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| Yes | 49% | 379 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThe lasting consequence of the Catholic Crusades against the Muslims in the 14th and 15th centuries was that Muslim culture and inventions became well known to a vastly greater number of Western people than hitherto had known anything of the East. The Western World began to recognize and appreciate the scientific, linguistic, literary and artistic achievements of the Persian Empire and its surrounding peoples and the fact that that's were our own culture originated.
The wealth and intelligence of the East spread throughout Western Europe from the Muslim settlements in Spain even as early as 400 AD, before the Roman Empire collapsed but it spread even more greatly during the Renaissance.
Now, as we contemplate the achievements of our lame duck President and his Crusade against Muslim culture we see that one, perhaps lasting legacy, is that he has revealed again the achievements of the Muslim peoples. He has inadvertently opened our eyes to whom they are and how they compare to the advertised "leader of the free world" despite all the adverse publicity promulgated by the U.S. State Department.
I am neither a follower of the Muslim religion nor of Bush's particular brand of right-wing Christianity. Both seem particularly inane to me. However, I do recognize that the proportion of intelligent thinkers in the Muslim world is higher than our own dedicated population who are infatuated with The American Idol," "The British Nanny" and various soap operas of continuing stupidity.
Of course, there are very nasty people in all cultures and the Zionist and ultra-right Christian advocates bring out the worst. However, behind the Zionist leaders the achievements of the Muslim world are immense and far-reaching. Despite Jewish violinists like Itzhak Perlman and others Israel has produced nothing of value. Yet consider the achievements of the Muslim world. Consider Dubai alone. The acquisition of land from the gulf far exceeds that in the Netherlands. Its innovative buildings put New York to shame. It's relaxed government condemns our own restrictive and suppressive security system to the dark ages.
Again, I reiterate that I am not a Muslim, nor an Arab, nor a White Washington employee, nor a religious fanatic of any kind, but I credit myself with enough intelligence to see what the Bush agenda has done. It has opened Western eyes to the attractions of the Muslim world. Hence, hordes of tourist will want to see for themselves.
If anything, Bush has been the best travel agent that the Muslim world could have contemplated.
Learn more about this author, John Graham.
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Yes
Those of us who can recall airline travel in the days of: "Would you like steak or salmon?" Get all teary eyed as we remove our shoes before entering an electronic search monster and then are forced to watch as a complete stranger rifles through our carry-on. Understandably the gourmet meals are gone forever due to inflationary pressures and our desire for more inexpensive travel. Fine, my wife and I are perfectly content with bringing our reliable turkey and cheese with lettuce and tomato on rye on board with us.
What is not fine are the uniformed guards and inspectors, some of them armed, casting a suspitous eye toward everyone and asking, in a cold but polite manner, what are you doing with a large tube of toothpaste concealed in your carry-on bag (I didn't even know that toothpaste could blow up an airplane). Frankly I hate it, it is demeaning and insulting to ones character. And yet, there is no question that it is absolutely necessary.
Islam is now in control of a good portion of our lives and will continue to control them well into the foreseeable future. Of course the Muslim community has damaged world tourism. The danger posed by them is real, very real and they are proud of it. There was a time if one had the inclination and resources to travel they would. Now that is not enough one must have courage enough to brave the possibility that your mode of transportation will be blown up. The restaurant you may wish to dine can be blown to pieces. In some sectors the very street to choose to stroll upon could be a danger. Travel is not a pleasure it is a test of courage. Why is this so?
The tenets of Islam are imbedded in the minds of their people beginning at the earliest stage of childhood so that by the time adulthood arrives the acceptance and beliefs in the Islamic faith are rock solid. Those we tend to label as "extremists" are not extremists at all they are deeply religious people who are true to their faith. They are true to a faith that teaches and encourages them to defend the word of Allah and punish those who offend that word.
To understand the people of Islam one must read the Koran. I did and was shocked and saddened by it. I now understand why the threat exists. It is real, persistent; and, somehow, it must be addressed.
Learn more about this author, Richard Para.
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