never end. At least, not in our lifetime,"
"The way I think of it is, it's a new normalcy," he said. "We're going to have to take steps, and are taking steps, that'll become a permanent part of the way we live."
"In terms of security, in terms of the way we deal with travel and airlines, all of those measures that we end up having to adopt in order to sort of harden the target, make it tougher for the terrorists to get at us. And I think those will become permanent features in our kind of way of life."

23 posted on 10/23/01 8:04 AM Pacific by freeeee

It's as if there's some dividend being realized from this surreal status quo.