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Understanding Islam And Its Radicals
ConservativeTruth.org ^ | November 11, 2001 | Ana Barrett

Posted on 03/27/2003 8:26:19 AM PST by Luis Gonzalez

I was completely numb as I watched the videos of the attack on September 11. As the attack was investigated and we learned that the perpetrators were Islamic terrorists, I could not shake the thought that something in their religion made these attacks seem legitimate in their eyes.

So I started, very cautiously, to look into what Islam stands for and what it considers important. I did not want to jump to conclusions. I wanted to know the truth. As a Christian and a serious student of the Bible, I am familiar with the bloody passages of the Old Testament. For this reason I proceeded with caution in my research. My goal was to discover the truth about Islam. My research did include some limited reading of the Qur'an (known in the West as the Koran), but it mainly consisted of reading and listening to people who were very knowledgeable of the religion.

First of all, in order to understand Muslims we need to know what they think of Allah, and we need to look at their worldview. We need to understand moderate Muslims, but we also need an understanding of the radical point of view.

Dr. Samuel Schlorff, an expert on Islam with Arab World Ministries, has written an excellent paper on the religion. He makes a scholarly comparison between Christianity and Islam. Much of the information used in this article regarding the history of Islam was drawn from this paper.

Here are some key points of Islamic theology:

1. Allah is Absolutely Transcendent
Allah is unlike anything that exists. This means that Allah is completely mysterious. Muslims believe that they can know the truth about him, but they can't have any knowledge of him as a person. He is a distant god who lets only his will be known.

2. Divine Guidance
Muslims believe the Qur'an offers guidance for living life and it is usually referred to as "a guidance and mercy for believers." (Sura 27:77) Their law (the Shari'ah) consists of the Qur'an as well as other materials.

3. Islam is from Heaven
The Qur'an describes its revelation as a "sending down" of material from a heavenly being. Because it came in the Arabic language, it is referred to as a heavenly language. From this idea stems the thought that an Islamic community is of heavenly origin. Dr. Nabil Jabur was interviewed recently on Moody radio. He is the author of the book The Rumbling Volcano, which deals with radical Islam. He states that the Qur'an is comprised of recitations given by Muhammad, which Muslims believe came from Allah for specific situations. Thus, when Muhammad was experiencing a tranquil period in his life, the tolerant recitations came forth. When he was having problems with three Jewish tribes, the militant recitations came forth. The Qur'an teaches both peace and war.
Some verses dealing with tolerance are:
Sura 2:5-6 - There is no compulsion in religion.
Sura 5:82 - The nearest in affection to the believer are those who say we are Christian.
Dr. Jabur stated. "When only one side of the Qur'an is presented alone, that is not the truth."

4. A Community in Submission
The Islamic view of the world is that man is inherently good. If man is depraved by society, then any government can create a perfect society by enforcing Islamic law. Muhammad was the head of state of Medina, which Muslims believe was a perfect society. This form of Islamic government is considered by Muslims to be an example of living in true submission to divine law. This degree of submission is greater than any that exists outside of Islam. For Muslims such a community represents the kingdom of Allah on earth. They believe the future of Islam is to dominate the whole House of War (which is how they refer to the entire non-Muslim world) until it is controlled by an Islamic state. The ultimate goal is that the entire world be under Islamic law.

What does the word Islam mean? We have been told, that Islam is related to the Arabic word meaning "peace." This is partially accurate, except that the word means a specific kind of peace. A more accurate translation is "surrender" or "submission." It describes the calm that exists when a vanquished soldier lays down his arms in submission. Dr. Schlorff states, "The truth is that there is another side to Islam, a side that embraces violence 'in the way of Allah.'"

Sura 2:216 - Fighting is prescribed for you.
Sura 2:190-192 - Fight in the cause of god, those who fight you enslave them. Fight them until there is no more persecution and oppression and there prevails justice and faith in god.
Sura 9:5 - Fight and enslave infidels.

During his interview Dr. Jabur was asked what the typical Muslim would think of Osama bin Laden. Would they approve or disapprove of what he is doing? He stated that it would be possible for religious Muslims to have either opinion. Some are embarrassed by what bin Laden is doing. Others think that grievances which have existed for years have come to a head in a justified violent retaliation.

