My record of consistency i match with anyone on this board. It stands the test of time. Only someone that has an ax to grind who knows this would say otherwise.
Plenty more to read here: http://www.therxforum.com/search.php?searchid=887443
Plenty more to read here: http://www.therxforum.com/search.php?searchid=887443
The root cause of our problems with Islam rely in that we were running interference for over a half century in the ME. Is Islam a fucked up religion? Yes. Are we in the midst of unifying factions of Islam that hate each other in a cause to defeat us? Yes. Is our constant behind the scenes interference counter productive? Absolutely. Think about it. We overthrew a democratically elected regime in '53 in Iran to secure business interests for BP. We replaced a democracy with a monarchy thus giving the people no voice. They finally took back power and instead of turning it into a democracy again, they used religion as their vehicle. One year later we support Iraq in its invasion of Iran then turn around and support the Iranians. We then invade Afghanistan fighting the same people we once armed some 20 years earlier in a proxy war vs Russia. We then attack Iraq for supposedly having CW, because we sat idly by while they gassed thousands of Iranians in the war and sat on our hands as Iraq used CW in suppression of Iraqi militants (Kurds) within their own borders. So then we attack Iraq for having CW some 15 years later even though the UN states they had none. We overthrow then both bordering countries of Iran, put carries in its bordering sea and wave a saber at them when they want to build a nuclear weapon. At the same time or the Iranian/Iraq war we are supporting the overthrow of various Latin American countries democratically elected governemnts in favor of dictators of are choosing. We are running a colonial empire. And people dont like it. Now we have a religion like Islam hell bent on a holy war and caught in the middle is a majority of people who dont want that to happen on both sides. Its this stupefying continues tripping on our dicks that creates these problems.
No, its just some of the members here are unable to grasp the many facets of such a complex issue, i assume you wouldn't be one of those guys. Of course Islam is a religion based in evil, and i have always said, its the people that aren't evil, its the religion. For many of them, they have no other way out... and they are indoctrinated at an early age. So yes, Islam is the breeding ground for fundamentalist terrorism in the way we know it.
Now, our globe trotting indeed does create more terrorism. The reason 9-11 happened is because we put troops in Saudi Arabia, their holiest land. That not me just thinking this, this was from Bin Laden himself. He was against Iraq invading Kuwait, but he wanted the Arabs as a whole to expel him, but they didnt because they were scared. So we did... and we stayed. And that was all he needed to find an excuse to train mass amounts of people to kill us. Now that we are there... killing them on their own soil, innocent and guilty alike.... he or anyone doesnt need that connection to be made for them, its something an elementary kid can figure out. Do you remember playing cowboys and Indians? I did. I was all for the natives to be round up and arrested. What type of logic is that. The good vs evil archetype permeates every culture. We are creating that many more by out domination of their land. And lest not forget our horeshit rules of engagement. They dont see us really dominating, enough to make them all submit - they see us in vulnerable positions. That gives them hope.
I think at the very bottom argument, you have to take a side and in this case radical Islam appears intent on spreading their vile religion with or without consent, with or without assimilation and last but not least with or without respect for the golden rule. So, when the chips are down, im in agreement that this i something we cant allow to spread because its like a plauge and all it does is set civilization back. However, i still dont advocate the premeptive posturing we are now undertaking. For one it goes against our constitution and the framework and secondly, i dont think its effective strategy. And like you said, we will be at war for our lifetime, the banks love it but the people? Its just doesnt work. Im a big advocate of isolationism. Not isolating ourselves, but isolating the ME. Without oil, they are finished and would be forced to adopt freedom and liberty or perish. As far as Israel, we do have them on the front lines and it many ways they are too vulnerable because of their small stature and its not going to change.
Hellen Thomas had it right in regards of Israel leaving that place. But not to some other nation especially those that have hostile views, but to the only place where they could be free and amongst friends and family and that is here in the United States. We need mass immigration... why not bring in good hard working people with peaceful intentions in rather then play dice with Mexico? make sense for us. I know its the holy land, but is there any peace for Israel over there? Will kids get to go to school without fear? Will Israel athletes ever get to travel abroad without fear? The reality is no, because Islam itself is a religion bent on submission. Israel will not leave and i know its not realistic, but if you step back and think about it, if they did... the ME would collapse into itself. Israel is on the front lines and for that America is better off. But is Israel?
