March 04, 2007
The show opened with Ibn Warraq and Irshad Manji. Both gave enjoyable and enlightening presentations. Warraq rejected the idea that our problems in the Middle East arise out of poverty, war or colonialism. He emphasized that a real push for human rights must be a principal component of the fight against the Islamists.
For her part, Manji emphasized the need to let reformers and potential reformers know that we will support them. "They are on our side," she says, "we need to let them know that we are on their side.
After Warraq and Manji, we heard from a panel discussion featuring Tawfik Hamid and Nibras Kazimi, and moderated by Phyllis Chesler. Tawfik Hamid is a former member of Jamaa Islamiya, which was led at the time by Ayman al Zawahiri. Nibras Kazimi is a visiting scholar at the Hudson Institute and a columnist for the New York Sun.
Hamid recounted the type of indoctrination delivered to young jihadists, including the jihadist slogan "thinking is for infidels." He lamented the lack of a theologically-based "peaceful Islam," and advocated the need for one.
Kazimi expressed a certain level of doubt that there will be an impetus for reform in Islam while the jihadists are ascendant and the West is in retreat. He noted the coming "demographic disaster" in many areas in the Middle East, where 60% of the population is under 20.
Chesler agreed with one questioner that the jihadis would need to experience both military and intellectual defeat before they could be considered defeated, but was convinced that the West has not yet developed the will to vigorously engage in either battle.
Posted by: Ragnar at
01:28 PM
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Get some of these Muslims to blog on their 'bretheren' over in England and the extremism that they propogate thru their use of Saudi textbooks in the schools. My best to you guys bloggin there..
Posted by: mrclark at March 04, 2007 03:28 PM (QSqIX)
Chenney & Lieberman 08!
Posted by: wb at March 04, 2007 04:12 PM (GRjob)
Posted by: greyrooster at March 05, 2007 09:10 AM (criip)
Posted by: greyrooster at March 05, 2007 09:15 AM (criip)
Some of these people have extended families back in Iran. They run the risk of retaliation for getting too loud ,too fast. As odd as it seems, there is still a good deal of travel back and forth through Turkey. If anyone ever wants to get a better idea about the American population that comes from Iran, going on 3rd generation now, go to LA, around PV. Most of these people ditched when the Sha was let down by carter.You know, back when Iran was little America? Many of these are great Americans because they understand the value of opportunity and have a family value system that's remarkable. I was there at a Persian resturaunt and was amazed to see people get up and dance after the meal. Not some trance induced death to America thing, a real honest to goodness life is good and we are happy to be together kind of deal. It was very impressive. Not the " I'm glad it was you and not me" dance on a Canal Street funeral march.
They are giving shrimp dinners away? Damn!
What's on the menu for today other than red beans & rice?
Don't eat the crawfish this year...... okay, maybe some from the Atchafalaya. I'd stay away from crabs too, I don't think they found everyone that was a floater.
WB
Posted by: wb at March 05, 2007 10:14 AM (4DPNw)
Posted by: greyrooster at March 05, 2007 08:09 PM (criip)
Posted by: wb at March 06, 2007 11:38 AM (dFKOS)
Posted by: greyrooster at March 06, 2007 10:59 PM (wTIrf)
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