Dr. Jabur tried to illuminate the meaning of a phrase which is used by Muslims and which has not been explained to us. Jihad does not mean holy war. Jihad means "striving for god." It comes in three degrees: 1) Striving against sin in one's own life; 2) The act of motivating others to do good; and 3) Using violent means to stop a wrong act is justifiable if necessary. This third degree is the one with which we are most familiar.

After Muhammad died in Medina he was succeeded by four caliphs who ruled in his place. (A caliph is "one who comes after.") The leadership of Muhammad's Islamic society was divided. Sunnis accept that all four were legitimate. Shi'ites believe that only one, Ali, was the rightful successor. The result has been a division within the Muslim world pertaining to Islamic law and spiritual authority. That is why we do not have a single Muslim leader to whom the world can appeal to stand up and lead the Muslims of the world away from bin Laden.

Shortly after the Attack, Chuck Colson brought up some very interesting points on his radio show, Breakpoint. He stated that due to the lack of widely recognized Islamic leadership, bin Laden is attempting to unify the radical Muslims living in moderate Muslim states. He would like nothing more than to have them overthrow those states so that he can unify them and install himself as the leader of one large radical Islamic nation, and wage war against the West. As evidence of this, he pointed out that bin Laden has not shown much interest in the Palestinians in the past. Now he is speaking out in their behalf in order to gain their support.

Of course most Muslims do not support such violence as terrorism. However watching a Muslim country being bombed day after day might change the minds of even the most moderate and cause them to support bin Laden. Perhaps that is the plan: Goad Muslims into hating the West so much that anything goes. The Qur'an supports both violence and peace. They may think that they can use violence now and then have peace on their own terms later


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: islam; islamofascists; radicalislam
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To: aruanan
Except that in our fallen state, we have never been wholly abandoned by G-d to the propensity toward total evil.

On the basis of God's Word, I must disagree with you. Please note again the following:

(Gen 6:5 NKJV) "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

(Gen 8:21 NKJV)  "And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done."

(Rom 8:7 NKJV)  "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."

Please note the emphasized text, especially in the last passage - the carnal mind is at war against God, it CANNOT be subject to the law of God. To say that man has some hidden propensity for good allows man to claim some part in his salvation, i.e. a "decision for Christ" as promoted by Calvanism.

Universal grace is defined as God's undeserved love and kindness offered to all mankind, most succinctly stated in John 3:16. Universal grace does not mean that all people will be saved - only those who rely totally on the redeption of our sins through the atoning sacrafice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

FatherOfLiberty
A Confessional Lutheran

61 posted on 03/27/2003 10:38:08 AM PST by FatherOfLiberty (Tagline for rent. You can reach millions with your message.)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
The premise is that bin Laden is attacking us in order to goad us into retaliation, so that in turn, Muslims can be goaded into hating us.

On that we can agree. He wants a clash of cultures - the jihadists vs. the crusaders. He seems to think that if he can provoke this, Allah will take care of the rest.

62 posted on 03/27/2003 10:39:50 AM PST by watchin
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To: Ga Rob
Right, man is inherently evil...we must fight everyday to be "good".

My personal view would moderate that somewhat: Man is flawed, with both the possibility of good and evil. Religion, civilization, logic, ethics, and morals can encourage more good, and help disuade evil. I agree that it is a personal daily fight to bring out the good and suppress the evil.

63 posted on 03/27/2003 10:49:56 AM PST by Uncle Miltie (Wheat is Murder! (Tilling slaughters worms.....))
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To: FatherOfLiberty
A Confessional Lutheran

Well, there you go.
64 posted on 03/27/2003 10:51:39 AM PST by aruanan
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To: Luis Gonzalez
In a debate, the debater who first has to resort to pounding the table and yelling is always the one who has thus already lost the debate.

Carried out, the same precept involves disputes over religious beliefs. The side (Islam) first to resort to blowing people up and killing innocent civilians (of all races and creeds) in order to make its point, is by so doing admitting that it has no valid point, or function, or place, in society.

It is but a lethal disease which must be eradicated for the good of mankind.

65 posted on 03/27/2003 10:52:05 AM PST by Gargantua (Are you with U.S. or against U.S.?)
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To: swarthyguy
"Why do WE have to understand them?"

After we bomb the bejesus out of them, rout the jihadis, capture bin-Laden, overthrow the Saudis, liberate Iran, etc. there will be a time when persuasion will matter.

At that point, we can build on the useful bits of their thinking, and undermine or destroy the unhealthy bits. Thus my original post noting their Fatal Flaws. We'll have to transform substantial parts of their world-view, or our civilization will be attacked by them for centuries.

