One reply to my Islam comment (How Islam is political and the Koran is poorly written) stated how I tell a good tale. This is not a tale, it is human nature.
I have studied warfare for more than 40 years. Warfare is conflict taken to the most violent, decisive level. Conflict is as much a part of us as arguing with our spouse. We cannot get rid of conflict; it is a part of us. All human beings are unique. All wars are unique.
I have studied hundreds, probably thousands of soldiers. ALL of them originally became soldiers to protect their way of life. They risk and many lost their lives in order to protect that way of living. This is why so many good southerners died defending slavery even though they themselves did not own any slaves, nor did many even like the concept. Many call this concept nationalism, which can also be considered protection of way of life, as the nation-state is responsible for the legal system under which we live. As I have stated in the past, Islam was designed as a nation-state and this concept of political Islam is being defended with violence.
(The following statement as declared by Imams that met in Istanbul is a classic example: "The obligation of the Islamic Nation [is] to regard the sending of foreign warships into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza, as a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression, and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation. This must be rejected and fought by all means and ways.") Please note the use of the terms "Islamic Nation" and "Muslim waters" and "Sovereignty of the nation". These concepts are common throughout the Islamic world and contribute greatly to the warfare that is common where Islam is in contact with the nation-states of the world. This can be expected if one studies the fundamental reasons which cause organized warfare throughout the history of the world. Many other reasons exist for waging war but historically, this is one of the most common and consistent. It is only human to defend one’s beliefs and way of life. Even the parts that are evil.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Somali piracy reaction
In June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment that would require the Department of Defense to put armed teams on U.S.-flagged ships passing through high-risk waters, specifically around the Horn of Africa. The amendment now goes to the Senate.
This is a revival of the 'Q' ship idea. Actually, armed merchantmen have been with us since prior to the Romans. 'Q' ships were armed with guns that they could use to defend themselves against subs when they approached on the surface. This worked well in World War I when international law required merchant ships to be searched prior to being sunk. (The law was ignored in World War II, by all sides)
In the case of Somali, very little in the way of defense will be necessary. If the pirates upgrade their weapondry, a few well trained and well placed riflemen may not be enough, but today this would probably be plenty.
This is a revival of the 'Q' ship idea. Actually, armed merchantmen have been with us since prior to the Romans. 'Q' ships were armed with guns that they could use to defend themselves against subs when they approached on the surface. This worked well in World War I when international law required merchant ships to be searched prior to being sunk. (The law was ignored in World War II, by all sides)
In the case of Somali, very little in the way of defense will be necessary. If the pirates upgrade their weapondry, a few well trained and well placed riflemen may not be enough, but today this would probably be plenty.
Islam
Islam has a number of structural problems that are the source of open conflict and warfare. A large part of the problem is that Islam IS political. Islam has an economic system. Islam IS a legal system complete with jurisprudence that goes back 1400 years. Islam has a foreign policy. Islam was designed as a nation-state long before they become common. This alone causes all kinds of problems as loyalty to Islam over ANY government is one of the issues that wars are fought over. (One of the two main issues that triggered the U.S. Civil war was loyalty to the state over the Federal government.)
Please note the number of medieval concepts. Such as the reward for jihad being booty. (Which was how armies were paid) Or stoning people to death. In fact, death is a common penalty which demonstrates another fact of the ancient world. Life was cheap. Islam has great difficulty evolving because it is GOD's word. It can't be changed as it is already perfect. Modern times has placed great strain upon many of it's fundamental concepts. Political Islam has to go and it is fighting organized warfare to prevent this. (I compare this to the good southerners who fought for slavery, or the good Japanese or good Germans who fought for the axis powers in World War II. They are good people who will fight for their way of life.)
Personally, I see the Koran as having been very poorly written. It is organized by the size of the phrases, which is a very simple and disorganized way to group ideas. If God had really supplied this information to us, I think that he would have presented it a hell of a lot better. Not to mention a little more compassionate.
Please note the number of medieval concepts. Such as the reward for jihad being booty. (Which was how armies were paid) Or stoning people to death. In fact, death is a common penalty which demonstrates another fact of the ancient world. Life was cheap. Islam has great difficulty evolving because it is GOD's word. It can't be changed as it is already perfect. Modern times has placed great strain upon many of it's fundamental concepts. Political Islam has to go and it is fighting organized warfare to prevent this. (I compare this to the good southerners who fought for slavery, or the good Japanese or good Germans who fought for the axis powers in World War II. They are good people who will fight for their way of life.)
