Muslims Bali-Hoo Their Idea of Peace

www.chronwatch.com ^ | October 15, 2002 | Marc Rauch

[TCSparkman]

Muslims Bali-hoo Their Idea of Peace

By Marc J. Rauch Tuesday, October 15, 2002

At first, the news reports this past Saturday said that just a handful of people were victims of terrorist bombings in Bali, Indonesia. By Sunday night, the death toll was up to 188, with another 300 people injured.

The explosions took place in a night life area that is typically frequented by tourists and vacationers. Indonesia is a Muslim country, the most populous Muslim country. It’s not near Israel or the United States. It’s not run by Jews or Americans. There are no 'illegal' Jewish settlements, and I don’t believe that the Indonesians are in a dispute over water rights with any western country. I don’t even think that Ariel Sharon has ever been to Bali.

The bombings still happened, hundreds of human beings were ripped apart.

Reports indicate that a large percentage of the victims are Australian. Recently, Australians have voiced a lot of concern about going to war against terrorism and Saddam Hussein. Apparently they can’t quite understand why the world should be concerned. I guess they feel very protected on their island paradise with their incredibly strict immigration laws. Basically they keep out everyone that is not of white European ancestry.

I like Australia, not because of its exclusionary policies, but because of what it offers. I’ve never been to there, but I dream about going, perhaps even emigrating. They have great surfing, fabulous beaches, and beautiful women. I’m already taken, so I’d just go for the surfing and the beaches. I hope they have tequila in Australia. I really love margaritas, too.

I wonder how many street demonstrations there were in Australia today to protest America’s 'preoccupation' with defeating Islamic terrorism and Saddam Hussein. Probably not that many, although I could be wrong since a lot of Australians are out of work and have nothing else to do (other than surfing, sun-tanning, and making love to their beautiful women). They just collect government assistance. They call it being on the dole. Joining an anti-war protest is a good way to meet sheilas: they call their women sheilas. You’ve probably heard Paul Hogan use that term. They like to be on the dole, go surfing, and chat up sheilas.

But you know this commentary isn’t about Australia or fab beaches or enjoying life with a beautiful sheila. It’s about the taking of life: the wanton, premeditated, unjustified killing, mutilating, and destruction of life. And it took place far, far from the madding war-torn locations that we all normally think of.

I’m not surprised by what happened. I like to think that I’m not surprised by any heinous act that gets committed in the name of Allah. I’m just disappointed, again.

When do the good Muslims in the world step forward? When do thousands and thousands of peace-loving Muslims take to the street to protest the violence? When do they shout out to their murderous brethren, NOT IN OUR NAME!

America’s peace-pukes were so happy to protest our government’s decision to take action against Hussein. They so cleverly wrote petitions and took out newspaper ads and had their sixties-style anti-war protests that all focused around their brand-new NOT IN OUR NAME slogan.

I want to know how much more has to happen before Muslims have had enough atrocities committed in their name, and rise up in protest. I want to know if they’ll ever rise up to protest the senseless slaughter of hundreds and thousands of innocent people. They’re real quick to protest an American or Israeli defensive act. It takes them no time to get out in streets to celebrate the bombing of a college campus, or to dance openly in support of the destruction of the World Trade Centers. Muslims are obviously a demonstrative people. When do they demonstrate against violence that their people commit?

It’s important for me to know this. I may want to take a side trip over to Indonesia one day and I’d hate to get Bali-hooed while there.

About the author:

Marc J. Rauch was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1952, and lived in the metropolitan area until 'emigrating' to the West Coast in the early 80s. He is a multi-award winning TV/film writer, producer, and director, and has been a broadcasting and marketing executive since the 1975. Marc lectures on various subjects concerning broadcasting, new media, and the Middle East at conferences and seminars throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 1994, he authored a book on advertising and has had several business and industry articles published in a variety of related magazines. His political commentaries are regularly published in several print and online publications.

[swarthyguy]

I still think the strategy is backwards.

We have bases on Saudi soil. USe them. It'd be simpler to occupy the Saudi oilfieds. And then after we have a oil protectorate in the middle of the Saudi desert, we could move into Iraq without needing bases. We decimate the Saudi royals and cut off all the financial and ideological support for the jihadis.

But that's just a pipe dream of mine. Ain't gonna happen, anyway.

Too many Americans are too tight with the Saudis.

[expatguy]

Lee Harris came to the same conclusion as you did, if you have not read his article then you need to.

I would like to hear your comments on it

http://www.policyreview.org/AUG02/harris_print.html

[expatguy]

Lee Harris came to the same conclusion as you did, if you have not read his article then you need to.

I would like to hear your comments on it

http://www.policyreview.org/AUG02/harris_print.html

[expatguy]

Lee Harris came to the same conclusion as you did, if you have not read his article then you need to.

I would like to hear your comments on it

http://www.policyreview.org/AUG02/harris_print.html