[dennisw]

If you want on or off me Israel/MidEast/Islamic Jihad ping list please let me know.  Via Freepmail is best way.............

[FryingPan101]

Good read. Thanks for the post.

[SpinyNorman]

Where is a good Templar when you need one (or a thousand)?

[thinktwice]

The Islamic religous nuts are making all religious nuts look bad. Why?

The Church of England -- in opposition to Tony Blair -- has joined the British public outcry against G.W. Bush's proposals to take out Saddam.

Even Michael Kinsley provides a hint as to the religious-ethic problem inherent in today's world. Kinsley, in his 9 Sept 2002 Time Magazine essay "How to live a rational life" esaay, he writes: ".... it's hard to be rational about the irrational. Who can guess what Osama bin Laden might want to try next? How can you discourage a suicide bomber who is looking forward to being dead ater killing you?"

Religious terrorists are today making all religious nuts look bad because our world needs a rational ethics, but all religions -- being irrational -- must join toether to fight that thought with vigor.

[livius]

Interesting article. Did I miss what strange sect Mr. Wasserman belonged to? Is he a Sufi, perhaps?

In any case, I think he summed up a lot of important points:Finally, the use of the terrorist groups by states seeking to avoid international consequences is an effective ruse by which they pursue agendas. Thus states like Iran, Libya, Syria and Iraq gladly employ the type of plausible deniability provided by someone like bin Laden.

Bin Laden had the brilliant realization that we (America) only fight states. Not being or allying himself with a state was probably his smartest move.

We have to remember that many wars were won by changes in strategy. The Romans on many occasions revamped their strategy to fight the barbarians on their own terms. The Continental Army fought with a strategy that left the lined-up advancing squadrons of the Brits dead upon the ground.

I think, actually, that that's what we're doing now. We'll have a conventional war at some point. But who knows when?

[Valin]

In addition to gazing back to the time of the Prophet, the extremist Muslims have not advanced further than their worldview in the 12th century.


Very true as I (among many others have been saying). They really are at war with modernity

[Jeremiah Jr]

The Assassins

http://www.outremer.co.uk/assassins.html

[Destro]

Under the Mongol warrior, Hulagu, the castles of the Assassins became prime targets in his campaign to conquer Iran and Iraq. The Mongols were masters in the art of siege warfare and in 1256 they took Alamut from the Sect. The last Grand Master was dispatched ignominiously, being kicked to death by the Mongol troops.

[DreamWeaver]

Bump

For later reading.

[Cato Uticensis]

Interesting material, Dennis, tho I did not have the time to read it all. I can give an answer to your question somewhat. It is that Medieval Assassins were paragons of virtue compared to present day terrorists. The Medieval Assassins targeted individuals only who were blacklisted. The modern terrorist targets women and children and doesn't even care. Yes, the Medieval Assassins were slime, but they were slime near the top of the pond, whereas the modern ones are at the bottom.

If the Modern Terrorists lived up to the standard of Medieval Assassins, they would publicly, face to face, kill prominent leaders of the enemy, dying while doing it, not killing a bunch of children.

[First_Salute]

D.W.,

Interesting stuff.

Do you think that the followers of Islam who believe in a loving Allah, can withstand the totalitarianism which fascist Islam is about? The pivotal point has seemed to be individual liberty, from my experience. Those more determined to have individual liberty, are not fans of Islamic theocracy.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[Captain Beyond]

"His descendants established and now rule modern Saudi Arabia. Fundamentalist Wahabism remains the state religion of Saudi Arabia and its radical mullahs are being exported to mosques throughout the United States and Europe."

Looks like Saudi Arabia second biggest export is terrorism.