I'm willing to give it a good 50 year try to help avoid the 500-years-war. Thus the pointy headedness in the midst of war.

For now, we'll all cheer heartily when the Marines kick the Shiite out of the Republican Guards!

66 posted on 03/27/2003 10:57:46 AM PST by Uncle Miltie (Wheat is Murder! (Tilling slaughters worms.....))
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To: aruanan
I meant to add the following to close my last post:

Univeral grace is extended to all people of all time - God desires all people to be saved. He offers us salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only works through the means (vehicle/tool) of the Gospel in Word and Sacraments. The rejection of this univeral grace is solely the fault/responsibility of the individual.

67 posted on 03/27/2003 10:57:49 AM PST by FatherOfLiberty (Tagline for rent. You can reach millions with your message.)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Related Articles:
Our Enemy is in the Sand
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: 19 March 2003; Author: Nicholas Stix

Islam's Unholy War
Source:CNSNews.com Commentary from the National Anxiety Center; Published: March 10, 2003; Author:Alan Caruba

Islam As Sedition
Source: Chronicles Magazine; Published: Feb 3, 2003; Author: Srdja Trifkovic

The Dark Side of the Muslim Mind
Source: National Anxiety Center; Published: February 05, 2003; Author: Alan Caruba

Wake Up! Islam Is About More Than Hate Crimes
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: January 29, 2003; Author: Paul M. Weyrich

How the Saudis betrayed Islam (Book Review)
Source: Globebooks; Published: January 25, 2003; Author: Paul William Roberts

London Muslim Cleric Urges Boys to Be Martyrs
Source: Fox News; Published: January 23, 2003, Author: AP

THE KORAN AND THE KAFIR (Chapter 9) Islam In Action
Source: Knowislam.org ; Author: A. GHOSH

Fatwa: Coming to a Country Near You--Islamic death bounties ain't hard to find
Source: FrontPageMagazine.com; Published: December 6, 2002; Author: David Harsanyi

Al-Qaeda's Global Jihad
Source:IDF; Published: December 3, 2002

Why we are losing the war
Source: Guardian Unlimited; Published : December 1, 2002

Islam - Green Wall Of Silence - III
Source: PakToday : Published: November 25, 2002; Author: Tashbh Sayyed

Black Muslims Create 'Explosive Mix' in Terror War, Says Author
Source: CNSBNEWS.com; Published: November 14, 2002; Author: Marc Morano

Of course, the great majority of Muslims are peaceful -- so what?
Source: Jewish World Review; Published: November 5, 2002; Author: Dennis Prager

Ramadan: A Month of Peace?
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: November 4, 2002; Author:| Alan Caruba

The Seamless Garment Of Hate: The Beltway Sniper Shootings And Islam/Nation of Islam
Source: Toogood Reports; Published:| November 1, 2002; Author: Nicholas Stix

Barbara Stanley: American Jihadist Terrorism - Conversion And Recruitment
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: October 28, 2002; Author: Barbara Stanley

Jihadis in the Hood: Race, Urban Islam and the War on Terror
Source: Middle East Report; Published: Fall 2002; Author: Hisham Aidi

The Radical Islamic Mind (lengthy exposé from Christian perspective)
Source:Spiritual Counterfeits Project; Published: Sept 2002; Author: Aleesha Khan

Naming The Evildoers: Militant Islam Reaches America
Source: New York Times BOOK REVIEW; Published:| September 29, 2002; Author: Judith Miller

DEPRIVING THE ARABS OF THEIR PREY
Source: WINSTON MID EAST ANALYSIS & Published: September 13, 2002; Author: Emanuel A. Winston

A Hatred Beyond Understanding
Source: Sierra Times; Published: September 9, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Saving Islam from bin Laden [Christopher Hitchens]
Source:The Age (Melbourne); Published: September 5 2002; Author: Christopher Hitchens

Muslim leaders pledge to 'transform West': 'If Islamic state rises, we will be its army'
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: August 13, 2002; Author: Jon Dougherty

WHAT went wrong with the Arab world?
Source: Economist; Published: July 10, 2002

Today's Criminal Will Become Tomorrow's Islamic Terrorist
Source: CNSnews.com; Published: June 25, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

David Horowitz: Know The Enemy (And What He Believes)
Source: FrontPage magazine; Published: June 24, 2002; Author: David Horowitz

