Much Ado

It's hard to know what to think about the UAE ports deal. Conservative pundits Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity are against it, yet other conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh, favor it.

The objectionable things about this whole situation, besides Jimmy Carter being for it, are the knee-jerk reaction of some politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle, the distorted image portrayed in the mainstream press and the alarmist B.S. flowing through our schools.

A parent called in a national radio show and said her daughter asked her why Bush was "giving our ports to terrorists." Apparently the little kid was told this by her teacher. Maybe the kid misunderstood, or maybe the story is apocryphal, but the point is still valid: there is too much misinformation out there on this subject.

It's also funny to see all these Leftitst who are so outraged by the so-called domestic spying, and the "racial profiling" of Arab visitors and immigrants, and who cry "racist!" at anyone who suggests building a fence along the Mexican border, yet they are now all-of-a-sudden concerned about security? The hypocrisy is pungent.

However, I remain unconvinced either way. But there are some interesting facts that might change people's minds on the subject. From a FOX news online article:

Former Central Command chief Tommy Franks told FOX News that not only is the UAE a great ally in the War on Terror, but more American Navy ships are in Dubai's port than any other in the world. He also said the port is run in excellent fashion.

DP World is the seventh largest terminal operator in the world, operating 23 facilities in 13 countries. It has terminal contracts in countries that are allies of the United States, including Germany, Australia, India and South Korea as well as nations such as China, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Don't be surprised if alot of people end up backing off of their objection to this deal.
Also, don't be surprised if some whacko's demand Bush's impeachment over this as well.
I'm reserving judgment on this one. It could be a Bush blunder. It could be a brilliant move in the overall strategy in the war on terror. Or, this whole thing could me much ado about nothing.

Religion of Peace?

All you have to do is look at this picture to know that the idea that Islam is a religion of peace is ridiculous. George Bush is being diplomatic when he uses the term "religion of peace", but I think it's a mistake.

If people take a religion to an extreme, beyond what the authoritative documents of the religion mandate, then their evil actions do not discredit that religion, nor do they define it. So, when Hitler, in the name of his version of Roman Catholic/Christianity, sought to exterminate the Jewish People, it did not discredit that religion.

However, if Muslims are commanded by their scriptures, the Q'ran, to subdue, subjugate and kill the so-called "enemies of Allah", they are doing what their religion commands. The actions of the terrorists are not a violation of Islam, they are the definition of it.

Am I wrong? I'd like to be wrong about this, but if I am, where are the peaceful Muslims to stand up against the terrorists. If the terrorists represent a minority of followers of an otherwise peaceful religion, then why aren't they doing anything to stop their religion from being used to justify evil?

If I'm right about this then the West needs to realize that this "war on terror" is really a religious war and start acting accordingly.

Violence over cartoon reveals truth about Islam

The Q'ran, supposedly written by Muhammed, calls for a continuing Jihad until all are brought into submission to Allah. The word "islam" means submission. How ironic it is that these fanatics are rioting, looting, burning, killing and threatening all because their Prophet was depicted as a fomenter of violence. It would be funny if it weren't so sick.

Here are some quotes from the "Holy" book:

2:190-193 "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you ... And slay them wherever ye catch them ... And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in God ..."

2:216 "Fighting is prescribed for you and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth and ye know not."

4:101 "... For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies."

5:36 "The punishment of those who wage war against God and His apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land. That is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter."

5:54 "O ye who believe. Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust."

8:12-17 "Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you. Give firmness to the believers. I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips off them. This because they contend against God and his apostle. If any contend against God and his apostle, God is strict in punishment ... O ye who believe. When ye meet the unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day, unless it be a stratagem of war ... he draws on himself the wrath of God and his abode is Hell, an evil refuge (indeed)."

9:5 "... fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war) ..."

9:29 "Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and his apostle nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth (even if they are) of the people of the Book, until they pay the Jizya [religious tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

47:4 "Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks, at length when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them) ... but if it had been God's will, he could certainly have exacted retribution from them (himself), but (he lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the way of God, he will never let their deeds be lost."

Religion of peace? Sure, once all the infidels are dead. Nice religion. I think I'll stick with Jesus Christ who said: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," and "Come to me all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

-matt