It was also a big mistake by Bush et al to try to spread democracy in the middle east. These countries already had some pro western dictators that the west could do business with, but give them democracy and they vote for groups like Hamas in Palestine and elsewhere.
I think it is just best to leave these guys to their own stuff in their own countries.
Then when they come over to the west I think it is best to do what the french do, ban headscarfs and crosses in public schools etc.
$0.02
I agree with you BUT......... this last part you said "Then when they come over to the west I think it is best to do what the french do, ban headscarfs and crosses in public schools etc. "Quote:
Originally Posted by darling
That right there wont fly in the usa because of our "constitution" which Bush has tried diligently to re-write to suit his cause anyways.
Our constitution is about freedom for the people and freedom of religion expression etc are all wrapped into that -- its a catch 22 that often backfires on us bad.
Every morning I listen to the school pa system behind my office and the guy making the announcements for the day after hes done they do the pledge of allegiance ... He begins by saying and now we will say the pledge of allegiance and I will begin.
He says "I pledge allegiance to the flag" this changed several years ago to this and I phoned the school to find out why cause he used to say the whole thing with them -"its policy"- and they told me its because they cannot speak the entire thing the students who wish to speak it may but it cannot be spoken by the person doing the announcement only the beginning words.
Its supposed to be :
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
One Nation under God with liberty and justice for ALL -- that has long since been forgotten and well I frankly dont think the god part has anything to do with the way this nation is run except for when it comes to handling the middle east then its all about whos god is the right one!
If given the chance in coming years it will change anyways to
One nation under "Mohammed" and that same announcer will be reading passages from the "Quran" before the kids begin their day!
I have a degree of sympathy for many radical Islamic nations because the majority of their people are poor oppressed and don't have realistic opportunities to better their lives. People become irrational when they're stuck in a bad situation with no way out. One of the few options available to them is religion. With all other avenues closed off, and a bleak inescapable future of struggling for demeaning labor all their lives ahead of them, I'm not surprised that so many turn to the most extremist religions. Suicide bombing might be only thing offering real career advancement.
The thing that scares me is religious fundamentalists in the US trying to drive us back into the stone age. All the creationists trying to turn children against science when they enjoy all of its benefits and live comfy middle class lives make me a lot more pissed off. What's more, a lot of them are doing their best to end the world. That is their literal plan, to bring about the end of the world. I personally feel that anyone who wants the world to end should be disenfranchised, as I'm pretty sure that's a stance you don't want to give representation to when you're deciding how to run a country.
One of the key problems with religions is that people turn to them in times of despair. The happier and healthier people are, the weaker they become. I think we need to deal with our local religious zealots first before dealing with middle eastern ones.
Disclaimer: James recently watched Jesus Camp and is feeling especially paranoid about evangelicals right now.