Four Myths About Muslims
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: June 13, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

Trying To Find A `Moderate' Islam Is A Quixotic Quest
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 20, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

The Islaming of Europe
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 20, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Why Islam Can't Join the Modern World
Source: FrontPageMagazine.com; Published: May 16, 2002; Author: Jamie Glazov

It's The Attitude, Stupid [re: Palestinians]
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: May 14, 2002; Author: Philip Safran

Reports of Moderate Islam's Existence Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: April 22, 2002; Author: C.T. Rossi

It's time to snap out of Arab fantasy land {Steyn}
Source: National Post; Published: April 19 2002; Author: Mark Steyn

HOROWITZ: A MIDDLE EAST HISTORY PRIMER
Source: News and Opinion.com; Published; April 10, 2002; Author: David Horowitz

Arafat Must Go!
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: April 10, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Netanyahu speaks before US Senators
Source: http://netanyahu.org/netspeacinse.html; Published: April 10, 2002; Author: Benjamin Netanyahu

20 Suppressed Facts About Israel, Islam
Source: Koenig's International News; Published: April 9, 2002; Author: Jim Bramlett

They Live to Die (Islam Martyrdom)
Source: Wall Street Journal; Published: April 7, 2002; Author: Reuel Marc Gerecht

Moral Fortitude Vs. Vacillation
Source: CNSNews.com ; Published: April 01, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

Terror's Homebase, All Over The Map -- Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam
Source: Wall Street Journal-- Book Review; Published: | March 29, 2002; Author: Adrian Karatnycky

Islam Vs. The World
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: December 2, 2001; Author: Alan Caruba

Arab World Poverty -- Whose Fault?
Source: Capitalism Magazine; Published: 11/18/01; Author: Larry Elder

Will the Real Islam Please Stand Up!
Source:Van Jenerette Editorial Comment, Various Publications; Published: October 14, 2001; Author: Van Jenerette

Civilization Envy
Source: National Review Online; Published: September 28, 2001; Author: Jonah Goldberg

What We Are Up Against: Islamic Jihad Factories
Source: New York Times Magazine; Published: July 25, 2000; Author: Jeffrey Goldberg


68 posted on 03/27/2003 11:03:26 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
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To: Brad Cloven
I just hold that it is a whole lot easier for a man to do evil than it is to do good. All the things you listed help disuade a man from doing evil...if it weren't for those things we would still be clubbing each other over the head and takiing what we want.
69 posted on 03/27/2003 11:08:38 AM PST by Ga Rob ("Consensus is the ABSENCE of Leadership" The Iron Lady)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
The premise is that bin Laden is attacking us in order to goad us into retaliation, so that in turn, Muslims can be goaded into hating us.

Luis, they react negatively to ANYTHING we do unless it's complete and utter capitulation. Even that would not be good enough for some.

However, they aren't fools and do respect power. Not pinpricks like the successful retaliatory strikes Israel has done, but complete and utter regime replacement as will be done with Saddam and his merry band of thugs.

It may give the cowards some pause for thought before they kill another 3000 innocnt Americans. Little bullies tend to think twice after a big bully gets his ass roundly kicked.

70 posted on 03/27/2003 11:10:29 AM PST by jimt
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To: Ga Rob
"There is no expiration date on idiocy"....

Very funny...totally true. I'll have to remember that.
71 posted on 03/27/2003 11:12:59 AM PST by Ga Rob ("Consensus is the ABSENCE of Leadership" The Iron Lady)
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To: Luis Gonzalez
I think you misunderstood my point.

Many people have become enamored with Samuel Huntington's thesis about the "war of civilizaztions". The posted article was premised on the Huntingon idea.

The simplest explanation is always preferable. In my view, we are not at war with Islam but with a series of Islamo-Facist states in the Arabian peninsula. We have relatively decent relations with several non-Arabic Moslem states such as Indonesia.
72 posted on 03/27/2003 11:14:29 AM PST by ggekko
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To: Luis Gonzalez
Muslim apologist BS and deep as a puddle on a pooltable BUMP.
73 posted on 03/27/2003 11:18:01 AM PST by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: Ga Rob
"I just hold that it is a whole lot easier for a man to do evil than it is to do good."

Bump for Truth.

74 posted on 03/27/2003 11:24:29 AM PST by Uncle Miltie (Wheat is Murder! (Tilling slaughters worms.....))
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To: swarthyguy
I'm sick of trying to understand them.