This week, NASA unveiled a new strategy…public relations. That’s right; our brightest minds in not just aerospace but some of the sharpest in the country are now set to tackle the task of: re-inspiring children, expanding our international relationships and last but not least…reaching out to the Muslim world.
That’s right, the same commander in chief who defunded the constellation project to get us back to the moon by 2020 (you know its only been 38 years since our last visit) and start making progress again in what would have to be called a very disappointingly flat program in terms of growth and scientific advances. The same commander in chief that PolitiFact researcher Louis Jacobson said “dramatically broke with recent space policy -- and in so doing, he broke one of his campaign promises". But what do you expect, from a President who wants private enterprise to be more involved with NASA while the government overtakes healthcare, essentially flopping roles… now wants NASA to engage in “winning the hearts and minds”.
Is NASA equipped to engage in these PR missions? Im not sure, but the smart money is leave the space stuff to the space guys and the PR stuff to the PR guys. But hey, when you have a government running actual businesses and firing CEO’s or reaching out to a population with an open scientific hand that is generally controlled by theocracy’s stuck in the dark ages whom reject science or humanity…does anything really make sense anymore? Can we really look at these Muslim nations and praise their work in mathematics and contributions to science when they haven’t made any since the industrial revolution? What’s next off to Italy and praise them for the Roman accomplishments? Why not reach out to Spain and thank them for their work in the naval game?
This is a population that doesn’t educate half their population because of gender. It’s a population where same sex relationships are illegal. Populations where pornography and women not being dressed from head to toe are all punishable by law. It’s a population that through its leaders and religious gurus have kept a good chunk of their civilizations in the dark ages. Its obvious President Obama wants to engage this population in other ways besides the gun, although he doesn’t mind that route either. But is this really possible? Can you reach out with logic to a person of faith and convince them that logic and reason are beneficial?
The Enlightenment gave us our revolution and our liberty and that spurned our technology and our way of life. Through this we evolved socially as well. What Obama wants is what we all want… moderate Muslim nations that will start to evolve into democratically elected nations. But, it’s not likely to happen if the leaders of these nations have their say. Enlightenment for them would mean the end of their power. So, one asks to ask himself is it better to knock on doors and “hope” or is it more productive to clean your house, and lead by example? America needs to get back to being the shining beacon of "hope" but not by wishing upon a star… but instead by reaching for them.
I have always said that those people in Islam arent the problem... its the leaders and religion itself. Islam is a tool for control. Those people are easily controlled because they are not educated and instead rely on religion - a dangerous brew. But they can be "reprogrammed". Hell even the extremist at his core wants piece. But i would assume a more hands off approach, at least one that would cost less in terms of blood and riches. This latest plan hatched by Obama has roots in logic, however, NASA should be used as an example... if we start taking trips to the moon, you dont think al Jazeera picks that up? We start making plans to go to Mars... all of this would capture the attention of the world. At some point the population of Islam would end up being like the population of south beach scooping up season tickets last night. Its fucking space man... a religion cant deny its existence.
Islam goes out of their way to make sure women are not treated as equals. You cant deny that. To say we are not a better civilization without the contributions of women is insane. They dont educate half of their population. Thats wholesale. Also, many of these nations are theocracy's which have problems with science. Thus many of them would rather buy then create. And when you cant buy, what does that create? Less contributions from your specific society, because you are importing rather then being self sustained and/or exporting. I would venture to say that Islamic nations of wealth biggest downfall has been their complete and utter reliance on mineral wealth or basically oil. Because of this, they have gotten wealth but dont invest it into their own countries. Thus, making their population geared towards oil and religion. Sure there is alot of bright minds, but Islam is staggeringly behind all other nations in science.
“The region is, for the most part, a scientific desert. In some states, oil wealth has allowed the construction of fabulous cities, magnificent mosques and sumptuous shopping malls. But little scientific infrastructure has emerged. Collectively, the Arab nations spend only 0.15 per cent of their gross domestic product on research and development, well below the world average of 1.4 per cent.”
Muslims account for 20 percent of the world’s population, but less than one percent of its scientists. Scientists in Islamic countries now make barely 0.1 percent of the world’s original research discoveries each year.