Personally, I see the Koran as having been very poorly written. It is organized by the size of the phrases, which is a very simple and disorganized way to group ideas. If God had really supplied this information to us, I think that he would have presented it a hell of a lot better. Not to mention a little more compassionate.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Apostates in Islam
This post is a reply that I made on the infidelsarecool web site. The article was "Incredible testimony of Muslim Convert To Christianity Threatened With Death By Her Own Father".
The penalty for leaving Islam is death. This is considered to be an 'authentic' law. This means that Islamic scholars have ruled that the prophet declared this law. This 'law' has also been enforced for something like 1400 years. Islam has some serious structural problems. This is one of them. A major part of the reason why Shiite and Sunni can't resolve their differences (Since 690AD) is because each side believes the other to have left Islam. This contributes greatly to the conflict and violence between the two. It also helps understand why reconciliation has not been possible. You can't interpret this law any other way. You can only enforce or not enforce. This is another of Islam's structural problems, in that the 'laws' are specific and can only be ignored or enforced. As with many midieval systems, the laws are authoritarian and harsh.
The penalty for leaving Islam is death. This is considered to be an 'authentic' law. This means that Islamic scholars have ruled that the prophet declared this law. This 'law' has also been enforced for something like 1400 years. Islam has some serious structural problems. This is one of them. A major part of the reason why Shiite and Sunni can't resolve their differences (Since 690AD) is because each side believes the other to have left Islam. This contributes greatly to the conflict and violence between the two. It also helps understand why reconciliation has not been possible. You can't interpret this law any other way. You can only enforce or not enforce. This is another of Islam's structural problems, in that the 'laws' are specific and can only be ignored or enforced. As with many midieval systems, the laws are authoritarian and harsh.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Nigeria
Keep an eye on Nigeria. Nigeria is about 50% Muslim and 40% Christian. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Many of the issues that I have brought up concerning Islam that are present in the Arab-Israeli confrontation are also present in Nigeria as well. In addition, other issues are exposed because of Nigeria’s unique situation. Example: The riots for the refusal to stone the convicted adulteress to death in 2006. (It was not carried out)
Monday, August 10, 2009
The war in Iraq is not over
Ten different bomb attacks struck Iraq killing more than 90 and wounding more than 400.
"No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq and other Sunni insurgents who remain active in Mosul and surrounding areas." As the pressure (And combat losses) on our enemy declines, we can expect their strength and capabilities to grow. The current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a starting point to observe how they are progressing.
As the U.S. involvement in Iraq winds down, I suspect that the current administration will leave the Iraqi’s to their own devices. This policy would be similar to that of the public attitude after the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. We wash our hands of it. And this is not all.
With respect to Israel, I suspect that our current administration will leave them in the lurch if any fighting broke out. I also suspect that President Obama would take the Arab side in any deals or negotiations regarding Israel. Not much of a friend.
My final observation here is that I would not want to be an ally of the United States in any shooting conflict while the current President is in office. This war is far from being over. You find out who your real friends and allies are when the shooting begins.
"No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq and other Sunni insurgents who remain active in Mosul and surrounding areas." As the pressure (And combat losses) on our enemy declines, we can expect their strength and capabilities to grow. The current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a starting point to observe how they are progressing.
As the U.S. involvement in Iraq winds down, I suspect that the current administration will leave the Iraqi’s to their own devices. This policy would be similar to that of the public attitude after the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. We wash our hands of it. And this is not all.
With respect to Israel, I suspect that our current administration will leave them in the lurch if any fighting broke out. I also suspect that President Obama would take the Arab side in any deals or negotiations regarding Israel. Not much of a friend.
My final observation here is that I would not want to be an ally of the United States in any shooting conflict while the current President is in office. This war is far from being over. You find out who your real friends and allies are when the shooting begins.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Al Qaeda offers truce to Obama if US pulls out of Afghanistan
Please note how the offer is for a truce. Islam allows for truces against enemies. This in no way means that the war is over. I would think that President Obama knows this. However, from many of the statements that he has made in the past, I doubt it.Our President has 'changed' our strategic posture to defensive. Making a truce would suit this well. Politically, he may not be able to do it. I am certain that he personally favors it.
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