I think it is good to try to understand them, to know their mindset, to know what makes them tick. Just like Nazism and Communism, what is the appeal in those ideologies for certain types ----and why they must be our enemies. Islam doesn't intend to share the world with Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity or anything else and the sooner we understand that the better.

75 posted on 03/27/2003 11:42:00 AM PST by FITZ
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To: jimt
they react negatively to ANYTHING we do unless it's complete and utter capitulation.

Muslims even admit they want peace on earth but that peace can only be obtained when everyone is living under allah's law, the koran, otherwise there must be strife and wars. They really do want peace ---it just isn't peace the way we define it.

76 posted on 03/27/2003 11:44:10 AM PST by FITZ
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To: ggekko
"The simplest explanation is always preferable. In my view, we are not at war with Islam but with a series of Islamo-Facist states in the Arabian peninsula. We have relatively decent relations with several non-Arabic Moslem states such as Indonesia."

Absolutely.

While 80% of Arabs are Muslims, 80% of Muslims are not Arabs. Yet 90% of the world's troubles with Islamic radicals occur in Arabic countries.

I don't accept any theory which has at its core the words "them" or "they", and fails to draw distinctions between radicals, moderates, or secular Muslims.

Lumping all Muslims under a "they" categorization plays into what I believe to be bin Laden's hand.

77 posted on 03/27/2003 11:46:03 AM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Ever So Humble Banana Republican)
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To: FITZ
"Muslims even admit they want peace on earth but that peace can only be obtained when everyone is living under allah's law, the koran, otherwise there must be strife and wars. They really do want peace ---it just isn't peace the way we define it."

"What takes place after the Rapture?"

"After The Rapture, God will begin executing judgments against unbelievers, during a period called the Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation all nations will attack Israel, and Jesus Christ will physically return, leading the armies of heaven. At the Battle of Armeggedon they will destroy everyone who is not a believer. Then Satan will be bound, and Jesus will set up the Millennial Kingdom, headquartered in Jerusalem. Jesus and the saints will rule over the nations of the Earth for a thousand years. During this period there will be people born who are not loyal to Christ. However, it usually will not be obvious. Therefore, at the end of the thousand-year period, God will release Satan and let him tempt those who inhabit the Earth. A large group will take up arms against the Lord and be defeated. Then, Christ will judge all who have ever lived, giving rewards to some and punishment to others. Those who were "destroyed" will be cast into the Lake of Fire, i.e., Hell. After that, God will destroy heaven and Earth because they have been polluted by sin. He will create a new heaven and a new Earth, put those who were saved on the new Earth, and rule it forever."---Source.


78 posted on 03/27/2003 12:00:31 PM PST by Luis Gonzalez (The Ever So Humble Banana Republican)
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To: Stand Watch Listen
bump
79 posted on 03/27/2003 12:07:29 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: spodefly
Muslim apologist BS and deep as a puddle on a pooltable BUMP.

I agree Bump...

AN AMERICAN MUSLIM: AN OXYMORON

A Colonel in the Saudi Arabian Army once told an American officer, "We can be friendly, but we will never be friends."

Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

THEOLOGICALLY: No, because his allegiance is to Allah, the moon god of Arabia.

GEOGRAPHICALLY: No, because his allegiance is to Mecca, which he turns in prayers five times a day.

SOCIALLY: No, because his allegiance to Islam demands that he makes no friends of Christians and Jews. (Q.5:51)

POLITICALLY: No, because he must submit to the mullah, who teaches annihilation of Israel and the destruction of America, the great Satan.

DOMESTICALLY: No, because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Q.4:34)

RELIGIOUSLY: No, because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam- Intolerance. (Q.2:256)

INTELLECTUALLY: No, because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is established on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

PHILOSOPHICALLY: No, because Islam, Mohammed and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist.
Every Muslim government is dictatorial except Turkey.

SPIRITUALLY: No., because when we declare "one nation under God", the Christian's God is a triune God while the Muslim's is one entity called "Allah", who is never a heavenly father, nor is he ever called "Love" in the 99 excellent names.

An article by: Anis Shorrosh, a former Muslim, turned to Christ, from Nazareth, now living in Alabama. Reprint rights granted.

And we think we can "reason" with them, here and throughout the world?

80 posted on 03/27/2003 12:23:29 PM PST by Texas Mom
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